Broken Circle (DS Liam Kilshaw #3) by Matt Brolly

Description from Goodreads:

"An ancient legend reborn. A killer recreating dark rituals. And a detective racing to break the circle before it’s complete.

When the body of a teenage girl is found posed in the Merry Maidens stone circle, her face coated in clay and ochre, DS Liam Kilshaw is drawn into a case where near-forgotten fictions bleed into brutal fact.

With echoes of an old folktale of dancers turned to stone, the scene is more about staging than superstition. And when two skeletons are unearthed beneath a nearby stone, Kilshaw realises the past is far from dead and buried.

As he hunts for a missing farmhand linked to the girl, more victims surface, each placed with ritual precision in remote ancient sites. With the noose tightening, Kilshaw must decipher centuries-old secrets to break the circle. Because in this deadly game of ancient rites and cold-blooded murder, the killer is saving the most important sacrifice for last.

A haunting crime thriller where medieval legends collide with modern murder."

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Eerie and atmospheric

I've read quite a few of Matt Brolly’s books over the years, but I’ve actually never picked up one from the DS Liam Kilshaw series before now. Even though this is the third instalment, I didn't find it too difficult to follow the main plot, so it definitely works as a standalone.

There’s clearly a lot of character development and history that I've missed by jumping in late. Liam is obviously a man carrying a fair bit of baggage and while the author gives enough context to understand his current state of mind, I think I would've felt a much stronger emotional connection to him if I’d been there from the start. It felt a bit like being a guest at a party where everyone else knows the inside jokes – not the author’s fault at all, just a reminder that I need to go back and read the first two!  

The setting is what really made this one for me. It’s incredibly atmospheric, using the rugged backdrop of Cornwall to great effect. The story kicks off with a really chilling discovery at the Merry Maidens stone circle, where a girl’s body has been staged in a way that feels tied to ancient rituals and folklore. I absolutely loved this folk-horror element; it gave the whole mystery a much darker and more unsettling edge than your average police procedural. The way local legends were woven into the investigation kept me engaged.  

In terms of pace, it’s a bit of a slow burner with very little action in the traditional sense. Instead, it relies on a sense of mounting dread and tension that just oozes out of the pages. If you prefer high-octane chases, this might feel a bit quiet, but for me, the suspense was spot on. It’s a very solid read that has definitely convinced me I need to catch up on Liam’s earlier cases.

Many thanks to the author, Amazon Publishing UK, Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this, a new series for me.

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Dead in the Water by John Marrs

🔥🔥🔥 Due to be published 20 January 2026 🔥🔥🔥

Description from Goodreads:

"A chilling tale about life flashing before your eyes—including terrifying scenes you don’t remember.

When Damon survives a near-drowning, his life flashes before his eyes. Every memory is crystal clear—except one. A dead boy. A face he can’t place. A moment he doesn’t remember living. At first he tells himself it’s a trick of the mind. But everything else he saw was real. So why not this?

With his waking life stalked by the disturbing scene, confusion quickly turns to obsession. Desperate for answers, Damon digs into his fractured past, and becomes convinced that the only way to remember…is to die again. And again. And again. When he meets a perfect stranger who’s all too willing to help, the stage is set for his dice with death.

But if this is what it takes to uncover the truth, maybe some memories are better left buried…"

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I’ve just finished reading Dead in the Water and honestly, John Marrs has done it again. This is actually the third book of his that I’ve read and enjoyed now, so I was really keen to dive into this one. If you’ve read his stuff before, you know what you're in for and this definitely didn't disappoint on that front.

The story is really chilling and follows Damon, who survives a near-drowning only to be haunted by a memory of a dead boy he doesn't recognise.  The pacing is good and the chapters are short, which always makes me tell myself "just one more" before I end up staying up way too late finishing it. I loved how the tension kept building as Damon became more obsessed with his fractured past.

The concept of him having to "die" again and again to recover his memories was so dark and gripping. It’s exactly the kind of "what would I do?" scenario that keeps you hooked from the first page to the last. There were a couple of moments where I had to suspend my disbelief a little bit - but that's part of the fun with a thriller like this - it’s a great read. 

If you’re looking for something that’s easy to get into but hard to put down, I’d definitely recommend giving this a go. 

Many thanks to the author, Amazon Publishing UK, Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this book.

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The Lodge by Paul Finch

🔥🔥🔥 Published on 15 January 2026 🔥🔥🔥

Description from Goodreads:

"It’s the perfect getaway. Until there’s no way out.

You have been dreaming of an unforgettable weekend escape, and Black Tarn Lodge seems to offer everything—a magnificent Gothic mansion with towering turrets nestled in the misty Lancashire hills.

Expecting elegant dinners, vintage wines and a special late-night screening of a legendary lost film in the private cinema, all seems perfect—until night falls and a thick fog isolates you all from the world. But your phones go missing. Guests start vanishing. Then you find the body.

Someone, it seems, fell from the roof. But you can’t help wondering if he was pushed. Totally cut off, you cannot leave or call for help. You don’t know these people. But you need to decide who you can trust soon. Because this is not over. Who is going to be next—you?"

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The Lodge by Paul Finch is a bit of a departure from what I have previously seen from this author and I don't think the blurb or the description of the book accurately reflects the story found inside the pages. It sets a certain expectation that doesn't quite match the actual experience of the plot as it unfolds. While I know him best for his crime thrillers and police procedurals, in my opinion, this leans much more towards the horror genre than a standard murder mystery.

The story follows a group of dark tourism enthusiasts on a murder tour visiting the sites of gruesome killings and serial killer haunts. Their final stop is an overnight stay at a remote mansion in the Lancashire hills which was once the home of a famous horror actor. It's a great setup that feels very different to books I've read by him in the past as the focus shifts toward a more sinister and gothic atmosphere once the group becomes trapped by a dense fog.

The pace felt a little slow in places particularly during the journey between sites but there was an overriding sense of creepiness and tension that stayed consistent throughout the stay at the lodge. Even though I guessed the murderer earlier than expected, it was still fun to get there. It was actually quite refreshing to see the author delving into the horror genre as it takes me back to when I was younger when it was all I read.

Overall it's an atmospheric read that prioritises a sense of dread over a typical investigation. For anyone used to his more traditional crime novels, this is a darker shift but it's an enjoyable one if you appreciate a story that isn't afraid to get a bit more macabre.

Many thanks to the author, Amazon Publishing UK, Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this, the new one from Paul Finch.

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The Bridge (Detective Louise Blackwell #6) by Matt Brolly

 

Synopsis from Goodreads:

"Accident?

Dangerous game gone wrong?

Or murder?

DI Blackwell faces her toughest case yet.

When the body of a young woman is discovered in a shipping container in Bristol, the police suspect she was an illegal immigrant whose death was a tragic accident. But their theory is shot down by two pieces of evidence: the container was due to ship out, not in; and, even more sinister, a video camera with a live feed was filming her from a hidden compartment.

Someone watched her die. Slowly.

DI Louise Blackwell is ten weeks pregnant, a fact she has largely kept to herself, and between bouts of morning sickness she now has a murder to investigate. While the docks offer few other clues, the discovery of more live feeds convinces Blackwell that there are other trapped women…and that some of them are still alive.

As she scours historic missing-persons cases looking for a pattern to the abductions, Blackwell finds herself in a race against time to uncover the voyeuristic killer’s motive and stop any more women becoming caught in the cruel and deadly game. But with every step being closely monitored, can she outwit a murderer whose method means staying hidden?"

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What a great book! Although this is number 6 in the series, I think it can be read as a standalone quite successfully.

The story starts with the discovery of a young woman's body in a shipping container.  Initial thoughts are this is a tragic case of human trafficking gone wrong but when a camera is discovered and the investigation delves deeper, the case turns into something else altogether and when more people start to go missing, Detective Blackwell and her team know they are running out of time.

Written at a good pace, with fantastic characters, a great storyline full of tension, this is a great addition to the series and I must thank the author, Amazon Publishing UK, Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of The Bridge.

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Check out my review of The Mark book 4 in the Louise Blackwell series:

The Secret Midwife by Soraya M. Lane

Description from Goodreads:

"London, 1995: When on the fiftieth anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz a news broadcast runs an appeal for information on the identity of a midwife who saved hundreds of lives, Emilia knows it is time to finally tell her story.

Occupied Poland, 1942: Despite the constant presence of German soldiers in her village, Emilia is allowed certain freedoms as a midwife―the most precious is innocently cycling past Nazi checkpoints to the homes of expectant mothers on her rounds. But Emilia has a secret: for years she’s also been visiting the hidden Jewish mothers and working for the resistance…until she is betrayed.

Suddenly a prisoner of Auschwitz, Emilia is surrounded by horror and despair. When she is put to work as a midwife in the camp, she realises that she has a chance to bring a small glimmer of hope to the pregnant women of Auschwitz. Alongside a brave imprisoned doctor, Aleksy, and an innocent outcast, Lena, she comes up with a dangerous plan. A plan that if discovered could mean a fate far worse than death, but if they act undetected, they could save countless lives…"

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I find books about the Holocaust difficult to review and rate because anything that highlights and keeps the memory alive of all those who perished under that despicable regime is deserving of 5 stars from me and The Secret Midwife is no different.

Although a work of fiction, the author bases her characters on real people who went through the horrors of World War II some of whom miraculously survived when millions of others did not.

The Secret Midwife focuses on the stories of Emelia and Aleksy.  Emelia is a midwife who risks her life supporting ALL women regardless of race or religion to give birth safely.  Aleksy is a doctor who tries to save his town during occupation.  Unfortunately, both were discovered and transported to the hell-hole that was Auschwitz however, they continued to try and care and help their fellow prisoners despite having no resources or equipment and the ongoing risk of immediate selection and execution.

As you can imagine, this is an emotional, harrowing and heart-breaking story but it's also one of bravery and how, despite the ongoing threats, some people did everything they could to help ease the suffering of those around them and whilst Emelia, Aleksy and some of the other characters aren't real people, they and their story will stay with me for some time.

Highly recommended to those of you who enjoy reading historical fiction; this is a must read and I have to thank Amazon Publishing UK, Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of The Secret Midwife.

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The Mark (Detective Louise Blackwell #4) by Matt Brolly

 

🌟🌟🌟 Due to be published 23-Nov-2021 🌟🌟🌟

Description from Goodreads:

"Brutal attacks. A sinister conspiracy. Time is running out.

In the quiet seaside town of Weston-super-Mare, a man is found unconscious on the beach with a strange symbol carved into his skin. The victim―a local drug addict―has no recollection of who attacked him or how he got there.

The sleepy coastal community is sent into shock. And when another victim branded with the same vicious mark dies from his wounds, DI Louise Blackwell realises she is dealing with a sadistic serial killer.

But why is the twisted attacker targeting Weston’s most vulnerable people? And what is the meaning behind the mysterious symbol? Still struggling to overcome her own demons in the wake of her brother’s death, Blackwell must stay one step ahead of both the killer and corrupt DCI Finch, whose meddling in the investigation makes her more determined than ever to bring him down for good.

As the body count rises, and her feud with Finch puts her own life in danger, Blackwell faces a race against time to discover the dark crime that unites the victims and put an end to the carnage―before someone puts an end to her."

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Having not read any of the previous books in this series, I wasn't quite sure what to expect but what I got was a very engaging and enthralling story.

I don't think you have to have read any of the previous books to enjoy this but I recognise that there is a lot of history that is missing, particularly when it comes to the difficulties DI Blackwell has with her superior, however, I feel the author provides enough of the back-story to get you up to speed.

DI Blackwell is an interesting and complex character; she has her issues (who doesn't!) but her determination, strength and fortitude shines through in this multi-threaded story.  The cast of supporting characters are equally as good and all have their place and their own stories.  As I said, this is a multi-threaded story but the underlying plot is the branding attacks which ultimately turns into murder.  Told from both DI Blackwell's and the killer's point of view, this provides a comprehensive view of the case and into the mind and motivations of the killer.

With scenes of peril, descriptions of violence and body modification that some may find difficult, and brimming with suspense and a host of suspects, this is a book that's easy to get your teeth into and I need to thank Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley for my advance copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.

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