Series
Publication
Tantor Audio (2021)
Original publication date
2021-02-18
Collections
Description
One moonlit night, the bodies of two young people are discovered lying entwined on a blanket in the woods. The young man is clutching a red rose. It appears to be a lovers' suicide pact ... Until Detective Nikki Galena and DS Joseph Easter look more closely. Romeo and Juliet, as they decide to call them, were murdered somewhere else and brought to the woods. But why? Then another young couple are found dead, again beautifully posed as lovers. And Nikki knows they have a twisted serial killer on their hands. Who are the next victims? EVERYONE HAS SECRETS. BUT SOME PEOPLE WILL KILL TO KEEP THEM.
User reviews
LibraryThing member porte01
#12 in the DI Nikki Galena series. The series involves a fictional homicide DI and her colleagues on the Fenland marshes of Eastern England. The atmospheric setting forms a nice backdrop, and DI Nikki Galena herself and DS Joseph Easter, the lead detectives, are good strong leads to carry the
In general I would say this is very much a comfortable read with good intrigue that will keep you absorbed on a lazy afternoon.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher Joffe books, for an advance digital copy for review.
The main crime plot, involving the theatrically staged murders of two sets of what appear to be young star-crossed lovers, was intricate with enough twists and turns to keep readers guessing.
The returning characters are interesting and it felt like the number of detectives, officers, pathologists, assistants, and police staff we meet in this book was more than I am used to with detective series. Lots of characters were drawn and I can see that this group could become familiar and welcome, like old friends, to series readers. This was my first read by this author and I probably should have read the series in order, although it was not strictly necessary to enjoy this book.
There was even a sub-plot with Nikki’s mother, Eve and her companion, Wendy, which on its own read like a cozy mystery involving a somewhat elderly pair of Nancy Drews or perhaps Miss Marples. I gather this is a regular occurrence in the series with these characters and think it is a nice touch.
Overall, I would give this book three stars. Without revealing any spoilers, I did find it a bit difficult to keep the crime victims straight, especially in the beginning, and the plot baffles with many loose ends that close a bit quickly and perhaps overly-neatly to warrant a four-star rating.
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story.In general I would say this is very much a comfortable read with good intrigue that will keep you absorbed on a lazy afternoon.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher Joffe books, for an advance digital copy for review.
The main crime plot, involving the theatrically staged murders of two sets of what appear to be young star-crossed lovers, was intricate with enough twists and turns to keep readers guessing.
The returning characters are interesting and it felt like the number of detectives, officers, pathologists, assistants, and police staff we meet in this book was more than I am used to with detective series. Lots of characters were drawn and I can see that this group could become familiar and welcome, like old friends, to series readers. This was my first read by this author and I probably should have read the series in order, although it was not strictly necessary to enjoy this book.
There was even a sub-plot with Nikki’s mother, Eve and her companion, Wendy, which on its own read like a cozy mystery involving a somewhat elderly pair of Nancy Drews or perhaps Miss Marples. I gather this is a regular occurrence in the series with these characters and think it is a nice touch.
Overall, I would give this book three stars. Without revealing any spoilers, I did find it a bit difficult to keep the crime victims straight, especially in the beginning, and the plot baffles with many loose ends that close a bit quickly and perhaps overly-neatly to warrant a four-star rating.
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LibraryThing member Vesper1931
Two bodies are found in Saltmere Woods, D.I. Nikki Galena and her team are finding discovering their identities a problem. Then two more bodies are discovered. What could be the motive, will there be more deaths.
Meanwhile Nikki Galena's mother, Eve Anderson and her friend Wendy Avery are still on
Another entertaining and well-written crime story with its cast of likeable and well-drawn characters. A very good addition to the series.
An ARC was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Meanwhile Nikki Galena's mother, Eve Anderson and her friend Wendy Avery are still on
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the trail of disappeared painter Robert Matthew Richmond. Will they every solve their mystery.Another entertaining and well-written crime story with its cast of likeable and well-drawn characters. A very good addition to the series.
An ARC was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
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Language
Original language
English