Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

This installment in the series is a little bit hard to rate because many of the characters are not completely likable. I also like it more when the main characters are police officers, so the fact that Matt has retired makes him lose just a bit of luster for me. That said, It’s still a very well-written and very interesting story. I don’t think Joy Ellis is capable of writing a bad book. For me, just reading her descriptions of the people and the countryside is well worth it. I suspect that even her worst book would be three times better than those of most authors!

WAYYYYY too slow and simple for me. DNF from me because it is not my cup of tea, I like things packed full of twists and turns.

An enthralling bewitching tale that kept me hooked throughout. Full of emotion with a fantastic storyline.

Joy Eliis doesn't write the type of serial killer book that has a victim every chapter. Nor does she write nail biting psychological thrillers. But her books are every bit as addictive, whichever series you happen to be reading. Her real talent lies in her wonderful characterisation and her evocative descriptions. I have never visited the fens, I've never even been to England but by the end of one of Joy's fascinating books I feel as though I know it as well as my own home town. She describes every little nuance of her characters' personalities so vividly that it wouldn't surprise me if I met them in the street. They are as real to me as my neighbours.
There is a rather eerie, slightly supernatural tone to this book. It features haunting descriptions of the marshlands and the tides that sweep away not only people but their very homes and businesses. A lot of this story focuses on the mental health of one of the central characters and I thought that her downward spiral towards insanity was treated very sympathetically by the author. This is rather a dark book but one I read in one sitting all the same.

Another stunning book!

Thoroughly enjoyed this 3rd book in the Matt Ballard books. Things have changed and Matt is no longer in the force but along with Liz his partner has set up a PI agency.
The story runs with a couple of threads with ex colleagues involved and the Fens as usual provide a very atmospheric background..
I don’t want to spoil the story for others so suggest you get your copy and start reading!

Not read the others in this series but jumped at the chance to review this book as enjoyed the other books I have read by Joy Ellis.

In this one we have an old lady’s garden whose garden is vandalised and then the cottage is covered in graffiti, which has everyone stumped, and Matt’s friend and his wife seemed to have increasing issues with their relationship. Can Matt and his partner resolve these seemingly intractable problems.

This is book 3 in the series but despite that and not having read the others I felt the book held up very well as a standalone. I really liked the main character in the story and interesting to see how he struggled as his friend’s marriage seemed to dissolve around him. If I had a problem I’d want Matt there to help me!

I enjoyed this book more as it progressed. This book had a bit of everything, although the original crime they were investigating ending up being a small part of the book, but led to a good twist at the end. Quite a heavy mental health theme running through this book.

I strongly recommend this book and can’t wait to catch up with the others in the series. I would like to say thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for providing a copy of this book to me for an open and honest review.

A different type of story line for Joy Ellis following the mental decline of one of the characters. Not quite what I was expecting.. It was very well written but the main topic was emotionally disturbing and tough to read. I prefer Matt Ballard solving murders and hope he will return to investigating these.

Once again Joy Ellis has written a brilliant psychological thriller. The book has an almost gothic feel to it. The characters are intense and the setting while it should be beautiful feels dark. There is no murder in this book but, the mystery is there. I love this series and I will anxiously await book 4.

Once again Joy Ellis has written a book that was nearly impossible to put down, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It kept me wondering all the way through! It covered areas that are very difficult and how people are effected and how that then goes on to effect others. The ending really took me by surprise as I was not expecting it. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys reading a really great thriller.

I've LOVED reading this book! A definite page turner. This is the first time I have come across this author, but I'll definitely be looking out for more! Highly recommended

I’ve read a lot of books by this author and thoroughly enjoyed them. This book was the 3rd book in this series and it took on a different turn as the main characters were now not in the police and are working as private investigators. I found the book a little slow at the start but then it became really gripping and quite dark and spooky !! A great addition to a good series.

Retired police turned private investigators take on the case of a good friend whose neighbor is the victim of a hate crime. The friend himself, Will, is facing his own mystery as his wife seems to be turning into a completely different person. Oh, and the fens. They are always such a mysterious and creepy setting.

The strange behavior of Will's wife Kate set the mood. She is suddenly angry, morose, tired, cheerful...with no real clues as to what is leading her behavior. Will excuses her as being overworked but you're wondering how long it will be before this becomes so bad he has to face it.

The secondary story of the woman being victimized by someone are less creepy and more disgusting. It seems strange that people don't seem to be taking it as seriously as it should be. Killing pets? Anti-semitic graffiti? This is very disturbing, outrageous stuff. Who would do such a thing?

There are a lot of things going on in the fens. Aren't there always? Getting a peak at these little towns and their history creates a complete, engrossing world with mysteries I couldn't wait to solve. Now, I want to go back and read previous books. More books on a list that never gets shorter!

I usually like Joy Ellis’ Fenland books so was looking forward to reading this one. I am sorry to say that I was very disappointed. I felt myself becoming frustrated with the characters especially Will and the storyline, which started with such promise, descended into the supernatural. I hate books about the supernatural and would not have started if I had realised that this would happen.
Would I recommend this book? No
Would I read another Joy Ellis? Probably, based on other books of hers I have read.
Thank you Netgalley and Joffe for giving me the opportunity to give my opinion.

Retirement Issues....
Book three in the Detective Matt Ballard series finds Matt with a whole host of issues on his hands despite his retirement. A well written mystery but with a storyline that is rather depressing, dark and morose and characters which display too many unlikeable characteristics to be properly enjoyed. The series has become far removed from the authors’ other works.

I have read all of the ‘Fenland’ books by Joy Ellis. I am an avid fan of this author and love her portrayal of the fens and those who live there.

This is the third in the Matt Ballard series but can be read as a stand-alone. Matt is an ex-detective and his wife, Liz, is an ex-sergeant. Their friends Will (who is also and ex-detective) and Kate move into Holland House which is a few miles away from Matt and Liz.

Kate and Will have lost a child and Kate’s mental health is getting worse leaving Will frustrated and needing help. He speaks to his close friends about some strange things happening on the Fen. One of their neighbours, Emilia, is having her house vandalised and they are trying to help.

As usual Joy Ellis handles some delicate subjects with care. Cleverly plotted, with characters who bring the story to life as the storyline twists and turns towards a surprising ending.

Thanks to NetGalley, Joffe Books and Joy Ellis for the ARC in return for my honest review.

Another excellent read and highly recommended.

I love Joy Ellis' detective stories and this one started off well with two of her former detectives settling into being private investigators. I was fine with the cases and the fact that their old friends Will and Kate also moved into the neighbourhood to start anew. Kate's frame of mind then just took over the whole shebang and the detecting, whilst eventually all tying together nicely, was subsumed within her grief and deteriorating state of mind. Whilst that was extremely well written and I felt for Will's helplessness much of the time, it was not what I was wanting to read - hence the 3 stars. Thanks to NetGalley and Joffe Books for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Not a bad read. If you found it in a hotel and took it the pool you'd be happy enough. I probably won't read any more

I am a BIG Joy Ellis fan and love her quick, easy to read books that always keep me interested and usually on the edge of my seat! This one didn’t disappoint a new main character for me but instantly took to him in book 1 so was pleased to be given the chance to read book 3 of the series! Now on to book 2...

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. It has been published in July 2020.

"The Dying Light" by Joy Ellis was a disappointing read.
First of all, too slow-paced: it takes forever to get the plot started, and the suspense never really takes off.
The different subplots felt disjointed to me, like they didn't belong in the same novel.
The characters are painfully stereotyped.
The narration would have benefited from the application of the "show, don't tell" rule.
The psychological explanations inserted in the book feel like lectures... the really boring, pedantic kind.
Besides, I didn't appreciate the use of bullet points in the narration. It screamed "lazy writing" to me.
There are unexcusable repetitions all throughout the story, for instance when the protagonist explains away the same supposed "prophetic dream" twice, both times using almost the same words. I get it that he's talking to two different characters, but why do I have to read it twice?
And by the way, there's a great deal of talking in this book. Far more talking than action, really. Pointless chatting, for the most part, and even when the conversations do have a point, they're too lengthy, drawn out.
The "big reveal" in the ending was exactly what I was expecting.