The seventh book in the DI Ridpath series, When The Guilty Cry, is brilliant. We are still in the midst of Covid, but the work of the murder investigation team and the coroner’s office must continue which means Ridpath is busier than ever.
With Ridpath and his daughter Eve settling into a routine at home, he has to navigate his way through his relationships with his colleagues at MIT and at the Coroner’s Office to try to keep all balls in the air and make sure justice is done.
Can Ridpath help to find out how three severed hands came to be at a disused children’s home? Where are the bodies that the hands belonged to? Also, will he find out what happened to a 16 year old girl who went missing almost 11 years ago? With two major cases to work on and so little time and workforce to solve both matters, Ridpath has his work cut out for him. Will he be able to make any headway on either matter?
A superbly written read as always in this series. I just race through them and look forward to the next so much, they are very addictive and so thrilling I hope the author continues to write them for many years to come.
Thanks to NetGalley for a Kindle copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

DI Ridpath is back with a great story line about 3 hands left in a rucksack found by ghost busters in an old children’s home, and a missing person who they must find as her mother is dieing and needs conclusion but it’s not as easy as he thinks as it gets very complicated and there are so many twists and turns it will leave you breathless. I love all his books and feel I know Ridpath so can’t wait for next one.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher fir an early copy of this fabulous book.

I enjoyed this novel in M J Lee’s D.I. Ridpath series, ever having read any of the previous novels. This book read well as a stand alone novel, and the main characters were all well developed. A slight twist on the police procedural as Ridpath works for the coroner. Good plot, good characters, excellent read

DI Thomas Ridpath is back with two cases; first, a teenage girl reported missing eleven years ago & never heard from again, and second, three severed hands found in a backpack hidden in an abandoned childrens' home which was called Daisy Nook. As the investigation unfolds, it becomes clear that the two cases are connected, & Ridpath is put under pressure from both the Coroner's Office & MIT to solve the cases in less than a week.

Although the pace of this book is slower than the previous books, it in no way detracts from the plot. The two cases slowly dovetail together, & Ridpath has to use all his experience to fend off the machinations of DCI Turnbull. There's also time to see the ups & downs in Ridpath's relationship with his daughter which, following his wife's death, has become a little fractious at times. Nods to recent events are also included without them becoming tiresome. I really enjoyed reading it.

Thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Canelo, for the opportunity to read an ARC.

The book does take a while to come together, but the timeline of one week for everything to unravel helps propel the second half of the book to something that is all consuming and impressive.

Lee writes again with such panache that it does surprise this reader that the book is not read by a larger more deserving audience. Go read this book and you shall not be disappointed.

Another excellent addition to this series. Ridpath has his usual issue of trying to balance his work for MIT with that of the coroner’s office, oh and let’s just throw in a really tight deadline. DCI Turnbull is still an absolute pig of a boss and like many other reviews I’ve seen I can only hope that he gets his comeuppance at some point. Kept me guessing to the end and you can’t ask for better than that in this genre.

I’d like to thank Canelo and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘When The Guilty Cry’, book 7 in the DI Ridpath series and written by M J Lee, in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Mrs Challinor, the Coroner, wants to issue a Presumption of Death Certificate for Jane Ryder who’s been missing since 2009. DI Ridpath is given a week to investigate her disappearance and is also brought in by MIT to identify the owners of three embalmed right hands found in a backpack in the former Daisy House Children’s Home. As the countdown begins for DI Ridpath to find the answers, DCI Turnbull seems determined to make things as difficult for him as possible.

I always enjoy the latest book in the DI Ridpath series as he continues his work for the Coroner and ‘When The Guilty Cry’ has been a pleasure to read. His latest investigations are baffling and take up time he doesn’t have but he’s as sure as he could be that Daisy House Children’s Home is at the heart of both cases. The storyline is well-written with lots of drama, suspense and twists and turns, and a conclusion that I wasn’t expecting. Ridpath is a likeable character who treats his colleagues fairly, and isn’t finding it easy doing his job as a police officer as well as a single parent to twelve-year-old Eve. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this thriller, can definitely recommend it, and look forward to reading the next one.

When the Guilty Cry is the seventh instalment in the Detective Inspector Thomas Ridpath series, set in Manchester. Ridpath currently splits his time between employment at the Coroner’s Office working alongside Mrs Challoner and his job on the Major Investigation Team where his actions are dictated by the irascible DCI Paul Turnbull. Manchester Police have been placed under special measures meaning resources are far more scarce which includes both staff and capital, but the investigations must carry on regardless. MIT are called in to investigate when those behind a well-liked British Ghosthunting podcast visit Daisy House Children's Home and, much to their horror, discover a great deal more than paranormal activity. The fact that the evil Jimmy Savile had volunteered there should give you an idea about the safety of its little ones. Known for horrific abuse, neglect and mistreatment of the children living within its four walls, the home had been subject to Operation Pharoah, a sprawling investigation into the claims made against its staff and the suspected misdeeds of those managing it, however, the evidence wasn't as fruitful as once believed and only four people were convicted of their crimes.

The crew of the podcast are naturally visiting at night during the witching hour to try to catch the most activity, but they quickly stumble across a hidden backpack in the abandoned and somewhat dilapidated building. They open it to discover, concealed inside, 3 embalmed human hands - two male and one female. The Senior Investigating Officer on the case is the close to retirement DS Dave Connor who asks Ridpath to come along for the ride. However, they have been given only a few days to make progress and given the state of the police force after the recent measures, it is going to take a miracle. Not to mention Ridpath has an ongoing case he is already committed to for Challoner. He is investigating the disappearance of 16-year-old Jenny Ryder who vanished in 2009 and was never seen again. James and Maureen her long-suffering parents have decided to request a Presumption of Death certificate to bring some much-needed closure after all this time. It is needed stat because Maureen is terminally ill. But, amazingly, while looking into both cases, Ridpath realises that they are connected and each has its origins at Daisy House where a spate of disappearances occurred in the years in which it was functional.

This is a captivating, multilayered addition to a brilliant series that grows stronger with each passing instalment, and this one is no exception. Ridpath’s job has been made difficult for quite some time by his superior, Turnbull, shooting him down at every turn and using any and every opportunity to get him ousted from the force, but now, on top of that, the cuts in funding mean less manpower resulting in each detective having to take on more work than usual. Ridpath is an engaging old school protagonist who is likeable and intuitive, and this creates a realism and authenticity that is echoed in the plot, too. Admittedly, it does begin at a steadier pace than previous books, but it soon picks up and with the lift in speed comes the ratcheting up of the tension. It's absorbing and exhilarating from beginning through to denouement as the police toil away under pressure to get justice, and the ample twists, turns and masterful use of misdirection repeatedly throw a spanner in the works for any reader hoping to land a guess on where the story is heading. Another immersive and compelling thrill ride with plenty of cold case crime to get your teeth into as well as office politics and bureaucracy all swaddled in a rich atmosphere. Highly recommended.

This is a brilliant series.
It was great to catch up with DI Ridpath as he juggled his coroner’s office role along with a murder investigation once again.
Three hands were discovered in a derelict children’s home but the rest of the bodies are nowhere to be found.
The hands are all right hands, belonging to three different people and Ridpath is asked to get to the bottom of this find.
Alongside this he’s been asked to make some enquiries into a girl who has been missing for eleven years, as her parents want her declared dead.
Ridpath gets a bit of help from his superior, but Turnbull is not happy. He wants Ridpath to leave MIT and does all he can to push him out.
With time running out, Ridpath and the team pull out all the stops to find the killer.
This is a brilliant crime thriller and I’m a huge fan of the series.
I can’t wait to read the next book.
Thanks to Canelo and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

Another brilliant book in the DI Ridpath series. When three severed hands are discovered in a disused building the race is on to discover the bodies. The building was used as a children’s home which had a fearsome reputation and it is feared that the two things are related. A tense thriller.

The seventh book in the series, which just keeps improving. DI Ridpath is working with the Coroner's Office investigating the discovery of three human hands discovered in a backpack at an old children's home. As usual, Ridpath is struggling under the leadership of Turnbull, who seems to be setting him up to fail. It's a well written book with good character development, an interesting plot and well researched. I would recommend the series to lovers of the genre. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

Once again I was delighted to be offered this book by the publishers, and what a thriller with a race against time for poor Ridpath, who is working for the coroner and also MIT.

His superior DCI Turnbull is one horrible individual who is only out for his own career and his way of doing things. As usual MIT are stretched to the limit, with budget cuts and when three hands turn up at an old house Ridpath is expected to find out who they belong to, with minimal staff, and work for Mrs Challinor.

Mrs Challinor is wanting to issue a Presumption of Death Certificate for a girl who disappeared 11 years ago and somehow the closed down children’s home, Daisy House is involved and also the three hands.

Poor Ridpath is really struggling, everyone is pressurising him, Mrs Challinor wants to issue the Presumption of Death Certificate, and Turnbull has given him 3 days to solve the case before it goes to the cold case unit. Coupled with his daughter being a typical awkward teenager, it’s no wonder he’s not got time to go to Christie’s to have his cancer checked!

As usual, I loved this book and the series and hope that there is many more to come.

My thanks to Netgalley, Martin and the publishers for the ARC.

DI Thomas Ridpath #7

Three embalmed hands are discovered in a disused Victorian house. Is it the work of a cult? Or a gangland ritual? And what happened to the rest of the bodies? DI Thomas Ridpath is told to investigate? At the same time, the Coroner needs to issue a Presumption of Death certificate on a teenage girl who vanished eleven years ago in mysterious circumstances. What happened to her? Where did she go? When another woman disappears, this time a local councillor, Ridpath is under immense pressure to solve the case before another person vanishes.

When a film crew and a group of ghost hunters go looking into a Victorian house that had once been an orphanage, they found a backpack with three severed hands inside. DI Thomas Ridpath is tasked with trying to identify who the hands belong to. He is also trying to find outif a young girl who wen missing eleven years ago, is now dead. Is there a connection to these cases?

This is a really good series. This is a well written book that will keep you guessing. Ridpath is still working for the Coroners office while looking after his twelve year old daughter. As always, there is a lot going on in the book but it held my attention throughout.

I would like to thank #NetGalley #Canelo and the author #MJLee for my ARC of #WhenTheGuiltyCry in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to Canelo and Netgalley for ARC.

DI Ridpath remains on secondment to the Coroner, He's asked to investigate the disappearance of a young woman, in preparation for an inquest and issue of presumption of death certificate to her elderly relatives. The Coroner has set an early date, so he needs to work around the clock, causing friction with his own young daughter.
Meantime, his police colleagues are investigating the discovery of three severed hands, found in an abandoned children's home. There are limited resources because there are other policing priorities.
Are the cases connected? Can they be resolved in the time allowed? Will stirring things up lead to disaster?

The opening, with the ghost hunters setting up to film, is genuinely creepy and got me interested.
I appreciated the attention to procedural and forensic detail and the discussion of the role of the Coroner. This novel is strong on the sense of office politics and relationships. I think that sense might be even stronger if I had read the rest of this established series. For me this meant that the plot was less important than it might have been, which was good because I found the plot and the denouement too sensational for my liking (no spoilers here).

Now I have to go back to the beginning of the series to see how Ridpath got to this point.

I never repeat the blurb. Yes another superb outing for DI Ridpath as he combines his job with the coroner's office with police investigation. Chillingly reflective of the times we live in, this was another unmissable story. More please.

Never let down by a new book in the Ridpath series. This one brings an equal amount of suspense while you try and figure out what is happening....

Thank you to #NetGalley for allowing me to read #WhenTheGuiltyCry by #MJLee
Another insight into the working of the Coroners Court. Before finding this wonderful series I didn’t really understand what they did.
DI Ridpath is seconded to the Coroners Court after suffering cancer, and has to juggle his time between both jobs and his young daughter.
When a backpack turns up with three severed right hands inside it is down to Ridpath to work out where the bodies are.
Brilliant series. 🤓 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this exceptional book

whenever another book is released by this author you know you are in for the ride of your life and poor ridpath has his work cut out for him this time....

when a film crew a group of ghost hunters go looking into a very old house that once had been an orphanage they were expecting to at least report they had found a few ghosts but not the the backpack with the 3 hands there

ridpath is tasked with trying to identify those 3 hands plus trying to establish if a girl reported missing all those years ago is actually dead...and the clock is ticking to that inquest with the coroner.....

a fast paced read that will have you hooked so much so that you have to finish it and lose sleep...ridpath at his best running between m.i.t and the coroner and falling foul of turnbull his detective inspector...

you cant go wrong with the series and author...cant wait for the next one in this series

The seventh book already in this series and I hope there will be many more to follow. After reading and reviewing the third book in this series, in 2020, I mentioned I would like to read more about Tom Ridpath, so I bought the other books. It is not necessary to read them in order but it helps with understanding Tom, or Ridpath as he prefers to be called, better. On the outside, he is a stubborn man who has difficulties to listen to his superiors and do the work exactly as they want him to do. In reality, he is a great detective, very dedicated but also very much in touch with his inner self. This inner self causes him problems because Paul Turnbull still hates him and Mrs Challinor is under big pressure herself when she has to arrange for an inquest with very short notice.
This book follows a by now recognisable pattern, where Ridpath tries to satisfy both Mrs Challinor and Paul Turnbull, while working closely together with the people that do understand that police work is not all to do with procedures and figures and statistics. And in the meantime, he is having to deal still with the loss of his wife and the care for his teenage daughter.
This familiar pattern, together with the interesting and well-constructed plot and the writing skills of the author, make again for a great read. Cannot wait for the next book in this series!

I have been lucky enough to read this series from the start and am now so invested in Ridpath, his daughter, the coroner and the rest of the team, that they feel like real people. What a tv series this would make!! Great plotting and fabulous characters. In the next one, please can Turnbull have a little comeuppance? See, told you I was invested. This is another great read from MJ Lee, whose books are now must-read.