Today is my turn on the Book Tour for THE HARDWICK HEATH KILLER by Michelle Kidd.
THE HARDWICK HEATH KILLER
Format – Kindle
Publisher – Joffe Books Mystery, Crime Thriller, Suspense
Publication Date – 23rd July 2024
Genre – Crime thriller, mystery and suspense
Author – Michelle Kidd
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MEET DETECTIVE NICKI HARDCASTLE IN THIS BRILLIANT SUFFOLK-BASED CRIME SERIES.
Two grisly murders. Three days apart. One brutal killer?
The call comes at midnight on a stormy March night. A body has been found hanging from a tree on Hardwick Heath. In the dead man’s pocket is a handwritten note: SORRY. LIFE IS JUST TOO HARD. LOVE TO YOU ALL.
Detective Nicki’s instincts tell her this was no suicide — but someone has gone to a lot of trouble to make it look like one.
Three days later, a second body is found floating in a pond, just a few miles away. But the victim didn’t drown.
The police are treating the deaths as separate cases. Then Nicki uncovers a link between the two dead men — and the case takes a shocking twist.
As she unearths a series of secrets stretching back twenty years, Nicki and her team find themselves in a race against time before more people die.
Perfect for fans of Helen H. Durrant, Joy Ellis, Ann Cleeves, Angela Marsons and Rachel McLean.
READERS LOVE THE HARDWICK HEATH KILLER:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Twists I never anticipated and full of suspense . . . Kept me engrossed until the last page.’ Martha B.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘With shocking twists and turns along the way, this book really keeps you guessing. The ending was absolutely fantastic.’ Marie P.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Will keep you turning the pages until the jaw-dropping end . . . So many good twists and surprises lurking around each page.’ Paula
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘More twists and turns than a maze. Will keep you hooked to the end.’ Bonita S.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Numerous twists and an outstanding ending.’ LP
THE DETECTIVE
Detective Nicki Hardcastle is in her early thirties. She’s an independent, determined woman who is good at her job and treats her team with the respect they deserve. When she was ten years old, her little brother Dean disappeared. Nicki was supposed to be watching him. Now, she is estranged from her family, and finds it difficult to let people get close to her. Contentedly single, Nicki’s perfect evening consists of a long run followed by a hot bath. Her closest companion is her cat, Luna.
THE SETTING
Bury St Edmunds is a picturesque market town in the heart of Suffolk, on the east coast of England. Founded in the 11th century, the town is notable for its rich and colourful history. Tourists flock to see the ruins of the medieval abbey and maybe catch a glimpse of the infamous ghostly ‘Grey Lady’. It’s also home to the Angel Hotel, once frequented by Charles Dickens, and the Nutshell, famous for being Britain’s smallest pub. It’s an unlikely setting for murder. But its tranquil surroundings and stunning architecture hide a darker side.
ALSO BY MICHELLE KIDD:
DI NICKI HARDCASTLE
Book 1: MISSING BOY
Book 2: THE TROPHY KILLER
Book 3: THE HARDWICK HEATH KILLER
DI JACK MACINTOSH
Book 1: SEVEN DAYS TO DIE
Book 2: FIFTEEN REASONS TO KILL
Book 3: SIXTEEN CARVED PIECES
Book 4: TWENTY YEARS BURIED
Book 5: THREE BROKEN BODIES
My Review
This is the first book I have read by this author so I was unsure what to expect but it was a really interesting read. A very complicated case with many red herrings and twists and turns that kept the pages turning. The background story about Nicki’s brother is intriguing and added a further dimension of interest to the book.
However, I did find the constant switching of times and places confusing and it was very off-putting if it were not for the intriguing storyline I think I may have abandoned it but I am glad I persevered.
I have to admit I didn’t like the (non) ending I am not a fan of books that end with cliff-hanger’s. Maybe if the next book is more or less available I can understand it but this one ended with 2 stories still not properly concluded and that is pretty annoying.
A very good read just a shame my enjoyment of it was affected by the above.
