I enjoyed his book, it had a strong opening chapter which really hooked me in. The characters were well written with loads of oomph and the story line was fast paced and flowed well.

It's almost Christmas in Cumbria in the frigid Lake District. But there's nothing colder than murder.

A 16-year-old girl throws herself off a cliff. The death is classified as a suicide. But what demons could drive someone that young to such a horrible end? Another young teen goes missing after attending the local fair. Her friends claim she went off to the loo and never came back. A shifty gypsy working with the traveling fair really likes young girls -- has he taken this one? A popular teacher is accused of pedophilia when incriminating photos are found on his home computer. Has he been set up? And the teenagers in town keep on using and taking the seemingly endless supply of drugs that are being pumped into the area. Meanwhile, the two-year-old son of a wanted criminal from Sarajevo is taken from his foster mother. DI Kelly Porter and her team at the Cumbria Police HQ are frantically trying to unravel all the pieces of this complicated web. NO SPOILERS.

Drug use, teenage suicide, bullying, social media and the insurgence of the criminal element into the Lake District contribute to a volatile conflagration as the noose tightens around those responsible. It takes everything Kelly has to handle the case and manage her hard-working team. It doesn't help that she is also dealing with some personal issues but at least her new romance seems rock solid. Porter has a gut feeling about the suicide cases but trying to get any information out of the self-absorbed and drug-addled teenagers is tough.

I really like this series, and suggest that the books be read from the beginning, in order, for a reader to really appreciate the story line and to see the changes and developments in Kelly's personal and professional life. The setting is very well described so that the reader can see the beauty and the menace of the Lake District and it seems a very fitting background for the chilling tale. I like the character of Kelly Porter and can't wait to see what happens next after the way this one ended.

Thank you to NetGalley and Canelo Publishing for the e-book ARC to read and review.

To get the most out of this book, then I'd recommend starting at the beginning as this is book four in the D.I. Kelly Porter series. I really enjoy the setting of the Lakes, as it's an area I love and I can really imagine the action and characters within that environment.
As always from Lynch, great plotting, although it felt a little disjointed at the start, but this soon settled.
Kelly's work takes her to a school in this book, called the Derwent Academy and it's here that she has to deal with the 'inmates', a bunch of teenagers that she has to quickly adjust to, and the environment is rife with crime (bullying and centrally drug problems) and narcissist personalities.

I also enjoy crime novels that have a focus on the personal lives of the officers, so it's great seeing how this is all developing.

Well written, strong character led narrative drive and great plotting make this a book I'd recommend, but I'd certainly advise you to start at the beginning with 'Dark Game' (the first in the series) for a richer read, but it would work as a stand-alone too. Great stuff!

This is an excellent police procedural, head and shoulders above the rest. The book addresses many modern problems in society, whist having solid, likeable police officers solving the crimes. I look forward to reading the earlier books in this series.

A story set in the Lake District. Why is it that a school should have more than usual numbers of suicides among the students? Why was a teacher being set up for having paedophile stuff on his computer? Something was seriously wrong in the area and it's the job of DI Kelly Porter to sort it all out. She has to do this while her mum is suffering from terminal cancer and she (Kelly) is coming to terms with her father not actually being her biological father and having to work with the man who is.

A good look at the problems of young people - from bullying, false friends and the toughness they have to show even when they don't feel tough.

Have been waiting for this, it's the fourth book in the DI Kelly porter series, plenty of action, Kelly is dealing with normal family issues as well as dealing with current issues in her job, she's very believable, there's sadness, grief, everything you want in a police procedural book, brilliant, as usual,

And she has done it again, another cracking instalment from Rachel Lynch. The 4th book in the DI Kelly porter series is just as good as the rest, an excellent well structured police procedural story, with descriptions of the beautiful Lake District scenery, great characters, interesting and exciting storyline with unexpected twists and turns.
The book also deals with more serious and important subjects, bullying, drugs and teenage fixations, overall handled well.

5 very well earned stars.

I would like to thank the author, Canelo and Netgalley for the advanced copy in return for giving an honest review.
I cannot believe that this is the fourth instalment of the Kelly Porter series. I have been with Kelly since the beginning and I seen her evolve into the no nonsense detective she is today. In this book Kelly deals with a couple of cases which she can manage but then it just snowballs and none of it is good. Also her past is back to seek revenge. OMG so much action, tension and suspense. I could not put this book down, hence it was finished at 2am. I love this series and each time a new one lands in my inbox I know that I am in for a thrill ride. This book ticks all the boxes for me and then some. This is turning into a very addictive, sat on the edge of your seat and definitely wanting more series. An easy five stars and so Highly Recommended. If this is the first Kelly Porter book you read I can guarantee it will not be the Last.

DI Kelly Porter is back for the fourth time. When a teenage girl flings herself off a cliff it looks like suicide but Kelly is left asking why. Ruled a suicide, there’s no official reason for Kelly to chase answers, but as several of her team’s cases converge on the girl’s school, a new, darker story emerges. Mired in her pursuit of justice for the growing list of victims, Kelly finds security in Johnny, her family and the father she has only just discovered.
Another gripping read which is quite dark as deals with bullying & drugs. The story flows well & there are plenty of twists and turns. I liked that the dark aspect of the book is lightened by Kelly’s personal life which is also interesting. The characters are well portrayed & have depth. I’m thoroughly enjoying this gripping series & hope there are many more instalments to come
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

The girl had once been a promising athlete, but injury and then addiction to prescription painkillers changed her completely. Eventually she was driven to commit suicide in the most gruesome way - by throwing herself off a cliff in the Lake District. It worried DI Kelly Porter, but she had no reason to investigate, although several of her cases keep bringing her back to the girl's school and a darker story emerged. One of the pupils goes missing at the local fair: her best friend is the girl who has accused a teacher of luring her to his flat and then sexually assaulting her. It seems that the teacher also has paedophilia on his computer, but the downloading eerily coincides with the girl's visit to his flat. What is going on, but - most importantly - where is Faith?

I first met Kelly Porter when I read Dead End just a few months ago. I'd turned to it because I had nothing else to read but this time I couldn't wait to get my hands on the book. Rachel Lynch has the knack of writing crime fiction which pulls you in, keeps you reading and doesn't let you go until you've turned the last page. For the second time I finished one of her books in less than twenty-four hours. This isn't just tricksy writing, but a combination of factors.

I liked Porter the first time I met her. She has family values without necessarily wanting to have one herself. Her boyfriend, Johnny - who's in Mountain Rescue - is her rock, but she has no need to be married to him. She's developing a good relationship with his teenage daughter. Her mother has terminal cancer and she does her best to be there for her, but at least one of her sisters believes that she puts the job before the family - but that's Nikki all over. Then there's the matter of her father, well, both of them... All the characters come off the page well and live in your mind.

The Lake District comes to life too. It's winter, but not winter wonderland - it brought home to me that whilst the snow might make the scenery look quite benign it's really anything but: you'll come away with a great deal of respect for the people in Mountain Rescue. But it's the plot you want to know about, isn't it? I liked the way that it almost began in the middle and worked outwards in all directions as one fact impacted upon another and finally built into something compelling. It's not a whodunnit as such as you know about that from quite early on: it's about why and how the villains are tracked down and justice is achieved.

It was a good read and I'd like to thank the publishers for making a copy available to the Bookbag.

I love a detective novel and Rachel Lynch has created a terrific one with DI Kate Porter. The characters are believable and the story was (sadly) and all to accurate. In today's world. The story had me hooked and every twist and turn racked up the tension, right to the end. Now I need to read the other 3 previous books in the series.

If, like me, this is the first book you've read by this author I would suggest starting with the first book in the series. Although some books in a series can be read out of sequence this isn't one of them. There was various references to events I assume was major storylines in the previous books.

On the whole I enjoyed this book although the ending with one particular character seemed a bit rushed.

I will add the first book to my TBR pile as I think this has the makings of a good series if read in order.

Thank you Canelo and NetGalley for my ARC.

This is the fourth book in the series featuring DI Kelly Porter. Although I have read one of the previous books, I think this could be enjoyed as a stand-alone novel.

It's winter in the Lake District and a girl goes missing from a fairground. With the snow closing in, her survival is looking unlikely. A girl commits suicide on one of the peaks, her body full of illegal drugs. A boy is taken from a supermarket car park. A teacher is accused of assaulting a pupil. Could there be a link between these things? Kelly Porter and her team are called in to investigate and start to uncover the grim truth.

This is an engaging and fast-paced read. I found Kelly Porter a likeable heroine and the investigations interesting. The crimes themselves are quite gritty - this isn't 'cosy crime' - but it's well written and tense. The setting of the Lake District in the inhospitable winter really does add to the menace of the situations. Recommended for anyone who enjoys police procedurals.

Police thriller which moved along at a fast pace. Good characters who interact well,with lots going on in their lives. Twists and turns along the way,sadness and happiness, a good read.

I recieved this arc from NetGalley. At the time when I made the request I didn't realize Bitter Edge was part of a series. I'm so glad I made the decision to go ahead and read it anyways and will definitely go back and read the previous three DI Kelly Porter books. This book was great, solid storyline that 100% not only tugs on your heartstrings but also creates moments of anger and frustration for the reader in regards to so many of the characters. Very well written! Looking forward to the next one. Thank you NetGalley!

This is the fourth book that I have read by Rachel Lynch and I certainly hope that there are more to come. As I live in the
Lake District it opened my eyes to what goes on behind the reports of drug dealers from other areas of the country whose trails are reported by the Westmoreland Gazette. Like many other series there are two aspects to the story . Firstly the continuing life story of the main characters and the details of the crimes which are featured in this book. As an ex teacher I wondered how realistic the school storyline was and as an ex Inspector wondered why the headteacher had been allowed to run a school whilst seemingly having no knowledge of the drugs agenda in her school?

Thank you net galley for an ARC of this book

I couldn't put it down and read it long into the night.

If you are new to this series do start with the earlier books and work through the series to get the most out of the charcters and story line. Waiting now for No 5.

I loved the descriptions of the Lake District in winter so much different from the side that tourist see in the summer months. The characters were well defined. I didn't find the subject matter of child abduction and drugs easy to read about. The side story about Kelly's relationships was intertwined and gave more interest.

Thank you to Netgalley, Canelo and author Rachel Lynch for sending me the digital ARC of this book in return for my honest review.

Here comes the blurb as they say it better than I ever could!

DI Kelly Porter is back, but so is an old foe and this time he won’t back down...
When a teenage girl flings herself off a cliff in pursuit of a gruesome death, DI Kelly Porter is left asking why. Ruled a suicide, there’s no official reason for Kelly to chase answers, but as several of her team’s cases converge on the girl’s school, a new, darker story emerges. One which will bring Kelly face-to-face with an old foe determined to take back what is rightfully his – no matter the cost.
Mired in her pursuit of justice for the growing list of victims, Kelly finds security in Johnny, her family and the father she has only just discovered. But just as she draws close to unearthing the dark truth at the heart of her investigation, a single moment on a cold winter’s night shatters the notion that anything in Kelly’s world can ever truly be safe.


I did enjoy this book just wish I had realised that it was book 4 of the series at times I felt like I would know the characters so much better reading in order, though the book worked well as a stand alone, even though I haven’t read the others in the series I plan too! I just really liked the character of DI Kelly Porter she was just very real and believable.

The setting and description of the lakes was really lovely. Very much enjoyed!

This is my first book by Rachel Lynch - but I have since downloaded number 3 and will be reading more in the future. I loved the setting - the Lake District is one of my favourite places. I liked the characters in her team and enjoyed Kelly Porter as a character.

The story was fast paced and dealt with some very current issues - drug abuse and teenage suicide.

The characters around Kelly - her family and Johnny added depth to the story and drew you in.

Definitely an author I will be watching out for in future.

Another great episode for DI Kelly Porter. As well as a well-structured and well-paced read, it covers the heart rending reality that drugs "aren't just for losers". So many young victims - even the child dealers evoke sympathy for how they've made bad choices along the way and ended up where they are in a life where they should never be.