Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

Washington Poe is a disgraced DI existing in the Cumbrian fells with his dog for company. His old DS Steph Flynn now has his job within the NCA and a body has Poe’s name on it so it’s time to come back to the job! Someone is killing men and setting their bodies on fire can Washington stop them before it’s too late? Within the NCA is a wonderful crime technician, Tilly Bradshaw, a child prodigy and a whizz at everything IT and data related she wants to prove herself that she is more than a geek!

This was such a brilliant read. I’m in love with Poe and the friendship he has with Tilly is wonderful. The backstory should have been a prequel as it was so intriguing! I can’t wait for the next book to see where the characters are going to go!

Oh wow! This book grabbed me from the first page and it was a roller coaster to the end. Very well written and thought out, plenty of twists and turns. Washington Poe is an intriguing character and we gain some insight into him through out the book. He takes the shy Tilly Bradshaw under his wing after forcing her out into the field and then there is acting DI Steph Fynn, she makes a pretty good boss. A nice little SCAS team from the National Crime Agency goes and do what they best at - treading on toes but solving crimes!

This book ticks all the boxes for me and is definitely 5 stars, I will be looking out for more books from this author.

Thank you Net Galley for the opportunity to read this book.

There are three reasons why I requested this - firstly, the endorsements of Peter James and A.A. Dhand, both authors I love. Secondly, the cover, and finally, the synopsis appealed to me as it sounded pretty dark and gruesome. Everything about this book screamed that it was going to be a fantabulous rollercoaster ride!

I appreciated the setting, the Lake District is not very far from my home. I know it can be a very desolate place, so it's ideal for a serial killer to use as his stalking ground, so to speak. I am so pleased that this is a series opener, meaning there is much more to come from M. W. Craven, I will be following this series through to its conclusion if the rest are as amazing as this was.

The 'Immolation Man' is a serial killer that burns his victims alive inside the stone circles of the Lake District. Washington Poe and his team are the ones tasked at stopping him claiming any more victims, but can they identify and locate him before he strikes again?

Books that are gory and dark seem to call out to me, and this, my first read by Craven, certainly didn't disappoint. Craven's writing is fantastic and draws you into the story from the first couple of chapters, once it's got you, it refuses to let you go! The friendship between Tilly Bradshaw and Poe warmed my heart. I look forward to their relationship and characters developing throughout the series.

I would like to thank M. W. Craven, Little, Brown Book Group and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book is the first in a new series of crime thrillers by M.W. Craven and is the story of the 'Immolation Man' a serial killer that burns his victims alive inside the stones circles of the Lake District.  What is his motive and will Poe and the team catch him before he claims another one?

This is the first I've read by this author and, WOW, what a book to start with!  Dark, gripping, gory, suspenseful - all of these things rolled together and thrown at the reader to digest in this amazing series debut.

I was gripped by this book from the very beginning, it's written so incredibly well and kept me on the edge of my seat every time I picked it up, it was very hard to have to put it down and carry on with the real world.  I instantly loved Tilly Bradshaw, the way she took everything anyone said to her so literally made her all the more loveable and the friendship she built up with Poe was beautiful.  What a double act!! I can't wait to see more of these two in action.  A sensational 5 star read from start to finish.

I'd like to thank Little Brown Book Group for the auto approval and will post my review on Goodreads now and Amazon on publication day.

There is nothing more satisfying than coming across a new crime series that sets the pulse racing. I read so many crime thrillers that I find it’s getting more difficult to find one that really excites me, but hells bells The Puppet Show by the very gifted M.W. Craven blew my socks off! What a fabulous start to a “must read series”.I knew from the shocker of an opening chapter The Puppet Show was going to be an exhilarating and thrilling read, I loved this novel for so many reasons, with a gripping storyline and fabulous characters this one has “best seller” written all over it.

Dark and gruesome are my favourite kind of crime thrillers, (make of that what you will!) and The Puppet Show fits the bill perfectly. As serial killers go this ones pretty terrifying, burning people alive, carving into theit charred remains, the author certainly has a vivid imagination, and his descriptive writing help you to visualise the gruesome scenes. With no clues the police are helpless, and enlist the most unlikely pairing I’ve come across in crime fiction, Washington Poe (love this name for a detective, not one you will forget in a hurry) and socially awkward civilian analyst, Tilly Bradshaw.

The stars of this book are definitely the characters, oh how I loved them, Tilly was like a breath of fresh air, her naivety and innocence contrast beautifully with Poe’s cynical views, their budding relationship was endearing, and the dialogue between the two offered lots of humour in what could have become a dark and depressing read (due to the difficult subject matter). M.W. Craven has created characters who are unique and engaging, and I would go as far to say they are probably two of the most exciting characters I’ve come across in a crime thriller for a long time.

Rather like the investigation team the reader has no idea who the serial killer is, when the killer was revealed I’m sure my jaw hit the floor, I can honestly say “I didn’t even come close” to working out the killers identify. The author taunts the reader by throwing in titbits of Poe’s past, which I’m desperately hoping will be the focus of one of the books in the series, very intriguing to say the least. You may have noticed my review is vague but I’m hoping it’s piqued your interest, my advice? Just buy it, if you are a fan of crime thrillers then this is definitely one book you don’t want to miss. I’m already desperate to read the next book in the series, and have everything crossed that I don’t have to wait long. Highly recommended

Really enjoyed this one, evident from the fact that I read it all today. A proper crime thriller with a really great detective. I will definitely be keeping an eye out for book 2! Guessed the who quite early on but the way it was done was fantastic and kept me reading!

Excellent. Just loved it. The Puppet Show is really good storytelling married with strong and coherent plotting and a couple of protagonists who really engage both your heart and your brain.

MW Craven’s novel is set amidst the Cumbrian Moors. Our protagonist D. I. Washington Poe has been on suspension from his job in the National Crime Agency for several months, accused of making a catastrophic error of judgement. He’s moved back to Cumbria and has been spending his time living frugally and learning dry stone dyking and other useful manual skills.

He’s not expecting to be asked back any time soon, and if he’s honest, he doesn’t really want to go back. Washington Poe is not a man who likes or enjoys the restrictions of command, and he’s utterly intolerant of politicking and grandstanding, so he’s not popular with the brass.

DI Stephanie Flynn, his former D.S. has been promoted to his role, and she turns up unannounced one day to ask him to come back to the Crime Agency to deal with a specific case involving a serial killer the red tops have named ‘Immolation Man’, due to the gruesome way he kills his victims. It seems that Poe has been targeted by this killer, but no-one knows why. Though he doesn’t want to return, he knows that he will have to if he is to get to the bottom of why he should be a target.

Working as D.S. to Flynn, he brings on board the brightest analyst the NCA has, Tilly Bradshaw. I adored Tilly’s character and the way that she and Poe work together. The pairing produces genuine moments of levity in an otherwise dark, often grotesque and twisted story and Tilly’s social conformity (she’s like a young Saga Noren only with added naïvety) coupled with Poe’s utter lack of respect for authority makes for fascinating character development on both sides.

All the characters, including our duo, are really well drawn. The plot is terrific and has both pace and tension with some great twisty moments. I was engrossed all the way through and just loved the explosive ending.

I cannot recommend this too highly. It is an exciting, vivid, technicolour read with great characters, brilliant plotting and lots of action.

Seriously, you need to read this. Then you need to put your name down for the next one, but you’ll be behind me in the queue.

When i read the prologue it sounded like it would be amazing. Along the lines of Chris Carter. However at 35% i was struggling to keep going. I think i expected more. However it did get better and i found it more enjoyable. It is was like that from thr start it would havr been a 4 but it lacked a bit for me so its a 3. Am looking forward to the next one to see where the author goes.

Oh My Goodness Me! Having read a couple of the authors other books, I knew I would be in for a good reading experience, I hadn't been prepared to be totally blown away though as this book isn't just good, it's brilliant!

There are so many detective books out there that I think it can be hard for an author to make their's stand out. M.W. Craven has well and truly gone for gold with his new series. Poe and Bradshaw have got to be the most amazing characters I have ever come across and it has left me absolute desperate for more.

Poe is your typical main protagonist who has issues but what makes him stand out is how he takes Bradshaw under his wings. Their unlikely friendship was something that instantly appealed to me and they are going to be one sought after crime duo.

Tilly Bradshaw is going to win new fans over in droves. Craven has uncovered an absolute diamond with this character and if someone doesn't snap this series up for television then there is something seriously wrong. You really need to read this book for yourself to understand the appeal of Bradshaw. I can't put into words just how fantastic a character she is and I really urge all crime fans to read it.

Not only is there an amazing cast of characters, there really is one gripping case the team find themselves working on also. With a shocking and horrifying opening to the story, the reader not only gets drawn in instantly, it also gives them a taster of just what they can look forward to in the rest of the novel.

The Puppet Show is this years must read. It just had everything I could have hoped for from a crime book and more. Brilliant, just brilliant. I now have to go through the agonising wait for the next one in the series.

First of all thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group for this advance copy of one of the best books I have read so far this year. The story is of a serial killer who is burning his victims around various stone sites in the Lake District. The main character of Washington Poe is brilliant. He has his standards and his views of right and wrong and not always do they fall on the right side of the law. The character of Tilly is so lovable and the interactions between her , Poe and DI Stephanie Flynn are just pure class. MW Craven is one sick puppy but by god he is great. The descriptions of the killings are some of the best I have read (I love my crime books to be a bit gruesome. !!!) I think this would make a great film. I cant wait to read more in this series. Fantastic stuff.

Netgalley I always love you but some times I could give you a high five and thank the lucky stars for that day I was persuaded to buy a kindle. This book is grim but brilliantly so and what a cracking story. Not to mention a crime duo as odd and unsuited as Punch and Judy themselves but who I now can't imagine without! What can I say though without giving the story away? Lots of burned bodies being found in and around the Lake District. And that's just the start. Recommended from me. But can't imagine this being one on the tourist trail although there are some really nice stone circles for real in the area! Bring me more please and I'll plan reading it during the day when I've slept for two days straight to make up for the time I spend awake with these books haha.

Review to go online in early June

There is so much I want to say about "The Puppet Show" but I can't as I do not want to give anything away! Let's just say that burnt bodies are not the only horror that Washington Poe uncovers in his investigations! Twisted and dark, this novel will throw you off your guard over and over again. Just when you think you have sussed it all out Mike Craven takes your head and messes it up just a little bit more!

The Puppet Show introduces Mike Craven's latest character, Detective Washington Poe, a name that you will never forget! Washington is called back to duty for what will turn out to be one of the darkest cases he will investigate and this one is personal. Uh oh, I've found myself a new #CharacterCrush here! He is everything you want from a fictional detective, flawed but determined and not scared to throw the rule books out of the window when needed. However, when he teams up with Tilly Bradshaw, Civilian Analsyst, then that's when you know Washington Poe is the one man that you most definitely want on your side! And Tilly, well she melted my heart so she did! Through her character we see some of the worst elements of human nature through the actions of others and she evoked such strong feelings in me. I do hope that she features in future books with Poe! This one had me experience all the emotions, I laughed, cried and raged as the story unfolded. By the end I was a damn mess I can tell you!

If you haven't read any of Mike Craven's books then you are seriously missing out; this author has a raw talent and pens some of the most thought provoking writing in crime fiction. Effortlessly combining character and plot, it is impossible not to engage with his characters or not to lose yourself in the storyline. It provides a fascinating insight into the skills and resources utilised in modern day policing but does so without reading like a police manual. It is terrifyingly realistic and unbelievable at the same time, The Puppet Show, set against the atmospheric Cumbrian landscape will have you engrossed from beginning to end. It will keep you up way past your bedtime and leave you torn between reading it fast to finish it and slowing right down to savour every moment. It's dark and it's chilling, this is defintely one show you DO NOT want to miss!
My review will be on my blog https://chapterinmylife.wordpress.com/ on publication day

An absolutely fascinating and harrowing mystery thriller. Someone is kidnapping men, torturing them and setting them on fire while they're still alive. Their charred bodies are left at the sites of ancient stone circles in Cumbria - home to the Lake District and one of the most sparsely populated counties in the United Kingdom.

The media call this twisted killer "The Immolation Man" and former Detective Inspector Washington Poe is brought back from suspension, despite the disaster of his previous case which resulted in the torture and murder of the prime suspect. Although he's not afraid to bend or even break the rules, his police superiors realise they need his brilliant investigative skills to solve this case.
Now reinstated as a Detective Sergeant, Poe is aided by civilian analyst, Tilly Bradshaw, a computer and maths genius with a staggeringly high IQ. But Tilly has led a very sheltered life and is socially awkward. Poe becomes her knight in shining armour when, on two separate occasions he physically defends her, first hurting a policeman who calls her a "retard" and having him sacked and later, crushing broken glass into the hand of a drunk who has tried to molest her.

Meanwhile, the devious killer, who leaves no forensic clues, has a plan to draw Poe deeper into his murderous actions. He carves the detective's name into one of the bodies and Poe slowly realises there are clues which only he is meant to see.
With the aid of Tilly's terrific computer skills - for example, she adds her own programmes to existing police computer software - the unlikely partners gradually discover the killer's twisted plans.

Their inquiries lead them to a former children's home and the realisation that the murder victims - previously seen as "pillars of the community" - were involved in horrific acts of child abuse. The author, M. W. Craven, who has a background in social work and the probation service, pulls no punches in detailing how these children suffered. The sense of a terrible injustice is palpable.

All the while, the murderer stays one step ahead, pulling the strings as he guides the police investigation where he wants it to go.
But, by dint of solid police work and the brilliance of Poe and Tilly, the truth about the serial killer's motives is uncovered.
This dark, riveting tale ends with a shattering confrontation in the wilds of Cumbria, itself almost a separate character in the story. The decades old motive for these torture killings will be revealed as will Poe's own childhood trauma.

This is a terrific crime novel and heralds the start of a series featuring the "odd couple" of Tilly Bradshaw and Washington Poe. Highly recommended.

My thanks go to the publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

The Puppet Show is a brilliantly twisted, horrifically wonderful serial killer thriller where the killer and thriller is totally outdone by the imaginative, engaging and purely emotionally resonant characters.

Ok so we do have a mystery that is intriguing, compelling and utterly riveting whilst being totally hair clutching scary if you stop to just think about it for a moment – but then we have Washington Poe and Tilly Bradshaw – the best literary duo since, well, I don’t know when but a long time. Poe is fascinating, a rogue to out rogue Jack Bauer in 24 whilst doing it for all the right reasons of course, whilst Tilly is socially awkward yet highly intuitive and super intelligent. She says what she thinks when she thinks it and see’s the nuance that nobody else catches. Together their developing friendship and working relationship gives “The Puppet Show” an edgy, vibrant feel that raises it above any other thriller of this nature you’ll read at the moment.

The author has such an eye for both plot and character development, you fall into this book and live in it’s pages – there are plenty of gorgeous little twists if you are into that sort of thing and the ending is terrifyingly edge of the seat. I loved every single moment of it, the settings are vivid and alive, the characters pop, even the peripheral ones and it is unpredictable and highly highly entertaining.

I have literally nothing bad I can say about this one. Go get it. Don’t worry – you’ll survive. Probably….

HIGHLY recommended. More please.

Oh my! I think I have a rival for my other favourites in Washington Poe. he is just everything I need in a main character. And, if he wasn't enough to make this one of my favourite books of the year so far (out of 132) I also learned a new punctuation mark! Oh and the story was a bit cracking too!
So, we have a serial killer operating in the Lake District. Someone is burning bodies at stone circles and leaving the police no clues. Until that is civilian analyst Tilly Bradshaw uses a forensic technique on the third victim which uncovers a message; Washington Poe. What exactly does the killer want with a cop who is currently suspended for his part in a case going a bit south? But, with nothing else to go on, he is welcomed (coerced) back to the force and joins in the investigation; reluctantly! Partnered with Tilly and under the supervision of his old DS - now DI, Stephanie Flynn, can Poe find the pattern that links the victims and, hope above hope, find and stop the killer before the body count rises further?
What I liked best about this book, apart from the excellent plotting, was the main characters and the team that they become. Tilly has Aspergers and consequently is a bit naive and green initially. She never leaves the office let alone travels. It was wonderful to see her grow through the book as she came out of her shell a bit. Poe is the stereotypical maverick cop with a blatant disregard for the rules but with a strong sense of justice. Actually, that description doesn't really do him justice. He is so much more than that but I am going to leave you to discover him as the author intended and make your own mind up. Back to Tilly and Poe though, well, they were a bit chalk and cheese initially but they rubbed along well and developed more than just an understanding of each other. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that they were actually good for each other. By the end of the book I had a strong feeling that I was going to miss them.
I've also mentioned that the plot was excellent but it was also very well executed. Yes, I did have an inkling of who was what but the why evaded me for a while. I am not even sure why I was drawn to this person but then I do read an awful lot of this genre book so I guess I just have a nose for things. This did not in any way impede my overall enjoyment of the book by the way; far from it as there was so much more to the book than just a simple whodunnit.
And that ending. Oh My Goodness. There's gonna be some fallout!
I'd be very surprised if this book doesn't end up in my top five for the year and I really can't wait for the next one. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

This is a good story, well told but what sets it above the many others in this genre is Poe and Tilly. They are definitely an odd couple but a good example of something being greater than the sum of its parts. I believe this is the first book in a series and that makes me very happy and hopefully it’s a long series.

MAJOR SPOILERS

4.5 stars
I think Washington Poe is going to be a character I follow for a long time.
He bends the rules,goes his own way,kind to others and is willing to admit he might not be best judge of character... as you have to when you're only friend is a serial killer.
I believe this is the first book,but there's enough references to past that make it feel like there's previous books... I wish there were.
A gripping enough story of someone taking old men and setting them alight,it unfolds nicely thanks to Poe and his slightly comical friend Tilly.
Enough clues were dropped to guess some plot lines,but not the complete story.
A very good read.

This is a truly fabulous dark thriller, a debut from M.W Craven which I sure is going to be a bestseller for 2018.
The characters are well written and you can connect to them on all levels. I loved the relationship between Tilly and Poe, they bounce off each other and come from different lives. Poe is an old school deceptive that like to bend the rule and Tilly is police staff, who is socially awkward and loveable all in one. I believe this duo will have many adventures to come and will become the most loved new characters of this year.
The plot was fast paced and focused on the hunt for a nasty killer who burns his victims, set around the Lake District, the killer pulls Poe and the team into some pretty gruesome murders.

I really enjoyed this high octane, unique crime thriller. The story is centred around The Immolater, a serial killer who sets fire to his victims and burns them to death. Washington Poe and sidekick Tilly Bradshaw set out to uncover the identity of the perpetrator. Both Washington and Tilly are fantastic characters, both vey different but with a great rapport. Tilly especially is a very endearing character. The story is very well written and I raced towards the end to find out whodunnit. A great read with twists and turns galore. I'd love to read more featuring the Poe & Bradshaw duo.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and Mr Craven for the opportunity.

You can always tell if a piece of crime fiction is special and MW Craven's debut marks the arrival of a gifted and natural crime writer with a bright future ahead of him. Set in the sparsely populated Cumbria with its numerous stone circles, Washington Poe, has settled into and fixing up his recently acquired croft, suspended as a DI in the National Crime Agency after being mired in scandal in his last case. He has no intention of returning to his job, but his name has been found carved in the burnt body of the latest victim of the serial killer dubbed 'The Immolation Man' by the media along with the number 5. DI Stephanie Flynn, the woman who replaced him, and the NCA want him back working the case. Overcoming his initial reluctance, he cannot resist trying to find out why the killer is targeting him, and returns to the NCA. He is demoted to DS, working under Flynn, and partnered with SCAS crime analyst, Tilly Bradshaw.

One of the main highlights of the novel is Tilly, an Asperger's afflicted young woman, the best analyst in the NCA. She has 2 PhDs from Oxford, with remarkable abilities when it comes to statistics, data, computer skills and programming, pattern recognition and more. She is naive, innocent, having been sheltered from the world, takes everything literally, has problems adapting to situations and is targeted by bullies. Tilly is shunned, obsessive, a gaming aficionado, has the habit of saying the unexpected, unaware it may be unacceptable, breaking social norms and expectations on a continual basis. Watching her relationship develop with Poe is a true joy, both poignant and comic, she becomes considerably more resilient, coming out of her shell as she and Poe bond. Poe is unmanageable from the point of view of his superiors, relentless as he pursues the killer, ignoring the obstacles and people standing in his way in his search for the truth. He has some very dark corners within his personality that make him a compelling and charismatic central character.

This is a novel that takes in the worst that humanity can do, a killer that has spent years planning his revenge on those complicit in not only destroying his life, but those of others. You cannot help but feel for the killer, facing insurmountable problems when it comes to getting redress through the corrupt judicial system and up against powerful forces intent on preventing the truth emerging. Poe is shocked to discover just how personally close to him the case emerges to be. Everything about the novel is brilliant, the twists, the plotting is exceptional and I am hoping we see the return of Poe and Tilly as soon as possible. This is a superb, entertaining, full of twists and tension, an utterly mesmerising thriller that I recommend highly! You will be missing out if you do not read this. Many thanks to Little, Brown for an ARC.