One of the best crime novels I have read for a long time. So much suspense and an explosive, dramatic ending. Genuinely hard to put down, I loved this book and highly recommend it.

What can I say. It’s Michael Wood. It’s Matilda Darke. What’s not to love. Only complaint is, they always end on a cliffhanger and then it’s an anxious wait for the next novel. Loved it.

A great read
Eleventh in the D.C.I Matilda Drake series
And this one is as good as the first
Will have you hooked from page one and not want to put it down
Thanks NetGalley

I’m now up to date with the books in this series and as much as I enjoyed this I’m still wondering where the series will go from here. This latest instalment sees Matilda in the thick of it as she is snatched. This means the team are doing their utmost to find her without alerting the media.

In addition they get a case when a body is found which as usual is never just one thing…that one body turns to two and then three. There is plenty going on to keep the reader interested and it made a pleasant change to read about Matilda being on the other side of the fence and seeing what she does to utilise her survival instinct.

Overall another good read I’m just confused about where this series will go. Sometimes I think some storylines are better off wrapped up and finished with as there are only so many times it can be reused.

A phenomenal mystery and I love how the entire cast came in to focus on the kidnapping. The story started off on a run and of course there is the cliffhanger. Great addition to the series.
Many thanks to Harpercollins UK and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I love michael woods books and i always fly through them and this was no different.

Captivating from the first page until the last.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publishing house and the author for the opportunity to read a complimentray copy of this book in return for a review based upon my honest opinion.

This is number 11 in the DCI Matilda Darke series. This series gets better and better, although this book could be read as a stand-alone book, read them all. Seriously, read them all. DCI Matilda Darke is one of my favourite characters. Although I would not want to live in her district, there seems to be quite a few killers residing there.

Matilda is violently taken from her home and her team has to band together to try to solve her kidnapping and hopefully find Matilda before it is too late. Who could have done such a thing; so many to choose from, old and new nemesis abounded in this book. I enjoyed the supporting characters being more of the main characters and learning more about them. So many twists in this book and that cliffhanger ending, oh my!

I've just realised I hadn't written my review for this book. Oops, my apologies.
The Matilda Darke series has some of the best series writing I have ever read. I was late to the party with this series, but, man, am I invested.
This one starts with a bang- Matilda Darke, the DCI who is the lead character in this series, is missing. Her team are desperate to find her. As a hook for a story, this is up there with the best! You won't be able to stop reading. The character of Steve Harrison will give you goosebumps and chill you to your core.
I have seen on social media, Wood has given teasers about the next two books in the series: "I’ve heard from my editor who loves my ideas for Matilda Darke books XII and XIII. She thinks you’re all going to hate me and love me in equal measure. Personally, I think you’re just going to hate me."
Talk about teasers! I am so excited to see what happens, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't incredibly worried!
Readers of the Robert Hunter Chris Carter series will love this too.

An amazing book which I thoroughly recommend. The story telling is fantastic and kept me wanting to continue reading when I had work to do. The latest Matilda Darke novel where she goes missing and its down to her team to find out what has happened to her and whether the formidable serial killer who is in Wakefield maximum security prison is responsible in some way for her disappearance. I have read the first three books in Matilda Darke series, all very good but this was the best yet. Highly recommended.

It felt like a chore to read this book . I have not read more of this series, but do mostly enjoy police procedurals. Firstly it took me quite a while to sort out who was who in the team and what had happened to who in past episodes . Mathilda is the main detective but was missing in this book, she finally appears in chapter 12. The book was too drawn out for me and my attention wandered off it regularly. Some of the events are perhaps a little too far fetched too. I am from Yorkshire though, so was hoping for a little local interest. The book also felt somewhat formularic (a homo couple, lesbian and a wheelchair user)
But I did finish the book and had more or less sorted out who was who and who did what by the end . I suppose you could read this as a stand alone, but you may well have the same confusion I had if you did. Not bad, but could lose at least 25% of the text
Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC

An interesting read where the main character is actually kidnapped so not present for most of the story. I haven't read others in this series but I felt it worked well as a stand alone. The characters were well developed and believable.
My only slight issue was with the sub plot that ran throughout and how that developed.
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy of this novel

I found this thriller to be far too contrived, too full of unbelievable coincidences and slow to burn. It was an easy read and well-written.

This book is very exciting and intriguing, a bit dark and full of suspense and drama. It is a book that grips you and doesn't let go until you finish reading it.

Love DCI Matilda Darke and the fact that in this book she is the victim which makes this book different, coming from a different angle. I love the characters and the storyline is intense, with twists and turns which keep you guessing.

I have only read one other in this series and now I think I will need to see what else is on offer as they are great books, great reads and I think there is more I need to learn about DCI Matilda Darke.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

This is a book from a series involving DCI Matilda Darke and although I haven't read the previous books I was able to catch up with what had happened in the past as there were numerous catch ups,spoilers for some . A very dramatic, gripping and fast moving storyline that kept you guessing who was the kidnapper, with several cliff-hangers along the way. I felt so sorry for Darke's team and began to wonder if there would be any survivors. I would expect a series of transfer requests in real life!
A definite must read for crime lovers.

My first time reading a book in the DCI Matilda Drake series is one where she is the crime victim, not the investigating detective. It didn't impact the dark thriller as the supporting cast of detectives and potential suspects are believable and complex, making this a compelling and immersive read. Previous cases and suspects are featured in this investigation, so reading the previous books isn't a requirement, but this is such an addictive read that it makes you want to read what came before it. I like the characterisation, the investigation team dynamic and this story's breathtaking darkness and pacing.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

Thanks to Netgalley and Harper Collins for the ARC of this book.
I absolutely loved this book. Have not previously read any books that feature DCI Matilda Drake but will certainly go back and read some more. The characters are so well described you feel like you know them all and as the pages turn you learn more and more. My only concern is that she has experienced so much heartbreak and pain in her life can she cope with even more?
Eagerly waiting the next book to find out more.

I love reading this series and this book does not disappoint. A great story which had me gripped. I would strongly recommend you read this series

How is every book better than the one before? At this point giving a Michael Wood book less than ten stars is impossible. The tension, the intrigue, it’s off the charts. What I loved most (and it’s hard to pick) is how the story in this tied back so perfectly to plot points in previous books. This is one of the best series I’ve ever read and I can’t wait for more. Absolutely thrilling!

DCI Matilda Darke has been kidnapped, Scott is fighting for his life after being stabbed- Michael Wood certainly knows how to grab the attention from the very start! The team are still working with Covid restrictions. As there has been no message from the kidnapper the team decide to keep Matilda's abduction quiet. It is testament to how well the police team are written, that this book has Matilda in the background & the reader does not feel cheated. This is a very convoluted tale, involving past cases & characters. It might be hard to read as a stand alone. For those who have followed this team it was a totally gripping read. However, I would like to a book where the characters are not suffering quite so much!

Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this terrific book!

My thanks to HarperCollins U.K. One More Chapter for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘Below Ground’ by Michael Wood.

This is Book 11 in his popular DCI Matilda Darke series of police procedurals set in Sheffield.

This is a novel that I would recommend is best read ‘cold’ for maximum impact. While background is provided for readers new to the series, Wood does reveal details of previous cases as these have a direct impact on characters and events that take place in ‘Below Ground’.

The Prologue is a chapter from ‘The Hangman’s Hold’ by Lionel Miller, a True Crime book about serial killer Steve Harrison, who has identified DCI Matilda Darke as his nemesis. Harrison wants to destroy her and expresses that “one day soon, I will.” Chilling.

I won’t say more to avoid spoiler territory though I will confirm that it’s an edge-of-the-seat, twisty crime thriller.

Overall, ‘Below Ground’ proved another excellent addition to this series. It ends with a cliffhanger/teaser that ensures that I will be eagerly awaiting the publication of Book 12.