Set in Sheffield. The morning after a wonderful wedding the Bride & Groom are in their honeymoon.
A guest returns to the house to find a lost shoe what she stumbles on is a murder scene.
The Mother, Father and the Brother of the Bride have all been murdered and the bride's niece is tied to a chair alive.
D.C.I. Matilda Drake and her team are called in to find out who murdered this respectable couple and their son.
When the forensics are in they point to a suspect but Matilda is not sure they are going after the right person.
Thanks NetGalley

This is the fifth book in the series featuring Detective Matilda Darke who is based in Sheffield. Having not read the previous books I found that it worked well as a stand-alone but I will be looking to catch up with them. The opening chapter of the book is certainly not for the squeamish. Matilda and her team are called out to a gruesome murder. There has been a lavish wedding at a country house and the bride’s parent sand brother have been brutally stabbed to death in a frenzied attack. They were a well respected family who contributed to various charities and fundraising and no one can think of why this has happened. For Matilda and her team they are the most violent and gruesome murders they have ever witnessed. It is clear that this was a personal attack due to the nature of it but they are struggling to find anyone with a motive. There appears to be plenty of potential suspects as everyone seems to be lying about something. This is a book with a complex plot and with plenty of twists, turns and red herrings. It is a dark and gripping thriller and I can’t wai to catch up on the previous books.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

A wedding has just taken place, the bride and groom go away on their honeymoon. One of the guests calls round to the house to collect some personal things, when she finds a gruesome scene, Serena, Clive and Jeremy Mercer have been killed in a horrific way, the only survivor is a young girl tied to a chair. The team find this to be one of the worst scenes they have ever seen, seeming to be frenzied and personal. Another great book in this series

This is book 5 in the series, but the first I have read. This is another twisty mystery, that leads you one direction, before taking you in a different one.The murder scene doesn't make sense, they have a witness who can't speak, and a detective squad having problems dealing with both the scene and possible suspects. Darke is an interesting character, both flawed and likable, and one that makes you keep reading. In fact, good luck with NOT reading this book in one sitting, as it moves just that quickly! I'll be off to read more books in this series, and after reading this one, you will too!

Oh Mr Wood, this series continues to entertain in the grimmest possible way.

Leah Mercer holds her wedding, a fabulous day and she jets off on her honeymoon a happy woman. Unbeknown to her that very night in the aftermath of the reception her family are slaughtered in the most brutal of ways.

On the plus side the murder was committed in Sheffield and so Matilda Drake is on hand to solve the many mysteries that emerge throughout this tightly plotted book.

As I now expect as my right this latest book in the Matilda Drake series was the perfect mixture of mystery, sociology, modern policing and brilliant characterisation. Quite simply it hits the mark on all fronts - I can't wait for the next episode.

Here we are at book five of the DCI Matilda Darke series and this is another captivating read from the pen of Michael Wood.

The book begins with a grisly, brutal murder scene following on from a wedding reception held the previous day at the home of The Mercers. A seemingly respectable family in the rasising money and awareness for various charities in their communities. The parents and son have been murdered, but Rachel, the Mercer's granddaughter is still alive and may have borne witness to some of the horrors. Darke and her team are somewhat baffled as lot doesn't appear to add up.

I've really taken a like to DCI Darke and her no nonsense approach; the way she treats her team and her friendships. She seems a down to earth character dealing with her own demons yet slowly finding glimmers of light as time moves on.

The book is written to keep you hooked and 'one more chapter' turns into many long past your bedtime .... if that's your thing!! I highly recommend these books by Wood. My favourite is still book three. There was just something about that one that really got to me and I still think about it. I look forward to more from DCI Darke because you know it's going to be good!!

Many thanks for my review copy. Much enjoyed!

Gory and gripping. This is a really good read which kept me guessing the whole way through. There are a lot of strong characters and a very well written plot. This is the first book that I have read in this series and I now want to read the rest of the series.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

Yay!! Matilda is back and this time she’s taking on her toughest and most horrific case yet. An entire family have been annihilated in their own home the night after a happy family occasion. The force of the murders sickens the most hardened of the police community and Matilda is determined to bring whoever is responsible to justice. But their prime suspect is equally as determined to prove his innocence and what follows is a cat and mouse game where not all of the players are showing their cards. But we all know Matilda can solve the case…don’t we?!

I absolutely adore this series and have been a fan since the very first book. I did have to smile when I spotted some familiar names in here (especially a rather lovable Labrador!) and I felt at home in the teams new incarnation after their previous news. And there was a familiarity too with those team members that felt comfortable. Sian still has her snack drawer, although I’m concerned about how she’s covering the costs now as this case demands A LOT of chocolate (and can I just say I hope the Viscounts are the orange flavoured ones as the mint ones will taint all those other bars!!! I talk from experience as a hater of mint chocolate!). But Matilda is very much the main protagonist to watch here even though there are some life changing experiences for other members of the team during this investigation.

The case itself is a rather gruesome one and Michael Wood keeps his readers guessing throughout as to the perpetrator of the crime. The twists and turns came thick and fast towards the end with a rather shocking conclusion that made me want to read the next book in this series NOW!! Honestly, you’ve been missing out if you haven’t discovered the Matilda Darke series so you definitely need to catch up and read them now. The Murder House is a gripping crime thriller from start to finish and is highly recommended!

This is the first title I have read of this series, and I now have to go to the backlist and catch up on all the stories reference in this one. The main character seems to be particularly unlucky but it makes for great reading.

The Murder House is the fifth instalment in the DCI Matilda Darke series based in and around Sheffield, UK, and it was a magnificent read. My second in the series so far, having previously only read book one, For Reasons Unknown, The Murder House told a remarkable story. Having missed the books in between and although I have probably lost out on some back story, I didn't feel it detracted from my enjoyment of this book, as for me, it worked well as an individual read.

Matilda and her team are facing their worst case ever; a triple murder has taken place on the day following a wedding. It is one of the most frenzied and violent attacks that Matilda has ever seen. But this vicious murderer left one survivor, a young girl found tied to her chair. The victims appear to have been the perfect family, pillars of the local community, regularly fundraising and contributing to local charities, so why would someone target them? What possible motive could they have? And why kill them not long after their daughter's wedding? In common with Matilda and her team, I had absolutely no idea.

The characters are interesting, likeable (mostly) and believable, and I quickly became invested in them and their lives. Matilda is worth mentioning for her determination and strong sense of justice. I also respected DS Sian Mills, whom I remember from book one. A supporting character, she very much has her own style and is definitely not a stereotypical detective!

The plot is complex with multiple layers and lines of enquiry. With twists, turns and red herrings in abundance, The Murder House certainly held my devoted attention from the first page to the finish and didn't disappoint.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Murder House and I'm counting down the days until the next book in the series is released. In the meantime, I have books two to four to look forward to!

I received a complimentary copy of this novel from One More Chapter via NetGalley at my request, and this review is my own unbiased opinion.

This was my first DCI Matilda Clarke book to read and wow this book was good and so intense. I could not put it down! I really thought I had it figured out but nope didn’t see that one coming! I am going to go read the 4 books that came out before this one! Michael Wood has my full attention now!

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for this ARC.

Wow, this book got off to a blooming good start with DCI Matilda Darke and her team investigating the gruesome and bloody murders of 3 members of the same family who, by all accounts, seem the perfect family. I really, really enjoyed this book, I loved Matilda’s character and her working rapport with her murder team. DNA is found at the scene and linked to a man on the run. Is he the murderer? There are lots of twists in this story, little red herrings to throw you and an ending I didn’t expect. And the reveal of who done it ..... didn’t see that coming !!!! I’ve read the first three books in series, will be rereading them and downloading the fourth. A fab series of books, very well written by the author. Hope to read more of Matilda and her team in the future. 5 stars

Wow...what a book!! I love books like this and this one was a thrill ride. Right from the very first page till the end, you are hooked. Had me at the edge of my seat trying to figure out what was going to happen. It's an amazing read. I haven't read a book like this in a long time.

Thank you Netgalley, the author and publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

When a society wedding is followed with the murder of the bride's family, you know a twisted killer is loose and you are about to read an excellent thriller! Michael Wood sets his stories in some of the most original crimes in print. The Murder House is the next installment in the DCI Matilda Clarke series but can easily thrill readers who have not read the first books. The clues given in this story are subtle, pay attention or you will miss them! There are a couple of back stories running through the investigation. Our harried DCI keeps digging until the criminal must hide or fight. It's a tension filled story that will have you saying...just one more chapter when you know you should turn out the light!

I always eagerly await the latest outing of Matilda Darke and her team and this did not disappoint.
A seemingly perfect family are slaughtered after a happy family event and the investigation leads Matilda and her fellow officers down some dark and twisted paths with some personal issues of their own to deal with while they investigate.
A cracking read as always, highly recommend!

What a great book. Would definitely recommend to it others I no. Great work will look out for this author again

When it comes to investigating crimes, DCI Matilda Darke is undaunted and indefatigable. In Michael Wood’s fifth novel of the series, The Murder House, Darke will need nerves of steels and the stamina of a marathon runner as she takes charge of the most brutal crime scene her team has encountered.

The murder scene is a magnificent home in Sheffield where a wedding took place the previous day. Sadly, it looks nothing like that happy event. Rather, the carpet is saturated with blood. Three bodies lie in different parts of the house, stabbed in a frenzied attack. They are the parents and brother of the bride. One young witness has been left traumatized.

When a suspect emerges, Matilda is reluctant to jump on the bandwagon. Despite the forensic evidence, her instincts and her experience tell her that something is wrong with that picture. Will she follow her gut and put her job, and perhaps her safety on the line? Or will she give in to the pressure and arrest a career criminal who may not be guilty of these heinous murders?

Having read the previous four books in the series, I felt that I knew Matilda Darke well enough to know the answer. Her decisions often get her into trouble, but she does learn from her mistakes. One of those experiences that she considers a mistake was the case of Carl Meagan, a young boy who was kidnapped. A ransom was arranged, but the drop was botched and Matilda has never forgiven herself. This case reappears in this story as well, and it still is not over. If you have not read previous books, I highly recommend reading them in order to understand what makes Matilda Darke tick. There are references to a much-valued former team member, and I had to go back to The Hangman’s Hold to see why this person is no longer part of the force.

Matilda Darke continues to evolve as a leader and as a person. She is slowly recovering from the death of her husband and starting to live again. We also get to know more about the personal lives of several members of her team, which makes them feel quite human, and likeable.

The plot kept me guessing, and although I had a likely suspect, I was nowhere close to being right. I did enjoy the tantalizing tease at the end, which makes me look forward to reading Number Six!

Thanks to NetGalley, One More Chapter, and the author for this ARC in exchange for my honest, unbiased review.

4.5 rounded to 5 stars

Definately Darke.....
DCI Matilda Darke, book five. A seemingly perfect family, a grotesque and brutal crime. Matilda Darke investigates, perhaps her bloodiest case yet. Disturbing and dark but so well written with exceptional character development. An engrossing read - not for the faint hearted.

The Murder House is the fifth book in Wood's DCI Matilda Darke series and was published in digital format by One More Chapter on 31st January. The paperback will be available to purchase in the Spring on 19th March. I received a free eARC copy of The Murder House which has in no way influenced my review.

There is nothing I love more than a bloody good police procedural. And The Murder House was exactly that. Bloody and good! I have been eagerly waiting for Darke's return as I have enjoyed all of her previous investigations (although I must confess I am still to read For Reasons Unknown - the first book in the series - which sits patiently on my Kindle waiting for me). If you're a fan of detective fiction then I highly recommend you check out the whole series as every book Wood writes tops the last. AND you'll need to read them quickly as book six in the series - Stolen Children - will be published later this year!

The Murder House is a brilliant addition to the series and one that, on those occasions when I did have to put the book down and do 'life', I was really keen to return to. I'll tell you a little secret but you have to keep it to yourself. When I started reading The Murder House I was really struggling with a bit of a reading slump. By the end, my love, passion and enthusiasm for reading and for books had returned. So thank you Michael Wood and Matilda for reminding me how utterly engrossing a book can be.

This is Matilda and the team's most disturbing crime scene to date which I know will raise a flag for some readers. I am aware many people don't enjoy blood, guts and gore in their fiction (not me, I should add). If you are a little squeamish then please don't worry. There are a couple of references to the scene and the damage done but it's not over the top. If anything, I actually expected there to be more blood spilt and more gore after reading the blurb!

This book can be read as a standalone despite being the fifth book in the series. The author expertly fills in many of the gaps for new readers and explains the significance of sub-plots along the way. However, there are mentions of past characters which will pique your curiosity so it may be better to start at the beginning of the series, rather than with book five. The team have been through an AWFUL LOT together (five books worth now!) and not everything can be recapped along the way. If you want to see the whole picture then start at the beginning. If you're happy to be left wondering on a couple of teeny tiny points then dive straight in with The Murder House.

Sometimes when you read a book the characters are great but the plot isn't so much. Or vice versa, the plot is brilliant but the characters... Wood has produced a series where both character and plot are outstanding. I adore the characters in this series and have a bit of a girl crush on DCI Matilda Darke. The other supporting characters are all well written, particularly Sian and Christian. The sub-plots involving Scott's inner struggle to be accepted and the continuation of the Carl Meagan storyline added to the primary investigation.

Would I recommend this book? I would, absolutely. I would recommend the entire series. If you're a fan of crime fiction and you haven't met DCI Darke and her team yet then that needs to change. You can thank me later! The ending of this book was hold-your-breath tense and I loved it. The twists and turns keep coming right up to the very end. I thoroughly enjoyed The Murder House and I'm counting down the days until the next book in the series is released.

I received a free eARC of The Murder House. The above review is my own unbiased opinion.

Blood, guts and gore. Not exactly the aftermath you’d expect the morning following a lovely wedding but there we are. It is exactly the scene DCI Matilda Darke and her team come across when three members of a family are found brutally murdered in their home. Forensics quickly point to a petty criminal, who just happens to be on the run. But things don’t quite seem to add up and DCI Darke must keep her wits about her, while also trying to make sure her team doesn’t fall apart at the seams.

Meanwhile, Sally Meeghan is getting phone calls from someone she believes is her son. Carl went missing years ago. It’s a case that haunts Matilda Darke to this day. Is Carl still alive? Is someone playing a cruel game with his mother? And where on earth will Matilda find the time to deal with this on top of everything else?

I think you can just about get away with reading this one as a stand-alone, although why you would want to is anyone’s guess and obviously my recommendation is always to start from the beginning of a series. This team has gone through so much over the last few years, it’s really not surprising that cracks are starting to show and I truly feared for them.

But they have a job to do and a killer to catch. As to who that killer might be, I didn’t have a clue. By all appearances, this slain family seemed absolutely perfect. Who would want to harm them in such a brutal way and why? With so little information to go on, where do you even start? The tiniest little detail could blow this case right open. And let me tell you, when that happened, my jaw dropped to the floor because that is just a stroke of genius!

The Murder House is the fifth book in the DCI Matilda Darke series. I’ve been with this series from the very beginning and I feel it just isn’t talked about enough, you guys. Michael Wood delivers every single time and every single book has been outstanding but this one? Talk about raising the bar! The Murder House is intensely gripping from the first page and the pace builds up so much, I was wondering when I’d have a moment to come up for air. Deliciously dark, full of red herrings … you know what’s coming, don’t you? Best one in the series yet!

Fans of Matilda Darke will be thrilled with this latest addition, as would anyone who enjoys a solid, fast-paced and incredibly well-plotted police procedural. If Michael Wood isn’t on your radar, he bloody well should be and now is the perfect time to get caught up because there are lots of goodies coming our way from him this year.