This series is really shaping up to be quite a nice police procedural set - it’s the kind that starts out with a seemingly straightforward set of circumstances, but then explodes with a few twists into a really head-scratching mystery. And this one really had me guessing until the end (in fact there are still a couple little mysteries still out there that I hope get tied up in the future - dun dun dun!) But it all tied together well and I enjoyed guessing and trying to put everything together.

I also really like Denning and Molly. They are two different characters who really compliment each other nicely - Denning is a little more mature and plays the political game a little better than Molly, who is more of an impulsive, “go for it” person. But they both want to help people and get justice, which makes them worth rooting for. I look forward to seeing more of them in the future.

As I said, this one really kept me guessing and there are some nice twists and turns in there that kept things very interesting - there were some turns that had me shocked. I like when there’s an atmosphere where anything can happen and no one’s safe and this book was definitely one of them. I don’t want to give anything away, but yeah, nothing’s off limits!

The Darkness Within’ is the third book in the series to feature Detective Inspector Denning and Detective Sergeant Fisher. I read and loved the previous two books in the series and once I saw the synopsis for ‘The Darkness Within’, I instantly knew that I had to read this book as soon as possible and that I was going to be in for a treat. I was spot on because I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘The Darkness Within’ but more about that in a bit.
The synopsis of ‘The Darkness Within’ was enough to capture my attention and the story within the covers of the books sealed the deal as it were. To say that reading ‘The Darkness Within’ became addictive was an understatement. This book was on my mind irrespective of whether or not I actually had the book in my hand. If I wasn’t reading the book, I was thinking about it and if I had to put the book down for any great length of time then I would immediately look forward to being able to pick the book up again. The deaths intrigued me and I felt compelled (in the nicest possible way) to keep reading to see if my suspicions as to who the murderer was and their motivation were anywhere near the truth or if I had the wrong end of the stick entirely. I found this to be a gripping read, which kept me guessing and it kept me on the edge of my seat throughout.
‘The Darkness Within’ is well written but then I have thought that to be true of the first two books in the series. Graeme has created a tense and dramatic plot, which will keep you guessing and which has more twists an turns to it than you could imagine. For me, the story is perfectly paced- the story starts with a bang, hits the ground running and maintains a fairly fast pace throughout. I loved the two lead characters who are excellent detectives who are not averse to defying orders from their superiors. In a way they are like rebels.
In short I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘The Darkness Within’ and I would recommend it to other readers. I will definitely be reading more from Graeme Hampton in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.

This was a cleverly crafted, multilayered plot that kept me intrigued until the end. It was a great addition to the series.
Many thanks to Hera Books and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Another in the D.I Mathew Denny and D.S Molly Fisher series.
A man is found dead in a flat and is identified as retired D.C Frank Buckfield.
Earlier a man was found brutally attacked on a London Street .
But this man has secrets of his own the name ihe was going by shows he was reported missing two decades ago but the man in the bed is not the man reported missing so how has he got hold of this mans name.
These two cases seem unrelated but as the detectives dig they soon realise that there are connections between the two.
A really good read
Thanks NetGalley

A book that will hook you from the get go and keep you plugged into the lives of those involved. One of the threads they follow on the hunt for the truth does not shy away from the effects that are felt by the innocent victims long after the deeds are committed. Full of gritty realism it delivers an engaging read, one that will keep you not only guessing but wanting to know what comes on the next page and the next. My first book by the author but certainly engaging enough to read as a stand alone. With strong realistic main characters this police procedural based book will appeal to any crime reading book worms.

Absolutely fantastic! I honestly could not put this book down. There were twists and turns and a lot of unpredictability. I loved the characters, the writing style and pace. I will absolutely be picking up more of Graemes books.

A hard-hitting graphic police procedural that was gripping, entertaining and very cleverly portrayed all sides of the Police and their working processes. This came across as a standalone even though it's part of a series and it packs a punch. The author doesn't hold back with the tension nor the surprises.

This is Graeme's best yet because it kept me hooked on the murderer's intentions and had me guessing. A complete edge of your seat read!

Fans of fast-paced police procedurals will gobble up Graeme Hampton’s nail-biting new thriller, The Darkness Within.

DI Matthew Denning is called onto the scene of a brutal attack of a man who had been left fighting for his life on a leafy street in North London. Denning and his team are immediately on the case and vow to leave no stone unturned in their quest for justice. However, they soon realise that uncovering the truth is going to be far easier said than done as they find out that the victim in question had secrets of his own. His name shows that he had been reported missing two decades ago, however, it soon transpires that the man in the hospital bed is not the person who had vanished off the face of the earth. Worse is to come for Denning and his team when another victim is found in a squalid East End flat with his throat slit who is soon identified as former DCI Frank Buckfield. The two cases are seemingly unrelated, but could there be some connection between them? Are the twos death related? Or are there two dangerous killers on the loose?

As their investigation begins in earnest, Denning and DS Molly Fisher quickly discover that there is more to these two cases than meets the eye and as common links are found, it looks like these two victims had a connection to a dark and twisted underbelly covering up the most vicious and despicable of crimes. In a race against time to track down a deranged and unpredictable killer waiting for just the right time to step out of the shadows and make his move, will Denning and Fisher find whoever is responsible for all these heinous crimes? Or will their search for the truth end up costing them their lives?

A nerve-twisting thriller where the shocks and surprises come thick and fast, Graeme Hampton’s The Darkness Within is the perfect edge of your seat and jump out of your skin thriller. Denning and Fisher are a brilliant team and readers will enjoy watching them untangle the many twisted strands of their latest chilling case.

Brilliantly plotted, well-paced and heart-stoppingly terrifying, Graeme Hampton’s The Darkness Within is a deftly written thriller genre devotees will not want to miss.

The Darkness Within by Graeme Hampton is the third book in the the series that features DI Matthew Denning and DS Molly Fisher. This is a series that can be read as a standalone but, believe me, by the time you have read this, the other two will be in your sights.
In this particular instalment there is a man found fighting for his life after being brutally beaten up.DI Denning and his team are on the case immediately. The victim is a man who was reported missing 20 years ago, according to his name...but the actual man in the hospital bed is not the missing man. Then an ex- copper, a star of the met back in the day is discovered in a manky flat with his throat cut and decomposed.
Denning and Fisher begin to investigate both cases and as they get deeper they find links between the two men that lead back to a wall of silence that hides deep and dark crimes. As they attempt to track a killer they find they are up against a psychopath who is willing to kill to keep the secrets exactly that...secrets. Will they be able to find the truth before they become victims themselves?
A fabulous thriller! Graeme Hampton as always manages to create a twisty, tense story. His characters and his writing have you turning the pages in anticipation of what will happen next. The team have a lot to deal with, red herrings, sly witnesses, coppers that aren't exactly on the straight and narrow and to top it off they even have to handle the politicians that aren't exactly top drawer. If you like your thrillers realistic and gritty here you are and my advice is...try it!
Thanks to Book On The Bright Side,Hera Books and NetGalley for the copy of the book for my review today.

3.5/5 stars - rounded up for rating

Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for the free ebook copy in exchange for my honest review

If you’re a fan of police procedurals then this is the series you need to get into! Once again I found myself jumping into a series without starting at the beginning, but with crime fiction series that usually doesn’t cause too much of a problem. THE DARKNESS WITHIN is book three in the DI Denning and DS Fisher series, but it can definitely be read as a standalone. Of course, we’ll be missing some of the character development from the first two books, but I feel like the author did a good job bringing us up to speed.

This is a pretty straight forward police procedural. Nothing too drawn out or technical, but not too crazy of a thriller. I feel like this had a great balance and didn’t have a lull in the pacing like some in the genre can have. While I would have enjoyed a little more background on our main investigators, I think the author gave us enough information to get a little invested in them! The little twists and turns the story takes didn’t come as a complete shock, but that didn’t take away from the reading experience. There are some books I can predict the ending of almost immediately and still love them.

I liked the author’s writing style, the introduction to these characters, and following along in the investigation. I definitely plan on picking up books one and two at some point so that I can get to know Denning and Fisher better. A solid police procedural with a steady pace made for an engrossing read that I flipped through in just a couple sittings.

This is the first book I have read by this author and, if I hadn’t been told it was part of a series, I would not have known simply from reading it. The fact I hadn’t read the previous books did not detract from my understanding or enjoyment of this book at all, it works perfectly as a standalone.

The book pulled me in to the story immediately, opening as it does with the rather gory discovery of the dead body of a retired police officer. From the very beginning, the author does not hold back from giving us a graphic insight in to the way a police investigation works, the pleasant and very unpleasant together. This was the most appealing part of the book to me, looking at how investigations are really happen and how the police have to juggle demands on their time, decide what to prioritise, and how those decisions can be political rather than in the best interests of the victims. It’s very sobering, to be honest.

At the beginning there seem to be two separate crimes to be investigated, one of which is more important to the top brass than the other. Luckily, the two voices we hear from throughout the book, DI Denning and DS Fisher, are not above ignoring orders from above if it goes against their instincts, and they seem to each have a good nose for something fishy, as well as a tenacity in getting to the bottom of a crime. They are the kind of police you would want on your case if you ever needed them.

I found the book very compelling. It was extremely easy to read, and gripping enough to make me race through the pages, so that several hours flew by like minutes. I absolutely love it when a book draws you so far in to the world the author has created between the pages that you are fully living it and don’t want to be pulled out. Honestly, this is one of the best examples of the genre I have read for a while and I look forward to going back and reading the preceding books in the series. I thought the two main characters were well developed and interesting enough to easily carry the story and I really enjoyed getting to know them personally as well as professionally.

An all-round great story which will keep you engrossed and entertained for however long it takes you to read it. Highly recommended as a great distraction in these lockdown days.

I loved this, I found the story compelling and I liked the detectives and thel ook back at historial cases. I'll be watching this author!

‘The Darkness Within’ is the third book in the series to feature Detective Inspector Denning and Detective Sergeant Fisher. I read and loved the previous two books in the series and once I saw the synopsis for ‘The Darkness Within’, I instantly knew that I had to read this book as soon as possible and that I was going to be in for a treat. I was spot on because I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘The Darkness Within’ but more about that in a bit.
The synopsis of ‘The Darkness Within’ was enough to capture my attention and the story within the covers of the books sealed the deal as it were. To say that reading ‘The Darkness Within’ became addictive was an understatement. This book was on my mind irrespective of whether or not I actually had the book in my hand. If I wasn’t reading the book, I was thinking about it and if I had to put the book down for any great length of time then I would immediately look forward to being able to pick the book up again. The deaths intrigued me and I felt compelled (in the nicest possible way) to keep reading to see if my suspicions as to who the murderer was and their motivation were anywhere near the truth or if I had the wrong end of the stick entirely. I found this to be a gripping read, which kept me guessing and it kept me on the edge of my seat throughout.
‘The Darkness Within’ is well written but then I have thought that to be true of the first two books in the series. Graeme has created a tense and dramatic plot, which will keep you guessing and which has more twists an turns to it than you could imagine. For me, the story is perfectly paced- the story starts with a bang, hits the ground running and maintains a fairly fast pace throughout. I loved the two lead characters who are excellent detectives who are not averse to defying orders from their superiors. In a way they are like rebels.
In short I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘The Darkness Within’ and I would recommend it to other readers. I will definitely be reading more from Graeme Hampton in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.

The Darkness Within is the third book in the Denning and Fisher series but the first that I’ve read. I had no problem getting to know the characters or follow the storyline. Although I do intend to read the earlier books as soon as possible, I enjoyed this novel a lot.

There appears to be two separate investigations but there is a connection. And it isn’t just the one that has the two main characters getting into trouble simply for trying to do their jobs. But despite both being told to back off they aren’t willing to, and they carry on with their questioning. Thus upsetting victims, criminals and superior officers.

The investigation is sadly believable, everybody will have heard about investigations that were dropped for reasons unexplained but where you’d suspect that money or power and control were involved. The author shows the damage that caused to the individuals concerned and the way that it destroyed their life. But he also shows how a willingness to listen could make a difference.

An unusual side to this novel was that lead characters personal lives were shown and that their partners also had a voice. All too often they feature but the reader never gets to know much about them. I appreciated this a lot and I hope to see it a lot more.

I’m looking forward to reading the earlier books and from reading the author notes at the end book four definitely sounds like one to look forward to.

The Darkness Within by Graeme Hampton
D.I. Denning and D.S. Fisher #3

Interesting twists and turns abound in this intriguing police procedural that has the team dealing with a murder that leads back to crimes from long ago.

What I liked:
* D.I. Matt Denning: didn’t see a lot of his private life but enjoyed seeing him interact with his team, his wife, and others that he encountered on the job and elsewhere
* D.S. Molly Fisher: tenacious policewoman willing to help as s he solves cases. I enjoyed seeing her relationship with colleagues, her significant other, and those that she helped.
* The team: there is much to learn about the team as the series continues
* The police procedural aspects of the story
* The twists and turns and unexpected surprises
* That the bad guys were unearthed…mostly
* That there might be justice even decades after a crime was committed
* The complexity of the story and how all the threads wove together seamlessly by the end of the book
* Wondering about what will come next in the series
* The believability of the plot
* That there was a firm conclusion – no cliffhanger
* Wondering if Alfie Kane will ever be arrested
* That there is another book to look forward to in the future.

What I didn’t like:
* Knowing that the crimes in this story do occur in real life
* The ripple effect crime has on people and communities
* Saying goodbye to the characters and having to wait awhile for the next book

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Definitely

Thank you to NetGalley and Hera for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars

The Darkness Within is the third instalment in the DI Matt Denning and DS Molly Fisher series, set in and around London. Fisher has recently been promoted from regular CID and has taken her place alongside colleagues, including DI Denning, in the East London Major Investigation Team (MIT), aka The Murder Squad. DI Denning is called out to a second floor flat on the Bedgebrook Estate in Hackney, notorious for drugs, violence and gangland activity. A battered old leather armchair by the window in the living room holds the body of an elderly man whose throat has been slit from ear to ear. The victim was in his late seventies, emaciated and Crime Scene Manager Sheila Gorton estimates he's been dead for up to a fortnight. According to council records the flat had been leased to one Joseph Jupp who the police assume was subletting to the victim as Jupp was only in his thirties. It isn't long before Gorton finds the victim's wallet complete with identification hidden in a tin in a kitchen cupboard. The name on the bus pass reads Frank Buckfield. An ex-DCI but what exactly happened to him to end up murdered in a squalid flat? Unfortunately, on the estate they subscribe to the Three Wise Monkeys principle - see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil - making door to door enquiries pretty much useless. Meanwhile, back at the station, the team are all in the conference room where their new DCS, Ian Harrison, is introducing himself to his colleagues.

Interrupting the gathering, Denning announces that local CID has just informed him of a serious assault, and possible attempted murder, that had just taken place in Islington. 24 Arundel Road near Highbury was a pretty swish area and when Denning and DS Deepak Neeraj arrive they are greeted by CID Detective DS Anna Klein, the one who called it in. The victim is David Cairns who has been taken by ambulance to the hospital with suspected concussion, internal bleeding and a few broken bones. A man was seen running away from the scene and if the paramedics hadn't arrived when they did he would likely be dead from the injuries sustained. Who would beat a man within an inch of his life in broad daylight in a nice neighbourhood? It becomes apparent the crimes are linked and both relate back to historical incidents from years earlier. Who is the perpetrator with a taste for revenge and can they apprehend him before he kills someone else? This is a compulsive and captivating read with plenty of action, mystery, crazy plot twists and a killer out for blood. The fact that it was told from Denning and Fisher’s perspectives made it all the more immersive, and I enjoyed learning more about each of them as people and not just investigators. The way the multilayered plot unravels and the two crimes become intertwined is well thought out and kept me riveted throughout. It's a propulsive and absorbing addition to a gritty series that is swiftly becoming unmissable. Highly recommended.

This was a would police procedural. The pace dragged a little for me at times but there was enough intrigue to keep me interested.

This the first time I have read a book by this author, starting part way through a series is never the best idea but I do have to say that these books well as a stand-alone. The obvious benefit of reading in order means that you get to know the characters traits and how they interact, I soon found myself getting to grip with these as I read.

This story starts with the discovery of a body, that of an ex DCI. The crime is murder, the reasons for it are not easy to come by for DI Denning and his team. This case will test them all and when results are slow to come the hierarchy do what they do best and add unnecessary pressure. Another similar murder and some accusations and rumours start to emerge of historic crimes that may have been covered-up start to emerge.

I really enjoyed this book, it is not a fast-paced story and this was good for me as I got to know more about the characters as while they were dealing with the cases before them. Sometimes it is nice to get into a more detailed book as far as the investigation, the characters and the storyline goes. As the characters are new to me I did occasionally forget who was who, but this didn't stop any enjoyment. The investigation is a slower more dogged one, knowing that something isn't right and proving it are two very different things and this kind of sums up the story in a way. Finding the evidence, connecting the dots and proving that your gut instinct is correct provides a very gripping read.

I really liked this and yes I do wish I had read the previous books, this is a series I do think I will keep going with. I really enjoyed the mix or current crimes with links to historical ones, the power struggles and how the case was worked through and sorted. A crime, with a strong police procedural and more of mystery aspect rather than a full-on crime thriller and one I would definitely recommend it.

The Darkness Within Graeme Hampton
This is book 3 in the series, and while it reads well as a standalone, I think I would have benefitted from reading the previous two books.
The story held my attention right the way through, and I liked Detectives Denning and Fischer.
The book starts with a murder and viscous assault, they seem unconnected, but are they? There is a race against time, and lives are at risk, I particularly liked the ending as the pace really picked up.

*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review*

The Darkness Within is pretty much a stock standard police procedural. It follows detectives Denning and Fisher as they look to solve two crimes - one, the death if an ex detective, and the other a seemingly random assault on a gentleman - that begin to unearth more questions and become entangled.

The writing is.. okay. Particularly at the start of the book it feels like the author is trying far too hard to pepper in ridiculously large words as if they make good literature. This tapers off (thank god) and the novel becomes more readable, by the end quite enjoyable.

There isn't a lot of time devoted to endearing the main characters to the reader. You get glimpses into their lives, but nothing is done to create any real attachment to any of the characters. Some of the instances where female characters have their activities described are.. slightly off. An example is Fisher having a late period, doing two negative pregnancy tests, then going to the gp because she has NEVER been irregular in her life. She gets told its probably stress messing up her hormones. I have never known a single woman who has never had a late period in her life because of stress (or because shes been under eating, or because shes been unwell, or literally a billion reasons) and in this instance an intelligent, logical woman who has two negative home test results would know her body is probably just being ridiculous and to wait a few days or even weeks. There's another instance where a woman sits down at a restaurant and proceeds to spray herself with perfume, followed by a "thats better!" - nobody in their right mind would spray perfume on themselves at the dinner table at a restaurant. First of all its rude af, and the character who does it doesn't come across as someone who is wildly socially inept. These are really minor things in relation to the novel as a whole but if you're going to try and write female characters please stop doing this crap.

All in all its an enjoyable read - the ending is very guessable, but it didn't detract from the reading of it. I found no issue coming into this novel without having read earlier instalments. If you enjoy uncomplicated police procedurals this is probably up your alley.