I would like to thank Netgalley and Boldwood Books for an advance copy of Silenced for Good, the fifth novel to feature DCI Hanlon of the Met. The four previous novels were written under the name Alex Howard.

Hanlon is suspended from the Met for one violent arrest too many. On the advice of her therapist she takes a holiday to the island of Jura with the intention of no crime, plenty of triathlon training. Until she gets to the hotel where she senses that something is amiss, notably the drowning of a staff member that very day. Deciding to investigate she soon finds herself knee deep in trouble.

I enjoyed Silenced For Good which is an action packed yarn with a hard nosed, violent protagonist. I read the first novel in the series years ago but didn’t take to Hanlon so never tried the rest. I probably wouldn’t have read this one but I didn’t realise from the synopsis that it was the same series. I was tempted by the Scottish location, even if I don’t know Jura.

Hanlon cuts a lonely figure in this novel. She doesn’t have many friends and with few interpersonal skills she’s not one for casual conversation or for trusting new acquaintances. She doesn’t read or watch TV so apart from her physical training it’s hard to see how she entertains herself. All she has left is her job and that seems to be slipping away. She spends much of her time mulling over her addiction to violence and a growing need for love. It’s a bit repetitive at times but interesting enough as she becomes self aware. Obviously a Hanlon novel wouldn’t exist without a few fight scenes but I think it’s dialled down a bit in favour of self reflection. There is only so far an author can take a violence for the sake of it character without becoming a bit boring, even if it’s an attempt at stereotype busting by making her female.

The plot is fair enough with twists, action and more nefarious business than could reasonably be expected on a small Scottish island. Hanlon is too quick to jump to conclusions and make the facts fit her narrative which can be annoying at times but, I guess, it makes the story more exciting and the twists more vivid. I must admit that I guessed a few of them before the reveals but others were more of a surprise.

Silenced for Good is an interesting start to a new chapter in Hanlon’s life. I’ll be looking out for the sequel to see where the author takes her character.

Thank you NetGalley, Alex Coombs and Boldwood for allowing me to read this ARC. This is my honest opinion I am sharing. First off I would like to read more with DS Catriona Hanlon as main character. She is a good person and very tough, a little too tough according to the London police she works for, and she is bold. Rough but struggling with trying to hold back her temper.

Being ordered to "take a break" while they investigate the excessive force charges Hanlon goes to the peninsula of Kintyre Scotland to get her head together during her suspension. Right from the beginning she runs into interesting happenings. As she arrives they were just pulling the body of a young girl out of the Atlantic. Of course the police in her wanted to know more but she just went on to the Inn she booked. Everything from then on is disturbing. The Inn - that looked good on the brochure - was a run down almost empty huge monstrosity. Hanlon sees things she isn't supposed to. The parking lot is full but there are no guests, she is drugged and it all goes downhill from there. It'll take all of her training to stay alive as she gets deeply involved. She will find the truth it is intrinsic in her.
This book was a little hard to read at first until I got familiar with the dialect. The happenings get real interesting and keeps you reading. I would like to see the next book come out as it would be very interesting to see how things go from the ending of this one. I give it a four as it does give you dimensional characters, you can visualize the happenings and you guess but not accurately as to the ending.

In Alex Coombs debut novel, Silenced For Good, Hanlon is a detective with a difference. She has been suspended from serving in the police force after attacking a suspect. We understand from very early on that Hanlon has a very different relationship with violence. But this is what makes her character so unique and intriguing. I think some readers may not like her initially, but she is a character who grew on me, and you can see that she is still a good detective. Wherever she goes, violence seems to follow, and it isn’t long before she finds herself in the midst of a murder investigation when the body of a young woman is found.

What gives Hanlon an advantage is that she can work from the side-lines; she can use the skills that she picked up on the police force, but she can’t arrest people or force them to answer her questions. She still has friends in the police force, and she can advise them on where they should be looking, and this is what she uses to her advantage here. I was really intrigued to see how this would work, and if some of the people she used to work with would trust her. This would then leave her on her own, which made me wonder if she would continue to investigate.

Alex Coombs builds an atmospheric setting. When Hanlon first steps inside the Mackinnon Arms, the place really gave me chills. I suspected that something was going on here, and I didn’t like the sound of the people who were running it. With the discovery of the girl, I kept thinking that it must be somehow linked to what was going on here, and this is what kept me turning the pages. It made me wonder just how close Hanlon was going to get to danger and how far she would go to find the answers for herself.

I think as the series progresses from here I think I would like to learn more about Hanlon’s past. It would be interesting to find out about the case that she worked on, which lead to her being suspended. But I really like the angle that Alex Coombs has given this series, and it does make it feel very fresh in the crime fiction genre. I’m sure I’ll be hopping on board to find out what happens next.

This is a strong start to a new crime series, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. The writing keeps the pace flying forward. I would definitely recommend it.

Alex Coombs has created a genuine heroine flaws and all in this story set on the Isle of Jura. The descriptions of Jura themselves are enjoyable never mind that they are just a backdrop for the story of murder and betrayal. A female heroine in the mould of Jack Reacher who would probable give even him a good hiding, yes maybe a tad far fetched at times but that makes it even more enjoyable.

Another new author for me and I really hope that this is the start of a new series featuring Detective Hanlon. She is being investigated for using excessive force used when arresting a suspect. It seems that wherever she goes trouble finds her. This lady can certainly look after herself and relishes confrontation. Hanlon is forced to take leave while her future in the force is being investigated. A remote Scottish island is her destination, little does she realise that this island is more dangerous than London. I love this character, a woman who can definitely look after herself but also has a softer side. I loved this book and this island is one I will not be visiting. Can't wait to read more about Hanlon. Almost five stars and highly recommended.
Thanks to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for the ARC.

Definitely not a typical crime novel! A completely unbelievable, unrealistic, over the top yet highly entertaining read with a scenic background.

Nothing like the lead character, professionally disgraced, seeking self-understanding in a remote location only to find an opportunity for redemption!
"Silenced for Good" took place in, what was exotic to me, locale with believable characters. I was only able to figure out half of the plot early on and was somewhat surprised by the ending. Everything made sense to me and I just didn't connect the dots.
This was an enjoyable book for me, no stretching of the imagination, just a description of believable events and characters.
Bravo!

A sincere thank you to the publisher, author and Netgalley for providing me an ebook copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. This is not my usual genre therefore am extremely pleased and grateful for opening up my mind to something totally different. 4 stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟

I would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. The premise of this book sounded really interesting but unfortunately I had a hard time getting into it overall and it took me awhile to finish. I couldn't quite connect with the main character.

This book was an ok read. I liked how the author wrote the plot and her characters. The only problem I had with this book is, that even though it said this book was a mystery thriller it really wasn't. I just wished it was more scary.

Loved this book especially how one woman fights for what is right. Loved the drama cant wait for the next in the series