This is a great title for a great book! There were plenty of twists that will keep the reader speeding through the pages. Matt is a very likable character, but the ending leaves the reader wondering what will become of him..

My first joy ellis book and I really enjoyed it. Felt I could get to know the characters without reading any of the previous novels but it did Peak my interest and I will search them out

I love Joy Ellis's books, and this one did not disappoint. I love the Fens setting, and the grittiness of the story.

Joy Ellis over the last few years has become one of my favourite authors. I particularly love her Nikki Galena series and can't get enough of them.
Joy's writing is first class and each of her books once started become addictive reading.
This time out It's the lady friend of an infamous serial killer that goes to find Detective Matt Ballard to tell him that they think there could be a copy cat killer on the lose.
REader is now in jail aver being brought to justice for his terrible crimes and is now stating that he wants to help Ballard. Can a convict be trusted.
There is no rest for the Fenlands Police and as you read this book and get caught up in the story you will not want to put it down. Another superb book from a truly talented author.

Very enjoyable crime thriller set in the Fens. Not an author I have read before, however I enjoyed it and would recommend.

Thankyou to NetGalley, Joffe Books and the author, Joy Ellis, for the opportunity to read a digital copy of Five Bloody Hearts in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.
I have always found this author's book to be a great read. This book is no exception.
I thought this book provided a good quick read. I was hooked from the beginning. The characters are well defined and realistic. I also loved the scenic imagery. 3.5 stars.

Talk about edge of your seat stuff! Trusting a killer to hep you catch a killer - good idea????? or not!!! This really is an edge of seat read, be prepared, phone off the hook, batteries out of the doorbell, you wont want to be disturbed until you have finished this!

I usually enjoy Joy Ellis books, especially the Jackman and Evans series, but this one felt a little muddled and lacking in the usual pace I've come to expect from Ellis's work. It wasn't a bad book but it wouldn't be one I would choose if I were recommending a Joy Ellis book to anyone new to her writing.

Five Bloody Hearts sounded very intriguing and at times it was but overall I found the story to be complicated for complicated sake.
There are two lines of plot really and each could have been more interesting given their chance to shine. All in all though, it was nice hanging out with Matt and the other characters and I did stay up late reading the ending, even though it was over far too quickly.
#Netgalley #FiveBloodyHearts

" Five Bloddy Hearts " Is The very definition of a page-turner…a fast-paced, thrilling race to the end. "Joy Ellis "will become your Most favorite Author Loved it.

Joy Ellis delivers yet again.

This was a fast paced tale, full of twists and with plenty of suspicious characters. Kept me engrossed throughout.

Really enjoying the ongoing storyline of DCI Matt Ballard and so looking forward to his next adventures.

4.5 stars

Thank you NetGalley and Joffe Books for this ARC.

I read the first three chapters and bam! I was in. I was so in that I could not move forward without going back and getting the previous book, Beware the Past (the first in the Matt Ballard series). So I went, read it, then came back to Five Bloody Hearts.

Five Bloody Hearts is indeed a twisted ride. We have several murders that are seemingly connected, a repentant serial killer, a future wife and the warnings of future murders. For Ballard, I believe “Beware the Past” should become his family motto and have it tattooed on his back. Without giving too much away, nothing and everything is as it seems, and to paraphrase Liz from “Beware the Past” .. this story really is a “mindbender”. I highly recommend it to anyone who likes police procedurals, with some psychology and suspense thrown in.

Joy Ellis knows what to do to keep readers glued to their books. This was an amazingly twisted, dark, surprising rollercoaster of a story, such a page turner. Serial killers and their disciples, it all seem just a little to easy. What happens when darkness tries to over take the light? Will the police or a special detective be able to stop it? Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to write about this book.

Perfect psychological thriller! It moved at a fast pace with twists and turns throughout! I couldn’t put it down! Highly recommend!

One of my favourite authors who's books I always enjoy reading. I like how the characters follow into each book or are mentioned in some way. I enjoyed this book as much as the others - you never know where the story is heading and this one didn't disappoint.

I have been a massive fan of Joy’s books all the way back to when I started reading her Nikki Galena series, which I am currently revisiting through audible and I loved book one in this new series, when I read it back in December 2017 so was really excited to be given this one to read.

This book follows Matt Ballard as he is looking forward to retirement with his partner when he is persuaded to do one more case.

This case revolves around a serial killer who he helped put away a long time ago and now claims to have an apprentice who is going to carry on his killing spree.

When he goes to the Prison to speak with Reader he learns that he is a reformed character and just wants to help the police. Ballard doesn’t believe him and starts to investigate everything once the murders start to happen.

In the meantime there is another case involving a Lithuanian who is found dead, which links in with previous murders so Ballard’s colleagues have a lot on their plates working through everything.

With so much going on the story just flows really fast and before you know it you are at the amazing conclusion.

The book has lots of little twists which keep you guessing and the two storylines are so well written I enjoyed finding out what happened with both of them.

Overall yet another best-selling book by JOy and I can’t wait to read the next book she writes.

The second book in the DCI Matt Ballard series is a complex read with great characters. Set on The Fens, plenty twists, fast paced, good character development and the usual well written book by Joy Ellis. I recommend this author to lovers of mysteries. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC. reviews on Amazon, Goodreads and Facebook.

My thanks toNetgalley and of course Joy Ellis.
I've told everyone I know, personally.to.read.Joy Ellis. While.these Ballard books.are.not.my favorites of hers, they still.dont.even come close to sucking. I think my problem internally with Ballard is the feeling that it's the end. Therefore, I haven't been able to give of myself. I don't wish to love a character at the end. No, not his death end...But the end as a well loved chracter. Fact is that Joy has many people.who are so well.loved by me that I don't want to commit to someone in the way out.
So, taking this I to account, I was never quite able to commit to this book. Which kind of bummed me out! Fact is that once a month I look up this author to see what's coming up. I only do this with John Connolly, and Stuart Macbride. Love Joy, but let's move on past Ballard, please?

Whilst I tend to enjoy the books by this author I just could not get on with this one, the story seemed to jump all over and did not hold interest as previous novels have, that said I still finished it although took slightly longer than intended

Matt Oakland's last case is definitely a complicated one! With him and the team still healing from their last case they are faced with their biggest challenge yet.