3.5 stars. This is the second DI Blood novel, but the first one I’ve read - the only thing I feel I missed knowing about, was how Isabel came to get in touch with her long lost father, which was presumably addressed in book one. But it didn’t hamper my understanding at all, and I think this book could be read alone. It had a decent plot, though I did spot the motive fairly easily, one they started looking at one particular character. I got a bit lost trying to follow the genealogy at the end 🤯. I rounded down as at times the language/speech just felt a little stilted to me. I can’t say I felt I knew much about the personalities of the detectives by the end of the book, which I’d have liked more on.

I received a free ARC copy of this via NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review. Apologies for the long delay in providing this.

A solid police procedure book. Good characters and a solid story line. I enjoyed it overall. Recommended by me if you like this kind of book.

Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience

Ruth recently moved to a new home in a new town. After a long day at work she arrives home to find a man, tucked up nicely in her bed, but very dead with a knife stuck in him.

DI Blood is the lead detective on the case, she is just about to go on leave and has her estranged father and step brother coming to stay. She is tasked with trying to deal with her family and solve the crime. She is a likeable character, strong as a boss, parent, mother and daughter.

With the different characters who are introduced as the storyline progresses, so many suspects, the storyline kept me gripped all the way through.

An enjoyable read.

A competent crime thriller set in Derbyshire. Part police procedural, part family drama it is the second in a series featuring Detective Blood.

This is the second book in this series and I had not read the first one but this is fine to be read as a stand alone. A new author for me and I will be reading more of her work. Great characters and storyline.

Didn't really find this book as gripping as some crime / thrillers I've read, the characters were not as formed as I thought they could be and the tale did not grip me so much. Maybe because this is the second book and I've not read the first in the series.

Thanks to HQ and NetGalley for ARC.

DI Isabel Blood has a lot on at home this week, with her estranged father and a half brother she's never met due to stay, life work balance is particularly challenging. Meanwhile at work, a woman has reported a terrible murder, having discovered a man she doesn't know in the bedroom of her new house. Forensic details are sparse, and when the homeowner disappears, it all gets very complicated and Blood is under pressure to get an arrest.

I am new to Jane Bettany's work, and DI Blood's Derbyshire milieu. I enjoyed the balance between police procedural and family dynamic and will seek out more.

I would give this 3.5 stars if I could. The story of a murder under the strangest of circumstances and the tangled web of family life.
I enjoyed this book, it wasn't a furious gripper where you turn each page in wonder. But it was a great read and a perfect holiday pick up/put down. I would definitely read from this author again.
Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for an honest review.

Wonderful book - I loved it!
Great characters, well written and a smashing story. A who dunnit, why dunnit & police procedural- everything I love to escape from the real world. Will certainly look at k up this authors previous and future work.

A great, engaging read with interesting, well developed characters. Recommended to anyone who enjoys a crime thriller.

Set in Derbyshire this is part crime procedural, part family drama. DI Blood is not only on the case of a murder but also has her estranged father visiting.
Believable characters and plot make for an enjoyable read.

Be surprised if this series doesn't get commissioned on Netflix or ITV. Looking forward to reading more in the series.

The solution to the mystery was one I didn't see coming, but somehow the conclusion didn't feel satisfying or realistic. The victim was not sympathetic and I found myself not caring if the killer was caught. On Isabel's back story however, this was a very interesting premise but again I found her brother and dad annoying characters to engage with.

I couldn’t put this book down, sneaking off to read a chapter wherever I could borrow the time. An excellent whodoneit That made me want to seek out more of the authors books.

This is the second book in the DI Blood Series. Ruth has moved to a new area and comes home to find a man dead in her bed. DI Blood hoping to have some time to spend with a reunion with her estranged father finds her plans have to change as she tries to uncover the truth. This book weaves well DI Bloods own challenges with a challenging case with no clear clues or motives, and then Ruth goes missing and a race against time to find out the truth. Enjoyed from start to finish.

This book got better as you can more involved in the story and got to know the characters.
It centres on Isabel in both her personal and professional life. At home she’s seeing her father again after 40 years and meeting her half brother. At work she’s working on a murder case and trying to find not only the person who did it but also why not easy with no evidence and very few clues.
Overall a good book.

Despite over explanation and a convoluted family our main detective is
dealing with it's a good plot even if it's totally wrapped up .. no loose ends. And then more full character analysis and everything explained. As is doublev timing father she's attempting to reconnect with. For me all the analysis rather blunted things .. very professional however.

Thanks Netgalley for the ARC.

I hadn’t realised this was book number 2 in the DI Blood series but it did not spoil the reading as a stand alone.

Ruth has moved into a new house and a new area following her divorce. Coming home late one night, laden with shopping she is horrified to find a man in her bed. Not only is he dead but she has no idea who he is and no idea how he got there.

So begins the mystery of who he is and why would someone want him murdered. With no break in and not much in the way of clues or evidence it becomes a race against time when Ruth herself goes missing. What could be the connection between the two.

As if this wasn’t enough for DI Blood she is also dealing with a strained reunion with her estranged father and meeting her step brother for the first time. As secrets are exposed at home and work will DI Blood be hold it all together.

Real page turner.

This is the second book in the series D I Isabel Blood. I haven't read the first but found this stood well enough on its own.
Ruth Prendergast returns home from work, puts a pizza in the oven and goes upstairs while it cooks. To her shock and her surprise she finds a dead man in her bed. When the police arrive on the scene they find he was killed by a knife - still lodged in his chest. So far so good but Isabel Blood and her team fail to find any connection between Ruth and the dead man and the murderer has been very careful not to leave any trace of his/her presence in Ruth's house.
Tracking the killer takes time and hard work for the team, and when Ruth goes missing as well they have a second problem on their hands.
This is a well written, police procedural, with a likeable main detective who appears unhindered by the usual foibles that fictional detectives have. Indeed she is a happy, family orientated woman, the only blot on her horizon is the visit of her father and his bigamous relationship with her mother.
Easy reading for a wet Sunday afternoon.
With thanks to Netgalley and HQ Stories for an arc copy.

Such a fantastic read! Constantly guessing who done it throughout.
A very well written book, can't wait to read more from Jane!