Another solid instalment in an established crime series with well developed characters (although Rachel's constant complaining about how hectic her home life is can get a bit monotonous; with her ex husband looking after the kids 8feel its overplayed at times).
For me the perpetrator and motive were obvious as soon as the character was introduced but still a worthwhile read.
Will this be the last book in this the series?

Secrets Abound....
The fourth in the Detective Rachel King series. When a decomposed body is discovered in a local cotton mill King, who is keeping her own secrets, is called in to investigate what is clearly no accident. Compelling read and a worthy addition to the series.

I’ve enjoyed all of the DCI Rachel King books so far. I always say that they get straight on with the action, and there are no wasted words on recapping the past books. It is one of the things I have enjoyed in the past about this series. However, this one simply wasn’t as good and had lost the perfect formula.
The crime itself was fascinating as always, but I felt like not enough of the time was devoted to this side of the story, and there was too much else going on. Rachel has her personal life with her kids and Alan (who appears to have had a complete personality change). There is her on-and-off-again relationship with Jed, and then there is another aspect added with her parent’s death from years ago. So much was being covered that it all felt rushed, and there wasn’t the time to really delve into any aspect enough for it to feel as if it were a fully-formed story.
Elwyn was being very annoying and kept repeating the same thing over and over. Rachel was trying to concentrate on the investigation, but he kept blathering on at her to sort her personal dramas out. It became monotonous. The storyline with her parent’s death felt tacked on; I’m not sure if it is a leading story for future books, but it just didn’t flow or make much sense.
The ending of the book was very rushed, and the investigation was wrapped up in record time and without much of a flourish. I was very disappointed.
This is the second Helen H. Durrant book I have read in the past couple of months, and I’m afraid her quality of writing has dropped somewhat. After the previous bad experience, I was sceptical about reading this one, but I thought I’d be safe with the Rachel King series once again as I’d enjoyed them in the past. However, I’ve decided not to read any more of this author’s books as I’m just not enjoying them anymore.

Forgotten Victim  is the 4th book in the Detective Rachel King series. It is well written, with great characters. There is a good, solid plot with nice twists and turns. I really enjoyed it.

At Shawcross Mill Ancoats Manchester, DCI Rachel King and DS Elwyn Pryce, are investigating a body sealed up in a tunnel under the floor it looks to be a murder the victim has been shot in both legs and left to die, Finn Kendal and Jack Handley were fleeing from someone when the stumbled across him as they broke through the bricks he was also holding a St Christopher Necklace on a chunky chain.
The mill that use to be cotton over the years has had firms in units trying their luck to make money after a car repair service shut years ago its remained empty. Mathew Shawcross owns it and the terrace houses so he is the first one to be questioned.
Rachel is pregnant by her ex Jed McAteer but keeping it quiet Elwyn is the only one that knows and the decision alone is down to her.
Inside the victims coat a credit card is found belonging to Rita Pearce who runs the Spinners Arms pub but she lost it three years ago but is not saying nothing else.
This is one proper page turner to read, I loved all the turns and chills as you read, and it will leave with a massive twist, right up till the ending that will pull at your heartstrings.

I have read lots of this authors work this year after purchasing a complete series earlier on in the year and find the books well written and good characters and believable plots. This book is the 4th book in the Detective Rachel King series. I have read the previous three so was already very familiar with many of the characters that obviously helps when trying to get into a book.

This case revolves round a decomposed body that is discovered in the depths of a disused Manchester cotton mill. Detective Rachel King is asked to investigate and discovers that the victim had gunshot wounds to the knees proving this was no accident. Rachel is aided by DS Elwyn Price as they try to uncover the killer of what looks like it could be a gangland killing but Rachel is not convinced.

Rachel is three months pregnant and has told no one other than her trusted ally Elwyn. The father to be is Jed McAteer who's past is far from angelic and Rachel must soon make her news common knowledge. A good crime plot with a few twists and turns and plenty of back stories to make it another entertaining read.

I would like to thank both Netgalley and Joffe Books for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review