A good procedural where Harrison is called in as a consultant for a ritualistic crime. This book is dark, involve and Egyptian rituals. A group of students were involved in an accident 30 years ago, one of their number died. Now they have received an invitation to meet up again in the cave where the accident happened to learn some new information about the event. When they enter the cave, the atmosphere is creepy and they come across one of their group is in danger and is then killed before them.
The main officer, Melinda, is following clues and Harrison helps her. She is being undermined by a senior officer. As they get to know each other, Harrison starts to realize what is important in life and she takes his unusual working methods in her stride. She has her own troubles, Harrison tries to help withthese too.
A good fast-paced read which kept my interest throughout. The crimes are well described, though fairly horrific, the author does not dwell on the details too long. I like the investigation which gradually pieces the timeline and reasoning together. The psychological aspect is documented well and is believable .
Thanks to Net galley for a great read

What a strange but fascinating book this was to read. I’m not into satanic rituals etc so some of that stuff was irrelevant to me and not sure if it was true or a work of fiction, but it helped make the storyline creepier, which in turn made you keep on reading to find out who was responsible. I did think the ending was a bit rushed but was enjoyable nonetheless.

A death in a cave brings Dr Lane and Melinda together to solve a crime that involves Egptian rituals and a group of friends who used to practice it. The body count is rapid and the 2 detectives need to work fast to uncover this revenge plot. A well written book, very experiential.

#netgalley #SilentSouls

It's an atmospheric story that echoes the recent and ancient past and an undercurrent of menace, which intensifies as the investigation continues, testing Harrison's skills as the body count rises. I like Harrison Lane, a complex, unique character, which makes the story interesting. The new detective he is working with is driven and intelligent, needing to be better than her peers because of the misogyny and prejudice she faces. I appreciated the dark and twisty mystery, the complex characters and connections, and the dynamic within the investigative team.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

I loved the idea of this book and had high expectations but I struggled to get fully immersed and connected to the characters and story. It was still an enjoyable read with unusual crimes and race to find out who done it and why.

"Silent Souls" follows Dr. Harrison Lane, head of the Ritualistic Behavioral Crime Unit where he investigates a chilling murder in a remote Yorkshire Cave. What makes this book eerie is that the victim is found wearing the mask of an Egyptian deity and surrounded by blood-painted symbols and flickering candlelight. People say that there are spirit mists and the killer is invisible. During his investigation, Harrison uncovers a connection to a group of University students who practice forbidden rituals in the decades ago. There is someone who is targeting this group of students and Harrison must race against the clock to solve this mystery and save lives.

This book was a thriller alright. It had a dark supernatural edge that once I finished the book....it was hard to fall asleep. I will say that the murders in this book was gruesome so for those who can't handle that...this might not be a good book for you. A fast paced book with lots of characters and twists and turns, and well written.

Thank you Storm Publishing and Net Gallery for this ARC, this is my honest review.

I’ve been reading this series from the beginning and I have been hooked from the start. I’ve listened to most of the books on audiobook, so I’ve noticed I “heard” this one in the audio narrator’s voice. And I have to say, that narrator is one of my favorites, hands down. Harrison is such an interesting character because he doesn’t fit the mold of the typical crime thriller MC. And the motorcycle doesn’t hurt either considering I’m an avid rider myself. Harrison always seems to get himself in trouble, and the most interesting cases always land on his desk. I absolutely love all the history and folklore in his stories. I’m surprised the author cranks these books out so quickly because the research must take her an age! Her stories are always fast paced and extremely well-written. This one is no exception. And while some of the things I was looking forward to didn’t happen, one thing did which made the ending an absolute celebration. The fact that some things weren’t addressed makes me genuinely hope there will be more to Harrison’s story. It did seem a bit like a series ending book, but I can’t imagine the series ending here with those couple of things not being addressed! In which case, I’m anxiously awaiting book 11!

Huge thanks to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for sending me this ARC for review! All of my reviews are given honestly!

This is the 10th in the Harrison Lane series- but can be read as a stand alone. I think I like this series of Bennett's better than the Saskia Monet series.
Dr. Harrison is called to a very remote cave in Yorkshire and discovers a murder victim wearing an Egyptian mask of a deity, surrounded by symbols on the walls painted in blood and candles flickering all around. The witnesses say that they really didn't see anything- just spirit mists and an invisible killer. Dr. Harrison has to figure out the symbols, and then another person is dies because of this ancient curse.

This is a very dark and gruesome mystery. The atmosphere was fantastic, and lent to the feeling of dread as Harrison races to figure out what is going on. There is a lot of information given about Egyptian religion, belief and practices as this aspect plays heavily into the plot.

There are a lot of characters in the story, but it was written well enough that I was able to keep track. What also helped is that each character was unique from the others and had a voice of their own.

I would recommend this book to anyone who has a strong stomach for macabre mysteries, likes a subtle hint of the supernatural, and looks forward to dark atmospheres!!

Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Having read all the previous books in this brilliant series I was eager to read this latest one from Gwyn. What a page turner!!!!! I have read many detective series by best-selling authors but this stands out way above any of them. Trust me, you'll be as hooked as I am. The lead character is absolutely unique which adds to the brilliance of this series.

Silent Souls by Gwyn Bennett is the tenth book in the Dr. Harrison Lane series. This can be read as a standalone novel.
Dr. Harrison Lane of the Ritualistic Crime department is called into investigate the murder of a man in a cave. The man and a group of his friends have a history with this cave, as thirty years ago another friend had also lost their life. As Dr. Lane is joined with Detective Melinda Fallon they soon discover that the group of friends had practiced Egyptian rituals in the past, seemingly making them the target of a sinister revenge plot. When more killings occur, Dr. Lane and Detective Fallon must race to uncover the killer before they claim more victims.

This was definitely a well-researched book, and I loved all of the Egyptian elements involved. The setting is creepy and atmospheric and the pacing was good. A good detective fiction with a paranormal / supernatural spin.

Thank you to NetGalley, Gwyn Bennett, and Storm Publishing for this ARC. Publication date is March 28th 2025.

Gwyn Bennett’s Silent Souls is a gripping psychological thriller that seamlessly blends the eerie allure of ancient rituals with the relentless pursuit of justice. With its atmospheric setting, layered characters, and heart-pounding suspense, this novel keeps readers guessing until the very last page.

The story follows Dr. Harrison Lane, the enigmatic head of the Ritualistic Behavioural Crime Unit, as he investigates a chilling murder in a remote Yorkshire cave. The discovery of a victim clad in the mask of an Egyptian deity, surrounded by blood-soaked symbols, sets the tone for a complex and unsettling case. As whispers of ancient curses and spectral mists cloud the truth, Harrison must confront not only the horrors of the present but also the long-buried secrets of a dark past.

Bennett’s portrayal of Harrison Lane is both compelling and multifaceted. His calm analytical mind is constantly tested by the emotional toll of the case, while his own shadows from the past add further depth to his character. The tension escalates as one by one, the surviving members of the university group who once dabbled in forbidden rituals are hunted down. Each death raises more questions, and the line between superstition and reality blurs.

The novel’s setting is strikingly atmospheric. The descriptions of the cave’s oppressive darkness, the flickering candlelight, and the ominous echoes of ancient rites evoke a palpable sense of dread. Bennett masterfully uses the rugged Yorkshire landscape to heighten the tension, making readers feel as though they are descending into the same depths of uncertainty as Harrison himself.

What sets Silent Souls apart is its skillful exploration of the psychological weight of guilt and fear. The past holds a powerful grip over the characters, and the consequences of their youthful mistakes reverberate through every chilling twist. Bennett’s sharp dialogue and tightly woven plot ensure that readers remain engrossed, racing alongside Harrison to uncover the truth before the killer completes their deadly ritual.

For fans of atmospheric crime thrillers with a touch of the occult, Silent Souls is an absolute must-read. Gwyn Bennett has crafted a story that is both intellectually satisfying and emotionally haunting — a perfect choice for readers who crave psychological depth in their mysteries.

I just read the book. It is a sad and, at the same time, hopeful one. DS Melinda Fallon calls Dr. Harrison Lane to help solve a murder. In the meantime, other murders happen. These may or may not be related to the first one. In this story, Dr Lane took longer than his usual time to understand what was happening. Would this be because in the last book, he has not committed to his girlfriend? Is his heart disturbing his work? Will he understand the importance of Tanya in his life?

Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this eCopy to review

Reading Silent Souls was an intriguing experience, blending crime, mystery, and a touch of the supernatural. The story follows Dr. Harrison Lane, head of the Ritualistic Behavioural Crime Unit, as he investigates a chilling murder in a remote Yorkshire cave. The victim is found wearing the mask of an Egyptian deity, surrounded by blood-painted symbols and flickering candlelight. Witnesses speak of growling spirit mists and an invisible killer, adding an eerie layer to the case.

As Harrison delves deeper, he uncovers a connection to a group of university students who practiced forbidden rituals in the cave three decades ago. Now, someone is seeking deadly revenge, and the group members are being targeted one by one. The tension builds as Harrison races against time to unravel the symbolic clues and stop the killer before the ritual reaches its deadly finale.

I appreciated the unique premise and the blend of crime-solving with ancient mythology. Harrison Lane is compelling, and the atmospheric writing brought the Yorkshire setting to life.

Silent Souls is a gripping read for fans of crime thrillers with a dark, supernatural edge.

The fifth Gwyn Bennett book I have read and the second Harrison Lane book. Read in three sittings this book referenced happenings of thirty years ago and concludes with the perfect climax to encourage the reader to buy the next book.Thanks to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for the chance to ARC this book.

2⭐️ Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for an advanced copy of Silent Souls.

Dr Harrison Lane is called to the scene of a crime where some kind of ritualistic practice has taken place and someone is dead. A group of friends tempted fate decades ago and now another person is dead.

This was just kind of a weird book and it came off as pretty predictable. It was short but I feel like the story was just kind of rushed.

An excellent Crime Thriller. Dr. Harrison Lane and DS Melinda Fallow make a good team as they embark on solving a murder which relates to the same group of friends and incident, from 30 years previously. It leads to further murders with unexpected twists. Well written, great characters, great crime thriller. Highly recommended.

when a mans body is found in a cave its bad enough. but there is more to this death and more to this location. this man belongs to a group of friends who started a gang, a group together. almost like a cult. they practiced odd rituals, wrote on the walls etc. its was all kind of harmless until one of them died in a tragic accident...this is what the town heard. this is what the town continued to hear. until decades later of course when one of the group has now been found in the same location cave.
enter Dr Harrison Lane head of the ritualistic Behavioral crime unit whos asked to come on board for assistance. he's got to work alongside, like it or not with the strong willed DS Melinda Fallon. these two both have their own things going on. but they need to keep going to solve this murder. is it revenge will there be more....i think we can safely say that's likely as it looks like whatever went on that night wasn't left to that night. so why years later. and why this man. and who could be next?
a brilliant book. its did scare me a little which is a great twist as thrillers dont usually do that for me. and i dont mean scare in a horror way but the author managed to describe things so well and give such suspense into the pages that is was def on the edge many times.
the details were so well done. i think the authors attention to what they were writing must have been huge because it all felt so well done. it felt they really new their stuff and in doing so it made the book even more authentic and made it more grasping for the reader too.

This is the second book that I have read in this series and can I firstly say, the detail that the authour puts into the books and the research that must have been done has paid off in dividends.
Ellie, Phil, Dermot, Paige, Andy and Kelly were an odd assorted bunch, along with their friends Jason and Morgan, they had, thirty years ago whilst at uni, started a kind of cult, worshiping the Egyptian God Sit. They held some of their meetings in a secluded, dark and damp Yorkshire cave, they painted hieroglyphics on the walls with rabits blood making it atmospheric, they thought that they were elevating themselves into a better life until.......... Morgan was killed in a rockfall inside the cave, the media went to town blaming satanic rituals, a theory helped by the police.
When all of them received an invitation from Jason to revisit the cave curiosity got the better of them, but the depravity that happened in that cave thirty years later would haunt them for the rest of their lives.
Dr Harrison Lane, head of the Ritualistic Behavioural Crime Unit was asked for assistance, he would be working with fiesty, no nonsense, DS Melinda Fallon, a detective that he came to admire but he hated the way she was treated by her cheovanistic boss.
The suspects were many, the clues were few and as the body count escalated Melinda and Harrison ploughed on relentlessly whilst at the same time fighting their own demons.
This story is dark, action packed with edge of your seat suspense, the authors description of Egyptology and ancient rituals is written in a way that is both interesting and easy to follow, the characters are well rounded and extremely likeable, the brave, forceful DS facing life without her fiance and the quiet Dr, with few social skills wondering if he can rebuild his lost relationship, a great story and I hope that there are more.
Thank you Storm Publishing and Net Gallery for this ARC, my review is voluntary.

Thank you for allowing me to review this book. Another excellent story, with Dr Harrison Lane of the Ritualistic Crime depth called in to investigate the murder of a man in a cave, with his friends of 30 years earlier as witnesses. Why were they invited to a cave where 30 years earlier a student friend had died? As the police attempt to find the answers more questions are raised and more deaths occur. Are they linked to their involvement in the rituals they followed as students. Dr Lane is a complex character who is very well written, alongside a Detective he has not previously worked with. Both have personal issues in their own lives.
A highly recommended read, which I was gripped by from the start.

This is my first book in the series but I will most definitely read the other ones in the series. I absolutely loved this book, it was a proper twisty mystery. We have Dr. Harrison lane who is called into a horrific murder scene that looks like a ritualistic killing and some witnesses describe how that killer was of ancient curse. Then another muster happens and it seems like to linked with an ancient ritual. Very very interesting and lots of twists and turns. It was a fantastic read.

Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for granting me this eARC, all opinions are my own.