Scan barcode
lowlandsbeach's review
3.0
It was Ok. Crime novel, but not one that kept me guessing. Three murders. Set in NE England
reizlly's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
1.0
fi293's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
wordsofclover's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
In the town of Burrowhead, something dark is brewing as the body of a local man is found stabbed to death in the playground and policewoman Georgie 's investigation into the crime begin to uncover a whole lot of ugliness hiding not so deep within the town inhabitants from homophobia to racism. On top of that, the long ago memories of the town seem to be haunting the ground and a sinister feeling is strong and ready to devour.
I listened to this book on audiobook and as a creepy, dark read it certainly hit the spot.
This book starts off with a bang with the discovery of the body of local psychiatrist Alexis by his policeman boyfriend Simon, and we are introduced to the small Burrowhead police team quickly from head honch Georgie, petite but fierce Trish, heartbroken Simon and forensics man Cal. As is typical of most crime books, we learn that there's many a thing going on in everyone's lives to make the case feel personal as Georgie battles with childhood memories, and struggled in her marriage and Trish cares for an elderly uncle battling dementia.
There's a lot going on this book in terms of town history, and it feels like a starter book that we are only on the tip of the iceberg so to speak. I definitely feel intrigued by what will happen in the final two books and how everything will come about - though I think I will pair them with a lighter read as I found this one just quite bleak and depressing as it was just dark in atmosphere and the ill feeling from the villages such as the racist attacks was just heavy at times as well.
I listened to this book on audiobook and as a creepy, dark read it certainly hit the spot.
This book starts off with a bang with the discovery of the body of local psychiatrist Alexis by his policeman boyfriend Simon, and we are introduced to the small Burrowhead police team quickly from head honch Georgie, petite but fierce Trish, heartbroken Simon and forensics man Cal. As is typical of most crime books, we learn that there's many a thing going on in everyone's lives to make the case feel personal as Georgie battles with childhood memories, and struggled in her marriage and Trish cares for an elderly uncle battling dementia.
There's a lot going on this book in terms of town history, and it feels like a starter book that we are only on the tip of the iceberg so to speak. I definitely feel intrigued by what will happen in the final two books and how everything will come about - though I think I will pair them with a lighter read as I found this one just quite bleak and depressing as it was just dark in atmosphere and the ill feeling from the villages such as the racist attacks was just heavy at times as well.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Homophobia
horrible_imaginings's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
kt022's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
honestmamreader's review against another edition
4.0
Many thanks to Anne Cater for my stop on this blog tour. And, to Point Blank Books for my gifted copy in exchange of an honest review.
Where do I start to review such a story? After reading the synopsis I had figured the story to be a police procedural uncovering the truth behind the murder of Alexis Cosse. And, yes this is what we get, but it's written in a style that draws you into the tale. It haunts you from within and entices you with its poetic words. Helen Sedgwick certainly knows how to engage the reader into a mysterious story.
I found I couldn't just pick this book up and read a few chapters here and there in between doing chores. I had to invest time into reading this to fully immerse myself into the storyline and understand what was going on. There were a few times which I wasn't sure what was happening and had to re-read to make sense. But, this just shows the intelligence and difference of the writing style.
The characters in this story are definitely that, characters. And because we are so engrossed in the story, these characters become a part of our lives for a while. It's like they don't leave you when you put the book down.
I think special mention needs to go to the village in the book, Burrowhead. The way Sedgwick describes the village and it's surroundings in the eerie style of hers. Burrowhead becomes a character in itself. There was something evil and not quite nice about the village, and the people who inhabit it seemed to have an underlying malice about them.
The investigation into the murder of Alexis Cosse digs up a wealth of hatred that is simmering in the village. It seems everyone has some malevolent traits within them. Like the weather in Burrowhead which seems to be always dark and eerie, this is the whole tone of the book. This of course is not a negative point because I always say the darker and grittier a story of murder the better.
If you're looking for a nice cozy murder mystery then look elsewhere. If you want something that's more special and unique; a story that after you've read the last page will stay with you because it's seeped into your soul. Then When The Dead Come Calling is the book for you.
https://honestmamreader.wordpress.com/?p=502
Where do I start to review such a story? After reading the synopsis I had figured the story to be a police procedural uncovering the truth behind the murder of Alexis Cosse. And, yes this is what we get, but it's written in a style that draws you into the tale. It haunts you from within and entices you with its poetic words. Helen Sedgwick certainly knows how to engage the reader into a mysterious story.
I found I couldn't just pick this book up and read a few chapters here and there in between doing chores. I had to invest time into reading this to fully immerse myself into the storyline and understand what was going on. There were a few times which I wasn't sure what was happening and had to re-read to make sense. But, this just shows the intelligence and difference of the writing style.
The characters in this story are definitely that, characters. And because we are so engrossed in the story, these characters become a part of our lives for a while. It's like they don't leave you when you put the book down.
I think special mention needs to go to the village in the book, Burrowhead. The way Sedgwick describes the village and it's surroundings in the eerie style of hers. Burrowhead becomes a character in itself. There was something evil and not quite nice about the village, and the people who inhabit it seemed to have an underlying malice about them.
The investigation into the murder of Alexis Cosse digs up a wealth of hatred that is simmering in the village. It seems everyone has some malevolent traits within them. Like the weather in Burrowhead which seems to be always dark and eerie, this is the whole tone of the book. This of course is not a negative point because I always say the darker and grittier a story of murder the better.
If you're looking for a nice cozy murder mystery then look elsewhere. If you want something that's more special and unique; a story that after you've read the last page will stay with you because it's seeped into your soul. Then When The Dead Come Calling is the book for you.
https://honestmamreader.wordpress.com/?p=502
leahmouse's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
annarella's review
2.0
I found this book confusing and I struggled to understand the plot.
There's potential but some more editing would help.
Not my cup of tea.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
There's potential but some more editing would help.
Not my cup of tea.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
ashleaz's review
3.0
The world of Burrowhead is a warm and friendly neighbourhood on the surface but has a brutal history which Sedgwick explores deeply in this novel. She also creates a chilling atmosphere with her in depth descriptions in all aspects of the landscape. I loved how realistically she portrayed a small village in the countryside where casual racism and homophobia are prominent due to lack of diversity and lack of new experiences. With this book, Sedgwick challenges those underlying community beliefs in a thought-provoking manner.
The story starts with a vague and spooky account from an unknown character in the haunted cave and is weaved throughout the novel. This continually builds suspense and I was dying to get some answers to my never ending list of questions. I found this character very interesting, especially it being written as a first-person narrative but having no idea about the character itself.
The murder of Alexis Cosse shakes up the entire village and leads to more trouble as DI Georgie Stracham and the police team try and find answers. From then on, we uncover some of the village history that everyone has seemed to bury. I really enjoyed reading about the murder investigation and all of the characters we get to meet along the way. I particularly loved the main character, Georgie, and the fact that she was head of the police team in Burrowhead and was a strong, likeable and determined character.
Throughout the novel, we experience every character's perspective which I found very interesting, although it became more complex to read. The way the perspectives switched so carefully from character to character felt as though I was seeing the story from a bird's eye view, looking down at the village and watching how everyone's story intertwined. Although, this sometimes proved to be a bit confusing, so you will need to pay close attention!
I found this novel to be an intriguing read, one where I got swept up in the mystery and drama of the small village. If you are looking for an atmospheric thriller with likeable characters and a murder investigation, then look no further.
Ashlea at The BookCosy
The story starts with a vague and spooky account from an unknown character in the haunted cave and is weaved throughout the novel. This continually builds suspense and I was dying to get some answers to my never ending list of questions. I found this character very interesting, especially it being written as a first-person narrative but having no idea about the character itself.
The murder of Alexis Cosse shakes up the entire village and leads to more trouble as DI Georgie Stracham and the police team try and find answers. From then on, we uncover some of the village history that everyone has seemed to bury. I really enjoyed reading about the murder investigation and all of the characters we get to meet along the way. I particularly loved the main character, Georgie, and the fact that she was head of the police team in Burrowhead and was a strong, likeable and determined character.
Throughout the novel, we experience every character's perspective which I found very interesting, although it became more complex to read. The way the perspectives switched so carefully from character to character felt as though I was seeing the story from a bird's eye view, looking down at the village and watching how everyone's story intertwined. Although, this sometimes proved to be a bit confusing, so you will need to pay close attention!
I found this novel to be an intriguing read, one where I got swept up in the mystery and drama of the small village. If you are looking for an atmospheric thriller with likeable characters and a murder investigation, then look no further.
Ashlea at The BookCosy
More...