This is the second book featuring Tara Thorpe and the series is just getting better. As usual she abandons all safety and goes after the killer with vigor. This was a good read, and I hope there is a third book in the series.

In this second book about Tara Thorpe, we find her investigating a string of murders that may connect to her past. Going after the case with all of her energy and time, Tara risks her safety and her job to stop the killer before anyone else dies. The relationship between her and Blake is complicated, and Tara must maintain her distance because he is now back with his wife and trying to make things work for the sake of their children. This is a great journey through the twists and turns of the investigation.

A very enjoyable read, it is the second book in a series but worked well as a standalone.
Writing and characterisation are fabulous and you are quickly pulled into the story, good plot and lovely description of setting.

Always fabulous win the second book in the series is better than the first!

This is the second book in this compelling crime thriller series and I strongly encourage you to read the first book before starting this one... I just think you’d miss out on so much of Tara’s backstory and that is very relevant to the book.... I’m going to be honest I was a little concerned because I really liked the fact that Tara was an investigative reporter I thought that added an unusual Element to the story, but I was pleasantly surprised and found this book even more engaging... and it was nice for Tara to realize her dream! Tara is a strong smart character and there is just something about her that really draws you in...

This was a fast paced compulsive thriller with plenty of suspects.... got to love when the victim is so unliked that it would be easier to find the person that wouldn’t want to kill him then the one that did.... throw in a supervisor who has a chip on his shoulder and something against you... A love interest, maybe? A motive that maybe tie to your past.... some pretty interesting office politics... and a cast of well drawn characters... sprinkle in the Cambridge setting and you’ve got yourself one heck of a book!

Recommend to fans of crime thrillers with strong female protagonists...

*** A huge thank you to Bookouture for my copy of this book ***

Death on the River is the second book in the A Tara Thorpe Mystery.

A man's body is pulled out from the Fens after his car is found submerged in the water and his death has been ruled out as an accident. The victim's sister, however, suspects foul play and enlists Tara's help in reopening the investigation. She takes the matter up with her boss, DS Wilkins who thinks Tara is undermining his work and decides to foil her investigation. But when the victim's acquaintance turns up dead, Tara is convinced their deaths are more than a coincidence.

This is my first book by this author and I really enjoyed it. The story is well written and the plot is both gripping and well thought out. The characters are believable and well-defined. I like the female lead, Tara—she’s strong, driven and determined. I love how she’s willing to go to any lengths to get her results, even it means stepping on toes.
Though second in the series, this book can be read as a standalone. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys this genre.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a very enjoyable crime thriller, the second in the series, though I felt it worked well as a stand-alone novel.

I felt that the book took some time to get into its stride, felt somewhat slow and the second half of the book was much more engaging and faster paced.

I enjoyed reading about the relationship that Tara had with her superiors, colleagues and ex-colleagues and how this affected her in her job. There appears to be some mutual attraction between Tara and her DI and it will be interesting to see how this relationship and others are explored in future books.

I look forward to reading more about Tara in future books.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and Bookouture for giving me an opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

After the harrowing events that occurred in book 1 I didn’t image we would see Tara again, so you can imagine my shock when not only is she back but she’s back as a full fledged police officer!

I loved her character in book 1 but in book 2 she has more edge, isn’t afraid to stand her ground and I absolutely love how she handles Wilkins….. I disliked him in the first book but now he just leaves a bitter taste in my mouth.

I enjoyed the chemistry between Tara and Blake, always a will they won’t they feel (I do have a little soft spot for him)

Death on the River is the perfect follow on in this gritty series. Clare has a nack of setting a scene and her characters are easy to see as an actual person.

I really enjoyed this book and highly recomend it to all those that like a gripping read.

Death on the River is the second book in the Tara Thorpe series following Murder on the Marshes which I recommend that you read first.

I have to say that has much as I enjoyed the first book, There is something about this one that I enjoyed much more. The story starts off with a cracking opening that will have hooked until the every last page.

Once again we catch up with Tara and follow her on the hunt for the killer when a body is body out from the fens and then a second body is found. The story is woven in with character development of Tara and other characters from the previous book, who we learn so much more about. We follow a story that will have you guessing until the end trying to work it all out.

I loved the pace of this story and also the setting the author certainly knows how to describe a scene that makes you feel like your in the story.

Death on the River is an engaging read with plenty of twists and turns which I highly recommend

I could not get into the first book so was a little dubious with the second by this author, however I found this one a lot more riveting

A dodgy officer ,a journalist and an editor with a grudge all made this novel a must read

This is book two in the Detective Tara Thorpe series and I enjoyed catching up with the characters. Set in the Cambridge Fens, Tara is involved in a murder hunt. The book moves at a good pace with excellent descriptions of the scenes. The book is well written and I love the character of Tara. Although, Wilkins drove me mad! I would recommend reading the first book but this is a very good read from Claire Chase and I would recommend this series. Thanks to Net Galley for my copy. Reviewed on Amazon, Goodreads and Facebook.

Death on the River follows on from the first Tara Thorpe book, Murder on the Marshes, but takes place four years later and Tara is now a police officer.

Tara is contacted by the sister of the late author Ralph Cairncross who believes there was foul play involved in her brother's death, which has been ruled as accidental. But it seems there is no evidence to support her claim. Cairncross had some strange ideas about life and death, but had a small band of very loyal young supporters.

Against her better judgement, Tara agrees to investigate further. It was great to see that she has lost none of the tenacity we saw when she was a journalist. She has a feeling when something isn't right, and pursues it until she finds out the truth. This means she frequently butts heads with her immediate supervisor Wilkins, who is just waiting for her to fall. He is a thoroughly horrible character and I know that because he's so well written. As are all the characters, actually. They are a colourful bunch, but the standout for me is Philippa - I could hear the bitterness in her voice!

Although this is a follow on novel, it works brilliantly as a standalone. The case is completely new anyway, and Tara's history with Blake is explained. and although his personal situation has got more complicated, he sometimes struggles to be completely rational with Tara. I was pleased to see there was still a wee frisson there.

It's beautifully written, with the often foreboding countryside playing an active part in the story. The plot is satisfyingly complex and interesting, the pace is maintained and I certainly didn't see the ending coming. Oh, and I'm a teeny bit in love with Kemp!

I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending this.

Death on the River is the second book in the Tara Thorpe series. A series that is so far, great! I’ve really enjoyed the first two books.

Tara is one strong, determined character, she may be the teams newbie but she knows not to give in and is determined she will uncover what was classed as a tragic accident and case closed. Will she be able to find new evidence? New clues? Anything that was overlooked or missed? She is one clever lady.

As the story unravels I tried to figure out could it be this, could it be that… I was wrong on all accounts! But when things start to become to close to home and Tara starts to think she’s being targeted will that put her off? Is someone hiding secrets? Not wanting Tara to solve the mystery?

What do you think?

A story that keeps you thinking… A mystery and crime that just goes on and on. Bigger than they first thought. Keeps the reader hooker and on edge. I enjoyed it and loved it. I am already looking forward to book three in this series… Wonder what’s going to happen next. A well deserved four stars. I highly recommend this series!

I just want to pass comment and give my congratulations on another stonking cover which really evokes the spirit of the Cambridgeshire fens and the setting of the book. People say, you should never judge a book by its cover, but I am afraid I often do and this is another one I would love to have on my shelves. I love Bookouture books, they always feel lovely and solid in your hand – you know you are holding a piece of quality, nothing something flimsy. Mad, I know, but these things matter to a book lover!

Although this is the second book in the Tara Thorpe series, it could easily be read as a standalone without losing anything of the plot. Clare gives you enough of the back story for you to understand what you need to without it feeling like an information dump. However, I would highly recommend you read the first book to get deeper background on the characters and also because it is just so damn good, you will be missing out if you don’t!

The second book starts four years after the end of the first. In the interim, Tara has left her journalism career behind and has retrained as a police officer, newly joining the CID unit who investigated the crimes in book one, which brings her back into the orbit of DI Blake and other characters from the first book. I’ll admit, I was a little disappointed to hear that Tara was no longer a journalist, as I thought that brought a unique perspective to the investigation in book one. However, I need not have worried as Tara has brought all her journalistic skills to her new role in the police and this gives rise to an interesting aspect of the book where her old skills both compliment and clash with her new job. Her insatiable curiosity and dogged determination to get to the bottom of events being both help and a hindrance.

There are so many different aspects of this book that I really enjoyed, the criminal investigation being only one of them. The mystery is very well-crafted from the dramatic opening scene to the eventual denouement, it is sufficiently tricky to keep the reader guessing and hold our attention throughout. The pace of the story is not frantic but even and compelling and I was totally engrossed in the investigation, even though the first victim is not a particularly likeable character. There were lots of interesting details to the crime – I was left wondering where the author gets her ideas from!

An equally riveting aspect of the book was the relationships between Tara and her fellow officers, particularly Blake and Wilkins. Anyone who has read the first book will recall that it appeared there was a possible relationship developing between Tara and DI Blake, and I was pleased to note that vestiges of this had carried through to this book, leaving a residual tension between the two. The author cleverly uses this as a plot device to influence the professional relationship between the two, as we wonder whether Blake’s decisions to back Tara are due to his professional respect for her, or his personal feelings. I love the fact that there is an open will they, won’t they question left hanging.

Wilkins is a different kettle of fish altogether and the man becomes more and more unpleasant as the book progresses. His dislike and, possible jealousy and resentment towards Tara grows and grows to the point where it is impacting on his objectivity and decision-making and he is in danger of putting his own career at risk. It is always good to have a character you love to hate in a book!

The book is written largely from Tara’s perspective and, as a protagonist, she continues to grow on me as she remains independent, determined and feisty and true to her own values, no matter what is thrown at her. I love a strong, female role model in a book, and this one certainly knows who she is and what she stands for.

The final thing which really makes this book stand out in the genre for me is the setting. It is as much a character in the book as any of the people and plays a big part in the stories. The plot simply would not work as well anywhere else and, just as in book one, the suppressing, empty isolation and loneliness of the Fens adds so much to the atmosphere of the story, and is brilliantly and vividly brought to life by the writing.

For some reason, this series has really grabbed me and I really look forward to reading more. Another paperback is on its way to add to the shelf for repeat enjoyment.

It was so good to catch up with Tara once more, this book is set four years after the events in Murder on the Marshes with Tara now as a detective working for Cambridge Police. I would say that it might be better starting with book one in this series just so that you can really appreciate the characters back stories. Although Clare Chase weaves in details so that you are aware of what happened previously which really does help.

I have to mention how brilliant a character Tara is and I loved how even though she is no longer a reporter she still has that curious determined edge to her personality. In this story Tara is reunited with characters from the first book including Blake, I love their connection along with a certain little spark that is still there. The story is told mainly from Tara's perspective but every so often we hear another voice which gave a darker feel to the story.

The mystery aspect to this story was perfect for me, easily capturing my attention along with making me think. There were a few suspects to consider and I really enjoyed trying to figure it all out. Then you have the added tension between Tara and Wilkins as they try to work together with hostility bubbling up. All of the characters in this book bring something to the story whether you like them or hate them. Tara is determined to discover the truth even though the twists and turns make things complicated for her. I also have to mention the way that Clare Chase has included a brilliant setting I think it works really well especially at times giving a sense of isolation.

Death on the River moves at a really good pace which kept me invested at all times until the truth finally emerges. I'm really looking forward to the next book and seeing what trouble Tara will find herself in next!

With thanks to Noelle at Bookouture for my copy via Netgalley.

My review is written with thanks to Noelle at Bookouture for inviting me on the tour and for my copy of the book via Netgalley.
Four years on from leaving her post at "Not Now" magazine, Tara Thorpe is a Detective Constable in training. When she is approached by the sister of a well known author, convinced that her brother's death was not an accident, Tara is intrigued. With no support from her boss, she is forced to investigate in her own time. But when another body is found, she convinces Detective Inspector (DI) Blake to give her a chance to prove herself. Can she discover what happened to the victims before another body is found?
I enjoyed Murder On The Marshes when I reviewed it back in August, and I was intrigued that Chase left the series open to go in a whole new direction for Death On The River. I wanted to see how Tara's character would develop, and from the beginning, it was impressive. Tara still has her journalist's instinct, and its amazing how much crossover there is with the skills that she uses. She's methodical but she thinks outside the box, and the case feels safe in her hands. I think she could go far and I'm looking forward to reading more.
Death On The River is set in Cambridge in the depths of winter, and this creates an incredibly eerie atmosphere with a sense of danger, as both the detectives and the victims travel in inclement weather to places that are very isolated. I was transported to each location, which made me feel involved in the case.
The first victim, Ralph Cairncross, does not seem to have been well-liked, and I loved the way that Chase gave the reader this impression gradually throughout the book. With each interview the police conduct, more lies and secrets are exposed, and with a plethora of suspects, this makes Death On The River most intriguing. As the case progressed, I could feel the frustration of the team and the tension as they tried to find the killer before they claimed another victim, on every page. It was an incredibly well thought out plot

Will the truth come out at the end? Tara Thorpe ex journalist is enjoying her new career in CID except for her boss DS Wilkins. And things are about to get a lot worse when a victim's sister visits her at home demanding that she looks into his death. Tara can't let it go and her DI backs her but something isn't adding up. DI Blake trusts Tara but her theories seems so unreal but he allows her to continue looking into Ralph' s death. Tara knows that the latest deaths are all linked to Ralph & his followers, she just has to find the truth. The killer decided it is time to teach Tara a lesson as she is digging to deeply into the deaths. Will Tara be able to escape this time as she seem so intent on finding the killer that she forgets the basis rules? Will Blake be able to get to her in time and is it time to move on in his marriage as he realises that he has feelings for Tara? Will they get there time together or will it all come crashing down? A good read. Hopefully Blake will be able to find freedom eventually as he deserves it. Hopefully Tara learns that she is part of a team and that they are there to work with her. I was lucky enough to receive a copy via Netgalley and the publishing house in exchange for my honest review.

Excellent book with a great storyline. Characters that are so well written. I would highly recommend this book to anyone!

Having found the first book very compelling, I was eager to begin reading this, the second novel to feature newly-employed Detective Constable Tara Thorpe of the Cambridge police. The aspect that stands out the most here is the plot - it's cleverly written, perfectly plotted and the large list of possible suspects makes it an unpredictable read. Given the murder victim, Ralph Shawcross, was a detested individual, there are many people who would've loved to see him come to grief. I liked this plot device a lot as it added to the suspense that slowly ratcheted up as the story developed and created ambiguity. The writing was easy to engage with, the pace was ideal and I enjoyed that we learned more about the main protagonist, Tara, too. It does work as a standalone, although I would recommend reading book one first as Tara's personal life plays a substantial role in the plot and to fully understand her, you need to begin at the beginning.

Due to the lack of concrete evidence, we find that the investigation team begin to fracture and as each of them decide who they feel is the killer, it leads to deep divisions within the department. Speculation and gossip start to become factors that the police pay attention to a little more than usual given that the case appears to be going nowhere fast. There are a lot of times that I find the police/investigators work relationships or personal issues are tedious to read about in a crime novel, but I thoroughly enjoyed all of that here as it is masterfully executed, as is the rest of the novel. Rarely, do I find workplace politics as addictive as the main plot, but, here, it absolutely is.

The characters are pretty special, here, too. Chase's talent for creating believable, relatable and unforgettable characters is on show throughout the book, and Tara has quickly become one of my favourite protagonists in crime fiction at the moment. She's strongminded, intelligent and not afraid to stand up for herself in a workplace where women are usually in the minority. Her supervisor, Patrick Wilkins, is a highly unpleasant man. He feels threatened by her, holds misogynistic views and is trying to dig up dirt on her so he can blackmail her into doing what he would like. Also, as in book one, there is the potential for romance between Tara and Garstin, so we will have to keep reading to see what, if anything, happens!

Many thanks to Bookouture for an ARC. I was not required to post a review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

When the body of a famous author is discovered in the Fens Detective Constable Tara Thorpe does not believe it was an accident. This is contrary to everyone else especially her boss Detective Sergeant Patrick Wilkins who has taken a dislike to her, and is intent on proving her wrong. Then another body is found, one of The Alcolytes of the dead author.
Thorpe is a former investigative journalist, which is possibly why I didn't really take to her but she uses those skills in her new position. It was a well-written interesting mystery and the characters were diverse enough though not all likeable.

We first met Tara Thorpe when she was working as a journalist for Not Now magazine in Cambridge, which she left to pursue a career in the police force, after she decided a change of career was probably for the best. Now, four years later, she is back as a police constable in the second book in this series by Clare Chase, Death on the River. Tara brings something fresh to the police investigation team, as a former journalist, she looks at a case with different eyes, and when she sees a human interest story, she will follow it until she has worked out the truth.

Tara is door stopped one morning by a woman who believes Tara may be able to her help solve the mystery of her brother’s death. The woman's brother was killed when his car veered off the road and into water and he subsequently drowned. The man who has died, writer Ralph Cairncross, was known to regularly drink and drive, so it does seem far-fetched that there is a more sinister reason behind his death. Tara agrees to help the woman, and as she begins to investigate, she uncovers some disturbing details that may have been overlooked in the original investigation, and Tara comes up with a new theory. And soon more bodies, young people who were connected to this man, turn up, blowing the case wide open.

Death on the River is told primarily from Tara’s point of view. Tara is a character who is really starting to intrigue me; I found her voice really engaging when I was reading and I can’t wait to see how her career in the police force will grow. It was interesting to see her transition from an investigative journalist to a police officer.  Combining the murky, atmospheric settings of the marshland near Tara's home in Cambridge, and Clare’s intriguing characters is what makes this book a winner for me. One series both books has put me in mind of, is the Dr Ruth Galloway series by Elly Griffiths, if you enjoy the Ruth Galloway books, then you should definitely give these books a go. Clare Chase’s writing quickly drew me into the story, in both of her books; she has managed to write a really chilling prologue which made me want to read on straight away. Her books are very hard to put down.

DI Blake also returns and I was interested to see how his friendship with Tara would develop now that they are working together. There is definitely a sense that he still has feelings for her so I will be intrigued to see if Clare chooses to develop this in future books and what this will mean for their working relationship. There are some surprising twists and turns for some of the characters, and I finished this book keen to learn more about them, and what Clare has in store for them next. 

If you are looking for a crime series with an enticing atmosphere, and a story that will keep you intrigued, I would definitely recommend these books. Thank you to Noelle Holten at Bookouture for inviting me to take part in the blog tour and for providing me with a copy of the book to read via Netgalley.