Wes Markin’s The Lonely Lake Killings is a tense, gritty and compulsively readable police procedural that will fill that Happy Valley and Line of Duty shaped hole in your life.

The body of a young girl has been found next to an isolated lake. The old recluse who has lived next to the lake for many years is the chief suspect as the victim’s purse had been found on his doorstep. However, DCI Emma Gardner and her partner DI Paul Riddick are not convinced. The two of them are positive that somebody has set the old man up. But who could possibly have something against a man who has not left his house in years? Had he been guilty of this horrific crime, would he have left such an obvious clue? Gardner and Riddick cannot shake off this feeling that there is more to this case than meets the eye and their instincts prove to be correct, especially as they begin to dig deeper and discover a community torn apart by dangerous secrets and insidious fear.

As this investigation takes them down many a twisted path, little do Gardner and Riddick realise that the key to solving this case might lie very close to home. Riddick is convinced that his own dark past could somehow be linked to this crime while Gardner fears that it’s only by facing up to devastating truths can she ever come close to solving this case. Will Gardner and Riddick manage to get to the truth and bring a dangerous killer to justice? Or will they just keep chasing dead ends and end up letting a murderer get away with killing an innocent girl?

Wes Markin’s The Lonely Lake Killings is a brilliant crime novel full of twists and turns, red herrings and jaw-dropping shocks and surprises that kept me riveted to the page until the end. The Lonely Lake Killings is a creepy. claustrophobic and chilling tale where the pages just turn themselves that has me eagerly awaiting more nail-biting crime thrillers from Wes Markin.

A lonely recluse. A missing girl and a community in fear.

When the body of a young local girl is found next to an isolated lake, the main suspect is the old recluse who has lived next to the lake for many years – especially when the young girl’s purse is found on the old man’s doorstep.

But DCI Emma Gardner and her partner DI Paul Riddick aren’t so sure. Why would the old hermit leave such an obvious clue? And who would want to set the old man up?

As they dig deeper into the murder they discover a community in fear, determined to keep hold of long buried secrets. And Riddick is convinced that his own dark past is somehow linked to this crime, too.

Gardner fears that she may never get the answers she needs, until a break leads her down a path she’d rather not face. One that runs directly to her own front door…

This is a wonderful addition to this thrilling series!
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and action with wonderful world building that adds so much to the story.
Such a thrilling read that I couldn't put it down.
Can't wait to read more of these.
Recommend reading.

I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.

*4 Stars*

ARC kindly received via NetGalley for an honest review.

This had a lot of twists and turns and a few different suspects - plus mistakes were made by the detectives. You had to feel for Tia and what she went through and the secrets she found out. Interesting characters, especially Gardener and Riddick.

The Lonely Lake Killings is the second book in the Yorkshire Murders and yet another gripping and tense read from Markin. DCI Gardner and DI Riddick are such strong characters in this series and really bring all the emotions to the forefront throughout the story. After the body of a 21 year old is discovered near an isolate lake all fingers point to and old recluse, Harvey, who has lived near the lake for a long time, he is the main suspect as her purse was discovered literally on his doorstep. Gardner had her doubts that it was him, but proving otherwise leads her to discover long buried secrets that through everything into question. I have to admit I really felt for Harvey, and his reason for wanting to be alone all these years, and his past broke me, in fact I did shed a tear towards the end reading.

Riddick is a character with a past that is still haunting him and he also a bit of live wire when it comes this story when is revealed that his past has links to this case, I love Riddick he is rugged and raw and not without his faults but he makes one hell of a partner to Gardner.

Absolutely a brilliant 5 star read.

I really enjoyed thisbook and couldn't put it down. It is fast paced and full of suspense and tension.
It is well written with a compellingly twisty storyline and well developed chaaracters. It kept me guessing the whole way through and I read it in one sitting.

The Lonely Lake Killings is the perfect page turner. This is the kind of book that you’ll want to lock yourself away for to stop any unnecessary interruptions.

Loneliness can be a silent killer. Something easily solved, it’s effects sharper than a blade.

The Lonely Lake Killings is a fast-paced police procedural. After reading a large amount of them it really doesn’t take too long to decide whether that story is going to be for you. Having read Wes Markin’s work previously, I decided this was a story worth taking a chance on. Once again, Markin’s unique voice, steeped in humour and humanity had me engrossed with only a few words. A sense of dread had me checking over my shoulder and creeping to make sure the door was locked.

The Lonely Lake Killings is the second book in The Yorkshire Murders series but can easily be read as a standalone, I did, but will for sure go back and read book one. The Yorkshire moors have always held a certain sense of mystery so reading about a story set in Yorkshire made the fascination escalate. Reading those first few chapters had red lights dancing in my vision – a threatening shadow that wanted to bring everything tumbling down. I had so many questions, anger at how a victim could be discarded in such a way. Yes, the mama bear in me came out full force.

The body of a twenty-year-old woman is found by the side of a lake by an early morning fisherman, it would appear that she was killed elsewhere and transported to the area. The woman’s purse was found by the cabin of a local hermit, Harvey. With the discovery of her DNA in his hut, it seems like an open and closed case. But is it? It all just seems too easy. If someone was going to go to effort of killing a young woman, wouldn’t you have made more effort to hide her body? This is what DCI Emma Gardner and DI Paul Riddick aim to find out.

The one thing about police procedurals is that they cannot work without strong characters. Gardner and Riddick bring that in spades. Gardner a female detective that has moved from the south to take up the post has baggage. A marriage in tatters and limited contact with her children, she’s also had to take in her psycho of a brother and his sweet daughter into her home. Her brother committed some atrocious acts on her when they were children, and she makes it her mission to provide a safe environment for her niece. He claims he’s changed but she’s a firm believer in the fact that leopards never change their spots.

Paul Riddick, oh Paul. He’s definitely my favourite character. It’s a wonder the guy is still able to stand up. He’s gone through so much – his wife and children were killed at the hands of a very dangerous criminal. The pain never leaves him and as a result is struggling with alcoholism. Despite all that, he has a wicked sense of humour that had me instantly warming to him and a fierce sense of what’s right. The only reason he still does it is justice; he wants justice for every victim that’s been wronged. Paul’s guilty of letting his heart to his thinking and can make some very ill formed decisions but that’s why I like him, he was unapologetically human.

Wes Markin and his narrative is phenomenal – the reader is gifted with just enough snippets that could crack even the coldest of hearts. We’re given the important details, the backstories, breadcrumbs to the past and trails of blood. Gardner and her team start connecting the evidence and it doesn’t point in the direction that it should.

High 4 stars. DCI Gardner and partner DI Riddick are a mess but good at they’re jobs. Who killed this girl and why? And can these detectives catch a break?
This mystery crime felt a lot like a Cormoran Strike novel. It’s messes and complicated and I couldn’t help but stay with it until the end. Well written with a British touch. I recommend it.
Thanks Boldwood Books via NetGalley.

In this fast-paced procedural mystery, things are not what they seem, and as you get more into the story you realize there are red herrings aplenty to sidetrack the reader and DCI Gardner alike. As the story evolves you realize everyone literally has secrets they want to keep, and that six degrees of separation may be the key to finding the true killer, in this page-turner! Gardner and Riddick make a great new crime-solving team, Can't wait for the next book in the series, as this is the debut book!

When a young woman is found murdered beside a lake the blame is quickly placed at the door of the nearby hermit. Her bag is found beside his hut & there are other things that point in that direction & in a fairly small community that is enough- especially for the girl's father. However DCI Emma Gardner & DI Paul Riddock are not convinced.

This was a gripping police procedural with believable characters & a good sense of place. I really enjoyed it & although I haven't read the first in the series I'll be looking out for book three. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book.

A tense, gripping, fast paced and action packed crime thriller. It kept me turning pages and guess till the end.
I was on the edge and liked the fleshed out characters and the setting.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

Another Markin book full of tension, suspense and a whole lot of mystery. Markin is a must read author, each book gets better and better. This certainly hasn’t disappointed.

This is another action packed read by this author. There are so many twists and turns it becomes impossible to predict where this gem is going to go.

I adore how Markin is able to pull me completely into the pages. This is an author who makes me feel as though I’m watching the events play out in front of me.

This is the second in the series but will read as a standalone- however this is an author I highly recommend. I adore this book, Markin takes us on another visit to the dark side. I absolutely cannot wait to see what is coming next.

This series just gets better and better!

The Lonely Lake Killings is the second book in The Yorkshire Murders series and I couldn’t wait to catch up with Emma and Paul again. I do think this book can work as a standalone but to get a better feel for the brilliant and engaging dynamic between DCI Emma Gardner and DI Paul Riddick. I would definitely recommend picking up book one.

I always love to play detective although I have to admit I’m not necessarily the best at it. It’s fun to try though! So this case was a little tricky, there were a few suspects to choose from and a couple of red herrings dotted throughout too. I really enjoyed trying to figure it all out though. It was like getting started on a great puzzle. Gathering and placing the pieces together. Then waiting for that final piece to slot into place, revealing the full picture. There were moments of tension, danger and twists along the way. This all combined to create a story that had me hooked from the very beginning.

The Lonely Lake Killings not only had an intriguing case at its heart but Emma and Paul really do make this story all the more engaging and enjoyable. They aren’t perfect, they definitely have their flaws but you know what, it works. I’m a big fan of this series and I’m already looking forward to book three!

‘The Lonely Lake Killings’ is a dark and moody book that hooks you in and doesn't let go! This is the second book in the ‘Yorkshire Murders’ series but can easily be read as a stand-alone, this was how I read it as I was new to the series. I will be going back though and reading ‘The Viaduct Killings’ as I'm intrigued by the main characters and want to know more of their backgrounds. This was the first book by Wes that I have read but it won't be the last as I thoroughly enjoyed this one!

When the body of a young woman is found one morning by the side of a lake, suspicion is instantly thrown to a local recluse who has lived by the lake for years. This is made stronger when the victims belonging are found in front of his house. Detectives Emma Gardner and Paul Riddick aren't so sure though and look into her life closely. What they find are long-buried secrets and a community in fear! Will they find the killer before something else happens?

I found this to be a very moving book. Every character can't be seen in black and white, including the police and it allows the readers to show the humanity and empathy that is on show throughout the narrative. It definitely deals with some emotive topics and it is handled with sensitivity but doesn't shy away from the darkness of it.

The main characters of Gardner and Riddick are an intriguing pair and I want to know more about them and see what is happening in their future! Riddick obviously comes with the background of the traumatic loss of his family, and his drinking but still is a man capable of decent actions.

I will be keeping an eye out for book 3!

This is a suspenseful, gritty, relentless police procedural. I haven't read the first in the series but didn't feel lost. Twenty year old Tia Meadows is murdered and the easy suspect is the hermit living nearby. DCI Emma Gardner and her partner DI Paul Riddick investigate and find there is way more going on and plenty of suspects. In addition to the whodunit that I never guessed, I really enjoyed that the author brings in the backstory and personal issues Gardner and Riddick are dealing with. I look forward to the next in the series.

The body of twenty-year-old Tia Meadows is found early one morning by an angler only a stone’s throw from the tiny stone cottage of reclusive Harvey Henfrey. When her purse is found outside his front door, it looks like the police, led by DCI Emma Gardner, have an open and shut case of murder but could it be a set-up? The post mortem throws up some interesting new facts and as they delve into Tia’s life, they suddenly find themselves with a number of suspects, including her father who has made sure he has a complete monopoly on the building trade and the traveller group with whom he is at loggerheads. Someone is determined to bury the sins of the past at all costs but will this lead Emma to the killer in time?
DCI Emma Gardner is on a temporary relocation to Knaresborough and has DI Paul Riddick as her second in command. Riddick is a man with a tragic history, both personal and professional, and in the first story was struggling to deal with the ghosts which haunted him. Emma recognised the good detective in him and helped him overcome his drinking but just when Riddick thinks he is back on an even keel, disaster strikes again and his life is thrown into turmoil with potentially devastating consequences. Emma has her fair share of problems too as she takes in her sociopathic brother Jack so she can keep an eye on his daughter Rose whilst her marriage to Barry falls apart over the long distance between them. The friendship between Emma and Riddick is fast becoming a very strong one and, along with the other detectives, they are developing into a great team as they unearth a story tinged with sadness where the nicest people seem to receive the worst treatment.
This story will appeal to readers who love a good solid police procedural with a complex plot but without the sadistic nightmare characters that Emma’s mentor DCI Yorke had to deal with. This is a great new series and I am looking forward to reading more. 5*

A body of a young girl is found and the suspect is an old man; who lives next to the lake where the body was found. It’s once again down to DCI Emma Gardner and her partner DI Paul Riddick to find the true killer and the reason why. Dark secrets will need to resurface and Gardner and Riddick may be closer involved than they wanted.

This is the sequel to the first book The Viaduct Killings and I loved coming back to find more depths of these two characters. This book picks straight up from the previous so I highly recommend that you start with the first novel; you will not be disappointed.

This novel had me flying through the pages and the narrative just got better and better with a few twists you won’t see coming I look forward to the next installment.

The Lonely Lake Killings is the sequel to the wonderful The Viaduct Killings, I have been waiting for this from the minute I finished the first. All I can say is it was certainly worth the wait, I think these two wonderful books are better if you read them together to give you a better understanding of these complex, well-rounded characters as the continuity are so good. The plot in this second novel had me flying through the pages just like the first, the twists kept me guessing to until the very end and the ending left me desperate for a third installment..

These last few weeks, I have been so lucky! Every review I have posted has been for a book by one of my go-to authors. Today is no different. Wes Markin is one of my favourite authors, and not just because he is a brilliant bloke but because he writes brilliant books too!

The Lonely Lake Killings is the second book in The Yorkshire Murders series. I have been waiting for this book since I reviewed his first book in the series, The Viaduct Killings. So,to say I was happy to finally read this book is an understatement.

This book picks right up from the end of the last book, so the continuity feels strong. I would say that it could be read as a standalone, and Wes Markin does a great job of filling in back stories. On the other hand, if you begin from the first one, you do understand the main characters to a greater depth.


DCI Emma Gardener and DI Paul Riddick are called out to the discovery of a young woman next to a local lake. The murderer seems cut and dried, but is it? The more they investigate the case, the more suspects that crawl out of the woodwork. Then there is Paul Riddicks past to delve into Emma's brother. The more I read, the more tense and dark it became. That's one of Wes Markin's traits. Even if the story isn't as dark as his other books, he always brings tension and darkness in some way. I love it!

As the pages flew by, I attempted to guess who the murderer was, but as always, I was wrong. No matter how many books, Wes Markin writes the quality never diminishes. His characters are superbly drawn, and I feel like I know Emma and Paul. To the point I was just glad to be back with them.

His plots are crafted with depth. The twists are perfectly placed, and the conclusion is one I don't guess. Then there is his humour running throughout the book. It always makes me chuckle, sometimes a little dark but it's what helps make his books as good as they are! I am holding my impatience in for the next book!

Thanks to Rachel's Random Resources, Boldwood Books, Wes Markin and NetGalley for the ARC.

The story:
With barely a chance to draw breath after murder investigation Operation Eden, DCI Gardner, DI Riddick and their North Yorkshire team are thrown into a new case when the body of young woman Tia Meadows is found beside a lake. But this time an arrest is immediate, with loner Harvey Henfrey brought in for the crime.

But as the team investigate, they find there’s more to things than meet the eye, with DI Riddick even fearing a link to his tragic past and the possible involvement of DCI Gardner’s own brother. Will they be able to get to the bottom of events on the night of Tia’s death, and bring the killer to justice?

My thoughts:
Having enjoyed the first book in the Yorkshire Murders series “The Viaduct Killings” last year, I was looking forward to picking up the story of DCI Emma Gardner and team again; and I’m pleased to say, I wasn’t disappointed!

This book picks up immediately after the action of the previous book, and Gardner, along with the unpredictable DI Paul Riddick, are once again leading a murder inquiry. The case at first seems open and shut, with an immediate arrest of a local recluse, and things do look bad for him — the body is found near his isolated hut and the victim’s bag is found on his porch. But DCI Gardner’s instincts tell her Henfrey is telling the truth when he claims his innocence.

The case leads them in increasingly dark directions from a history of abuse in the pasts of some of the characters, to DI Riddick’s own tragedy that we learnt about in book one. DCI Gardner’s brother, who arrived back in her life recently with her young niece Rose in tow, is also in the picture, and she is forced to confront their difficult relationship — could he possibly be linked to the crime?

As with the first book, I really enjoyed the relationship between Gardner and Riddick. While Gardner is a by-the-book officer and Riddick is a maverick, they both seem to be better for working with each other.

With several feasible suspects in the case, the conclusion took me by surprise and kept me turning the pages until I knew what had happened! This is a great, fast-paced crime story, and I eagerly await the next instalment of the Yorkshire Murders series to find out what happens to Gardner and Riddick next!

This is the second book in the Yorkshire Murder series but can easily be read as a standalone as I did because all you need to know about the detectives from the previous book are revealed while reading. I love crime thrillers, but there are only a handful that grab my attention enough, so I readily search for the back catalogue as soon as I finish reading or browse for the next one. This is one of those.

DCI Gardner and DI Riddick are a complex police duo with messed up personal lives which engaged my attention just as much as the crime they were solving. With a psychopathic brother, a traumatised niece and a fellow detective dealing with his own turmoil, Gardner’s life is on a knife edge personally and professionally.

While the murder promised to be simple, the twists and turns kept me on my toes and turning the page to until the unnerving truth was revealed. The novel is chocked full of action, traipsing into the underworld of Knaresborough and looking at how the stigma of being seen as different, and vulnerable can lead to suspicions correct or otherwise. All the characters have depth and backstories which played into the current investigation and beyond.

The investigative team were well formed, with a strong chemistry and camaraderie that gives a good foundation for the in future books and scope for more drama, betrayal and fissions. Set against the backdrop of the stunning locations in Yorkshire, I’m eager to read the next one and was thrilled that my local library had the previous one, The Viaduct Murders available for loan. It was just as thrilling as this The Lonely Lake Killings adding to my conviction that this series will soothe my crime drama addiction now Happy Valley is over.

Author Biography