The Mark by Matt Brolly is a highly recommended police procedural and the 4th novel in the Detective Inspector Louise Blackwell series.

DI Louise Blackwell of the Weston-super-Mare police force is called to investigate a man who is found unconscious with a symbol branded on his arm. The victim, Sam Carrington, who is unconscious at the hospital, was staying at a local drug rehab house. The next night a second victim, Poppy Westfield, is found branded on her thigh with the same symbol. Then Andrew Thorpe is found dead, branded on his forehead, and Louise knows she has someone who is targeting people to brand them for some reason and she must find the connection and stop the perpetrator.

While Louise is giving her whole attention to the case, she is also dealing with several other personal issues. After the death of her brother, she is caring for her niece along with her parents. Also returning is her nemesis the corrupt and scheming DCI Finch, whose ongoing bad behavior may be catching up to him, unless he can bring Louise and others down first.

Even though this is the 4th novel featuring Louise Blackwell, The Mark can be enjoyed as a stand alone police procedural. There is enough back story given to easily follow the pertinent facts that matter in this current novel, and this is a compelling and engaging investigation. The opening scene will immediately horrify you and grab your attention. The pace continues to move quickly throughout the novel, as clues are provided along with several twists.

Louise is a determined, intelligent and interesting character. Her flaws are also presented in the plot, which makes her a realistic and sympathetic character who will elicit your support as she handles the investigation. Along the way there is further character development as the novel progresses. There is a surprising twist at the end that will put the next novel by Brolly featuring Louise Blackwell on your reading list.

Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Thomas & Mercer via NetGalley.
The review will be published on Barnes & Noble, Edelweiss, Google Books, and Amazon.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Amazon Publishing UK for an advance copy of The Mark, the fourth novel to feature DI Louise Blackwell of the Weston-super-Mare police.

Sam Carrington is found unconscious on the beach with a strange symbol branded on his arm. Louise and the team aren’t sure what to make of it, but with more victims and a murder she realises she is dealing with a twisted mind. At the same time she is dealing with the aftermath of her brother’s murder and interference from her nemesis, the sociopathic DCI Tim Finch.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Mark, which is a compulsive procedural with a good line in misdirection. By about half way through the novel I was sure I had it all worked out and it was just a matter of reading on to have this confirmed. How wrong can you be? In my case, totally. I was gobsmacked when the solution appeared. The Tim Finch thing reaches a crescendo and, again, I was gobsmacked for different reasons. His actions seem out of character, but it was still exciting stuff, so why quibble over a few iffy moments?

The main plot, the hunt for the attacker, is well done. The narrative is split between some justification by the unidentified attacker and Louise’s investigation. I’m not always a big fan of perpetrator participation in novels, but it worked well here as there is enough information to suggest revenge as a motive, but revenge for what is never spelled out, making it intriguing. Louise’s investigation is quite slow, but a steady stream of reveals maintains interest and gradually fills in the blanks. It held my interest throughout.

I like this Louise. She seems less bitter and more settled into her life and self. This allows her to make sensible, balanced decisions and the reader to enjoy a top notch investigation.

The Mark is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.

This is the fourth book in the DI Louise Blackwell series set in Weston Super Mare and is just as good as the previous novels. D I Blackwell is a strong lead character and is entirely believable. The town of Weston is vividly described and we see the good parts of the holiday resort as well as the negative side. Part of the story is told from the point of view of the perpetrator and we get quite a chilling look inside their thoughts. The plot is extremely well thought out as always and the different threads of the story are all resolved brilliantly at the end. I found the descriptions of the branding to be quite graphic and unpleasant but that is very much a personal opinion.
Thanks to Net Galley and the publishers for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Matt Brolly brings plenty of suspense and some action, as well as an edginess, to the fourth book in the Detective Inspector (DI) Louise Blackwell series set in and near the seaside town of Weston-super-Mare in England. While the tale occasionally switches points of view, it is primarily that of Louise with a few sections from a criminal. A man is found unconscious on the beach with a strange symbol branded on his arm and he can’t recall who attacked him or how he got there. As other victims show up, Louise and her team are relentlessly pursuing the criminals. What is the symbol and how are the criminals targeting people? As usual, Louise’s nemesis, DCI Finch, puts in an appearance.

Louise is a hard-working, resilient, and fascinating individual who has trouble delegating. However, she is respected by many, and her fighting for what is right inspires loyalty in her co-workers. Despite this, networking is an aspect of her career that she has never been great at. Her flaws make her feel more realistic as does her struggle for work/life balance. The other characters are a mix of new and familiar faces and are well-drawn.

A strong, intriguing, and memorable opening scene immediately will pull most readers into the story. That scene is vivid and horrifying. The narrative is suspenseful, and readers will wonder what the criminals’ motivations are. A creative, absorbing, complex, and well-paced plot with some twists will keep a reader guessing. High stakes kept me engaged throughout the story. As Louise and her team working to find connections and working through the clues, there are also shocking actions scenes, and disturbing insights into the criminal’s mind. The people in the story came to life, and I was cheering on the police as they searched desperately for the criminals. Themes include work relationships, the drive to succeed, loyalty, family, alcoholism, self-harm, assault, bullying, and much more.

Overall, this was a gripping and chilling story with complex characters. It’s intense and dramatic and kept this reader turning the pages. While there is some background given in this book, the series is best read in order. Louise’s full background is shared in book one and helps shed light on her situation and mind-frame in the following books. I would recommend it to those who enjoy police procedurals and British crime dramas. I hope there will be another book in this series and want to check out this author’s DCI Michael Lambert series.

Thanks to Amazon Publishing UK and Matt Brolly for a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley and the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for November 23, 2021. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.

Fabulous instalment in this great crime series, although I’m worried that’s the end of books about Louise? I really hope not as I’ve become so involved in her story. Really nice red herrings in here too. Loved that the Finch storyline has been put to rest; it was brilliant, but there is nothing worse than an ongoing story lingering for too long. Have really enjoyed everything Mr Brolly has written, so will be eagerly anticipating his next book; whoever the protagonist is. Would be a shame not to hear more about Louise, Thomas and Emily though. A total five star read.

Having not read any of the previous books in this series, I wasn't quite sure what to expect but what I got was a very engaging and enthralling story.

I don't think you have to have read any of the previous books to enjoy this but I recognise that there is a lot of history that is missing, particularly when it comes to the difficulties DI Blackwell has with her superior, however, I feel the author provides enough of the back-story to get you up to speed.

DI Blackwell is an interesting and complex character; she has her issues (who doesn't!) but her determination, strength and fortitude shines through in this multi-threaded story. The cast of supporting characters are equally as good and all have their place and their own stories. As I said, this is a multi-threaded story but the underlying plot is the branding attacks which ultimately turns into murder. Told from both DI Blackwell's and the killer's point of view, this provides a comprehensive view of the case and into the mind and motivations of the killer.

With scenes of peril, descriptions of violence and body modification that some may find difficult, and brimming with suspense and a host of suspects, this is a book that's easy to get your teeth into and I need to thank Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley for my advance copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.

Intriguing and unusual subject and an original idea. Victims are being branded with a mysterious symbol and gradually we start to see connections between them emerging. I like this genre and the connections back to earlier lives of the victims when they were young, impressionable and seemingly invincible.
The backdrop of the story in the Weston Super Mare area was also stunning and fascinating and a locality I am familiar with so this also made the story come alive for me and provided extra interest.
The main characters were engaging and provided their own backstories and sub story lines to capture my interest. Although this is the fourth story in a series I was able to dip in, without having read the previous books, avoiding feeling out of my depth as they was enough explanation of previous events for me to keep up. I would recommend this book.

Creepy. DI Louise Blackwell is still being dogged by her nemesis DCI Timothy Finch - head of MIT - whose team is brought in to 'help out' with a particularly gruesome where people are branded. She's also trying to spend time with her niece, and her parents, while trying to work as many hours as she can in a day. Something has got to give.

Loved it.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher I read a free advance review copy of the book. This review is voluntary, honest and my own opinion.

The 4th in the series of books featuring dectitve Louise Blackwell based in Weston-super-Mare.
A young man is found on the beach with a strange symbol branded into his flesh,he has no idea who is responsible.
When more people are found branded and then someone dies of their injuries Louise suspects they will have a serial killer on the loose.
A great read with characters you feel you know,the writing is so good as usual from Mark Brolly.
A highly recommended read.
Thanks to Netgalley and Amazon Publishing UK for the ARC.

DI Louise Blackwell's assigned to a new case. She must find the psychopath who is branding people, apparently using a blowtorch and a branding iron. Her investigation takes her back to a local group of young people who hung out five years ago. When one of the victims dies, the department steps up the investigation. She also been talking to another policewoman who was sexually harassed by a colleague who has sent several women, including Louise, anonymous, manipulative, and threatening text messages. Recommended for readers who like British police procedurals with a strong female detective. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to review this advance copy.

A favourite of mine, so pleased to be on book 4! Another simple story that has been written well, keeps you wanting to turn pages and guessing right to the very end! I love Louise and the other main characters in the book! Really want some love for Louise, can’t wait for book 5

Louise Blackwell is confronted with another puzzling case in the seashore town of Weston all while juggling office politics and family issues. There were lots of false leads and red herrings as Louise and her team investigated a series of horrific branding attacks, and I followed them to a false conclusion before the truth was revealed. Another solid entry in this series, and I hope that the promise of better things for Louise comes to fruition in later books!

Thanks to Amazon Publishing UK for access to a digital ARC on NetGalley.

This is an enjoyable series, with a dogged detective who will stop at nothing to solve a crime. This time, somebody is branding random people and Louise is trying to stop it. The crimes seem random, so it looks like she’s going to work hard to stop the culprit. At the same time, Louise is dealing with her family and trying to spend more time with them. Her team is back, and her attraction to Thomas is as strong as ever, even if she knows there’s nothing she can do about it. This may be a mild spoiler, but this volume finally resolves an issue that I wasn’t a fan of, so I was satisfied by this. This is a solid entry to this series.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, NetGalley/#Amazon Publishing UK!

DI Louise Blackwell and her team are dealing with an investigation that starts with a local drug addict being beaten and branded. He has no memory of what happened or who did it. A baffling case that means, after another victim dies, Louise has to contend with DCI Finch yet again.
This is a well plotted and entertaining read, the tension building nicely right to the end, particularly with the storyline with her nemesis Finch. Louise is a driven officer, with a good team behind her and now family support too. This is is really readable series, a good police procedural and enough twists to keep everyone guessing. A very enjoyable read.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Fourth in the series and still as good as the first. Really enjoying the DI Louise Blackwell series.
Well written and engaging.

DI Louise Blackwell, has to deal with an unusual case a vagrant has been branded. It doesn't stop with just one though, it becomes apparent that there is a killer on the loose and needs to be stopped quickly. We see into the killer's mind when they take an interest in DI Blackwell!!! Louise is also battling against a corrupt cop, a thoroughly unpleasant character DI Finch..... well observed by the author, who has described him so well that I could almost smell his aftershave every time he appears on the page!!!! A great read from start to finish.

Book four of the Detective Louise Blackwell series was, for me, much more enjoyable than previous books. The series of crimes Louise and her team were trying to solve were complex and extremely interesting. While these crimes took up most of the book, there were still pages devoted to her family situation and the on-going feud Louise has had with her former partner/lover Finch. In previous books, the Finch situation became overwhelming and annoying; it was handled much better in this book and closure was finally achieved. I look forward to seeing Louise fulfill her potential as a successful, high ranking police officer in future books.

My copy of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to the the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review it.

I’ve been waiting so long for this new novel and Matt Brolly has delivered another winner with his latest instalment, book four of the Detective Louise Blackwell series set in Weston super Mare, Louise is a great character, she has her demons and trust issues but she throws her self in to every investigation but she is also frustrating on how she goes about it and with the poisonous Finch still causing her problems she really needs help.
This is a book that really needs you to of read the previous novels just so Louise & Finches back story is explained and this one had lots of twists and turns to keep you guessing to the end, but I can’t help feeling this one had an air of finality to it so it might be the end of Louise Blackwell.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for this ARC.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book from start to finish. I found it to be a very engaging and entertaining read and one that really hit the mark with me. DI Blackwell investigates a case where the victims are being ‘branded’ and when a victim is found murdered the investigation really starts to heat up. I loved the separate story threads here, the twists as the story progressed and felt the book flowed really well and raced towards a thrilling end. I enjoyed the snippets into Louise’s home and personal life and it was great to see an old enemy of Louise be found out and get what he deserved. Overall a very well written, fast paced and thrilling read which I loved. This series is fast becoming one of my favourites and I look forward to the next one.

Sinister, Bizarre And Brutal Attacks…
The fourth outing in the Detective Louise Blackwell series finds the quiet, sleepy seaside town of Weston-super-Mare amidst a series of sinister, bizarre and brutal attacks. With the body count rising our Detective needs to put aside her own personal battles to concentrate on catching a killer. With an engaging plot populated with a credible cast and a convincing narrative this is another excellent addition to this lively and enjoyable series.