This is the latest instalment in the well written Ridpath series, set in Manchester. It flows at a steady pace and kept my interest throughout. I like the new characters of Emily and Chrissy but Turnbull is driving me crazy! The book is set during Covid times and is current and topical. I highly recommend the series. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

I always save MJ Lee for a time when I'm fed-up with mediocre stories that I really try to like but fail. I know I'm in for a good read and feel I deserve a treat. No different this time. Poor old Ridpath is slowly coming to terms with the loss of his wife at the end of the last book. He's back at work, just, and finds himself having to re-investigate another officer's work in a child murder case. Said officer is thorough but unimaginative and not the lateral thinker of our Ridpath - the two continue to clash. Their boss is, for once, a supportive if brusque woman and gives Ridpath at least some of the help he needs - Chrissie and Emily are such good sidekicks to him. He remains seconded to the Coroner's Office and this time the Coroner gets more personally involved as the murders mount up. Plenty of action, sensitive treatment of child abuse, the paparazzi in the shape of a single journalist with grandiose ideas and some simple, routine, slogging police work bring the story to a satisfying end, not to mention being up-to-date with some of the earlier Covid restrictions. Look forward to the next story. Thanks to NetGalley and Canelo for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

When a dog walker finds the body of a young boy in a meadow beside the River Mersey, memories are immediately evoked of the Moors Murders. With no DNA or other clues to help find the killer, the police are struggling to make any progress and know that they have a race against time before there is another victim. After recent traumatic events, DI Thomas Ridpath has just returned to work and is thrown straight into the investigation. When another child is taken, Ridpath must try to put aside his own issues to stop the killer in his tracks.


After the shocking cliffhanger M J Lee left us with at the end of the previous book, When the Past Kills, I had been champing at the bit to read this one to see how the story would play out. Within the first few pages, we find out, and we see Ridpath having to come to terms with the aftermath of what happened. If you are new to this series, I would advise you start back at book one in order to get a full picture of Ridpath’s life up to now. While the cases themselves are standalones, I do feel that you need to read about Ridpath’s past to fully understand his character.

Still seconded to the coroner’s office, Ridpath finds himself tasked to re-investigate another officer’s work in order to prove that the case is watertight. Again, we see him falling foul of his colleagues as they realise what he is doing but this is what I like most about him – he has courage of his convictions and will stop at nothing to find the truth even if it means upsetting his fellow officers on the way.

Any plot involving the murder of a child is always a harrowing one and M J Lee has written this in a sensitive way. We soon become aware that there is something amiss in the household of the dead child but what? Could his father really have killed him? The police seem to think so but Ridpath isn’t so sure. Again, we see his tenacity in trying to prove the man’s innocence, not caring whose back he gets up along the way.

I do feel that this series would be great on television and the showdown towards the end of the book had my heart racing just as if I were watching it rather than reading. In Ridpath, M J Lee has created a great character who becomes more and more likable with every book, exactly the sort of police officer I would want to see investigating crimes in real life. I am already eagerly awsiting book seven!

Love the Ridpath novels. Great writing and premise. Amazing characters. Page turner. Plenty of suspense to keep me guessing..Definitely looking forward to the next offering. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to review it s

Another good crime triller from M.J. Lee. Tis time I was glad I had read more of te series , though past evets are mentioned . Ridpath has been seconded to te coroners office , though is also working at MIT at times in this book. I found some of the collegial relationships and discord irritating in this book. I did like the mention of the COVID rules and the way his grief is handled in this book was also well done.
Set in Trafford/Manchester an area well known to me, the descriptions are spot on and places recognisable. The crime is also (sadly) believable .Interesting that the evidence is well described, you feel that you too are working the crime out
Thank you to net galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

DI ridpath returns to work after losing his wife polly. Diagnosed with PTSD and in therapy he is drawn into a case with a murdered young boy. This is nail biting. Couldnt put it down. For fans of peter james

2020, that dumpster fire of a year, when I broke almost all of my own reading rules. Yep, I read the fifth book in the DI Ridpath series first, and no spoilers, but it ended with something that I was sure would be addressed in the next book. When The Evil Waits does answer that question, but it is set six months after the last book ended. So while the outcome is clear, we only hear about it in hindsight. Sorry to be vague, but if you haven't read When The Past Kills, I don't want to spoil it!
DI Ridpath has just returned to work after a six-month personal leave. He is still working for the coroner's office as well as the Major Incident Team. When a seven-year-old boy is found dead in the park, Superintendant Clair Trent has Ridpath review the case to be sure nothing was missed. The criminal profiler believes the killer will strike again, so it is a race against the clock to catch the perpetrator.
Ridpath is a likable character who has been dealt a rather challenging personal hand. He relies on his old school hunches to figure things out and has been ridiculed by his fellow officers and supervisors more than once. But guess what, his gut instincts catch criminals and save lives, though I am unsure if he will ever fully recover from the evil actions taken by one person that he did not see coming.
I liked this book just a little bit less than When The Past Kills. Part of it may have been that Covid-19, lockdown, and social distancing are mentioned, and honestly, for me, I have more than enough of that in my real life. Fiction books have been my escape, and that is a personal thing. To someone else though, it might add an authentic dimension to the story. 3.5 stars.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Canelo for an advance copy of When the Evil Waits, the sixth novel to feature DI Ridpath, employed by Greater Manchester Police and seconded to the Coroner’s office.

Ridpath returns to work with PTSD after 6 months of bereavement leave where is immediately involved in the two week old investigation into the death of seven year old David Carsley, found dead and displayed in a local park. With no clues, no suspect and a certainty that it will happen again the pressure is on.

I thoroughly enjoyed When the Evil Waits, which is a tense procedural with a good plot and interesting characters, who are becoming old acquaintances as the series progresses. I say acquaintances as there are one or two you wouldn’t want to call friends, but that’s the joy of this series - the characters are well developed and authentic so you get the good and the nasty. Stand up DCI Turnbull, whose bullying and misogyny are all too recognisable.

The novel is told mostly from Ridpath’s point of view so the reader gets a good look at his grief, but more importantly from a plotting perspective, an idea of how his mind works. I like the idea that he works from hunches and instincts then tries to develop the proof. It’s perhaps not proper procedure but it points him in the right direction and it makes the novel compulsive. I thought his grief was handled well and that the author has the balance right. It is now part of his personality but it doesn’t overwhelm either him or the novel. The unnamed killer chimes in from time to time in short chapters to describe his motivation. I’m not a fan of these justifications and this killer is nothing special.

The plot premise is fairly standard, dead child, stop the killer before he does it again, but the author puts his own stamp on it to make it an engrossing read. There are missteps in the original investigation, new evidence to be uncovered, assumptions to be overturned and, to use technical terms, a whole load of argy-bargy. I wasn’t quite sure what to make of the final action scene as it seems rushed and somehow not in keeping with the rest of the novel. Nevertheless When the Evil Waits is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.

As usual in my reviews I will not rehash the plot - plenty of reviews like that out there already!

I've been eagerly awaiting this latest instalment in M J Le'e's Ridpath series, and it was well worth the wait!

This is a fast-paced and gritty novel, and as usual with this series, I could not put it down.

The previous book ended on a dramatic cliffhanger...now we get to find out what actually happened, why, and how things have moved on since then...

Once again, Ridpath returns to his work for the Coroner, and is drawn into a distressing case, where his detective skills are called upon to review the investigation led by his "nemesis" Turnbull (a well written and unpleasant character!)

Ridpath's character digs deep in a race against time - both to seek justice for the victim and his family, and to stop the deranged killer before they can strike again.

Warning: The subject matter (child murder) is very distressing, so be aware if you are likely to be upset by that.

Already looking forward to the next book...

My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC. All opinions my own.

3.5 stars rounded up.

This is another entry in the DI Ridpath series. I’ve read a few of these and enjoyed them so was pleased to get the ARC for this one. Ridpath. Is back at work after a 6 month hiatus following the death of his wife, Polly. He reports back for duty at the Coroner’s office where he is still seconded. But Detective Chief Superintendent Claire Trent has other plans for him. Seven year old David Carsley has just been found murdered in a park by a couple of dog walkers. DCI Paul Turnbull, Ridpath’s nemesis, is in charge of the case but after two weeks of no results DCS Trent wants Ridpath to go over all the evidence and make sure nothing has been missed. He is to be assisted by DS Emily Parkinson and the police research officer, Chrissy.

They double check everything and find that Turnbull’s investigation, although uninspiring, was thorough and by the book. By this time Turnbull is convinced the boy’s father is guilty but Emily spent almost two weeks in the house as Family Liaison Officer (FLO) and she doesn’t agree that Michael Carsley could have killed his son. Meanwhile we are privy to the thoughts of the killer and we know that he is on the hunt for another victim.

The timeline of the period during which young David goes missing bothers Ridpath and his small team must undertake painstaking work to pin everything down. It doesn’t help that some of their witnesses are being evasive or downright lying. Soon enough another 7 year old boy is abducted and the police go into overdrive to try and find him before he, too, is killed.

This was a well written police procedural. I didn’t think it was as exciting as it could have been but nevertheless it kept my interest and I finished it pretty quickly. Ridpath is having a tough time coming to terms with the loss of his wife and this dealt with sensitively in the book. Emily and Chrissy are fabulous characters, staunchly loyal and very relentless in their pursuit of the kidnapper. I enjoyed this book and will be keen to see what is next for Ridpath. I imagine at some time there will have to be showdown with Turnbull and that will be very interesting! DCS Trent was a well written and fair boss. Thanks to Netgalley, Canelo, and M J Lee for providing a copy for review. My opinions are my own.

I love the Ridpath books and have been a huge follower so was more than pleased to be given the chance to read the new one.

After the surprising and shocking end to the last book, Ridpath is finally going back to work, he has had six months off, and his daughter Eve has been living with her maternal grandparents.

He heads to the Coroner's office but is asked to attend a meeting with the MIT Team, where he is seconded from. The body of 7 year old David Carsley was found two weeks ago, by dogwalker's in a forest, and Ridpath is asked to run a concurrent investigation to ensure the main team hasn't missed anything. This is headed by Paul Turnbull who has history with Ridpath, and to be honest is a totally unlikeable character and certainly would give the majority of police a bad name

The inclusion of the character, reporter Molly Wright, I'm not sure adds an awful lot to the book, just shows how very sleazy the field of journalism can be!

A great read as always and look forward to the next one.

Thank you to NetGalley and Canelo for giving me the chance to read in exchange for an honest review.

The word I always use to describe the Ridpath novels is rip-roaring and whipcrack, it seemingly moves at such a brisk pace that it leaves other writers for dead as the evolution of story married with character arc is so expertly handled; Lee is so embedded himself with Ridpath now after 6 books it is like returning to visit an old friend. And with these lockdown times it is great to have him back although he is not in a good way currently following the cliffhanger ending of Book 5.

Lee writes with such an admiration for the North East and Manchester, he evokes a romantic notion of the cities and its surroundings but also how the places become a part of you.

While I may find fault in the simplification of the eventual villain in this piece with less focus on him than previous antagonists, it remains a book that is easily devoured by myself and will be by new and old readers alike

Thanks to #Canelo and #Netgalley for the opportunity to read "When Evil Waits", the newest entry in the DI Ridpath series, in return for a fair and honest review.

I have read all of the previous entries in this series, and enjoyed them all. This one had all the earmarks of the series that we've come to know.

DI Tom Ridpath is back at work, mostly recovered from the events of his previous major case, which left him shattered. But, it's time to get back in the saddle again, and the new case is that worst of all perpetrators - a child killer.

Daniel Carsley disappeared from a park one morning while his older brother was playing basketball with some friends not far away. When his mutilated body is discovered in some woodlands by a pair of dog-walking friends, the hunt is on for his killer.

Ridpath's nemesis, Paul Turnbull, is convinced that the father is to blame, and looks no further, preferring to fit the clues to his version of the crime. But, their boss wants Ridpath and a small team to look over the case and do their own investigating - earning Ridpath the further scorn of his enemy who scoffs at his 'feelings' and 'intuition'.

Whilst dealing with his own heartbreak and PTSD, Ridpath must uncover what really happened the afternoon that Daniel Carsley went missing; and his little team searches for any possible clues that point in any other direction than the boy's father (even turning their eyes to his mother). It doesn't help that the father refuses to defend himself, and it turns out that his brother has been less than truthful when it comes to the events of that day.

And when another little boy suddenly goes missing, one with ties to the team, everyone finally comes to the realization that things are not so cut and dried, and that they may have a serial killer in their midst.

The climax of this story comes on rapidly, and more than one of the characters finds themselves in dire straits - and rescue from an unlikely source!

All in all, a great entry in the DI Ridpath series, and highly recommended.

I found these books by accident after reading another series by this author and I am so glad I did.
Have you ever wondered what a Coroners Court does, so did I.
Read this series and you will wonder no more.
It’s a fascinating insight into how the system works. I appreciate it is fiction and is is probably not this exciting but the are great stories that follow Thomas Ridpath the liaison between the police and the coroner.
Ridpath has just returned to work when a child’s body is found, with everyone else looking in the wrong direction can he solve the case.
Then another boy goes missing.

I have read all of the D I Ridpath series by this author and they have all been brilliant. Another absolutely amazing read and D I Ridpath is definitely my favourite detective character at the moment for a whole host of reasons but maybe to do with his imperfections. Although this is one in a series it is easily read as a standalone.

D I Ridpath is part of the Greater Manchester Major Incident Team (MIT) and was seconded to the coroner’s office allowing for a recovery from cancer which still plays a part in his life even though it is now in remission. The last novel finished on a cliff hanger and this one begins with Ridpath returning to work after a few months’ leave.

Instead of being eased in gradually he is involved in investigating the murder of a seven-year-old boy who has been sexually assaulted and left near the river Mersey. The boy is found by two dog walkers, who were somewhere they shouldn’t have been. This is written to include Covid restrictions and some of the relevant comments from the police were real and witty. This, for me, gave it an added authenticity.

Another fast-paced novel, with strong, droll and clever characters who show their vulnerability at times. Astute, intriguing with numerous twists and turns and this author is never afraid to address difficult issues head on.

Personally, I cannot wait for the next instalment as they keep getting better.

Thank you to NetGalley, Canelo and M J Lee for my ARC of When the Evil Waits in return for my honest review.

Exceptional read and highly recommended.

This is the sixth book in the series from MJ Lee and they just keep on getting better. This book focuses on life after the death of Detective Inspector Thomas Ridpath’s wife Polly who was shot at their front door at the end of the last book and COVID-19 measures during lockdown in Greater Manchester. Ridpath has just returned to work at the Coroners Office following a period of compassionate leave when a child’s body is discovered in a public park, the body is all laid out with his clothes beside him all folded neatly. Follow the investigation through to the end in this fast paced police procedural.

First book read by the author and it definitely won't be the last. Got this as a review copy from NetGalley, so thankyou to them and the publishers.. Although not the first in the series this book can be read in isolation. DI Ridpath has his personal issues, but no spoilers to those who are unaware of them. He is a brilliant detective with a great team. The book is written in short paragraphs so ideal for a train journey or holiday read (once holidays start up again). I have already downloaded Where the truth lies, which is the first book in the series. Strongly recommend to those who like a good old detective novel

While starting off with many of the clichés associated with British police procedurals, this was a good book to read. During the course of my reading, I found out it was part of a series (actually the 6th book in the series), but this didn't impact on my enjoyment of the story.

I haven't given a five star review, because there were a few occasions that points had to be hammered home to the reader and repeated not just throughout the story, but once or twice on the same page, and this was a bit distracting.

Other than this minor point, I enjoyed the book and will keep an eye out for further books by the author.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for allowing me to read and review this book.

DI Ridpath is just returning to work after a leave of absence. He is still suffering from his wife’s death at the hands of a woman of a man that Ridpath had taken down. In fact, he still saw and talked to his wife, something he would not admit to his therapist. He is asked to take a second look at a case where a young boy’s body was found in a park. Along with a small team, they find new clues, which help redirect the investigation.When another child disappears, the entire force races to solve the case, before a second child is killed.

Ridpath, is a likable detective, who uses his skills to solve a crime, even though his methods sometimes cause conflicts with others in the department. This book is another well-written British mystery.

4+

After the breathtaking cliffhanger of the last book in the excellent DI Thomas Ridpath series, I couldn’t wait to get my mitts on this one. It’s six months on from the death of his beloved wife Polly and he’s due to return to work after compassionate leave. He soon finds himself involved in a very distressing case when the body of seven year old David Carsley is discovered in Chorlton Ees in Manchester. DCI Paul Turnbull is in charge though DCS Claire Trent asks Ridpath to run a parallel investigation.

The author always writes powerful storylines and this one is no exception. One of the strongest elements is the characterisation with Ridpath’s slow recovery being extremely well conveyed so you feel his loss and pain. Although he is vulnerable and full of guilt, struggling to overcome the mental trauma of losing Polly, his intuition is still at maximum strength. He is able to utilise his well known antenna for detecting flaws in inquiries. This does not necessarily win him friends though it would be a tough call to be friends with Turnbull who is vile. He’s always quivering with barely suppressed anger, he snarls like a pit bull and wants investigations solved yesterday. He makes an excellent contrast to Trent who is ice to his volcano. The story contains a lot of tense moments in particular between the police officers especially Ridpath and Turnbull who are polar opposites. I enjoy some of the wry dark humorous comments from the police team which are often pertinent to these Covid times (eyes and Barnard Castle being one example!) and I think including Covid restrictions makes the book feel authentic. The plot is chilling not least because it centres on a child but also because some of what you learn about the killer freezes your blood. It’s extremely well written and makes you ask questions as pieces of evidence emerge that don’t fit the narrative, there’s suspicion, conflict and the frustration of an inquiry going nowhere. As the case reaches the end, the breakthrough leads to an exciting finale and a good end to the book. I’m not keen on inclusion of journalist Molly Wright as it’s not the most flattering portrayal of the fourth estate but if the cap fits...... She does redeem herself at the end!

Overall, another very good instalment in the series, it’s fast paced, well written, easy to read with strong characters.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Canelo for the much appreciated arc for an honest review.