I always enjoy police procedurals, especially when the protagonist has a troubled personal background. DS Craig Wild certainly fits the bill.
The settiI always enjoy police procedurals, especially when the protagonist has a troubled personal background. DS Craig Wild certainly fits the bill.
The setting and the police team were interesting to become acquainted with. The murder investigation was a tad convoluted, and hard to follow. The motives seemed insufficiently strong for the crime, in my opinion. Also, in concurrence with the Wiltshire murder enquiry, DS Wild still has a residual case ongoing in London, which further muddies the waters.
My favourite character was the rookie policewoman Marnie Olsen. She was smarter and more ambitious than her male counterparts, and I can see a bright future for her. Apparently the author thought so too, as she figures prominently in the second book.
All in all, a decent series debut, but not my personal favourite. I did enjoy it enough to have the second novel "West Country Murder" already loaded on my Kindle.
Merged review:
I always enjoy police procedurals, especially when the protagonist has a troubled personal background. DS Craig Wild certainly fits the bill.
The setting and the police team were interesting to become acquainted with. The murder investigation was a tad convoluted, and hard to follow. The motives seemed insufficiently strong for the crime, in my opinion. Also, in concurrence with the Wiltshire murder enquiry, DS Wild still has a residual case ongoing in London, which further muddies the waters.
My favourite character was the rookie policewoman Marnie Olsen. She was smarter and more ambitious than her male counterparts, and I can see a bright future for her. Apparently the author thought so too, as she figures prominently in the second book.
All in all, a decent series debut, but not my personal favourite. I did enjoy it enough to have the second novel "West Country Murder" already loaded on my Kindle....more
With a stunning setting, empathetic characters, and a myriad of secrets, this warm-hearted romance novel ticked all the boxes. I mean, with a place caWith a stunning setting, empathetic characters, and a myriad of secrets, this warm-hearted romance novel ticked all the boxes. I mean, with a place called Heaven's Cove, how could it not?
The ramshackle old Driftwood House high on the hill overlooking the scenic Devon coast was a host to the secrets that shrouded Rosie's life. She hasn't returned to her home is some time and has been living and working in Spain. Now, sadly, her mother Sofia has passed away at a very early age due to a stroke. Rosie returns to Driftwood House to sort her Mum's affairs. She discovers secret after secret and more than one unwelcome surprise. She begins to wonder... did she know her mother at all??? The tiny village and its gossiping residents welcome Rosie back into the fold and local farmer Liam helps her out sprucing up the old house.
Themes of betrayal, bereavement, duplicity, and family secrets permeate the story.
As with many a romance novel, this one was fairly predictable. However... the journey to the predictable ending was an entertaining and enjoyable one.
This book was the first in a series of four titles set in the charming Heaven's Cove, Devon. I intend to read them all!
Merged review:
With a stunning setting, empathetic characters, and a myriad of secrets, this warm-hearted romance novel ticked all the boxes. I mean, with a place called Heaven's Cove, how could it not?
The ramshackle old Driftwood House high on the hill overlooking the scenic Devon coast was a host to the secrets that shrouded Rosie's life. She hasn't returned to her home is some time and has been living and working in Spain. Now, sadly, her mother Sofia has passed away at a very early age due to a stroke. Rosie returns to Driftwood House to sort her Mum's affairs. She discovers secret after secret and more than one unwelcome surprise. She begins to wonder... did she know her mother at all??? The tiny village and its gossiping residents welcome Rosie back into the fold and local farmer Liam helps her out sprucing up the old house.
Themes of betrayal, bereavement, duplicity, and family secrets permeate the story.
As with many a romance novel, this one was fairly predictable. However... the journey to the predictable ending was an entertaining and enjoyable one.
This book was the first in a series of four titles set in the charming Heaven's Cove, Devon. I intend to read them all!...more
Firstly, I have to say that this novel reads like a traditional, old-school, murder mystery novel reminiscent of Christie, Sayers, and the like.
UniqueFirstly, I have to say that this novel reads like a traditional, old-school, murder mystery novel reminiscent of Christie, Sayers, and the like.
Unique in its setting, the real-life, world renowned police college in Hampshire called Bramshill, the murder investigation is almost solely comprised of police officers and their families.
I enjoyed the moral dilemma that Blade was experiencing with his wife and son clearly suspects in the murder. Other professional allegiances were tested as well.
The plot was well-paced and the writing polished. The final reveal, like all traditional mystery stories took place with all of the suspects gathered together in one room.
This police procedural murder mystery covered themes of ambition and blackmail. I enjoyed the read and I'm curious as to why this is the first in a prospective series featuring DI Dorothy Fraser and not Detective Superintendent Ralph Blade who was clearly the protagonist...
Merged review:
Firstly, I have to say that this novel reads like a traditional, old-school, murder mystery novel reminiscent of Christie, Sayers, and the like.
Unique in its setting, the real-life, world renowned police college in Hampshire called Bramshill, the murder investigation is almost solely comprised of police officers and their families.
I enjoyed the moral dilemma that Blade was experiencing with his wife and son clearly suspects in the murder. Other professional allegiances were tested as well.
The plot was well-paced and the writing polished. The final reveal, like all traditional mystery stories took place with all of the suspects gathered together in one room.
This police procedural murder mystery covered themes of ambition and blackmail. I enjoyed the read and I'm curious as to why this is the first in a prospective series featuring DI Dorothy Fraser and not Detective Superintendent Ralph Blade who was clearly the protagonist......more
"Under Violent Skies" encompassed all of the attributes I admire in a police procedural. It had a good balance between an interest4.5 stars rounded up
"Under Violent Skies" encompassed all of the attributes I admire in a police procedural. It had a good balance between an interesting crime plot and a personable and relatable protagonist. The setting was one of my favourites and complimented the story.
Neither fast or slow, yet perfectly paced for reading enjoyment. As well as Sara, whom I really became fond of, I also liked a few of the peripheral characters including the elderly farm woman Agnes, and the illegal Serbian woman, Lenka.
In addition to being a murder mystery, the novel spoke to themes of prejudice, illegal aliens, organized crime, people smuggling, and rural policing.
"Under Violent Skies" is the first novel in the DS Sara Hirst crime fiction series. I enjoyed it so much that I now have the next two in the series loaded on my Kindle.
Merged review:
4.5 stars rounded up
"Under Violent Skies" encompassed all of the attributes I admire in a police procedural. It had a good balance between an interesting crime plot and a personable and relatable protagonist. The setting was one of my favourites and complimented the story.
Neither fast or slow, yet perfectly paced for reading enjoyment. As well as Sara, whom I really became fond of, I also liked a few of the peripheral characters including the elderly farm woman Agnes, and the illegal Serbian woman, Lenka.
In addition to being a murder mystery, the novel spoke to themes of prejudice, illegal aliens, organized crime, people smuggling, and rural policing.
"Under Violent Skies" is the first novel in the DS Sara Hirst crime fiction series. I enjoyed it so much that I now have the next two in the series loaded on my Kindle....more
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