Silent Victim

Wow. I love Matilda Darke so when I got this book I was really excited. And it didn't disappoint. Each and every page had just the right amount of tension to keep me hooked. I headed to bed early because I knew there was no way I'd be putting this book down before the last page. And what a last page it was, Michael Wood knows exactly how to keep his readers practically salivating for the next book. My only criticism would be that there are a lot of spoilers re. the plots of earlier books. If this had been my first read in the series I would definitely be buying the back catalogue but some of the plot twists would be no surprise to me. Hope Michael has his head down writing because I can't wait for the next book.

Michael Woods Matilda Darke is top of my list for must read procedurals and never disappoints. They have everything; a cracking plot, suspense, humour, empathy and a great investigative team. These are dark brutal crimes with no forensics; random women savagely stabbed except for one who survives but is so damaged she will never speak again. The police force involved is under special measures and it is set during the pandemic with all the associated restrictions and lack of staff. Matilda is asked to return to take charge after being made redundant after the last case. Well written and paced, there could be several people in the frame and the side tracks are many. The climax had me holding my breath and there was still a cliff hanger to end on. Do read it; better still read the series it is so addictive.

Thanks to HarperCollins UK and NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest opinion. I really enjoyed it.

Silent Victim is the tenth nerve-shredding instalment in the DCI Matilda Darke Thriller series. Michael Wood is one of those rare authors whose able to write a long-running series that keeps the reader hooked and begging for more. Each book in the series is original and darker than the last. In case you haven’t already guessed, I absolutely love this series! There’s so much to love about it, the characters, the plots, the shocks, and the gruesome crime scenes that definitely aren’t for those of a nervous disposition!

Poor Matilda never gets an easy ride, and Wood plunges her into her most chilling, brutal, and shocking case yet! There’s an evil, misogynistic serial killer on the loose, and this one will send shivers down your spine! Their brutal crimes will leave you feeling disturbed. You will root for Matilda to find them and bring them to justice. The Characters really are key in this series. Matilda and her dedicated team have faced the most challenging times over the series, as the reader you experience the high, lows, loss and trauma of this close team.

Wood always injects a dose of much needed humour to his dark tales, and it’s these moments that allow the reader to draw breath. Silent Victim made for an emotional read. something you wouldn’t expect in a crime thriller. Matilda’s empathy and support towards the killer’s only living victim holds no bounds. Through her own past trauma, she’s aware of the suffering, aftermath and mental torment the victim is going through.

Silent Victim will have you flipping pages at breakneck speed, eager to see what happens next, and OMFG! What an ending! Brilliant but so evil on the authors part! Michael Wood has created a story that’s thick with tension, riveting, and very disturbing, yet so brilliantly written. This is a MUST read for all crime thriller lovers.

Firstly I would like to thank netgalley, and HarperCollins uk one more chapter, and the fantastic author Michael wood for an early copy of this book.

This is book 10 in this series, This book starts with a bang,A 14 year old abducted and left for dead.This killer has killed before multiply times cutting there throats and raping his victims. Due to covid they are short on officers they need DCI Matilda Drake back.Matilda has suffered and is it time for her to return.she picked most of her old team and a new member.this case has lack of evidence to bring the killer to justice. How does she wheel the killer in.There was humour from this author over the Christmas period over a Turkey that made me laugh..another great ending which leads to the next instalment..CANT WAIT..if you love crime books read this series..HIGHLY RECOMMEND...

This book reviewed on Amazon UK.. goodreads..and waterstone's.

This book was sent to me by Netgalley for review. Thanks to the publisher for the electronic copy. This author is talented and gifted at writing a cannot put down novel. This would make a compelling television series. The images are disturbing at times…the story is fiction but could be nonfiction. The protagonist is a police officer solving crimes such as serial murder crimes…do not read this at night…lock your doors…not only is this a novel, it is a warning for all women alone…there are not enough words to describe this book…from the beginning to the ending, which leaves the reader guessing…there are so many red herrings that it was difficult to discern who the serial killer was…and then that ending…left us hanging…this is unique…the silent victim, the teenage girl…she was described in a way that she came alive on the pages…in fact, all of the characters did. I want to read more by this author…just tone down the details please.