I would like to thank Netgalley and Storm Publishing for an advance copy of Beautiful Remains, the second novel to feature Dr Harrison Lane of the Met’s Ritualistic Behavioural Crime Unit.

Harrison is asked by Cambridgeshire Police to look at a body they have found on a lonely fen. The body is held down by horseshoes and covered in birch branches, but it is the bone hung on his neck that gives Harrison the idea that he is dealing with an old secret society. When the body is identified as rising jockey, Paul Lester, he is sure that he is dealing with The Horsemen.

I thoroughly enjoyed Beautiful Remains, which has an interesting subject matter and a plot that keeps the reader turning the pages. If that isn’t enough there are a couple of subplots and a hint of romance to add to the mix. It’s not a long novel and it packs a lot in, so there’s never a dull moment.

The novel is told mostly From Harrison’s point of view, which means that the reader can get immersed in the read without distractions. There is no word from the criminals and that gives Harrison’s assessments more weight when the reader tries to solve the case for themselves. I failed miserably at guessing ahead of time, but, to be fair, some of the pertinent information only came to light after the killer was identified. I was a bit disappointed in some of the conclusion as I thought it was a cop-out, but I can’t elaborate further without spoilers.

Harrison’s hunt for his mother’s killer continues in tiny steps with another small breakthrough thanks to the work of DS Jack Salter, former antagonist and now firm friend. I imagine that this thread will continue throughout the series if the author keeps up the same glacial pace. On a more positive note (I don’t get enthusiastic about ongoing threads) his interest in Dr Tanya Jones heats up when she asks him for help in a personal matter. Glad to see that the hunky Harrison has feelings and that his life isn’t all self control.

Beautiful Remains is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.

Dr Harrison Lane is called to assist with a murder investigation.
A jockey has been murdered, his heart cut out, he is being held down by curved horseshoes around his arms, and there is a talisman around his neck.
This is the type of case Harrison has trained for. He has an uncanny ability to read a crime scene.

There is a second murder, and Harrison realises that the victim is a member of the same secret society as the jockey.
He has to identify the killer to protect the other members of the society.

Meanwhile, he has a personal interest in another case back home, and can't be in two places at the same time.

I am slowly falling for Harrison Lane! He is a complex character, and throws himself into his work, which he uses as an excuse not to have a relationship.
The characters in this series are developing, and getting to know Harrison, and the people he works with is keeping me invested in the series.

This is a fast paced book, a real page turner, you know the murders are macabre, but they aren't actually described in detail, which suits me. The author leaves those details to the reader's imagination.
It is tense, and kept me rapt to the very end.

Thanks to Storm Publishing for pre-approving me and to Netgalley for providing this book.

I really enjoyed this second book of a series! I thought it was very well written and flowed really well. I look forward to reading more of this series. I would definitely recommend this book!

Another amazing book by Gwyn Bennet. Beautiful remains is the second in the 'Dr Harrison Lane Mystery' series and I love the continuation of ritualistic/folklore linked murders. This series remains unique with incredible, tense writing which is full of suspense. Also apart from the main mystery I love how we learn more about the elusive Dr Harrison and we get an insight into his life and relationships. I can't wait to learn more about Dr Harrison and see where this series will go next.

Another totally brilliant book from this author. Such a fabulous main character, he sets the pages alight. Great plot too, I’m loving the various folklore in these books. More please.