Not a fan, but not because the story wasn't good, I just don't typically love detective or even trafficking-type books. However, the BDSM thrown in made it spicy and readable for me when I would have typically put it down quickly.

Although the type of story it was, wasn't typical for me, I enjoyed some elements and recommend it to an audience who loves these detective storylines

‘Poison’ is a book based on people trafficking and all the underworld sleaze that goes along with it. It demonstrates the great detection work that goes on in our police force today and the hard work they have to undertake, to solve crimes and prevent the exploitation of vulnerable people, who are preyed on and brought here from other countries to live a life of debauchery.
Detective Paniatowski and her team crack open a wasps nest of prostitution and modern day slavery when they become involved in a murder case, not knowing just what is ahead for them, when they have to deal with businessman/gangster Jordan Gough and his sharp-witted but sly lawyer Spider Markham. This book has everything thrown into it, including a female detective with a penchant for BDSM, a male detective with a Herculean sex drive, a young protege who is sent into the den of iniquity alone in a baptism of fire and their Chief, Baxter, who has just returned to work after suffering a nervous breakdown, following his wife’s suicide.

Poison is best suited for those readers who like a slow burner. The author takes time to introduce the characters, who I didn’t find all that likeable at first, before moving onto the main theme of the book. Twists and turns take you through this read at a gradual pace, climaxing to a surprise finish. Worth a read!

Over the course of fifty novels published by Severn House the author has consistently told a good story and this new book is one of the best.
I love the evocative landscape of Lancashire. I love the intensity of another clever plot. I love DCI Monika Paniatowski, Jack Crane, Kate Meadows and the rest of the team. And I love a villain as deliciously evil as Jordan Gough
I give the author a standing ovation. Police procedurals don't get any better than this.

I’d like to thank Severn House and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘Poison’ by Sally Spencer in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Chief Constable insists that Detective Chief Inspector Monika Paniatowski pay a home visit to Jordan Gough, corrupt businessman and sometime benefactor to the people of Whitebridge, as he believes someone is trying to kill him. Monika doesn’t want to go as she knows Gough bears her a grudge for something that happened many years ago but she has no choice in the matter. Meanwhile, Monika instructs her team of DI Beresford, DS Meadows and DC Crane to investigate the death of surveyor Tom Crawley who appears to have a lot of money but from an unknown source.

‘Poison’ is the fourteenth book in the DCI Monika Paniatowski series but the first I’ve read, and although a bit of background might have been useful it’s still a good solid police thriller even when read as a standalone novel. The story starts with the prologue introducing Jordan Gough and his cruelty, before moving to the year 1981. Despite the plot being strong and Monika and her team an interesting group of characters I can’t say I’ve warmed to them, although I admired how she stands up to authority and doesn’t kowtow to the Chief Constable or Jordan Gough. Some of the descriptive phrases the author used made me chuckle such as ‘he has as much class as a second-hand toilet brush’. So although it isn’t a novel I’d rave about it was entertaining and worth reading.

I've noticed the name Sally Spencer quite often when I've been looking for new reading materials so thought to try this one in hopes of liking it enough to want to explore that lovely long list of 13 previous books in the series. Unhappily for me it's not to be because I really did not like any of the characters in this novel. Therefore, just two stars because it was just okay, barely.

A VIP in Whitebridge has requested that Detective Chief Inspector Monica Paniatowski come to his home, only Monica will do, so he can explain the problem he has and that he wants her to resolve the matter. She positively refuses to go when her boss gives her the assignment. It was right about here, at 13% of the book, that I knew Monica and I would not be getting along. I could not find any sympathy or liking for any of these characters and the author didn't try to help me. There is a Prologue which took place in 1930 and an Epilogue that takes place in the present which are both odd and discomforting. The Epilogue still has me shaking my head in disbelief, but not enough to read the next book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Canongate Books Severn Publishing for an e-galley of this novel.

DCI Monika Paniatowsli is more than annoyed to be sent to see Jordan Gough who claims he's been sent letters telling him he's being poisoned, And then he dies of ....a poisoned pepper sauce on his steak. Monika is now under the gun to get answers, especially since the papers have called her out (she was more interested another case), This latest in a long running series is set in 1981, before all the fancy forensic capability we have today. It's a nifty procedural bettered by Monika's interaction with her team. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read and it will be fine as a standalone.

I found that I enjoyed reading about the developing investigative and relationship skills of DCI Monika Paniatowski’s sergeants than the actual plots. The storylines were not as electrifying as they were in her past books. The outcomes were very predictable.

It is with hope that her next book will be as imaginative as her other books. Sally Spencer is one of my favorite authors that I am reading her past books.

Thank you Netgalley and Severn House for the eARC.

Who doesn't love DCI Monika Paniatowski, if you've never read any of them you should start now. Poison does not disappoint, such a well crafted novel, one to be enjoyed. She takes on an old adversary Jordan Gough. Monika describes him a bent as a corkscrew!! Which sums him up perfectly, such a good plot, with police procedure which is on the button. A great book highly recommend. Also lovely was the dedication at the start of the book. (Fifty books WOW)

This is another gripping read in the series, full of unexpected twists and a satisfying conclusion. Jordan Gough controls every aspect of Whitebridge, including his businesses, the local newspapers and some voluntary organisations. He is a nasty character, corrupt and controlling. He dislikes DCI Moira Paniatowski and wants to bring her under his control. He comes close to ending her career. The story is intensified with another murder of a young man who has lost his job but is clearly not short of money. The story then reveals more about the town’s unpleasant side. The most obvious culprit turns out not to be so and the reader is enticed to an exciting conclusion. The story is of course very well delivered and makes a gripping read. I recommend it.

A Career Challenging Case…
DCI Monika Paniatowski is back in a case that will challenge her career in, this, the fourteenth in the series. As ever, well written with credible characters, a well plotted storyline and twists aplenty. Gripping from first to last page, opening in explosive fashion and ending the same way, an intriguing and immersive read. Whilst part of a series this can happily be read as a standalone. Top notch.

Thank you Netgalley and Canongate Books, Severn House for the eARC.
DCI Monika Paniatowski is in the crosshairs of a sociopath, Jordan Gough, who is the town's biggest benefactor and basically untouchable. He's determined to pay her back for something that happened years ago. When her superior tells her Jordan wants to speak to her face to face, she immediately knows her job will be at stake, no matter what she does; she visits Jordan because she must.
This is a great read, with one of the best and creepiest opening chapters I've ever read ... wow! I really like Monika and the fact the story is set in the eighties makes for a welcome change. And even though it's part of a series, it can easily be read as a standalone. Also, the ending is just about as creepy as the beginning, which made me fervently wish the author's next book will come fast and feature Monika again. Can't wait to see what's in her future!
Highly recommended!