Death in a Lonely Place is the 2nd Jake Jackson procedural mystery thriller by Stig Abell. Released 2nd July 2024 by HarperCollins on their Perennial imprint, it's 352 pages and is available in hardcover, paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.

This is a very well written book with a believable cast of well rendered characters. Featuring an ex-met detective living off grid and isolated, this time instead of local village corruption, he's pitted against an evil shadowy cabal of ruthless oligarchs who can (literally) buy anything their twisted hearts desire. Absolute power has corrupted them absolutely and Jake & co. are determined to put an end to No Taboo and their nefarious skullduggery.

One of the features of the series is the MC's love of vintage and classic mystery. This is a bibliophile's dream, because the books are liberally peppered with name-drops to chase down after finishing this mystery.

There are some trigger warnings, liberal amounts of sexual content (descriptions and staging in spicy scenes are notoriously difficult, and some of the ones included here really didn't work very well and would've been more suited to a retro bodice ripper romance, honestly), child abduction and abuse, murder, etc... nothing is too depraved for these monsters.

Three and a half stars. Generally well written otherwise. The romance bits can be skimmed over. Continuing series, which would make a good choice for a short binge or buddy read. The first book in the series is the better by comparison, but they're both quite readable.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

The first book in this series was a solid 5 star non-police police procedural, in that it took an officer out of his normal environment, but then gave him the same function, but without all the bureaucratic hinderance. This much welcomed new book in the series picks up after the events in the fist book, but reading the first book is not required. However, I really feel in this case there is too much that is missed by not reading the first book, to help the reader to understand for example why Livia is so against Jake helping the local police officer again. There is too much that can be lost, that was won in the events of the first book. Early on, the reader gets the feel for what is going to happen as Livia accepts the new job and her boss demands she and Jake spend a weekend at his house. Jake gives into the request as he is trying to make up for decisions that got him in hot water with Livia. But as the story progresses, Jake and Livia make unexpected choices and that changes how the story evolves, giving the reader some surprises, as the search for No Taboo goes farther than anyone thought. You'll have trouble putting this book down, so be prepared to give it lots if time!

solid 4.5 stars

Although former detective Jake Jackson has retired from the force and is living a quiet life in a small village, he still manages to get entangled in yet another case. One of his past cases involving the disappearance of an 8 year old that was never found has connections to another recently kidnapped child. Further investigation points to a clandestine group of powerful, wealthy, and politically connected individuals called No Taboo. In order to bring them down, Jake will have to put his newfound peace and solitude as well as his loved ones at risk. I didn't like this second book in the series quite as much as the first due to the powerful secret society angle, however the really good descriptive writing still kept my interest and I can't wait to read the third novel in this series. #NetGalley #DeathinaLonelyPlace

Our introduction to Jake Jackson, Death Under a Little Sky, was one of my favorite reads last year. This second in the series again finds Jake dragged back into investigating a crime, again with huge stakes for him and those he has come to care for.

Readers still get to spend some of the time enjoying Jake’s life at his remote Little Sky farm. There are so many evocative descriptions of the elements and Jake’s simple life, building fires for heat, cooking simple meals with fresh ingredients, using his outdoor sauna and jumping into his freezing lake, listening to LPs and reading classic mysteries in his library on the long, dark winter nights. The thought occurred to me that Stig Abell is like Louise Penny and Rosamund Pilcher in having a gift for making the simple life something the reader will yearn for—even if in reality we’d never want to give up our connections to the wider world and our creature comforts.

But let’s put aside the simple life stuff, because Jake sure has to. The case leads him into an investigation of a shadowy organization called No Taboos that seems to enable the super-rich and -connected to indulge their sickest fantasies. You don’t need me to tell you that this outfit doesn’t like anyone sniffing around their business. The novel turns into a heart-pounding thriller, as Jake must bring down No Taboos or lose everything he values in his life.

I do have some quibbles about the book. <spoiler>The supervillains seem to be all powerful with technology and surveillance—except when, conveniently for Jake, they’re not. It’s mentioned several times that snow on the ground allows Jake to see whether or not anybody has approached where he is, but that never seems to help the bad guys know that Jake is around. The bad guys have plenty of chances to kill Jake (and others) and don’t do it, even though they apparently intended to. I can’t be upset about that last one, though, since it wouldn’t be much of a book if the protagonist gets murdered. There is also a small plot thread involving a boy kidnapped by No Taboos that isn’t resolved, even though there is a grand summing up in an Epilogue.</spoiler> One star off for these issues, but I still very much enjoyed the book and hope to see Jake Jackson back in a third book in the series.

I fell under the main character's spell in Stig Abell's first book, Death Under a Little Sky, and I did it again with Death in a Lonely Place. Jake Jackson has almost convinced me that I would love to live his life. He has no near neighbors. He's given fields and trees literary names. He inherited a wonderful crime fiction library where he can sit and read by the fire in the evenings. He has nature at his doorstep and a lake to swim in... if only there were a few more amenities like hot, running water in the house.

Abell makes his setting live and breathe, and I always look out for the heron who's a regular visitor on Jake's property. The author puts me in tune with the earth and sky, and I love it.

I was wondering how this second book would deal with crime once again coming to such a small, isolated community, and Jake's old cold case was the perfect way to do it. None of the villagers were connected to the case, and Jake found out just how many friends he'd made. Although I am rather tired of plot devices involving secret gangs of the super-rich doing whatever they want, the one called No Taboo was handled very well-- and with a surprising bad guy.

As much as I love Jake and the remote setting, I still think it's going to be interesting to see what the author does in future installments. Livia and her daughter Diana can be used as threats only so many times before I, for one, will start rolling my eyes. But Abell did very well in this second book, so I'm looking forward to seeing what he does in the third.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: July 2, 2024
“Death in a Lonely Place” is the second novel in the Jake Jackson police procedural series by Stig Abell. In “Place”, Jake is now a permanent resident in the small idyllic country village of Caelum Parvum, spending time caring for his chickens and living off the grid in the small home named Little Sky while maintaining a relationship with local vet, Livia. Although officially retired from the police force, Jake can’t seem to put the detective side of him to bed, and he finds himself embroiled in yet another investigation. A case from Jake’s past resurfaces and soon, Jake finds himself embroiled in the shady world of “No Taboo”, a clandestine group of uber wealthy elites, where anything they desire can be bought and sold, no matter how legal it is. Desperate to find out who’s behind No Taboo, and how to end it, Jake once again puts his life at risk to find the answers to questions important people do not want him asking.
Abell’s first Jake Jackson novel, “Death Under a Little Sky”, introduced readers to Jake Jackson and his reclusive ways. I thoroughly enjoyed “Sky”, the community and Jake’s off-the-grid ways, and was thrilled that Abell once again brought Little Sky to life with a new story. Like most police procedurals, “Place” is a novel you can read as a stand-alone, but it is best experienced as a series, read in order.
No Taboo is a terrifying group of super wealthy, uber elites who can have anything they want, including murder and any level of sexual gratification (with any gender or age), for the right place. Although for the sake of this story, this group is fictional, it is not much of a stretch to see the believability and realism in this group, which made me root for its demise even more. Jake and Livia have returned in this novel, now in a more permanent relationship, but there are some new characters that Jake introduces through his investigation, and I hope to be seeing more of them in future works as well!
It is difficult to make police procedurals stand out, as their layout is pretty much the same, but Abell has managed to do so. Little Sky and its community, off the grid and cut off from the world, is unique and Jake, and his reclusive ways, is a strong protagonist that is relatable and humble. This novel delivered an unexpected twist at the end as well, which took me by surprise. Abell brought the plot lines in “Place” to a succinct and complete conclusion, while still leaving just enough to tease readers for his next Jake Jackson novel, which I can’t wait to read.

Death in a Lonely Place by Stig Abell
Rating: 4/5
Release Date: 2 July 2024

Former London detective Jake Jackson, introduced in *Death Under a Little Sky*, faces a new threat to his rural life in the seemingly peaceful village of Caelum Parvum. Seeking serenity, Jake's days of tranquility with his new love, Livia, are disrupted when a past case resurfaces. He is drawn into the shadowy world of No Taboo, a secretive group serving Britain's elite. Suspicion arises when Livia begins working for a powerful publishing magnate connected to the group. As unseen forces manipulate those around him, Jake must uncover the truth and navigate a web of intrigue to protect his peaceful existence and determine who he can truly trust.

In this novel, the protagonist Jake emerges as a highly likeable character, portrayed with depth and nuance. He possesses a deep-seated passion for detective novels, a trait that subtly influences the story's dialogue and enriches the narrative with literary references. His relationship with Livia is portrayed as heartwarming and well-deserved, a source of stability and emotional fulfilment amidst the mysteries and tensions of the plot. Secondary characters like Rose are also portrayed with care, their development adding layers to the unfolding story.

From the outset, the novel sets a tone of foreboding with its portrayal of the secretive group No Taboo. Jake senses early on the group's ominous presence, detecting hints of profound corruption and dangerous intentions lurking beneath the surface. As Jake navigates the complexities of his investigation, he confronts a pivotal dilemma: should he pursue justice at the risk of disrupting his newfound peaceful life? This internal conflict adds depth to his character and drives the narrative forward with increasing urgency.

The plot unfolds with a series of twists and turns, delivering shocks and intense encounters that keep readers on edge. The story builds towards a dramatic climax reminiscent of classic crime fiction, where secrets are revealed, alliances are tested, and the true nature of No Taboo's influence is exposed.

Overall, the novel captivates readers as a gripping page-turner. Its creative plot is complemented by vivid settings that bring the winter landscape of Little Sky to life. Together, these elements contribute to a compelling reading experience that leaves readers eagerly anticipating future instalments in what promises to be a captivating series.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Harper Perennial and Paperbacks | Harper Paperbacks, and the author, Stig Abell, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review