4.5 STARS

DI Thomas Ridpath has just returned to work, 6 months after his wife was murdered. Diagnosed with PTSD and undergoing psychological therapy, he's not sure he's ready to jump in ... but now he has no choice. Ridpath works for both law enforcement and for the Coroner's office.

A child's body has been found by a dog walker. He's been strangled and left partially hidden by a wooded area close to the River Mersey.

There are no witnesses, no DNA, no hint of what happened and who the killer is. At first glance, the boy's father is a good suspect. Although constantly and consistently telling them he didn't do it, one of Ridpath's superior officer is adamant that the man is guilty and makes moves to have him charged with murder.

And then there's another young boy abducted ... the grandson of the Coroner, herself.

This nail-biting thriller keep me hooked from the very first suspenseful page. The suspense maintained its level until the final heart-pounding conclusion. The characters are cleverly drawn and lend credibility to the story. Although 9th in the series, WHEN THE EVIL WAITS can easily be read as a stand alone. However, as always, I highly recommend reading in order ... this is a terrific series.

Many thanks to the author / Canelo Crime Books / Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

Another fantastic read by MJ Lee, DI Ridpath is apart of the series of crime thrillers however as with all the books it can be read as a stand alone.
What I love about this book is the subject might be controversial, being about a child serial killer however the writing is careful and thoughtful. DI Ridpath is newly back to work after his own trauma. He thrown straight in when the body of a child is found in a woody area in Manchester. Time ticks along as Ridpath and his lovely colleague Emily Parkinson chase down the killer.
This book has great characters you route for and brilliant storylines. Looking forward to the next.

Another Detective Inspector Tom Ridpath police procedural, this one the sixth in the series. Having no previous experience with this crime investigation team, I find this is more like a stand-alone crime mystery appraisal. A lockdown-affair couple out walking their dogs discover a child’s naked body and the lack of leads makes for a most difficult case. DI Ridpath returns to work with PTSD issues and follows his instincts despite the antagonism of the officer in charge. Unravelling the whodunnit with Covid protocols is hard enough, let alone the misinformation at the centre of the investigation. A gripping police procedural with great characters and stubbornly lacking progress, yet a worthy four-star rating. With thanks to NetGalley and the author for a preview copy for review purposes. All opinions expressed herein are freely given and totally my own.

When the Evil Waits is the sixth instalment in the Detective Inspector Thomas Ridpath series, set in and around Greater Manchester. After events in the last book, traumatised Ridpath is suffering from newly-diagnosed PTSD and had taken compassionate leave to try to come to terms with his cherished wife Polly's murder. He is finally returning to work, after the six-month break, at the Coroner's Office, where he is seconded, and for Greater Manchester's Major Crimes Unit. However, his hopes of a gentle reintegration go out the window when he decides to take on the horrifying case of 7-year-old David Carsley, whose body was discovered in a meadow alongside the River Mersey. He had been found by a pair of dog walkers, Shirley Burgess and Jon Morgan, who were carrying on with one another behind their partners’ backs, in Chorlton Ees. Shirley had come to see what the Jack Russell and Labrador were so excited about and found his naked body with a rope around his neck and his clothes neatly folded nearby. The police later find he had been sexually assaulted pre and post-mortem. This was going to be a difficult case from the outset as those featuring children always are and the locals were already drawing parallels between the lone boy and the infamous Moors Murders. The thoroughly repulsive MIT head DCI Paul Turnbull is the one at the helm of this inquiry but after a fortnight with next to no movement or progression, Ridpath is asked by his superior, Detective Superintendent Claire Trent, with Coroner Mrs Challinor’s agreement, to lead a team to review the leads and evidence Turnbull had looked into, effectively overseeing his nemesis’ work, to check nothing had been overlooked and to do so under the radar.

On this parallel murder investigation, he is assisted by DS Emily Parkinson and the police research officer, Chrissy Wright. They liaise with the child’s family, conduct interviews with the witness who found and called in the body and research other cases in the area that may be linked. Turnbull wants to arrest David’s father for his death but Ridpath knows he's innocent. That doesn't stop him from bringing him in, however. So Ridpath is under pressure to find the boy’s killer before he can destroy another young life and exonerate the man he knows is innocent of the crime of which he is accused. This is a scintillating and compulsive procedural with a particularly dark and unsettling crime at its centre. We find Ridpath is still not in the right mindset, which is understandable as he is missing his dear wife, and his daughter, Eve, is living with grandparents. He is using alcohol as a crutch to get him by in his grief-stricken and sorrowful state but at least he is in remission in terms of his bone cancer and has been deemed fit enough to work. It is a tightly plotted, enthralling tale with twists, action and plenty of drama and the separate strands of the plot - looking at Tom’s personal life, the office politics and the murder investigation - are surprisingly equally as captivating as one another. The characterisation for both the personable characters and the not so affable is superb enough to evoke strong reactions from the reader when encountering them throughout the narrative; you feel something for every one of them. Told solely from Ridpath’s perspective, it's easy to immerse yourself in the goings-on and the quick pace keeps you turning the pages way past your bedtime. A riveting, thrilling and intensely engaging read. Highly recommended.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. So much so that I am going to start with the Ridpath series; I didn't realize this was a series until about halfway through the book. I enjoyed the storyline and am looking forward to reading the the rest of the series! Would recommend this one for sure!

My thanks to NetGalley and publisher Canelo for the electronic copy.

This is Book#6 in the DI Ridpath series, and there's still never a dull moment! Always well-written with good characters and dialogue, once again I thoroughly enjoyed following Ridpath on an investigative journey.

Returning to work from six month's leave, having been diagnosed with PTSD, Ridpath is asked by the Coroner, Mrs Challinor, to follow up on the case of a 7yr-old boy found in a park near the River Mersey as the family are asking when his body will be released. It's been two weeks since David Carsley was found and the MIT, led by Ridpath's nemesis DCI Turnbull, are nowhere near finding his killer. Detective Superintendent Claire Trent is getting pressured from above and, with the Coroner's agreement, asks Ridpath to conduct a parallel murder investigation - without Turnbull knowing! Ridpath picks DS Parkinson and Chrissie Wright to join him and, although it begins to appear that Turnbull had followed procedure to the letter, Ridpath's team begin to latch onto some anomalies. Will they be able to convince DS Trent that an innocent man may be charged with murder? Can they find the killer within a three day deadline? - well, can Ridpath (as usual) have that flash of inspiration which brings things together?

Throughout this novel we intermittently have narrative from the killer's point of view and the horrors of his thoughts. Additionally, we read of freelance reporter Molly Wright's perspective - she's ambitious, self-obsessed with fame and fortune - and has a "source" inside the MIT.

Really intriguing read.

The jaw dropping ending of When The Past Kills meant that I dived straight in to this one and I wasn't disappointed. Despite events that have happened we still get to see the personal side of Ridpath - I still root for him! This is a good a read as all 5 previous books!
The body of a young boy is found in a park, posed, completely washed so no DNA and remarkably no witnesses. Profile suggests the killer WILL kill again, so it is up to the team to reach him before he chooses his next victim. This book explores more of the 'relationship' between Ridpath and Turnbull, and also his work alongside Emily Parkinson and good old Chrissy in her Man City scarf. His work with the coronor doesn't feature so much in this story. There is the added concept of a lone journalist following the case, desperate for a career saving scoop, which I feel is a well adopted thread that a fair few other fictional detectives seem to have to deal with.
I would most definitely recommend this book to Ridpath fans as well as newcomers.

DI Ridpath returns to work following his own trauma, to go straight into the deep end with a murder of a young child.
Great story and loveable characters in the book.
I have to read the series now, this was so good.
Able to read as a stand alone book, but think the series will give more as to the characters and their lives.

Another great read in the DI Ridpath series.
Following the ending of book 5, we join Ridpath six months later and he’s struggling to cope.
He’s deemed fit to return to work so decides to see how it goes and is welcomed back by Mrs Challinor.
He’s then asked to help MIT out with a child’s murder case and those around him wonder if he’ll cope.
Ridpath is determined to find the killer and even though Turnbull still has it in for him, he gets on with it.
He’s working with Emily and Chrissie and together they make a great team.
Turnbull wants to charge the father of the murdered boy but Ridpath knows deep down that he’s innocent so a battle of will takes place.
I love this series and really enjoy the combination of Police work and the work done for the Coroner’s office.
A great addition to the series.
Thanks to Canelo and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

DI Thomas Ridpath is returning to work after six months off following his wife's shocking death. His first case back as the liaison between the Coroner's Office and the Major Investigation Team in Manchester sees the body of a child found by a dog walker in a local park. Ridpath is initially asked to facilitate for the family of the deceased, but he is drawn into the case more fully when he is asked to run a parallel investigation by Superintendent Claire Trent. Unfortunately the initial investigation is being run by Ridpath's nemesis, DCI Turnbull, but that is the least of Ridpath's concerns when he suspects that the victim's brother and father are lying to him about what happened.

Another excellent instalment of this series. Although Ridpath is struggling with losing his wife and his daughter being sent to live with her grandparents, his grief doesn't overshadow the case. There are also some nods to current events with the lockdowns and Covid mentioned briefly. I am really enjoying this series, and I'm curious as to why Turnbull seems to have such a hatred of Ridpath and am looking forward to that being explained in future books. Consistently good.

Thanks to NetGalley and publishers, Canelo, for the opportunity to read an ARC.

After the jaw-dropping ending to M.J. Lee's last Ridpath book, I had high hopes for his next book. I was NOT disappointed! Taking place six months after the last book, Ridpath is on the hunt for a child killer and MJ Lee somehow weaves a tale of murder with Ridpath's own recovery from personal tragedy. The usual characters are back and it's interesting to see how Ridpath's relationships with all of them have been changed. One of the more interesting relationships is Ridpath and his daughter who doesn't appear in this story nearly as much as Lee's other books. We're seeing a softer side to Ridpath and I hope to see more of this in the next installment! Well-done MJ Lee!

M J lee has written of of the best police procedural series with a detective you develop a weird relationship with but one who never lets the criminal get away. Even in the depths of grief after losing his wife. I see this book as a transitional one before we see Ridpath change course. I just have no idea of which way he sill go.

Ridpath is back at work after the death of his wife. He has PTSD and is still receiving treatment from a therapist. And it is set in COVID times though that is not a focus. A boy is murdered and Ridpath is asked to review the case. Causing conflict. Great addition to the series.
I was given a copy from Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.

This is a newer author for me. and I look forward to reading more from him in the future. I enjoyed this suspenseful story. This is a well written story that kept me turning pages to the end. I enjoyed being pulled in from the first chapter and kept engaged throughout. This is a story that is not slow nor fast but is easily readable pace which makes it easy to read. The characters are relateable and really made the story for me. Ridpath is a great character that is strong and brought the suspense to a new level. I can't wait to see what this characters brings for us next. I highly recommend this book.

# Whe7n The Evil Waits # netgally

A really good book I like the Ridpath series they really grip and hold you to each page, not a fast fast read not a slow read either it's just about right enough going on in each page .Thomas Ridpath as just returned to work following the death of his wice.he's still have g counselling as he's suffering from PTSD , he takes on a case about a child found in the meadows of a park not far from where the river messy runs. He asked by his senior officer to go over the case which another senior officials we as been in charge of he can have 2 more people to help him. He's got only a few days to do it in the senior officer it's Tunble, who hates Ridpath with avengance, however against his better judgment only just having returned back to work that day he decided to take the case. It's full of twists and turns that throw you off so many times it's hard to deny Turnbul did everything by the book. What he did do wrong was have as market where to start from his officers had missed a few cctv camaras. Also didn't think to ask the brothers friends the time they last saw him. It's a e excellent read one that decision keep you gripped and not wanting to put it down. I had too put it down a couple of times did to grandchildren unexpectedly visiting I left my kindle on charge upstairs however I have downloaded kindle on my phone and my iPad so when I get the chance I open it on my phone if only to be able to read a Paige that's how hooked I become with this book t's 2': 28am and I have just finished jt. Can't wait for the next one. It's a must must must read

I’d like to thank Canelo and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘When The Evil Waits’, book six in the DI Ridpath series written by M J Lee, in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Following the death of his wife Polly, DI Ridpath returns to work at the Coroner’s Office and straightaway becomes involved when the body of a seven-year-old boy is found in the local park. Ridpath, together with DS Emily Parkinson and civilian researcher Chrissy Wright, are instructed to surreptitiously check DCI Turnbull’s initial investigation that he didn’t miss any crucial evidence. When Turnbull makes an arrest Ridpath doesn’t agree with him and does everything in his power to prove he’s got the wrong man.

After reading the previous book, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on ‘When The Evil Waits’ to find out how Ridpath was going to cope after the loss of his wife Polly, so it’s no surprise that on his return he throws himself into his work. This thriller has all the excitement, intrigue and suspense I’ve come to expect from the author and the twists and turns kept me on tenterhooks, trying to guess the identity of the perpetrator but failing. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reading more of Ridpath who’s a really likeable and fair person and treats his colleagues with respect. Long may the series continue, I’m eagerly awaiting book seven!

DI Ridpath is becoming one of the solid good book I read this month, the book was fast and the characters were interesting , I am interested to see where they will take us .
What explosive beginning of book, the first couple of paragraphs and I was hooked. when DI Ridpath comes back to work after tragedy and we see how he is trying to deal with work and life . I love his relationship with his daughter and how he is trying to build on her relationship . DI Ridpath is solid character with back story , I would love to read the other books in this series .

After what happened to poor old Ridpath at the end of the last book I wasn’t really sure how this next book was going to go. 6 months after the shocking incident Ridpath is back at work and his first job is to yet again be seconded away from the Coroners Office back to do some work for Claire Trent on the rape and murder of a 7 year old boy. Not the best thing to come back to but Claire Trent knows Ridpath well, he’s a great copper and never gives up, certainly not when it comes to catching child killers!

Yet another great novel by M.J. Lee, he’s definitely one of my favourite authors and Ridpath one of my favourite characters.

After the horrific ending to book five, it is not surprising that when we return in the start of this book, Ridpath is suffering with PTSD and has been off from work for six months. He is returning in Covid times but the world of policing and the coroners work cannot stop for the virus, so whilst it is mentioned, it certainly does not dominate the book.
Ridpath is on his first day back and returns to the MIT to help with a sensitive case where Superintendent Claire Trent asks him to review one of Turnbull’s cases to ‘make sure he has not missed anything’. It is a harrowing case, involving the death of a seven year old boy. Will Ridpath be able to help solve the complex case?
This is yet another superb book in this series, which just goes from strength to strength. We do see a very different side to Ridpath as he tries to come to terms with the events of six months ago and I hope that in book seven we see a spark of happiness for him. I am looking forward to the next book already!
Thanks to NetGalley for a Kindle copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

When two dog walkers find the body of a young boy near the river Mersey the police find no DNA or witnesses to help them solve the case.
DI Thomas Ridpath is back at the Coroner's office after a period of leave following a traumatic event. He just wants to keep his head down and get back into work with the coroner and away from MIT. Unfortunately his old boss Claire Trent has hit a dead end in the case of the murdered child and wants Ridpath’s help.
Still undergoing supervised therapy he knows it's not a good idea but he needs to try and help find the killer before he strikes again.
Parts of the book are written from the perspective of the killer which gives an insight into his motivation and mindset and it’s quite chilling!