Don't even try to think you can live your life while reading this as it will consume you and make it too hard to put down!

Having been given the chance to read this, I quickly purchased the first book in the series, The Puppet Show, and managed to finish that in 24 hours as it has the same ability to reel you in. Another 24 hours and Black Summer was also done.

There are so many ifs, buts and maybes running through this yet all so believable and mystifying.

I had heard a great deal about M.W. Craven in the various book clubs I am a member of and boy were they correct. Being of a critical nature I am a hard judge but I can find little to fault with Black Summer except perhaps the pub where the smoking law is disregarded. Really!

A cracking good read with superb characterisation particularly of Tilly who reminded me very much of Saga in the Killing. I can honestly say that I will be reading more of M W Craven. Next stop The Puppet Show.

I had read the first instalment - Puppet Show - featuring Washington Poe and Tilly Bradshaw and as looking forward to this second. It does not disappoint. The story features a psychopath celebrity chef who has been serving a prison sentence for his daughters' murder, when she turns up six years later apparently alive. The plot is a how dunnit and it's as complicated as following a John Torode recipe blindfolded. What I find special about Craven's writing is twofold:
1. He can create fantastic characters - Estelle Doyle, the pathologist, is another winner, who Poe finds painting the toe nails of a cadaver because she needs to decide which shade to wear.
2. The wry sense of humour that interjects observations we can all relate to eg The pre-meeting - the one where police officers spread rumours until someone senior tells them to shut up - was in full swing when Poe walked into Conference Room A.

Ever since I reached the last page The Puppet Show I have been (in)patiently waiting for Black Summer by M.W. Craven, the second book in the Washington Poe series. One of my favourite things about picking up a new book is when a crime author grabs your attention with a dramatic opening, as soon as I read the first page I just knew that this was a book I knew I would savour. Although Black Summer could be read as a stand-alone I would urge you to read both books in order, not doing so would be like ordering a dessert without the main course! Where’s the pleasure in that? This book is perfectly paced, with engaging characters, it’s definitely one of this year’s summer unmissable crime reads.

Black Summer is the perfect title for this book, there’s a storm brewing with Poe planted firmly in the eye of the storm! M.W. Craven puts our hero Poe through the wringer as he finds himself on the wrong side of a crime investigation, one that will question his integrity, and potential end his career. A case from his past dramatically takes centre stage when Elizabeth Keaton staggers into a police station, nothing wrong with that you might think, but Poe helped to convict her father Jared Keaton, chef to the stars for her murder! A conviction based mainly on forensic evidence. So it doesn’t bode well for Poe, aided by his colleagues, computer, science and maths genius, Tilly Bradshaw, Poe is in a race against time to prove his innocence. There’s nothing Tilly loves more than a complex the puzzle, if anything she embraces them, and M.J. Craven delivers a deliciously complex case, one that allows Tilly to showcase her skills in helping to solve a bewildering case.

There is so much I could say about Poe and Tilly the dynamic duo, they are both such fabulous depicted, compelling characters. Poe is complex & charismatic, complex, whereas the wonderful Tilly is still socially awkward, some of her comments need fine tuning, tact definitely isn’t her strong point but she’s a hell of a character all the same. The dialogue between the couple is endearing, charming and funny, but it’s these moments that add light to the darkness of the plot. There is an array of brilliant characters in Black Summer that are worthy of a mention. We are introduced to forensic pathologist, Estelle Doyle another quirky character, and one I hope will reappear in future books. As for the charming, charismatic Jared Keaton, without giving away spoilers, he’s the definition of a psychopath, chilling but so brilliantly depicted! The author has a knack for creating characters that are multidimensional, quirky and unforgettable, always a definite plus.


I loved how the author brought all the threads together culminating in a jaw dropping, but very satisfying and clever conclusion. Black Summer isn’t as dark or gory as The Puppet Show, but OMG if anything I probably enjoyed this book more, there’s so many questions, intrigue, and mystery, my perfect kind of crime read. This is one book that will definitely be on my top reads of 2019, I’m only sorry that we will have to wait another year for the next book in the series, but I will definitely read it and the one after that, and the one......... Black Summer is a book I would recommend without hesitation, and for those of you who love a crime thriller that’s taut and brilliantly twisted it’s a ‘must read

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

A spectacular follow up to The Puppet Show! Cleverly plotted, excellently written, and darkly funny throughout, I'd recommend this to anyone who loves top notch crime fiction. The rural Cumbrian landscape is a great setting, and Poe and Tilly are brilliant characters (particularly Tilly!) - I can't wait to spend more time with them in Craven's next book.

I absolutely loved this book and raced through it in a day, unable to wait any longer to find out what happened. The evolving friendship between Poe and Tilly is wonderful and the bond between them is written perfectly. I loved watching it develop in the first book and Black Summer continues that as they face a new challenge. This story has so many twists and i enjoyed seeing them unfold on the page. All these little strands come together and little bits you might not think were important are weaved in perfectly. I can't praise this book enough.

Detective Sergeant Washington Poe is back, still largely ignoring Senior Officers' advice and warnings. The main characters are evolving nicely, and the bleakness of lesser populated areas of Cumbria acts as an atmospheric crime scene setting . Poe is, once again, sucked into a crime seemingly out of the blue...as the story matures, it emerges that Poe himself has become prime suspect and a race against time ensues to put the perp behind bars
The only thing that has prevented a 5 star rating is that I cant help feeling it was just too convenient the way the (impossible) riddles set during the story were finally solved, however it's still an enjoyable read.
Thank you to Netgalley, Little, Brown publishers for letting me read an advanced review copy and the genuinely talented Mike Craven, who is turning into a guy I'd quite like to meet over a beer, and talk about all things 'booky' and 'authory'

I've been gagging to read this book for over a year now, since I read the brilliant Puppet Show. I begged and begged, and did everything legal short of selling my soul to get my mitts on a review copy. But then when I had it safely loaded on my Kindle I was a bit scared to start it as I feared that it wouldn't measure up to my extremely high expectation. But. It. Did... and then some! It was wonderful reconnecting with Tilly and Poe, my favourite detecting duo, and I was held captive for several hours straight by their antics and the storyline contained within this excellent follow up.
I always say this about series books but I have to stress this here. Please read The Puppet Show first. Please witness the start of Tilly and Poe's relationship. It is, in itself, a cracking read and will only make this book even better if you do so.
So, we start with an already incarcerated prisoner. Jared Keaton, superstar chef, is currently serving a life sentence for the murder of his daughter Elizabeth, even though her body was never found. Poe was instrumental in his conviction, despite Keaton protesting his innocence throughout.
Back in the present and, at a Police drop in session at a library, a woman staggers in. She's in a bit of a state but delivers a bit of a shock when she says she's Elizabeth Keaton. She's taken to the station where she's questioned and her identity confirmed. This sends shockwaves throughout the force and Poe is recalled to Cumbria, and the scene of the original crime. With Keaton on the verge of being exonerated for his "crime" and Poe still convinced he got it right, there's only one person Poe will trust to assist him in getting to the real truth. Someone he didn't have at the time of conviction, someone who thinks outside the box and could possibly see things others, including Poe himself, didn't see then. Enter Tilly Bradshaw...
If you've read The Puppet Show, and I'm going to assume you have or you wouldn't be reading this review, things have move on since Immolation Man. Tilly now has her own gang of nerds that she supervises and Poe has started moving on from his own shock it delivered. We also re-connect with (to quote Tilly) DI Stephanie Flynn, who has managed, just about, to accept Tilly for who she is and stopped trying to make her conform. Realising her skills and importance is worth more than a simple dress code.
So we have Tilly and Poe battling against the wealth of the forensic evidence which threatens Keaton's conviction. A conviction, which if overturned also threatens Poe's whole career. This part of things was incredibly well crafted and executed and delivered sucker punch after sucker punch as I tried to second guess what was going on. All delivered alongside some really brilliant, often close to the knuckle, one liners. The main story is not as gory as its predecessor but is more cerebral at times. That's not to say that it delivers anything less than The Puppet Show. It's just as hard hitting but in a different way.
All the way through I was rooting for Poe who was just one step behind proving things. His gut and circumstance telling him one thing, the evidence pointing in another direction. His frustration and fear oozed from each and every page, upping the stakes as the story progressed.
As others have said, I could wax lyrical for ever about how brilliant this book is but, to be honest, if you have read and enjoyed The Puppet Show, you're almost nailed on to love this one equally. So, stop reading the reviews and crack on with the book. Me, I'm just hanging for the next one!
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

The brilliant second novel after the puppet show. The unique relationship between Washington Poe and Tilly Bradshaw shines through, with a very clever storyline which kept me reading with the midnight oil. The characters are described so well I could see them clearly in my minds eye. I really enjoyed this second book, equally as good, if not better, than the first. I eagerly await book 3.
Netgally ARC copy.

Where do I start.

So pleased to have Poe and Tilly back in my life. Quote from the book " he was a Luddite and she was the over educated idiot".

The authors way of describing people and scenarios is second to none. Tilly has grown so much in her understanding of the world and what is right and wrong at any given moment

The plot is so different from The Puppet Show but quickly draws you in from the very first chapter.

Poe is right, as always, in his gut instinct and Tilly seems to know the right way to get there. A great ending to the book leaving you wanting to read more as soon as possible.

Thanks to Netgalley, The Little Brown Book Group and of course M W Craven for allowing me an ARC of this book.

Sometimes when an author writes an excellent first book in a series like M W Craven did with The Puppet Show any follow up feels like a let down. Well with Black Summer you won't feel let down in any way as this follow up is as least as good if not better.

The main characters from book one, Poe, Tilly & Flynn, all reappear along with some new ones who the author uses to produce an outstanding dark and very twisty crime thriller that will keep you hooked from the first to last pages.

The setting of Cumbria is also used to add atmosphere to an enthralling book.

And one final bit of good news book three is already under preparation.

Completely recommended

This just like the puppet show was brilliant even better the first book
Well written characters nail gripping page turning with few twists thrown in I could not put it down . M.C. Craven is one of best new authors I have found this year and highly recommend you reading

This is the second book in the series. Really enjoyed this book the characters just keep getting better and better the more you find out about them.
Looking forward to the next one. Would highly recommend this book.
5 stars

Washington Poe has been called back to reexamine a case where a high profile chef murdered his daughter but her body was never found. Now 6 years later, she has turned up and the case is pointing towards Washington being involved! With the help of his best friend, Tilly, and his boss, Stephanie, can they beat the clock to crack the case. Washington is such a tortured soul and his friendship with Tilly is perfect. She has evolved as a character and deserves the focus she got in this one. Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

Black Summer by M.W.Craven
A great sequel to my personal ‘Book of the Year - so far!’

The story is complex but logical in the detection.... and that’s exactly what a crime novel should be, in my opinion. Not quite so humerus as book one perhaps because Tilly’s societal awkwardness has drastically reduced by equal proportion to becoming known as ‘Bradshaw.’

Those who live with Asperger Syndrome don’t get ‘better’ so perhaps we’ve just found Tilly having a few good weeks - and becoming ‘Bradshaw.’ For me this impacted on the uniqueness of Poe’s relationship with this much younger, ‘genius but socially inept’ side kick.

Poe hasn’t lost any of his ironic humour! For a rare change, I read the Acknowledgements and had a good chuckle. Me thinks Mr Craven has fashioned Poe after himself! An author I’d love to share a meal or a sherbet with.... And his wife, of course! I bet Mrs Craven has some tales to tell too....

Elizabeth Keaton was brutally murdered by her father 6 years ago, her father is serving a life sentence for the crime and yet after all those years Elizabeth appears at a police drop in centre alive, but certainly not well. She has been held captive, abused, tortured and raped but she managed to escape. So if she is alive then her father must be innocent right?

And so begins Poe and Tilly’s new case but this time it is a race to save Poe himself.

This is quite a bit of a different read than The Puppet Show as there is no psychotic serial killer on the loose this time and it is not as gruesome as the first book. That is until the very end, then we get some of the wonderfully gory details I had been waiting for!

The lack of grizzly murders this time round does not mean that this book is lacking from book one in anyway at all. This book is extremely clever with a plot that will have your head spinning and jaw on the floor once all those investigative threads all pull together and all the pieces slot into place completing the story.

Even though this is the second book in a series featuring Washington Poe you don’t necessarily need to have read the first book, The Puppet Show, before jumping into this one but it does however refer back to Poe’s last case from the first book so if you haven’t already I would recommend reading The Puppet Show. Not just to get the full enjoyment out of this book, but because it is a great read and if you have been drawn towards this book you won’t want to have missed the first one! You will love it!

A cleverly engineered plot with two of Britains best crime solving duo’s in a race to the finish kind of read!

If you enjoyed The Puppet Show then let me just say – Black Summer is even better!

https://debbiesbookreviews.wordpress.com/2019/06/08/black-summer-washington-poe-2-by-m-w-craven/

Well you have excelled yourself here Mike Craven I really thought the first book (which I absolutely loved) The Puppet Show couldn’t be bettered but you have done it here with Black Summer it’s one hell of of a brilliant read and what a plot, what an ending !!
Such a damn clever story we have here, back with Poe and Tilly once more with all the humour and the rapport between them is just wonderful.
So how can you find someone that is to all intents and purpose both dead and alive well if anyone can find the answers it’s Poe and with the brilliant mind of Tilly surely they can’t fail or can they because things are just not looking good at all. Superb writing and the Craven humour makes it stand out from the rest,
the pages kept turning, the plot became more addictive and intense so just like the first instalment I cannot fault anything in this book and the genius of Mike Craven shone through again with the only annoyance being I have to now wait for book three.
So I could rave on and on about just how magnificent this book is but please just see for yourself and don’t miss it and if you didn’t read the first one then don’t miss that either as this is an amazing series.
My thanks to NetGalley, Little, Brown Book Group, Constable and Mike Craven for giving me the chance to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Wow! I’ve been eagerly awaiting Black Summer and was so happy to be given the chance to read it early on NetGalley. I only discovered M.W. Craven a few months ago, and to be honest I avoided reading The Puppet Show at first because I thought it would be one those books which are overhyped and turn out to be disappointing. I couldn’t have been more wrong! I was hooked from the start. The new novel Black Summer is amazing. I love the friendship between Poe and Tilly, and it’s wonderful to watch their characters grow. The story is very clever, with lots going on and just the right amount of twists. Mike has a great way of writing, he is unlike any other author I’ve read. Very intelligent, knowledgeable, dark, emotional and dare I say a little twisted. You can tell from the writing that he’s someone who has really lived life, interacted with all types of people and has seen a lot. There is something very real about his writing, which I love. The characters are believable and very likeable. Not perfect in any way, but that’s what real people are like.
I loved Black Summer and can’t recommend it highly enough.

This is the second book in the series following Washington Poe and Tilly Bradshaw in their investigations. Poe had, six years previously, secured the conviction of Jared Keaton for the murder of his daughter, Elizabeth. No body was ever found, but the blood at the scene (Keaton’s Restaurant) convinced the police that she was dead.
But now a woman, claiming to be Elizabeth, walks into a police surgery and says she was kidnapped and has been held in captivity for six years.
Poe is determined to find out the truth – is she Elizabeth? What really happened on that night six years ago?

Poe begins an investigation, approved by his boss at the National Crime Agency, Stephanie Flynn. Relationships with the local Cumbrian Police Force do not always run smoothly however which hinders Poe’s work. With aspects of the new investigation not adding up, Poe tells Tilly Bradshaw that he needs her help. Tilly (who can now drive) makes her way to Cumbria to help, and together the investigation takes them into dark and disturbing places, both figuratively and literally.

Once Tilly is in Cumbria, the pace of the book ratchets up. The story always keeps moving, and there are twists and conundrums to keep you guessing. The central conundrum is not something I managed to work out – it’s very clever.

Once again, M.W. Craven has produced a book which is inventive, clever and with a fantastic central pairing of Tilly and Poe. I love the Cumbrian setting, the sense of vastness and isolation is a wonderful backdrop to the story, which builds naturally and flows beautifully to its conclusion.

Pugilistic Detective Washington Poe certainly packs a punch in the war against murder in this second powerful piece of Crime Fiction from writer M W Craven. Now my go to Crime writer. I cannot recommend this highly enough for fans of big plots, big characters and cathartic laugh out loud moments.

Poe has developed as a character. The nuancing is subtle, keeping him real & recognisable for fans of Puppet Show ( Do not miss it) but showing a more strategic side to his policing skills, which is absolutely critical as he widens his ability to work as part of a team, not a previous strong suit. He will need all the help , strategy and tools at his disposal for this electrically charged storyline.

Something for everyone; a cold case, a murder, gastronomy, the stunning scenery of Cumbria and you cannot miss his bizarre visit to the Carlisle pub - I didn't want to leave it! Blindingly brilliant portrayal of all the ills of society in one sitting! Poe meticulously plans ahead, although as Alsop, the first cop we meet so eloquently says, " The thing about plans is that they can turn into a bag of turds in the blink of an eye!" There are many burst out laughing moments as dry wit and turns of phrase, pepper the narrative, a real skill from Craven. He can take you to the place where you hold your breath and bite your lip, then make you run your eye three times along the sentence as you can't quite believe the cunning of the perpetrators, or the sheer genius of his plot.
Tilly the tenacious tech genius is there with her dogged loyalty to Poe, as is Edgar the dog.

The research is meticulous and generous, Craven wants you to understand. Ive learned so much about; Cumbria, policing, people, power, prison and how the power of a writer who knows what he's talking about, can draw you into the pages and bring the characters and their world to life. This is a read to let you escape into a fascinating world of twisted minds and the complexities of modern policing. I'm exhausted but will recover in time for next years journey with Poe and Tilly. ( Alexa , when's the next one!)