I was looking forward to reading this following my enjoyment of the debut DI Ridpath novel. I was not disappointed; this was another well plotted and paced crime novel.

D.I. Ridpath is in remission from his cancer and is still on secondment to the Coroner's office; the bulk of the story is told via his eyes and perspective. We do have chapters from the killer's point of view and more focus on DCI Charlie Whitworth's voice in this novel and it all works well.
The plot spirals from a violent death on the motorway, witnessed by Ridpath and evolves into gang wars, as the police attempt to discover the truth behind the events. Ridpath finds himself apart from the rest of the teams, but his persistence in his beliefs finally pays off in a tense but satisfying conclusion.
This is an intelligently written, believable crime novel, and despite having a strong idea of the killer quite early on, I enjoyed this read very much.

Overall, a gripping, expertly paced crime novel with enough twists to challenge and thoroughly absorb the reader.

Many thanks for the review copy Canelo & Netgalley.








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This is also an underscore in the narrative as he investigates the latest incident, one is found himself dramatically engaged in. This one begins with an horrific accident on the motorway which draws Ridpath

This is the second book in the series featuring DI Thomas Ridpath. After reviewing the first book in this series and giving it five stars, I eagerly awaited the publication of the second book and it certainly didn’t disappoint! DI Ridpath is in remission from cancer. He is estranged from his wife and daughter who he misses terribly and he is still working in the Coroner’s office but longing to return to the Major Incident Team where he worked before his illness. The book opens with Ridpath driving along the motorway, when a man only wearing boxer shorts, runs in front of his car. He misses him but a lorry hits and kills him. Ridpath thinks he saw a man with a gun chasing the victim so closes the motorway. But there is no evidence of this man. Everyone thinks he imagined it and that it is an open and shut case of a man off his head on drugs committing suicide. Ridpath is convinced he saw the gunman, so against his bosses instructions begins to investigate. He starts to find links between the accident and other deaths and murders which have taken place, especially when the man killed on the motorway was the son of one of the major gang leaders in Manchester. Is this the beginning of a crime gang war or is something else going on?
This is a fast paced crime book, told mainly from Ridpath’s perspective with odd chapters from the killer’s point of view. Ridpath has one of his most challeng8ng cases yet, with so many twists and turns and puzzles to solve. A fantastic read, can’t wait for book number three. A highly recommended series!
Thanks to NetGalley and Canelo for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

The angle on this police procedural is really original and in this outing, the second in the series, the characters have really come into their own. I really enjoyed this one and would be eagerly awaiting the next installment. I particularly like the admittedly fictional inclusion of the coroner's chief process.

Having recently read and enjoyed the first book in the DI Ridpath series (Where The Truth Lies), I am really looking forward to this novel.

It begins with a scary prologue. Then it becomes clear that it picks up where the previous book left off.

The characters of Tim Ridpath and other members of the police team and his family are developed further in this second novel. However, I am sure that this book is worth reading on its own merit; if you can, it is worth reading the books in order.

I like the quality of the writing, with amusing throwaway comments which enhance the dialogue between the well crafted characters.

From early on in the book I found that I was dragged into the plot, which was disturbing but fast moving. There are plenty of twists and turns as the story moves towards a dramatic conclusion.

I am left with the question: Will DI Tom Ridpath feature again in a future novel?

Once again I give my thanks to Netgalley and Canelo for a copy in exchange for this review.

Another outing for DI Redpath. He is such a likeable hero because he is up against so much. Recovering from cancer he has been shunted into the Coroner's Office away from the Major Incident Team. His wife has left him but he never gives up. He's great at making connections and asking the right questions. He's awful at looking after himself and delivering on family commitments. In this story gang warfare is about to break out in Manchester following two murders. Its fast paced and unputdownable - a fantastic read..

First of all let me say, what a treat to read a story set in my home city of Manchester. I recognised all the places,even lived in some,went for a day out in others.
I really enjoyed reading this book. I partcularly liked the back story of the detective fighting a terrible disease and how it affected him and his family.
A good solid story that flowed easily with no flaws with a twist at the end that I didn't see coming.
I will definately read this author again

I totally enjoyed reading this book. It was full of detail, like being on a roller coaster ride with plenty going on and set around Manchester. I got into the book straight away which is always a good sign for me and the writing was very descriptive.

DI Ridpath is driving to pick up his daughter when he gets involved in a motorway accident and everything snowballs from there. He is the first on scene so makes major decisions to prevent the crime scene from being contaminated although his decisions are questioned by higher authority.

The investigations lead DI Ridpath to query various aspects and asks some serious questions of the police force and their procedures whilst still trying to get his job done.

It's an interesting story and holds your attention because you want to know what happens next. Now I will go back to read book 1 and add this author to my watch list for future books.

Enjoy the DI Ridpath series and this has not disappointed quite a violent storyline this time but it did keep me guessing for quite a while. Ridpath is quite likeable and you do feel some empathy with the character he is very old school and has in the past put the job first damaging his hopes of a family life

Returning from a training program and heading for some overdue time with his estranged wife and daughter, DI Ridpath is confronted by a man, wearing only boxer shorts, running onto the M60. Ridpath stops but the man runs on into the path of a lorry. Only Ridpath has seen the gunman who was chasing him.
Follow DI Ridpath in his fight to be believed, his pursuit of the criminals and his battle with cancer while trying to revive a marriage that is on the edge.

Enjoyed this very much, I thought it was a very well plotted thriller. I haven’t read the previous book - this may encourage me to seek it out, but this didn’t impair my enjoyment.

The story is written mainly from DI Ridpath’s point of view, who we learn is in remission after being treated for cancer. We occasionally hear the story via other characters, which adds an interesting slant. DI Ridpath is a character that we can clearly emphasise with and is very likeable.

I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

Thank you to Canelo and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book - this is my honest, unpaid review.

The second book in this series and and I’m really enjoying the series. Ridpath is an endearing character and you can’t help but root for him. The novels are fast paced with good plots although I did think that the ending of this one was a little rushed.
I look forward to the next instalment.

My thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and author for this copy.

A fast paced police procedural story. Lots of very unpleasant villains, a detective with a difficult home life, colleagues who refuse to believe his assessment of the problem - could be a cliche but fast enough pace and enough twists to keep you reading along.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC

What price revenge?

DI Thomas Ridpath is excited to be returning home from a conference when his attention has to suddenly return from thinking about his family to trying to avoid hitting the man who has run onto the motorway. He manages to slam on his breaks in time, but the poor man, dressed only in blue underpants isn’t so lucky when a truck is unable to stop. Killing him instantly.

More bodies show up – dressed only in blue underpants and the race in on to discover who is carrying out the killings especially as all the victims turn out to be family members of some of the most notorious gangs in Manchester.

The storyline kept me interested and focused. Unfortunately, I felt that none of the characters had depth.

Dietes

Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.

his is the second outing for DI Ridpath but works really well as a stand alone.  I haven't read 'Where the Truth Lies' yet but I will be doing after reading this one.  The events of the first book are referred to however it does not spoil the flow or enjoyment. 

DI Ridpath is driving along the M60 when a naked man runs out into traffic and is killed by a truck.  Ridpath knows he saw a figure with a gun at the roadside and is convinced the man was running from someone but getting the rest of the force to believe him is a different matter.  As Ridpath desperately searches for evidence to prove his theory, more bodies begin to show up.  Can he find a link and stop the murders and save his career?

This novel is an extremely fast paced crime story that will keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end.  Full of surprises, and an interesting insight into the gangs of Manchester, I couldn't put this book down.  The chapters are short, making a book that can be read in short installments (not that you want to) and adds a pace to the story.  There is never a chapter where you become bored or distracted. 

Mainly told from Ridpath's perspective, the occasional chapter told from Whitworth's (Ridpath's boss) or the killer's point of view adds a extra tension to the story as you get a little insight into the motives behind the murder but not enough to reveal anything too early.   The book works like a jigsaw puzzle, small parts of revealed to the reader throughout but it only comes together and makes sense when the final pieces are put into place close to the end.

Ridpath himself is a relatable and likeable character.  Not perfect, (who is?) but with relatable and human flaws such as being too focussed on work, not taking care of himself this makes him a character that you root for from the beginning. 

A fast paced police procedural that takes on the investigative journey.  Highly recommended for crime fans.

Detective Inspector Thomas Ridpath is back in the second exciting installment in the DI Ridpath Series.

The first book ‘Where the Truth Lies‘ introduced us to DI Ridpath as he hunted ‘The Beast of Manchester’ and started his job working at The Coroners Office after he returned from sick leave from fighting cancer. This time DI Ridpath is trying to solve the case of crime gang bosses children being murdered and bring the murderer or murderers to justice before there is another gang warfare happening on the streets of Manchester and turning the place back to Gunchester.

I’m old enough to remember the years of Gunchester. In fact, the school I went to was on the edge of one of the worst areas involved and had numerous pupils that were part of different gangs, so Where the Dead Fall resonated with me and I was just hoping that DI Ridpath could stop a turf war happening on the streets.

The book opens with DI Ridpath driving back from a meeting and witnessing a man run across the motorway in front of his car. Luckily Ridpath manages to brake in time. The man looks panicky and before Ridpath can help him he carries on running straight into the oncoming path of a lorry, instantly being killed. Ridpath is sure he saw a gunman on the hard shoulder but with no witnesses seeing the gunman, nor any cameras picking him up, Ridpath is made to feel like a laughing stock.

From this opening scene, the tension and excitement build, leaving you wanting more as you piece together the jigsaw as further bodies, both older and newer turn up. All have something in common, they are the sons of crime bosses.

Whilst the rest of MIT (Major Incident Team) believing that this is the start of a turf war in the city, a tit-for-tat, Ridpath isn’t convinced but he can’t seem to get anyone on his side. It’s up to him with some help from the new pathologist Dr. Schofield to discover the truth.

The book was pure entertainment from the first page to the last. I love that the series is written in my home town as I can visualise the areas perfectly. There are plenty of twists and turns to throw you off course more than once. The characters are all intriguing and a real mixed bag, the only person I’ve never been able to warm to throughout the series is Ridpath’s wife Polly. Her attitude to his career just grates on me.

If you are looking for a thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat, well this is the one. Once I started reading I did not want to put it down. Whilst I would say this could be read as a standalone it would be better to read book one ‘Where the Truth Lies’ first as you will get to understand Ridpath and the way he works better.

I found this book to be more police procedural than thriller. The psychological crime side of the book was great, following the gangs in manchester and the response the GMP gave them. The main character was likeable and I enjoyed the background storyline of his life outside the police. The pace of the book was good and the writing flowed well. This can be read as a stand alone however because I like the main character and his life outside the police, I have preferred to read in order with this being the second book.

Very good read. This is the second book in the D I Ridpath series but you can go straight to it, if like me, you haven't read the first. But once you have finished this one you will go and buy the first one.

Ridpath is an excellent character- good detective but with a very dramatic and well written backstory. As I read I had a very vivid picture of him in my mind...towards the end of the book he reveals his age in coversation and is a good 15 years younger than I had him peged.I suspect his general disallusionment is very much a characteristic born of his illness.
The dark side of Manchester and the gang interactions are chilling and the deaths bizarre, inexplicable and disturbing with seemingly no logical explanation, until Ridpath and his colleague dig a little deeper into the forensics and the families.
A great read with great characters and a fantastic motive revalation at the end!

Fascinating story and kept you engrossed right to the final conclusion. Definitely recommended to those who enjoy this genre.

3.5 stars. This is solid police procedural. The protagonist putting his health and family at risk for a case is a bit of a cliche but nonetheless DI Ridpath is an intriguing character as were the other officers. I liked the feminist bent of some of them. I don’t like endings that are left so open for the next book as apparently this author has done with the first book.