4+

This is the first in a new series from the talented David Mark featuring Sal(ome) Delaney and has a mind blowing introduction. It can certainly be said that Sal, her twin Jarod and the other many siblings have a terrible start in life with their abusive mother from hell, Trina. They live an uncertain, neglectful lifestyle, a constant feeling of being unsafe, that is until PC Wulfric (Wulf) enters their lives. However, when their relationship inevitably ends and Trina moves on, she is murdered and Wulf convicted, but did he do it? That’s the million dollar question but Sal always finds it hard to equate the kind man she knows with such an act of brutality.

In the present day, Sal has done her level best to move on from her traumatic childhood and is a Collision Investigation Officer in Cumbria. One day, she’s sent to assess a car that has crashed in deep snow, ploughed through a dry stone wall and lodged itself in a drift. It’s not just the crashed car she discovers but a body too and not just any body. It’s Barry Ford, the young man that Trina leaves Wulf for and it’s evident it’s murder, not accidental. The spotlight will shine on Wulf once more especially now that he’s out of prison and what’s more, close by.

Wow. A bleak wintery landscape that perfectly matches a bleak story - what a chilling atmosphere the author has created here. It’s a cleverly connected, complex plot which is well written and obviously centres on the premise of whether Wulf did or didn’t kill Trina. The doubters are still out to get him while others remain steadfast in their belief in him. It’s very intriguing as the damage the past has caused, has tampered with memory and so you don’t know for a long time where the truth lies with suspicions flitting back and forth.

The story is told via several points of view and this works extremely well, part muddying waters and part allowing realisation to dawn. Well played Dark Mark and although I do guess the truth it doesn’t mar the unfolding drama one jot. It’s fast paced, contains numerous twists and turns and a few jaw droppers. It’s clearly not a pretty story and one sub plot line becomes dark and heartbreaking. The ending is so tense, it’s a hold your breath affair which reveals manipulation and treachery. As for the characters they’re all well portrayed and I really like Sal and can’t wait to see what happens to her next. Roll on number 2!

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Severn House for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

I was unsure as to what to expect with this book, as i had never before, read anything by this author…I was very pleasantly surprised.

This is a well written, meaty, psychological crime thriller, set in snowy winter, in the North East of England. Full of murder, mental health issues, child abuse, and neglect, this was at times, quite a bleak read. The characters, and the plot made this a gripping tale, with an ending I did not see coming.

Thanks to the author, and to NetGalley for sending me this free ARC, which I am happy to leave a honest and voluntary review.

An excellent read. Such a intriguing book. Dark in spots but still it made me want to read more. Which I did. Finished this book in a evening

Thank you NetGalley and Severn House for the eARC.
The first in the Sal Delaney series is a dark, at times disturbing read, with child abuse, mental health issues and an unusual serial killer. That said, it was such a riveting read!
It's set in the bleak north of England during a hazardous snowstorm. Sal, a traffic cop, has to deal with a murder during the impossible winter conditions while her mind is in a bad space after her horrendous childhood and a recent heartbreak.
The writing, the atmosphere and the shocking ending make for a spellbinding and riveting read and I recommend it highly! Can't wait to read no. 2 in the series.

I have been aware of David Mark for a long time but this was the first of his books that I have ever read - and it certainly won't be the last as I will shortly be devouring his back catalogue of police procedurals.

This is a densely plotted, dark and gritty tale set in a fairly bleak North of England with an exceptional sense of time and place.

The characters are fascinating and well developed rather than cartoon cutouts and the story of murder, mental health treachery and deception grabs your attention form the first page.

This is an exceptionally well written thriller that shocks and thrills in equal doses and merits your close attention.