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Detective Inspector Louise Blackwell #1
The Crossing
In a small town full of secrets, everyone’s a suspect.
When a body is discovered, bled dry on a beach, the sleepy seaside town of Weston-super-Mare wakes up to a nightmare. For Detective Inspector Louise Blackwell, recently transferred to the town she last saw as a child, it’s her first case on the job.
The victim—Veronica Lloyd, an elderly volunteer at a local church—has puncture wounds to her hands. When a priest is found killed in a nearby church in a similarly grisly condition, it becomes clear that Blackwell is dealing with a righteous and bloody murderer. But the victims aren’t random. The killer has a vendetta and is hell-bent on exacting twisted revenge for a dark secret dating back years—and there are more murders planned.
As the body count rises, Blackwell faces a race against time to solve the mystery of the murderer’s identity and put an end to the carnage. She thought she knew Weston, but the town holds more secrets than she’d ever have imagined. Who can she trust and who knows more than they are letting on?
She must discover the crimes that unite the victims—before it’s too late.
332 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 14, 2020
About the author
Matt Brolly
20 books527 followersMatt Brolly is the Amazon number one bestselling author of the DI Blackwell novels set in Weston-supper-Mare, as well as the DCI Lambert crime novels, the acclaimed near future crime novel, Zero, and the US thriller, The Controller.
Matt also writes children's books as M.J. Brolly. His first children's book, The Sleeping Bug, was released by Oblong Books in December 2018.
Matt lives in London with his wife and their young children. You can find out more about Matt at his website www.mattbrolly.com or by following him on twitter: @MattBrollyUK
Matt Brolly books in order:
DI Blackwell:
The Crossing (Feb 2020)
The Descent (July 2020)
The Gorge (March 2021)
The Mark (out November 2021)
DCI Lambert Series
Dead Water (prequel released August 2019)
Dead Eyed
Dead Lucky
Dead Embers
Dead Time
Other books
Zero
The Controller
For children (as M.J. Brolly)
The Sleeping Bug
Matt also writes children's books as M.J. Brolly. His first children's book, The Sleeping Bug, was released by Oblong Books in December 2018.
Matt lives in London with his wife and their young children. You can find out more about Matt at his website www.mattbrolly.com or by following him on twitter: @MattBrollyUK
Matt Brolly books in order:
DI Blackwell:
The Crossing (Feb 2020)
The Descent (July 2020)
The Gorge (March 2021)
The Mark (out November 2021)
DCI Lambert Series
Dead Water (prequel released August 2019)
Dead Eyed
Dead Lucky
Dead Embers
Dead Time
Other books
Zero
The Controller
For children (as M.J. Brolly)
The Sleeping Bug
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 634 reviews
January 3, 2020
THE CROSSING by Matt Brolly is a police procedural and the first book in the Detective Inspector (DI) Louise Blackwell series. It is set most in and near Weston-super-Mare in England. When the body of an older woman is found on a beach, DI Blackwell becomes the senior investigating officer. As Louise and her team work to identify and capture the murderer there are also personal issues that are weaved into the story line.
While this book is a police procedural, the reader knows who the killer is in the first chapter as some of the chapters are from his viewpoint. The plot is driven by the police working through the clues and the killer’s activities and motivations. There is a lot more going on under the surface. Other themes running through the story line include work relationships, the drive to succeed, corruption, infidelity, loneliness, aging, friendship, family, dealing with grief, and much more. These other themes enhanced the plot.
The characters are compelling, fascinating, and felt three-dimensional. There was enough at stake to keep me engaged throughout the story. The world-building was absolutely fantastic and gave a clear sense of place.
Overall, the plot was creative, absorbing and well-paced. I would recommend it to those that enjoy police procedurals and British crime dramas. I look forward to reading the next book in this series as well as checking out his DCI Michael Lambert series.
Thanks to Amazon Publishing UK and Matt Brolly for a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley and the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.
While this book is a police procedural, the reader knows who the killer is in the first chapter as some of the chapters are from his viewpoint. The plot is driven by the police working through the clues and the killer’s activities and motivations. There is a lot more going on under the surface. Other themes running through the story line include work relationships, the drive to succeed, corruption, infidelity, loneliness, aging, friendship, family, dealing with grief, and much more. These other themes enhanced the plot.
The characters are compelling, fascinating, and felt three-dimensional. There was enough at stake to keep me engaged throughout the story. The world-building was absolutely fantastic and gave a clear sense of place.
Overall, the plot was creative, absorbing and well-paced. I would recommend it to those that enjoy police procedurals and British crime dramas. I look forward to reading the next book in this series as well as checking out his DCI Michael Lambert series.
Thanks to Amazon Publishing UK and Matt Brolly for a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley and the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.
February 19, 2020
EXCERPT: The smell of the place would never leave Louise. The farm was divided into a series of metallic barns and as they entered the outer shed she was hit by an unimaginable stench, the decay and waste of decades of animals. The ground appeared to move as she shone her torch over the various swarming mounds lining the barn floor, and she had to turn away and retch.
'Louise,' said Finch, his voice low and unnerved.
Louise battled her nausea and returned to the matter in hand. Finch was in one corner of the barn, his torch shining on the corpses of the missing mother and daughter.
ABOUT THIS BOOK: When a body is discovered, bled dry on a beach, the sleepy seaside town of Weston-super-Mare wakes up to a nightmare. For Detective Inspector Louise Blackwell, recently transferred to the town she last saw as a child, it’s her first case on the job.
The victim—Veronica Lloyd, an elderly volunteer at a local church—has puncture wounds to her hands. When a priest is found killed in a nearby church in a similarly grisly condition, it becomes clear that Blackwell is dealing with a righteous and bloody murderer. But the victims aren’t random. The killer has a vendetta and is hell-bent on exacting twisted revenge for a dark secret dating back years—and there are more murders planned.
As the body count rises, Blackwell faces a race against time to solve the mystery of the murderer’s identity and put an end to the carnage. She thought she knew Weston, but the town holds more secrets than she’d ever have imagined. Who can she trust and who knows more than they are letting on?
She must discover the crimes that unite the victims—before it’s too late.
MY THOUGHTS: I am a great fan of Matt Brolly's Michael Lambert series and was excited about this new series. Having just closed the covers on The Crossing, I must admit to feeling a little disappointed. It doesn't flow easily, as Brolly's writing usually does. Instead it staggers along, disjointed and floundering in parts.
The story is told mainly from Louise's point of view, the killer - whose identity is revealed from the start - and another case that is running concurrently in St Ives, the relevance of which is immediately apparent.
There is a definite lack of suspense, which is a pity. The story is, I think, trying to cross into too many genres, perhaps to appeal to a wider audience. But, for me, it doesn't work. It just muddies the waters.
Unusually for Brolly, I didn't find the characters well depicted. I felt no connection to any of them and Louise's whining inner monologue on Finch and his past treatment of her quickly became wearing. In fact, she is pretty stereotypical of the current trend in female detectives...
I know Matt Brolly can write brilliantly. I am hoping to see evidence of that in the next book in this series.
😕😐😕
#TheCrossing #NetGalley
THE AUTHOR: Following his law degree where he developed an interest in criminal law, Matt Brolly completed his Masters in Creative Writing at Glasgow University.
He is the bestselling author of the DCI Lambert crime novels, Dead Eyed, Dead Lucky and Dead Embers. The fourth in the series, Dead Time, was released by Canelo in May 2018. In addition he is the author of the acclaimed near future crime novel, Zero.
2019 will see a new thriller, The Controller, released by Oblong Books and in 2020 the first of a new crime series set in the West Country of the UK will be released by Thomas Mercer(Amazon Publishing)
Matt also writes children's books as M.J. Brolly. His first children's book, The Sleeping Bug, is released by Oblong Books in December 2018.
Matt lives in London with his wife and their two young children.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Amazon Publishing UK via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of The Crossing by Matt Brolly for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
'Louise,' said Finch, his voice low and unnerved.
Louise battled her nausea and returned to the matter in hand. Finch was in one corner of the barn, his torch shining on the corpses of the missing mother and daughter.
ABOUT THIS BOOK: When a body is discovered, bled dry on a beach, the sleepy seaside town of Weston-super-Mare wakes up to a nightmare. For Detective Inspector Louise Blackwell, recently transferred to the town she last saw as a child, it’s her first case on the job.
The victim—Veronica Lloyd, an elderly volunteer at a local church—has puncture wounds to her hands. When a priest is found killed in a nearby church in a similarly grisly condition, it becomes clear that Blackwell is dealing with a righteous and bloody murderer. But the victims aren’t random. The killer has a vendetta and is hell-bent on exacting twisted revenge for a dark secret dating back years—and there are more murders planned.
As the body count rises, Blackwell faces a race against time to solve the mystery of the murderer’s identity and put an end to the carnage. She thought she knew Weston, but the town holds more secrets than she’d ever have imagined. Who can she trust and who knows more than they are letting on?
She must discover the crimes that unite the victims—before it’s too late.
MY THOUGHTS: I am a great fan of Matt Brolly's Michael Lambert series and was excited about this new series. Having just closed the covers on The Crossing, I must admit to feeling a little disappointed. It doesn't flow easily, as Brolly's writing usually does. Instead it staggers along, disjointed and floundering in parts.
The story is told mainly from Louise's point of view, the killer - whose identity is revealed from the start - and another case that is running concurrently in St Ives, the relevance of which is immediately apparent.
There is a definite lack of suspense, which is a pity. The story is, I think, trying to cross into too many genres, perhaps to appeal to a wider audience. But, for me, it doesn't work. It just muddies the waters.
Unusually for Brolly, I didn't find the characters well depicted. I felt no connection to any of them and Louise's whining inner monologue on Finch and his past treatment of her quickly became wearing. In fact, she is pretty stereotypical of the current trend in female detectives...
I know Matt Brolly can write brilliantly. I am hoping to see evidence of that in the next book in this series.
😕😐😕
#TheCrossing #NetGalley
THE AUTHOR: Following his law degree where he developed an interest in criminal law, Matt Brolly completed his Masters in Creative Writing at Glasgow University.
He is the bestselling author of the DCI Lambert crime novels, Dead Eyed, Dead Lucky and Dead Embers. The fourth in the series, Dead Time, was released by Canelo in May 2018. In addition he is the author of the acclaimed near future crime novel, Zero.
2019 will see a new thriller, The Controller, released by Oblong Books and in 2020 the first of a new crime series set in the West Country of the UK will be released by Thomas Mercer(Amazon Publishing)
Matt also writes children's books as M.J. Brolly. His first children's book, The Sleeping Bug, is released by Oblong Books in December 2018.
Matt lives in London with his wife and their two young children.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Amazon Publishing UK via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of The Crossing by Matt Brolly for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
March 31, 2020
DI Louise Blackwell has recently transferred to the English seaside town of Weston-super-Mare, disgraced after shooting an unarmed man in a police raid, eve though the swears that her partner told her he was armed. Her first murder case with her new team is that of an elderly women found on the beach who bled to death from wounds to her wrist. When an elderly priest is found a few days later dead from similar wounds, Louise must find the connection between the cases before any more deaths occur.
Told from Louise's viewpoint as well that of the killer, this was a fairly enjoyable read. Although the reader knows who the killer is from the start, it's up to Louise and her team to work out his bizarre motive and what he might to do next. The plot is driven by their investigations as a story of revenge starts to emerge and a suspenseful climax as they work out the killer's ultimate goal. Although the characters are quite well depicted, I didn't feel any connection with them, especially with Louise who is still carrying a grudge against her ex-partner for not telling the truth. However, this is a promising start to a new British crime series and I would be interested in reading the second book where Louise might have settled more into her new role.
Told from Louise's viewpoint as well that of the killer, this was a fairly enjoyable read. Although the reader knows who the killer is from the start, it's up to Louise and her team to work out his bizarre motive and what he might to do next. The plot is driven by their investigations as a story of revenge starts to emerge and a suspenseful climax as they work out the killer's ultimate goal. Although the characters are quite well depicted, I didn't feel any connection with them, especially with Louise who is still carrying a grudge against her ex-partner for not telling the truth. However, this is a promising start to a new British crime series and I would be interested in reading the second book where Louise might have settled more into her new role.
June 8, 2020
I really loved Matt Brolly’s previous crime thriller series featuring DCI Mike Lambert and was hoping for a similar vibe with this new series. I have the ARC of the second book so thought I’d read this one first to get some background on the characters.
DI Louise Blackwell was transferred to Weston-super-Mare from the Bristol Major Incident Team after an incident which left a black mark on her record and a bad taste in her mouth when she was (figuratively) thrown under a bus by a colleague. This was 18 months ago and she doesn’t seem to have settled in properly yet. Her former colleague is still bullying her from afar but at least her boss, DCI Robertson seems to have her back.
Everything changes though when a string of murders with religious overtones rocks the peaceful community of Weston. First an elderly woman’s body is found brutalised on the beach. The next day, an elderly priest is found horribly killed in the confessional. But it’s not over yet!
We get part of the story from Louise’s POV and the rest from the killer. And that was part of the problem for me. Obviously something happened when he was a child that royally screwed him up but, despite numerous references to ‘the incident’, we don’t find out what it is until much later. And the reveal was quite underwhelming. I struggled to believe the rationale for the killings, it seemed very weak. The book, a solid police procedural, follows a fairly predictable path with little suspense. It was not bad but not great either. I’m hoping that book 2 will lift the bar a bit and we get more of the thrills that we know the author is capable of and has given us in the past.
DI Louise Blackwell was transferred to Weston-super-Mare from the Bristol Major Incident Team after an incident which left a black mark on her record and a bad taste in her mouth when she was (figuratively) thrown under a bus by a colleague. This was 18 months ago and she doesn’t seem to have settled in properly yet. Her former colleague is still bullying her from afar but at least her boss, DCI Robertson seems to have her back.
Everything changes though when a string of murders with religious overtones rocks the peaceful community of Weston. First an elderly woman’s body is found brutalised on the beach. The next day, an elderly priest is found horribly killed in the confessional. But it’s not over yet!
We get part of the story from Louise’s POV and the rest from the killer. And that was part of the problem for me. Obviously something happened when he was a child that royally screwed him up but, despite numerous references to ‘the incident’, we don’t find out what it is until much later. And the reveal was quite underwhelming. I struggled to believe the rationale for the killings, it seemed very weak. The book, a solid police procedural, follows a fairly predictable path with little suspense. It was not bad but not great either. I’m hoping that book 2 will lift the bar a bit and we get more of the thrills that we know the author is capable of and has given us in the past.
October 1, 2023
3 Stars
February 14, 2020
The Crossing is the first instalment in a new police procedural series featuring Detective Inspector Louise Blackwell and set in Weston-super-Mare, a seaside town in Somerset, England. When the brutally disfigured body of elderly Veronica Lloyd is discovered on the beach, DI Blackwell lands this as her first case since being transferred from Bristol’s Major Investigation Team (MIT) eighteenth months prior. Then, a few days later, another body turns up. This time the victim is Catholic priest Father Mulligan who was found in the confessional box having just taken Mass. From analysing the bodies and the crime scenes Louise believes the two chilling murders could be linked and both the handiwork of a single perpetrator who appears to have a vendetta. She is under intense pressure to solve the case quickly before her nemesis DI Finch is handed it; he is the one who betrayed her leading to her eventual transferal to Weston and seems determined to sabotage her career. Can she manage to locate the killer before another body drops?
This book was structured in an original and unusual way as you know the killer's identity from relatively early on and this allows us to read chapters from his perspective as well as Louise’s. What drives the plot forward is instead the uncovering of the killer's motivations for committing the crimes, his actions and the polices efforts to locate and apprehend him. Despite this, I found it just as compulsive and gripping as conventional police procedurals and raced through it. It's cleverly plotted with plenty of action and suspense and is well written with a cast of intriguing characters; Finch and Louise were both nicely developed. The seaside setting added a different atmosphere to most procedurals and I enjoyed the descriptions which were vivid and stark. The cat and mouse game between the perpetrator and the police was completely captivating as you know they are in a race against time before he strikes again and another life is lost. A superb read. Highly recommended. Many thanks to Amazon for an ARC.
This book was structured in an original and unusual way as you know the killer's identity from relatively early on and this allows us to read chapters from his perspective as well as Louise’s. What drives the plot forward is instead the uncovering of the killer's motivations for committing the crimes, his actions and the polices efforts to locate and apprehend him. Despite this, I found it just as compulsive and gripping as conventional police procedurals and raced through it. It's cleverly plotted with plenty of action and suspense and is well written with a cast of intriguing characters; Finch and Louise were both nicely developed. The seaside setting added a different atmosphere to most procedurals and I enjoyed the descriptions which were vivid and stark. The cat and mouse game between the perpetrator and the police was completely captivating as you know they are in a race against time before he strikes again and another life is lost. A superb read. Highly recommended. Many thanks to Amazon for an ARC.
August 29, 2020
Excellent police procedural series debut.
It is SO satisfying to discover a new police procedural series featuring a strong plot, an engaging protagonist, and a beautiful and atmospheric setting.
I'm certain that any reader who enjoys police procedurals will find "The Crossing" a compelling read. I truly enjoyed making the acquaintance of Detective Louise Blackwell of the Avon & Somerset Police. She is lonely, turns to alcohol rather too often, and is quirky and charismatic in equal measure.
The plot featured a troubled mind in a man whose strict Catholic upbringing colored his entire life - not is a good way.
The settings - Weston-super-Mare, a seaside town in Somerset, England and the forbidding island of Steep Holm, in the Bristol Channel added much to the narrative.
The title was fitting in three profound ways. Louise had to 'cross' the Avonmouth Bridge to travel from her family's homes to her new home, the criminal 'crossed' the water from Weston to Steep Holm several times in the story, AND.... well you'll just have to read the novel to find out the third way that the title fits so perfectly.
In case you haven't yet guessed, I loved "The Crossing" and can't wait to read the next novel in the Louise Blackwell series which is called "The Descent". Highly recommended!
It is SO satisfying to discover a new police procedural series featuring a strong plot, an engaging protagonist, and a beautiful and atmospheric setting.
I'm certain that any reader who enjoys police procedurals will find "The Crossing" a compelling read. I truly enjoyed making the acquaintance of Detective Louise Blackwell of the Avon & Somerset Police. She is lonely, turns to alcohol rather too often, and is quirky and charismatic in equal measure.
The plot featured a troubled mind in a man whose strict Catholic upbringing colored his entire life - not is a good way.
The settings - Weston-super-Mare, a seaside town in Somerset, England and the forbidding island of Steep Holm, in the Bristol Channel added much to the narrative.
The title was fitting in three profound ways. Louise had to 'cross' the Avonmouth Bridge to travel from her family's homes to her new home, the criminal 'crossed' the water from Weston to Steep Holm several times in the story, AND.... well you'll just have to read the novel to find out the third way that the title fits so perfectly.
In case you haven't yet guessed, I loved "The Crossing" and can't wait to read the next novel in the Louise Blackwell series which is called "The Descent". Highly recommended!
February 4, 2024
This is another one I came across while “cleaning out my TBR closet” that has been on my list since July2020. The book summary introduces and lays out the primary storyline of a murderer running around Weston killing people. What the book summary doesn’t mention is that the killer is revealed in the first chapter. So, while the reader knows who the killer is, we don’t know why. Sometimes, I like it when the murderer is revealed really early in a story because then I don’t have to try and figure out “whodunit” and I just get to enjoy how the MC figures it out. However, I actually love trying to figure out “whodunit”; it’s fun for me. Oh well.
Anyway, what the book summary also doesn’t reveal is the secondary storyline which is why DI Louise was transferred to Weston in the first place. This is all laid out in the prologue of how Louise’s former partner, DI Timothy Finch, set her up to kill an unarmed suspect. After that, Louise to transferred to the boonies (Weston) where she has little to do until the killer starts his killing streak. However, as soon as she lands in Weston, Finch begins harassing her, on a pretty regular basis, with annoying and creepy texts, making sure Louise knows that he is watching her.
It's around the halfway point that Louise makes a possible connection between the victims and a killer, now she just needs to work out who connection and figure out who the killer is. Most of the second half revolves around the investigation of the new leads and connection. It isn’t until deep into the second half (around the 80% mark) that the story finally picks up for a decent ending.
I tried to like this story, I wanted to like it because it had all the right ingredients of a good story: smart, female, law enforcement MC, scary villain, terrible murders, creepy location. Unfortunately, I didn’t like the subject matter (see trigger warning) and most of the story was just kind of boring! Oh well, this happens. At least I finished it and didn’t DNF it in the first half so there is that. Most of the story was disappointing, hence, the 2star rating. This series is a one and done for me.
TW: Extreme religious fanaticism
Anyway, what the book summary also doesn’t reveal is the secondary storyline which is why DI Louise was transferred to Weston in the first place. This is all laid out in the prologue of how Louise’s former partner, DI Timothy Finch, set her up to kill an unarmed suspect. After that, Louise to transferred to the boonies (Weston) where she has little to do until the killer starts his killing streak. However, as soon as she lands in Weston, Finch begins harassing her, on a pretty regular basis, with annoying and creepy texts, making sure Louise knows that he is watching her.
It's around the halfway point that Louise makes a possible connection between the victims and a killer, now she just needs to work out who connection and figure out who the killer is. Most of the second half revolves around the investigation of the new leads and connection. It isn’t until deep into the second half (around the 80% mark) that the story finally picks up for a decent ending.
I tried to like this story, I wanted to like it because it had all the right ingredients of a good story: smart, female, law enforcement MC, scary villain, terrible murders, creepy location. Unfortunately, I didn’t like the subject matter (see trigger warning) and most of the story was just kind of boring! Oh well, this happens. At least I finished it and didn’t DNF it in the first half so there is that. Most of the story was disappointing, hence, the 2star rating. This series is a one and done for me.
TW: Extreme religious fanaticism
January 13, 2020
I would like to thank Netgalley and Amazon Publishing UK for an advance copy of The Crossing, the first novel to feature DI Louise Blackwell, set in the English resort town of Weston-super-Mare.
When the mutilated body of pensioner Veronica Lloyd is found on the beach Louise is keen to get stuck into her first real murder investigation in Weston. When the body of a priest, known to Veronica, is found with similar injuries there is no doubt that they are hunting a killer with an agenda.
I thoroughly enjoyed Mr Brolly’s Michael Lambert series and was looking for to The Crossing. Unfortunately it is more a psychological thriller than a police procedural and not really to my taste. I should underline, however, that my rating reflects my personal reading taste rather than the quality of the novel which has a clear plot and crisp writing. The novel switches point of view between DI Louise Blackwell and the killer who is identified immediately and unambiguously as Geoff Simmons with the odd chapter on a missing person case in St Ives whose relevance is obvious. The only thing missing is the detail behind the motive. I like the hunt in a police procedural and don’t enjoy either reading about a killer’s motivation and actions in the course of the novel or the police’s efforts at catch up. I don’t have the kind of mind that appreciates the nuance of this approach. As a result I’ve finished the novel but it didn’t hold my attention or make me forego other activities to pick it up (my standard for a good book). On the other hand I do think that if this is your kind of reading matter you will be impressed by it and its mixture of procedure, character study, strong plot and action.
Geoff Simmons is, to use a technical term, a nutter with certain delusions. I couldn’t care less about an examination of his motivations or actions as there is nothing fresh that can be written about this type of character. If he interests you I can report that he is well drawn with a certain naivety in his makeup. Louise Blackwell is a character I could come to like if she would drop the paranoia and join the team. 18 months ago her fellow officer lied about his actions, resulting in a promotion for him and exile from the MIT in Bristol to Weston for her. She suspects he is still trying to sabotage her career. As this situation is not resolved in this novel it looks like it will be an ongoing thread.
The Crossing is not to my taste but will surely please many other readers with different tastes.
When the mutilated body of pensioner Veronica Lloyd is found on the beach Louise is keen to get stuck into her first real murder investigation in Weston. When the body of a priest, known to Veronica, is found with similar injuries there is no doubt that they are hunting a killer with an agenda.
I thoroughly enjoyed Mr Brolly’s Michael Lambert series and was looking for to The Crossing. Unfortunately it is more a psychological thriller than a police procedural and not really to my taste. I should underline, however, that my rating reflects my personal reading taste rather than the quality of the novel which has a clear plot and crisp writing. The novel switches point of view between DI Louise Blackwell and the killer who is identified immediately and unambiguously as Geoff Simmons with the odd chapter on a missing person case in St Ives whose relevance is obvious. The only thing missing is the detail behind the motive. I like the hunt in a police procedural and don’t enjoy either reading about a killer’s motivation and actions in the course of the novel or the police’s efforts at catch up. I don’t have the kind of mind that appreciates the nuance of this approach. As a result I’ve finished the novel but it didn’t hold my attention or make me forego other activities to pick it up (my standard for a good book). On the other hand I do think that if this is your kind of reading matter you will be impressed by it and its mixture of procedure, character study, strong plot and action.
Geoff Simmons is, to use a technical term, a nutter with certain delusions. I couldn’t care less about an examination of his motivations or actions as there is nothing fresh that can be written about this type of character. If he interests you I can report that he is well drawn with a certain naivety in his makeup. Louise Blackwell is a character I could come to like if she would drop the paranoia and join the team. 18 months ago her fellow officer lied about his actions, resulting in a promotion for him and exile from the MIT in Bristol to Weston for her. She suspects he is still trying to sabotage her career. As this situation is not resolved in this novel it looks like it will be an ongoing thread.
The Crossing is not to my taste but will surely please many other readers with different tastes.
January 8, 2020
Before reviewing this title, I first have to confess I’m quite fond of British crime dramas. The cover and description of The Crossing immediately evoked shows such as Broadchurch and Happy Valley, leading me to happily delve into its pages.
In the fallout of the last case she worked at Bristol’s Major Investigation Team, DI Louise Blackwell was summarily transferred to the small seaside town of Weston while her manipulative narcissistic ex-partner, Timothy Finch, enjoyed a promotion to DCI.
Eighteen months after her arrival, DI Blackwell encounters her first major case when the bled out body of a woman, with uncharacteristic injuries, is found laying on a beach. The first in a series of grisly murders that will shake the town and its inhabitants.
All that I love in a good British drama is present in this book. The author’s attention to detail allows us to get intimate knowledge of not only the main character and her family, but also of the supporting cast. Along the pages, even the town itself comes alive as a character of its own.
The murderer isn’t your classic two dimensional psychopath, either. His slowly revealed motives, rooted in his childhood, his relationship with his father and the church, bring us to a point where we can’t help but to feel some empathy, in spite of his despicable acts.
The expertly written investigation, keeping us constantly guessing alongside the detectives, leads to a riveting ending in which the full meaning of the book’s title is finally revealed.
This appears to be the first book in a new series by bestselling author Matt Brolly, and I, for myself, can’t wait to visit the town of Weston again.
Thanks to Amazon Publishing’s Thomas & Mercer and Netgalley for the ARC provided in exchange for this unbiased review.
In the fallout of the last case she worked at Bristol’s Major Investigation Team, DI Louise Blackwell was summarily transferred to the small seaside town of Weston while her manipulative narcissistic ex-partner, Timothy Finch, enjoyed a promotion to DCI.
Eighteen months after her arrival, DI Blackwell encounters her first major case when the bled out body of a woman, with uncharacteristic injuries, is found laying on a beach. The first in a series of grisly murders that will shake the town and its inhabitants.
All that I love in a good British drama is present in this book. The author’s attention to detail allows us to get intimate knowledge of not only the main character and her family, but also of the supporting cast. Along the pages, even the town itself comes alive as a character of its own.
The murderer isn’t your classic two dimensional psychopath, either. His slowly revealed motives, rooted in his childhood, his relationship with his father and the church, bring us to a point where we can’t help but to feel some empathy, in spite of his despicable acts.
The expertly written investigation, keeping us constantly guessing alongside the detectives, leads to a riveting ending in which the full meaning of the book’s title is finally revealed.
This appears to be the first book in a new series by bestselling author Matt Brolly, and I, for myself, can’t wait to visit the town of Weston again.
Thanks to Amazon Publishing’s Thomas & Mercer and Netgalley for the ARC provided in exchange for this unbiased review.
December 30, 2019
Just finished reading The Crossing and thought it was excellent. I loved how the characters of DI Blackwell and the perpetrator are developed throughout the book against the backdrop of Weston-super-mare and cannot wait to read more in this series.
Keeps you gripped throughout, interweaving the case and DI Blackwell’s own personal turmoils as she tries to solve the murders.
Definitely a must read!
Keeps you gripped throughout, interweaving the case and DI Blackwell’s own personal turmoils as she tries to solve the murders.
Definitely a must read!
May 4, 2022
This was really good! Heads up though - if you are looking for a "who dunnit" this isn't it. It is written from both the POV of the detective and the killer. So you actually know right away who the bad guy is, though you get to follow DCI Blackwell as she figures it out in hopes of catching him before he kills again. I will definitely be reading the next one.
December 27, 2019
This is the first in a new series for Matt Brolly and I haven’t read any of his work before, so I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. I liked the character of Louise - broken from a past history with her last boss Finch, but was still a strong and determined character. You can see the re-emergence of her personality as the story progresses, finally get the strength to confront her history and have the self-confidence in her abilities.
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The protagonist Geoff I couldn’t help but feel a bit sorry for him. He felt let down all his life in regard to an event in his childhood, something which should have been acknowledged and dealt with at the time. He is someone who has been bullied his whole life and comes across as being sad and lonely. He is just messed up but with the desire to commit murder - a horrifying combination!
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Although the plot of stigmata has been done numerous times before I still enjoyed the narrative and the dramatic ending was chilling.
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This book was chilling, thought-provoking and fast paced! I would certainly be interested in reading the second book when it is released.
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The protagonist Geoff I couldn’t help but feel a bit sorry for him. He felt let down all his life in regard to an event in his childhood, something which should have been acknowledged and dealt with at the time. He is someone who has been bullied his whole life and comes across as being sad and lonely. He is just messed up but with the desire to commit murder - a horrifying combination!
.
Although the plot of stigmata has been done numerous times before I still enjoyed the narrative and the dramatic ending was chilling.
.
This book was chilling, thought-provoking and fast paced! I would certainly be interested in reading the second book when it is released.
December 24, 2019
2 stars
Not as good as his Michael Lambert books. There is too much angst about Louise's past and her demons. She was written as weak and emotional – certainly not a strong woman. Not someone I'd see as a SIO on an important murder case.
Not a bad book, just not my style.
I want to thank NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for forwarding to me a copy of this book for me to read and review.
Not as good as his Michael Lambert books. There is too much angst about Louise's past and her demons. She was written as weak and emotional – certainly not a strong woman. Not someone I'd see as a SIO on an important murder case.
Not a bad book, just not my style.
I want to thank NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for forwarding to me a copy of this book for me to read and review.
July 12, 2021
There appears to be a spate of women committing suicide in Weston-super-Mare, Inspector Louise is to determine if there is something more sinister going on? The atmosphere/writing is a little depressing, although murder would be this way, The main characters distractions did not add to the story. Not hooked.
January 17, 2020
This is a really well written book. It is a little different than the Lambert series, less procedural, but for me that is a strength. I loved the character development, and the dark atmosphere of the book.
July 27, 2024
This was a new author for me and a new lead character - a female detective based in Western-super-Mare in the UK. Good plot around the Catholic church and interesting cast of characters. I will look out for the next one in the series.
February 25, 2020
I received a free electronic ARC copy of this British police procedural from Netgalley, Matt Brolly, and Amazon Publishing UK. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me. I have read this novel of my own volition, and this review reflects my honest opinion of this work. I will happily add Detective Inspector Louise Blackwell to my must-reads list. This is the first of this series by Brolly - I can't wait for number 2.
DI Louise Blackwell is thirty-something, has one brother, a recent widower, and the father of a five-year-old daughter, Emily. Her brother Paul isn't handling life well at all, and Louise and their parents are often required to step into the breach at the home of Paul and Emily. Louise is historically not catching many breaks.
Two years ago Louise's partner at MIT in Bristol and surrounds, is DI Finch. Together they worked the case of serial killer Max Walton, a trail they had been investigating for over a year. It is at last solved, but Finch has placed Louise in a career-killing position. Knowing they are at the scene of a fresh kill and they are finally closing in on their serial killer, Finch indicates Walton is carrying and asks Louise for cover as he moves in to restrain him. Tripping and falling, Finch shouts that Walton is holding, and as the killer's hand comes up from the shadows Louise shoots him. These were the facts, details that later Finch will deny. Under Oath. Of course, Louise takes the hit for killing an unarmed suspect and is lucky to be allowed to stay on in the police force at all. She gets transferred to the small rural coastal precinct of Weston-super-Mare and will most likely be stalled as a DI for the next twenty years. Her friend Tracey Pugh gets a job advancement to DI and takes Louise's place at MIT, and Finch receives accolades and advancement to DCI for his part in capturing Walton. And he is currently texting her most evenings with snips and challenges and signing them 'a friend'.
But Louise has to get past all that. Eighteen months later and despite its size and level of obscurity, Weston has its own killer running amuck. And he is vicious as he brutalizes his elderly victims for days before he finally kills them.
We know our bad guy fairly early into this tale. Geoff was a bullied and abused child who worshiped his father and was exposed to and leaned heavily upon the ceremony and rituals of Saint Bernadette's Church to comfort himself. Geoff goes off his rocker when his father commits suicide. Suicides never get to heaven, they are in purgatory forever... This is unacceptable. Knowing they will eventually be back together is all that kept Geoff sane.
Geoff's obsession with the stations of the cross is not apparent during the investigation of the first and second victims, Veronica Lloyd and Father Mulligan. Veronica was a single retired school teacher. Father Mulligan, formerly the priest of St. Barts, was semi-retired and assisted Father Riley, the current priest at the second Catholic place of worship in Weston, St. Michael's. Father Riley is young, green and new to the area, but Monsignor Ashley was more helpful, as he had been working in the Weston area for many years, and as Louise uncovers the only fact that their two victims seem to have in common was their place of worship, St. Bernadette's, back in the 1980s, Monsignor Ashley brings into play other possible witnesses/or/victims from that era. Father Lanegan, who was the young priest at St. Barts in the 1980s had subsequently left the priesthood and settled into civilian life in the nearby community of St. Ives. But he has been missing for some time - a couple of weeks anyway, according to his elderly cleaner who reported him as a missing person. And it was rumored, Louise is told by older, mostly widowed parishioners, that Father Lanegan and Veronica Lloyd were involved in an affair back then.
And Finch, now a DCI with the Major Investigation Team in Bristol, comes calling, undermining Louise at every turn and attempting to squeeze her out of the investigation altogether. Because this will be a headline-grabbing criminal case and those headlines should be all his...
Parts of this story relies on a bit of back knowledge of the workings of the Catholic Church 40 years ago. It is all explained well but it helps if you understand the Stations of the Cross and the process of bringing children into the pageantry of traditional Catholic services. It is not, however necessary, nor is it a religious book per se.
pub date Feb 15, 2020
Thomas & Mercer
REviewed on February 24, 2020, on Goodreads, Netgalley, AmazonSmile, Barnes&Noble, and BookBub. Not available to review at Kobo or GooglePlay.
DI Louise Blackwell is thirty-something, has one brother, a recent widower, and the father of a five-year-old daughter, Emily. Her brother Paul isn't handling life well at all, and Louise and their parents are often required to step into the breach at the home of Paul and Emily. Louise is historically not catching many breaks.
Two years ago Louise's partner at MIT in Bristol and surrounds, is DI Finch. Together they worked the case of serial killer Max Walton, a trail they had been investigating for over a year. It is at last solved, but Finch has placed Louise in a career-killing position. Knowing they are at the scene of a fresh kill and they are finally closing in on their serial killer, Finch indicates Walton is carrying and asks Louise for cover as he moves in to restrain him. Tripping and falling, Finch shouts that Walton is holding, and as the killer's hand comes up from the shadows Louise shoots him. These were the facts, details that later Finch will deny. Under Oath. Of course, Louise takes the hit for killing an unarmed suspect and is lucky to be allowed to stay on in the police force at all. She gets transferred to the small rural coastal precinct of Weston-super-Mare and will most likely be stalled as a DI for the next twenty years. Her friend Tracey Pugh gets a job advancement to DI and takes Louise's place at MIT, and Finch receives accolades and advancement to DCI for his part in capturing Walton. And he is currently texting her most evenings with snips and challenges and signing them 'a friend'.
But Louise has to get past all that. Eighteen months later and despite its size and level of obscurity, Weston has its own killer running amuck. And he is vicious as he brutalizes his elderly victims for days before he finally kills them.
We know our bad guy fairly early into this tale. Geoff was a bullied and abused child who worshiped his father and was exposed to and leaned heavily upon the ceremony and rituals of Saint Bernadette's Church to comfort himself. Geoff goes off his rocker when his father commits suicide. Suicides never get to heaven, they are in purgatory forever... This is unacceptable. Knowing they will eventually be back together is all that kept Geoff sane.
Geoff's obsession with the stations of the cross is not apparent during the investigation of the first and second victims, Veronica Lloyd and Father Mulligan. Veronica was a single retired school teacher. Father Mulligan, formerly the priest of St. Barts, was semi-retired and assisted Father Riley, the current priest at the second Catholic place of worship in Weston, St. Michael's. Father Riley is young, green and new to the area, but Monsignor Ashley was more helpful, as he had been working in the Weston area for many years, and as Louise uncovers the only fact that their two victims seem to have in common was their place of worship, St. Bernadette's, back in the 1980s, Monsignor Ashley brings into play other possible witnesses/or/victims from that era. Father Lanegan, who was the young priest at St. Barts in the 1980s had subsequently left the priesthood and settled into civilian life in the nearby community of St. Ives. But he has been missing for some time - a couple of weeks anyway, according to his elderly cleaner who reported him as a missing person. And it was rumored, Louise is told by older, mostly widowed parishioners, that Father Lanegan and Veronica Lloyd were involved in an affair back then.
And Finch, now a DCI with the Major Investigation Team in Bristol, comes calling, undermining Louise at every turn and attempting to squeeze her out of the investigation altogether. Because this will be a headline-grabbing criminal case and those headlines should be all his...
Parts of this story relies on a bit of back knowledge of the workings of the Catholic Church 40 years ago. It is all explained well but it helps if you understand the Stations of the Cross and the process of bringing children into the pageantry of traditional Catholic services. It is not, however necessary, nor is it a religious book per se.
pub date Feb 15, 2020
Thomas & Mercer
REviewed on February 24, 2020, on Goodreads, Netgalley, AmazonSmile, Barnes&Noble, and BookBub. Not available to review at Kobo or GooglePlay.
February 1, 2020
The Crossing by Matt Brolly. First book in a new police procedural series featuring DI Louise Blackwell. Her first case on the job is interwoven with DI Blackwell's personal turmoil. There was a lot of focus on her past which at times detracted from the investigation. The killer is known from the beginning and the investigation reveals his motives in a well written and intriguing plot. Looking forward to the next book in the series and revisiting DI Blackwell's squad.
Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.
Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.
January 21, 2020
4.5 Stars
This is the first book in the Detective Inspector Louise Blackwell series by Matt Brolly.
I’ll tell you one thing, Matt Brolly sure makes it easy to dislike one of his characters. One of Louise’s foils when this starts off is a colleague who made her look bad months earlier and then took the position she was a shoe-in for. Now, he is continually harassing her. What a schmuck! Since this is only book one, and I am sure the struggle between them will not be solved in quick measure. I really can’t wait for the story that reveals this character’s true colors. Most of the police force seem to have blinders on where this character is concerned.
So, when a ritual killing turns up in her new backyard, the higher ups in the police department want to call in those they think are more knowledgable and of course, that team is headed up by Louise’s old nemesis.
With the pressure on, Louise is out to prove to herself and her colleagues that she can solve this complex case. It is a super gripping read. Get ready to stay up late to finish this if you read late in the evening.
Definitely excited by this new series by Brolly. I also enjoy his other series, DCI Michael Lambert. I love finding new to me authors who put out such great work. This is a series I will continue to pick up in the future. So good!
If you love a good mystery suspense thriller or detective fiction/police procedural, definitely check this one out. You won’t be disappointed.
I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.
This is the first book in the Detective Inspector Louise Blackwell series by Matt Brolly.
I’ll tell you one thing, Matt Brolly sure makes it easy to dislike one of his characters. One of Louise’s foils when this starts off is a colleague who made her look bad months earlier and then took the position she was a shoe-in for. Now, he is continually harassing her. What a schmuck! Since this is only book one, and I am sure the struggle between them will not be solved in quick measure. I really can’t wait for the story that reveals this character’s true colors. Most of the police force seem to have blinders on where this character is concerned.
So, when a ritual killing turns up in her new backyard, the higher ups in the police department want to call in those they think are more knowledgable and of course, that team is headed up by Louise’s old nemesis.
With the pressure on, Louise is out to prove to herself and her colleagues that she can solve this complex case. It is a super gripping read. Get ready to stay up late to finish this if you read late in the evening.
Definitely excited by this new series by Brolly. I also enjoy his other series, DCI Michael Lambert. I love finding new to me authors who put out such great work. This is a series I will continue to pick up in the future. So good!
If you love a good mystery suspense thriller or detective fiction/police procedural, definitely check this one out. You won’t be disappointed.
I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.
February 26, 2020
This is the second book that i have read by Matt Brolly and enjoyed this book as much as i did when i read 'The Controller'. It is not often that i will read a police procedural, so it does make a change to read something different from my usual. A well written book that i can recommend. Am looking forward to reading more by this author.
My thanks to Netgalley and the Publishers for my copy. This is my honest review which i have voluntarily given.
My thanks to Netgalley and the Publishers for my copy. This is my honest review which i have voluntarily given.
March 9, 2020
It's always a pleasure when a new Matt Brolly novel comes out and this is a zinger. Great characters, a nicely twisted plot, a wonderful sense of place and a cracking pace makes it one of those books where you just want to read one more chapter. And one more chapter after that. And, go on, just one more before I go to sleep. You get the gist.
Set in Weston-super-Mare, a quiet, sleepy coastal town which has seen better days. DI Louise Blackwell is investigates the disturbing murder of an elderly woman. More killings occur an, as the body count rises, Blackwell faces a race against time to solve the mystery of the murderer’s identity and put an end to the carnage. She thought she knew Weston, but the town holds more secrets than she’d ever have imagined. Who can she trust and who knows more than they are letting on? It's a really good reading I can't wait for the next on the series. Highly recommended....
Set in Weston-super-Mare, a quiet, sleepy coastal town which has seen better days. DI Louise Blackwell is investigates the disturbing murder of an elderly woman. More killings occur an, as the body count rises, Blackwell faces a race against time to solve the mystery of the murderer’s identity and put an end to the carnage. She thought she knew Weston, but the town holds more secrets than she’d ever have imagined. Who can she trust and who knows more than they are letting on? It's a really good reading I can't wait for the next on the series. Highly recommended....
February 23, 2020
Louise is the new kid on the block, after a disastrous case sees her leave her old police station. She is trying desperately to concentrate on being head of the current case, which happens to involve ritualistic killing, but her past haunts her still and it is hard to keep her cool.
I liked the character of Louise, she was certainly real and flawed, just as you might expect a police officer to be. I liked the secondary characters too, and Finch was just awful. I could smell the smarminess coming off him, the author did a great job with him. I also liked the way that we knew who the killer was early on, and then we could just enjoy reading about the police putting the pieces together from there. That format worked in this book.
4.5 stars from me.
Solid police procedural, looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer.
I liked the character of Louise, she was certainly real and flawed, just as you might expect a police officer to be. I liked the secondary characters too, and Finch was just awful. I could smell the smarminess coming off him, the author did a great job with him. I also liked the way that we knew who the killer was early on, and then we could just enjoy reading about the police putting the pieces together from there. That format worked in this book.
4.5 stars from me.
Solid police procedural, looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer.
February 10, 2020
I'm sorry to say that I could not even finish this book, and I hate to leave a bad review.
Maybe it was just me, but I felt the style of writing was kind of childish, again I'm so sorry. I am well used to reading Police procedurals and was a civvy for 12 years in the Police, so when I read books that aren't that factual on Police procedures, I struggle. But my main problem was how its written, the story was actually good but i just could not get past the writing style.
Please accept my apologies for the negative review.
Maybe it was just me, but I felt the style of writing was kind of childish, again I'm so sorry. I am well used to reading Police procedurals and was a civvy for 12 years in the Police, so when I read books that aren't that factual on Police procedures, I struggle. But my main problem was how its written, the story was actually good but i just could not get past the writing style.
Please accept my apologies for the negative review.
December 25, 2019
Excellent start to a new series. Lead character is wonderful- complexing and challenging - and the plot is a stunner. Can’t wait for book 2
July 21, 2021
This is a very entertaining procedural. I didn't like how Louise seems to have no allies at first, and everybody is so unlikable, but I liked how, eventually, she finds friends in her new life.
January 25, 2024
6,75/10
Novela de misterio ligerita, entretenida, sin destellos pero que cumple.
Me ha sorprendido positivamente, especialmente partiendo de la base de que en novelas de asesinatos creo que el principal misterio debe ser quién es el asesino y aquí te lo revelan en el segundo capítulo...
Final un tanto abrupto.
En todo caso la nota baja también por fallos en la edición y sobre todo una traducción algo pobre (las típicas cosas en las cuales no prestas atención hasta que la lían).
Novela de misterio ligerita, entretenida, sin destellos pero que cumple.
Me ha sorprendido positivamente, especialmente partiendo de la base de que en novelas de asesinatos creo que el principal misterio debe ser quién es el asesino y aquí te lo revelan en el segundo capítulo...
Final un tanto abrupto.
En todo caso la nota baja también por fallos en la edición y sobre todo una traducción algo pobre (las típicas cosas en las cuales no prestas atención hasta que la lían).
October 28, 2020
2.5 stars bumped up to 3. This is another police procedural where we know the villain almost from the start. It kept my interest by good characterisation and the setting but I was hopeful of a better plot.
January 27, 2020
The body of an elderly woman found on the beach. The body of a priest discovered in the church confessional. Both murders are committed days apart and seem to be unconnected. Newly transferred DI Louise Blackwell is still reeling from the betrayal that led to her transfer to the small English beach town of Weston-super-Mare. Now she faces pressure to solve the crimes quickly before DI Finch, her nemesis from the past, takes over the case.
Lurking below the surface of the picturesque town is a long buried evil. As Louise and her fellow officers try to find the links between the killings and a long ago accidental church fire, the murderer is already planning more deaths. The well constructed plot leads to an unforgettable conclusion, leaving the reader eager for the next book in this series.
The Crossing is a welcome edition to the English police procedural genre. Weston-super-Mare and its residents come to life in Matt Brolly’s descriptions. Louise’s struggles to retain control of the investigation are real, as is her frustration with DI Finch’s interference. You will read this book quickly and look forward to Louise Blackwell’s next case. 5 stars.
Lurking below the surface of the picturesque town is a long buried evil. As Louise and her fellow officers try to find the links between the killings and a long ago accidental church fire, the murderer is already planning more deaths. The well constructed plot leads to an unforgettable conclusion, leaving the reader eager for the next book in this series.
The Crossing is a welcome edition to the English police procedural genre. Weston-super-Mare and its residents come to life in Matt Brolly’s descriptions. Louise’s struggles to retain control of the investigation are real, as is her frustration with DI Finch’s interference. You will read this book quickly and look forward to Louise Blackwell’s next case. 5 stars.
February 18, 2020
Before reviewing this title, I first have to confess I’m quite fond of British crime dramas. The cover and description of The Crossing immediately evoked shows such as Broadchurch and Happy Valley, leading me to happily delve into its pages.
In the fallout of the last case she worked at Bristol’s Major Investigation Team, DI Louise Blackwell was summarily transferred to the small seaside town of Weston while her manipulative narcissistic ex-partner, Timothy Finch, enjoyed a promotion to DCI.
Eighteen months after her arrival, DI Blackwell encounters her first major case when the bled out body of a woman, with uncharacteristic injuries, is found laying on a beach. The first in a series of grisly murders that will shake the town and its inhabitants.
All that I love in a good British drama is present in this book. The author’s attention to detail allows us to get intimate knowledge of not only the main character and her family, but also of the supporting cast. Along the pages, even the town itself comes alive as a character of its own.
The murderer isn’t your classic two dimensional psychopath, either. His slowly revealed motives, rooted in his childhood, his relationship with his father and the church, bring us to a point where we can’t help but to feel some empathy, in spite of his despicable acts.
The expertly written investigation, keeping us constantly guessing alongside the detectives, leads to a riveting ending in which the full meaning of the book’s title is finally revealed.
This appears to be the first book in a new series by bestselling author Matt Brolly, and I, for myself, can’t wait to visit the town of Weston again.
Thanks to Amazon Publishing’s Thomas & Mercer and Netgalley for the ARC provided in exchange for this unbiased review.
In the fallout of the last case she worked at Bristol’s Major Investigation Team, DI Louise Blackwell was summarily transferred to the small seaside town of Weston while her manipulative narcissistic ex-partner, Timothy Finch, enjoyed a promotion to DCI.
Eighteen months after her arrival, DI Blackwell encounters her first major case when the bled out body of a woman, with uncharacteristic injuries, is found laying on a beach. The first in a series of grisly murders that will shake the town and its inhabitants.
All that I love in a good British drama is present in this book. The author’s attention to detail allows us to get intimate knowledge of not only the main character and her family, but also of the supporting cast. Along the pages, even the town itself comes alive as a character of its own.
The murderer isn’t your classic two dimensional psychopath, either. His slowly revealed motives, rooted in his childhood, his relationship with his father and the church, bring us to a point where we can’t help but to feel some empathy, in spite of his despicable acts.
The expertly written investigation, keeping us constantly guessing alongside the detectives, leads to a riveting ending in which the full meaning of the book’s title is finally revealed.
This appears to be the first book in a new series by bestselling author Matt Brolly, and I, for myself, can’t wait to visit the town of Weston again.
Thanks to Amazon Publishing’s Thomas & Mercer and Netgalley for the ARC provided in exchange for this unbiased review.
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