Michael Wood has outdone himself with Worse than Murder in the most anticipated book of the Matilda Darke series.

It is gripping from start to finish.

Matilda has left her life, her friends and job behind as she tries to recover from an unimaginable loss.

She is living in the Lake District with Phil, Sally and their son Carl from another case.

When she asked for her input in a case that involves two missing sisters and their father she has nothing to offer. She can barely help herself let alone others.

The police detective is still in her howerver and when she half heartedly investigates she has inadvertently stirred the pot.

Someone does not want their secret revealed and will do anything to protect that secret.

Worse than Murder is a relentless mix of secrets, lies, and jaw dropping twists that had me in a chokehold .

Be warned to expect the unexpected from Michael Wood and you will want to binge read the book.

My only complaint is I did not want the book to end.

Worse than Murder is my favourite book in the series : until book 14 arrives.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter for the absolute privilege of reading and reviewing Worse Than Murder.

Worse Than Murder by Michael Wood is book 13 in the DCI Matilda Darke series. It is published on 30 September. Thank you to One More Chapter and Netgalley for the early copy to read and review. Matilda has gone into hiding since her last traumatic case. It was a devastating ordeal, and she had to leave. She ran away and has taken refuge with friends Phillip and Sally Meagan, whose son Carl was kidnapped, and Matilda was involved in his case. They now live in the Lakes District. Matilda has cut herself off from everyone she knows and is trying to heal. Has trouble followed Matilda or is Carl being targeted again? Matilda is approached by Alison Pemberton, a local PC, for help in the disappearance of her siblings and her dad 30 years ago. Matilda becomes interested in the case. So much emotion comes through – grief, loneliness, sorrow – not only for Matilda, but also to a lesser extent, Alison. I just love this series. It certainly wrings you out, but also pulls you in. I was immersed in what was happening as it races along, leaving me breathless. Nothing stays secret forever. Such a gripping read.

OMG i think this is my 2nd favourite after time is running out the end of the last one had me crying and i wasnt sure what was going to happen when i first read about this one - i was worried about matilda and i had a right to be with what happened towards the end.
There were so many things happening i had no idea where it was going or what happened to the twins - it all came together well and i was shocked i dont want to give too much away bit its scary how a certain person is portrayed and that there are actually people out there that are exactly like that.
I really like matilda like she is at rock bottom and still manages to help people and get involved with a case??? shes like superwoman i dont know how she managed to hold it together as long as she did though she did have her moments. I'm glad Adele is back but nervous for the next one after seeing the title for it at the end ... i think an email hinted about what that stories going to be and matilda herself i am scared for everyone its like these characters are real people it shows what a great author michael wood is..

For the first time in her life, Matilda Darke is running away. Running away from her problems. Running away from the serial killer who took away her nephews and mother. Running away from Sheffield.

Hidden away in the Lake District, Matilda is drawn into a cold case - that of two local girls who were kidnapped thirty years ago, and never seen again. Their father disappeared, and was assumed to have committed suicide, and their mother and sister left behind. Her instincts tell her to stay away, but when danger comes to her door once more, she cannot help but try and bring closure to those left behind.

This is a spectacular book - after the shocking (and frankly ridiculous!) cliffhanger from the last book, I couldn't wait to see what happened next and this did not disappoint. An easy 5* book for me - can't wait for #14!

Set away from Sheffield, Matilda takes on a chilling cold case while trying to forget about a current serial killer back home.

While I missed the humour and camaraderie of the team, Matilda shines as always.

It's an interesting addition to the series, and I'm so excited for the next one!

Thanks to NetGalley and Grace Edward’s @ one more chapter, for inviting me to read and review this book.

Detective Matilda Darke is still suffering after losing her family to a serial killer in the previous book. She has left Sheffield and is staying with old friends while she tries to recover. On swimming she notices a number plate, which relates to a cold case, in which twin young girls disappeared. Despite best intentions, Matilda can’t help herself investigating.

Wow this was powerful. Matilda is a shadow of her former self and this comes across really well. Although the old Matilda fire is really showing towards the end of the book. It was interesting to see Matilda without her team, but I did miss Sian, Scott and Christian! It was lovely to see a former character return and also to see what had become of Carl and the Woodys! This was an exciting one with so many twists and tales. I had decided on so many different endings before the truth was revealed. I enjoy the authors style of writing, where there are no happy endings and you are kept guessing right until the very end. Suspense was rife and I was at the edge of my seat. It was difficult to put this down and function throughout the day as it had me hooked from the start. Matilda is my favourite character and this book series is the best ever! I’m slightly gutted to be finished and see that it’ll be autumn 2026 until we meet again! Although with the after word from Michael Wood, I’m not sure I’m going to like what’s next in store for a Matilda.

This one works as standalone, as the major storylines a new reader might have missed, are briefly recounted. However, I would highly recommend reading them all in order ASAP!

Genuinely the best book series I’ve read-cannot recommend enough!

I’m always excited to read a new instalment in the Matilda Darke series and so was thrilled to get the opportunity to read Worse than Murder. Matilda has left Sheffield, traumatised and grieving, seeking refuge with Phil, Sally and Carl Meaghan in the Lake District. She is soon approached for help by PC Alison Pemberton whose twin sisters went missing 30 years ago and have never been found. Matilda is reluctant at first but with the help of a local journalist soon finds herself investigating the cold case.
I wasn’t sure if I’d enjoy this as much as the Sheffield set novels but I absolutely loved it and raced through it over the course of 24 hours. I loved the Lake District setting and although I missed Sian and the rest of the team I enjoyed getting to know Alison and her colleagues. I love crime novels featuring cold cases and the compelling plot completely captured my interest. As ever Matilda continues to fascinate me and I look forward to seeing if she returns to Sheffield in the next book.
Highly recommended. 4.5 stars
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.

Completely and utterly brilliant! ‘
Couldn’t put it down’, ‘page turner’ and ‘hooked’ aren’t all just platitudes when talking about a Matilda Darke book, they’re the ONLY way to describe my experience when reading one. Not sure how I’m going to wait until Autumn 26 for the next instalment!

Wow!! I think this one may be my favourite yet!!
I was so nervous picking this one up after my heart was completely shattered in the last book I was hoping book 12 was all a dream
I wasn’t expecting Matilda to be in hiding the emotions I felt I cried a lot! And I know book 14 is going to be the end of me I’m so invested in this series I feel so connected to the characters
I loved the difference of this one it gave matilda and me more time to grieve the events of book 12. I do like how even in hiding and refusing to be a DCI she still managed to find trouble and solved a 30 year old murder. The last couple of chapters I was so on edge I split stress ball! This was yet again another masterpiece I read it in a day as I refused to put it down. It really does have everything you need in an amazing crime thriller and so much more I liked the new characters I found the crime shocking and the red herons i happily followed till my
Mind was completely blown away!! I think my heart is still racing while writing this!! I now have the long wait for book 14 also I can’t believe we are on book 14 it’s such an outstanding series I think everyone needs to read

MICHAEL WOOD YOU OWE ME THERAPY

Oh my god, what did I just read? I was invited to read this book this morning, it’s now 4pm and I’m still in my pyjamas. I couldn’t stop reading this. Matilda has been through hell and there is no sign of that letting up. I am in awe of the emotion, the power of Woods writing. The way he delivers a gut punch and makes you feel like these characters, these made up people are your closest friends. I loved going back to the Meagans and how they were interwoven to this story. The story was incredible. The intricate plotting, slowly unraveling things. I really felt I was by Matilda’s side in this. Once again I was fooled and didn’t work it out. That doesn’t happen often. I’m a Michael Wood fan girl for life.