Matilda Darke is the lead investigator of an obviously sexually motivated murder, which she can handle. What she uncovers about the victim, not so much. She uncovers a decades old child sexual abuse ring.But the deeper she digs, the more victims she finds, but what’s worse, she’s being told by police higher ups to NOT investigate this the way it’s going. Will Matilda listen to her bosses? Will she find the murderer? Will she get justice for anyone?

This was unputdownable. Now I’ve never read a Matilda Darke novel, this is number 9, but I will definitely go back now and read them all.

I’m addition to using a very graphic murder scene to reel the reader in, knowing that there is an evil underbelly that drove some one to this kept me going. This novel dealt with heavy taboos but did so in a way that build compassion and empathy with the victims. It addresses corruption with a “I’m going to do right above all else,” mentality that is always lacking in these types of crime novels. It’s because of these reasons, I had to force myself to stop reading and go to bed.

I've read most of the Matilda Darke series and I'd say this is Michael Wood's best yet. To me it marks a change in mood from the previous two where the author kept us entertained with high body counts and shock revelations. This time around the writing is thoughtful as it deals with the traumatic subject of the sexual abuse of children.
If this had been written ten years ago, many of us would probably have thought it farfetched. Who could imagine a high-profile philanthropist using the care facility he funded as his private fiefdom? Who would ever think of a benefactor routinely turning up and helping himself to a child to abuse? Or that many people in senior positions would know about the abuse and do nothing to stop the abuser? Well we all know differently now and this novel is a timely reminder of what abuse can mean for individual victims both at the time and years later.
Set in 2020, the story incorporates the pandemic in a seamless way, allowing it to act not only as backdrop but also as catalyst to some aspects of plot.
Despite the seriousness of the topic, the usual banter between Matilda and her colleagues is still there at appropriate moments. And Michael Wood leaves us with his trademark trail of breadcrumbs to coax us into the next instalment. The series goes from strength to strength.
(NB Although it can be read as a standalone, it contains spoilers to the previous two books so I suggest joining the series from the start.)

DS Miranda Darke returns - having survived the back of her head being blown off and the decimation of her team, the small matter of a paedophile ring and a pandemic aren’t going to phase her. When a big, fat property boss is found in a gruesome situation not for the faint hearted she is quickly on the case.

Though you could read this as a free standing story it will make much more sense to start at the beginning and appreciate the characters we are growing to love. And the cliff hanger at the end is classic - roll on Miranda’s return.

I hadn't read any of the author's books before and although the back story is referenced throughout it does fine as a stand alone book too.

The story concerns historical child abuse at a children's home and the subsequent gruesome murders of some of the perpetrators of this abuse. The author does warn of the subject matter at the beginning of the novel.

I did enjoy the story of how Melinda and her team dealt with these crimes and found the characterisation to be good. The pandemic played its part too though I don't feel that the author really conveyed the feelings that we all had at the beginning of the pandemic.

Overall a good read, I won't say enjoyable because of the subject matter. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I didn't realise when I started this that I'd read an earlier one in the series.
Either way, it wouldn't matter as this novel works great as a stand alone one.
Matilda reminds me a little of Angela Marsons' Kim Stone. She's feisty but flawed and the one you would definitely want on your team when the chips are down.
The book is a little brutal to read given the subject matter but Michael Wood doesn't pull any punches and none of the violence is gratuitous.
Finished this in only two sittings and would definitely recommend.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy of this book.

I love this series. It’s had made me laugh and cry in equal measures and I low key stalk Michael Wood on twitter for updates and news of the next instalment. This was no exception, feel like I need Sian’s snack drawer next to me while I read for comfort!

When a businessman with his fingers in many pies is found dead with a brutal injury, Matilda and the team can’t predict what they will begin to uncover. Accusations of child abuse at a children’s home with the web of deceit spreading throughout society and a bit too close for comfort.

This was a really harrowing read. I found it hard at the beginning reading about the abuse even though for obvious reasons there it is vague and implied. Before long though Matilda, Adele, Scott, Christian and Sian and their amazing team work take over. I couldn’t turn pages fast enough and I’m gutted to be finished. With twists and turns throughout and the customary cliffhanger on the last page I can’t wait for the next one!

If I could give more than 5 stars I would. I highly recommend this. Just take note of the authors warning at the start.

I didn’t enjoy this book quite as much as the others in the series- it felt really long and somewhat repetitive and I also had a hard time getting past all the baggage that these characters were carrying- how many extreme murders can really happen to this one group of people?

This story gives Matilda Darke another big mystery to solve- the murder of a local hotshot businessman who is tied to suspect activities from a now defunct children’s home. Clearly the perpetrator is someone who suffered abuse but how deep does the coverup go?

The mystery itself was ok but I felt like it was pretty clear what was going on, even though the author threw out a few red herrings. I really like Matilda as a character but found the laments on situations from previous books to be a little repetitive. There are also a ton of characters to keep straight throughout the book.

Overall, I didn’t like this one as much as the others in the series but I’ll still probably read the next one :) Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange doe an honest review.

WOW.......... Another masterpiece in the DCI matilda darke series.. D.I brady is looking into cases of abuse at a local childrens home. It soon becomes clear the home has a much darker history, as matilda and the team delve further into the allegations, they uncover some shocking truths. Twists,turns, its gritty, i had a tear in my eye at times at what the children in the home went through. Brilliant writing. Highley recommend

I really enjoyed this read, it was tense, fast paced and brutally gory. It was gripping right from the start and I couldn't put it down. A fantastic read.

Yet again we are treated to another fabulous fantastic read from Michael. The start is the usual , Really gory and in insures you are desperate to read on. This time Matilda and her team are investigating of sexual abuse which took place years ago in a children’s home. it is empathetically written and even though there are disturbing murders carried out the story is totally gripping. What makes it different is that it is set at the beginning of lockdown in 2020 and it makes reference to the problems making the teams work even more difficult And even though it tackles a difficult subject it was sensitive and empathetic with the now trademark OMG ending I simply can not wait until the next one! Thanks to net galley and one more chapter for an early copy.

I haven’t read many books so far that have been set during the recent pandemic so was slightly dubious about how this may affect my enjoyment as the couple that I have read, I will admit I wasn’t over keen on it being part of the storyline. Thankfully it didn’t affect my enjoyment of this novel at all and thought the author handled it very well without going overboard on the subject.

The author is someone who isn’t afraid to run with topics that are hard hitting. Yet again he delivers a story that really gets under the readers skin. In this book, Matilda and her team are investigating claims of sexual abuse that took place years before at a local children’s home. Due to the subject nature, it was both shocking and heart breaking of what the boys endured. This is another of those stories that will have you having empathy for the killer as you will be questioning who are the biggest criminals at play. There is nothing more sickening than when someone uses their position and power to carry out despicable acts.

The Lost Children was an emotional, edge of your seat read. With so much to lose, there is a lot at stake for Matilda and her team who come under threat for trying to do their job. There is never a dull moment and I was gripped throughout, frantically turning the pages to discover the truth. The author sneaks a few unexpected twists in that had me gasping out loud. This series really should come with a health warning as it is highly addictive and always sends my heart racing, leaving me on an emotional high. The ending yet again has me eagerly anticipating the next book in the series. A five star crime series!

This is a top procedural series, and while DCI Matilda Darke and her team become familiar over the course of the books, they can be read as satisfying standalones.
A particularly dark and gritty case, as is shown by the content warning at the beginning and sometimes hard to read, it delves into historic sexual abuse at a. Children’s home back in the 1990s. However it is sensitively and empathetically written and while there are disturbing murders, nothing is gratuitous and the story becomes totally gripping.
Set at the beginning of Lockdown in 2020 makes the teams work even more difficult as does corruption at the top. Brilliantly written, it is exceptionally good.

Thanks to One More Chapter and NetGalley for the opportunity to read the ARC in return for an honest review.

This was an intense read. There was lots going on and the story kept me gripped. There are some great characters and I found ot to be a well paced read.

This was an incredibly difficult read due to the subject matter and having had worked with children who have been abused it was even harder because this is not fiction, it sadly happens in real life.
That said this book is brilliant. The best in this series so far. It tackles a difficult subject sensitively then ends with a huge cliff hanger. Cannot wait for the next book!

Michael Wood is fast becoming one of my favourite authors. His Matilda Darke series is fast-paced, great storylines that keep you on the edge of your seat, and are full of characters that become like old friends every time you meet them again.
The Lost Children was heart wrenching in places, with echoes of the cover up of Saville’s crimes. I can’t wait for the next instalment!

I devoured the rest of the series earlier this year and it is without doubt one of the best police procedural series out there. If you haven't already picked one of Michael Wood's books up, I implore you to do so.

#TheLostChildren explores the story of a recent murder which has huge ties to events that happened in the past. Without giving too much away, the themes explored in this book are dealt with in a poignant and careful way and I couldn't turn the pages quick enough.

Matilda Darke and her team investigate the murder of a high profile business man which reveals historical abuse in a children’s home. Matilda finds herself blocked at every turn, who can she trust? Aware of the danger and unsure if she will even be welcome in the police force after this investigation Matilda carries on regardless of the consequences. A fast paced, thought provoking tale with a harrowing storyline.

The Lost Children by Michael Wood is a well-written, crime/detective novel with plenty of credible characters with rich back stories.

Back at work after being shot, DCI Matilda Darke and her team investigate the murder of a wealthy property developer. The crime scene suggests sexual motivations. After the initial report hits the newspapers, Matilda receives a call from Peter Ogilvy, the ex-owner of a children’s home for boys. Ogilvy explains that he has made many attempts to alert police to his suspicions of sexual abuse of boys by the murder victim and his associates. Ogilvy claims his concerns have always been shelved by senior police and hopes Matilda may be the one to finally expose the abuse and explain the cover up. Matilda raises the matter with her seniors and is told to cease that line of inquiry.

And then another murder victim is found with sufficient similarities at the crime scene to connect this victim to the first. One of Matilda’s team leaks information to a journalist, a detailed article appears and Matilda’s angry seniors close down her team, its investigation and make her position redundant. Her and her team’s response is to continue, hopefully uncover enough details of the abuse, find victims and gather their statements to force an official inquiry.

This is a cleverly-written and accurately-detailed crime story with richly-created characters. It is one of a series of books ‘starring’ DCI Darke and her team. The plot is paced well and there are plenty of plot twists and back stories to keep the reader both interested and intrigued, and eager to reach the conclusion. Crime, sex, detective work, all sprinkled with some contemporary British humour. I hope to read more in the series.

DCI Matilda Darke #9

4+

In 1997 Reverend Peter Ogilvy visits the South Yorkshire Chief Constable to report a child’s murder at Magnolia House children’s home and implores him to take his allegations seriously but he is later terrified into silence. In March 2020 DCI Matilda Darke of the Homicide and Major crimes unit attends a horrifying crime scene that literally sickens many of those present. The victim is wealthy property developer Richard Ashton and it’s obvious this is a very personal killing, clearly revengeful but for what? Matilda is on a mission and despite what the powers that be might want she is determined to seek out the truth.

First of all, this is a stellar crime series and yet another gripping page turner but I’m not going to pretend it’s anything other than dark and grim reading at times. This police team are terrific and they all feel very familiar now so you understand their motivation and quirks. Matilda is still haunted by the past which grips her like a vice but a couple of the others are also wrestling with demons and this of course makes them feel authentic.

The March 2020 timing serves an excellent purpose to as of course, how can we forget, this is the start of the pandemic. This virus mirrors a different and sickening virus and is just as frightful, there is also a virus of silence but thankfully this worsening and massive case is isolated and locked down

There are so many horrific turns in the plot which deepens to murky black Mariana Trench depths.
This is inevitably an emotional read as it makes you go through a rollercoaster of feelings and although the author leaves you in no doubt of what has happened it is also sensitively done. Some sections are very powerful as you feel the pain of those living with the aftermath of the damage that is done to them. There is at least one scene that moves to tears.

My only reservation is the conclusion of the enquiry seems to be resolved a bit too easily although the setting of that adds a considerable amount of atmosphere to what transpires.

As per usual, Mr Wood leaves us with an on tenterhooks ending with an enormous degree of uncertainty. Talk about a cliffhanger! I do hope number 10 is well underway so I can step away from the cliff!

Overall, this is a riveting page turner which deals with a shocking topic and does so well.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to HarperCollins UK/One More Chapter and Sarah Roberts for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

The Lost Children by Michael Wood is book 9 in the DCI Matilda Darke police series. It is again an outstanding story about historical sexual abuse and how to obtain justice for the victims despite unseen forces trying to prevent them following up on any investigations.. it was hard to read the stories of the historical abuse and feel that unforeseen forces would prevent justice ever be seen to be done.
Highly recommended.