Thank you NetGalley and Grove Atlantic for the ARC.

This was my first time reading a novel involving both New Zealand and Maori culture. Having read other indigenous novels I had hope that I would enjoy it. I did not realize until I finished the book, that it was the 3rd in a series.

Aside from the setting and culture of the many characters, I found the overall feeling to be typical of a crime thriller. I enjoyed the book but I found the mystery to be a little underwhelming and fairly predictable. I find this with many crime thriller novels, there are only a few that stand out and I find them to be best in class.

Regarding Maori and New Zealand culture, I found this to be very interesting. I wish that more could have been included to help understand some of the sayings and traditions. Had I read the first two in the series, I may have found more of this and understood more.

Regarding the author, now that I know more about him, I would like to explore some of his other writings. I believe he has things to say that need to be heard. Overall a nice introduction to him as an author.

What a cool book!! While I haven’t read others by Bennett in this series, I found it easy enough to pick up and jump into this series. This is tense & atmospheric— a TRUE thriller. The dynamics between Jaye and his ex wife was engaging and I loved the focus on Māori culture. More books should be set in New Zealand!

Thank you, NetGalley and Grove Atlantic, for the ARC for Carved in Blood. This is the third book in the Hana Westerman series. Its location is New Zealand, emphasizing Maori history, culture, folklore and traditions. Issues addressed are grief, sorrow, revenge, anger, the causes of evil, the tendency to scapegoat a Maori for crimes, a criminal organization, and whether actions should involve a belief in what is right versus legal restrictions. The book is due to be published July 25th, 2025.

Addison, the daughter of Hana and her ex-husband, DI Jaye, a highly admired and respected detective from the earlier books, has just announced her upcoming marriage to PLUS1, and it is time for a celebration. The constellation Maharaiki has just appeared in the winter sky, signifying a time of gladness and new beginnings.

This is not a spoiler, as it is described in the book's synopsis. The peace and tranquillity of the small town is soon shattered. Jaye is in the back of a convenience store, choosing a bottle of champagne to celebrate his daughter's engagement. A man, his face covered, enters and leaves the manager battered and bleeding. As Jaye returns to the front, he is shot twice in vital areas and lies in hospital in an induced coma. The identity of the victim casts a personal cloud over Hana, their daughter Addison, Jaye's new wife Melissa, his colleagues in the police force, and the entire community. The police are determined to bring the perpetrator to justice.

A man with a background in crime is connected with a Chinese gangster syndicate. This psychopath, Erwin Randall, only feels the emotion of anger and the thrill of killing. He is brilliant and has studied and realistically displays the other emotions but cannot feel them. The gangsters have set up a young Maori man to make him appear guilty of the shooting. He is pursued by the police, who are determined to arrest and charge him; Addison receives phone calls indicating the police are mistaken, and their suspect is soon found dead.

Senior Police Officer Elisa Grey has been assigned to the case. Hana, a former Maori police detective, resigned from the Auckland CIB at the close of the first book and is leading a peaceful life. She is now temporarily restored to the police force in order to help. Was Jaye a random victim, or was he targeted? Hana, Addison, and Melissa remain grief-stricken. Sean, a young officer, lost his leg in the first book. In the second book, he was strenuously practicing on an artificial leg to restore his position in an active role instead of being confined to paperwork. He is furious about Jaye being shot and having loud, inappropriate outbursts of anger. He has been on sleeping pills and steroids. With the help of Hana, the identity of the actual shooter is revealed, but they must recover the gun to prove Erwin guilty in court. After a difficult search, the gun is recovered, but its owner has fled overseas. Hana accepts her former official position in the police force, as she believes she has unfinished business. A sequel seems inevitable.

This well-written series highlights Maori culture and folklore with exciting and well-constructed mysteries. I recommend reading the earlier books to better understand the characters and background.