The Seventh Victim by Michael Wood is a standalone. Love Michael’s Mathilda Darke series and was keen to read this. It starts in 1996 and moves forward to 2017 during the course of the story. Theresa Blackstock was a few minutes late picking her son up from school and that was all it took to capture a child serial killer. This story deals with the aftermath of murder and the effects on the victim’s families and those involved in the case. The horror of the crimes, the despair of the parents and their frustration was evident. Jonathan Egan-Walsh, the murderer, destroyed so many families. It was harrowing for the families and for the police involved in piecing it all together. Caroline was the DI that worked on the case that found him guilty and Alex wrote a book on all the boys found and they were both badly affected. But there was one boy that the murderer said he didn’t kill. Caroline and Alex join forces with Diane, the boy’s mother, to search for the truth. What a read. Couldn’t put it down and think it will stay with me for a long time. Thank you to the author, One More Chapter and Netgalley for the ARC.

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley.

This was a bit dark for me, although the sections from the perspective of the paedophile Jonathan stopped short of being gratuitously disturbing. It started with a bang, but then stalled for a while and went round in circles a bit before the pace picked up again. The ending was sadly satisfactory, and I thought the author did a good job of keeping the question of whether to believe Jonathan's claim not to have killed Zachery up in the air for most of the book.

Jonathan Egan-Walsh was apprehended after trying to abduct a young boy waiting for his Mum at school pick up. He was charged with more than a dozen murders. Despite being sentenced to life imprisonment he will never reveal the body of one victim, Zachery.

Twenty five years after Zachery disappeared, his mother is still hoping for peace and answers for her son. is still searching for her own peace twenty five years after losing her son. Once Jonathan dies in prison she was told that he was not responsible.

Diane wants to know what happened to her son and will not stop looking for answers.
I am a massive fan of Michael’s work and won’t lie a bit apprehensive as it wasn’t in the Matilda Darke series but it was a gripping read. Thank you to netgalley and one more chapter for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for this eARC.

Having enjoyed this authors Matilda Darke series I knew I’d like this book and was right. I thought the story got off to a flying start at the beginning which certainly captured my attention and interest. This is a well written book that flows easily and is a cracker of a read about a subject that every parent fears - a missing child. Diane’s son went missing years ago and she approaches a journalist and an ex Detective to help her find out what happened to him. Jonathan Egan Walsh was convicted of murder of a number of young boys and has never disclosed where Zachery is. I liked that the story was told through the different characters and found I had much empathy for Diane, and could certainly understand why she hasn’t been able to move forward until she knows what happened to her son. I loved all the different threads that were cleverly woven into the story and felt like I was unwrapping secret after secret here, which made the last quarter of the book a thrilling and very tense read where everything slowly began to come together. Whilst I did enjoy this book it didn’t quite wow me or have me desperately needing to know what would happen next though. Saying this I’d still recommend this book to others and will read more from this author in the future.

Loved it! I’m a big fan of Michael’s Matilda Darke series so I knew I would enjoy this…and I did. It’s very fast paced, with a really interesting storyline to keep the pages turning.

In 1990, a 7 year old boy is found dead, wrapped in a white sheet. Jonathan Egan-Walsh is arrested while trying to kidnap another boy, is charged and convicted of multiple other murders. But he refuses to reveal where the body is of one of his victims, Zachery Marshall. 25 years later, Zachary’s mother, Diane is still desperate to find out what happened to her son. When Jonathan dies, she becomes desperate and tries everything she can to get justice for Zachary and peace of mind for herself. Then she gets a letter from Jonathan who denies having anything to do with Zachary disappearance.

This is a dark read, touching on child abduction, paedophilia, serial killers and the effects of the loss of a child on a marriage. Diane is unable to get on with her life, desperate to know what happened and blaming herself for her sons disappearance as any parent would. She’s lost her marriage and Marcus her youngest son, due to her fixation with Zacharys kidnap, to the extent she can barely function in her daily life. This also explores the effects that a crime like this has on everyone who comes into contact with the crimes and the criminals responsible. Caroline Turner, retired detective who investigated the crimes 25 years ago, agonises over whether she did everything right, but we find she resigned the job she loved after dealing with Jonathan took over her life and her sanity. A very intense read, I found it a bit slow to start with, but was hooked to see where the book was going, I didn’t see the finale coming. Recommended.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

WOW. Absolutely Fantastic.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It seems to be based on the Daniel Entwhistle case (set in Yarmouth) and I loved the twist at the end. It is so well written you can "feel" the pain of some of the characters. All the characters have a story, past and present and I loved the way that they entwined each other, not too much either. I would really love to read another book with some of the characters, there is definately potential for another story.

Thank you to NetGalley and One More Chapter for my approval to read and review the latest Michael Wood's book.

Even since discovering Michael Wood's Matilda Darke's series, I knew that this standalone book would be just as gripping with plenty of twists and turns. One thing about his writing, you are always guaranteed to be surprised by the characters, stories and plot lines. This story is about a serial killer, who may or may not have murdered 13 victims. I was very happy to find the book was set mainly in Skegness. You will have to read as I don't do spoiler alerts. I will be recommending this book to all my fellow book readers.

In 1990 Danny Redpath an7 year old boy vanishes on his way home from school - he is later found some four months later in a forest nearby.

Jonathan Egan-Walsh, a loaner is charged with his murder, along with another dozen or more young boys, all taken and murdered, he is convicted of life in prison, yet he still fails to reveal the whereabouts of Zachary Marshall, his seventh victim.

Zachary’s mother Diane’s life has fallen apart, her marriage is over and she’s all alone. Some 25 years later and still searching for her son’s body, she receives a letter from Jonathan which was found in his cell upon his death, in it he denies having anything to do with the murder Orr her son. Diane turns to the detective who was leading the investigation into his disappearance all those years ago, and together even though now retired, former DI Caroline turner and Diane seek to find out the truth. Little does Diane know that the truth isn’t all that it seems……..

This book oh my goodness! Absolutely fantastic! I really was engaged with the characters from the off, I couldn’t stop reading, I read it all in 48 hours! I just had to find out what was going to happen next! Brilliant writing, and a chilling storyline made for an excellent read! I’m a huge fan of Michael’s and his work just gets better and better! One of the best crime thriller authors around! I’m not ashamed to say I did shed a few tears along the way! A really good twist at the end to really finish things off nicely! Congratulations Michael, you played a blinder there! An easy 5 stars!

I love Michael Wood's Matilda Darke crime fiction series so it was a certainty that I was also keen to read one of his standalone novels. Although different, it certainly didn't disappoint.

This is the story of a serial killer who served a lifetime in prison, literally because he is now dead. But... he wrote a letter that denies the murder of one boy whose mother is still searching for his body, she wants to bury him twenty-five years later.

The story is meticulous plotted with all the required elements to make it a great piece of crime fiction.

Firstly I would like to thank netgalley, and HarperCollins one more chapter UK,and the fantastic author Michael wood for an early copy of his book to read.


This author is fantastic his series Matilda Drake is Brilliant,This book is his first standalone read.Im always the same reading a new characters,A slow read it took me a while to get into this read after 20% in I started to get into the storyline. Jonathan Egan Walsh a child serial killer convicted of evil crimes,Diane a mother of Zachery who believed Jonathan killed her son as he was convicted of the crime but he was never found like the rest of the victims. Jonathan dies in prison leaving Diane a letter saying he did all the crimes but not her child...was he telling the truth? The ex retired cop caroline and a journalist Alex helping her find out what happened to Zachery...The ending was abit perdicable. Looking forward to his next book..

This book will be reviewed on goodreads, Amazon, waterstone's...

I haven't had a chance to read DCI Matilda's series yet, so I was happy to see a standalone novel from the author that I could immediately get into. Oh wow, it was fantastic!!! Super writing, great plot, I really had trouble to leave it as I wanted to know what was going to happen.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read this ARC.

It absolutely blew my mind. Very clever writing and although not the first book from Michael Wood that I've read, it certainly won't be the last either. Filled with intrigue, suspense and intelligence.

A great read I couldn't put down.

Thank you to the author and publisher.

I've read and loved Micheals 'Matilda Darke series and was keen to read his latest standalone.

I really enjoyed seeing this crime/thriller portrayed from the victims' families' point of view. The mother, an ex DCI, and a journalist joined forces to solve the cold case.

I was gripped from the start and couldn't put it down as they set about uncovering the truth. It's dark and gritty but very much a page turning read.

I was worried it wouldn't be as good as the Matilda Darke series, but this was just as good and delivered everything I expected and more.

5 Stars from me

Within just a few pages I was immersed in this heart-breaking story. Even without the comforting familiarity of DCI Matilda Darke, Sian's snack drawer and the grey back-drop of Sheffield; this was unmistakably the writing of Michael Wood. Beautifully descriptive, harrowing, sad, and undeniably real - this is yet another story that will stay under my skin.

Jonathan Egan-Walsh is the perfect disturbing killer. Ex-detective Turner, down on his luck reporter Alex and bereaved mother Diane make for a compelling team as they band together to try to find the body of Egan-Walsh's 7th victim, Zachery Marshall.

As ever with Michael Wood's books, I was utterly hooked and devoured this story across two days. He is a truly gifted author and has such a skillful way of making characters come to life on the page. The back stories of Turner, Diane and Alex were subtly woven into the main arc in such a way that they felt like solid established characters. This is not easy to achieve and yet it is something I simply expect from this author.

Yet another, absolutely brilliant read - can't recommend it enough and if you are wondering what on earth I'm rabbiting on about in relation to Sian's snack drawer then do yourself a favour and get reading the Matilda Darke series - you are in for a treat.

Review will be shared on my blog on publication date.

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

Big fan of Michael Wood and the Matilda Drake series, so I was very curious about this book.

25 years ago Diane’s young son disappeared and was never found. Jonathan was found guilty of his and many other deaths of young boys. When Jonathan dies of cancer in jail, a letter is left for Diane. In it he confesses to his crimes but is adamant he didn’t kill her son.
When this news breaks, Caroline, an ex detective inspector and Alex the journalist who wrote the tell all book about it Jonathan, investigate.

Smashed it out the park again. I loved this. The infrequent flashes to the past really built the tension. I couldn’t get through this fast enough as the pendulum constantly swung between Jonathan being guilty and not guilty.

I hope there is another book with Jonathan and Alex investigating-what a team!

A stand alone from Michael Wood? Yes please.
When a letter from the serial killer, found after death admits he did not kill one of the children he was sentenced for, there begins a proper hunt for the killer/truth.
It bat's back and forth with hints and evidence that maybe he did, maybe he didn't.
Interestingly it was more about the aftermath of the crime, than the actual crime this time and how those close to the victim get no closure till they bring the body home.
Very nicely done.

I am a HUGE fan of the Matilda Darke series, so of course I couldn’t wait to read The Seventh Victim, a standalone crime thriller by the hugely talented Michael Wood. Give Michael Wood his due he knows how to get the reader’s attention from the off, with a gripping first chapter that offers a hint of what lies ahead. The book deals with the horrifying subject of child abuse, which was quite difficult to read about at times, so be warned! I guess the burning question is ‘is Michael Wood standalone novel as riveting as the Matilda Darke series?’ It’s definitely a HELL YES from me!

Jonathan Egan-Walsh was arrested and charged with murders of more than a dozen boys. Sentenced to life imprisonment, he never reveals the body of one victim, Zachery. Diane, Zachery’s mother, is living in limbo, twenty-five years after losing her son. She is still searching for answers. When Jonathan dies, she receives word that he was not responsible for her son’s death. With the help of true crime author Alex and former DI Caroline Turner, Diane is determined to discover who killed her son.

Surprisingly, The Seventh Victim main focus isn’t the criminal investigation, it’s more an exploration of the aftermath of a murder, and how the ones left behind lives are changed forever. I appreciated the way the author incorporated other characters whose life had been permanently changed by the killings. The mother left without answers, the DI in charge of the original case, the journalist who wrote a book about Walsh. The emotions of the characters felt authentic and very raw. You feel their pain, frustration, anger, desperation and guilt that have grown with each year that passes.

Without a doubt Jonathan Egan-Walsh is the worse kind of twisted predator! He’s depraved, sickening, and his lack of remorse sent shivers down my spine! The story is peppered with chapters narrated by Walsh, giving the reader a sickening insight into the dark, disturbed and perverted mind of a child serial killer. Michael Wood pulls no punches. These chapters are disturbing, heartbreaking and disquieting to read. Tension and suspense bubble away below the surface, urging the readers onwards to the shocking conclusion. The Seventh Victim is an intense character-driven crime thriller that’s dark, disturbing and seriously twisted.

My review will be posted to my Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thebookreviewcafe and all relevant book sites

Sometimes you find an author who writes a great series but doesn't do so well with standalone novels. Having read this book in one sitting I can quite categorically say that this is not the case with Michael Wood. I love the Matilda Darke series but this book was spectacular. A tragic case that the police ,and even the missing boy's father, believe to be closed this is a story that has you wondering if they may not be right. At the same time there is just a glimmer of a chance they are wrong which makes for an exciting story with some great characters and a heart-stopping shocker of a climax. Well worthy of a 5 star rating.

The Seventh Victim by Michael Wood is different from his other books. The author focused more on how grief and murder affects those left behind rather than focusing on the police procedural aspect of the story.

Apprehended while attempting to abduct another child, Jonathan Egan-Walsh was charged with the murders of more than a dozen boys. Convicted on all counts, he received life in prison and went unrepentant, still refusing to reveal the whereabouts of one of his victims, Zachery Marshall.

Twenty-five years later, Zachery’s mother Diane is still searching for his body. She writes letters to Jonathan, but he never reveals where Zachery's body is and then tells her that he had nothing to do with his disappearance.

It was hard to put this book down because I wanted to find out if Jonathan would reveal what he knew and how everything would play out in the end. The Seventh Victim was such a good story. It had some jaw-dropping revelations and twists, and the ending was quite the surprise.

The story shows how grieving the loss of someone can change a person forever. I would recommend this book and this author. I hope there is more!

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