This novel was easy to read and the story was gripping from beginning to end. This is the second in the series but it is fine to read as a stand alone in my opinion. I really enjoyed the book, and can't wait for the next one.
Recommended.

Reviewing for NetGalley

Doll face is a dark and scary book that I felt compelled to read. It’s the second book in the series although I felt I wasn’t missing much by not ready the first. I couldn’t wait to read to ending, although I will admit I read the ending before reading as it all unfolded.

If ever I needed reminding that I have led a (mercifully) sheltered life, I just have to pick up a crime novel. Some of the scenarios dreamed up by the authors working in this genre are not only out of my realm of experience, they don’t even figure in my knowledge bank.

Until I read Doll Face, the second title in Dylan H Jones’ Tudor Manx series, I was blissfully unaware for example that there is a certain section of the population that likes to step into rubberised full body suits whenever they feel like adopting a new persona.

"Living Dolls … A subculture of men who like to dress like dolls. They wear body suits, masks, anything that makes them more feminine."

I have to believe that Jones has done his homework and not only do such people walk this planet there are businesses that supply their needs. What a way to make a living!

The habit provides the title of Doll Face, and is responsible for some thoroughly creepy moments.

I read the first novel in this series — Anglesey Blue — last year and enjoyed it as you can see from my review . I wasn’t the only one. It was long listed for the Guardian’s ‘Not the Booker Prize’ 2017 and occupied the #1 Best Seller spot in Welsh Crime for a time. Not bad for a debut novel.

I wondered at the time how this series would progress. It’s hard enough to write one successful novel but coming up with an equally good second in a series is tough. In an interview I did with Dylan Jones he said his plan was to set each book in a different season with his central character, Detective Inspector Tudor Manx, wrestling with his decision to return to his native island of Anglesey in Wales.

Though Doll Face takes place in Spring, a season associated with hope and growth, it feels a darker novel to me than the winterly Anglesey Blue. It’s set three months after the first novel with Manx’s detective skills called upon when a body of a young woman is found horribly mutilated. Then gruesome video footage comes to light showing details of how she was murdered.

Suspicion falls on her nasty ex husband and on her employer, the millionaire tech-entrepreneur Kimble McLain. McLain is such a big cheese and philanthropist that the high-ups in the police force want Manx to go cautiously. But of course this is a guy who doesn’t understand the word ‘no’. Besides, when another similarly mutilated body is discovered, it quickly becomes clear that there could be a serial killer on the island. The investigation takes Manx into the world of religious fanaticism and child abuse.

Some of the threads from the earlier novel make a return in Doll Face. There’s the disappearance of his sister many years earlier which continues to haunt Manx. There was a cliff-hanger at the end of Anglesey Blue which I thought would have been picked up in this second novel but we didn’t get much further forward on that plot line. But there was a significant development about the hitherto hinted-at reasons why Manx left his previous job with the London Metropolitan serious crime division under a dark cloud of suspicion.

The inspector’s strained relationship with the forensic scientist Ashton Bevan is also shaping up nicely while we got to know more about the two key members of the team: policewoman Delyth Morris and Falklands’ War veteran Detective Sergeant Maldwyn Nader, who is suffering from PTSD. I’m warming to them both as well as to the cigar smoking, sports car driving inspector. Maybe by book four one of the women on the island will have persuaded Manx that it’s time his fashion sense came into the twenty-first century.

An entertaining read with plenty of twists and dangling threads to keep you reading. It can be read as a stand-alone novel though it you want to get under the skin of Anglesey, it would be worth reading Anglesey Blue also.

I received an advanced copy of this book through Netgalley. This book had me from the very beginning. I love that it kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time. I would highly recommend this book to my fellow readers. Thank you for the chance to review this book!!!!

Just to say I've never read anything by this author. I haven't read the 1st of the series yet, but I will.

This was suggested for me to read as I like crime/thrillers. It confused me slightly as I hadn't read book 1, but as I slowly got into the story and what the characters was like, I felt like it was going to a page turner for me.

It makes you think you know who the murderer is, who's involved and for what reason the killer's motive was, but it had me guessing at each corner. I was shocked when they told us who the murderer was and who the characters was (in relation to who). I'd definitely would read Dylan Jones' first book and any more that he writes.

Doll face by Dylan Jones.
This was a fantastic read. I loved the story and the characters.
DI Tudor Monk leads harrowing investigation to catch a killer.
After the first victim sian Conway
the body count starts rising.
the case takes a shocking turn when footage of sians murder is discovered.
what's the killers real motive?
Will Tudor catch the killer?
This book kept me guessing til the author wanted it revealed.
wasn't what I thought.
great ending. 5*.

A serial killer is loose on the Isle of Anglesey. The first victim was disemboweled and her liver removed. Inserted into the liver is a religious text. She was also several weeks pregnant.

There were two prime suspects ... one was her husband, noted for his hot temper and from whom she was separated. The other was her boss, Kimble McLain, a wealthy businessman.

The body count is rising and the investigation takes a turn when a video is found of the first victim's murder. All of the victims have a connection to McLain. But is he a killer ... or is someone framing him? And one of the most important questions ...why?

This is a well-written crime thriller, with lots of action and lots of gruesome murders. I enjoyed the back and forth from then to now as the killer's thoughts and history comes to the forefront.

Manx is a terrific series character and the secondary players lend an air of credibility. Even though this is second in the series, this one stands easily as a stand alone. There are a few small references to what happened in the first book, but not enough to dull the enjoyment of reading the first one.

Manx's history is quite interesting and Doll Face ends on a small cliffhanger, when someone from his past appears with not-so-good news. I look forward to following this series in the future.

Many thanks to the author / Bloodhound Books / Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime fiction/ Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

This is the second book from this writer I have read and this one follows the first book Anglesey Blue but it can be read without reading the first book.

I really enjoyed this book, I wont go into detail as I do not want to to spoil it for those who have yet to read it but the plot is very interesting and kept me guessing until very late on in the book, got me interested right from the start and kept me interested right up until the end. The characters are really believable and knowing many of the locations I will look at them in a new way when I visit from now on.

This is a fantastic crime book and I really enjoyed it, it is so well written I found it a little disturbing in places and it has a really dramatic ending that will keep you guessing.

It's written with thanks to Sarah Hardy at Bloodhound Books for inviting me on the tour, and providing my copy of the book through Netgalley.
There is a serial killer on the isle of Anglesey, and it is up to Detective Inspector (DI) Tudor Manx and his team to find them and bring them to justice. As the team are investigating, they discover footage which gives the case a shocking twist, and coupled with the fact that all the victims are linked to local businessman, Kimble McLain, this makes the murders very difficult to solve. Can they do so before the body count rises further?
Although Doll Face is the second novel in the DI Tudor Manx series, it is my first introduction to the character. I would like to catch up in due course, but I felt it did work well as a standalone, and there was plenty of background information included to keep me up to speed. I enjoyed learning more about Manx and his team as the novel progressed, particularly as the case began to have an impact on their personal lives.
Doll Face is set on the isle of Anglesey, a place I remember well from family holidays as a child. Jones' descriptions of the area brought back these memories, and I was able to picture the scenes he set, increasing my enjoyment of the novel.
The investigation which is central to Doll Face is very complex and full of twists and turns. It was particularly refreshing to read chapters from the perspective of the perpetrator, as his mindset and motives were fascinating, and it was clear that Manx and his team were dealing with a very twisted killer. Occasionally, the complexity of the investigation meant that I was required to concentrate more than usual whilst reading, but I remained gripped until the very end, and look forward to reading more in this series.

I loved the view points used to tell this story, I will admit that I really enjoy books that are told from the killers point of view as I love the insight we get in to their minds.

I found this one easy to read and the story was gripping. The pace was spot on and I flew through the book taking just a few hours to devour the story. I did guess who the killer was quite early on but that didn't detract at all from my enjoyment - it is very well written and I loved the writing style. This is the second in the series but it is fine to read as a stand alone in my opinion.

A solid four stars from me for this one - very enjoyable!!

Doll Face is the second book in the brilliant Tudor Manx series however you don’t have to read the first one to follow this one. I’m a huge fan of serial killer thrillers and this one is absolutely brilliant. There are lots of twists to the story – some I guessed at, many others I didn’t!

Dylan’s writing is fabulous – he draws you in to the book and doesn’t let go until you’ve read the very last page. The story is quite creepy – I think I’d have been petrified if I saw the killer in his alter ego, it sounds really quite disturbing!

I don’t want to say much about the plot as I’d hate to ruin it. Once you get stuck into the investigation with Manx, you won’t want to move! I loved the character of Manx – he was really determined to figure it out before more bodies piled up but he also had good banter with the police team which made him seem more approachable than other fictional police characters.

There’s quite a few red herrings throughout the book – I thought I’d guessed who the killer was but when it was revealed I was completely wrong! I love books like that, keeps me guessing and then throws it all up in the air with the final reveal.

The setting was beautiful, I’ve been to Anglesey a few times but the way Dylan described it, it really felt I was there with Manx solving the investigation. If you’ve never been, you’ll get a feel for the place quite quickly with this book. I felt the setting became it’s own character at times, it was very atmospheric. It was scary to know a killer was hiding out there and I had no idea who it was.

I’m looking forward to reading more about Manx in the future. I may even admit to this series becoming one of my favourites. There’s suspense, fabulous characters both good and evil and at the heart of it an extremely well written, gripping serial killer thriller.

I really loved this book! Excellent story with brilliant main characters. I would recommend this book.

DOLL FACE by Dylan H. Jones is a twisted, dark, and terrifying crime fiction novel that will have you double checking the locks on your doors and leaving the light on when you go to bed.

DI Tudor Manx has only recently wrapped up his last case when he is called in to investigate a gruesome murder which strongly points towards a serial killer, and as the bodies begin to mount up, Manx will have to get one step ahead of this twisted killer if he is to have any chance of catching the culprit. But how is local millionaire Kimble McLain linked to all of this? And has the killer got a personal reason for choosing his victims? And as Manx tries to unravel the clues, a blast from the past will shake up everything.

Gripping, and at times gruesome, DOLL FACE by Dylan H. Jones is an excellent story with a great cast of characters and a somewhat desolate but stunning setting. While this is the second book in this series it can easily be read as a standalone novel, which is what I have done. The story is told from two perspectives - DI Manx and his team and then from the unknown killer's perspective - with alternating chapters that are snappy and engaging. With plenty of twists and turns. this police procedural story really does tick all of the boxes, and I highly recommend DOLL FACE by Dylan H. Jones to crime fiction fans everywhere.

DI Tudor Manx has just recently returned to Anglesey after an incident in London but it has been a bittersweet homecoming. Some of his old friends seem glad to see him but others don’t. It has also dragged up feelings about the day his sister Miriam went missing years ago (something which he is still investigating on the side).

When Sian Conway is killed in a bizarre way, with a Bible quote stuffed into her liver, Manx is tasked to investigate. Before long more bodies turned up, all killed in the same way. The Island of Anglesey has a serial killer on their hands.

You when you think to yourself, why have I not read this author’s books before? That’s exactly how I felt reading this novel. This is the second in the Tudor Manx series and can be read as a stand-alone, which I did myself having not read the first Anglesey Blue.

This has everything an ardent crime fan like myself could want. A vicious serial killer that keeps the police on it’s toes, an interesting cast of characters and plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing. The chapters are short, keeping the pace fast and me turning page after page.

I loved how individual the characters seemed, even the lowly PC Priddle (In a lot of books I’ve I feel that the PC often blend into the background just there to give the main officer some information to drive the plot forward).

I have to be honest I did sort of guess who the killer was but I enjoyed finding out through the book the motive behind the killings and watching the Manx unravel the puzzle.

I won’t say to much more, in case I give away any spoilers but I can’t wait to read more from this author. I will definitely be buying his first novel Anglesey Blue.

Doll Face is a dark and addictive murder mystery thriller. It has a surprising opening and short pacy chapters to start with which really get the story going and I was immediately gripped. It is the second in a series, but I read it absolutely fine as a standalone and loved it.

It is also a solid police procedural and the evidence is discovered in a systematic but compelling way. The characters include a mix of police officers and technical or medical staff, and the workplace banter provides some lighter moments in what is at times a pretty gruesome story. Dylan H. Jones has a really good writing style and demonstrates some deft sleight of hand as he sprinkles the clues throughout the story.

There are several dramatic plot developments throughout, as well as some disturbing elements to the story.  It has a thrilling conclusion and I really was racing through the final few chapters.

The descriptions of Anglesey and its scenery are very evocative and atmospheric. It depicts a bleak but beautiful landscape and reminded me in some ways of my recent forays into Nordic Noir.

Tudor Manx is a convincing lead, with an intriguing background and story arc. I need to read the first in this series asap and I hope there is a third to come soon!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bloodhound Books for the ARC of Doll Face.

Weird! I received this book free from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. Written by Dylan H. Jones, and published by Bloodhound Books in 2018, this is the second in the Detective Inspector Tudor Manx series of police procedurals that is set on Anglesey Island in Wales, U.K. Manx is a detective who was working at Metro Police in London when he was involved in some sort of scandal that resulted in his demotion and reassignment to his birthplace: Anglesey Island.

A serial killer is operating on the island. He murders his victims with a knife, then removes their livers and inserts a vial of holy water and a note with a Biblical scripture written on it into the liver. It is Manx’s job to catch him before he can murder even more. Unfortunately, one of Manx’s suspects is protected by the Detective Chief Superintendent, Vera Troup, also known to the local coppers as “Elvera,” because of her long and straight, jet-black hair. Manx makes a number of bad assumptions and missteps. He is not a very bright detective, as a matter of fact. I did not find his character appealing. Throughout the story, he seems to be chasing his tail and running in circles. I like a protagonist who is one or two steps ahead of the bad guy, and not two steps behind him. Manx is the one who is behind his target.

According to a note from the publisher in the back of the book, Bloodhound Books “makes every effort to ensure that books are carefully edited and proofread . . . “ This book, however, must have been missed, because there are an inordinate number of errors to be found within—way too many. Spelling errors are the most common, although there are also a few inconsistencies. In fact, the number of errors makes the book a difficult read, in my view.

Character development is lacking. Manx comes across as one-dimensional, as do all of the other characters. This is especially true of “CeeCee.” Why is she even in this story? What purpose does her character serve? If the reader has not read the first novel in the series, Anglesey Blue, he or she might have a number of unanswered questions that lead to gaps in the plot. Some of the dialogue seems stilted, and the ending of the story isn’t very neat. I generally like British police and mystery novels, but this one left me unsatisfied. Some readers might like it, but I can award, at best, no more than two stars, and that only because the pace is relatively fast. I’m really sorry, but I just can’t recommend this book.

The central character is Tudor Manx an unsentimental detective who bas moved back to his native Anglesey from London, There is a back story here which may have been explored in the first book which I haven't read, so there are some unanswered questions which is intriguing. I enjoyed the story for the most part which is a grim but imaginative serial killer tale. But I feel that the book might have benefitted from a bit of a tighter edit, there are some continuity errors and at times the book seemed to wander a bit and I found I had to retrace a few pages to get back into the story. It hasn't put me off and I will lookout for further exploits by Tudor Manx and the team.

4 stars

DI Manx Tudor has returned to Wales after spending several years at he Met in London.

Manx and his team are called out initially to investigate the brutal murder of a woman named Sian Conway. Sian recently left her husband Liam and, initially he is the suspect. He has a very bad temper and proves it by punching Manx upon meeting him.

During the autopsy, the pathologist discovers that Sian is eighteen weeks pregnant. He also finds some very odd and perplexing clues. The presence of these added factors makes Manx wonder if perhaps they have a serial killer on their hands.

Sian was Skyping a friend when she was killed and the police manage to track down the footage. At first, the woman to whom she was speaking wants nothing to do with the police; she won’t even talk to them.

A very wealthy man named Kimble McLain seems to have a connection to their case. Manx goes to interview him and basically learns nothing. But they do ferret out yet more suspects.

Then Manx gets a visit from an old friend CeeCee Cartwright from the Met.

When one of his team gets kidnapped, Manx goes into high gear. Armed with clues from another colleague, Manx is determined to get his officer back. He only takes Nader with him to confront the killer and rescue his subordinate.

This is a well written novel. The plotting tends to wander here and there, but overall, it’s good as well. It may have help had I read the first book in the series. The tension in the story begins with the murder of Sian and continues through more murders, until reaching a pinnacle at the denouement. This is a step-by-step police procedural which follows the exploits of DI Manx Tudor and his team in Wales. I liked Manx and the members of his team. I also liked that he enjoyed music and was a “song specialist” for his Friday night pub quiz team.

I want to thank NetGalley and Bloodhound Books for forwarding to me a copy of this good book to read and enjoy.

“Three months after solving his last case, DI Tudor Manx leads a harrowing investigation to catch a killer terrorizing the Isle of Anglesey.
After the body of the first victim, Sian Conway is found, the suspicion quickly falls on her boss, Kimble McLain, and her volatile ex-husband, Liam Fowler.
The autopsy soon reveals Sian was eighteen weeks pregnant and when the coroner finds a religious text hidden in the victim’s liver, Manx suspects this could be the work of a serial kill

Manx is tasked with trying to find the killer and when further murders are committed they all keep coming back to McLain. McLain is a wealthy businessman and Manx’s superiors are not happy that he wants to question him.
Manx continues to follow his gut instinct but when one of his team ends up in a life or death situation he has to take action.
This is a gripping crime thriller and I will certainly read more of this series.
Thanks to Bloodhound Books and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book.