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A woman being driven out of her home due to attacks on her property. A relationship on the rocks after a child’s death. A change in career direction for two retired police officers.

This is the first of Joy Ellis’ Matt Ballard series that I have read. I was expecting a police thriller but The Dying Light has multiple layers and is more of a psychological thriller due to its focus on the mental health and relationship breakdown of Matt’s friends Will and Kate.

Matt has retired along with his partner Liz and they are starting out on a private detective venture. They offer to help their neighbour Emilia whose garden has been trashed and offensive graffiti painted on her walls. Meanwhile, they also try to help Will deal with a difficult emotional period and the book has further grief in store for him.

The mental breakdown of Kate is uncomfortable to read yet feels very realistic. I wasn’t sure if the creepy and sinister events and setting were hinting at a supernatural element to the plot. The criminal element to the plot was quite subtle and the investigation took second place to the tense relationships and emotional concerns of the main characters. This made the tone of the narrative very different to the other books that I have read by Joy Ellis (highlighted in list below).

Wow, what an ending! The final pages had my heart breaking and my jaw dropping: completely unexpected but no spoilers from me!

The Dying Light is the third in the Matt Ballard series and I would like to catch up with the previous books to see him in action as a police officer.

THE DYING LIGHT a totally enthralling psychological thriller with a stunning ending (Detective Matt Ballard Book 3)

From multiple #1 best-selling author Joy Ellis, comes a psychological thriller that will have you glued from first page to last.

WHISPER FEN HOLDS DARK SECRETS
As the mists roll over the fens and enigmatic lights twinkle in the distance, only the locals know their way along the hidden paths through the mysterious watery terrain of one of England’s most beautiful and sometimes dangerous places.

Detective Matt Ballard may have retired but there’s still plenty going on the fens to keep him busy.

Someone trashes an old lady’s garden and daubs her isolated cottage with hateful graffiti. Emilia Swain seems to be totally harmless, so why is she being targeted?

Matt’s best friend Will and his wife Kate moved to Holland House to put their past behind them. But Kate’s mental state is deteriorating and she’s obsessed with the tragic history of the house and an old doll she finds in the garden.

And why is Kate suddenly friends with a loner who haunts the fens?

Has the dreadful past come back to haunt the present owners?

Former detectives Matt and Liz want to help their friends and neighbours. But how can you help people who don’t want to be helped?

DISCOVER A TOTALLY ENTHRALLING PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER FROM JOY ELLIS

What readers are saying about JOY ELLIS

“The suspense starts on Page 1 and continues through the twists and turns until the very surprising ending.” Linda Strong

“OMG, this book was fantastic I absolutely loved it. I was gripped from the first page but as the tension and suspense mounted throughout the book it just got better and better and that ending, well just WOW!” Dawn Jones

“I absolutely loved it.” Viv

“Will keep you guessing until the end of the book.” Barbara

“What a book!!!” Sian

“I was so engrossed I sat up way too late to finish it in one sitting.” Elaine

The Setting
England’s rural fenland is a strange place, with its never-ending fields, winding tracks, and long straight droves (the old livestock routes) that lead to nowhere. The lonely lanes are flanked either side by deep drainage ditches and are, for a good part of the year, filled with tall, whispering reeds. Closer to the Wash, high seabanks form a barrier between river and marsh, and the richly fertile soil of the drained land. But when the mists come down, as they so often do, perspective is destroyed and all sense of direction lost, and then the fens become a rather frightening place of mystery and danger. Somewhere that you do not want to be at night.

ALSO BY JOY ELLIS
THE BEST-SELLING NIKKI GALENA SERIES
Book 1: CRIME ON THE FENS
Book 2: SHADOW OVER THE FENS
Book 3: HUNTED ON THE FENS
Book 4: KILLER ON THE FENS
Book 5: STALKER ON THE FENS
Book 6: CAPTIVE ON THE FENS
Book 7: BURIED ON THE FENS
Book 8: THIEVES ON THE FENS
Book 9: FIRE ON THE FENS
Book 10: DARKNESS ON THE FENS

Book 11: HIDDEN ON THE FENS

JACKMAN & EVANS
Book 1: THE MURDERER’S SON
Book 2: THEIR LOST DAUGHTERS
Book 3: THE FOURTH FRIEND
Book 4: THE GUILTY ONES
Book 5: THE STOLEN BOYS

Book 6: THE PATIENT MAN

DETECTIVE MATT BALLARD
Book 1: BEWARE THE PAST
Book 2: FIVE BLOODY HEARTS
Book 3: THE DYING LIGHT

JOY ELLIS

UK #1 BEST SELLER WITH THEIR LOST DAUGHTERS, DARKNESS ON THE FENS, THE FOURTH FRIEND, BEWARE THE PAST, FIRE ON THE FENS, AND THE GUILTY ONES

OVER 2 MILLION BOOKS SOLD!

“I was born in Kent but spent most of my working life in London and Surrey. I was an apprentice florist to Constance Spry Ltd, a prestigious Mayfair shop that throughout the sixties and seventies teemed with both royalty and ‘real’ celebrities. What an eye-opener for a working-class kid from the Garden of England! I swore then, probably whilst I was scrubbing the floor or making the tea, that I would have a shop of my own one day. It took until the early eighties, but I did it. Sadly the recession wiped us out, and I embarked on a series of weird and wonderful jobs; the last one being a bookshop manager. Surrounded by books all day, getting to order whatever you liked, and being paid for it! Oh bliss!

And now I live in a village in the Lincolnshire Fens with my partner, Jacqueline, a highly decorated retired police officer, and our four barking mad Springer spaniels. If I do get any spare time, which is rare these days, my one relaxation is painting, especially using soft pastels. We have been here for twenty years now and although I’ll never be a true ‘Yeller Belly’, a native born to this county, I have adopted it as my own. I love the mists, the big skies and the endless waterways. All my books are set here on the Fens, and why not? The location is perfect for murder!”

FIND JOY ON

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A serial rapist is on the loose in Liverpool. DC Cassie Rowan is working undercover to flush out the culprit. But then a body is found: can he be stopped Before He Kills Again? Two men both receiving therapy: has one of them got a secret they aren’t sharing with Dr Palmer?

The main character Cassie Rowan is young and tenacious. She has had personal tragedy and is raising her younger brother. Cassie is prepared to bend the rules to keep evil off the streets but this puts her at odds with her superior officers.There is animosity between her and her colleagues as she feels they let her down when she had the rapist literally in her grasp. Further, she comes to the conclusion that one officer may be using his position for personal financial gain.

The other main protagonist is Alan Palmer, a therapist coping with the breakdown of his marriage as well as a professional issue which is not revealed to the reader until at least two thirds into the book. He is also a likeable character and is obviously devastated by his impending divorce.

To be honest, it took me a while to get into this book. There was plenty of action but I found it a little muddled to begin with, however by a quarter of the way through I was hooked! We see the perspective of abducted women which draws us in to their situation and makes us anxious for the police to save them.

As I have a masters in psychology, I enjoyed the consideration of the motives and psychological history of the murderer. There is not much forensic detail about the body but there is some violence. The torture of the victims is unpleasant to read because it feels very realistic. Cassie and Alan’s emotional responses to the events in the book are also very natural which endears them to the reader.

Before He Kills Again is a great introduction as the first in a new series and I definitely want to follow more of Cassie’s career.

BEFORE HE KILLS AGAIN (Detective Cassie Rowan #1) by Margaret Murphy

A serial predator on the prowl in Liverpool. Seven victims so far. And he’s already got his next victim.

The police can’t catch him. He leaves no trace of himself, and no one has been able to provide a reliable description of him.

Detective Cassie Rowan is working undercover and on his trail. But now he has Cassie in his sights.

DISCOVER A BRAND-NEW SERIES FROM ONE OF THE MOST THRILLING WRITERS OF CRIME FICTION!

This brand-new, unputdownable crime thriller series from Murder Squad founder Margaret Murphy is one of the must-reads of 2020!

MEET DETECTIVE CASSIE ROWAN

DC CASSIE ROWAN is a young policewoman who has been the main carer for her little brother NEIL since their parents died. She has to balance this role with her demanding job. She is working undercover on the streets of Liverpool trying to find the ‘Furman’, a man who has been brutally assaulting sex workers. Cassie blames herself and another detective, Wicks, for not catching him sooner. Forensic scientist Dr Ian Chan is on her side, but her boss Detective Chief Inspector Pat Warman thinks she is uncooperative and needs to work as part of a team.

ALSO BY MARGARET MURPHY

CLARA PASCAL SERIES

Book 1: DARKNESS FALLS

Book 2: WEAVING SHADOWS

DETECTIVE JEFF RICKMAN SERIES

Book 1: SEE HER BURN

Book 2: SEE HER DIE*

MARGARET MURPHY

Margaret Murphy writes internationally acclaimed psychological thrillers. She is a past Chair of the Crime Writers Association (CWA), founder of Murder Squad, and a former RLF Writing Fellow and Reading Round Lector. She’s been a country park ranger, biology teacher, dyslexia specialist and Visiting Professor in creative writing. A Short Story Dagger and CWA Red Herring award winner, she has also been shortlisted for the ‘First Blood’ critics award and CWA Dagger in the Library.

FIND MARGARET ON

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GOODREADS

TRIGGER WARNING: this book deals with domestic abuse and child murder

A truly shocking case for DS Maddie Ives as a woman is found dead and a man claims responsibility but she has her doubts about the truthfulness of his confession. Meanwhile others are psychologically tortured to coerce them into getting secret police and social worker documents: abuse victims that have been rehomed for their safety but are now back in danger…

The professional working relationships of the police are fraught due to events in the last book (there are spoilers so beware!) Maddie has gone from one secret romance to another whilst having an antagonistic relationship with her new boss.

I’ll admit that The Deadly Houses was a difficult book to enjoy due to the disturbing nature and intensity of the case. It is incredibly well written and I felt myself completely sucked into the plot and emotionally connected with the characters and the terrible circumstances they face.

The action is fast paced and relentlessly good. There is a mystery at the beginning as to why such awful things are happening and who is responsible. The drama is intense and believable, with terrible dilemmas that the characters face which make us as readers question what we would do in their place. The final chapters are truly horrific and devastating to read but utterly brilliant.

Overall, The Deadly Houses is an excellently dark and gritty police thriller.

I have previously reviewed books 4 and 5 in the series: He Knows Your Secrets and He Will Get You.

Deadly Houses (Maddie Ives #6) by Charlie Gallagher

Discover the hottest crime thriller this summer.

THEY LOST THEIR FAMILIES, NOW THEY’RE COMING FOR YOURS

Four brutal men destroyed their own families. And they will do anything to get them back.

Detective Maddie Ives won’t let that happen.

She works with the people who will keep them safe. But then the team protecting them begin to be hunted down.

The social worker leading the case is found beaten and suffocated. A man turns himself in claiming to be the killer, but Maddie knows he’s lying.

FEAR WILL MAKE YOU DO THE UNIMAGINABLE

Three more victims are under pressure. If they fail, their families will die.

Detective Maddie Ives faces a heart-pounding race against time to connect the crimes. And she calls in Harry Blaker, still grieving the loss of his own daughter, to help.

YOU’RE NOT EVEN SAFE IN YOUR OWN HOUSE

Perfect for fans of Kimberley Chambers, Angela Marsons, Rachel Abbott, Patricia Gibney or Mark Billingham.

DON’T MISS THE MOST GRIPPING THRILLER YOU’LL READ THIS YEAR!

PRAISE FOR CHARLIE GALLAGHER

“An exceptional thriller with a truly evil antagonist, this is a book that is nigh on impossible to put down.” Lou

“This is a brilliant read.” Billie

“Riveting crime fiction with twists and turns that make this a real page-turner.” Linda

“I haven’t come across such an evil, warped-minded villain for a long, long time.” Sarah

“I think this is the best yet — fantastic read from start to finish.” Nerys

“This is a truly sensational thriller that’s impossible to put down.”

“As the story hurtled towards its devastating denouement, I was caught totally by surprise at what happened.”

THE AUTHOR

Charlie Gallagher has been a serving UK police officer for more than ten years. During that time he has had many roles, starting as a front-line response officer, then a member of a specialist tactical team and is currently a detective investigating serious offences.

ALSO BY CHARLIE GALLAGHER

MADDIE IVES

Book 1: HE IS WATCHING YOU

Book 2: HE WILL KILL YOU

Book 3: HE WILL FIND YOU

Book 4: HE KNOWS YOUR SECRETS

Book 5: HE WILL GET YOU

Book 6: THE DEADLY HOUSES

GEORGE ELMS, LANGTHORNE SERIES

Book 1: BODILY HARM

Book 2: PANIC BUTTON

Book 3: BLOOD MONEY

Book 4: END GAME

Book 5: MISSING

Book 6: THEN SHE RAN

Book 7: HER LAST BREATH

STANDALONE

RUTHLESS

LINKS

Website:   https://www.writercharliegallagher.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/writercharliegallagher

Twitter:     @gloriouscharlie

A long weekend away for Piper Blackwell ends in tragedy as paintballing is replaced with a real shooter targeting her and her friends. Meanwhile, back in her home town, Chris Hagee is causing trouble but then apparently commits suicide but could it be murder…?

The Dead of Jerusalem Ridge has a slow start compared to the earlier books in the series and there are some spoilers so read The Dead of Winter, The Dead of Night and The Dead of Summer first (you won’t be disappointed, they are brilliant!).

The murder victim Chris has been a peripheral character in the last 3 books so his character arc has developed significantly compared to the convivial persona at the very beginning. The law enforcement team are working well together and learning from each other. We see a much softer side to Oren as his father is terminally ill which is emotional to read about. The very last line of the book had me punching the air in happiness. The characters in this series have such realism that I really found myself caring about them.

The gradual build up of the action allows us to see more of the characters as people rather than as the law. However, once the main plot kicks off, the pace is relentless. I enjoyed the tenacity of Piper as she fights her injuries to uncover the truth about the shooting of her friends, whilst the other officers are faced with interrogating suspects  and searching for evidence to find the murderer.

Jean Rabe has such a fabulous style of writing. Her Piper Blackwell series is an absolute pleasure to read and each case is fascinating and will have your attention until the very last page. I cannot wait for the next book…

The Dead of Jerusalem Ridge book blurb:

Sheriff Piper Blackwell’s three-day vacation with old Army buddies ends in tragedy. At the same time, a vile hate crime along a county road enrages her department. Their forces divided, Piper and her deputies must solve both cases before tensions boil and threaten the rural fabric of Spencer County, Indiana. Only eight months on the job, the young sheriff must weave together clues to uncover both a killer and a secret that could scar her soul.

Excerpt :

To her right she spotted an empty can, old and rusty, discarded a long while ago. Shame to leave trash in the woods. Just beyond it was a heel impression in the mud; the rain hadn’t quite taken it. Recent and deep, from a big man. Piper saw another print and crawled faster as she unslung the rifle, rose to her knees, and peered through a break in the ferns.

Pat-a-pat-a-pat-a-pat-a-pat.

The creek was just past the tree line and down a short rise, a wide gray ribbon cut by rocks. Piper watched the rain attack its surface, spitting water back up, the near bank a smooth band of mud disturbed by fresh boot prints.

Her heart thumped. He had to be on the other side of the creek, probably hunkering down behind the foliage, waiting for her. The landscape was a smear of greens and browns shadowed by the dome of clouds and the storm. She couldn’t see him.

But if he was indeed on the other side, he’d see her if she broke for the creek.

Shit, she thought. No good option. No good way to circle around.

Piper could wait it out right here, a reasonable spot, concealed by tall sawgrass and trumpet honeysuckle. The rain swirled the colors, darkened what had started out as a bright day, made it difficult to peer through with all the water running in her eyes. I should’ve worn a hat, something with a brim, she thought. Should’ve taken that precaution. Maybe her quarry had a hat. At least the downpour kept her cool, gave her patience. If she was lucky her quarry wouldn’t be as patient. Maybe he’d—

A silhouette separated from the miasma of green on the other side of the creek. An expert shot, Piper could get him, but her maximum range was one hundred feet, and the target was beyond that. Too, the rain and wind would alter the trajectory.

She needed to be closer.

Piper’s index finger teased the trigger.

Her walkie-talkie crackled softly; she’d turned the volume down as low as it would go. A voice came through the earbud: “Christmas! What’s your position?”

She didn’t know her position, not exactly. The map in plastic was out of reach. The area was wholly unfamiliar to her.

About the Author:

 My home is filled with dogs and books. Lots of dogs and books. I wear worn out sandals to work every day. I’m a mystery writer living in a tiny Midwestern town that has a gas station, a Dollar General, and a marvelous pizza place with exceedingly slow service. I am always working on a new project or three. I have forty-some books published in the fantasy, science fiction, urban fantasy and mystery genres. But I’m concentrating on mysteries now. In my spare time I dabble in roleplaying games and boardgames. And at every opportunity, I toss tennis balls to my cadre of dogs.

Find The Dead of Jerusalem Ridge here:

Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Dead-Jerusalem-Ridge-Blackwell-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B08B4WGS4B/ref=sr_1_7?dchild=1&keywords=jean+rabe&qid=1593724230&sr=8-7

paperback

https://www.amazon.com/Dead-Jerusalem-Ridge-Blackwell-Mysteries/dp/1732526729/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1593724230&sr=8-7

Barnes & Noble

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-dead-of-jerusalem-ridge-jean-rabe/1137176763?ean=2940163042227

My web page: www.jeanrabe.com

I am on Twitter at: @jeanerabe

My Amazon author page at: https://www.amazon.com/Jean-Rabe/e/B00J1QR5U2/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_1

I have a newsletter filled with tidbits about weird news items, pics of my dogs, discussions of upcoming books, reviews of things I’m reading, and writing advice. You can subscribe here: http://jeanrabe.us14.list-manage1.com/subscribe?u=89364515308e8b5e7ffdf6892&id=9404531a4b

There’s a tour-wide giveaway! Open to US residents only. There is also an exclusive one for one of Jean’s handmade fused glass pieces.

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