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baileys_bookstagram's review
3.0
Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Fear in the Lakes is the 3rd installment with DC Beth Young as our lead and although I enjoyed it I definitely feel like I would have enjoyed it a lot more having read the two earlier installments. I really liked Beth Young as our female lead, she handles herself well, she's smart and all around a character I would love to continue to read about.
The storyline was exciting, I loved the opening with a wife finding her husband near death after literally having every bone in his body broken. There are more victims and you really get into the mystery of who the sick and twisted offender could possibly be and why are they targeting these seemingly perfect citizens.
The part I felt that I missed out on was Beth's backstory which was a huge ongoing part of the book. I will definitely go back and read the previous installments to really feel who Beth is as a person and a police officer.
Fear in the Lakes is the 3rd installment with DC Beth Young as our lead and although I enjoyed it I definitely feel like I would have enjoyed it a lot more having read the two earlier installments. I really liked Beth Young as our female lead, she handles herself well, she's smart and all around a character I would love to continue to read about.
The storyline was exciting, I loved the opening with a wife finding her husband near death after literally having every bone in his body broken. There are more victims and you really get into the mystery of who the sick and twisted offender could possibly be and why are they targeting these seemingly perfect citizens.
The part I felt that I missed out on was Beth's backstory which was a huge ongoing part of the book. I will definitely go back and read the previous installments to really feel who Beth is as a person and a police officer.
emmascr's review
4.0
This review was originally posted on Star Crossed Reviews I received this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.Thank you to Bookouture for letting me take part in this tour and for my copy of this book via netgalley. I have been following DC Beth Young since her first book. This may be the third but you could probably read this as a standalone.
In this third instalment, Beth is growing in confidence and really shows her intellect in this book. After James Sinclair is brutally attacked Beth and the rest of FMIT have quite the case on their hands.
There were one or two things that seemed really obvious to me but it took the team a long time to even consider them as an option. The majority of the book was full of twists and turns and one I didn't see coming until it was essentially revealed. Graham does a good job of keeping the reader on their toes
I loved that some of the chapters were from the killers POV. It was very interesting to see their side of things. This killer was extremely clever and extremely skilled. I can't say much more without ruining the story for you but I was impressed by the killer's skills.
I also really enjoyed the personal aspects of the story. Beth's determination to trace those that scarred her face is strong but not outside the law. Beth is not prepared to risk her career for her own revenge which really speaks to Beth's character. I can't wait to see where this story goes next.
In this third instalment, Beth is growing in confidence and really shows her intellect in this book. After James Sinclair is brutally attacked Beth and the rest of FMIT have quite the case on their hands.
There were one or two things that seemed really obvious to me but it took the team a long time to even consider them as an option. The majority of the book was full of twists and turns and one I didn't see coming until it was essentially revealed. Graham does a good job of keeping the reader on their toes
I loved that some of the chapters were from the killers POV. It was very interesting to see their side of things. This killer was extremely clever and extremely skilled. I can't say much more without ruining the story for you but I was impressed by the killer's skills.
I also really enjoyed the personal aspects of the story. Beth's determination to trace those that scarred her face is strong but not outside the law. Beth is not prepared to risk her career for her own revenge which really speaks to Beth's character. I can't wait to see where this story goes next.
sarahs_bookish_life's review against another edition
5.0
Beth is back and what a case to be working on! The story starts off with a shocking and very disturbing scene that sent shivers down my spine. The author knows how to set the scene in the readers mind, which made it even more chilling.
Whilst the investigation is obviously at the forefront of this story, I like how the author gives it a heart humanising the team. He touches on topics like Alzheimer’s and sexual harassment in the work place. Things that may not directly affect us all but is very much real and happening in the world.
Beth, I just love. The combination of her work and her battling her own demons makes this an even more riveting read. I was just as invested in the case as I was in what was going on with Beth personally.
Fear In The Lakes is another great read in the series that kept me guessing all the way through. It is a dark and chilling story that had me hooked and yet again leaving me desperate for more. The author knows how to get the reader hanging off every word he writes waiting to see what each page holds in store and for the thrills and chills to keep on coming. Now just the agonising wait for the next book.
My thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
Whilst the investigation is obviously at the forefront of this story, I like how the author gives it a heart humanising the team. He touches on topics like Alzheimer’s and sexual harassment in the work place. Things that may not directly affect us all but is very much real and happening in the world.
Beth, I just love. The combination of her work and her battling her own demons makes this an even more riveting read. I was just as invested in the case as I was in what was going on with Beth personally.
Fear In The Lakes is another great read in the series that kept me guessing all the way through. It is a dark and chilling story that had me hooked and yet again leaving me desperate for more. The author knows how to get the reader hanging off every word he writes waiting to see what each page holds in store and for the thrills and chills to keep on coming. Now just the agonising wait for the next book.
My thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
meggyroussel's review against another edition
4.0
Let me summarise my experience with Fear in the Lakes.
Ouch!
Wow!
What on Earth???
Wicked sick.
Okay, I’m just gonna go with the flow…
I don’t like you.
Where is this going? I’m going mad!!!
Could… No.
It’s always the weather…
Oooh, I see!!!!!!
Did I read that right???
No!
NO WAY!
That’s sick. Sick sick sick.
Ah!
What do you mean ‘the end’?????
Yes, that’s pretty much what I thought while reading Graham Smith’s latest DC Beth Young novel. No, you won’t find clues in my notes. I couldn’t even think properly as I was engrossed in the book!
The prologue hits hard (and I’m not only talking about the reader!) with a victim found with many of his bones broken in a way that ensures the most horrendous injuries. I couldn’t help but cringe at the details given on that poor man’s state. Who deserves such a violent attack? My answer? No one! I wouldn’t wish it to my biggest enemy! Certainly not James Sinclair, who looks white as a dove!
Now don’t go thinking this violence is free and used for fun. Graham Smith always keeps his purpose in mind and the schemes behind the horrors he describes are beautifully complex and show how deeply disturbed minds can work. No violence for the sake of it, but for a greater purpose, whether we agree with it or not. Of course, I couldn’t help but react, I am not a monster. I think the book gave me a couple of new wrinkles as I either grimaced at the pain endured or pulled a face whenever the frustration and tension would ratchet up. I was faced with a dilemma. I wanted to get to know the culprit more… Yet, I wanted him/her/them behind bars for the rest of their lives. I feel guilty to have found this chase particularly exciting and spine-chilling! Yes, it was so good that the awful events playing their parts between long hours of work, questioning, and personal life issues, kept me up late after my curfew!
While the entire book skillfully juggles a crazy plot and a strong characterization, I’ll say I found Fear in the Lakes to put the emphasis on the case, using it to bring a new light on the team, their dynamics, and how the work affects their reactions and the way they see the world. Beth has grown. I am still getting to know her, and I was glad to get more glimpses into her past, her present, and how she is willing to handle the future. The way Graham Smith throws personal matters and cases into the mix to add layers to his characters and use all the possible threads to make his book richer is really stunning. It was also refreshing to see the friend part of Beth when her great brain skills can sometimes make me roll my eyes in a “stop it with the super power, I’m jealous” way.
Plot-wise? Get ready for a wicked read!!! A guy gets beaten up so much his life is going to change forever. His wife swears he is the calmest, kindest man you can find. But his past is a mystery and all the police have to work with is the very ‘original’ injuries left by the attacker. Add to the mix an unhelpful weather and a strong sense of atmosphere, where the place becomes another enemy to deal with, and you find yourself with another beautifully-written, taut, and (sickly) entertaining novel!!
Ouch!
Wow!
What on Earth???
Wicked sick.
Okay, I’m just gonna go with the flow…
I don’t like you.
Where is this going? I’m going mad!!!
Could… No.
It’s always the weather…
Oooh, I see!!!!!!
Did I read that right???
No!
NO WAY!
That’s sick. Sick sick sick.
Ah!
What do you mean ‘the end’?????
Yes, that’s pretty much what I thought while reading Graham Smith’s latest DC Beth Young novel. No, you won’t find clues in my notes. I couldn’t even think properly as I was engrossed in the book!
The prologue hits hard (and I’m not only talking about the reader!) with a victim found with many of his bones broken in a way that ensures the most horrendous injuries. I couldn’t help but cringe at the details given on that poor man’s state. Who deserves such a violent attack? My answer? No one! I wouldn’t wish it to my biggest enemy! Certainly not James Sinclair, who looks white as a dove!
Now don’t go thinking this violence is free and used for fun. Graham Smith always keeps his purpose in mind and the schemes behind the horrors he describes are beautifully complex and show how deeply disturbed minds can work. No violence for the sake of it, but for a greater purpose, whether we agree with it or not. Of course, I couldn’t help but react, I am not a monster. I think the book gave me a couple of new wrinkles as I either grimaced at the pain endured or pulled a face whenever the frustration and tension would ratchet up. I was faced with a dilemma. I wanted to get to know the culprit more… Yet, I wanted him/her/them behind bars for the rest of their lives. I feel guilty to have found this chase particularly exciting and spine-chilling! Yes, it was so good that the awful events playing their parts between long hours of work, questioning, and personal life issues, kept me up late after my curfew!
While the entire book skillfully juggles a crazy plot and a strong characterization, I’ll say I found Fear in the Lakes to put the emphasis on the case, using it to bring a new light on the team, their dynamics, and how the work affects their reactions and the way they see the world. Beth has grown. I am still getting to know her, and I was glad to get more glimpses into her past, her present, and how she is willing to handle the future. The way Graham Smith throws personal matters and cases into the mix to add layers to his characters and use all the possible threads to make his book richer is really stunning. It was also refreshing to see the friend part of Beth when her great brain skills can sometimes make me roll my eyes in a “stop it with the super power, I’m jealous” way.
Plot-wise? Get ready for a wicked read!!! A guy gets beaten up so much his life is going to change forever. His wife swears he is the calmest, kindest man you can find. But his past is a mystery and all the police have to work with is the very ‘original’ injuries left by the attacker. Add to the mix an unhelpful weather and a strong sense of atmosphere, where the place becomes another enemy to deal with, and you find yourself with another beautifully-written, taut, and (sickly) entertaining novel!!
nietzschesghost's review against another edition
4.0
Fear in the Lakes is the third in the critically-acclaimed police procedural series featuring DC Beth Young, however, each instalment can be read independently without any issues. James Sinclair has been murdered in a brutal and merciless manner by a killer who didn't think twice about ending a life. But he apparently was admired by all he came into contact with. That said, his loved ones know little to nothing about his formative years; it seems he'd kept his cards incredibly close to his chest on the matter.
Enter Detective Young. She believes the key to the mystery surrounding his death lies in the years he avoided talking about so she begins a long, arduous exploration of his younger years. Then another two people are killed and Beth realises she must work a little faster to uncover the dark, disturbing truth before another life is lost.
This is a thriller that grabs you hook, line and sinker and refuses to let you stop reading even as your eyes are beginning to close. This is the epitome of a one-sitting spectacular! Beth embarks on an exciting and exhilarating race against time and all the time the tension is being ratcheted up before Smith smacks you with a huge out-of-the-blue twist; these twists make sense in retrospect only — they are so intelligently woven into the plot.
It flows effortlessly and is well written with a swift pace to it. Fear in the Lakes is not for the faint-hearted as it's really quite sick and depraved and explores amongst other topics: problematic relationships, unresolved childhood issues that have been pushed to the back of the mind, small community mentality, gossip, lies, duplicity and deception.
I must also quickly mention that the sense of time and place provides a simply magical contrasting backdrop to these gruesome killings, and as I live a couple of minutes from the Cumbrian border and visit both the Lake District and Carlisle frequently can vouch for its authenticity. A superb, nail-biting thriller. Many thanks to Bookouture for an ARC.
Enter Detective Young. She believes the key to the mystery surrounding his death lies in the years he avoided talking about so she begins a long, arduous exploration of his younger years. Then another two people are killed and Beth realises she must work a little faster to uncover the dark, disturbing truth before another life is lost.
This is a thriller that grabs you hook, line and sinker and refuses to let you stop reading even as your eyes are beginning to close. This is the epitome of a one-sitting spectacular! Beth embarks on an exciting and exhilarating race against time and all the time the tension is being ratcheted up before Smith smacks you with a huge out-of-the-blue twist; these twists make sense in retrospect only — they are so intelligently woven into the plot.
It flows effortlessly and is well written with a swift pace to it. Fear in the Lakes is not for the faint-hearted as it's really quite sick and depraved and explores amongst other topics: problematic relationships, unresolved childhood issues that have been pushed to the back of the mind, small community mentality, gossip, lies, duplicity and deception.
I must also quickly mention that the sense of time and place provides a simply magical contrasting backdrop to these gruesome killings, and as I live a couple of minutes from the Cumbrian border and visit both the Lake District and Carlisle frequently can vouch for its authenticity. A superb, nail-biting thriller. Many thanks to Bookouture for an ARC.
what_kel_reads's review against another edition
4.0
Fear in the Lakes is the third installment in the Beth Young series written by Graham Smith, released on 07/12/19 by my best friends at Bookouture! 💙
Description:
A case with no leads.
A victim with no enemies.
A killer with no conscience…
When Detective Beth Young is called to investigate a victim with multiple broken bones, nothing prepares her for what she finds. James Sinclair is fighting for his life, and Beth can’t shake the idea that the nature of his injuries suggest someone with a personal grudge against him.
But James’s devastated wife Laura insists that her kind, softly-spoken husband is a man with no enemies. She was the one with the fiery temper, but James was so calm, she’d never once managed to provoke even a cross word from him in their eight year marriage. And he was the same with everyone – she can’t name one person who might want to hurt him.
But she knows virtually no details about her husband’s childhood or his life before he moved to the Lake District as a young man, and Beth feels sure that the key to finding James’s attacker is hidden in the secrets of his past. Who was he really? And what is the significance of the coded messages that Beth finds hidden on his laptop?
Then two more bodies are found in one of the deep, picturesque lakes that the area is so famous for, exhibiting similar injuries to the ones James Sinclair suffered. How are they connected? And how many more people are at risk?
Beth knows she is in a race against time to hunt a vicious killer who is both elusive and incredibly dangerous. A killer who knows what James did in the past. Who likes to be one step ahead. But who – if they realise they’re being hunted – might come for Beth next…
My Review:
I was hooked the moment they went over the uniqueness of the injuries James sustained. Here is this man who apparently has no enemies, but he was tortured almost to death. Even his wife Laura can't figure out who would want to do this to her dear sweet husband. I shouldn't have read this at home alone, because it was truly chilling to think someone could break into a house and leave a person in that kind of state! Then Detective Young finds more bodies and the story explodes. This has it all-flawed characters, a suspenseful plot, and an ending I didn't see coming. This book had me on the edge of my seat the entire time! It felt a lot like a huge puzzle being put together, and I loved the way Young's mind worked.
Overall, this was a fast read that I enjoyed immensely. I do wish I had read the first two books prior to this one because it seems like I missed out on some backstory, but it wasn't enough to keep me from enjoying this book. The "sculptor" was a truly frightening and sadistic profile to follow. I've watched more than my fair share of Criminal Minds and SVU, so I love it when a book truly shakes me to the core. I'll definitely be backtracking because I have to know more about Young, and how she got to where she was in this book.
Solid suspenseful book, as usual with Bookouture!
🌟🌟🌟🌟/5 Stars
About the author:
Graham Smith is the bestselling author of four explosive crime thrillers in the Jake Boulder series, Watching the Bodies, The Kindred Killers, Past Echoes and Die Cold. Watching the Bodies spent over two weeks at number one in the Amazon UK chart and Amazon CA charts. Graham is also the author of the popular DI Harry Evans series and has collections of short stories and novellas. His latest novels with Bookouture are set in Cumbria and the Lake District, featuring DC Beth Young.
He is the proud father of a young son. As a time served joiner he has built bridges, houses, dug drains and slated roofs to make ends meet. Since 2000 he has been manager of a busy hotel and wedding venue near Gretna Green, Scotland.
An avid fan of crime fiction since being given one of Enid Blyton’s Famous Five books at the age of eight, he has also been a regular reviewer for the well-respected review site Crimesquad.com since 2010.
When not working, his time is spent reading, writing and playing games with his son. He enjoys socialising and spending time with friends and family.
You can find more about him by following these links:
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/grahamnsmithauthor/
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/GrahamSmith1972
WEBSITE: https://grahamsmithauthor.com/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5446655.Graham_Smith?from_search=true
Again, huge thank you to Bookouture for allowing me to read this book. I can't wait to read more about Beth Young!
Description:
A case with no leads.
A victim with no enemies.
A killer with no conscience…
When Detective Beth Young is called to investigate a victim with multiple broken bones, nothing prepares her for what she finds. James Sinclair is fighting for his life, and Beth can’t shake the idea that the nature of his injuries suggest someone with a personal grudge against him.
But James’s devastated wife Laura insists that her kind, softly-spoken husband is a man with no enemies. She was the one with the fiery temper, but James was so calm, she’d never once managed to provoke even a cross word from him in their eight year marriage. And he was the same with everyone – she can’t name one person who might want to hurt him.
But she knows virtually no details about her husband’s childhood or his life before he moved to the Lake District as a young man, and Beth feels sure that the key to finding James’s attacker is hidden in the secrets of his past. Who was he really? And what is the significance of the coded messages that Beth finds hidden on his laptop?
Then two more bodies are found in one of the deep, picturesque lakes that the area is so famous for, exhibiting similar injuries to the ones James Sinclair suffered. How are they connected? And how many more people are at risk?
Beth knows she is in a race against time to hunt a vicious killer who is both elusive and incredibly dangerous. A killer who knows what James did in the past. Who likes to be one step ahead. But who – if they realise they’re being hunted – might come for Beth next…
My Review:
I was hooked the moment they went over the uniqueness of the injuries James sustained. Here is this man who apparently has no enemies, but he was tortured almost to death. Even his wife Laura can't figure out who would want to do this to her dear sweet husband. I shouldn't have read this at home alone, because it was truly chilling to think someone could break into a house and leave a person in that kind of state! Then Detective Young finds more bodies and the story explodes. This has it all-flawed characters, a suspenseful plot, and an ending I didn't see coming. This book had me on the edge of my seat the entire time! It felt a lot like a huge puzzle being put together, and I loved the way Young's mind worked.
Overall, this was a fast read that I enjoyed immensely. I do wish I had read the first two books prior to this one because it seems like I missed out on some backstory, but it wasn't enough to keep me from enjoying this book. The "sculptor" was a truly frightening and sadistic profile to follow. I've watched more than my fair share of Criminal Minds and SVU, so I love it when a book truly shakes me to the core. I'll definitely be backtracking because I have to know more about Young, and how she got to where she was in this book.
Solid suspenseful book, as usual with Bookouture!
🌟🌟🌟🌟/5 Stars
About the author:
Graham Smith is the bestselling author of four explosive crime thrillers in the Jake Boulder series, Watching the Bodies, The Kindred Killers, Past Echoes and Die Cold. Watching the Bodies spent over two weeks at number one in the Amazon UK chart and Amazon CA charts. Graham is also the author of the popular DI Harry Evans series and has collections of short stories and novellas. His latest novels with Bookouture are set in Cumbria and the Lake District, featuring DC Beth Young.
He is the proud father of a young son. As a time served joiner he has built bridges, houses, dug drains and slated roofs to make ends meet. Since 2000 he has been manager of a busy hotel and wedding venue near Gretna Green, Scotland.
An avid fan of crime fiction since being given one of Enid Blyton’s Famous Five books at the age of eight, he has also been a regular reviewer for the well-respected review site Crimesquad.com since 2010.
When not working, his time is spent reading, writing and playing games with his son. He enjoys socialising and spending time with friends and family.
You can find more about him by following these links:
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/grahamnsmithauthor/
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/GrahamSmith1972
WEBSITE: https://grahamsmithauthor.com/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5446655.Graham_Smith?from_search=true
Again, huge thank you to Bookouture for allowing me to read this book. I can't wait to read more about Beth Young!
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