Brutally honest and challenging, a brave story.

Matilda Darke returns with yet another challenging episode in a whirlwind series that easily puts to bed any debate about writing strong female lead characters. Fans of writers like Vl McDermid, or characters like Vera Stanhope will love this powerful, intellectual, storytelling. Although this book will stand alone perfectly well, with enough backstory given for context, it was a pleasure to get back to the family of officers and detectives I feel I know so well.
The story is a no-holds-barred tale of some of the most depraved of human behaviour. It is thoroughly researched and painfully honest. Having written on the same topic many times myself, the darkness is this book is in no way exaggerated or gratuitous for the sake of shock or drama. Nor is it crushingly lecturing or preachy. The drama and action is rich, the plot twists are well carved, with a few great dangling red-herrings. I won't post any spoilers, but I will say there is a challenging moral ambiguity to struggle with. What is justice? Who can deliver it, and how? What do the very worst people in our society truly deserve for their crimes?
But Michael Wood doesn't just sledgehammer us with darkness. There is plenty of the usual levity and dark humour to balance out the tension and pace, and the dark subject matter. This is an addictive book which drags you in from the start, gives you a jolly good shaking up, and is very hard to put down. The Audible narration is top class, once again.
Bravo to the author for the bravery to write this story and not shy away from the hardest truths. I look forward to the next in the series.
(Now, I am just going to have a little lie down...)

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This needs to be a tv detective series !!

Bloody z hell Michael .. these story lines are incredible.. I have lived all this series and I cannot wait for the next .. And that ending gets you wanting more and more

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Dark content softened by familiar characters

A curious mixture of really horrific and cosy which is brilliantly narrated.

I do smile at the mental health of Matilda's police crew as they come to terms with their inner traumas. They have born witness to much trauma, corruption and loss and all appear to be in counselling. How much more can one team take?

This book stands alone but does refer back to past plots in the series, so bear in mind there are spoilers if you intend reading earlier books in the series.

It is a well written crime novel and the author has created a safe pair of hands in DCI Matilda which allows him to explore this dark topic

The narrator really enhances this novel.

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Brilliant

Obviously, it’s an unbearable story but it’s handled well and compassionately. It starts as we are about to go into the first lockdown in 2020 (was it 2020 time seems a different measurement now), I thought this would put me off as I’d had enough but it is dealt with so well and mainly as an aside but with care and understanding too.

I love these characters, they are human and the relationships between them, good or bad are well drawn and developed.

I hate injustice, lies, abuse power or position (oh! There we are back at covid as a perfect example of helping mates! I like what you did there Mr Woods!), I like resolution (in life), obviously you don’t always get that even in books but I’m a grown up.

I like that this author is not afraid to remove important, well loved characters. Well I mean I’m not happy about it, I miss them, but it’s brave and clever, it keeps you on your toes because no, everything might not be alright.

Narration, excellent as ever, for the most part because there are just so many characters, backgrounds and ages. I’m in awe of such good narrators.

However, Mr Woods, the ending was just mean! Next (hopefully)!

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Best read for a long while

Frightening to think this sort of thing actually happens. Amazing read. Look forward to the next one. Be prepared for a few tears.

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A dark story, brilliantly told

The trigger warning at the beginning of this story was a necessity in my opinion. The subject matter definitely makes for uncomfortable and, at times, horrific listening. As usual, the writing and narration are first class and, despite the subject matter, this is a stand out story in the Matilda Darke series.

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Great book, difficult to listen too

Another great addition to the DCI Matilda Darke series. The most difficult book in the series for me to listen to. Great storyline.
And thank you, Stepahine Beattie for the amazing performance as per usual.

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Sad story line

Child abuse is always going to be emotive. It did recall the famous *IBES WHO HIT AWAY " and there are still cases going on. But it wasn't just going along on the coat rails. Red Herrings and depth of corruption. Established characters with their own story all gave depth. Matilda still mourning James - enough now? And she did seem up and down but perhaps tgat is the reality of PTSD. good hints at a continuing back storyline. Left me wanting the next book.

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amazing

I have waited for sometime for this book having listened to all the others and it didn't disappoint. Great storyline and well read.

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A difficult listen but we'll worth it

A very difficult subject to tackle but this was written with great sensitivity. The narration was superb, moved me to tears in places. It seems odd to say that I enjoyed a book on such a distressing subject but I did, couldn't stop listening. Well done to all concerned

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