Today I am hosting a Guest Review by Lena of BRUTAL CRIMES by Michael Hambling. This is book 10 in the bestselling Detective Sophie Allen series. This is a gripping addition to a series that just gets better and better.
BRUTAL CRIMES (Detective Sophie Allen #10)
Format – Kindle
Publisher – Joffe Books
Publication Date – 28th September 2021
Genre – Crime thriller, mystery and suspense
Author – Michael Hambling
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Looking for a gripping mystery by a bestselling author? Packed full of twists, this crime thriller will keep you turning the pages until the satisfying conclusion.
Twelve-year-old Amy Birkbeck is checking her bat boxes late one cold January evening in the woods by her house.
She witnesses something no child should ever see — a group of men rolling a body into the deep pool of the disused old clay pit.
Meanwhile, DCI Sophie Allen’s team is falling apart.
One of the members of the unit goes missing. Surely he couldn’t be the body in the pool? Or is something much darker going on?
Then a second body is found in the disused clay pit. And it seems the dead man is connected to a suspected arms dealer . . .
There are dangerous goings-on in Detective Allen’s quiet patch of Dorset, and she doesn’t know who to trust.
Discover a captivating crime mystery which will have you gripped from start to finish.
If you like Line of Duty, Angela Marsons, Rachel Abbott, Colin Dexter, Ruth Rendell, Joy Ellis, Mark Billingham or Janice Frost you will be gripped by this thrilling crime mystery.
What readers are saying about Michael Hambling:
“Very well written and highly recommended.” Viv
“An utterly compelling book from Michael Hambling.” Ron
“The characters were a diverse, mixed bag of well-developed, realistic personalities.” Nicki
“This book is a must-read.” Barbara
“This was a good book, I love Sophie as a character.” Hannelore
THE DETECTIVES
DCI Sophie Allen is Dorset’s acknowledged expert on murder and violent crime. She is 42 as the series starts, and lives with her husband and younger daughter in Wareham. Her elder daughter is studying in London. Sophie has a law degree and a master’s in criminal psychology. Her brilliant mind conceals some dark secrets from her past.
DS Barry Marsh is based at Swanage police station. He’s quiet, methodical and dedicated, the perfect foil for Sophie’s hidden fragility.
THE SETTING
Dorset. A beautiful English county which includes a stunning section of the coastline, but whose beauty belies darkness beneath the surface.
Guest Review by Lena
BRUTAL CRIMES opens with a reprehensible act. The morning raises the alarm for a missing child and a Detective. No sooner than these mysteries come to disturbing resolutions, another Detective has gone missing. All of this leads to a gruesome discovery. Are any of these horrific, frightening episodes connected? Sophisticated, unnerving conundrum, international intrigue and spine-chilling suspense culminating in an action packed finish.
MICHAEL HAMBLING
I like to think of myself as a writer of thoughtful, contemporary crime novels that are complex and involve situations that change lives. I live in the west-country counties of Wiltshire and Dorset, and set my novels in this area. The early novels in the Sophie Allen series are based on the Isle of Purbeck, that most beautiful of coastal areas. But the rest of the county of Dorset does get a look in.
I’m a retired teacher who has tinkered with writing for much of my life. My previous efforts have usually been directed towards short stories but I have always felt that crime novels would be one of my final choices, particularly if a developing storyline allows me to introduce one or two social issues, albeit with a light touch.
I write because I constantly create scenes, people, imaginary conversations and unusual situations in my head. I have always done so, ever since I was a child. Using the richness of the English language to set down these creations in words is a great joy.
BOOKS BY MICHAEL HAMBLING
THE DCI SOPHIE ALLEN BOOKS:
- DARK CRIMES
- DEADLY CRIMES
- SECRET CRIMES
- BURIED CRIMES
- TWISTED CRIMES
- EVIL CRIMES
- SHADOW CRIMES
- SILENT CRIMES
- RUTHLESS CRIMES
- DETECTIVE SOPHIE ALLEN BOOKS 1-3 BOX SET
- DETECTIVE SOPHIE ALLEN BOOKS 4-6 BOX SET
- THE COMPLETE DETECTIVE SOPHIE ALLEN MYSTERY SERIES BOX SET
FOLLOW MICHAEL ON
AUTHOR WEBSITE
FACEBOOK
GOODREADS
I am always on the look out for bloggers and reviewers if you are interested you can sign up via the links below:
Bloggers or reviewers interested in joining Blog tours: https://mailchi.mp/74b299fbb681/bloggersignup
Reviewers who would like the opportunity to review advance copies: https://mailchi.mp/269c6ce3e0d7/stewart-giles-advance-readers
