Having had the pleasure of meeting Graham Smith a few times, I know he's a thoroughly decent chap. He might even have bought me a drink. Or maybe it was me that bought him one? Anyway, I digress. Since then, before actually, I have been keen to read something of his. I actually have the Jack Boulder series on my teetering TBR pile. So when I saw that he was starting a new series with an intriguing central character, I jumped at the chance to read it!
The Blurb:
He’d found an angel for his collection. But one angel at a time was never enough...
Detective Beth Young has just joined the Cumbrian major crimes team when a body is found posed in a ritualistic manner – arms spread and graceful wings attached – at a crumbling castle in the hills of the Lake District.
The entire police force are on red alert. But Beth begins to feel she’s the only one who can follow the disturbing clues left by the twisted killer. Because she doesn't think like everyone else. To Beth, crimes are puzzles she can solve. Even if real life is a little harder.
As more bodies are discovered in derelict stately homes across the Lake District, she knows she’s in a race against time.
But the killer is looking for another victim to add to his collection… Will Beth be able to save her? Or will he get there first?
A tenacious young detective with scars both physical and emotional, Beth Young will stop at nothing in her fight for justice for the innocent. The Silent Dead is the first book in the series. Set in the Lake District, it is perfect for fans of Joy Ellis, LJ Ross, and Peter James.
The Silent Dead was published yesterday by Bookoutre, and you can use the links below to buy it:
Amazon: http://geni.us/B07H2DG957social
iBookstore: https://tinyurl.com/ydhftyxx
Kobo: https://tinyurl.com/y75k5vng
Googleplay: https://tinyurl.com/ybchbhzl
iBookstore: https://tinyurl.com/ydhftyxx
Kobo: https://tinyurl.com/y75k5vng
Googleplay: https://tinyurl.com/ybchbhzl
My Review:
Oh my goodness! Where to start? Well, this is my first Graham Smith book, but it definitely won't be my last! The Silent Dead is twisted and gruesome. And brilliant.
We are thrust straight into the case, along with Beth Young, the newest recruit to the Cumbrian Force Major Investigation Team. A bride 's special day is ruined when she discovers a dead body - a man who has died in a grotesque, ritualistic manner. Beth is young, enthusiastic and as she investigates the death, she is keen to show her new colleagues that she deserves her place on the team.
The book is interspersed with chapters told from the viewpoints of two unnamed, unknown men, and they are suitably creepy. This is a stroke of genius by the writer as we see both men fix their sights on the same woman. But why, and for what purpose?
I adored Beth. She's dedicated, determined and keen to learn. And she looks at things differently from her colleagues, enabling her to see things they don't. Her determination to see justice done is due to her own experiences following an assault. I loved seeing her relationships build with her colleagues, particularly her boss Zoe O'Dowd. I also enjoyed her dynamic with Hewson, the pathologist.
This is a hugely atmospheric book full of countryside and crumbling old buildings. The action is full on, and the story is full of tension - my nerves were shredded! The crimes are gruesome (not overly so), but highly original, and I found myself fascinated by the detail. It's a fabulous beginning to what promises to be an awesome series. I can't wait for Beth's next case! And in the meantime, those Jake Boulder books will be making their way up my TBR pile!
Oh my goodness! Where to start? Well, this is my first Graham Smith book, but it definitely won't be my last! The Silent Dead is twisted and gruesome. And brilliant.
We are thrust straight into the case, along with Beth Young, the newest recruit to the Cumbrian Force Major Investigation Team. A bride 's special day is ruined when she discovers a dead body - a man who has died in a grotesque, ritualistic manner. Beth is young, enthusiastic and as she investigates the death, she is keen to show her new colleagues that she deserves her place on the team.
The book is interspersed with chapters told from the viewpoints of two unnamed, unknown men, and they are suitably creepy. This is a stroke of genius by the writer as we see both men fix their sights on the same woman. But why, and for what purpose?
I adored Beth. She's dedicated, determined and keen to learn. And she looks at things differently from her colleagues, enabling her to see things they don't. Her determination to see justice done is due to her own experiences following an assault. I loved seeing her relationships build with her colleagues, particularly her boss Zoe O'Dowd. I also enjoyed her dynamic with Hewson, the pathologist.
This is a hugely atmospheric book full of countryside and crumbling old buildings. The action is full on, and the story is full of tension - my nerves were shredded! The crimes are gruesome (not overly so), but highly original, and I found myself fascinated by the detail. It's a fabulous beginning to what promises to be an awesome series. I can't wait for Beth's next case! And in the meantime, those Jake Boulder books will be making their way up my TBR pile!
The Author:
Graham Smith is the bestselling author of four explosive crime thrillers in the Jake Boulder series, Watching the Bodies, The Kindred Killers, Past Echoes and Die Cold. Watching the Bodies spent over two weeks at number one in the Amazon UK chart and Amazon CA charts. Graham is also the author of the popular DI Harry Evans series and has collections of short stories and novellas. His latest novel - The Silent Dead is published by Bookouture and set in Cumbria / the Lake District, featuring DC Beth Young.
He is the proud father of a young son. As a time served joiner he has built bridges, houses, dug drains and slated roofs to make ends meet. Since 2000 he has been manager of a busy hotel and wedding venue near Gretna Green, Scotland.
An avid fan of crime fiction since being given one of Enid Blyton’s Famous Five books at the age of eight, he has also been a regular reviewer for the well-respected review site Crimesquad.com since 2010.
When not working, his time is spent reading, writing and playing games with his son. He enjoys socialising and spending time with friends and family.
Author Social Media Links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grahamnsmithauthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/GrahamSmith1972
Website: https://grahamsmithauthor.com/
Goodreads:https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5446655.Graham_Smith?from_search=true
Twitter: https://twitter.com/GrahamSmith1972
Website: https://grahamsmithauthor.com/
Goodreads:https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5446655.Graham_Smith?from_search=true
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