This was a solid thriller with a likable detective at the front of an unusual case. However, I figured the main twist out way too early but it was redeemed when I found out the other, even more twisty "twist" closer to the end. I think this trope deserves a bit more research as it all seems way too serious and complicated to just throw around but overall, this was an engrossing book and I appreciate the opportunity to review it. My sincerest apologies for letting this get away from me for so long!

Did not end up liking this book and couldn't finish it but I am not sure I would be able to recommend it to readers.

I am not leaving a review due to the fact that this book did not interest me enough to finish the story.

The brutal murder of a teen starts this new series. DI David Vogel has a lot to deal with but the reader has the advantage of reading the perspective of various people involved in the case and he does not. Never fear - he will find the answers.

Previously loved Hilary Bonner's books. This was ok but unfortunately saw this ending coming very early and was therefore waiting for the characters to catch up.

I enjoyed reading this book, I'm from Bristol and it was nice reading about the sights. I would look out for her next one if this is going to be a series.

The first installment in the DI David Vogel series, Deadly Dance by Hilary Bonner is a dark and thrilling police procedural. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC of this great new series!
The book featured three points of view of three possible suspects. Or maybe they are not. Combined that with DI Vogel's investigation, made for a compelling read. Interesting and thrilling way to build suspense!
Reommended!

I had trouble getting interested in the story, not sure if it was the book or my mood. It just didn’t grab me like other UK police procedurals do.

Deadly dance by hilary Bonner.
The discovery of the partially-clothed body of a teenage girl in the heart of Bristol’s red light district indicates a tragic yet familiar scenario. But this marks the start of a baffling murder investigation where nothing is as it first appears. Fourteen-year-old Melanie Cooke told her mother she was visiting a school friend. Who was she really going to meet?
This was a good read with good characters. I liked the plot. 4*.

This the first book I have read by Hilary Bonner and one that I enjoyed. It is the first book in a series featuring DI Vogel. A 14year old girl is found murdered and Vogel thinks he has solved the murder, but various events follow that make him realise that this is not the case. I must say that I guessed who the killer was from early on in the book but it didn’t stop me from enjoying it.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.P

I’ll be honest, I wasn’t sure whether I’d done the right thing in requesting this murder mystery thriller. There are four narrators throughout this tense thriller – D.I. Vogel’s point of view, which is in third person and three first-person viewpoints, who are three tormented young men who are struggling to fit into society – Leo, Al and Saul. As we keep returning to their ongoing battles to come to terms with their impulses, I found myself feeling some sympathy with the crippling loneliness that is evident within all three of them.

By comparison, I found David’s character rather pallid – he isn’t exactly Mr Charisma anyway, but while it becomes increasingly imperative that he solves the mystery, I was tempted to skim his scenes at home with his wife. The third person viewpoint simply doesn’t have the punch and immediacy of the three antagonists – I’m assuming this device is a deliberate ploy, but I don’t think it is wholly successful. It seems to me that one of the major tasks of a first book is to establish the protagonist as a strong, sympathetic character, even if he isn’t completely likeable and I’m not sure that Bonner has ticked that box with this book.

Where she triumphantly succeeds however, is in delivering a gripping page-turner. For as the story progresses, each of these three characters are increasingly mired in a mess of their own making. I was watching each of them begin to unravel and there was no question of my putting the book down until I discovered who did what to whom. The gathering tension as the stakes are steadily raised and the handling of the denouement and resulting fallout is beautifully handled. This book is recommended for those who like their police procedural thrillers tense and gritty.
8/10

Disturbing!

A psychological thriller that deals with pedophilia, unresolved sexuality acceptance and relational difficulties in three voices. These three voices lead the story, interacting to form the whole. This modus operandi employed by Bonner lends a fascinating pull slowly drawing the reader further into the unfolding action.
The brutal murder of fourteen year old Madeline has Detective David Vogel methodically parsing every action of those close to her, every nuance is noted as he digs further into Madeline's life and the lives of those within her orbit.
I found this an uncomfortable read due to the subject matter and yet quite brilliant its execution. Bonner has a way with words that captivates you and places you right in the here and now, whether you want to be or not. It's hard to detach from the visual images she evokes.
Really this is a 5 star writing performance from Bonner, but from my personal liking of the subject matter, 1 star.

A NetGalley ARC

3.5 stars rounded up.
This was a strange book for me because I pretty much clocked how it was going from the start. I also guessed the culprit really early so the rest of the book didn't really yield anything surprise or shock wise for me.
So we start with the discovery of a dead teenage girl. DI Vogel is quickly on site and starts his investigation. It appears that the 14 year old had told her mother she was studying with a friend but it soon transpires that studying was far from her mind with what she had planned. The investigation then follows all the usual paths; speak to the parents, the school, the girl's friends etc etc and it progresses nicely. But here's the rub. In between chapters following Vogel and his team, we also hear from three other characters, a short chapter at a time. Each with a particular, somewhat seedy, predilection and that's all I am going to say about them here. Things hot up when more crimes are discovered which although completely different in pretty much all aspects, appear to be linked by forensics. Can Vogel and his team catch the killer before the body count rises further?
I found Vogel to be a rather interesting character and I warmed to him straight away. He's a bit odd at times but he has an instinct and trusts it so is not afraid of going out on a limb with his peers and superiors when it is something he really believes in; however bizarre. He also doesn't come across as a stereotypical wounded cop like so many in this genre of book. I especially like his interaction with his wife and, OK, he does have a few things to deal with in his private life, but who hasn't? Some of the other characters were quite hard to read about but I guess kudos should be given to the author for making them come across as real. That said, I am just a little reticent to completely get on board with the actual killer and their motivation and have trouble really believing in how things progressed in their life to get to what happens in their present.
Ignoring my issues with the killer for now, this book was well written and the crimes and the majority of the book well plotted. The police team worked well together and, as already mentioned, I did like Vogel and definitely think that he and his team have more to give. I just hope that next time the crime and motivation is a little more credible. I am definitely not put off by my reservations with this book as I can see beyond them and see quite a bit of potential from this series and characters.
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

A fourteen-year-old girl tells her mother she's going to visit a school friend, but is found dead in Bristol, England's red light district. Detective Inspector David Vogel thinks the young girl had to be meeting someone else and is determined to find the truth.

The information provided about this book says it's the first of a new series and although the book just came out, I am already anticipating the next book! From the description, it sounds like a typical police procedural, which I enjoy. However, the book has a complexity and chilling aspect which elevates the book into the thriller category. Interspersed with third person narration of the murder investigation are chapters told in the first person whose possible connection to the case is unknown when the story begins.

The story becomes more and more suspenseful as the book progresses. The plot is very complex and I was truly shocked by more than one huge twist as the story concluded. I loved this book and highly recommend it for suspense lovers, as well as fans of Peter Robinson.

I received this book from NetGalley, through the courtesy of Severn House. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.

I found this book very hard going and it didn't hold my interest so everytime I picked it up I had to recap on the story line. Sorry not for me

This book really surprised me. The story of David Vogel and his team investigating the murder of a 14 year old girl in Bristol. The story is told from multiple points of view. It is hard to write a review without giving things away! A very fast paced read that leaves you wanting more.

Thanks to Netgalley and Severn House for a copy of this book to read and review this book

The author an ex journalist is an experienced crime thriller writer. This one is well up to her usual high standard. Intricate involved plot with some major surprises. The tragic murder of a teenager proves a complex case for the quiet detective inspector Vogel. Highly recommended. See my full review on the Euro-Crime website.

This is a fast paced, well written book which I read over a weekend. The chapters are short which I like as it's easier to put the book down (even if I don't want to!) as I always try to read to the end of a chapter. I did guess the identity of the murderer of Melanie about halfway through the book but as I read on it was a lot more complicated than what I had anticipated, which made it all the more intriuging! I look forward to reading more about David Vogel and would quite happily read other books by this author. Word of warning though there are some bits that make for uncomfortable reading.

This is psychological game playing at the maximum speed. The police are pursuing three killers. The deeper they go, the less they see...

Severn House and Net Galley allowed me to read this book for review (thank you). It will be published December 1st.

This is a really creepy story. The killers have their own chapters and talk about the problems they have in trying to establish normal relationships. One is a pedophile, one kills his wife, and one kills his homosexual lover. Reading the chapters from the killer's point-of-view is chilling and overwhelming both. There's confusion, a bit of sorrow, and worry about being caught.

The police are looking everywhere, going through old police records, and interviewing anyone that might know something. This is a sordid tale with a smart killer. As Vogel begins to put together the pieces, he realizes these killers are all part of one man's mind. The split personality is why the murders are different. He has one more thing to discover and when he does, it's almost too late.

This is a spooky story that kept me glued to my chair while they hunted for the killer. The ending is chilling. I'd read more about this detective. He's dedicated and smart and doesn't give up.

This was a quick and easy read that was somewhat suspenseful. I loved how each character was introduced keeping the suspense of who murdered a young girl until the end.