The Broken Afternoon by Simon Mason Narrated by Matt Addis is the second book in the DI Ryan Wilkins series. Sadly I haven't read the first book but don't let that put you off (I've just purchased it so I can catch up) I found this audio book / book brilliant from the start to the very last chapter, especially as this cover caught my eye. It was very dark and has a very disturbing theme around Pedophilia and the mental struggles of those afflicted the terrible results of their desires. Sadly in this case a loss of life. So, be aware when you are reading or listening to this book it was hard going.

When a four-year-old girl goes missing in plain sight outside her nursery in Oxford, which is a middle-class, affluent area, her mother is only a stones-throw away.

Ryan Wilkins, one of the youngest ever Detective Inspectors in the Thames Valley force, dishonourably discharged three months ago, watches his former partner DI Ray Wilkins deliver a press conference, confirming a lead.

Ray begins to delve deeper, unearthing an underground network of dark forces in the local area. But will he be able to get closer to the truth of the disappearance?

And will Ryan be able to stay away?

As I've said this book was excellent and I highly recommend it.

The depiction of a brutal child attack that leaves you with a sour taste, the police confusion, the protection of juniors and the underlying malevolence. Read with a warm cup of tea and don't put the book down! Worthwhile and thoroughly absorbing

I found this audio book very busy with too many characters and had to go back to the beginning a few times before I got into it
Once I was on track it was an OK listen but slow going

The narration
A good solid performance considering the full range of voices, by sex and age, required.

My thoughts
The novel begins with a harrowing crime, child abduction. Poppy Clark goes missing from her nursery school whilst wearing a pirate costume. So immediately we have a highly sensitive, emotive crime to deal with and a real race against time.

The senior investigating officer (SIO) is DI Raymond Wilkins a stylish and personable officer who is going to be fully immersed in the case, his wife Dianne being pregnant and twins. As the case intensifies and takes a darker twist solving it becomes an obsession, one he ends up staking his career and reputation on. Determination comes at a cost though as he neglects Dianne by missing her prenatal appointments and not giving her the attention she needs, they start to drift apart.

Until a few months ago Ray had a colleague, another DI R Wilkins, Ryan who is pretty much the antithesis of Ray. Ray has a prosperous family, went to university and was a boxing Blue, whereas Ryan went through the care system, had little formal education, but possessing the survival skills needed from having to be street smart he managed to pass the DI training. Ryan is the loosest of loose canons through, he is reckless, abrasive and no respecter of protocol or authority. These qualities earned him a dishonourable discharge from the force so now he is working security night shifts to survive. Two things happen to turn his world upside down. A schoolfriend is killed by a hit and run a matter of minutes after Ryan saw him and he is given a shot at redemption by reinstatement to the force, if only he can convince the review panel.

Having two Wilkins, Ray and Ryan, can be a little confusing at times, but of course they are not so much as opposites as different sides of the same coin, Ying to Yang. They work on different strands of the investigation through the story, Ryan is not even a police officer, but were their paths intersect their interrelationship works well. Ryan is impulsive and instinctive but has the keener investigative instinctive, Ray tries to temper his recklessness and ensure the case isn’t compromised. The third key officer is the Superintendent Wallace who is everyone’s idea of a tough ball-breaking Scottish officer, who suffers no nonsense but is also practical. He has diversity statistics to fulfil and Ryan being ‘white trailer trash’ ticks one of the boxes.

The plot digs into paedophilia and child abuse without getting too dark or disturbing. There is some examination of the reason for their actions and attempts to rehabilitate offenders but in the end, there is an acceptance that many can’t be. There is also the influence of money and power both to reform and to corrupt, often these gangs are protected by individuals of influence. We also see the problems of a failing care system, where individuals can be damaged from an early age with little chance of redemption in the eyes of some. Many of the faults with Ryan’s attitude being down to his time in the care system.

Family is at the core of the story. There is the pain suffered by Poppy’s mother, the redemptive love Ryan shows for his son (little Ryan), the breakdown in relationship between Ray and Dianne and there are the lengths family members will go to protect one of their own.

The story moves along at a good pace as progress is made and then stalls. The narrative switches between following Ray and then Ryan which keeps the interest going but is in no way choppy so is easy to follow. There’s enough action and jeopardy to keep most readers happy and Ryan’s occasional bursts of insubordination and offensiveness, bright some light relief to a story where humour would have been inappropriate.

I was allowed access to an audio review copy on Net Galley in exchange for a fair review. Thanks to the Author and Publisher for organising this.

With thanks to the author, publishers Quercus, and NetGalley for providing me with an audio ARC of this work in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Quite a well-crafted mystery with plenty of plot twists along the way to keep the reader guessing. The plot lines related to child molestation and murder were quite unsettling to listen to at times, though of course this a reflection on the subject matter rather than the author himself, whose writing was excellent.

I hadn’t read the first instalment in the series, and I felt I was missing some of the backstory when the two main characters Ryan and Ray as a result. There was a definite tension in the relationship between them both for no apparent reason, and I don’t think the author addressed that sufficiently for those readers like me reading the book as a standalone.

Another bone of contention for me, especially listening to the audiobook version of the story, was having the characters first names so similar, and with the same surname! It definitely added some confusion, despite the narrator doing a good job of distinguishing between them with different voices, and I found myself having to rewind on several occasions to understand what was happening.

An excellent read and truly gripping. The protagonists are so well written they come alive in my head. The series is a great addition to my reading list, and a little different than the usual crime fiction available at the moment.
Obviously the theme is dark and depressing, but definitely one to read

The Broken Afternoon reflects every parent’s worst nightmare. When a four year old girl is abducted it seems evident who the culprit is but the road to finding the killer takes a twist when the suspect turns up dead. It is the job of policemen Ray and Ryan to prevent another murder but with each of them having personal demons to contend with along the way, the case becomes even more complicated.

The 2nd in the DI Wilkins series but the first I have read. While a fun for the plot to give them similar names I kept getting confused and having to retrace my steps a little in order to remember which was which. I did think it was a bit of a stretch to imagine might be reinstated after his 'charge sheet'. was read out, but happy to go along with the story. Will be looking out for the first book/audio! Thanks to Netgalley and Quercus for the audiobook access.

Despite the grim and difficult subject matter this audio-book was an absolute joy to listen to and I found every opportunity available to me to get back to it! I read/listen to lots of crime but the quality of Simon Mason's prose is something else. I also love the juxtaposition of the two detectives who lived and breathe on the page. The narration here is absolutely excellent. I already cannot wait for the next one!

This is the second in the series, also read first one. Set in and around the Oxford area the facts and landmarks connected to area are extremely accurate, clearly a work of fiction though. The main story is the disappearance and investigation of a missing 4 year old, however the side stories of relationships, impending parenthood, work relationships and life pressures. Well developed characters and this book can be read without Book 1, the writing is descriptive and you won't miss anything. Few twists and turns and a very enjoyed read. Thank you #NetGalley for the audiobooks to review.

If you are going to read/listen to this book I highly recommend that you stop and digest the initial book in the series first. I didn’t do this and felt that I was missing out on some of the keys to understanding the background plot, in particular the relationship between Ryan and Ray. Now here is another point…. I listened to the audio version and found that having two such similar names (and in addition there is a little Ryan) was confusing. Please could the author consider that in the future.
This is quite a brutal story, including references to child molestation and murder so be aware. It is not a light hearted or pleasant read.

I came to this not realising it was the second in a series. I think that may have made me miss some key points. However that said not enough that I felt I was out of the loop with the story as such.

It’s a well based detective story. I’d add a huge trigger warning for child sexual abuse and exploitation, I nearly dnf’ da couple of times as I couldn’t stomach the graphic detail. But that’s personal preference. Like blinkers to protect yourself from things you don’t want to face. The writing was excellent, the pace of the story great. The narration was very well delivered too.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook in return for an honest review.

I really enjoyed the first book in this series so was very excited to listen to this one. I'm pleased to say it's just as good as book 1, if not better.

This time Ryan Wilkins is working as a security guard after being dishonourably discharged from the police. However; he is given the chance of possible re-instatement providing he can keep out of trouble. That doesn't stop him becoming involved with DI Ray Wilkins case of an abducted child!

Ryan is a fantastic character. He looks like a chav but he has a brilliant mind, and often sees things that others don't. As with the first book, Ryan's son, also Ryan, steals the show in every scene he appears, and I love the 'conversations' between father and son. I like the teaming up of Ryan and Ray. They're like chalk and cheese but yet it just works. This is fast becoming one of my favourite series. More please Mr. Mason!

I loved the narration by Matt Addis, which really added to my enjoyment.

Well this was certainly different, very dark and appealed to me - loved the fact that I didn't know what was happening, so the ending got me (really worked I read so much so getting to the stage where I can anticipate the plot twists)

The two main characters were great = not sure if they would work in the police force now though despite how it plays out.

The narration was brilliant - really suited the book and plot.

I hadn't read/listened to the first book but it didn't really matter but now I really want to.

I was given an advance copy by netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely my own.

I think I missed a lot of this by not having read the first book.
The dynamics, and the relationships... it left me floundering a bit at times.
I was fairly sure I knew who had done it, from quite early on, and felt like I was just waiting for confirmation.
A good few twists that kept me waiting a while.

What an original and interesting set of characters. Wilkins, a discredited high flyer, brought up in a trailer park is sacked by the police. His former colleague, is also named Wilkins, a black Oxford graduate looking to make his mark as SIO in a missing child enquiry. Set in Oxford, these people have real substance and with superb narration which draws out their dialect and differences, it’s a great listen.

I was really drawn to Ryan Wilkins and his backstory as he’s approached by a dour Scottish Superintendent to rejoin the force. He jumps at the opportunity, but it’s not straightforward. I believe this is not the first book in the series and I’ll definitely be looking for more. There’s the main story of the missing child, disappeared from thin air almost in front of her mother. Was she snatched by estranged husband? Ryan is also interested in the death of an old school friend. Why was he a hit and run victim and what was he hiding.? This is a fast moving story, with complex plotting which kept me hooked. I finished the audiobook in almost a single sitting through the night. Simon Mason is a phenomenal writer; one with an eye for detail and an ear for dialogue. Completely addictive and can’t wait to read more from this author.