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Release date: November 30, 2018

Publisher: Bookouture

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Blurb:

He’d found an angel for his collection. But one angel at a time was never enough…

Detective Beth Young has just joined the Cumbrian major crimes team when a body is found posed in a ritualistic manner – arms spread and graceful wings attached – at a crumbling castle in the hills of the Lake District. 

The entire police force are on red alert. But Beth begins to feel she’s the only one who can follow the disturbing clues left by the twisted killer. Because she doesn’t think like everyone else. To Beth, crimes are puzzles she can solve. Even if real life is a little harder.

As more bodies are discovered in derelict stately homes across the Lake District, she knows she’s in a race against time.

But the killer is looking for another victim to add to his collection… Will Beth be able to save her? Or will he get there first?

A tenacious young detective with scars both physical and emotional, Beth Young will stop at nothing in her fight for justice for the innocent. The Silent Dead is the first book in the series. Set in the Lake District, it is perfect for fans of Joy Ellis, LJ Ross, and Peter James. 

I’m so thrilled to be one of the stops on the blog tour for The Silent Dead today!

Review:

 

Over the past few years I’ve become a fan of Smith’s, there is something about his writing style and overall originality that appeals to me, so when I heard he was releasing a new book that would also be the beginning of a new series, I just knew I had to read it!

I spoke of the authors originality earlier, let me expand on that now. Beth is a very new police officer and I found this so interesting, I don’t think I’ve read another police procedural where the protagonist is so early in their career. She was also extremely fascinating, I feel like there is so much to learn about her as a character and I’m eager to see what will be revealed in the next book. Then there is the case itself, talk about bizarre and creepy! The killer is not only displaying his victims in an odd manner he’s also attaching wings to their backs, and there also seems to be no rhyme or reason for the victims he chooses. Some are male, some are female and none seem to have any connection to each other. It was a highly unusual premise and one that kept me engaged.

There was something dark and twisted about this one, there are some gory scenes and heart pounding moments, especially in the end. A very solid start to a new series from an author I know I can trust to deliver a great crime read!

The Silent Dead in three words: Unusual, Twisted and Menacing.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.