This is the second in the Detective Karen Hart series but the first I have read. A concerned woman has called the police because her elderly neighbour is not following his normal routine. Upon investigation two policemen discover the old man, barely alive following a fall down the stairs. His odd behaviour leads the police to make a grisly discovery. Upon opening an old suitcase a body is discovered. No ordinary body but one that has all but mummified.

The investigation requires the best of the police: in terms of forensics, witness statements, checking and rechecking paperwork and the inevitable tussle between senior officers with their focus on media attention and the powers that be. Against this background we are witness to the normal to and fro of the police themselves: will she get a mortgage; is she in the right job, will I have to sit here for days on end in case the old man wakes up and how are my team doing?

I can’t make my mind up whether that detracted from the book or not. I was aware of these thoughts whilst reading but upon reflection I think it just anchored the plot and established the team (I was unaware at the time that this was a second book in a series). Clearly the aim is to build on the team and in that it was successful. I am nosey enough to want to meet them again.

A well-written, satisfying plot with good characters that I am sure I will warm to.

Thank you to the author, publishers and NetGalley for providing an ARC via my Kindle in return for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for the eARC.
This is the 2nd in the Detective Karen Hart series and even better than the 1st.
An old man is found at the bottom of the stairs of his home and rushed to the hospital. They make a shocking discovery in one of the rooms in the house and Karen are faced with a 30-year old mystery. It proves an almost impossible case to solve: the unsolved disappearance of a teacher and the body they are having analyzed, a daunting task after so much time. Meeting Karen and the team again and getting more of their backstories is one of the reasons I enjoyed the book so much. The mystery is fascinating and the ending tense and exciting. Can't wait for the next book! I recommend this book highly.

This is an outstanding second book in the Detective Karen Hart series and in my opinion even better than the first. We catch up with all the main characters the last book and find out more of their background and lives which all adds to just what a good read this is. It’s a very well written book and a well thought out plot which deals with some uncomfortable issues and the lies and coverups unravel as the story progresses making it a book you don’t want to put down.
I look forward to the next in this excellent series and can well recommend the book if you enjoy a good mystery.
My thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer / Amazon Publishing UK for the chance to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

It was great to see Karen Heart and her team investigating a cold case which had just come to light, a body found in a case opens up a mystery of how and why the person was murdered. The team come up against a number of obstacles but work Well together to solve the crime.
Not as fast paced as I'd have liked but a good read

Thank you to net galley and the publisher for letting me have the chance to read this book it had me on the edge of my seat

DS Karen Hart is back with her team on the case. An old man who appears to have fallen down the stairs. When a body is discovered in his house, Karen is called in to Investigate but not all is as it seems.

Welcome back to the main police characters from the first book and it’s a great read. Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for this arc in exchange for my honest review:

I received an advanced copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This book had me on the edge of my seat the whole time! It was definitely a book that kept you thinking! I would definitely recommend this book to fellow readers. Thank you!