I mean... Michael Wood told me to expect plenty of drama, surprises and horror but I did not expect all of those things from page one!!

My favourite thing about the DCI Matilda Darke series has got to be the pace. The sheer pace of these novels does not let up for one second until you race to the end. Despite having two children and being in work, I finished Below Ground in 24hours! It absolutely blew my mind.

The host of characters are everything that you could wish for in a series, I really miss the team in between books and I don't think I've ever despised a fictional character as much as Steve Harrison.

This series is up there with Val McDermid's Tony Hill series and M. W. Craven's Poe & Tilly series for me. The creme de la creme of police procedurals!

Well done Michael Wood, please don't keep us all waiting too long for Book 12!

Huge thanks to Netgalley, Harper Collins and One More Chapter for an early read.

DCI Matilda Darke has been kidnapped, and one of her colleagues severely injured. It’s now down to DI Ben Hales, DS Sian Robinson and the team to find her, but with no leads, they have hit a dead end. Serial killer and former police officer Steve Harrison is the likely mastermind behind it all, with his genuine hatred and obsession with Matilda still apparent, but how? Locked up in the supermax wing of Wakefield prison for 23 hours a day it’s impossible that he is behind her disappearance…or is it? The team are stretched, as there was also a body discovered in the boot of a car near a forest on the outskirts of the city which looks to be the workings of a serial killer. As the bodies start to pile up, MIT have to investigate the murders as well as find their boss. Can they find Matilda and the serial killer before it’s too late?

OH MY GOODNESS MICHAEL!!! I absolutely loved this instalment of the series! I went through every single emotion, had a million melt downs and was still reeling when I got to the end of the book! I couldn’t stop reading! And what an ending!! I won’t say too much as I don’t want to spoil it for others but Michael you are such a fantastic and brilliant writer, the king of shock factors galore! It literally is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re going to get, but you can bet it will be chilling and brilliant in equal measures! One of if not my favourite author, I look forward to each and every one of your books!

My favourite detective and her team are ripped apart when Matilda has disappeared and the team have no leads. Bodies are being discovered and lives are on the line. Yet again another bloody fantastic read. Characters that are so well known to me and that you genuinely care about! Next one please.
Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

I should know better than to ever trust a Michael Wood book, particularly one in the Matilda Darke series. Yet once again I let him lead me on a thrilling ride, with twists and turns. This is an exceptional book and Michael really is a writer who turns words into magical gold. Loved every minute of it, even if my heart felt like it was going to stop and/or break at any moment.

Brilliant.

4.5
DCI Matilda Darke #11

Why is Steve Harrison so obsessed with Matilda Darke? This is a continuous theme from previous books in this series. However, rest assured, the author does a good job in filling in the gaps if you are a first time reader to this excellent series. It’s mid January 2021, and Donal Youngblood, a Home Office pathologist in South Yorkshire is exhausted. It’s a challenging job at the best of times but it has been worsened by the Covid pandemic. Donal is dating DS Scott Andrews of the Homicide and Major Crime Unit led by Matilda Darke. He sets off to meet Scott at his flat at Matilda’s property, and what he finds there freezes his blood and that of the South Yorkshire team. This is just the start of yet another nightmare and the novel packs a punch or two right from the start.

First of all, a big shout out for the terrific team of characters. Michael Wood has created here, and I just pick up where I leave off from book 10. They’re all so well crafted, they feel authentic, each with their own personality quirks, and in this one they are yet again challenged to the extreme. This must be the unluckiest police unit ever. They just recover from one major incident when they’re socked with another, often with Steve Harrison featuring somewhere and somehow.

This is a dark, bleak, intense and multilayered storyline, with several challenging investigative strands to keep you glued to the plot with members of the team facing huge personal issues and obstacles alongside masterful manipulation. The plot is fast paced as it twists, turns and barrels its way through tension fuelled and suspenseful scenes in well chosen locations, which highlight the dilemmas being faced.

It’s well written and at times it certainly pulls on the emotional heartstrings as these characters feel like old friends. The dialogue is good, I like the occasional well placed humour which helps the hold your breath tension. There are some good descriptions so you feel as if you are present in the scenes and not just a passive observer. It’s the usual Yorkshire grit and as per usual, Mr Wood leaves you with a cliffhanger. I do so hope that number 12 is being drafted as I write this!!

This is an absolutely cracking series that I have loved from the very start and one which the author continues to deliver. If you like police procedurals with many thriller elements, you’ll enjoy these books.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to HarperCollins, OneMoreChapter for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

This is one of my favourite police procedural series; I love the Sheffield setting , the characters and the relationships between Matilda and her team. The author doesn't disappoint here and it's another pacy instalment. Matilda has been kidnapped and her colleague Scott stabbed. I really don't know how much more the team can endure! Matilda's team believe that her nemesis Steve Harrison has coordinated the kidnap even though he is behind bars. Meanwhile, bodies are discovered outside of the city and Sian is back at work and trying to come to terms with the fact that her ex husband Stuart is a serial killer.
This was a great read, I loved the characterisation and seeing how the team cope in Matilda's absence. It's a tense read and the tension continues until the last sentence! Recommended.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.

Every time I open up the latest Matilda Darke book I’m talking to the author, Michael Wood, in my head, telling him upfront that I am sorry, but there’s no way you can have written a better book than the previous one. It’s simply not possible. It’s all downhill from here. Every time this insanely gifted author proves me wrong. Every time. How does he do it?

This time the book is not following Matilda and her moves that much, instead it’s focusing on her team, her nemesis, and her past. Matilda has disappeared, and her unconscious, stabbed friend and colleague is the only one who knows what has happened. Not quite though, her nemesis knows what’s going on, but he’s in prison and has pretty much no contact with anyone. This is a tricky case for the team.

I love how the team works together, and I’ve grown to love this team. They have gone through so much sorrow, and Michael Wood is most definitely not giving them a break. The writing is superb, character growth is perfection, the story is mind blowing, and it all melts together like a perfect sundae on a Sunday afternoon. It has the scoops of ice cream, sauce, whipped cream, sprinkles, and the most beautiful cherry on top. Yes, the cherry is the cliffhanger ending, and I hope Michael Wood understands it’s highly critical that he spends around 20 hours a day writing the next book in the series, so that I get to read is as soon as possible!

One of the best books ever, in one of the best series ever! It is THAT good!

DCI Matilda Darke returns in a new police procedural. Wood’s books are so excellent because Darke is such a compelling, conflicted character. Her past has been hinted at and alluded to in each book in the series, with a little more revealed in every book. This is an outstanding UK police procedural, but it needs to be read in order

I wondered how this book was going to work if the main character played a quite small, but central, role in the book. If anything this book showed me how strong the other characters in the series are, as they set off and try and find a kidnapped Matilda Darke. The author did a superb job of pulling this off, and this is as greatly enjoyable as all the other books in the series.

This book sets off at a hundred miles an hour and never really lets off from this pace. As is typical of Michael Wood books there is great characterisation, a strong and highly thought out plot, great dialogue between characters and tension a plenty. As with his previous books in the series you never know if this is going to be the scene that sees a character’s demise! You live on your nerves as a Michael Wood fan.

Along with Matilda’s kidnapping we also have an evolving murder scene in the woods around Sheffield. I loved how these storylines were woven together, and the storylines in the book did lead to a big shock that left some of the characters reeling - but would you expect, or want, anything less from Michael Wood!

I loved how this book brought a few storylines from previous books together, especially as they were searching for people who might have a grudge against Matilda. Obviously those that have been following will know that is a big list! I did work out the context and who was behind the kidnapping around midway through the book, but that definitely did not make it any less enjoyable. The superb ending had my heart racing.

Overall another 5 star book from Michael Wood, I don’t know how he does it. This is my favourite detective series out there at the moment, and it has tough competition from other high quality detective series. If you haven’t read this series, why ever not, and I would strongly urge you to correct that straight away. It can be read as a standalone, but you will get so much more from the series if you read them in order.

Now I just have to impatiently await the next book in the series because as those that’s know the series would expect it was left on a cliffhanger note. Not fair Michael! But bravo Michael on another hit.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

The most recent book in the Matilda Darke series and as usual it is exciting, tense and compelling. I have been reading non-stop since downloading the ebook this morning and have thoroughly enjoyed the drama. I do wonder how much more bad luck Matilda and her team can take but look forward to reading on to find out. A definite recommendation from me - if you haven’t already discovered Michael Wood’s novels start at the beginning and look forward to experiencing an emotional, shocking and brilliant journey through the series. Thanks to Netgalley and One More Chapter for the chance to read this ebook.

Wow! Wow! Wow! I don't know how he does it but after 11 books Michael Wood still manages to pull an original storyline out of the bag. Matilda Darke is central to the story although she appears very little. The race is on to find her after she is kidnapped. Her team old and new pull together as always to find the boss at the same time as dealing with their own side dramas which are dramatic and many. Michael has us on the edge of our seats as always. Are the team going to lose another member in their fight against Steve Harrison or will they all survive this time? I'm not going to spoil it for you but will say the twists keep on coming to the last page. An absolutely wonderful book 5*
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

I don’t have words! Wow just wow! Michael wood DCI Matilda Darke is my favourite book series. I couldn’t love it more. This one blew me away I was stress eating chocolate. I don’t even know where to start with my review. I read this book in one sitting as I couldn’t put it down. My heart stopped beating a few times. It broke I cried. I was stressed. I had so many feelings during and still now I feel a little broken. This book was amazing. It’s definitely my 3rd favourite. It was outstanding my emotions are all over the place. DCI Matilda and her team are my favourite detectives. They ain’t just characters they feel real. When open up a book Michael wood it’s like catching up with old friends who you actually fear for their life’s cause Michael likes to break your heart now and again! I can’t forgive him for time is running out. This book has so much going I couldn’t believe the crime it was so well written actually crazy and I just can’t. I will forever recommend this book series it’s brilliant it’s original the characters are fantastic the crimes are shocking. Now the long wait for book 12.

4+ stars


So many books into this series, I just know not to trust anyone, including the author.
It's one of the only series where I'm not sure that all the characters will make it out alive.
All the cast are here for this one, the good guys, and the very bad.
Steve Harrison is as wicked and manipulative as always. Good to have him back.
There are plenty of twists and turn, and my heart was beating way too fast at times.
As always a cracking finisher.


Michael Wood never disappoints.

After the events of Silent Victim, DCI Matilda Darke is missing and her colleague Scott Andrews is gravely injured. It appears her nemesis Steve Harrison has returned to finish the job, but if he's locked in a secure prison, can that be possible? Matilda's remaining team must pick up the pieces and try to find their missing friend before it's too late.

Having read Silent Victim (and gone back to read the previous nine books!) I was eagerly awaiting the conclusion of the cliffhanger and this book did not disappoint! So many threads from previous books came back into play in Below Ground to create another fantastic book. An easy 5*.

Great book! This book had a bit of everything! It had suspense, Action, intrigue, mystery, revenge, murder, serial killers, great plot twist, great police work, and some crazy twists and turns! The storyline was very interesting and kept me glued to my Kindle! I definitely recommend reading this book as it was well worth reading! Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

Another cracking, nail-biting read from Michael. DCI Matilda Darke has been kidnapped, and her team needs to find out who has taken her.

I've become quite invested in the characters from this series, and I feel the emotions they go through. The scene where she sees her dad brought a massive lump to my throat.

I love how the storylines are cleverly woven together, not just in this book but from previous books too. It's dark and gritty, and once you start reading, you can't stop!

This is easily one of my favourite police dramas.