This is the first book in a brand new series featuring Superintendent Hedley Sharpe. I have read most of this authors books who manages to write so many successful series all of which I enjoy. This looks like it will be no different as it was a quick enjoyable read with some interesting new characters. I enjoyed the first half of the book more and thought that it failed to hold my interest throughout. I still enjoyed it and would rate it at 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

Chloe Todd believes her baby daughter is sleeping peacefully in her pram in the back garden until she moves her blanket to check on her. Chloe’s neighbour calls the police but it appears all is not as it appears. The following day Superintendent Hedley Sharpe is called to a murder scene in the city centre where a body is discovered in a cellar beneath an empty shop. A single shot to the head to the victim who has been dead at least a year.

A day later a second body is found in the cellar next door. Once again a single bullet wound in the head, but this time the victim was killed recently. Headley Sharpe suspects the crimes are linked and it is not long before he discovers a connection to Chloe Todd who was spoken to a few days ago. As Hedley investigates he uncovers a series of dark secrets that make this case a lot more extraordinary.

I would like to thank both Netgalley and Joffe Books for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

The first time I have read this Author. I enjoyed the style of writing. A solid four star read. Great premise. Good characters. Page turner. Plenty of suspense to keep me guessing Would definitely read the next novel. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to

Dig Two Graves is a thriller centred mainly around Chloe and her husband Simon and some murders being investigated by the local police.

At times the characters were almost like caricatures rather than real people. They would presume to know everything about someone 2 minutes after meeting them. Hedley Sharpe hardly seemed to stand out despite apparently being the feature of this new crime series. The pacing was slow and didn’t have me rushing to turn the pages.

Thankfully the book is fairly short as I don’t like to DNF. It sounds like other books from this author are better than this one so I may try some of them.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for a review.

Having read most, if all of Helen’s previous books, this was a must read and while I enjoyed it, to a certain extent, I felt that it had something missing, as it seemed somewhat flat. I wasn’t an instant page turner.
It certainly won’t stop me from reading more of her books.

A great start for a new character I loved this book which was an easy read.

Look forward to the next one

4 stars

This is a British crime thriller by an author unknown to me. Two bodies have been found in two different cellars, within a couple of days of each other, both with bullets to the head. Detective Hedley Sharpe and his partner Stuart, thinks it may be linked to a diamond robbery which happened a year ago. They have enough suspects, but who could it be?

The pace was very nice with this book, and it had a good storyline. Though I can’t say that it had me eagerly turning the pages. I prefer a bit more meat on my bones, with a lot more twists and turns, but overall, it was a good read.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with this free ARC, of which I am leaving this review voluntarily.

A really good first book in a new series, the author never disappoints and this was no different, looking forward to the next one though

Who is Detective Hedley Sharpe? He took a back seat for the start of a new series. I love crime fiction, and police procedurals are my favorite. I was expecting Sharpe to take the lead in this thriller. However, the character Chloe moved the story along, and the ending was predictable.
I wouldn't have categorized it as a “gripping thriller.” It was a quick read; I can see it as a page-turner for some, but this was just ok for me.

Thank you NetGalley and Joffe Books for the eARC in return for my honest review.

Helen Durrant launches a new detective superintendent, Hedley Sharpe, in this book. A notorious gangster and his lawyer go missing right before he's due in court. A year later a couple, Chloe and Simon, move into his abandoned home. Chloe is trying to recover from the death of their child and Simon is trying to protect her from herself. Or is he? Meanwhile remains have been found in the basement of a Manchester shop. The victim suffered a gun shot wound to the head. A search of the adjacent cellar reveals a second body. Detective Superintedent Sharpe is called into the case. All roads appear to lead to Simon and Chloe.

Helen Durrant's writing is excellent. The plot well thought out with enough twists and turns to keep the reader engaged. Sadly I just didn't like any of the characters in this book, including Hedley Sharpe. For that reason I won't be reading any further of the series and am only giving it 3 out of 5 stars.

The main draw for me in this book was the build up of suspense and tension, this kept me hooked and wanting to find out more.

Title: Dig Two Graves by Helen H. Durrant: A Gripping Journey into the Depths of Crime

Helen H. Durrant's "Dig Two Graves" is a riveting thriller that will leave you on the edge of your seat from the first page to the last. With its masterfully crafted plot, engaging characters, and unexpected twists, this novel is a must-read for any fan of the crime genre.

From the very beginning, Durrant captivates her readers with a compelling storyline that unfolds at a breakneck pace. The intricate web of deceit and betrayal that she weaves keeps you guessing until the very end, constantly questioning the motives of each character and the truth behind their actions.

One of the most impressive aspects of "Dig Two Graves" is Durrant's ability to create characters that feel incredibly real and complex. From the flawed protagonist struggling to come to terms with his past, to the enigmatic antagonist whose motives remain shrouded in mystery, each character is fully fleshed out and utterly compelling.

Moreover, Durrant's prose is both eloquent and evocative, drawing you into the world of the novel and immersing you in its atmosphere of tension and suspense. Her vivid descriptions paint a vivid picture of the gritty streets and dark alleyways of the city, serving as the perfect backdrop for the unfolding drama.

But perhaps the greatest strength of "Dig Two Graves" lies in its ability to keep you guessing until the very end. Just when you think you have it all figured out, Durrant throws another curveball your way, leaving you racing to turn the pages and uncover the truth.

In conclusion, "Dig Two Graves" is a tour de force of the crime genre, showcasing Helen H. Durrant's talent for crafting gripping narratives and unforgettable characters. Whether you're a longtime fan of the genre or simply looking for a thrilling read, this novel is sure to keep you hooked until the very last page. Highly recommended.

Hedley Sharpe Mysteries, Book 1

Day 1. Chloe Todd believes her baby daughter, is sleeping peacefully in her pram in the back garden. She lifts away the blanket to check on her - and gasps in shock. Chloe's neighbour calls the police. But all is not as it seems.

Day 2. Superintendent Hedley Sharpe is called to a murder scene in the city centre. A body is discovered in a cellar beneath an empty shop. A single shot to the head. The victim has been dead for at least a year.

Day 3. A second body is found in the cellar next door. Again a single bullet wound to the head. But this time the body is fresh.

This is the first book in a brand-new series that features Superintendent Hedley Sharpe. Two men have been found within two days, their bodies discovered in separate cellars, each had a bullet to the head. The first body had been dead for a year, the second was fresh. The characters are a mixed bunch of likeable and unlikeable, but they have all been we;;-developed. There are enough twists and red herrings to keep us guessing. I'm looking forward to reading the second book in this series.

Published 14th March

I would like to thank #NetGalley #JoffeBooks and the author #HelenHDurrant for my ARC of #DigTwoGraves in exchange for an honest review.

Dig Two Graves is a new series focusing on Detective Hedley Sharpe.

Simon and Chloe have just moved into a new home. Simon leaves for work leaving strict orders not to unpack anything without his permission. Chloe finds her backbone and opens a box that has baby clothes in it from the baby she lost after being stillborn. She stakes the pram out to the back and lifts the blanket and starts screaming her baby is missing. The police are called to investigate.

Hedley Sharpe is called to a murder scene. A body is found with a single shot to the head. They believe the victim has been dead for about a year.

A second body is found with a single bullet wound to the head, but it appears to be more recent.

Hedley Sharpe believes the two bodies are connected but can't figure out how Chloe is involved.

This was a fast-moving story. I have always enjoyed books by Helen H Durrant, but this one leaves me a little cold. Hedley isn't as interesting as some of the other characters in other series.

A very good start to what I hope will be a brand new series. A great character to base the book around. Quite alot of mystery to this story. Great twists

I enjoyed reading this book. It flowed well and was very easy to follow. I did find it quite predictable but that might be because I read a lot of mysteries so could guess the ending. 
The clues to the ending were woven into the story very well, just leaving snippets for us to guess at. The two main detectives were total opposites and I liked that dynamic as I enjoyed the challenges they gave each other.
Overall a nice read!

New crime series D Hedley Sharpe, and what a terrific start.
Two men decovered in separate cellars a year apart in death.
This is so full of action and extraordinary twists.
A dark secret lies for Hedley and all the characters are coming to life as you read.
Superb writing once again from this author.
Loved it.

A new series from this known and talented author brings us a trusted compilation of interesting characters, twisty plots and enough detail to keep the proceduralists among readers very happy, I’m looking forward to seeing where this series goes as there are some fascinating relationships to explore.

Domestic mystery meets murder and the mob - an interesting and engaging mix that has enough red herrings to keep you guessing. Characters well developed, and have to say I didn't like them all, just like real life. The end definitely takes a turn.

The first book in a new series from Helen H Durrant about Manchester Detective Superintendent Hedley Sharpe. An easy to read, fast paced police procedural. I enjoyed this book as I enjoy all of Helen's books. They are clearly written and allow one to get to know the characters without getting too bogged down in overly complicated details. I look forward to the next in the series.
Thank you to NetGalley and the
publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

A new series by Helen, featuring superintendent Hedley Sharpe. Within two days, two men are discovered in separate cellars with a bullit to the head. Does it have something that happened a year ago when one of their suspects did a runner? Sharpe and his team have suspects piling up, but which one of them is telling the truth. Fast paced with a couple of twists to keep things interesting. Good plot with some good characters. Overall an ok read.