I’ve long been a fan of Mel Sherratt’s writing, she is such a versatile writer, and proving it by writing books in a wide range of genres whether it be a psychological thriller, crime fiction or suspense you are always guaranteed a cracking read. When I picked up Hush Hush the first book in a new crime series featuring DS Grace Allendale I was hoping she would incorporate her trade mark “grit lit” into the story, something this author does so well. I’m thrilled to report I personally think this is the author’s best book to date and had so many aspects that made Hush Hush such a gripping read.


DS Grace Allendale has recently returned to her home town of Stoke-on-Trent. Grace’s early years were spent living with a violent and abusive father, which ended when Grace’ s mother left him. Now he’s been murdered and Grace newly promoted feels able to return to the town she grew up in. On her return she finds herself investigating a murder, which is complicated by the fact The Steele’s a family who are well known for their criminal activities also happen to be Grace’s half brothers and sisters. As the old proverb goes "blood is thicker than water” or so they say, but there’s always an exception to any rule, which is certainly the case for Grace and the Steele family, loyalty is tested and conflict arises.

Grace like many fictional detectives has baggage, she’s a loner, she’s reserved but Grace is also a strong character, the brutal and disturbing chapters that describe her abusive childhood help the reader to understand the complexities of the “grown up” Grace. Alongside the investigation and on going problems with her family, she also has difficulty fitting in with her new team, they still miss their old boss Allie Shenton (featured in previous books by the author) and they also have trust issues which is hardly surprising considering who she is, but all these issues add to the overall tension.

Hush Hush is a solid start to this new crime series, with misdirection, suspense, and a dysfunctional family at its core this is undoubtedly a not to be missed crime thriller. There’s a gritty realism within the author’s books that some crime thrillers can lack, I found the chapters that delved into Graces past very disturbing and heartbreaking to say the least, but Mel Sherratt isn’t afraid to tackle uncomfortable subjects head on and in doing so has written a crime thriller that is a worthy addition to any crime thriller lovers bookshelf. Highly recommended.

This review maybe altered slightly and edited prior to publication on my blog

I enjoyed Hush Hush. It’s one of those books that draws you in and keeps giving more information as you progress through the plot line. Good characters and it kept me entertained throughout. Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Collins and the author for the chance to review.

As a reader of all Mel Sherrat's previous books I have been eagerly awaiting this one. It certainly didn't disappoint. The story was gripping, with a lot of unanticipated turns and a very unexpected conclusion. The characters are interesting and engaging, with the connections between them adding an extra dimension to the book. Written in a style that is very easy to read and flows beautifully., I read this in one sitting and thoroughly enjoyed every page.

Hush Hush is the first book in the new DS Grace Allendale series by Mel Sherratt and it is a very good, well written, tightly plotted book that sets things up well for future books.

Allendale has returned to her home town but has a lot of very bad memories that are re-opened as a series of murders take place and she and her team have to identify the killer.

The main characters are well developed for a first book in a series but have scope to grow sad develop and I look forward to reading the next instalments

Recommended

4.5 stars rounded to 4 stars

Ah, vintage Sherratt!! I love Mel Sherratt. She is such a versatile writer. Her language is brit grit lit. She is a talented author of police procedurals, psychological thrillers, contemporary/women’s fiction, crime fiction, and suspense. I have read most of her books, and though it is hard to pick a favorite, this one ranks highly. I have to admit I was disappointed in her last novel, She Did It, but I’m not the biggest fan of psychological thrillers; her other fans loved it. In any event, Hush Hush hit the spot for me.

Our protagonist is Grace Allendale, a newly minted DS moving back to her home territory, Stoke-on-Trent in Staffordshire, England. Ms. Sherratt places most of her stories in this city, which is her hometown too. Write what you know is always good in my book. The crux of things is that Grace happens to be related to several of the suspects in a serial killer rampage. I immediately liked Grace. She has mega demons as do most police procedural protags, but gosh, Grace is nice. And strong. There are some brief throwback chapters to her childhood, which greatly added to our understanding of who she is. Grace does have issues fitting in with her new team (Allie Shenton’s old team, hooray!) because of trust issues, but I found this complication added a further layer to the tale.


There is a lot here to like. My guesses as to the identity of the killer(s) and the motives behind the murders were all over the place, and I loved where Ms. Sherratt ultimately went with this. A number of nice twists pepper the way. The wrapup is well done and not abrupt (I hate abrupt endings). And I just loved “the feel” of the story. It is pure Sherratt with themes of good police work empathizing brains over forensics, estate life, distinctive personalities, gritty (but not terribly graphic) subject matter, and straightforward excellent writing.

The second book in this new series will be out in April 2019, and I plan to be one of the first to get my hands on it. If you have not read this quality author, give her a shot. Though you definitely have your choice of genres, her distinctive style infuses them all.

Many thanks to Net Galley, Avon, and Mel Sherratt for gifting me an ARC of this novel. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.

Hmm...

I neither liked nor disliked this book.

The murders were brutal and very descriptive, but no evidence is really found that helps Grace get to her conclusion. She does so by hunches and knowing the killer.

I found Grace to be quite an unlikeable lead character, but I don’t know if that’s due to the storyline of the book. The rest of the characters, I felt, are very under developed.

Whilst I feel indifferent about this book, I will be giving book 2 a chance...

This is a great start to a new series by Mel Sherratt. This book had me hooked from the start. DS Grace Allendale is a great character and I have enjoyed learning a lot about her now and about her childhood. This book is full of interesting characters and a great who done it which had me guessing right up to the end. There are some very sad moments, the book is an extremely emotional read, The author manages to capture the emotion well in her writing. I look forward to reading the next book in the series and I highly recommend this book.

Hooked! This is the first book I've read by Mel Sharratt. What a great police procedural. Loved the characters, loved the mystery ... loved everything about it. I can't wait to read the next in the series (and other books by this author). I recommend any reader who likes police procedurals, check this one out!!!

Thank you #netgalley and #avonbooksuk #harpercollins for the eARC. I will definitely be reading more by this author.

A thriller/mystery book. Hush Hush by Mel Sherratt, in my opinion started off a tad slow before picking up and carrying you along. Beyond that I enjoyed it and will be on the lookout for more from this pen.

A Brilliant police procedural that is deliciously intense and addictive with a suspenseful storyline that didn't disappoint ! Thanks to Netgalley and Harper Collins and Avon Books UK for the digital copy in exchange for my honest review ! #Netgalley #AvonBooksUK #HarperCollins #HushHush

Promising start to a new series by Mel Sherratt. Grace Allendale takes a new job in her hometown. Trying to stop a murderer brings her past and family secrets up to the surface. Twists and turns kept me guessing the whole way through. I was quickly me turning the pages from the start. Couldn’t read fast enough! I’m looking forward to more in this series.

*ARC provided my NetGalley for an honest review.

Just finished this book by Mel Sherratt. Really enjoyed getting to know Grace and her team and cannot wait to read more about these characters in the future.
Highly recommend

This is my first Mel Sharratt book, and I am so glad this is the first in a series as I cannot wait to read more!
I loved the main character and enjoyed the flash back scenes. This book was full of twists and turns that kept me guessing all the way through

I enjoyed this book and felt it fitted very nicely into the police crime/thriller genre that I've got so into in recent years. It's a dark and gritty read, with some disturbing crimes being committed. But that's pretty par for the course in this genre!

There are plenty of twists and turns, especially as the book nears the conclusion. I was guessing all the way through as who the killer was. I didn't see it coming when it was finally revealed.

My only real gripe was the flashback scenes where Grace looks back on her early life. I did understand why they were there, given her connection to the infamous Steele family, but at the same time I didn't feel that they added a lot to the whodunnit story. While it's true that the flashback scenes show what a nasty man he was, the killer acted for different reasons . That said, it does help to get to know Grace's character a lot more.

I understand that this is the first in a new series and I will keep an eye out for future additions to it as I did like Grace as a character and the writing style was very good.

Hush Hush is stuck between a police procedural and maybe a thriller. There are many times I felt like I was missing a part of another story but as a reader I know this is the first in a series. So I was left scratching my head at times.

The Characters have dept with enough knowledge readers are able to figure out the killer before Grace figures it out. The story has enough suspense to keep readers wanting more but confused at times on how Grace is able to connect with other people.

The story has levels that will have readers thinking about what they had read. Moments of heartache as well as what were you thinking.



Fans of this author I will tell you this is a must not new series. Those starting this series might take it slow before buying all her books at once to get a better feel of her writing style.



Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher Avon for the advance copy of Mel Sherratt Hush Hush

A riveting read and hopefully the first of many in this new series, 10 out of 10 and highly recommended

I would like to thank Avon Books UK and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘Hush Hush’ written by Mel Sherratt, in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.
Grace Allendale returns to Stoke after an absence of many years to take up a new position as Detective Sergeant at Bethesda Police Station. Her first case is to find the killer of Josh Parker who works for the Steele family, the local gangsters. But what Grace’s team aren’t aware of, and only her DI Nick Carter knows, is that Grace is the daughter of George Steele who was murdered in 2017 and whose killer was never found. Despite striving to find her place within the team and never wanting to meet any members of the Steele family, she gives it her all to discover the identity of the murderer.
‘Hush Hush’ is a thoroughly enjoyable police thriller with all the makings of an excellent series. It has interesting and likeable characters, a clever plot, lots of devious criminals and plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader guessing. I like the way Grace endeavours to forge a strong working relationship with her team, especially Perry and Sam, and how we’re given flashbacks to Grace’s experiences at the hands of George Steele, and the loss of her husband Matt. It has a well-written and absorbing storyline with lots of excitement and a chilling ending. I’m glad there’s going to be a second in the series and I very much look forward to reading it.

Off we go to Stoke-on-Trent to meet DS Grace Allendale who has the unenviable job of hunting down a violent murderer seemingly connected to a local gym. The big twist is that Grace is related to the family of the potential suspects via her own violent deceased father. If it wasn't for the many flashbacks describing Grace's father, then I would have no hesitation in giving this book 5 stars. I found them to be annoying and held up the flow.of a really good police thriller. Excellent characters, loads of twists and turns and plenty of Stoke references to keep me interested. This is the first of her books I have read and will be searching for more in due course. Many thanks to Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review.

I loved this book. Mel Sherratt is a new author for me and I’m so glad I found her.....thank you Netgalley.
I enjoyed getting to know Grace....she’s such a strong likeable character. I can’t wait to see where her story takes us next!!

Thank you NetGalley and Avon Books UK for this arc.

I was excited to start reading this after seeing fantastic reviews for it here and on Goodreads. The story was great, nice and twisty. But I found the characters somewhat disappointing overall in their consistency and immaturity. Maybe that will change as the series progresses. It felt more like they were presented that way to move the story along into another "twist." To be fair, I generally find books that are marketed as "psychological suspense thrillers" unfulfilling with their characters.

2.5 stars rounded up.