This was a fascinating murder, mystery story. Lots of twists and turns and false leads. A good cast of characters that seemed very real and a great conclusion. Thoroughly enjoyable read.

DI Laura Hart has to hit the ground running when she starts her new job with Beaumaris CID on Anglesey.
Historic and current day murders mean life on the island is anything but quiet.
The story is told in dual timelines between “The Troubles” in Northern Ireland and current day Anglesey.
The book had a slow start and I found it a little confusing at first, but once it gathered pace I was hooked. It was complex and interesting with plenty of twists. Great ending means I'm waiting eagerly for the next book!
One criticism was the many explanations of criminal terminology and acronyms. This really breaks up the flow when you're reading. These days I think most people know these,  but if not they can always looks them up!

DI Laura Hart finds herself back in Anglesey returning to work, and straight into fast paced investigations, some of which go back 20 years or so. The stories go from the troubles in Northern Ireland and back to domestic incidents on Anglesey. A beautifully crafted plot, twists and turns enough to please even the most critical reader, and great characters. A really good investigation, with the typical dead ends to leads that all murder incident rooms face. Also a very plausible and interesting premise. Loved it, can’t wait for the next book.

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

A great story which is hard to put down. The characters are all very easy to relate to, there is a lot of suspense and questions and a great twist.

Thank you for this ARC. This author knows how to get you sucked into his books. The descriptive wording of the scenery in Anglesey, transports you there, and then the story unfolds. The characters are great and this story really packs a punch.

Having very recently read the first book in the Anglesey series, I was really eager to read In Too Deep. In the 2 months since the end of The Dark Tide, Laura’s life has moved on a little, but she is still manifesting symptoms of deep grief and PTSD, from the incident that led to the death of her husband Sam, 3 years earlier.
DI Laura Hart has to hit the ground running, when she starts in her new position. The uttering of the “Q” word, opens a floodgate of complex cases to Beaumaris CID.

The dual timeline story takes us back to “The Troubles” in Northern Ireland, at the time when The Good Friday Agreement was newly formed. The atmospheric writing evokes the tension, high emotions and pressure felt within that community.

The author paints a lovely picture of Anglesey with his words, describing the rural beauty incredibly well. While also dropping in details of the Welsh history of the area.

The ending very neatly pulls together all the complex strands of the cases.
The final few chapters beautifully sets up a few cliffhangers in readiness for book 3 in the series. There are some subtle, and not so subtle hints as to what awaits us in Blood on the Shore. The ongoing backstory has developed well, but there is still plenty to discover, which I look forward to. This tense book has everything you want in a thriller. Twists and turns, and red herrings a plenty, peppered with humour from the interesting and varied characters. 4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me.

In Too Deep is the follow up to the very good The Dark Tide and whilst it is an enjoyable read it doesn’t quite hit the heights of its predecessor.

The main underlying storyline is excellent however the additional story arcs were somewhat clunky at times and fairly predictable with their twists and turns.

Saying all the above the series still has some credit in the bank and I’ll await book number 3 with interest.

Atmospheric Crime..
The second in the Anglesey series friends former police negotiator, Laura Hart, re-joining the force as a DI. The discovery of human remains gets her out on the job and thus an investigation begins - little known to her at that time, which would lead to links with both MI5 and the Real IRA. Determined to solve this case alone she shrugs off the threats and impending danger - putting her own life at stake. With an atmospheric setting, a deftly drawn cast and a pulsating plot this is an action packed crime thriller which has clearly benefited from some considerable research.

In too deep is an excellent Police Procedural set in Anglesey ,I haven't read the first book but it isn't necessary .A skeleton is found buried in the grounds of a castle and Laura who is returning to Police work after some time off is thrown into this case on her first day back.This is an exciting ,compelling story that kept me gripped until the end I love that in a book when you simply don't want to stop reading .Full of suspense with a few twists a fabulous and enjoyable read .Thank you to NetGalley for my ARC.

Into deep by Simon McCleave is the second book in the Anglesey series. I have not read the first book in the series but, you can read this as a standalone book.
After the incident in June Laura Hart is back in the Police force now as a DI in Beaumaris, Anglesey. Her first case is of remains of a body found near a ruin of a castle. With the body is part of a bank card and a brooch pin which is linked to the Irish Guards. When the body is identified being John McCann who disappeared over twenty years ago. John ex-army who went undercover to get intelligence to feed back to the army regarding the IRA. On the same day there is news that an MI% operative has done the same thing.
Thank you, Avon, for a copy of Into Deep by Simon McCleave. To be honest, I have not heard of the author before and the books he has written and was completely surprised how good this book was. This is a tense thriller, with lots of twists and turns and the author has greatly researched the subjects of the IRA and British army.
I also liked the parts of the story of Laura and her on and of relationship with her boss Gareth and her loss of her husband Sam. It made the story more interesting. I really enjoyed this and will look forward to the next book. 4 stars from me.

Get ready for a roller coaster ride. Brilliant well thought out thriller that keeps you guessing, twists and turns galore. Thank you netgalley for the advanced copy

I loved, loved, loved this book, I could not put it down. I loved how the story unfolded and learning more about our 'victim'. Brilliantly written and had me gripped from the off.

It’s not often that a book mirrors the headlines in the daily newspaper! Furthermore, it’s not often that book 2 in a series is better than book 1, but McCleave knocked this one out of the park! I may be a bit biased since I was born not far from where this book takes place and grew up listening to adults discussing the events mentioned here unfold in real time.

The heart of the story is a recently discovered shallow grave and readers follow along as the detectives attempt to solve the mystery and the identity. In exploring possibilities, the plot circles around an Irish man who is serving in the Irish Guards “The Micks’ regiment of the British Army and he’s asked to infiltrate the IRA and feed the British Army intelligence. Sound familiar? It just so happens that today’s news is filled with headlines about an MI5 operative who did the very same thing. You’ll read about Michael McKevitt, the same man in today’s newspaper.

The writing continues to be sublime. I’ve never read such an intelligent crime thriller before! What a treat. McCleave writes to include readers in the action and his prose comes across as a movie script. The story was playing in my head as I read, adding to the ease of connection.

“If you was a Prod or a snout, we’d know by now.”
“You take us for feckin’ eejits.”
It’s phrases like this that unleashed my inner thick Irish brogue as I read!

The characters each have their own voice and the expressions and temperaments echo those I’ve grown up with; meaning that this story seems authentic. Growing up, I was on one side of the terror group and learned to fear them and their reach. Reading this book gave me insight into the other side; what it could have been like to live on the inside. I wish the dialogue had included more reasons why this faction broke away from the original IRA and why people would be enticed into joining this group. Regardless, I was on the edge of my seat, frantically turning page after page expecting the worst. It’s marketed as a compelling read, and it definitely is as claimed!

I was happy to see the language toned down a bit, but I still giggled at the Cagney and Lacey references and the ‘obviously male’ fantasy world the main character lives in where men think women want to jump their bones at any given moment, especially under the most inappropriate of circumstances. Warning: there is an open-door scene.

I loved the references to several books that characters were reading, the beautiful Bernese mountain dog, Elvis, how DI Hart speaks to her husband, the Bluetits, and Penguin bars. I’ve already recommended this book to almost everyone I met today! If you love a well-written crime thriller that keeps you glued to the storyline, this one’s for you!

I am already eagerly anticipating book 3!

I was gifted this copy by Avon Books UK and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

A gripping murder mystery where nothing is as it seems.

A body is discovered next to the ruins of a castle. The only clues to its identity a bank card and a brooch pin. Chasing shadows, the detective in charge may become the prey of a ruthless killer.

A well drawn and taut procedural thriller, with twists and turns aplenty. You’ll need to get comfy. You might be unable to put it down.

I have been read all of Simon Mcleave's books and have enjoyed each and everyone off them. The characters in book are likeable and gel together well. The storyline was good with a lot of twists in it. Even with the main character dealing with issues from her past you do not lose the main story. Looking forward to next in this series.

In Too Deep by Simon McCleave

The next in the series , a sequel to Dark Tide . I believe you could read this one as a standalone , but why would you asc as so far they have both been brilliant.
This book has it all , suspense , intrigue , romance , murder , everything you could wish for to keep you on the edge of your seat til the last chapter.
A fantastic book with lots of twists and can't wait to read another by this knowledgeable author

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review the second book in the DI Laura Hart series.
After the events of the previous June, DI Hart is back on the force in Beaumaris and enjoying what might possibly be a new relationship (but one that's fraught with difficulties and obstacles) with her co-worker, the recently divorced DI Gareth Williams (DI Dickhead) who we also met in the previous book. And of course, she's still holding long, meaningful conversations with her (dead) husband.
Right away, Laura and Gareth are in at the deep end when remains are found near an old Welsh castle - remains that may be recent or ancient; but judging by items found with the remains, they may be recent.
And so we're plunged into a story that centres around the Real IRA in the 1980s and 1990s and seems to have repercussions in the present, as it turns out the remains may be that of John Finn, an Irishman who was a member of the British Forces and a hero in Desert Storm.
But all is, as usual, not as it seems. And the team, rounded out by DS Declan Flaherty and DC Andrea Jones have to deal with present-day crimes simultaneously with the historical ones.
This is a taut thriller, with plenty of twists and turns and a finale that you might not see coming. Simon McCleave does his usual masterful job of incorporating the Welsh history and atmosphere with modern-day investigations. Recommended.

This is the second book of Di Laura Hart and what a roller coaster of a read.The main characters are easily likeable and the plot keeps changing and really keeps you on your toes.Great book and looking forward to the third book in this series.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Avon Books for an advance copy of In Too Deep, the second novel to feature DI Laura Hart of the Anglesey Police.

The discovery of a skeleton found buried in the grounds of a ruined castle near Beaumaris is a baptism of fire for Laura on her return to active duty. She finds herself investigating the Real IRA, MI5 among other things above her security clearance.

I swithered for long enough about my rating, should it be 3* or 4*?, because there is a fair amount I didn’t like in this book, but the thought and research that went into the novel and the twists at the end, although I guessed one of the better signposted ones, made me err on the generous side. I decided to put quality above personal taste and go for 4*.

The novel didn’t hold my attention until deep into the second half, mostly because the narrative is split between the investigation and the story of John Kelly, a soldier in the British Army, a story that I had zero interest in - terrorism and spying at the back end of the twentieth century. I think his story is well told and tense for the interested reader. Where does he fit in? Is he the perpetrator or the victim? The reader will have to wait to find out. These are two very different narratives with contrasting tones and the constant switch between them gives the novel a choppy feel and is not conducive to total immersion.

I liked the investigation and the way the team gradually narrows in on a suspect. I also liked the way other events force a rethink as they try to fit them in. There is not enough of the investigation, however, as Laura has so many things going on. There is a budding romance which isn’t going too smoothly, too many conversations with her dead husband, Sam, and a hunt for information on what really happened in the warehouse when he died. This last item is an ongoing thread through the series so far and as it ends in a cliffhanger in this one I can only assume that it will continue.

In Too Deep was a mixed bag for me, but some of that is due to personal taste.

After reading the first book in this series The Dark Tide and thoroughly enjoying it, I eagerly awaited the opportunity to read In Too Deep. I was not disappointed! The book is written in the same easy to read, suspense filled fashion. After human remains are discovered and DI Laura Hart is plunged back into police life, the plot thickens when detectives believe the remains belong to ex-British Army member John. But is John who we think he is? I was convinced I knew where the story was headed but oh, was I wrong?! I would highly recommend this to all readers. I am not usually a fan of detective novels but this series is the one exception! Looking forward to reading the next one!