The Darkness Within

A four out of five. I loved the story but didn’t engage with the main characters. I know this is the latest in a series and I would read future books but I’m in no rush to read the earlier ones.
The story looks at the ramifications of past crimes and who investigated them. Is there a serial killer today that coincidentally is killing people linked with past misdemeanours or is somebody exacting revenge.
The story itself is brilliant, I loved it, but that hook of feeling empathy with the main characters in a series was missing for me.

I don't like joining a series other than from book one, so I was pleased to find the first two books available online at 99p each.

I enjoyed both of those and the characters grew on me, so I was looking forward to reading book 3.

Like the previous two, it is a strong story, with believable characters. I felt perhaps that there was a bit of a push at the walls of police procedure and a slight lack of realism with some elements of the story, but not enough to ruin the experience as a reader.

if you don't like your books to be too dry, then this is a pleasantly paced story that will please you.

Finding the body of a former member of the Met with their throat slit is guaranteed to result in a high level investigation. An older man beaten to within an inch of his life on a quiet London street, not so much. If they are connected how do you prove it if only one crime is receiving the attention it deserves? 

This is the problem DI Matt Denning finds himself facing as he tries to keep working on both cases much to the irritation of his senior officers. Meanwhile DS Molly Fisher is concerned for the safety of a vulnerable young man who, she is sure, knows far more than he is telling about a quite horrific historical crime with links to the present day. Add to this a new DCI who wants a far more active role than is usual and life is getting very stressed for the entire team.

Once again Graeme Hampton has written a first class novel showing the darker side of London and the secrets it holds. Denning and Fisher are unusual in that both are excellent officers who let others persuade them not to follow their instincts. This time their insecurities are delved into in detail which adds extra depth to an already excellent series of books.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the opinions expressed are my own. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am sure others will too.

A DI Denning and DS Fisher police procedural that moves along at a measured pace with the murder of an ex- detective with a dodgy past and the beating of a seemingly quiet academic the centre of the action. Without any apparent connection the investigation seems stymied but doubts surrounding the beaten victim start to reveal connections and the tale accelerates nicely as the revelations pile up. The appearance of a reformed east end villain from a previous episode is used as a potential red herring and he is left standing for a future episode!

Thank you Netgalley for the advance copy m a man is discovered in a dingy flat in North London with his throat cut and tape over his mouth. DI Matt Denning is called to the scene and the victim is quickly named as a former DCI at the Met. Denning and his team including DS Molly Fisher start digging. They discover shocking crimes dating back 30 years involving very influential people. A face paced brilliant read.

This has been an interesting read, I had no idea that this was part of a series but I don't feel as though I have missed out.

I have really enjoyed the writing style in this one. It has been an easier read than I had initially anticipated.

The plot for this book had great potential, however I do feel that something was missing. I have enjoyed the plot and the mix of corrupt characters has been interesting.

I do adore the cover of this one, it is definitely an attention grabbing cover which makes you want to know more.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Hera Books for an advance copy of The Darkness Within, the third novel to feature DI Matt Denning and DS Molly Fisher of The Met’s East London MIT.

A decomposing body is found in a rundown flat and is quickly identified as former DCI Frank Buckfield, a former star of The Met. Then a man is seriously injured in an attack outside his home, but he’s not who he claims to be, a man who went missing twenty years ago. What links these cases? There are several possibilities but it looks like someone is trying to keep the past hidden.

I enjoyed The Darkness Within which has a multi-stranded plot that comes together cleverly over the course of the novel. There is little pizzazz to the novel, more hard graft and a gradual connection of facts and theories. I enjoy the grind of a police procedural and find the methodology/construction fascinating as it allows me construct my own theories as the plot progresses. I like that the narrative is told entirely from the investigative point of view, in this case Denning and Fisher, as I have no more information than they do to speculate with. In this case I didn’t get much right ahead of time but I had fun trying. As I said the plot is multi-stranded and gets quite intricate in how it comes together and is further complicated by the historical elements where it is hard to prove allegations and easy for suspects to twist their story to fit their narrative of innocence. I was impressed by the way this is done, plausible and almost impossible to disprove, providing some insight into the problems real life investigations face. It should be noted that some elements of this novel are based on recognisable events.

I like Denning and Fisher who go all in on their investigations, taking no nonsense from anyone. In policing circles this could be viewed as insubordination but to me they have rather archaic views on what merits respect.

The Darkness Within is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.

Books that expose the seedier side of life and historic crimes of the like featured in The Darkness Within are a fabulous tool for raising awareness - neatly wrapped up in a gripping crime thriller! Well done, Graeme Hampton for featuring this subject matter.

The book follows the lives of Denning and Molly as they work to solve two apparently unrelated cases. In their pursuit of answers, they both inadvertently wander into murky waters - Denning truly by accident and Molly because she seems to seek out the most dangerous path!

There were times when the police procedural side of the story felt dreadfully concerning - they seem to all pull against each other at times rather then working as a team. It makes for scandalous reading, even if I wouldn't want them the be the team fighting in my corner!

Denning's family and friendships all felt a little cold to me. Molly's home life on the other hand is nothing short of a conundrum - it is hard to picture someone like her, so determined, dogged and full of inquiry, putting up with Jon. But then again, she is clearly a good lady with a good heart and who can blame her for feeling like she owe's it to him to stay? 

Colin's character, his history and his predicament felt all too real and tragic, the ills we suffer in childhood certainly do shape our future.

This is quite different to the previous book in the series. It very much focuses on the investigative side so not quite as much action although there was enough to make sure it is still an engrossing read.

Molly becomes fixated on the disappearance of a male from years before which has repercussions on her job. What I love about Molly is that she isn't afraid of going above and beyond in her role. Where as Denning tends to do everything by the book, she is a bit more of a live wire which makes things so much more interesting. Without a doubt she is may favourite between the two but Denning does come a close second.

My feelings for certain characters altered the further into the story I got and as certain revelations come to light. There are a fair few secrets and lies being covered up of which someone is determined to keep them that way and will stop at nothing to ensure they do. There is certainly an air of danger throughout.

The Darkness Within was quite a sombre read due to the nature of the storyline. How it all ends, affected me more than I had expected as like Molly, certain characters had got under my skin more than I realised. This meant that the story and characters stayed with me long after I had finished reading which is definitely a sign of a good writer. A solid and enjoyable read.

A hard-hitting graphic police procedural that was gripping, entertaining and very cleverly portrayed all sides of the Police and their working processes. This came across as a standalone even though it's part of a series and it packs a punch. The author doesn't hold back with the tension nor the surprises.

This is Graeme's best yet because it kept me hooked on the murderer's intentions and had me guessing. A complete edge of your seat read!

The Darkness Within by Graeme Hampton is the third book in the the series that features DI Matthew Denning and DS Molly Fisher. This is a series that can be read as a standalone but, believe me, by the time you have read this, the other two will be in your sights.
In this particular instalment there is a man found fighting for his life after being brutally beaten up.DI Denning and his team are on the case immediately. The victim is a man who was reported missing 20 years ago, according to his name...but the actual man in the hospital bed is not the missing man. Then an ex- copper, a star of the met back in the day is discovered in a manky flat with his throat cut and decomposed.
Denning and Fisher begin to investigate both cases and as they get deeper they find links between the two men that lead back to a wall of silence that hides deep and dark crimes. As they attempt to track a killer they find they are up against a psychopath who is willing to kill to keep the secrets exactly that...secrets. Will they be able to find the truth before they become victims themselves?
A fabulous thriller! Graeme Hampton as always manages to create a twisty, tense story. His characters and his writing have you turning the pages in anticipation of what will happen next. The team have a lot to deal with, red herrings, sly witnesses, coppers that aren't exactly on the straight and narrow and to top it off they even have to handle the politicians that aren't exactly top drawer. If you like your thrillers realistic and gritty here you are and my advice is...try it!
Thanks to Book On The Bright Side,Hera Books and NetGalley for the copy of the book for my review today.

‘The Darkness Within’ is the third book in the series to feature Detective Inspector Denning and Detective Sergeant Fisher. I read and loved the previous two books in the series and once I saw the synopsis for ‘The Darkness Within’, I instantly knew that I had to read this book as soon as possible and that I was going to be in for a treat. I was spot on because I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘The Darkness Within’ but more about that in a bit.
The synopsis of ‘The Darkness Within’ was enough to capture my attention and the story within the covers of the books sealed the deal as it were. To say that reading ‘The Darkness Within’ became addictive was an understatement. This book was on my mind irrespective of whether or not I actually had the book in my hand. If I wasn’t reading the book, I was thinking about it and if I had to put the book down for any great length of time then I would immediately look forward to being able to pick the book up again. The deaths intrigued me and I felt compelled (in the nicest possible way) to keep reading to see if my suspicions as to who the murderer was and their motivation were anywhere near the truth or if I had the wrong end of the stick entirely. I found this to be a gripping read, which kept me guessing and it kept me on the edge of my seat throughout.
‘The Darkness Within’ is well written but then I have thought that to be true of the first two books in the series. Graeme has created a tense and dramatic plot, which will keep you guessing and which has more twists an turns to it than you could imagine. For me, the story is perfectly paced- the story starts with a bang, hits the ground running and maintains a fairly fast pace throughout. I loved the two lead characters who are excellent detectives who are not averse to defying orders from their superiors. In a way they are like rebels.
In short I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘The Darkness Within’ and I would recommend it to other readers. I will definitely be reading more from Graeme Hampton in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.

The Darkness Within by Graeme Hampton
D.I. Denning and D.S. Fisher #3

Interesting twists and turns abound in this intriguing police procedural that has the team dealing with a murder that leads back to crimes from long ago.

What I liked:
* D.I. Matt Denning: didn’t see a lot of his private life but enjoyed seeing him interact with his team, his wife, and others that he encountered on the job and elsewhere
* D.S. Molly Fisher: tenacious policewoman willing to help as s he solves cases. I enjoyed seeing her relationship with colleagues, her significant other, and those that she helped.
* The team: there is much to learn about the team as the series continues
* The police procedural aspects of the story
* The twists and turns and unexpected surprises
* That the bad guys were unearthed…mostly
* That there might be justice even decades after a crime was committed
* The complexity of the story and how all the threads wove together seamlessly by the end of the book
* Wondering about what will come next in the series
* The believability of the plot
* That there was a firm conclusion – no cliffhanger
* Wondering if Alfie Kane will ever be arrested
* That there is another book to look forward to in the future.

What I didn’t like:
* Knowing that the crimes in this story do occur in real life
* The ripple effect crime has on people and communities
* Saying goodbye to the characters and having to wait awhile for the next book

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Definitely

Thank you to NetGalley and Hera for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars

This the first time I have read a book by this author, starting part way through a series is never the best idea but I do have to say that these books well as a stand-alone. The obvious benefit of reading in order means that you get to know the characters traits and how they interact, I soon found myself getting to grip with these as I read.

This story starts with the discovery of a body, that of an ex DCI. The crime is murder, the reasons for it are not easy to come by for DI Denning and his team. This case will test them all and when results are slow to come the hierarchy do what they do best and add unnecessary pressure. Another similar murder and some accusations and rumours start to emerge of historic crimes that may have been covered-up start to emerge.

I really enjoyed this book, it is not a fast-paced story and this was good for me as I got to know more about the characters as while they were dealing with the cases before them. Sometimes it is nice to get into a more detailed book as far as the investigation, the characters and the storyline goes. As the characters are new to me I did occasionally forget who was who, but this didn't stop any enjoyment. The investigation is a slower more dogged one, knowing that something isn't right and proving it are two very different things and this kind of sums up the story in a way. Finding the evidence, connecting the dots and proving that your gut instinct is correct provides a very gripping read.

I really liked this and yes I do wish I had read the previous books, this is a series I do think I will keep going with. I really enjoyed the mix or current crimes with links to historical ones, the power struggles and how the case was worked through and sorted. A crime, with a strong police procedural and more of mystery aspect rather than a full-on crime thriller and one I would definitely recommend it.

The Darkness Within is the third instalment in the DI Matt Denning and DS Molly Fisher series, set in and around London. Fisher has recently been promoted from regular CID and has taken her place alongside colleagues, including DI Denning, in the East London Major Investigation Team (MIT), aka The Murder Squad. DI Denning is called out to a second floor flat on the Bedgebrook Estate in Hackney, notorious for drugs, violence and gangland activity. A battered old leather armchair by the window in the living room holds the body of an elderly man whose throat has been slit from ear to ear. The victim was in his late seventies, emaciated and Crime Scene Manager Sheila Gorton estimates he's been dead for up to a fortnight. According to council records the flat had been leased to one Joseph Jupp who the police assume was subletting to the victim as Jupp was only in his thirties. It isn't long before Gorton finds the victim's wallet complete with identification hidden in a tin in a kitchen cupboard. The name on the bus pass reads Frank Buckfield. An ex-DCI but what exactly happened to him to end up murdered in a squalid flat? Unfortunately, on the estate they subscribe to the Three Wise Monkeys principle - see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil - making door to door enquiries pretty much useless. Meanwhile, back at the station, the team are all in the conference room where their new DCS, Ian Harrison, is introducing himself to his colleagues.

Interrupting the gathering, Denning announces that local CID has just informed him of a serious assault, and possible attempted murder, that had just taken place in Islington. 24 Arundel Road near Highbury was a pretty swish area and when Denning and DS Deepak Neeraj arrive they are greeted by CID Detective DS Anna Klein, the one who called it in. The victim is David Cairns who has been taken by ambulance to the hospital with suspected concussion, internal bleeding and a few broken bones. A man was seen running away from the scene and if the paramedics hadn't arrived when they did he would likely be dead from the injuries sustained. Who would beat a man within an inch of his life in broad daylight in a nice neighbourhood? It becomes apparent the crimes are linked and both relate back to historical incidents from years earlier. Who is the perpetrator with a taste for revenge and can they apprehend him before he kills someone else? This is a compulsive and captivating read with plenty of action, mystery, crazy plot twists and a killer out for blood. The fact that it was told from Denning and Fisher’s perspectives made it all the more immersive, and I enjoyed learning more about each of them as people and not just investigators. The way the multilayered plot unravels and the two crimes become intertwined is well thought out and kept me riveted throughout. It's a propulsive and absorbing addition to a gritty series that is swiftly becoming unmissable. Highly recommended.

This is the first book I have read by this author and, if I hadn’t been told it was part of a series, I would not have known simply from reading it. The fact I hadn’t read the previous books did not detract from my understanding or enjoyment of this book at all, it works perfectly as a standalone.

The book pulled me in to the story immediately, opening as it does with the rather gory discovery of the dead body of a retired police officer. From the very beginning, the author does not hold back from giving us a graphic insight in to the way a police investigation works, the pleasant and very unpleasant together. This was the most appealing part of the book to me, looking at how investigations are really happen and how the police have to juggle demands on their time, decide what to prioritise, and how those decisions can be political rather than in the best interests of the victims. It’s very sobering, to be honest.

At the beginning there seem to be two separate crimes to be investigated, one of which is more important to the top brass than the other. Luckily, the two voices we hear from throughout the book, DI Denning and DS Fisher, are not above ignoring orders from above if it goes against their instincts, and they seem to each have a good nose for something fishy, as well as a tenacity in getting to the bottom of a crime. They are the kind of police you would want on your case if you ever needed them.

I found the book very compelling. It was extremely easy to read, and gripping enough to make me race through the pages, so that several hours flew by like minutes. I absolutely love it when a book draws you so far in to the world the author has created between the pages that you are fully living it and don’t want to be pulled out. Honestly, this is one of the best examples of the genre I have read for a while and I look forward to going back and reading the preceding books in the series. I thought the two main characters were well developed and interesting enough to easily carry the story and I really enjoyed getting to know them personally as well as professionally.

An all-round great story which will keep you engrossed and entertained for however long it takes you to read it. Highly recommended as a great distraction in these lockdown days.

3.5/5 stars - rounded up for rating

Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for the free ebook copy in exchange for my honest review

If you’re a fan of police procedurals then this is the series you need to get into! Once again I found myself jumping into a series without starting at the beginning, but with crime fiction series that usually doesn’t cause too much of a problem. THE DARKNESS WITHIN is book three in the DI Denning and DS Fisher series, but it can definitely be read as a standalone. Of course, we’ll be missing some of the character development from the first two books, but I feel like the author did a good job bringing us up to speed.

This is a pretty straight forward police procedural. Nothing too drawn out or technical, but not too crazy of a thriller. I feel like this had a great balance and didn’t have a lull in the pacing like some in the genre can have. While I would have enjoyed a little more background on our main investigators, I think the author gave us enough information to get a little invested in them! The little twists and turns the story takes didn’t come as a complete shock, but that didn’t take away from the reading experience. There are some books I can predict the ending of almost immediately and still love them.

I liked the author’s writing style, the introduction to these characters, and following along in the investigation. I definitely plan on picking up books one and two at some point so that I can get to know Denning and Fisher better. A solid police procedural with a steady pace made for an engrossing read that I flipped through in just a couple sittings.

Absolutely fantastic! I honestly could not put this book down. There were twists and turns and a lot of unpredictability. I loved the characters, the writing style and pace. I will absolutely be picking up more of Graemes books.