Michael Wood (13)

Dawn has never known her father and has never really cared, she's forging a life for herself as an independent woman. However, when her mother reveals that her father is a convicted childkiller who is just about to be released from prison, Dawn has choices to make. She sees the parents of the murdered girl and her own grandfather, then she meets her father - but can she forgive him?
There is so much to like about this book, the characterisation is excellent, the plot clever. In fact the only thing I didn't like was the ending!… (plus d'informations)

For a crime writer, A is awfully dense about what the two mysterious women might be doing at his door. Duh. You spent all night watching cop cars down the road, what do think they are?

So what book is chapter 1 from? The woman narrator does those parts and the others, from nutty A, are narrated by Hogan.

In what is marked as chapter 13 in the audiobook, there is a big bit about the power being out that goes on for several minutes as A's anxiety ramps up because his security system doesn't work and his laptop only has 50% battery left. The next minute he closes the curtains and turns on a lamp to read by. Huh?… (plus d'informations)

This novella is a prequel to the excellent Matilda Darke Series, and takes place shortly after the MIT Team has been formed and shortly after Matilda’s promotion to the DCI. It also takes place before Matilda’s husband’s death, which occurs before the first book, and it is interesting to see that relationship prior to his death.

A coach driver, and former soap star, is found dead at his flat, following a break in, however Matilda and her team aren’t sure about the break in as nothing has been taken. Matilda is convinced the murder relates to his past so the team set off to investigate.

I enjoyed this book much more than I usually do with novellas, but that is because I already knew the key characters so was invested in the series from the beginning. I feel this is aided by Michael Wood’s excellent writing and slow build up of the case as we get to know more about the victim; it’s rather like the layer’s of an onion slowly being peeled off.

Overall this was a very enjoyable read and it’s good to see the key characters in their early days. As with the rest of the series this is very well-plotted and there are the usual surprises and twists throw in, as well as some lead in to themes that will appear in the main series. I throughly recommend this novella, especially if you have read any of the Matilda Darke Series. I feel you will get more out of it if you have already read some of the series. If you haven’t read the series I very strongly recommend it as it is one of my favourite crime series but be read for a real rollercoaster ride as Michael isn’t always kind to his characters.… (plus d'informations)