Hold Your Tongue is Deborah Masson's debut novel and also the first of a brand new detective series featuring DI Eve Hunter of Scotland Police. Eve returns to duty 6 months after a terrible accident that led to a casualty on scene and her partner ending up paralysed in hospital. This leaves a bad reputation in the police force and the Press has made sure the story follows her wherever she goes. A still reeling Eve, joins her team with the support of DCI Hastings and hopes she'll get on with it. But as soon as the hard homicide case hits the ground, things are not going to be easy for her.

Since this is a police procedural thriller, there is enough introduction giving to everyone on Eve's team, including DS Scott, who is the only friend Eve has on her team. DS Jo Mearns is the substitute to her injured partner DS Sanders, and she manages to hold a grudge against Eve which is hard to break. As you can imagine, there is a lot of tension between the team that Eve has to manage and be authoritative amidst all the media pressure that is steadily building up on the case. The killer makes sure to offer one victim per week, same MO, same victim description.

The first half of the book is full of murders, and lots of questions that Eve's team doesn't have the answers to yet. It seems like the chase has only begun but the killer is far ahead in the game and we are left with no clue and totally in dark. Fast forward a few more chapters for the real investigation to begin and the pace rises up.
If you're a lover of crime scene descriptions, you'll enjoy the gruesome murders and the meticulous details provided by the author on the on-going investigation along with forensics, pathology, and everything amusing!! The pace of the book is a bit slow at the start but speeds up as the story unravels. The last few chapters are brilliant and totally unexpected and does justice to all those first few slow chapters. I was spellbound as I did not guess for a single moment who the killer could be and totally sunk myself into the investigation. I really like the little team of DI Eve Hunter. They aren't the perfect bunch. They're an unfortunate match with many imperfections but I think that will somehow become their strength as they start working on many cases together in future. This book is a perfect serial killer premise to the start of a new thrilling series of books featuring Hunter and her team. Highly recommended to all crime thriller fans who are looking for a new strong female Detective series!

4 Stars from me

I love stumbling across the beginning of a new series and so was delighted to read Hold Your Tongue featuring DI Eve Hunter. Set in Aberdeen, this is a gruesome crime thriller and it very literally made me cringe in a few places. It's so hard not to imagine the awfulness of someone sawing away at your tongue with a breadknife!

DI Hunter was an interesting character with a boot-load of baggage, making her a perfect police lead for this style of book.

Her team were a mix of deeply loyal and deeply suspicious - again perfect for the genre. There is a history behind the suspicion and the resentment from some members of her team and this is revealed throughout the story.

Overall, this is a satisfying crime thriller with nice mix of human interest and gore and enough intrigue to hold your attention while you work out 'whodunnit'.

I look forward to reading more by Deborah Masson and I am hopefully that future books will delve deeper into the Cold Granite of Aberdeen and immerse us in even darker and more uncomfortable crimes.

Synopsis:

A brutal murder.
A young woman’s body is discovered with horrifying injuries, a recent newspaper cutting pinned to her clothing.
A detective with everything to prove.
This is her only chance to redeem herself.
A serial killer with nothing to lose.
He’s waited years, and his reign of terror has only just begun...

Introducing DI Eve Hunter, HOLD YOUR TONGUE is your new obsession.

A big thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK for allowing me to read an eARC copy of this book. All views and opinions discussed here are solely my own.

I have very mixed feelings towards this book so let me try and hash out my main issue with this one.

I think my main issue with this book is that it wasn't anything overly unique to what i've read before from other police procedural drama's. I'm not talking about the serial killer, but the actual cast of characters and those issues. Eve felt like a number of other DI's i've read about; women who are good at their job but struggling with their own personal demons which ultimately impact their job. The male character, Ferguson, who's a bit of a dick but ultimately a "good guy". The two character traits that annoy me the most though are that picked up by Mearns and then Jenkins; in almost every police book i've read where there's a female in charge there is always a female subordinate who has it out for the boss with almost no reasoning behind it and a journalist who is hell bent on destroying that female leads career. It almost just felt like caricatures at times and the character of Mearns really didn't seem to have a mind of her own for half the book and has just listened to Ferguson spew his vile everywhere. Luckily she does grow a spine and have opinions of her own, but it just felt a little too late for me. And then with Jenkins... why are the vile reporters always women who ultimately die in some horrific way?

This is what ultimately made me rate this book 3 stars rather than 4 - if it was for the plot in itself about the serial killer, that could have got a 4* rating because I did find that intriguing and honestly didn't guess the big twist at the end. I had guessed that the murderer was going to be whoever Mearns was seeing because it just seemed to jump out at the same time as the murders started, but I didn't guess who that was going to be. I did enjoy the storyline and think it was quite an intriguing and very dark plot line. I did enjoy the backstory we got of Eve and why she was off the team, but I also found it a bit jarring a times. I almost wish that had been a separate story in itself so we could have seen what she was like before and then know the impact it had on her, but overall I think this was a good start to a series - if the character stereotypes improve I can definitely see that this would be a series I would enjoy.

The flashbacks for the killer were a good addition as it let us into his brain piece by piece and really helped to drive home his narrative and why he was doing what he was doing. It also worked to set up a few red herrings and send us down the wrong path.

I'm hoping this doesn't become like the DI Helen Grace series where they're stalking a serial killer every book because you can only believe there's so many serial killers in one area.

Overall I wouldn't say this was a bad start to the series, but I just wish we'd get some police procedural stories where the characters don't all hate each other and some of the detectives actually have their lives togethe

A reasonably good crime story which was entertaining but not particularly original. The main character Eve had issues as they often seem to in lots of books in this genre.

Set in Aberdeen, Hold Your Tongue is the first book in a solid crime-mystery series featuring DI Eve Hunter, Chief Investigating Officer of the Aberdeen Police's Major Incident Team. Eve has recently returned to her job after six months on sickness absence, following a brutal attack on her and her colleague, DS Nicola Sanders, leaving Eve with a limp and Nicola paralysed. On her first day back, Eve is called upon to hunt down a serial killer in a gruesome and grisly case.

The body of eighteen-year-old Melanie Ross has been discovered with her tongue removed, and tied up with blind cords, along with evidence of puncture wounds that indicate she was drugged before being killed. When more bodies are discovered - all with their tongues removed, Eve and the team chase down all the leads they have...

Hold Your Tongue is told from various points of view, mostly from Eve with contributions from her team. This gets a thumbs up from me as it allows for a wider perspective on events without being distracting in any way. The police perspective is interspersed with chapters from the unnamed killer, alternating between their history and present day behaviour.

DI Eve Hunter makes a very rewarding protagonist. Her background story and personal struggles are as fascinating as the main plot, making the story all the more interesting. I really enjoyed the gradual revelations from Eve’s past, and finding out what happened that caused the loss of respect from her team. Deborah Masson's inspired writing was a treat and I especially liked that the team were often working in disharmony with each other, as this added a touch of reality for me.

With plotting that is intriguing and memorable, there is an abundance of twists that I did not see coming and the end where the killer is caught is a winner. Overall, Hold Your Tongue is a tremendous début that definitely leaves me wanting more from both the author and this remarkable team of characters.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel from Random House Transworld via NetGalley at my request, and this review is my own unbiased opinion.

I read this book in one evening. It was written very well with likeable characters which I quickly grew invested in! Eve the main character had many depths and I enjoyed following her story.

The ending was very tidy and no lose ends were left, which I really liked! Be interested to read a sequel...

The reason this rating is a 4 and not a 5 is that I guessed the twist!!

Regardless, it was a great book that I would recommend!

A dark police procedural set in Scotland with a damaged and guilt stricken protagonist, and the body of a young murder victim with a tongue removed and a mysterious note attached, add up to a thrilling tale of cat and mouse in the hunt for a killer.

Eve,, while well developed, feels a lot like every other detective protagonist we see in these kind of novels. She’s got a troubled past, battling memories and experiences that shape her emotions for the current case she finds herself embroiled in. It doesn’t feel particularly unique unfortunately, and at times I found her personality grating and distracting to the story. She’s just not the easiest character to warm too, and very stereotypical to the genre. I wanted more from her, and to not fall into the obvious tropes. That said, I found her interactions and relationships with her work colleagues both well thought out and realistic. All their personalities both clash and meld well together, and the tension from Eve’s previous history and resultant guilt is very apparent among the group.

The story itself is fine. It’s fast paced and easy to read, but it also feels very formulaic and predictable. There were twists along the way to the killers reveal, but they didn’t feel surprising to me, and as a result lost their impact. I found by the end I just wasn’t invested enough in the story and characters to care enough about who the killer was, and why.

An interesting premise that has some promise to develop further in the future, but a little too predictable to me.

On her first case back from a horrific attack which saw her partner, DS Sanders, severely injured, DI Eve Hunter takes on a serial killer who cuts out the tongues of their victims. Viewed with suspicion by most of her team and hampered by guilt, can Eve pull it together in time?

This was a gritty crime novel, with lots of twists and turns. I did work out the guilty party in advance but it was still an interesting read. On the minus side, I did find that DI Hunter veered perilously close to being a cliche at times with her actions (i.e. not answering the phone to the pesky reporter who had some vital information for her, etc). Overall it is a good start to a new series.

Thanks to NetGalley and publishers, Random House UK /Transworld Publishers / Corgi, for the opportunity to read an ARC.

A superb crime thriller. DI Eve Hunter is a complex and interesting character, returning to work after having been injured physically and emotionally in the line of duty, she tries to deal with guilt, judgemental colleagues and haranguing in the local press, whilst investigating a brutal murder. The supporting characters are also brilliantly written, with complex and layered backstories and detailed relationships. The plot is excellent, with red herrings, twists and turns aplenty but expertly treading the line between the unexpected and the not credible. If you are a fan of police procedurals and don’t mind a bit of brutal violence in the mix, I can highly recommend this book. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.

Introducing Detective Eve Hunter - it’s been a while since I read a crime book and I’m glad I picked up this one. A new release for paperback that if I you like crime fiction I think you should buy!

Uncovering the murders of others, this story links to the life and past of Eve and how it can’t really be forgotten! I really enjoyed it from the start. It definitely showed signs of a up debut novel but that didn’t deter from the writing itself.

The whole time I was reading this I was trying to piece together the clues, coming up with my own theories about who could have done what and the only thing that knocked my rating down was that I guessed it right - although there was a bit that I didn’t guess or expect!

A really good read, a great start to what will hopefully go on to be a series. I recommend for anyone interesting in police/crime books!

With thanks to Random House and NetGalley for the ARC.

DI Eve Hunter is returning to work after 6 months out following an horrific attack that has left her with a permanent limp and her friend and colleague DS Nicola Sanders disabled and confined to a wheelchair.

With the guilt and anger from the previous case still unresolved, she is emotionally fragile.
Her old colleagues are wary of her and a new DC, recruited in her absence, is openly hostile.

She is immediately thrust into a new case. Perfect!

Young aspiring model Melanie Ross is found murdered and mutilated in a hotel room. Her tongue has been cut out and a newspaper cutting is pinned to her body.
Is someone sending a message?
The team have a few good leads but they quickly prove fruitless.

As the killings continue, Eve struggles to deal with the investigation and her emotions. Her team are mostly still wary and unsure of her, personally and professionally.
She struggles to overcome her doubts and assert herself to her team as she knows she must to catch this ruthless killer.

Masson has come up with a multi layered and relate-able heroine in this, the first in a new series.
I look forward to seeing how she progresses in subsequent books.

Eve is finally back at work after a horrific incident injured her and a colleague. Shes soon thrown into a case whether shes truly ready or not and it might be connected to her own incident. A killer is attacking women and removing their tongues. Can she and her team figure out the mystery before his work is done.

Wow what a ride. It's a slow beginning but really dramatic once it gets going. This is quite a dark story and it really gets to the reader as it develops. The killers identity is very clever and took me by surprise. I liked the lullaby twist and trying to figure who his victim might be. I did suss out his last victim but it was done really well. I liked the dynamics between the team. Plus the backstory with Eve develops slowly through the story adding more depth to her character. A great read.

This is a debut novel by Deborah Masson. With an injured female DI Eve Hunter who has returned to work after a lengthy absence caused by here and her partner being beaten almost to death by thugs.

The characters are believable, the writing is good, the whole book is interesting and kept my attention throughout. I look forward to more DI Eve Hunter books.

Loved it.

I read a free advance review copy courtesy of Net Galley and the publishers. This review is voluntary, honest and my own opinion.

With thanks toNetGalley and the publishers for an advance review copy.

This is a first novel and a very worthy addition to the crime genre. DI Eve Hunter returns to work after a lengthy leave of absence following a serious injury, racked with guilt over a fellow officer’s involvement, and facing doubts about her judgement. She returns to reservations on the part of her colleagues, and straight into the start of a run serial murders with a unique and rather horrifying MO.

The story is as much about Eve’s coming to terms with her residual guilt over the past and her winning back the trust of her colleagues, as it is about solving the murders and catching a serial killer. Like all good serial killers, he seems to be a step ahead all the way, and Eve, like us, is misled by the obvious candidate until the pieces of the puzzle begin to come together.

The book is cleverly and tightly plotted and makes for compulsive reading. I thought Eve’s guilt was perhaps just a bit overstated, but she is undeniably a likeable, all-too-human character with much scope for development in (hopefully) future novels. A very good first novel and I’ll be looking forward to more.

Hold your tongue is the debut novel from Deborah Masson and she is of to a galloping pace and I look forward to reading more from her, introducing DI Eve Hunter, a detective who has just returned from sick leave and has to fit back into her team, not an easy job as some of them believe she caused her old partner to be left paralysed by her reckless actions, no sooner is she back, when a body is found, mutilated and missing her tongue, clues point to someone but are they correct? This turned out to be a great read where the pace never let up and leads to a satisfying conclusion.

DI Eve Hunter is already fighting her guilt and past demons. Unbeknown to her, things will soon turn for the worse. First day back at work Eve is drawn into a case involving the brutal murder of an eighteen-year-old girl. Few of her colleagues are not so happy with her return to the job. With things running against her and a serial killer on the loose, will it push DI Eve Hunter to the edge or will she come out of this mess with hope?

Chapter 1 of the book starts with Eve sitting with her police therapist, trying to navigate her way of it. There starts the backstory for Eve and a few other characters. The entire setting is intriguing. Only as the story moves forward, the reader is plunged into a deeper mystery. Each of the murders is very well described by giving the reader time and pace to understand the intricacies of the crime scene.

The killer narrates some parts, unknown to the reader, until the end. The ending comes as a perfect surprise, not the scene itself but the culprit. The book runs through a maze of unforeseen twists and turns. It will keep you on your heels throughout the book.

Other than DI Hunter, the writer introduces the reader to other characters who are part of her team. Each of the characters takes a justified amount of time. They have been given adequate space to grow throughout the book. Like, DC Mearns holds prejudices against Hunter even though she’s working for her the first time. Eve is not depicted as a hero. She’s flawed, but she has the zeal to pull through the worst and overcome her guilt.

The book has varied central theme. It ranges from abuse, guilt and prejudices based on hearsay. The author handles these topics through surreal narration. The writer uses smooth writing to project these topics to the reader.

For a debut novel, Deborah Masson is right on the spot with the writing and the narration. I’d highly recommend this book.

Thanks to Penguin Random House UK, Transworld Publishers and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book to read.

Unfortunately I thought this was just a really average crime thriller.

I've read quite a few now and this one had no stand out qualities. Everything was just very average.

It was quite dark in places. So if you like gross thrillers you might enjoy this one but saying that it definitely isn't one of the darkest books I've ever read.

The writing was okay, the characters were okay but again nothing special.

I liked how we got to know DI Eve Hunter and her backstory. But it didn't really stand out compared to other DI books I've read nor did I really connect with her as a character.

If this is one of your first crime thrillers you've ever read you might enjoy it more than me. Unfortunately I felt like it fell into a lot of crime thriller tropes and is pretty forgettable.

TW: body mutilation, graphic descriptions of murder

A strong debut, Masson has given us a dark, compelling and intense crime drama. With perspectives of a killer with severe mental health issues and a DI who is struggling after a traumatic event that left her injured and her partner paralysed.

I think for a first book and introduction to Eve Hunter series is was great!
Everyone struggling with their own personal problems, an imperfect DI, a crazed killer.
One thing I struggled with was I couldn’t get quite invested in to Eve’s character but I am looking forward to seeing what comes next.

A stunning debut from Deborah Masson. "Hold Your Tongue" is the first in what I hope will be a long series of novels featuring DI Eve Hunter and her team. It's a nail-biting read till the bitter end. Thrilling plot, solid police procedural and an interesting back story. The Scottish setting is the icing on the cake for me. Loved it.

Hold your tongue? At times I was holding my breath. I hope this is the start of a series - I will be looking out for more on DI Eve Hunter. Set in Aberdeen, where I've spent some time in recent years,I like to envisage some of the areas in the book. The book is very cleverly put together - I felt as if I was led down several blind alleys. Just when I thought I knew who the killer was, something else happened to show that wasn't the case. I truly didn't see it coming. Some horrific crimes, a great backstory and some all too human police officers. One of the best crime reads this year. #holdyourtongue #netgalley