The Burning Time

I have read several of the books in this series. These are always solid, enjoyable stories with detective Hector McAvoy and his wife Roisin. This one focused on a murder connected to Hector’s (Aector) stepfamily. We learn a lot more about the past experiences that shaped him in this story. His mom marries into a wealthy family and his treatment by said family has left Hector very insecure.

I don’t know if it has been a while or this one was a bit darker but some of it I just did a speed read when some of the torture was described. It was not for the faint of heart.

The ending tied it all together neatly and was very plausible. Most of the characters are so unlikeable it really could have been anyone.

Thank you to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC to read and review. All in all, it was a satisfying read and I know I will continue the series when the next one comes out.

Thank you Severn House and NetGalley for the eARC.
DS Aector MacAvoy and his wife Roisin are on a quick trip to visit Aector's family, an occasion he's dreading. He quickly realizes they only want him there to find a killer.
We learn about Aector's terrible childhood, which explains a lot about him. Roisin has a large presence in the story which was enjoyable.
The beginning of the story was great, featuring the murdered man and his little girl. Much.of the theme had to do with the black arts, which at times was disturbing (I skimmed those parts).
A good read, definitely recommended, but please go easy on Aector's poor body in the following book!

The Aector McAvoy series continues on. There was a time a few books ago I thought it was time for Aector to retire but alas he continues.

David Mark is a fabulously unique writer, as is Aector in character; I don’t think there any other quite like this team.

A book that adds more flesh to Aector’s past, full of mystic and black magic. It’s a book for the McAvoy purists as it’s the first book that really focuses on him but also Roision and their relationship with no Trish Pharoah to speak of.

It’s a bit weird, strange and as ever David Mark likes to use 5 words when one is sufficient but the words and he uses them are sublime and never wasted.

As a note to the publisher- Severn House - you have an author on your hands who will write you bestsellers, please stop pricing your books so prohibitively - £21 for a kindle book is simply not going to generate sales and it alienates a massive audience.

Wow what a book thank you ever so much for the opportunity to review. I could not put it down. Would definitely recommend to others

With thanks to Severn House and the author and Netgalley for this advanced readers copy. This is the first Aector McAvoy story I have read so did not have any preconceptions about the story. McAvoy travels to attend a family party when he and his wife get caught up in a murder. The first chapter made me think of Edgar Allen Poe with its tone. Subsequent chapters swoop all over the place with their tone. That said if was an engrossing story although the fact I have not read previous books made it harder for me to understand the main character McAvoy. It was an engrossing book if a bit dark for me and I prefer slightly less description of violence and bad language. I would still recommend this book to lovers of police procedural.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Severn House Publishers for an advance copy of The Burning Time, the twelfth novel to feature newly minted DI Aector McAvoy of Humberside Police.

Roísin accepts an invitation to Aector’s estranged mother’s seventieth birthday party in County Durham. She thinks that they need a luxury break, but it doesn’t turn out that way as Aector gets involuntarily involved in the strange death of Ishmael Pope, son of a millionaire rockstar and best friend of Aector’s estranged stepbrother, Felix Darling.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Burning Time, which has the trappings of the esoteric, but a more mundane motive. I’m not given to awarding 5 stars, as I like to save that for the special reads that I don’t want to put down and rush back to if I have to leave it. This is one of those reads. It has a bit of everything, interesting plot, twists, strange characters, annother beating and a further look at Aector and his troubled personality.

Ishmael Pope is dead and his house burned down. Accident or murder, no one is quite sure, although Felix is sure it is murder and he has the means and influence to insist on an investigation. Aector suspects Felix is behind his invitation with the aim of coercing him into investigating and he’s not happy. Events overtake him and he ends up involved. There is a real sense of nebulousness in this novel, where nothing is clear, right down to doubt that his mother will turn up for the party. What comes through is the damage done to Aector in his childhood and the love he and Roísin share,

There is a lot of talk about witchcraft and spells in this novel. Ishmael may have had an interest and one of his girlfriends definitely did, as did one of the suspects. When the author gets down to business it’s all about motive and opportunity and it’s Roísin leading the charge. I was glued to the pages, falling for the misdirection and loving the twists.

The Burning Time is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.

Newly promoted DI Aector Mc Avoy is a fascinating character, I think I love him! I really enjoyed this book despite it being a bit confusing to start with. The formatting didn't really help, with too many words being crammed on to each page. That aside, the plotting was centred around the paranormal, a touch of the occult and some witchcraft. There are some graphic scenes of violence but I absolutely loved the rollercoaster ride and would recommend the read to fans of the genre. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.