Today I am closing the #BlogTour for THE ASH LAKE MURDERS. This is the first book in a brilliant new series by the bestselling Helen H Durrant. Today I am sharing with you my review of this stunning book.
THE ASH LAKE MURDERS
Format – Kindle
Publisher – Joffe Books
Publication Date – 24th March 2022
Genre – Crime thriller, mystery and suspense
Author – Helen H Durrant
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MEET DETECTIVE ALICE ROSSI IN THIS BRILLIANT NEW CRIME SERIES.
A brand-new mystery from #1 bestselling author Helen H. Durrant that will have you gripped from start to explosive finish.
A female serial killer with a deadly agenda. The detective who must stop her. Luxury holiday lodges in the stunning Peak District. The game begins . . .
Callum is lured to an isolated boathouse by an attractive older woman. When she gets him alone, she knocks him out with a single blow. As he wakes up, her voice comes out of the darkness, “You’re a sprat to catch a mackerel.”
Surrounded by hills and lakes, Still Waters is home to a close-knit community of wealthy retirees. It’s an unlikely setting for violence. The police don’t take Callum’s disappearance seriously: he’s 24-years-old, after all. But Callum’s mother, a Still Waters resident, knows that something is very wrong.
Then a body is discovered floating in the lake. Head bashed in. But it’s not Callum.
And someone tweets: Come out to play one last time, Alice. Still Waters run deep. #MadHatter.
That’s when DCI Alice Rossi is called in. She’s back.
IT’S A CAT-AND-MOUSE GAME BETWEEN AN OBSESSED KILLER AND A DETERMINED DETECTIVE IN THIS GRIPPING MYSTERY FULL OF STUNNING TWISTS.
Perfect for fans of Angela Marsons, Rachel McLean, Joy Ellis, J.D. Kirk, Rachel Abbott, Elly Griffiths, J.M. Dalgliesh, Steph Broadribb or Patricia Gibney.
READERS LOVE HELEN H. DURRANT:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Another first-class read from Helen H. Durrant.” Iain
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “A satisfying and enjoyable read.” Carol S.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Wow . . . this will keep you on the edge of your seat. Brilliant story from this author.” Booklover Bev
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Loved it. Read it in one sitting.” Aileen G.
THE DETECTIVE
DCI Alice Rossi of Greater Manchester’s Serious Crime Squad has served with the police for the past twenty-nine years. Since the death of her husband, Paul, six years ago, she has lived alone in a large, three-storey Edwardian terrace on the outskirts of Manchester. Her grown-up son lives in Edinburgh with his family. Alice is about to retire — but she’s not looking forward to it. Since her husband died, work has been her mainstay, not because she misses Paul — he was a bad man — but because it keeps her dark thoughts at bay.
My Review
It is very exciting when one of my favourite authors begins a new series and when that author is Helen Durrant it is even more so. The Ash Lake Murders introduce Alice Rossi. A new detective, a new location and a whole team of characters to get to know. I didn’t anticipate being disappointed and I definitely wasn’t.
Alice Rossi is DCI of Manchester’s Serious Crime Squad with nearly 30 years experience with the Police Force. Since the loss of her husband, Paul, 6 years ago she has lived alone. Her son is grown up and lives in Scotland and their relationship has been difficult since the death of Paul but they are getting on better recently. Alice is approaching retirement and should be winding down so the last thing she needs is a psychopathic killer from her past to turn up wanting to resume ‘the game’ that usually involves people dying. As Alice sets off to the Peak District she knows that the peaceful retirement hamlet of Still Waters is about to become the playground for Alice’s nemesis who goes under the hashtag: madhatter.
I absolutely love Alice Rossi, she has her secrets but she is determined to beat madhatter whatever it takes. As her son gets dragged in to the game her determination increases. I loved getting to know the new team and their characters build steadily throughout the book. The descriptions of the area are brilliant and woven into the story in a way that avoids big chunks of descriptive text but still allows the reader to envisage the scene.
The story is full of twists and turns and just when you think it is all coming together in comes another massive curve ball.
This is a gripping edge of your seat thriller that will have you turning page after page all the way to the end. Absolutely brilliant I cant wait for book 2.
5 Golden stars from me.
Helen H Durrant
OVER 1 MILLION BOOKS SOLD!
Helen is one of the ‘baby boomer’ generation and began writing when she retired from her job at a local college. Born in Edinburgh to an English father and Scottish mother the family settled in a Pennine village between the counties of Lancashire and Yorkshire. It is an environment which has shaped her stories. Writing is a second career and, despite having a bus pass, keeps her busy, and tuned in.
Helen’s children are all grown-up and she has five grandchildren.
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