Enjoyed the story but found it difficult to follow the transitions between characters due to lack of chapters or delineation to explain where we were getting a new viewpoint. Hadn’t read the first in the series but that didn’t preclude me from enjoying it as a stand-alone

This is the second book in the Crimson Lakes series.

Set in Queensland, Australia the series’ protagonists are Ted Conkaffey, a disgraced former Sydney Police Detective who was suspected of the kidnapping and assault of a little girl, and Amanda Pharrell, an eccentric private detective who also happens to be a convicted murderer. The cover recommends it to people who liked the dry. On the surface there are some similarities with societies condemnation of an individual when there is no evidence to support a criminal conviction, and of course the very, very dark subject matter relating to the death of a young girl. However I didn’t enjoy this as much as I did Harper’s book partly because the language wasn’t rich and also the mystery wasn’t as strong,

As I mentioned before this is the second book in the series. I have never read the first, so it can be a standalone however I think a lot of the tension and sympathy in the story was lost for me because I hadn’t read the earlier story.

*** Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher ***

The second novel in Fox's 'Crimson Lake' series is another real cracker. She has a masterful touch for crafting main characters that are a little off-kilter, both intriguing and unsettling. The pairing of maligned former cop Ted Conkaffey and convicted killer Amanda Pharrell is fascinating, and provides a great engine for this page-whirring story alongside the twisting plotlines and the humid setting of northern Queensland.

This is the second book in the Crimson Lake series and I personally couldn’t have read it without starting with the first, which I’ve done and also give 4 stars. The unlikely pairing of Ted Conkaffey and Amanda Pharrell as private investigators is superb - I just love Amanda’s humour. It is well written and the pace picks up as the story unfolds but doesn’t get out of hand. I can’t wait to read the next one. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK for letting me review it.

I didn't realize this book was number 2 in the series, but that doesn't take anything from the thrilling read it is, and how much I did enjoy it. I will go back now to book number 1 and restart the thriller ride again! Recommended.

This is the second of a series and unfortunately I could not get into the story or the characters. In the future I will try to read these books in print.

This is the 2nd in the Crimson Lake series - you will definitely enjoy it more if you have read the first book before this one.

Quirky characters and a fast paced story makes this a good read.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review :-)

I absolutely LOVED this book! It was written so well and the pace really kept you intrigued until the very last word. I loved the depth of character and the detail in the surroundings. It was really a great read and one I highly recommend to all who are looking for a book you won't be able to put down!

Review

So, i picked this book for a readathon. I can't recall why i requested this originally, and it has sat on my netgalley TBR for a long while now, i think it was one where they email you with REQUEST NOW and i get drawn in. I was so hyped in that i didn't even realise this was book 2.



Ted is just trying to keep on the down low and he thinks Crimson Lake with his geese is the best way to do that. However, Claire Bingleys dad (the girl he was accused of abducting) has a revenge plan in place. If he doesn't find out who did it, things could become alot worse for all those involved.



Whilst all this is unfolding, another drama is unfolding as two young bar staff are found murdered in a bar. With a new Detective Inspector on the case, and arrival of the private investigator Amanda Pharrell who has being hired by the family of one of the victims this makes for a drama filled read.



Essentially we are following two separate narratives. The one where we follow Ted as he tried to figure out who actually abducted Claire. We then follow the investigation into the murders at Barking Frog. Ted also works alongside Amanda as a private detective.



For this being a sequel which i didn't know, i felt it didn't matter all too much. As a reader you are given enough information about book 1 that you can understand what happened. The characters were all well rounded in terms of you not only got chance to visualise them, but also understand what is going on in their minds and lives.



As the narrative unfolded i was both gripped and intrigued, i found myself questions everyone and trying to understand what was actually happening. This was a great read that really kept me hooked. I am tempted to go back and read book 1 despite knowing what i know now as i feel like it would complete it all for me.

It took me a while to read this book. There were no set chapters and found the story jumping from one storyline to another without you realising straight away that it had moved onto other characters. I wanted to find out what happened and whether they found the real child kidnapper so persevered with it.

When former detective Ted Conkaffey is wrongly accused of abducting a teenage girl, he hopes the Queensland town of Crimson Lake will be the perfect place to disappear.

But nowhere is safe from the girl’s devastated father. Dale Bingley has worked out a brutal revenge plan – and if Ted doesn’t help find his daughter’s real abductor, he’ll be the first casualty.

Meanwhile in a nearby roadside hovel, the bodies of two young bartenders lie on the beer-sodden floor. As a homicide investigation unravels, Ted and his unlikely ally private detective Amanda Pharrell are brought in to assist on the case.

While Ted fights to clear his own name, their hunt for the killer will draw them into a violent dance with evil.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC.

The follow up to Crimson Lake, this is equally as good. I loved the characters of Ted and Amanda from the first book, and their unlikely friendship continues well here. Redemption lets us learn more about Amanda and Ted's own personal battle develops nicely as well, alongside the case they are actually working on here. Despite the multiple storylines, the writing is engaging and easy to follow. Can't wait for the next one!

This book grabs you by the throat and doesn't let go. A riveting read.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book has everything, psychological thriller, mystery, romance, all packed in one story. Ted's story is so terrifying, so believable in this day and age, it shook me to my core, knowing how much we believe everything reported in the media and how the accused are found guilty by public opinion before the trial even begins. I loved Amanda Pharrell and her budding relationship, I loved Pip Sweeney, in fact, I warmed to all the characters. There are so many loops, twists and turns in this tale that you need to pay attention or you might met yourself coming back in the opposite direction. The ending, whilst deeply unsatisfactory on a personal level, was completely right in the context of the book. This is my first Candice Fox novel, but it most certainly won't be my last. 5 stars and a highly on all high of recommendations from me. Buy a copy of Redemption by Candice Fox straight away, you can always thank me later!

As I haven't read the first book it did take me a while to get to grips with the characters. The theme of the book was good but I think it might be worth reading the first book before this one. It is not a stand alone book and it would help to get to know the characters by reading the first book.

Full review to come.
I deeply apologize, but life is a handful lately and I'm using all my free time to read, not review. I hope everybody understands.

Not bad not great Aussie crime fiction, tbh I put this down and then went back to it a month later! That kinda suggests it wasn’t that gripping!

I just didn’t care about the characters! Or the story and if I hadn’t noted down how it ended I doubt I would remember it!

If Crimson Lake #1 was overpacked, this sequel pushes that excess further: two investigators with traumatic criminal pasts, a paedophile's diary, a dual murder in the present, a revenge plot from the past, plus assorted drug gangs and a pair of violent but inept criminals, plus Ted trying to free himself from the accusations of the past - phew, this feels like at least 3 books rolled into 1! It ends up being disjointed which is a shame as a focus on either Ted or kooky Amanda would have streamlined all the chaos - less would definitely have been more and made better use of Fox's writing talents.

oh I absolutely loved this second book in the series featuring former detective, Ted Conkaffey and Amanda Pharrell (and woman and her geese). Amanda has hired Ted to help her in her Private Investigation business and they are hired to investigate crimes in Crimson Lake.

Ted is still fighting the case which ruined his life. Being accused of raping a young girl. His case is thrown out due to lack of evidence but he's lost more than his reputation as his wife Kelly wants nothing to do with him and this means he doesn't see his little daughter. Although he is now going through the process of supervised visits.

He's trying to rebuild his life at Crimson lake when Dale, Claire's father turns up, beats him up and then won't leave. Dale believes Ted should be helping find the guy who raped and assaulted his daughter if it's not him.

There's another story running alongside where two young adults are murdered in the local bar and Ted and Amanda are sent to investigate.

There's also diary entries from the person who really attacked Claire.

A great read which I enjoyed a lot.

I know this is a proof copy but it's hard sometimes to realise the story is jumping from one part to another without much warning (I'm presuming this was changed in the final copy).

Great book that I didn’t realise was the second in a series and so I had to buy the first book before reading this.

Great characters, a thrilling story and I’ve found myself a new series to read!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC in return for an honest and unbiased opinion.

What a fabulous sequel by the brilliant writer Candice Fox. Disgraced and broken former police detective Ted Conkaffey and PI partner, former convicted murderer Amanda Pharrell assist newly appointed DI Pip Sweeney on a double murder case. This highly likeable pair struggle constantly with their pasts but they valiantly attempt to move towards a better and brighter future. Compelling reading not for the faint-hearted and not to be missed.