I’d like to thank Joffe Books and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘Two Victims’ by Helen H Durrant in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

The body of a woman beaten and shot is found dumped in a trench on a building site, then soon after a second woman is found nearby who appears to have died in similar circumstances. These murders are probably the most difficult cases DCI Rachel King of the East Manchester CID will ever have to solve especially as businessman Jed McAteer, Rachel’s ex-boyfriend and father of her daughter Mia, is somehow involved. Can Rachel discover the truth before DCI Mark Kenton of Salford CID takes over?

‘Two Victims’, the second in the DCI Rachel King series, is a well-written thriller with an interesting plot involving slavery and human trafficking, unexpected twists and turns and dubious suspects, all building up to a tense and dramatic conclusion. I like the characters of Rachel King and her sergeant Elwyn Pryce and was gripped from page one, but as we’ve been left with a cliffhanger I’m very much looking forward to book number three.

Another good book from Helen H Durrant. I admit that I look forward to each of her new books. Set in Manchester, a city I know well, she has a feeling for it and its environs. When a body is found in a building trench DCI King is surprised to see that there is another one underneath, and there begins the chase to identify the dead and bring their killers to justice.

Loved it.

I received a free advance review copy. This review is voluntary, true and my own views.

This is my first time reading Helen Durrant. TWO VICTIMS was a good solid police procedural. Rachel King is a single parent to 2 daughters and happens to be a senior police officer into the bargain. This story dealt with the human trafficking trade in the Manchester area and the sleazy sordid characters who inhabit that world and run the rackets for huge profits with no thought given to the misery and heartbreak it brings about. Durrant did a nice job fleshing out the various characters and I'm looking forward to more of Rachel King and her family if Durrant follows up on the series. I for one certainly hopes she does! Thanks go to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.