There have been a spate of horrific murders. Middle aged women are found having been mutilated with parts of their insides thrown across their faces. What is even more horrific is that the post-mortem shows that they were alive whilst being dissected. DS Grant Maddox & DC Amber Bennett find themself mired in a puzzling & grisly case.

This was a book that just didn't let up! I was totally drawn in by the story & the characters & with this I didn't stand a ghost of a chance at working out the mystery! I absolutely loved it & hope to meet Grant & Amber again soon. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book. It's one of the best police procedurals I've read this year

Steve Packwood has written an intense, dark, and thrilling crime drama. It combines dark, horrifying crimes, in-depth character study, and a complex police procedural with stunning impact.
The plot was intense and multi-layered, with touches of humour amidst the investigations of the gruesome, perplexing crimes. The story was fast-paced and riveting. Middle-aged women have been found brutally murdered. They were dissected while still alive.



The crimes seem to be connected with an elite school for young men, the sons of the super-rich and famous and also to a plane crash in France eighteen years earlier. How can the present grim murders be connected? This puzzle adds to the complexity of the story. A significant witness reveals only what is in his best interests and is out for revenge on the school. His story detracts from the police investigation.

Everything the reader thought they knew will be overturned. The motive behind these grisly killings is very hard to fathom. Once the reason is learned, it makes the crimes understandable but never acceptable. We learn of a cruel, savage incident years ago that ruined the future for two young women.

I have added the author to my 'must-read' list, and I hope he writes more thrillers in the future.
Recommended for readers who enjoy a dark, disturbing mystery. The Dissection Murders will be published on August 13th. I received an early copy of this exciting book from NetGalley and the publisher, and I greatly appreciated it.

Such is the horror in store for middle-aged women in The Dissection Murders by Steve Packwood: horrific dissections while still alive, unbearable abuse, and humiliation beyond imagination.

Leading this investigation is Detective Sergeant Grant Maddox, who is particularly eager to uncover the warped mind responsible for committing such atrocities on innocent, unsuspecting victims. Company for Maddox comes in the form of his youthful, keen colleague, Detective Constable Amber Bennett, who is new to the Criminal Investigation Department. Maddox begins a terrifying journey into the darker recesses of human psychology and perversion in search of answers.

Steve Packwood comes at you with this thrilling novel. As women are being dissected while alive as a terrible form of abuse, Detective Maddox must find out who is behind this before it's too late. Maddox is forced to face his past as the present comes at him full force. You will be shook by the twists that come about. You will be guessing until the end. I received this as an ARC in exchange for a review and I loved the book. Looking forward to reading more by Packwood.

Middle aged women are being murdered in a brutal fashion - they're paralyzed and started while under the effects of a drug which keeps them conscious but unable to move. Detective Grant Maddox and the team are on the car, determined to find answers to why subjective would commit such a terrible crime. To make matters worse, the powers that be have invited an investigative journalist and her cameraman in to follow the team as they investigate.

The investigative journey takes them to an exclusive boys' school where a number of their rich, successful pupils died in a place crash 18 years earlier. The police are in a race to find the connection before more victims turn up.

A good, solid well-written thriller that keeps you guessing. The murders are described in graphic detail which might be a bit of putting for some readers. I found it a little slow to begin with which is why I gave it 3 stars rather than 4 however I enjoyed it overall and would happily read another book by this author.

A well-written dark thriller, murder mystery, police procedural! Middle aged women are being killed in a particularly horrific manner. A well-oiled British police team work well together in their hunt for the killer. The character development is excellent, and the ending is a surprise. Even though this is a gruesome tale, the author manages to insert touches of humor. I particularly liked the lead Detective Sergeant Grant Maddox and his cohorts and look forward to future adventures of this crew.

The synopsis of the book sounded like something I would enjoy so I was excited to start this book but it might have been a little dark for my taste.

I loved the premise of this book - a murderer is dissecting women alive. However, it didn't *quite* live up to the expectations I had.

The writing was very descriptive, almost too descriptive. There was an overuse of adjectives and adverbs. I love the details, but I don't think every moment needed that. Speaking of descriptive - the murders were told in graphic detail. I tend to have a pretty solid stomach, but some moments were a little much for me.

Packwood's knowledge of police procedure was evident and really helped bring the story to life. I enjoyed reading about both DS Maddox and DC Bennett.

The book was good. I just had a bit higher of expectations.

What a truly dark and twisted story we have here. This book is not for everyone and does talk about SA multiple times. Though I get why it was written when someone has been pushed to their limits they change and they become someone else completely. I think that Steve did a great job writing this so that you want to keep going and find out who could do these murders and why. I am interested to see where he goes from here.

Middle-aged women are being dissected while alive and conscious, their bodies subjected to humiliating abuse in The Dissection Murders by Steve Packwood.

Detective Sergeant Grant Maddox sets out to find who and why anyone would commit such a vicious crime against seemingly harmless and inoffensive victims. His investigation, helped by a young colleague, DC Amber Bennett, new to the CID, takes the officers to the dark recesses of the human mind and imagination.

I really liked Amber as a character. While reading the story, I found myself rooting for her. The book is part police procedural and psychological thriller. There were times, though, when I skimmed several pages as a lot of what I felt was unnecessary information added to the story.

Overall, this book is a good introduction to this author. I thought the story was good, it just took a long time to get to the ending. I give this a 3.5 out of 5 stars (rounded to 4).

#TheDissectionMurders #NetGalley @ibpa

I could not connect with the characters or this story and unfortunately had to dnf it. I did not want to leave an unfair review- so I will not post to Goodreads, only leaving feedback here.

This is the first book I have read by this author; so, I wasn’t sure what to expect. What I got was a host of dark and gruesome murders, which are described in an unflinchingly graphic manner, a combination of police procedures and psychological depth, which forms a multi-layered tale, with a strong and likeable lead character. I did, however, find the pace was slow and some of the chapters a little dull with too much detail given – this allowed my mind to wander, and therefore left me unable to fully engage with the book.

What a twist! Women are being dissected while awake and conscience, gruesome murders!
The Dissection murders is such a great thriller that will keep you guessing till the very end!
The beginning was a little difficult to get into, however, it slowly picks up as women are going missing.

Thank you Netgallery and the author for letting me read this early release.

The Dissection Murders (A DS Maddox Novel) by Steve Packwood
Rating: 4/5
Release Date: 13 August 2024

A series of gruesome murders shocks the community as middle-aged women are subjected to live dissection and humiliating abuse. Detective Sergeant Grant Maddox, haunted by ghosts from his past, teams up with rookie DC Amber Bennett to unravel this horrifying case.

Their investigation delves into the darkest corners of human depravity, uncovering unexpected connections between a plane crash in France, an elite school for the privileged, and the mutilated victims. As the case progresses, Maddox's own history threatens to collide violently with the present.

"The Dissection Murders" delivers a gripping, intense thriller that pushes the boundaries of the crime genre. The author crafts a complex narrative that keeps readers guessing until the very end, with an unexpected twist that subverts initial assumptions.

The novel's strength lies in its unflinching approach to dark subject matter. The author doesn't shy away from graphic details, providing a visceral and sometimes uncomfortable reading experience that may not be for the faint of heart. This raw honesty, however, adds to the book's authenticity and impact.

Character development is another highlight. The evolving relationship between Maddox and Bennett adds depth to the story, while glimpses into their personal lives humanise these detectives facing unimaginable horrors. This balance between the professional and personal aspects of the investigators' lives enhances the overall narrative.

The pacing is well-managed, maintaining tension throughout while allowing for necessary exposition and character moments. The interweaving of seemingly disparate elements – the plane crash, the elite school, and the murders – creates an intriguing mystery that keeps readers engaged.

While the graphic nature of the crimes and their description may be too intense for some readers, those who appreciate darker, more challenging crime fiction will find much to admire here. The novel successfully blends procedural elements with psychological depth, creating a multi-layered reading experience.

In conclusion, "The Dissection Murders" is a well-crafted, dark thriller that delivers on its promise of shock and surprise. Its intricate plot, complex characters, and unflinching approach to its subject matter make it a standout in the genre. Recommended for readers who enjoy their mysteries with a hefty dose of psychological horror and aren't afraid to confront the darker aspects of human nature.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Level Best Books | Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Titles, and the author, Steve Packwood, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review.

1⭐️

It sounded so good.

But it was so boring. Who would have thought that a book about a serial killer who dissects his victims alive would be so dull? The writing style is just so meh. I wasn’t glued to the pages, and I got distracted easily. It just felt like such a chore to read.

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

There was not really much I did like to be honest, I just could not get into it. The only thing I did like was the fact there were regular breaks (I think that is what they are called? I call them breaks) in the chapters which helped me regulate where I was.

On the other hand, I did not like Packwood's writing style. I am not saying it is bad, it is just not for me. Because of that I really struggled to get into the book and had to stop myself at chapter 2

Middle-aged women are being dissected whilst alive and conscious, their bodies subjected to humiliating abuse. Detective Sergeant Grant Maddox sets out to find who and why anyone would commit so vicious a crime upon such seemingly harmless and inoffensive victims.
Well this was definitely a creepy book with a bit of gore! But it was a good read! It definitely kept me glued to my kindle! It had suspense, intrigue, murder, mystery, blood and gore, a fantastic who done it that I didn’t get till almost the end! I definitely recommend reading this book! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

Co,plex murder mystery weaving multiple incidents from past and present, the world of privileged elite, where a sense of entitlement in the wrong hands can be a deadly weapon. Strong and varied cast of characters really add to the richness of the story. A bit wordy at times with excess details, but still a good read.

I thought I had this all figured out but the twist was unexpected and the ending very satisfying. This book covers in depth investigation of some very dark crimes and the author does not spare us any of the unpleasant details. I enjoyed the development of the relationships between the characters as well as the peeks into their private lives. The book is well written and well paced and will appeal to those who like their mysteries a little darker than the average offering,

This is not for kiddos lol. Kind of a dark psychological murder mystery. I would recommend if this is your vibe