Book Review: The Descent by Matt Brolly

Disclosure / Disclaimer: I received this book from Amaon Publihing UK, via #Netgalley, free of charge, for review purposes on this blog. No compensation, monetary or in kind, has been received or implied for this post. Nor was I told how to post about it, all opinions are my own

Synopsis:

Were they pushed to the edge—or over it?

In the quiet coastal town of Weston-super-Mare, a body is discovered at the foot of a cliff just months after a near-identical tragedy—and Detective Inspector Louise Blackwell can’t believe it could be a coincidence.

Next to the body, she discovers a note that echoes one found beside the first: Death is not the end. Louise is certain that behind these desperate acts someone is pulling the strings, but how many more will plunge to their demise before she can find out who—and why?

Struggling to stay focused under the strain of her troubled brother’s disappearance with his young daughter, Louise hits a much-needed breakthrough when a third tragedy points to the involvement of a charismatic cult leader. The suspect is within her sights, but he knows she’s on to him…

Short on proof and with the body count rising, can Louise intercept his deadly mission—or has she taken on an unbeatable foe?

Review:

Looking for a solid police procedural with a female lead? I've got 2 for you today, and this is the first! While this is a newer series, I've been a big fan of the DI Lambert series for years, and this series is a natural flow from it. Probably because of his law degree, Brolly always gives us a look at both sides of the mystery at hand, and this book sticks to that idea. Louise has to put aside her family issues to try to work out a pattern with the suicides, so that they can hunt for the true killer. it's a furtive game of cat and mouse, and how we all have blinders and misconceptions. A fast read, it's perfect for staycation reading!

About the Author:

Following his law degree, where he developed an interest in criminal law, Matt Brolly completed his Masters in Creative Writing at Glasgow University. He is the bestselling author of the DCI Lambert crime novels, Dead Eyed, Dead Lucky, Dead Embers, Dead Time and Dead Water, and the Lynch and Rose thriller, The Controller. In addition, he is the author of the acclaimed near-future crime novel, Zero.

 The first novel in the Detective Louise Blackwell crime series, The Crossing, was published in 2020. Matt also writes children’s books as M. J. Brolly. His first children’s book is The Sleeping Bug. 

Matt lives in London with his wife and their two young children. You can find out more about him at www.mattbrolly.co.uk or by following him on Twitter: @MattBrollyUK.