A great police procedural thriller with all the usual twists and turns.
Engaging throughout with realistic characters and a solid plot.

I would make sure you have read other books in this series before reading.

A good if slightly predictable book. Good pace and plot.

I have loved all the Matilda Darke series, but this is, I think, the best one yet. A real page turner is what we expect of this series, and this does not disappoint. Having all the elements that we have come to expect. Couldn’t put it down and am eagerly awaiting the next one

After being off work for months, DCI Matilda Darke is convinced to return to work - Sheffield is being stalked by a sadistic serial killer who is preying on women and dumping them to be found on the street. However, he is startled in the process of killing his latest victim - leaving her alive, but unable to speak. Can Matilda rebuild her team and find the killer before she herself is targeted? And how far will she go to find the killer?

This is a great book - I came into this as someone unaware of the Matilda Darke series, but will now be going back and reading the rest! An easy 5*.

Thank you to the publisher, NetGalley and Michael Wood for the invitation to read Silent Victim, the latest book in the Matilda Darke series.

The last few books in this series have been so very good and definitely had the thrill factor and as a reader you wonder can the author maintain this and keep his readers entertained. The answer is yes. Definitely yes. I loved this book which had one of the best and thrilling starts that I’ve read in a good while. Talk about setting the scene and story! It was lovely to be back in DCI Darke’s world again and when she is asked to return to work by the Chief Constable to investigate a number of murders she can’t refuse. I really, really love the characters in this series, from Scott and Finn to Zofia and DI Brady and feel like I know them after following this series from the start. I thought this book was so well written and had a great plot line. The author knows how to ramp up the tension and suspense making me want to desperately turn the pages to see what is coming next. There are some lovely heartwarming scenes between Matilda and Tilly that just pulled at my emotions and you see Matilda’s caring side. I thought I knew who the murderer was and was wrong. Very wrong. The book is set over a short period of time and gosh a lot is packed into it, which certainly had me engrossed in the story. And talk about an ending that makes you go ‘What!’ I don’t know what Michael Wood has in store for Matilda and I’ve got a feeling of dread it’s not going to be good - and at the same time will be desperately waiting for the next book to come out. Genuinely loved this read 👏

5 astounding stars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I’m always keen to see where the Matilda Darke story is going next - this is a series of books you do need to read in order to fully enjoy and once hooked there’s no escape. Like previous instalments this one leaves you impatient for the next.

DCI Darke is faced with a multiple killer who leaves no clues but who cuts women’s throats viciously. One victim survives the attack but cannot speak. Will Tilly be able to reveal information that will lead Matilda to the murderer or will Matilda have to put herself in extraordinary danger to tempt the killer out into the open in an effort to kill her.

As usual a racy read and it’s good to catch up with those on the Sheffield team who are still alive.

Matilda Darke is back for the tenth book in Michael Wood’s popular series. His stories are usually not for the faint of heart, and Silent Victim is no exception. A brutal killer has been attacking women, abducting, raping, and then slicing their throats. Three have died; the fourth, 14-year-old Tilly Hall, is left barely alive but unable to speak. DCI Matilda Darke has been made redundant and her former team is not what it once was. This book could be read as a standalone, but in my opinion, it makes a whole lot more sense if one has read the previous novels.

The entire South Yorkshire Police Department is under extreme pressure due to staffing shortages. Personnel are out sick with Covid or are isolating due to exposure to the virus. The Christmas holiday is drawing near, and despite warnings, people are eager to pursue their usual shopping and other holiday activities. How will police handle the search for this killer with so many potential victims out and about. Surely, he will kill again. Chief Constable Benjamin Ridley feels that he has no choice but to bring Matilda back at least temporarily during this crisis.

Matilda may not admit it – or will she? Despite the stress, the rigors, and the dangers of the job, she’s missed it. Yes, things have changed, but she’s good at the job. Her team was broken up after her last case; now some of them are reunited for this job. Sian is gone; she’s got a dog-walking business. Zofia, a young woman who was paralyzed when she was run down by a car during an undercover operation, is eager to be back on the job as a computer whiz kid. Along with returnees Scott and Finn is newcomer Tom, who raises his hand whenever he wishes to make a point, much to Matilda’s amusement. Conspicuously absent is Christian – a touchy subject with our DCI for now.

The team has their work cut out for them, as this killer leaves no forensic evidence. None. There’s no pattern to the type of victims he chooses. When suspects emerge, they have alibis that pan out. I had suspicions of my own that no one seemed aware of. Those proved false as well. As expected, this person does not stop at four attacks. Can Matilda force him to make a mistake?

What I enjoyed even more than the mystery of this story was the relationship that Matilda develops with Tilly, the teenage victim. She shows a very human side of her nature. While she is erring in some of her decisions as a professional, which is upsetting to Adele and Pat, who have been living with her, she is endearing herself to the teenager and her mother by empathizing and encouraging the girl to express herself in writing. In doing so, she seems to realize that she herself has come quite far in her recovery from her own traumatic experience not that long ago.

There are some loose ends – relationships that are repaired - that are tied up in this story. However, the Epilogue sets the stage for what promises to be a humdinger of an eleventh Matilda Darke novel. Stay tuned!

I received a digital copy of Silent Victim from setGalley in return for my honest review. My opinions are my own. Thanks also to One More Chapter and the author.
5 stars

Oh my! That was a cliffhanger of an ending if ever I saw one! WilI I be waiting with bated breath for the next instalment? You bet I will!

Sheffield in the North of England, and the story begins in a shocking manner with the abduction and rape of 14 year old Tilly Hall. As if that wasn’t terrible enough, her abductor tortures her and leaves her for dead. Tilly survives but she isn’t the first victim - he’s already killed his three previous victims.

DCI Matilda Darke isn’t working currently due to her team being disbanded, but after being approached by the Chief begging her to help them on this case, she reluctantly agrees, but she knows this is a killer who is exceptionally clever as he leaves no clues whatsoever at the crime scenes. Matilda manages to get most of her old team back together, but how do you find a killer without anything to go on? The covid pandemic is rife, and that isn’t helping investigations either with a shortage of staff.

The tension is maintained throughout, accompanied by much nail biting, but thankfully it’s sprinkled with some much needed humour. This disturbing but clever storyline, eventually reaches its denouement with the mother of all cliff hangers! Unmissable! (less)

Despite the grim subject matter, Michael Wood’s books never seem unduly gratuitous and the tension bubbles under the surface even when the focus is not on the gruesome crimes themselves.

Although I generally love Michael Wood’s writing style, I felt the book got off to a slightly shaky start- the prose felt a little stilted in the opening scene, but the storyline soon made up for it and Matilda Darke is so well drawn that once she was introduced to the story my interest was piqued again.

Wood has done well to sustain the series for so long, with sufficiently unique storylines and dilemmas in each book- it seems his mind is never short of some kind of psycho or deviant!

Overall I would rate Silent Victim 3.5 stars but rounded up to 4. Looking forward to the next instalment!

Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for the ARC.

Absolutely brilliant police procedural, tense, gripping, great characters and a great plot. Ends on a cliffhanger, so I am even more desperate than usual to read the next Matilda Darke book. The scenes with Matilda and Tilly were so well written, you could feel every emotion. Fantastic read.

#SilentVictim #NetGalley
Twisty but not that much.
Matilda Darke is still recovering from being shot during her last case. She is not working at this time. Her team was dismantled by the upper brass at the police station. With Britain and, subsequently the police force, being strangled by the covid restrictions, they are seriously understaffed and sorely overworked. Matilda’s old boss is practically on his knees beginning her to come back. They have a particularly tragic case to work. Young women are being raped and their throats cut by a deranged serial killer. Matilda gets many of her old team back, except Sian. Matilda does not want Christian on her team. She still doesn’t trust him; she doesn’t believe that he is telling the truth about their last case.
Although it was twisty but it was sometimes a little bit slow and sometimes very pacey. You can read it and won't be disappointed.
Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK One More Chapter for giving me an advance copy.

I really enjoy this series from Michael Wood, and this book did not disappoint. I enjoy all of the characters, and I especially liked the fast paced storyline.

Every time I think Matilda and her team have reached a peak Michael Wood somehow finds a way to ratchet up the tension just one...more... notch!
After a horrific serial rapist and murderer there may be only one way to bring him out of the shadows..but will it be at too high a price? Superb as always. I highly recommend!

Thanks to netgalley for letting me review a copy of silent victim.
O.M.G michael wood you cannot leave me hanging in suspense!!.What a book, i love the dci matilda darke series, i was on the edge of my seat, turning just a few more pages which turned into another chapter or two.
After being made redundant matilda is bought in to help the force solve some heinous crimes.. somebody is attacking women, raping them then cutting their throats. Out of the 4 women the killer has taken 1 is still alive, how????. The killer is leaving no trace of evidence to give the team a decent lead on who they are looking for. !!! If you read one book this year, this has to be it, o plus the others in the series, highley recommend

Matilda Darke Series # 10

The Silent Victim begins with a heart-pounding scene, a 14-year-old girl is kidnapped and left for dead on a cold snowy evening in Sheffield. A throat-slashing serial killer is in the loose and the police have no leads. DCI Darke is asked back to assemble a team and get this killer off the streets.

Michael Wood did not disappoint with this one! I loved having the team back together although Sian’s snack draw was missed. More people need to pick up this series. I promise you won't be disappointed.

Thank you Netgalley and Harper Collins UK!

Silent Victim by Michael Wood is a very good series. I cannot wait for the next book. The descriptions of the crime scenes were scary and realistic. The story's pacing was tense and kept me on the edge of my seat. There are some funny moments in the story and somber moments.

DCI Matilda Darke is on the hunt for a serial killer, and the action starts from page one and doesn't let up until the heart-pounding end.

Tilly is a great character. I loved her interactions with Matilda. The relationship forged between them was written beautifully. The letter Tilly wrote made me cry!

Each character had depth, and they were all different. Some of their interactions were funny, and they developed great banter. I enjoyed the deeper relationships that the characters continue to grow. The book does end on a cliffhanger.

The author knows how to weave a story and keep the reader guessing.

I would recommend these books and this author. These are great police procedural books. I give this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars because of a cliche reason for the murders. But overall, the story was excellent, and the series is a must-read.

@0neMoreChapter_ #NetGalley

A solid four star read. Great premise. Well written. Good characters. Page turner. Plenty of suspense to keep me guessing Surprising ending. Would definitely read the next offering.. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to review it.

How do you follow the superb book 9, with an even better book 10.
Mathilda is no longer working, the Covid pandemic is in full swing around Christmas 2020, Sheffield police are in special measures and there is a serial rapist out there. Who is leaving no clues or forensic evidence or even the same type of victim.

The Chief Constable practically begs Matilda to help him out. She recruits much of her old team and they start the impossible task of solving the crimes.

As always this has everything you can wish for a superb plot, terrifying crimes, tension, horrific crime scenes, humour- love the Christmas Turkey scene, Mathilda shows great empathy to the one survivor, albeit with life changing injuries.

As always this is well written and the pace of this is incredible, it took a lot of will power not to phone in sick so I could read this in one go. And just when you thought things had settled down…. that climax. Such an addictive series how can I wait till March for book 11?

This needs far more than 5 stars, could easily be awarded 6 or even 7 stars!
Thank you so to Michael Wood, Sara Roberts of One More Chapter and NetGalley, for the privilege of reading an ARC of this amazing book

Book 10 in the brilliant Matilda Darke series. I am starting to run out of words to convey just how good this series is.

If you love police thrillers that are nerve wracking, makes your heart beat faster and leave you wanting more then this series is just for you.

When a young girl is brutally attacked and left for dead Matilda is persuaded to come back to find the monster who would do such a thing. Racing against the clock to catch them before they do it again Matlda and her team face their most horrific case yet.

The plot is full on drama from start to finish and it had me on the edge of my seat.

I cannot wait for the next one.

Oh it was so good to be back in the familiarity of Matilda Drake et al. They work together even when they dont. . I definitely think this is a series that you need to read in order to definitely get the background.

With this book poor Tilly, the main victim, your heart just went out to her.

Cant wait for the next book in the series - I just devour them they are so good, so well written and you really get into the story.

I was given an advance copy by netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely my own.