I would like to thank Netgalley and Bloodhound Books for an advance copy of Uncommon Cruelty, the fourth novel to feature DI Gus McGuire of Bradford police.

James and Jane Proctor return from a weekend away to discover their house wrecked, a dead teenager in their bedroom and their teenage son, Simon, missing. Gus and his team soon have their hands full as they try to identify the body and find Simon because everyone is lying or at least concealing parts of the truth.

I thoroughly enjoyed Uncommon Cruelty, so much that I couldn't put it down and read it in one sitting. It is an excellent piece of crime fiction with great pacing and characterisation which held me engrossed throughout.

The plot is well planned as the investigation starts from the fairly narrow confines of a dead girl and a missing teenager and gradually spreads its tentacles wider and wider until it narrows back to the conclusion. I am in awe of Ms Mistry's command of her plot as it covers a lot of ground seamlessly. There is no superfluity and while wide ranging it is concise, almost sparing in execution. It is exactly the kind of novel I like to read and I will be searching out her back catalogue for more of the same.

The characterisation is equally strong from the police to the unnamed first person narrator whose imprisonment peppers the main narrative. Gus and his sergeant, Alice, have a great, natural vibe which adds to the reading experience. Alice does not have her troubles to seek in this novel and they add an extra edge to the read.

Uncommon Cruelty is one of the best novels I have read this year so I have no hesitation in recommending it as a good read.

This book is so exciting, I think Liz’s books have got better and better as she continues with Gus, Alice and the rest of the team. His poor mums cooking still hasn’t improved, but Compo seems to enjoy it.

I really couldn’t work out the reasoning behind it all and it kept me guessing right until the end. It was action packed all the way and plenty to get my teeth into.

I’m so looking forward to the next instalment with the team.

I was so lucky last year at Harrogate to have Liz come and sit with me and other authors at the table, what a thrill to meet her, and everyone.

My thanks to Liz, bloodhound books and netgalley for the ARC.

This is the first book in the series that I have read, but after this one I will look up the others too! I loved it, it was very high paced and exciting to read

Wow! What a stunning novel this is! I have loved all three novels featuring DI Gus Maguire, but this fourth takes Liz Mistry's writing, plotting and characterisation to a new level. When the bodies of two girls are found in a house following a party, the crimes which Gus is tasked with are only just beginning. A missing teenager, corrupt policemen and a fascinating back story of one of his colleagues all add to the excitement of this stunning novel. Ready for number 5 now!