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clazzyb82's review
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Not the most challenging read, but a quick read, a good page-turner.
kagedbooks's review
adventurous
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
15 years ago Hayley walked into her home and a nightmare. She’d lost most of her family in a brutal way. Her youngest brother is missing and her father…
Well her father admitted to the crimes, and was sent to prison. Only now with new evidence uncovered it looks like he may have lied in that confession.
Could the killer still be lurking in this small town? That’s the question Hayley and Detective Locke have to answer, and if so how far will they go to protect their secrets.
Overall I enjoyed this story the pacing was a little up and down and somewhat slower than most thrillers. I’d call it more of a slow burn mystery.
I’m a fan of multi-POV stories which made me enjoy the characters. You can tell that Locke’s backstory is being built a little more than the other characters.
I did have to activate a good bit of suspension of disbelief regarding basically no change in relationships after 15 years of no contact with the people of the town as well as her father’s motivations, but I’m honestly fine with that it’s kind of how thrillers are.
This is going to be a good fit if you’re into stories that make you unravel complex family secrets and unsolved crimes. It’s not going to blow your mind but think it’s a good starting point for DI Locke who appears to be intended for more books in the future.
This was my first time listening to the Narrator, Elizabeth Knowelden and I thought she delivered the story quite well.
Thanks to Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for the opportunity to listen to this book early; I received this ALC in exchange for review, however this does not affect the outcome of my review in any way.
ellens24's review
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
disappointing and didn't like the characters so couldn't really connect with the book
mandib's review
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.75
This is a procedural thriller that starts out slow (as we gather the evidence) but works our way into a fast paced turning the page before you’re done reading because you NEED answers (metaphorically, because I read this as an audiobook).
This one is for you if you’re a fan of the following tropes/traits:
Procedural thriller with a detective
Return to hometown
False confession
Possible corruption
One thing I loved about this book was the partnership between DC Lucy Quinn and DI Sebastian Locke (the series’ namesake). I love when two partners build off of each other’s theories and work toward the goal together versus a singular character discovering on their own.
I also loved the intricacies of the case, which does lead me into one thing that I don’t usually love but felt it worked out in this book: a slow start. Generally I am a faster paced thriller reader, but I can make an exception when the slow pace is reallllly setting the stage and mapping out the case so that the conclusion will make sense and won’t leave me scratching my head wondering how we got here.
I will definitely we on the lookout for the next in the series!
This one is for you if you’re a fan of the following tropes/traits:
Procedural thriller with a detective
Return to hometown
False confession
Possible corruption
One thing I loved about this book was the partnership between DC Lucy Quinn and DI Sebastian Locke (the series’ namesake). I love when two partners build off of each other’s theories and work toward the goal together versus a singular character discovering on their own.
I also loved the intricacies of the case, which does lead me into one thing that I don’t usually love but felt it worked out in this book: a slow start. Generally I am a faster paced thriller reader, but I can make an exception when the slow pace is reallllly setting the stage and mapping out the case so that the conclusion will make sense and won’t leave me scratching my head wondering how we got here.
I will definitely we on the lookout for the next in the series!
faiza_nara's review
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
I really struggled to read and finish this book. I felt like it dragged. I didn’t enjoy it. Felt like there was a lot of repetition with the main character saying she’s not the same person she was 15 years ago and it keeps coming up, again and again. Got bored towards end and started skim reading it.
marilynw's review
4.0
The Quiet Dead by NJ Mackay
DI Sebastian Locke Mystery series book #1
Narrated by Elizabeth Knowelden
Fifteen years ago, Hayley DaSilva found herself surrounded by the bodies of her murdered mom, twin brother, and friend, and her father was imprisoned for the murders. Hayley is haunted by the fact that her nine year old brother was never found and although she'd love to think he is still alive, the chances are slim. What happened to her little brother? After a few years, Hayley got as far away from that life and location as she could and is now living in the US, married to a wealthy man.
Now her little brother's body has been found and Hayley is back at the house where her mother, brother, and friend were murdered. It seems her dad might not have been the murderer which brings up the question of why he signed a confession saying that he did murder three people. Hayley is afraid of the answer and afraid that she could have played a part in the destruction of her family.
This is Detective Sebastian Locke's first time to lead such a big case. He's in his early 30s, the dad of a thirteen year old daughter who seems like a stranger suddenly. Thank goodness he and his mother in law are raising his daughter together because he wouldn't be able to lead this case and meet his daughter's needs without his MIL's help. Locke is an interesting character, with issues due to being adopted and feeling like he failed the couple who adopted him. He seems like a man who never really was able to not feel the weight of the world on his shoulders. There are a huge number of people to question and interview with this cold case turned hot and he's causing a giant problem for the department since it looks like the early murder case was bungled all around, possibly on purpose.
I appreciate that throughout this very complex case, which involves a lot of people who may be lying or withholding information, that Locke will take a break to recap where the case stands as he learns more about matters fifteen years ago and in the present day. I needed those recaps to help me make sense of all the things we learn. This is a complex puzzler and it's hard to know whether to trust Hayley or not. In fact, it's hard to know whether to trust anyone related to the earlier case. Locke and company have a mess to sort through, with roadblocks all the way. Talented Elizabeth Knowelden does a fine job narrating the story.
Publication September 7, 2023
Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for this ARC.
DI Sebastian Locke Mystery series book #1
Narrated by Elizabeth Knowelden
Fifteen years ago, Hayley DaSilva found herself surrounded by the bodies of her murdered mom, twin brother, and friend, and her father was imprisoned for the murders. Hayley is haunted by the fact that her nine year old brother was never found and although she'd love to think he is still alive, the chances are slim. What happened to her little brother? After a few years, Hayley got as far away from that life and location as she could and is now living in the US, married to a wealthy man.
Now her little brother's body has been found and Hayley is back at the house where her mother, brother, and friend were murdered. It seems her dad might not have been the murderer which brings up the question of why he signed a confession saying that he did murder three people. Hayley is afraid of the answer and afraid that she could have played a part in the destruction of her family.
This is Detective Sebastian Locke's first time to lead such a big case. He's in his early 30s, the dad of a thirteen year old daughter who seems like a stranger suddenly. Thank goodness he and his mother in law are raising his daughter together because he wouldn't be able to lead this case and meet his daughter's needs without his MIL's help. Locke is an interesting character, with issues due to being adopted and feeling like he failed the couple who adopted him. He seems like a man who never really was able to not feel the weight of the world on his shoulders. There are a huge number of people to question and interview with this cold case turned hot and he's causing a giant problem for the department since it looks like the early murder case was bungled all around, possibly on purpose.
I appreciate that throughout this very complex case, which involves a lot of people who may be lying or withholding information, that Locke will take a break to recap where the case stands as he learns more about matters fifteen years ago and in the present day. I needed those recaps to help me make sense of all the things we learn. This is a complex puzzler and it's hard to know whether to trust Hayley or not. In fact, it's hard to know whether to trust anyone related to the earlier case. Locke and company have a mess to sort through, with roadblocks all the way. Talented Elizabeth Knowelden does a fine job narrating the story.
Publication September 7, 2023
Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for this ARC.
minipanda's review against another edition
3.0
Although the novel started off strong and captivating, the story's momentum tapered off after 30% and it never picked back up for me.
Overall, an okay read. It didn't have that oomph or excitement I was looking for. I might be just a minority in this, as there are many high ratings. If you're a fan of slower-pacing mysteries, maybe give this novel a try.
*** Thank you to NetGalley, NJ Mackay, and Dreamscape Media for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***
Overall, an okay read. It didn't have that oomph or excitement I was looking for. I might be just a minority in this, as there are many high ratings. If you're a fan of slower-pacing mysteries, maybe give this novel a try.
*** Thank you to NetGalley, NJ Mackay, and Dreamscape Media for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***
kaz_loves_books's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Here is my review of The Quiet Dead
This book was an intriguing read which I found to start off slowly, then begin what was a slow burn through approx half of the book, before picking up the tension and the pace, then it suddenly got much more interesting and my crime senses came alive and I really started to enjoy the book. The plot is interesting with lots missed out of the original shoddy investigation and a false confession to boot.The new team is a young dynamic duo, DI Locke and DC Quinn who work well together and are out for results. This book will tease you and have you asking questions but hopefully keep you engaged until the end. It’s worth it. This is book one, hopefully there will be another book to follow.
Blurb
One day on the building site where they are building some new homes in Thamespark, there is a shout from the digger when they notice what could be bones sticking out of the muck. The police are called. DI Sebesbation Locke and DC Lucy Quinn arrive with scenes of crime officers too. The bones are confirmed as human bones and then they find some material too, some M&S pyjamas, which they might be able to use to date the bones. They do this and find them to be fifteen years old so then they look at children missing from that period and come up with Ethan DeSilva. When they do the dental check, it’s a match. They have identified the child. He has been missing for fifteen years. Ever since there was a murder at his house.
That night, his mother Anita, brother Matthew and Matthew’s friend Ryan Dudley. Only Hayley DeSilva survived and is now living in America with her rich husband. Her father Leonard DeSilva was arrested at 5am by the police and confessed to four murders although Ethan’s body was never found.
When DI Locke looked over the original paperwork, he was shocked at the appalling lack of work put into the murder case once Leonard had confessed. It was a disgrace. Interviews were missing, leads not followed up, alibi’s not checked, he could go on. It was meant to be a simple case of tying up loose ends but Locke thought there was more to it than that.
When Locke is speaking to Leonard, he confesses to making a false confession. He did it because he thought his daughter had done the killings. So he had sat in jail for fifteen years doing time for a crime he didn’t commit. Consequently, it meant that a killer was on the loose in Thamespark somewhere. That meant a new enquiry had to be opened and DI Locke was put in charge with DC Quinn on the team too. He got more bodies to help him as well.
Who was the killer? No DNA evidence. Hard slog, questions all the way and hopefully, they strike lucky…..
claires_loveofbooks2020's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
4.0
This book started slow, but the plot thickens the more it delves into the story. There are so many elements in this story, and guessing who done it was very hard as there were so many twists and turns that just added to this story's amazing adventure. The authors writing style is easy to understand and just pulls you in. I was throughougly gripped by the second half and just sped through to the end to find out who it was that had really killed the DeSilvas.