The Descent

This is the second book in a series featuring DI Louise Blackwell and in The Descent we are once again transported to the seaside town of Weston-super-Mare where similarities in recent deaths pour towards a body count that appears to be growing, although the only clue that all is not what it appears are the notes left with each body saying ‘Death is not the end’.

The book takes us through Blackwell’s investigation into these mysterious deaths before any more come to light, whilst at the same time, we are witnesses to her own personal struggles that are happening within her own family.

Yet again it is Matt Brolly’s characterisation and the highly descriptive writing that shines through and only adds to the intrigue and suspense in this psychological thriller.

I would definitely recommend this book!

In the second book in the DI Louise Blackwell series, the character has begun to hit her stride. Unlike the first book, I was hooked immediately as Louise contends with boredom and loneliness in her exile to Weston-super-Mare as well as increasing family chaos as her brother's personal troubles mount. Called to the scene of a suspicious death, Louise is unwilling to write it off as a simple suicide.and gets drawn into a complicated puzzle that forces her to make tough decisions, both personally and professionally. A solid police procedural.

Thanks to Amazon Publishing and NetGalley for access to a digital ARC.

Another gripping instalment in this series with the return of several characters and a fast paced plot. Louise also has the added pressure of dealing with her brothers ongoing spiral into self destruction.

Love the second book in the series. Just as gripping as the first. Cant wait for the next one in the series. Plenty of twists and turns

Thank you Amazon Publishing for the eARC.
DI Louise Blackwell, in the second of the series, is still in Weston-Super-Mare, where a body of a young woman is found at the bottom a cliff, a probable suicide. When more bodies are found, also possible suicides, Louise is starting to believe there's a link between the deaths, but is frustrated because she and the team can't figure out how the women were connected. She's also concerned about her brother, who is drinking heavily and neglecting his little girl. She's torn between her job and her family's problems, not a good thing for her career.
The charismatic leader of a small group of women plies them with a hallucinogenic and Louise, when he's on her radar, strongly suspects he's the reason for the deaths and is obsessed with stopping him.
This book is fast-paced, tense and sometimes depressing, and I found Louise at times a bit irritating, but I am looking forward to reading no. three in the series.

The Descent is the second book in the DI Louise Blackwell series by Matt Brolly and it is another entertaining and very readable police procedural thriller.

A series of deaths which may or may not be suicides leaves Blackwell and colleagues with a complex investigation simultaneously she is dealing with serious issues in her personal life that impacts on her day to day working.

The author has created a good cast of characters and the story moves along at a pace that keeps the pages turning

Recommended

Police thriller with an unusual twist on a common story. This group of detectives are good together and I look forward to the next instalment.

This is the second outing for Matt Brolly’s latest protagonist, DI Louise Blackwell. A body is found at the foot of a cliff in the coastal town of Weston. Everything points to suicide, there is even a note. Nonetheless Louise does the necessary checks. She is also aware that, just a few months ago, there was a very similar death - also an apparent suicide. But when she compares the suicide notes she realises that they have one line in common “death is not the end.” Interesting! So when a third, similar, death is discovered with a similar note, Louise is certain that they are linked. Unfortunately she has no idea how. An eagle-eyed detective finds CCTV evidence of the woman in the company of a man. Finally - a potential suspect

While this is going on Louise also has to contend with a brother (Paul) who has gone totally off the rails with his drinking - thereby neglecting his five year old daughter and Louise’s niece, Emily. However, when Paul disappears with Emily and nobody knows where they are, or if they are safe, Louise’s stress levels skyrocket. She is torn between her professional and familial responsibilities and is in danger of losing objectivity.

This was a terrific story that could be awfully real, for both plot lines, but I don’t want to give anything away. While suspenseful at times, I did find the narrative a bit repetitive around Louise’s dilemma of job versus family. For an engaging story with realistic and mostly likeable characters, it could have been improved with less repetition and hand-wringing. Nevertheless I really enjoyed reading this.

The Descent by Matt Brolly Second in the series featuring Detective Louise Blackwell. Louise is faced with personal struggles within her family and at work. At times the backstory of Louise's family seems repetitive and distracting from the current investigation. All in all a solid police procedural and a good addition to the series.

Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

Great second installment of DI Louise Blackwell.. Although second in the series it could still be read as a stand alone book.

The Descent was a great mystery novel which I struggled to put down. Whilst facing a challenging series of deaths, Detective Louise Blackwell also faced worsening family drama. An alcoholic brother with his vulnerable daughter take Louise's mind off a case which she needs to focus on.

I struggled to put down this book once I started. The way the narrator switched between Louise and a possible victim made it painful to read Louise's thoughts whilst knowing the answers to many of her questions.

I now need to go back and read the first Louise Blackwell novel, which I foolishly skipped. I am very excited to read any future developments in this series.

The Descent is the second book in the DI Louise Blackwell series by author Matt Brolly. It’s a british police procedural, and a psychological thriller.

It’s now been two years since DI Blackwell got summarily transferred from Bristol’s Major Investigation Team to the small coastal town of Weston-Super-Mare following a deadly setup by her former partner, who was angling for a promotion. Weston-super-Mare is her childhood town, and her parents, her recently widowed brother and her niece all live in the area.

In spite of her success in her first major case six months prior, and a generally supportive DCI, Louise Blackwell still hasn’t put her partner’s treason behind her. She’s as paranoid as when we first met her. As a result, she has trouble making herself at ease with her team. She keeps to herself, hides her personal life from her colleagues, made very few friends among them, and generally trusts no one. Her career has been derailed and, bitter about it, Louise Blackwell would like to get it back on track. All the while, she’s certain other parties will do everything in their power to prevent it. And, as if to prove her right, the harassment from her manipulative narcissistic ex-partner, DCI Finch, starts again. It seems to the reader that she’ll never get rid of him interfering with her life, her team, and her cases.

The new case begins when the body of a young woman is discovered at the foot of a cliff, mere weeks after a similar suicide. When a third woman kills herself in the same fashion, fear of a suicide epidemic creeps in. Then, impossible coincidences link the deaths together, leading them to be all deemed suspicious. But, the investigation of serial deaths all appearing to have been voluntary is tricky. The team has no motive to work from, and no profile of a suspect that might not even exist.

However, the reader gets more insight in these events. Once again, in what seems to be a feature of this series, the perp is known to us from the very start. The narration alternates chapters between DI Blackwell and her team’s investigation, and the point of view of a potential victim to be. We don’t get the point of view of the killer as in the first book. He is nonetheless omnipresent, his strong psychological hold on his entourage weighing heavily even on the reader.

Don’t let the absence of mystery deter you. As with any good Columbo episode, the story is all about the journey, and not the destination.

As I expected, this book proves to be a very welcome return to the town of Weston-super-Mare. The writing and depiction of the locales and inhabitants is as atmospheric as the first time around. The sea, piers, cliffs and islands are as we left them. Adding to the already oppressive mood, voluntarily or not, the victims, the woods, sycamore trees and a mysterious « waiting room » are also highly reminiscent of David Lynch’s masterpiece, Twin Peaks.

The Descent is a deeply psychological thriller, even more so than The Crossing, especially due to the somber motivation and methods of the perpetrator. This psychological aspect bleeds into Louise Blackwell’s personal life, as she cannot help but see parallels between the early lives of the victims and the current situation of her niece, Emily. Unable to cope with the death of his wife, Emily’s father, Paul, fell off the wagon. His alcoholism leads him to neglect his daughter, and his behavior gets increasingly erratic. And, we can guess early that this distressing personal situation won’t be without consequences on Louise Blackwell’s work.

There was only one good possible ending to this story, and Matt Brolly doesn’t disappoint. He leaves us with many questions to ponder, some of an existential nature. As for DI Blackwell and her many problems, the ending only brings us to eagerly expect the next entry in the series.

Thanks to Amazon Publishing’s Thomas & Mercer and Netgalley for the ARC provided in exchange for this unbiased review.

A not uncommon storyline based on the cult suicide/murder theme with a slight twist and based in the UK. Perhaps with the unfortunate demise of her brother, Detective Louise Blackwell will be able to give 100% concentration to any future cases.

This second episode in Matt Brolly's new series featuring DI Louise Blackwell opens with the suicide of a young woman. Louise discovers a number of similarities to an earlier death and is hesitant to sign off the case as a suicide. As she struggles to find more evidence of a link and tries to stop the press sensationalizing the deaths, she is concerned there may be more cases. She's also distracted from the case by her brother Paul's behaviour. Recently widowed, he has taken to drinking during the day and Louise is concerned that her niece, five year old Emily may be at risk.

The unusual plot made for an engaging read with some interesting characters including a young woman who relates some chapters from her point of view. Louise's life needs a bit of improvement. She's lonely and stressed after being moved out of the major incidents team at Bristol to a smaller station at Weston after a dispute with a fellow officer and feels she isn't liked my most of her new colleagues. Her work is also being impacted by worrying about her brother and niece, to the point where it became overly repetitive. The ending of the book suggests that there will be changes for Louise in the future, but whether they will be for better or worse we'll just have to wait and see.

Any book by this author is a good bet. That said, plus the many other helpful reviews of this book, I'll simply recommend this to crime/thriller fans.

I really appreciate the ARC for review!!

I have read the previous book in the series and even though i enjoyed it I feel this outing was much better. I love the main character and the way the investigation was pieced together step by step. I found myself drawn into the story and could not keep away!

This is the second book in the series and as I'd enjoyed The Crossing, I was looking forward to reading The Descent, and it didn't disappoint me. Set in Weston Super Mare we follow DI Louise Blackwell as she tries to work out whether a series of suicides are linked and by whom. While this is going on, in Bristol her brother Paul is imploding, a widower with a small child he is an alcoholic and when he vanishes with his child, Emily, Louise is conflicted.

Loved it

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher I read a free advance review copy of the book. This review is voluntary, honest and my own opinion.

The Descent is the second novel featuring Detective Louise Blackwell, set in Weston super Mare but the good thing with Matt Brollys writing is you could read this as a stand alone novel. if you didn't read the first. This novel features Louises family more, which was good to get a bit more background on the character. Louise also has to deal with a spate of deaths which everyone says is suicide but Louise is sure there is more to it.. I look forward to more soon.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for allowing me to read and review this book.

When Detective Louise Blackwell is called out to where a young woman’s body is found at the base of a cliff, it looks like a case of suicide. After Louise will not let the case be closed, other events bring the verdict into question, and she must lead her team to where they can discover the truth.

Unfortunately, she is also dealing with her brother, who’s life has deteriorated after his wife’s death, and she needs to protect her niece from harm.

This book was not just a British police procedural, as it also takes the reader to a place where struggling, young women who are looking for a way to escape are taken advantage of. Is death the only way out?

This was a well-written story, that leads up to a climactic end, where everyone does not live “happily ever after”!

This is the first book by Matt Brolly I have read. It won't be the last. This is crime fiction of the highest order, written with confidence & originality.
In the seaside town of Weston-super-Mare DI Louise Blackwell is part of a small CID unit. Personal problems with her alcoholic brother are intruding on her professional life.
Three young women have plunged to their deaths from high cliffs in quick succession. Louise is convinced there is a link & is determined to find it.
Her first clue is Ayahuasca, a psychedelic drug that users believe takes them to a higher universe & the guardians of paradise.
The novelist William S. Burroughs believed it could cute his opium addiction in the early 1950s.
Matt Brolly's narrative is tense & gripping, & refreshingly innovative.

Another fantastic book by Matt, a great story set in a great location. It had me gripped till the last page.
Looking forward to reading the next book.

This would have been a great read but for the unecessary repeated element of Louise's inner turmoil re her ability to do her job (once was enough).
I liked:
* the fact she kept seeing Emily in the victims.
* her ability to get people to talk.
My favourite character was the IT man Coulson, his back story was good.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for this ARC.

This is the second book in the DI Blackwell series and my first read by this author. This book can be read on it’s own, although there are references to the first book and previous case, I now want to read the previous book now 😀.

I really liked the main character and her work colleagues. DI Blackwell is investigating a spare of deaths that appear to be be suicide. But all is not as it seems. She also has ongoing problems outside of work with her family life and you see glimpses into her private life. I initially thought the book was a bit of a slow burner, and soon was slowly drawn into the story. I loved the authors writing style, i thought it was very descriptive, the story flowed really well and I liked that some of the scenes were told by the different characters. Once I became hooked, I found this to be a fast paced and thrilling read. There were plenty of twists, some I guessed, some I didn’t. I want to read more books by this author and recommend this one.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Amazon Publishing UK for an advance copy of The Descent, the second novel to feature DI Louise Blackwell, set in Weston-super-Mare.

When a suspected suicide is found at the bottom of a cliff Louise is suspicious as the circumstances, including the suicide note, are very similar to a previous death. When another body is found and the Press have dubbed Weston-super-Mare “suicide by the sea” Louise starts to suspect there may be some kind of cult at work but her mind isn’t entirely on the investigation as her troubled brother, Paul, has disappeared with his young daughter, Emily and he’s in no fit state to look after her.

I enjoyed The Descent which has a stronger plot line and a more compulsive hook than its predecessor, The Crossing, which I wasn’t overly enthused by. It is mostly told from the points of view of Louise Blackwell and Amy, a woman with knowledge of the deaths. I liked the comparison between the two points of view, Louise’s struggle to understand what is happening and Amy’s inner conflict about what she knows to be happening. I think Amy wins the most interesting story competition as her story has the forward momentum while Louise seems stuck in the rut of little knowledge and going over the same things. I also have to say that I found her inaction over he brother’s behaviour less than credible given she is a senior police officer.

Manipulative cults and their leaders are not unknown in crime fiction but I liked the slant the author put on this tale. I found it interesting and strangely compulsive when viewed through Amy’s eyes. I liked her ambivalence, clear sighted one minute and true believer the next. It’s well done. I also really liked the final deconstruction of the leader’s motives and the way it stripped away all the mysticism. That was very satisfying.

The Descent is a good read that I can recommend.

Matt Brolly - you just know when you see he is the author that the book you are about to open is going to tick all of the boxes - a strong story line, well developed characters and that feeling of time well spent as you progress through it.

Another book that just reinforces that expectation.

Wow, this was an incredible book and enjoyed every page!

Louise is making the best of her situation, after being forced out of a previous position but when she thinks that the suicide of young women in her town seem to be staged, it takes all her skill to get to the bottom of it. Coupled with her worry about her brother, who seems to have gotten in over his head, and her adored niece, she has her hands full.

This was an excellent police procedural and the storyline was effortless. I held my breath on numerous occasions and even the ending, as shocking as it was, was something I kinda understood. I got emotionally involved, which is what you want when you read a book.

5 stars from me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer.

DI Louise Blackwell has a lot on her plate. As well as a troubling series of apparent suicides, her brother and young niece go missing and she finds it difficult to concentrate on the ongoing investigation, leading her to make uncharacteristic mistakes.

A number of vulnerable young women are members of an online chat group led by the charismatic and sinister Jay Chappell. As matters develop, Louise discovers that Chappell is not all he claims to be. Events escalate, leading to a dramatic showdown on an abandoned pier.

We are constantly reminded of Louise "seeing" her niece in the young women whose deaths she is investigating, which seems a distraction at times; however, it helps us appreciate how difficult balancing her personal and professional life is.

This is a well-written police procedural and although there isn't as much focus this time on the relationship with Louise's treacherous former colleague, Tim Finch, this suggests unfinished business to come.

I enjoyed reading this book and will be interested to see how the various characters and their relationships develop in the next instalment of the series.

I was sent an advance review copy of this book by Amazon Publishing UK, in return for an honest appraisal.

Really enjoyed this book, definitely as good as the first one in the series. Plenty of twists and turns, had me gripped all the way through. Definitely worth reading

I'm already a big Matt Brolly fan. Love his Michael Lambert series and Louise Blackwell is shaping up to be equally as enjoyable. The mystery around the suicides was an interesting and unusual way to approach this topic and I was captivated from the first page. Louise's private life provides as much interest as the main plot. The troubles with her brother, her worry for her niece, there were times when I wasn't sure who I should be most concerned about. Action packed, full of emotional depth and engaging characters. I can't wait for the 3rd Louise Blackwell book. Plus Mr Brolly does the Audible thing and for that on its own he deserves a round of applause. Get on board with Louise Blackwell now, you can always thank me later.

This is a solid police procedural.

A suicide in Weston-super-Mare isn't particularly suspicious until another one happens and Detective Inspector Louise Blackwell is called to the scene. She starts asking questions, especially once she sees the accompanying farewell note that says 'Death is not the end'.

But she's also distracted by family troubles - an alcoholic brother who's not doing a very good job of looking after his child.

Soon we're introduced to a young woman who's fallen under the spell of a charismatic man who has a whole group of cult-like followers. He gives them a drug that shows them what the 'other side' might look like, and that brings them closer to him. So close he can push them off the edge of a cliff with their consent...

It's an interesting case and kept my attention. Sometimes I found the main character's concerns about her family matters a bit repetitive, but on the whole it was an enjoyable read and I'd come back for another one in the series.

A body is discovered at the foot of a cliff, and then another one and another one. Detective Inspector Blackwell knows that it cannot be a coincidence, but then a personal problem is getting in her way. She needs to find her missing brother with his daughter.
Thank you Netgalley and thanks to the Publisher for this opportunity.

The Descent is the second book to feature Detective Louise Blackwell. I really enjoyed the first one but this one not so much. It's a good, solid police procedural but I felt there was too much time spent on Louise's family background, which became a bit repetitive and distracted from the main story. The plot centres around vulnerable young women in an online chat group and is fast paced, although a bit depressing at times. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

THE DESCENT by Matt Brolly is a police procedural and the second book in the Detective Inspector (DI) Louise Blackwell series. It is set most in and near Weston-super-Mare in England. This series is best read in order. Louise’s background is shared in book one and helps shed light on her situation and mind-frame in book two. The story has two points of view; that of Louise and a few chapters from Amy’s POV. Amy works at a diner, lives in a run-down bedsit, and is grappling with grief.

When multiple suicides occur, DI Blackwell is called to the scene. When it appears that they may be linked, Louise works hard to discover what is occurring while trying to balance that with family troubles. The work/life balance that she faces is what many workers face every day. This added to the realism and kept me thoroughly engaged in both facets of her life.

The plot is driven by the police working through the clues. There is a lot more going on under the surface. The mystery around the suicides was somewhat unique and different from many other books using this type of story line. Other themes running through the story line include work relationships, the drive to succeed, grief, loneliness, friendship, family, alcoholism, drugs, gambling and much more.

The characters are compelling, fascinating, and felt three-dimensional. There was enough at stake to keep me engaged throughout the story. The world-building was absolutely fantastic and gave a clear sense of place. While the main mystery and the family issues were resolved in the book, there are several open threads for future books in the series.

Overall, the plot was creative, absorbing and well-paced. I would recommend it to those that enjoy police procedurals and British crime dramas. I look forward to reading the next book in this series as well as checking out this author’s DCI Michael Lambert series.

Thanks to Amazon Publishing UK and Matt Brolly for a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley and the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.

DI Louise Blackwell #2

Set in Weston-Super-Mare: A body has been discovered st the foot of a cliff just months after a near identical tragedy. DI Louise Blackwell doesn't believe it could be a coincidence. There's a note next to the body that echoes the one found beside the first: Death is not the end. How many more will die before Louise can find out who is behind it all.

Louise is convinced there is a link to the women's deaths and she is determined to find out what it is. She's also dealing with her brother eh is on a downward spiral after the death of his wife. This is a well written police procedural. I haven't read the first book in this series but it did read well as a standalone. This story is told from Louise and Amy's point of view. This was an interesting read due to its unusual plotline.

The Descent is the second in the series of books featuring DI Louise Blackwell, I haven’t read the first, and it can certainly be read as a stand-alone novel as it has several references to the first and gives a background as to how Louise is in her current situation as Detective Inspector of a quiet team in Weston-super-Mare.
It is a brilliant book, the characters are so great and the plot is very original.
DI Louise Blackwell is battling with the most complex case since her placement in Weston-super-Mare and feels guilt that she cannot give the time she would like to her personal life when her family need her.
The case involves apparent suicides. How are they connected? Are they suicides are is foul play involved? What can Louise do to stop any more people dying? Will she be able to help her own family as well at the same time as protecting the community at large?
A very good book, so well written and very original.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for a Kindle copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is the second book featuring DI Louise Blackwell, who is based in Weston-Super-Mare. This time she is convinced that the supposed suicides of two young women are connected. She is also concerned for her brother Paul, and her niece, Emily. Paul was widowed a few years ago, and isn’t handling it well.

I read the first book in this series, and was glad that I had done so. I like the premise of this main character as a woman in a decidedly mans world and the setting for this book is very well written. However, I couldn’t quite empathise with Louise, and felt slightly irritated by her at times. But there was definitely enough intrigue in it to make me want to finish the story, and the other characters are developing nicely. I didn’t see the twist at the end coming and I look forward to reading the next in the series

Thanks to netgalley and the publishers for an ARC in return for an honest opinion..

Looking for a solid police procedural with a female lead? I've got 2 for you today, and this is the first! While this is a newer series, I've been a big fan of the DI Lambert series for years, and this series is a natural flow from it. Probably because of his law degree, Brolly always gives us a look at both sides of the mystery at hand, and this book sticks to that idea. Louise has to put aside her family issues to try to work out a pattern with the suicides, so that they can hunt for the true killer. it's a furtive game of cat and mouse, and how we all have blinders and misconceptions. A fast read, it's perfect for staycation reading!

A good mystery, fast paced, gripping and entertaining. Great characters, a plot that kept me hooked, and the solid mystery kept me guessing.
It's the first book I read in this series and won't surely the last.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

This is author Matt Brolly's second book in the DI Louise Blackwell series. I dived right in, not having read #1 in the series. There were several references to Louise's history from the previous book, which has necessitated her move to the small English coastal town of Weston-Super-Mare. Having become intrigued in Louise's story, and liking the writer's style, I will go back and read #1 in the series.

A body is found at the base of one of the cliffs in the town of Weston and there is a suicide note, "Death is not the End." The first death is taken as a suicide, but when an eerily similar suicide happens again, DI Blackwell begins to suspect there is more at play here. Meanwhile she is experiencing serious stress on the homefront. Her recently widowed brother, Paul, has taken to drinking heavily and he is the sole caregiver for his daughter Emily. Both Louise and her parents are troubled by Paul's behavior and begin to wonder, is there more behind this than what meets the eye?

The author skillfully unfolds each layer of the story as Louise uncovers it so that the reader is drawn in and feels like a part of the case. There is a cult-like leader who wields influence over a group of women followers through his charasmatic and sexual presence, as well as carefully dispensing the tea, ayahausca, which gives the followers an otherworldly high.

I enjoyed watching this case unfold with it's two concurrent story lines: DI Louise Blackwell's police case, which has it's fill of drama and backstabbing fellow officers, as well as her personal story with the brother. This is a great book for those who enjoy police procedurals and stories set in British settings. I will look forward to following her story.

Thank you to NetGalley, Amazon--Thomas & Mercer Publishers, and author Matt Brolly for allowing me an ARC of this book.

Well written, intelligent police procedural with fabulously real characters and a very involving plot. I love the Weston Super Mare setting and how big a part it plays throughout the book. DI Louise Blackwell is a breath of fresh air, with no 'over the top' personality traits or habits. All of Matt Brolly's books are worth reading, but I would recommend reading the different series in chronological order.

A woman is found at the bottom of a cliff. General consensus is that this is a case of suicide. DI Louise Blackwell isn't convinced. Next to the body is a note ... Death is not the end.

Months earlier, another young woman was found at the bottom on a different cliff.. and there was a note there, too.

Blackwell is certain that someone is behind these acts, someone pulling the strings turning these cases into murder. How many others have not been discovered ... or marked as suicides? How many more will follow?

When a third woman is found, Blackwell sets her eyes on what she feels is the prime suspect. But she has no proof .. and no one is talking.

Simultaneously, Blackwell has family issues. Her brother has been drinking quite heavily since the death of his wife, and his young daughter is bearing the brunt of his negligence.

The plot is tightly woven between the deaths and Blackwell's personal life. It's well written with a twist that is totally unexpected. The characters are deftly drawn and I loved the interaction between Louise and her family, and the women and the prime subject.

Many thanks to the author / Amazon Publishing / Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

This is a really good compelling read. I loved the characters and the plot and the setting. I really enjoyed the first book in the series and I would recommend both books. I looking forward to seeing how the series and the lives of the main characters develop.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

My first time reading this author and I was very impressed. Detective Louise Blackwell is a tough cookie although at times, she seemed to be overwhelmed with her personal life and her job. I've read quite a few books where the female investigator is made out to be super woman enduring both physical and mental pain.

The storyline dealt with a Jim Jones kind of character. As a matter of fact, the very idea of cults scare me to death! To know that one single person can have total control over an individual is pretty scary and knowing that there are people out there who are so easily lead into whatever cult leader wants.

Blackwell doesn't rely on what she sees in one victim and therefore doesn't make quick decisions as to results. When a second case pops up, her radar kicks in and from then on it gets quite intense. My recommendation is to read the book! You will like it!

Thrilling, original and a bloody good read!!


I couldn't put this book down, reading it in two sessions with only a short sleep getting in the way.

Matt Brolly has produced an original, innovative police procedural that keeps the reader on edge all the way through. DI Louise Blackwell is faced with a quandary; a group of young women are committing suicide in Weston-super-Mare. Is this coincidence or are there darker forces at work? At the same time, her brother, a recovering alcoholic, has relapsed taking his young daughter away with him.

The scene is set for a wonderfully tense story, as the crimes escalates and DI Blackwell is faced with a terrible dilemma.

Matt Brolly handles the tension beautifully, showing immense skill in balancing all the different elements of the story, peeling back layer upon layer until the truth is finally revealed.

In the crowded world of crime thrillers, this is refreshingly imaginative, wonderfully written, unusual and superbly paced. I wish I'd written it....

The Descent isn't your run of the mill whodunnit police detective stories. This book is darker than an all black nightmare. Sometimes, an act of compassion or hate is all it takes to tip the scales, to make or break a person. Be kind. You don't know what other people are going through, what demons they are trying to subdue.

Louise Blackwell is struggling. Her brother, who lost his wife fairly recently is drinking heavily & she & her parents are worried about how her niece is being cared for. At work things have not been easy since she was posted to Weston super Mare after a case went wrong. However she knows that was not her fault & she will always try her best to get justice for victims. When the body of a young girl is found at the base of a cliff, suicide is the first thought. However Louise is not convinced. A note finishing with'Death is not the end'in more than one case she is sure she is onto something.

The story is told from Louise's perspective & from the perspective of Amy- a lonely depressed young woman who grieves for the death of the baby she gave up.

This is a fast paced police procedural with interesting characters. It is the second in the series & is best read in order although it would work as a 'stand alone' only maybe not so well. I really enjoyed it & look forward to the next one. Thanks to Netgalley & te publisher for letting me read & review this book.

I really enjoyed this book! I read the first of the series earlier this year and wanted to find out what happened with Louise and her brother etc... this one had a great storyline which kept me interested all the way through! I’m really liking Louise plus colleagues, family and friends so hope theirs a third book coming out soon.

The book asks, did she jump, did she not? What are the strange notes?

The book is well-crafted as there is time to get to know the area, the characters and the story feels really well developed.

The prologue gives a great feel to Weston-Super-Mare, the setting of this book. So, even, if you haven’t physically travelled there before, you certainly can with ease with this book.

Amy Carlisle is one of the main characters , who is also within a group with Jay and Megan. Megan has been sleeping rough in Bristol (perfectly reasonable to travel from Bristol to Weston-Super-Mare).
Jay, Megan and Amy belong to a group to talk about their experiences of homelessness over tea that is not your normal breakfast tea and has unusual, interesting effects. It’s a great beginning to set the scene and introduce the chararcters before, in chapter one, readers meet, DI Louise Blackwell and her niece – Emily and within this family there’s domestic strife as all isn’t as harmonious as it could be.

The unfolding story is emotional and is well-written as it throws up social issues and also the crime itself, all intertwined to paint a picture of what’s really going on in terms of the mystery and today’s society.

There’s a body of a young woman discovered, presumed suicide by jumping, since a note is left. The crime scene on the backdrop of the sea and sand of Weston-Supermare creates a good setting and pace, which makes it a book that you can sit back and relax with. The characters are ones that it was a pleasure to get to know and there’s a nice building up of the town and the areas where the book is set. There are also little bits about issues, such as the run-down high street that is thought-provoking of some human activity as it shows it used to be busy but hardly anyone uses it anymore, so it became shabby and many shops closed.
As the story moves on, so does the body count and the notes as the intrigue builds to whether notes that have also appeared before are connected or not. Matt Brolly is good at creating the mood and really humanising his characters with emotion and natural worry in case mistakes were made and wraps them all up well amongst the case itself.

The writing is well-rounded and done well, with characters to really get into and there’s enough to keep people guessing. It does feel between police procedural and thriller in some ways in its detailing, but all the same, it is a book that readers can really get into and makes the writing well rounded. It also means you can really get to know the surroundings, the issues and the people that make up this story in Weston-Super-Mare.

This is the second book featuring DI Louise Blackwell by Matt Brolly. Set in Weston Super Mare, Louise who has recently transferred to Weston is investigation a series of suicides. The suicides, all women, have the same tag line in their suicide note. What makes it worse; these women all want to die, but are they doing so willingly?? Great police procedurals and lots of clues. I loved this book, well written and have characters that you can relate to. Louise also has family problems, her brother Paul, recently bereaved is having trouble coping alone with his young daughter Emily. Very Gripping and sad. There should be an addendum of the Samaritans phone number, for those affected by this storyline. A must read. I will be reading the first in this series and future novels by this author.

Again Matt Brolly has done it for me. I am truly enjoying these who done it's. If you love a good detective novel this is yours! This book could be read as a stand alone, they do give you enough back story to more forward. But I recommend starting with the first book. Some of the pieces will fit much better.

EXCERPT: From her spot on the dry grass of the churchyard, Amy glanced at Jay,trying not to make it look obvious. He was older than everyone else in the group and certainly more relaxed. There was an easiness to his long-limbed body; a sense of grace that belonged to a dancer. He sat on the other side of the fire, his arms wrapped around Claire. This in itself didn't mean that Claire would be chosen tonight, but if last month's events were anything to go by then she would be the one. The thought brought with it a mixture of jealousy and relief. Amy's time would come, but sitting here overlooking the town with its glittering lights, the sea for once at full tide, she began to doubt herself.

ABOUT THIS BOOK: In the quiet coastal town of Weston-super-Mare, a body is discovered at the foot of a cliff just months after a near-identical tragedy—and Detective Inspector Louise Blackwell can’t believe it could be a coincidence.

Next to the body, she discovers a note that echoes one found beside the first: Death is not the end. Louise is certain that behind these desperate acts someone is pulling the strings, but how many more will plunge to their demise before she can find out who—and why?

Struggling to stay focused under the strain of her troubled brother’s disappearance with his young daughter, Louise hits a much-needed breakthrough when a third tragedy points to the involvement of a charismatic cult leader. The suspect is within her sights, but he knows she’s on to him…

Short on proof and with the body count rising, can Louise intercept his deadly mission—or has she taken on an unbeatable foe?

MY THOUGHTS: The Descent by Matt Brolly is the second book in his Detective Louise Blackstock series. I have read the majority of Brolly's books and loved his DI Michael Lambert series. Unfortunately I was not so impressed by The Crossing, the first in the Louise Blackstock series, and I am even less impressed with the Descent.

The story is told by Louise, struggling with both family issues and her career. I made the comment in my review of The Crossing that I didn't find the characters well depicted. I felt no connection to any of them and Louise's whining inner monologue on Finch and his past treatment of her quickly became wearing. In fact, she is pretty stereotypical of the current trend in female detectives... I see no reason to change one word of that comment in regards to The Descent.

Louise spends a lot of time engaging in 'naval gazing' and 'if only I had/hadn't....' which quickly becomes tiresome in its repetitiveness. There's no development of any of the supporting characters, even the thread involving her family is repetitive. Now even I am becoming repetitive. Maybe it's catching!

Despite the claim on the cover, this is definitely not a thriller. I found it slow moving and lacking in suspense.

I expected more from Matt Brolly, and I won't be reading any more of this particular series. Which doesn't mean that I won't be reading other books by this author.

🤦‍♀️🤷‍♀️.6

THE AUTHOR: Following his law degree where he developed an interest in criminal law, Matt Brolly completed his Masters in Creative Writing at Glasgow University. Matt lives in London with his wife and their two young children.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Amazon Publishing UK via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of The Descent by Matt Brolly for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

For an explanation of my rating system, please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com

This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage

A second book in the DI Blackwell series set in Weston super Mare.

This time round she is investigating a spate of apparent suicides - young women with little reason to live are found with traces of a drug called DMT present in their bodies.

They are also connected via IT but mysteriously the police never follow up this link at all but pursue a much more random and somewhat fortuitous line of inquiry to make the necessary connection.

Meantime Louise’s brother Paul has gone off the rails again and her niece Emily could be in danger.

I enjoyed the set of familiar characters rather more than the plot which was miserable and stretched the bounds of credibility even more than the first book.

A good holiday read none the less. Thanks to NetGalley for a free copy in exchange for a fair review.

The Descent is the second book in the DI Louise Blackwell series. I picked this book up without realizing that, but I never felt lost. Now I want to go back and read book 1. DI Blackwell is a strong female lead with a little baggage....a newly widowed brother, over-caring parents and a young niece that needs Louise as a positive role model. Her boss is compassionate but stern, and her immediate team members would take a bullet for her.
There are women apparently committing suicide and it’s DI Blackwell’s job to figure out why there is this frightening trend. While enmeshed in this mystery, she’s dealing with some very personal family issues that she tries to keep close to the vest, but could it be to her detriment?
I enjoyed Book 2, and will go back and read book 1 right now!

I felt this was a thought-provoking book about mental illness and how a controlling individual made the characters feel they were being helped to take control of their lives when, in reality, the controlling personality was covering up his hatred of people, especially women. It was sad to think that the sufferers of mental health problems did not have the capacity to seek help from professional health carers. A sad indictment of our health systems as a whole.

This is the second book in the series featuring Di Louise Blackwell. I hadn’t read the first one but it could be read as a stand-alone. The story is based on young women committing suicide but is it suicide? Louise is investigating the case as well as coping with problems in her family life. The story is told from Louise’s perspective with chapters from Amy, a depressed lonely young woman. I must admit I found the book very slow and depressing. Not one for me I’m afraid.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

There’s a spate of women committing suicide in Weston-super-Mare, but was it suicide or something else? So much about this book is depressing, even the descriptions of the town itself. Inspector Louise was annoying with the decisions she made, the way she didn’t always have her full mind on the job at hand. The side story with her brother and niece was predictable and boring. I won’t be bothering with anymore in this series.

Louise Blackwell makes for an engaging protagonist, and the beautiful and atmospheric setting is an added bonus. In this book we learn more about what makes Louise tick. Conflicted and intriguing in equal measure, Detective Louise Blackwell of the Avon & Somerset Police is fast becoming a favourite series character of mine in this her second outing. Louise is fighting herself in this novel, trying to be there 100% for her work as well as for her family. As one would expect, she fails and mistakes are made. It is distressing to realize that Louise does not trust her own judgement.

This plot featured social outcasts and a charismatic man who preyed upon their vulnerabilities. It was so disturbing to be reminded that there are many people we see every day who are 'invisible', people who have no one to really miss them if they were to disappear.... How lonely and desperate they must be.

The setting - Weston-super-Mare, a seaside tourist town in Somerset, England and the backstory of the protagonist added much to the narrative.

In case you haven't yet guessed, I loved "The Descent" just as much as its predecessor "The Crossing", and can't wait to read the next novel in the Louise Blackwell series which is called "The Gorge". Highly recommended!

The Descent by Matt Brolly is the second book in the Detective Inspector Louise Blackwell Series and I have loved this series so far. Its full of twists and turns throughout and have you gripped from the very beginning.
I love the Detective Inspector Louise Blackwell character.

I highly recommend this series.

Big thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for allowing me to read and review this book.

Great thriller that kept me turning the pages. Great story, great writing and characters. Really enjoyable and would read this author again.

I enjoyed this book, although it does deal with a difficult theme. It was tense and gripping throughout, with a few good twists near the end.