This is the first book I have read by Malcolm Hollingdrake and its the first in a series, and it will be a series I will be continuing. Great read and now for the next one 😀

Only the dead by Malcolm Hollingdrake is a perfect thriller read.
Meet DCI Cyril Bennett, a man with a passion for manners and efficiency, as well as an eye for the ladies. His partner, DS David Owen, is naïve and untidy but keen. Together they make a formidable pair.
This was an enjoyable read. Simply couldn’t put it down until I got to the last page. Really had me thinking. Great story and characters. Highly recommended. 5*.

People are being attacked with sulphuric mustard - the ingredient of so many deadly shells in the First World War. All of those attacked have links with the care of the elderly. Cyril Bennett and his team are already investigating the discovery of the bodies of two infants near Ripon but he oversees this case too. A great story that involves revenge, people trafficking, blackmail and moves from Harrogate to Manchester, Newcastle, Nice and Cannes. Really enjoyed this one and look forward to reading the next in the series.

Thanks to Netgalley, Bloodhound Books and Malcom Hollingdrake for the ARC of this book in return for an honest review.

Erfrischend anders was sowohl Handlung als auch die Charaktere angeht. Ein toller Auftakt einer Serie, die Lust macht auf mehr. Keine Hochspannung, aber man bleibt durchgehend am Ball.

I have to say I struggled with this book. At first I thought it just needs a couple of chapters but I found it hard to motivate myself to continue reading it. Too many storylines and characters it seemed. I got confused and had to re-read pages to remember who certain characters were. I made it through half the book then I gave up. It seemed too much effort .

Only the Dead is an interesting police procedural, differing from the norm in that for one of the two cases you already know the culprit.  More than that, you sympathize with him despite his terrible acts. His mother was tormented and killed by her carers. His acts are retribution, designed to draw attention.  But this plot line is only part of what DCI Bennett and DS Owen are investigating in Only the Dead. Their second case begins with the discovery of two sets of infant remains near a teacher training college.  The question of whose children and how they came to be there, lead Bennett and Owen on a complex and twisting trip. Once again, Malcolm Hollindrake reveals the culprits to the reader, but this time the situation is more complicated and explored slowly.  Bennett and Owen are a solidly developed team of investigators. I found it interesting that Hollindrake decided to saddle Bennett with Bell’s palsy, a temporary condition characterized by partial facial paralysis. It’s definitely a setback for a ladies man.  


On the whole, Only the Dead is a good, solidly written British police procedural.  There are a few weak points, and the novel lacks a just resolution to the larger criminal scheme broached by the second case.  Is it realistic? Yes - but readers who expect justice and closure may be disappointed.


4 / 5


I received a copy of Only the Dead from the publisher and Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.


— Crittermom

This book was previously published as Keen as Mustard.

Only The Dead is the very first in a well-established series of six books to date. Featured is DCI Cyril Bennett and his partner DS David Owens. They say that opposites attract and that is very true in this case. Bennett is a ladies' man, polite, mannerly, and dresses well. Owens is younger, messier, but makes a great partner in his dedication to the job.

Bennett and Owens are called in to investigate when 2 bodies of infants are recovered at a teacher training college. After obtaining a list of students and instructors who were at the school when these babies died, they soon find more suspects than they know what to do with.

The two detectives also take on the investigation of random sulfur mustard attacks. Or are they random? Although Bennett and Owens work differently, they must work together to find this serial killer.

The story lines run side by side, so at times it feels a little disjointed. Not heavy on suspense, but there is a mysterious air. I really enjoyed the development of the characters. Both Bennett and Owens are rather unique and the way they relate to each other is fun to watch.

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.

Great start to a new crime/thriller series!
Loved the "Odd Couple" feel to the two MC's, they were different but found the way to work together to solve the mystery/crime. This author is new to me, but my love for a good, well-written and smart crime/thriller/mystery was more than satisfied and I can't wait to read the rest of this series!

Peter Flint
Lawrence Young

Two doctors, one has a mystery in the past.
The other is seeking revenge to care workers in the health setting .DCI Cyril Bennett and   DS David Owen handled both cases.

It did take a while to get to the heart of the book, but once it did it flowed nicely.
There are two diffent stories that run on in orderly way so the reader can follower along.  The ending was not really a clift hanger, but did let you know that the second book in the series would add more to the story. There will be 6 or 7 more stories with DCI Bennett .

Downloaded through Netgalley to read for an honest review!

Could not get book to download :(
Have added it to my wishlist for when it’s available for purchase!