A big thank you to Netgalley for yet another advance copy winner.

Other reviewers have given synopses of the plot, and I won't repeat their efforts here. I have read the entire Ridpath series, of which this is book number 10. Many recurring characters are present, and we are introduced to at least one new one in the police department. (I can't remember if the replacement coroner was in any of the previous books; he might be new as well.) And as an aside, the protagonist from the author's Jayne Sinclair Genealogical Mysteries makes a guest appearance in book number 9. (I am pleased to recommend that series as well as Ridpath, especially since genealogy was my lockdown pastime.)

I would strongly recommend reading the entire series in order, because if a reader starts with book 10, a lot of the things mentioned concerning Ridpath's life will in effect be "spoilers" for the earlier stories. And in that spirit, I will not mention anything in this review that would constitute spoilers. Just take my word for it... if you like twisty mysteries with imperfect British police protagonists, give this series a try. You won't regret it.

I often say that I can't put a book down. This was not the case with this book. Sometimes the intensity level ratcheted up such that I sometimes had to take breaks between chapters.

As usual in my reviews I will not rehash the plot - there are plenty of reviews like that out there already.

As I've read and enjoyed all the previous books in M J Lee's Ridpath series, I've been eagerly awaiting this novel since I finished the last one!

In this latest book, Ridpath and his team are faced with a seemingly impossible task - trying to trace a teenage boy who went missing several years ago during the lockdown - and as the original investigation was poorly done and the press are on the case, the team are under pressure to find the lad. On top of this, Ridpath (wearing is Coroner's Office hat) investigates potential misconduct at a local care home.

Familiar characters are joined by new faces on the team, and an old arch-enemy rears his head again! We catch up on Mrs Challinor's progress, and Ridpath's daughter Eve - now a teenager!

This is - as usual - a fabulous twisty turny plot, with each strand entangled with others!

Cannot wait for the next in this series!

My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers (Canelo) for an ARC. All opinions my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review "What The Dead Want', the 10th book in the immensely thrilling DI Ridpath series by M J Lee.
Welcome to another highly suspenseful and ultimately satisfying book in the DI Ridpath series, which I have read from the first book until this, the upcoming instalment in the series.
DI Ridpath not only is an Detective Inspector with the Met, but he's also seconded to the Coroner's office, where cases quite often overlap. MJ Lee has created a great cast of characters, most of whom have been with us from the very beginning and many of whom have had integral parts to play in the various cases.
This one involves a number of 'working parts' that seem to be totally unrelated, but all of which involve Ridpath: the cold case of a missing 14-year-old boy who disappeared at the height of the COVID epidemic, but whose case seems to have been shoddily investigated; a letter is sent to the current Coroner stating that deaths at a seniors' home might not be what they seem; and The Beast of Manchester - Harold Lardner whom Ridpath was instrumental in sending to prison - seems to be making waves again.
Whenever there's a new book in this series about to be published, I make it my mission to read and review, and this one is no exception. And I'm glad I did. This one has everything: mysteries, deaths, suspense, some humour, personalities that are impossible to forget, redemption.....
Highly, highly recommended. Could be read as a standalone, but really, do yourself a favour and get to the whole series.

When a fourteen-year-old boy disappears without trace you'd hope the police would pull out all the stops to find him. Unfortunately, when Andrew Golding did just that the response was half-hearted at best. Now, four years later, DI Ridpath, an MIT detective and investigator for the local Coroner's Office, has been tasked with discovering what happened to Andy and why.

Working two jobs has never been simple for Ridpath but since the attack on his former boss it's become far harder. When a link between Andrew's disappearance and information sent to the Coroner himself is discovered the two investigations take a far darker turn than anyone realises. With time rapidly running out Ridpath receives devastating news which threatens to destroy everything important to him unless, once again, he can work out the ultimate goal of a desperate killer.

Book ten in M.J. Lee’s excellent series delivers everything anyone could possibly want from a tension filled thriller and then some! Ridpath is one of my favourite main protagonists and once again he is put through the emotional wringer as he just tries to go about his business. I really enjoyed the angst between him and his teenage daughter, Eve, and the snotty coroner was just as awful and annoyingly brilliant as I remembered. However it was the way events were seemingly manipulated from afar which was the main reason I didn't want to finish this book while simultaneously needing to know how it ended right now! I absolutely wasn't disappointed.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers Hera/Canelo, but the opinions expressed are my own. I have been lucky enough to read some excellent books recently and this is right up there with the best of them. Highly recommended.

Definitely twisty, is "whatthedeadwant" by M. J. Lee. Thanks to #netgalley and @joffeebooks for the ARC.

Another great book in this series where Ridpath struggles to please two masters Fast paced with plenty of twists

DI Ridpath #10

May 2020 - Is there an ‘Angel (or devil) of Death’ at work in Manchester??
In the same month, fourteen year old Andrew Golding disappears and he has now been missing for the last four years. After a press article ridiculing the police efforts to locate him, DCI Steve Carruthers of Manchester MIT asks Ridpath to investigate. The more he digs the more connections seem to appear and what he uncovers is huge. It appears that it all may link back to a blast from Ridpath’s past, someone he sincerely hopes to never hear of again. Can the team use all their ingenuity, hard work and technology to stop what is at work in ‘The Rainy City’? Oh, it’s also worth mentioning that Ridpath’s daughter Eve is now a teenager and acting it. He’s sure got a lot on his plate.

This is a series I’ve grown fond of over the last few years, they’re always reliable and well thought out reads with a good plot line that holds my interest throughout. The characters are terrific, Ridpath is a one off, he’s been through a lot and his life isn’t easy.
He can be judgy and a bit cerebral but he’s less of a loner than he used to be, though his mind is always in overdrive. He’s therefore a very interesting central protagonist who is surrounded by other good characters such as Eve, Mrs. Challinor at the coroners office (and there’s a good storyline there too), DS Emily Parkinson and Chrissy Wright, the civilian researcher. There’s a new character in DC Helen Shipton, hmmm, the jury is out on her as she’s not a team player but Ridpath and Carruthers have sure got her number. Glaswegian Carruthers is terrific, he’s much less formal than the old DCI, he tells it how it is, he’s very funny and his dialogue is always colourful.

The separate plot strands flow well making you want to comprehend what’s going on. There are just too many coincidences but the team start to join the dots and see the bigger picture. There’s a deep conspiracy at work and wickedness that beggars belief and one character who has revenge on their agenda sending icy chills down the spine. It builds well, it starts to come together in a tense and exciting conclusion which is full of danger. At one point my heart sinks but all’s well that ends well.

Overall, this is another good addition to the long running series and I hope that it will continue on!

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

In May 2020, fourteen-year-old Andrew Golding went out for a walk following a row with his mum. He was never seen again.Four years later, when the press discovers police errors in Andrew Golding's case, DI Ridpath is called in to investigate!
I really love this series! This book had suspense, intrigue, action, murder, mystery, a bit of a who done it and a few twists and turns! I would recommend reading this book but this one was definitely not one of my top favorites! Still worth reading but just ok for me! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

What the Dead Want is another brilliant crime thriller with DI Ridpath.
When tasked with opening a cold case into a missing fourteen year old boy from 4 years previously a big can of worms is opened leading to the discovery of some shocking occurrences.
Juggling home life as a single parent and losing his mentor Mrs Challinor at the coroners office, unearthing a larger than normal amount of deaths at an elderly care home and criminal psychopath from his past is all making his life rather frenetic.
With some shocking revelations and powerful performances from all characters involved this is a riveting exciting read with a finale that has your heart pounding. Yet again Mr Lee has written a book that is immensely thrilling and entertaining.
My thanks to net galley and publisher for the opportunity to review this book honestly