The Hardwick Heath Killer is the third book in the DI Nicki Hardcastle series, and while it was enjoyable, I did feel it lacked the tension of the first two books, and I wasn’t as engaged in the main story line as I was in the previous stories. This book does focus quite a bit on the kidnapping of Nicki’s brother all those years ago, and I really enjoyed how that tied into the first two books.

Nicki is an engaging MC and I really enjoy her character. She is a pretty sharp detective and investigator and is determined to follow through on every lead despite pushback from those around her. I found her to be quite empathetic; perhaps it’s her personal struggles and the grief over losing her brother all those years ago that make her seem so relatable, it’s hard to say. And while she has strong supporting characters around her, Nicki’s strength and determination really make her stand out from all the other characters.

I absolutely loved the setting and the atmosphere as I felt it added a depth to the story through a fascinating background and historical richness that only such a setting can provide. I love it when an author intertwines history and uses the setting to add depth to the story line and this author does this very well. The twists and turns were quite interesting, but I did feel the story was a bit choppier than in previous novels and wasn’t quite satisfied with the main mystery. It felt like it was there to fill in the gaps between Nicki’s search for her lost brother and sometimes lost momentum. It’s not that it wasn’t interesting, it just felt it wasn’t going anywhere and felt rushed so the author could get to the other story, which was the search for the brother.

The Hardwick Heath Killer was a good entry into this series, but I don’t feel the tension was quite as high as in the previous two books. That being said, the author does tie together all the loose ends, maybe not in a way that satisfies everything, and leaves the door open for some interesting plot lines in future books. While you don’t necessarily have to read the previous books in this series, I do recommend it as you will get some information for this book that is explained in the earlier books. I am looking forward to the next installment in this series.

4 stars
This was a twisty bit of crime fiction and I definitely enjoyed the ride!

Book #3 in the series of DI Nicki Hardcastle - I hadn't read the first two in the series and was a bit concerned I might end up missing some important plot points. But there was enough information given about the plotlines from the preceding books that I felt like I could easily figure out what was going on.

Several subplots wove their way through the book and I had a good time trying to sort out how the storylines and characters were connected. It wasn't the most complicated crime novel I've ever read, but it was a very engaging story nonetheless, and I'm certainly going to go back and read the first two books now before #4 comes out (clearly there HAS to be another Nicki Hardcastle story in the works!)

Thanks to NetGalley, author Michelle Kidd, and publisher Joffee Books for providing me with a digital ARC of this book to review. All opinions are my own.

I have never read any of this author's other books but will be looking out for others. I really enjoyed this book, kept my interest all way through and had many twists and turns. Found myself empathising with a few of the characters and disliking a few others! I also enjoyed the way in which it was written but if any downfall can be mentioned I would say that the ending was a little flat.
Many thanx to NetGalley, the author and the publishers for allowing me to read and review this book

An unidentified young man is found hanging from a tree on Hardwick Heath in Bury St Edmunds and DI Nicki Hardcastle, along with her usual team of DS Graham Fox, DS Royston Carter and DCs Matt Holland and Duncan Jenkins are on the case. The post mortem soon confirms their belief that this was no suicide but a staged murder. An identification comes in of a local man. While they search for a motive and more clues a second body is found, another murder staged to look like something else. Can the detectives find a link between the two victims and discover the truth behind these killings? Meanwhile fixer and investigator Benedict Thatcher is on the trail of Deano, Nicki’s brother who was snatched aged five and who everyone previously assumed was dead and Nicki’s reporter friend Jeremy is working on an explosive new story.
There are lots of different threads at the start of this very complex story which gradually become entwined but which are full of twists and red herrings for the reader who will find themselves suspecting first one person and then another. The truth behind Deano’s abduction twenty-three years ago is finally revealed, a side plot which is just as engrossing as the main one, and something which has continued throughout the series but will it bring Nicki any closer to finding him? This works fairly well as a stand-alone but with lots of past events referred to, I would advise reading these books in order. A fast paced and gripping story with a great twist at the end which will leave the reader eagerly awaiting book four.

This is the first book I have read by this author so I was unsure what to expect but it was a really interesting read. A very complicated case with many red herrings and twists and turns that kept the pages turning. The background story about Nicki's brother is intriguing and added a further dimension of interest to the book.

However, I did find the constant switching of times and places confusing and it was very off-putting if it were not for the intriguing storyline I think I may have abandoned it but I am glad I persevered.

I have to admit I didn't like the (non) ending I am not a fan of books that end with cliff-hanger's. Maybe if the next book is more or less available I can understand it but this one ended with 2 stories still not properly concluded and that is pretty annoying.

A very good read just a shame my enjoyment of it was affected by the above.

The Hardwick heath killer by Michelle Kidd.
Di Nicki Hardcastle mystery book 3.
I did like the cover and blurb. I am enjoying this series. I do like Nicki. I wanted to jump in and give her a hug. I did like Erin. I wasn't sure about Glenn. I did try to guess who the murderer was. I certainly didn't see that coming. The ending surprised me. I can't wait for the next book. 4*.

Blurb.
Two grisly murders. Three days apart. One brutal killer?

The call comes at midnight on a stormy March night. A body has been found hanging from a tree on Hardwick Heath. In the dead man’s pocket is a handwritten note: SORRY. LIFE IS JUST TOO HARD. LOVE TO YOU ALL.

Detective Nicki’s instincts tell her this was no suicide — but someone has gone to a lot of trouble to make it look like one.

Three days later, a second body is found floating in a pond, just a few miles away. But the victim didn’t drown.

The police are treating the deaths as separate cases. Then Nicki uncovers a link between the two dead men — and the case takes a shocking twist.

As she unearths a series of secrets stretching back twenty years, Nicki and her team find themselves in a race against time before more people die.

Yet another great book in this series. It can be read as a standalone book but does refer back to what happened with her brother Dean all those years ago. I can't wait for the next book to see if she gets her wish.

I Love the Detective Nicki Hardcastle series. I have read books 1 and 2 so I was really excited when I discovered book 3.
Set in the beautiful market town of Bury St Edmunds, this book has all the twists and turns a good thriller needs. I was again gripped from the first chapter.
Detective Nicki is a strong female lead who runs her team in a firm but fair way. She has her own traumatic past that helps give the character so much depth that she becomes someone you want to know more about.
As a reader who both lives and works in Bury st Edmunds, it gives me chills reading about the Murders that take place on Hardwick Heath (that I know so well).
Even if you haven’t read the other 2 books you could easily read this as a stand alone, but I would strong advise you read them as they are just as chilling and dark.

Thank you NetGalley and Joffe Books for the opportunity to read "The Hardwick Heath Killer" in exchange for my honest review.

PC Jim Parker responds to Hardwick Heath, Bury St. Edmunds where a couple out walking have found a body. The body is later identified as Calvin Shaw, who appears to have been in the middle of packing to go somewhere before he was killed.

DI Nicki Hardcastle is in charge of the case but also preoccupied by the disappearance of her brother Dean Webster at the age of 5 from a fair, 22 years ago. He's thought to be dead but recent evidence shows that he might be alive.

Annette and Larry Browning have abducted a child but why? Benedict Thatcher lives next door to them and happens to be a friend of Nicki's. He's come to believe that Mason Browning might just be Dean Webster.

Another story is Sir Cecil Pemberton who is attacked and later murdered. Are these cases all linked somehow? The name of Scott Edgecomb comes up - he's known to have attacked Sir Pemberton but did he kill him? His hatred of the landed gentry is well-known.

This is the 3rd book in the series and while there are references to the previous books, if one has not read them, this story will still be interesting. There are several threads and the reader needs to keep them straight. The ending was rather abrupt and not all the loose ends were tied up.

3.5 stars rounded up.

The call comes at midnight on a stormy March night. A body has been hanging from a tree on Hardwick Heath. In the dead man's pocket is handwritten, SORRY. LIFE IS JUST TOO HARD. LOVE TO YOU ALL. Detective Niki's instincts tell her this was no suicide - but someone has gone to a lot of trouble to make it look like one. Three days later, a second body is found floating in a pond, just a few miles away. But the victim didn't drown. The police are treating the deaths as two deaths as separate cases. Then, Nikki uncovers a link between the two dead men - and the case takes a shocking twist.

A body is found hanging from a tree, then a body is discovered in a pond. Only Niki could find the evidence that connects, what at first sight, looked like two separate cases. The pace is steady in this twisted read. The characters are well-developed. Niki and her team are in a race against time to prevent any more murders.

Published 18th July 2024

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

4.75* Brilliant intro to this author, that's made me buy the previous 2 books in this series. Brilliant storyline, plus bonus arc storyline that's surely got to conclude in book 4, right?

I have to say that I'm impressed with Joffe books and their murder mysteries set in the UK. I've read several recently but I think this series has the slight edge, because of what drives DI Hardcastle.

She's on a mission to prove that a hanging isn't a hanging, but murder, and then there's another, with several good red herrings, several people who're credible suspects, including a protective mother, and lies being told to protect identities, and/or perhaps more. Everything dovetails incredibly well, and I didn't see the triple - yes, triple - twist at the end, that had me half in horror and half in understanding, with a dash of admiration, too. Yes, murder is a crime, but could it be justified, if the perpetrator of a previous crime deserves it? An eye for an eye, like? Could you turn a blimey eye, or even take the blame for good reason? This book had it all, and on top, there's the DI's guilt and estrangement from her family because of the disappearance of her little brother, whilst she was distracted by candyfloss at a fair. That part alone could have anchored a story from start to finish, but it's an unfinished theme carrying on throughout the books; it's the thing that drives her, that made her become a policewoman. I liked her, and bonus, she's a fellow cat lover!

There were a couple of small things that made me eyeroll - how could Nicki ignore evidence and not go with her gut, especially when it's clear her house has been invaded, but it was worth suspending disbelief and going with the tale, plus there are typos to do with plural forms of names and nouns, that the editing/proofing guys should have caught. But, this was still a good enough read that I can't wait for the next.

ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Joffe Books, for my reading pleasure.

I haven't read others in this series yet, but I enjoyed this one anyway. There were lots of twists so I never decided on who I liked as my main suspect. The side investigation gave depth to the main character and the rest of the characters were written well. I will be going back to start the series from the beginning

First book I have read from this author although it was book 3 in a series, it was fine as a stand-alone. Great characterisation. Well written. Plenty of suspense and twists to keep me guessing. Would definitely read her next offering. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to review it.

Not having read the first two Nicki Hardcastle books, I thought I would have a problem with not knowing who the characters were. How wrong was I. From the beginning I was immersed in the story. There were many twists and turns until the end. Even the mystery surrounding Nicki and her family was very easy to follow. Looking forward to the next book in the series.

The Hardwick Heath Killer is the third book in the DI Nicki Hardcastle series. I read and thoroughly enjoyed Guilt (now revised and renamed The Missing Boy) but I seem to have forgotten to read book two – The Trophy Killer, something I will rectify soon! I am glad I read book one as book three focusses on the kidnapping of Nicki’s brother, Deano, 20-years ago, a fair amount, so it was good to understand that back story.

This tale is told from multiple points of view, so the reader gets a comprehensive insight into the events that take place, resulting in the separate, but seemingly connected murders of two men. The book is well written and features a host of realistic and relatable characters – not all of whom are likable, and it is clear that procedures have been carefully researched. However, I felt that, in places, the plot slowed considerably, and I struggled to remain fully engaged. The cliffhanger ending is a sure sign of a fourth book, which I look forward to reading.

This book was great! The storyline was well developed and the characters were likable. I can't wait to read more from this author.

Nothing particularly unique, but a good read. Ending was alright, though. This was a quick read for me.

Nicky Hardcastle and team are back to investigate an apparent suicide when, three days later, a body is found in a local pond. Are the two linked? Apparently not. Investigations tend to suggest otherwise and there are plenty of twists and turns before Nicky is satisfied. n top of that is a continuing thread of Nicky's missing brother - disappeared 15 years ago. Well written and researched, characters feel realistic but not over the top and detecting thorough. 4.5* but not rounded up because of partial cliff hangers. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy.

Two grisly murders. Three days apart. One brutal killer?! Good book! Great start to a new series! This book has suspense, intrigue, murder, mystery, action, a great who done it and a few twists and turns! The story was very interesting and had me glued to my kindle! I definitely recommend reading this book! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me! Can’t wait for more!

This is #3 in the DI Nicki Hardcastle series but can be read as a standalone. I’ve read and enjoyed the previous two books so I was eager to read the next in the series. It didn’t disappoint!

A young man is found hanging from a tree on Hardwick Heath on a dark, stormy night. It looks like suicide, which appears to be confirmed by a suicide note in his pocket. Nicki is not sure that it really is suicide, she thinks it may have been set up. A few days later, a body is found in a pond but drowning wasn’t the cause of death. While the two cases are being treated as separate incidents, Nicki discovers that there was a link between the two dead people.

There is a second storyline running alongside the main one. Nicki’s younger brother, Dean, went missing 15 years ago when she was supposed to be keeping an eye on him. She’s been contacted by an investigator who’s pretty sure that he’s found Dean. The theme doesn’t detract from the main story at all, and it’s interesting to have this puzzle in DI Nicki’s private life.

Thank you to NetGalley and Joffe Books for an advance reader copy in return for an honest review.