I went into this book with such high hopes and I really wanted to love it. Sadly, it just wasn't for me. It's a real shame, as I usually particularly enjoy British crime novels and the idea of one set in the lake district really appealed.
Half of my problem with this book was that I just didn't like any of the characters. The main detective, Beth, just hadn't really got anything likeable about her. She also didn't seem very believable as a person. One of my other major issues was that much of the mystery was dealt with by jumping to conclusions from nowhere. More than once someone was arrested on the flimsiest of evidence and everyone spoke as though everything was solved and wrapped up. For example, in the first couple of chapters, a man is arrested and all of the police officers talk as though he is guilty and don't seem to be interested in any other lines of enquiry based on nothing more than a missing credit card and a letter that someone has written to the police accusing them. I don't think so somehow!
The mystery itself was interesting and there was a lot of potential here. For me, though it was just not very well executed, which was a shame. Add to that the really misogynistic attitude to rape from all of the characters and it was the final nail in any chance of enjoyment. I don't know if it was the writer's intention to wheel out all of the cliche's that re-enforce rape culture, but that's certainly what he did.
There seem to be plenty of high scoring reviews for this book, so some people certainly enjoyed it, so perhaps you will too, it just wasn't for me.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

In this second outing for detective Beth Young we find her called out to the discovery of the body an elderly lady found on the shores of Lake Ullswater by a walker.
Although the woman is painfully thin and frail the bruises around her neck make this a possible murder enquiry.
The post mortum reveals that the elderly woman had indeed been strangled and her body violated after death.
Who could possibly have done this?
Clues discovered near the body point to the Mayor,however Beths investigation throws this into doubt as all signs point to someone trying to frame him.
She also discovers three other unsolved murder/rapes of young women with a similar MO in the local area that were never solved.
Is there a serial killer on the loose in the lakes?
Beth and the team are determined to find the killer before any more women become his victims.
This is a tense whodunnit that will keep you gripped until the end. An exciting read it certainly kept me guessing.
Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the oportunity to read this as an ARC I have no hesitation in recommending it.

This is a good read, surprising and emotive with characters who seem to have found themselves since their previous outing.

The murder of an elderly woman is disturbing enough for DC Beth Young and her colleagues but when her death is linked not only to previous murders but also a local politician things get very murky very quickly.

My problem with this book and the reason for only 4 stars is that Beth does an awful lot of thinking. As this is in 'real time' in the story there must be many long, uncomfortable but unmentioned silences. I  do also feel I am being told rather than shown at times.

However, the actual crimes and the way they are investigated are very well written. Add in the little tension breakers and idiosyncrasies which are forming within the team and the way they are becoming more cohesive and understanding of each other and it is obvious that this series can only continue to get better and better.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to Netgalley and the publishers in exchange for an unbiased review and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good crime story with characters who continue to grow with the series and draw you into their working and personal life.

Another superb read from Graham Smith, I am so getting into this series and delighted there will be at least 1 more book.

Again set in the stunning lake district, as a proud Cumbrian I do think this helped my enjoyment as it makes it so much better recognising the place names and indeed having visited so many myself over the years.

Detective Beth Young is once again hot on the heels of a murderer/rapist who is commiting horrific crimes. There were a few red herrings and surprises along the way which did catch me out and I enjoy that aspect of second-guessing things. I like playing Detective myself with varying degrees of success! In the first novel Beth had just transferred to this team (FMIT - serious crime unit) and it was clear she was still finding her feet within the team but it was great to read how much she'd progressed with the team relationships and her own skills although they seemed on point in the first book too!

There were a few aspects and side stories to the main event and that helped keep it even more interesting. I don't want to add any spoilers but *something* or maybe more apt to say *someone* crops up towards the end that makes it clear where a future book is going to be heading and I'm so intrigued to find out more along that storyline.

The second in a so far excellent series, this could easily be read as a standalone but I did find if helped having read the first book. I'm eagerly awaiting the next instalment of Beth's story!

My many thanks to Bookouture via NetGalley for providing me with this advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review.

Detective Beth Young notices a connection between a recent murder and three cold cases that revolve around the Lake District. "A Body in the Lakes" weaves a tale of how Detective Young and her team connect the dots as they search for the killer.

"A Body in the Lakes" moves at a fairly fast pace, and Beth Young is a likable and capable woman. The crimes are sexual in nature, and the book includes references to sexual violence, which could be a trigger to some readers.

While I enjoyed the pace and the opportunity to solve the mystery along with Beth Young and her team, the final resolution was a let-down. It introduced new evidence that took the book in a different direction that didn't flow with the rest of the story.

5 stars

This is an excellent second-in-the-series novel by Graham Smith.

DC Beth Young is reminded daily as she glances in a mirror about the “accidental” attack that left her scarred for life. She is a dedicated and very astute young police woman.

This story starts with the discovery of an elderly woman's body. She is emaciated and has no hair. The attending pathologist puts forth that she had cancer. Why would anyone want to kill someone with cancer? She is later identified as a tough woman, a survivor if you will named Felicia Evans.

Beth peruses the HOLMES system and comes up with a possible three additional women who were murdered in the same way. At the same time, a letter is received by the police team that states that the mayor is behind the rapes and murders. Beth and her boss go to arrest Forster the mayor – or at least bring him in for questioning.

The mayor is popular and can be very charming, but does this hide a murderous intent?

Throughout the book, the reader is treated to snippets from the killer's point of view.

This is a very well written book and I enjoyed it immensely. I liked the way Beth's character was more fleshed out in this novel. I appreciate the way that the team gets along and Beth's relationship with her immediate boss, DI Zoe O'Dowd. The characters are engaging and interesting. I am anticipating the next book in this series.

I want to thank NetGalley and Bookouture for forwarding to me a copy of this great book for me to read, enjoy and review.

Thank you to Bookouture for my copy of this book via Netgalley. I loved the first book in this series and I was eager to get back to Detective Beth Young's story. This is the second book in the series but you could read this as a standalone.

Beth and her team have quite a hard time in this book. Some unexpected events cause the team to be thin on the ground but Beth doesn't let that stop her on her pursuit of whoever committed these heinous crimes. Beth works extremely hard and I couldn't help but feel for her at times in this book.

This was a thrilling edge of your seat story that captured my heart.

I haven't read book one in this series but the writing is good. It sucks you in I feel as if I am apart of the story. The characters were described really well. I will definitely read more by this author.

Enjoyable read. I found this easier to get into than the first book - perhaps because the lead character felt more settled in this book. Good read and interesting plot

Graham Smith paints a perfect picture of the Cumbrian scenery lulling the reader into a false sense of security as he destroys the beautiful imagery with his own special twisted brand of evil.
Opening up with the discovery of the body of an elderly woman, it soon becomes clear that past and present are about to collide as Beth recognises a link with previously unsolved cases. As is to be expected of the author he doesn't shy away from grisly or gruesome and there were a few eye-watering moments for me as I read through! Despite his love of evil, Graham Smith still manages to inject some humour into his writing so don't worry, there will be a few smiles on the way!
This is the second novel featuring DC Beth Young and she is a detective determined to serve justice. With an unusual background Beth does not come with a drinking problem or broken marriage, however, she does have her own unique reasons for joining the force. She was the victim of a brutal attack which left her physically scarred and her desire to bring her perpetrator to justice was the driving force behind her decision to join the police. She is an intriguing young woman with a lateral thinking mind who loves nothing more than a puzzle and the investigations that Graham Smith puts her way provide her with plenty to puzzle over that's for sure! Beth's own story is further explored in this novel and I'm really looking forward to finding out more about her as the series develops.
Her relationship with her colleagues is based on mutual respect and over the two books, we can see how they have developed. I particularly enjoy the banter between Beth and her superior DI Zoe O'Dowd but it is definitely DS Thompson who pulls at my heartstrings. He and Beth had a rocky start to their relationship but as she has learned about his personal circumstances their bond has deepened.
There are a few characters in this book who will get your emotions rising, from Forster, the Mayor, who is a grade A creep to the unknown narrator who drip-feeds you information via their diary entries! To say any more would be giving away too much info!
The dialogue between the characters is natural and flows well. Plenty of red herrings and twists kept my brain engaged throughout. Exploring sexual assault and rape, misogynistic attitudes and values are cleverly challenged through the characters.
As I have already said this is the 2nd book in the series but the author gives just enough background that anyone picking this up without having read the first one, will not be left floundering. But hey, just go and buy the other one too!
Review will be published on my blog as part of the blog tour

I loved the first book in the series but this one is even better, What could be a more idyllic setting than the Cumbrian countryside and The Lakes, it certainly wouldn't be the first place you would think of as a setting for the most heinous crimes of rape and murder. Beth the young DC has a brilliant way of thinking out of the box and she is determined to catch the killer rapist, however, the task is not easy as there's lots of blind alley's and not a suspect in sight. Once I started this book I didn't want it to finish, it's a great read and a must for crime thriller fans.

When a walker finds the body of a woman by the shores of Lake Ullswater, the police are put on high alert. Felicia Evans was known to be a tough character, but who would have strangled her? Detective Beth Young quickly spots the links to three cold cases. Three women strangled and discarded in the stunning, wild hills of the Lake District.

As Beth begins tracking down witnesses, the team receives an anonymous letter claiming the charming mayor of Carlisle is behind the murders. There’s pressure from the top to clear his name. But Beth is determined to find the truth no matter whose feathers she ruffles in the process.

I loved Beth and her determination, she made me want to keep reading! I found this to be a compelling crime thriller that keeps you on your toes.

Thank you #NetGalley for the ARC of #AbodyInTheLakes
Pub Date: 15 Mar 2019

This is the first book by Graham Smith that I read. I’d never heard of him until this one popped up and am really glad I requested it.
The characters that Graham has created, along with back stories are believable and very well written,
This book also has a great storyline which is very well written and keeps you guessing all the way to the end as to what the outcome will be, who has a grudge against the mayor, who is the killer?
The locations and the setting in the lakes really add something to this book and make you want to keep reading.
As crime thrillers go, this is one that I’d highly recommend,

A woman's body lies on the shore in the Lake District. The police quickly link her death to three others.

The local mayor is implicated. what really happened to them all?

A very enjoyable read! I was very interested in getting my hands on this one after I read the blurb and I am pleased to say that I was not let down.

The story is written very well and the characters are interesting and jump off the page. I would recommend this read!

This was a engaging and entertaining read. I can't wait for the next book.

When a walker finds the body of a woman by the shores of Lake Ullswater. The police learns the victim name is Felicia Evans and was known to be a tough character, but who would have strangled her?


As they investigate Detective Beth Young quickly spots the links between three cold cases after talking to a paramedic. Three women strangled and discarded in the stunning, wild hills of the Lake District.

As they found evidences near Felicia body that points toward the Mayor and anonymous letter arrive saying he a murderer and will kill again but when the Mayor said he innocent and he has a alibi and even though Beth dislike him she can't help but wonder if he fool of smoke or is someone really is framing him.

As they keep the Mayor on the suspect list the pressure to capture the perpetrator mounts, Beth and the team must race to find him/her before another life is in danger or lost.


I ARC received via NetGalley and in exchange for an honest review.

A good and solid police procedural, engaging and entertaining.
I liked the characters, Ben is likable and relatable.
The mystery was fast paced and engaging, no plot hole, and it keeps you guessing till the end.
I look forward to reading other books in this series.
Recommended!
Many thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for this ARC

Thank you to net galley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this



When a walker finds the body of a woman by the shores of Lake Ullswater, the police are put on high alert. Felicia Evans was known to be a tough character, but who would have strangled her?

Detective Beth Young quickly spots the links to three cold cases. Three women strangled and discarded in the stunning, wild hills of the Lake District.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the eARC.
Detective Beth Young works in the Force Major Investigation Team, a job she loves and practically gives her life for. The story is set In Cumbria and has a great sense of place, it sounds so beautiful there...
When an elderly woman is found strangled, naked and violated, the team can't understand who would want to kill this poor woman - she was weeks away from death from cancer!? Beth, after some research, finds there have been several previous cases with a similar M.O., leaving no doubt that there's a serial killer on the loose. The likeliest candidate is the Mayor as his license and a party invitation was left by the body. He's a powerful, charismatic man with friends in high places and Beth dislikes him at first, but after several meetings even she begins to be charmed by him.
This is a good, tense police procedural which can definitely be read as a standalone; I hadn't read the first in the series and didn't find it a problem, there's enough backstory to catch you up.
Beth is an likeable character, fiercely dedicated to her job and empathetic to the victims she fights to find justice for. Highly recommended.

Detective Beth Young had been called to Lake Ullswater where the naked body of an elderly woman had been discovered and incriminating evidence at the scene pointed to the charismatic local mayor of Carlisle as being involved.

Information from a paramedic at the scene set Beth off investigating if there had been other similar murders in the area and to her amazement found that there were three others and no-one had connected them.

As the pressure to capture the perpetrator mounts Beth and the team must race to find him/her before another life is in danger or lost.

Action packed, gritty , grisly in parts but also with some humour ( what do you call a man ) jokes and with a nail biting build up of tension this novel delivers on all counts for me. Great characterization and skillfully woven plot strands all add up to a captivating and very enjoyable read.

Loved it and comes highly recommended.

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the chance to read the ARC for my honest review.