I would like to thank Netgalley and Canelo for an advance copy of The Essence of Evil, the first novel to feature DI Dani Stephens of the Birmingham police.

Two years earlier Dani’s twin brother, Ben, tried to kill her and left her with a TBI (traumatic brain injury) from which she has slowly recovered. On her first day back she is called to investigate the stabbing death of an unidentified young woman. Dani believes there is more to the murder than a simple stabbing but she seems to be the only one.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Essence of Murder which is a tense read with a few twists and turns, especially in the final scenes. The novel is all about Dani, her investigation, her struggles with the TBI and her spiky relationships with others. At first it is a bit overwhelming as she’s really in your face. She is angry, rude and closed off but she is also unsure of herself, unable to control her moods or outbursts. The novel is also intercut with excerpts from her diary over the past few years detailing her struggles to recover. She is extremely well drawn and I came to love her as the novel progressed although I would like to see her in future novels with less emphasis on the TBI and more emphasis on her investigative prowess.

Obviously with all the attention on Dani the investigation is a little underdone. It is still well thought out and exciting in parts but it seems like a series of incidents rather than a steady accumulation of facts. It is, however, a good start to what I think will become a favourite series. Time will tell.

The Essence of Evil is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending.

DI Dani Stephens #1

DI Dani Stephens has just returned to work after having two years off. She is still recovering from the traumatic rain injury she recieved due to her twin brother trying to kill her. She is sent to investigate the murder of woman who had been stabbed to death. He believes it to be the work of a serial killer. But on one else agrees with her. Some of her colleagues start to doubt t her.

Dani is still suffering from the side effects of her brain injury. The story starts off slowly. The characters are true to life and believable. I liked that we got some background to Dani's recovery process. The pace picks up the ore you get into the story. The last 15% of the book is action packed. I'm looking forward to reading the second book I this series.

I would like to thank Netgalley, Canelo and the author Rob Sinclair for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

As a parent of twins, I have to admit that I am drawn to read books that feature twins, especially boy/girl twins. This book might now sound like something that would appeal to a parent of boy/girl twins, given the boy in the story tries to kill his twin sister, but of course, this is fiction and not something that could ever happen with my twins (obviously).

Dani Stephens is an unusual character, the consequences of the attack from her brother are something she continues to battle with, years after the attack occurred. I really liked how the author added details of Dani’s traumatic brain injury and the long term consequences on her and her behaviour. This added an element of drama, compassion, empathy, doubt, confusion and mistrust that is hard to achieve in believable fiction.

The book did feel a bit slow at times, and the last 15% was jammed full of action, which was great but I wish the pace had been quicker throughout and the majority of the book less of a slow burner.

But the scene is now set for a thriller series with a strong female lead who is vulnerable and flawed. Roll on book two.

This is the first in a new series with DI Dani Stephens and I really enjoyed it.
Dani has just returned back to work following a long stay in hospital, thanks to her twin brother trying to kill her.
She’s suffered a brain injury but is determined that it won’t stop her from being a good detective.
She’s called to a crime scene where a young girl has been murdered and she really wants to catch the killer.
We learn what happened during her recovery time through flashback chapters and it’s clear she’s not feeling 100% yet.
She was close to Jason before the attack but can’t bring herself to let him in again as she feels she’s changed too much.
Dani is soon working with Euston until someone is killed and Dani is under investigation.
She doesn’t let this stop her though and carries on with the investigation and gets Jason to keep her updated.
This is a great read and while I thought I knew who the killer was - I was wrong!
Thanks to Canelo and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

I’ve been a bit of a fan of this authors books for awhile now, more so his James Ryker series. I have to say after reading the first book in the DI Dani Stephens series, I am really enjoying this darker side to his work.

Like most main protagonists in a crime series, Dani has her own demons to bear and boy what demons they are! I have a feeling there is more to come in the way of her twin brother. Well I’m really hoping so anyway. That could be a novel in itself I’m sure.

The case that Dani and her colleague Jason are working on gets so much darker. This story focuses a lot on serial killers. A crime lovers paradise. Like Dani, I wanted to get in their mind and see what makes them tick. I also enjoyed the relationship between both Dani and Jason and am interested to see where things go with both of them.

The Essence Of Evil is a great start to a new series. The story starts off at a steady pace increasing the more into the story the reader gets. The last part of the novel had me racing through as it well and truly had me gripped and there were shocks and surprises galore. This is such a promising start and I really can not wait for more in the series.

Thank you to NetGalley for a Kindle ARC of The Essence of Evil.

I was happy when my request was approved. I'm always interested in mysteries featuring a female protagonist.

In The Essence of Evil, DI Dani Stephens returns to work as a detective after two years recuperating and recovering from a brutal attack from her twin brother, Ben.

The horrific assault has left her traumatized, medicated and angry at losing the person she used to be and adjusting to her new life now.

Dani's current case involves the death of a young woman that may have links to other missing women in the area.

I think the author did a decent job of developing Dani as a character; as times, I was frustrated by how angry she was but I reminded myself that she had recently survived a terrible attack, which have altered her brain chemistry and personality. How does one adjust to such a life changing experience? She is damaged, physically and emotionally, psychologically and mentally.

Her ex-boyfriend, Jason, is a good man, quick to offer a tender touch and a shoulder to lean on despite Dani's refusal to accept his kindness, mistaking it for pity or worse. It was nice to read that despite Dani's troubled family, there was someone she could count on, even though she kept pushing him away.

The writing was good and Dani was a character I wanted to learn more which is why I kept reading.

My main caveat is that The Essence of Evil isn't your typical police procedural, which is what I was expecting.

There's plenty of exposition about Dani and her recovery, having to deal with the general mistrust from her superior and team members because of her injury, which sounds oxymoronic.

Why come back to work if your skills can't be trusted because you almost died at the hands of your psychotic twin brother?

Also, there were no tangible clues to unravel that would help the reader figure out who the killer is.

As a huge fan of mysteries, I enjoy deciphering the clues along with the hero or heroine, as if we are solving the case together.

I thought there was a tad bit too much exposition on Steven Grant, the professor of criminology, which, at times, read like filler, but since he was a big part of the narrative, I guessed he played a pivotal role in the case. I really wished his part hadn't been so obvious.

Also, I found the reveal of the bad guy to be a disappointment, and difficult for me to suspend disbelief for.

The Essence of Evil was more of a character study of Dani Stephens as a survivor of her brother's brutal attack and her quest to figure out why she and her brother are so different, yet identical.

Overall, good writing made this a decent read and a strong female lead character with potential in future books.

DI Dani Stephens is back at work after a 2 year absence. Her twin brother, Ben had killed others and attempted to murder her too. After a traumatic brain injury and extensive rehab, she is now back……but is she ready?

Immediately thrown into a murder case, Dani feels there is more to this than a random murder and a serial killer may be at work. Her bosses disagree and after a person of interest dies, she is suspended while an internal investigation is completed. But she can’t let it go…..when a young student goes missing, she knows she is right and carries on her own investigation, putting herself In danger.

Dani is damaged, she’s afraid, frustrated and angry, partly due to her brain injury but is her feeling of paranoia justified? Will Jason stick around to support her, even though she keeps pushing him away?

Great, realistic characters, with some real surprising moments in this incredibly well plotted crime thriller, that’s so engrossing it really is unputdownable…. If you like a dark twisty thriller, you’ll love this.

Thank you to The publishers, the author and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this for free. This is my honest, unbiased review

This author is better known for his high octane thrillers which are real thrill rides. As he says himself this is his first foray into the world of police procedural and oh boy what a read for his debut. The first in the Detective Danni Stevens series. A woman who had her life changed dramatically two years ago. Danni is determined to get her old life back and do the job she loves. Nothing is what it seems in this book. I was gripped from the first page, this book was very hard to put down I HAD TO KNOW !!!!! I spent most of this read sat on the edge of my seat and tapping my kindle faster and faster. I had my suspects oh no I don't and as for the climax how did I get it so wrong??? I was shocked and even speechless. This is a real page turner and a must read. I can't wait to read more about Danni Stevens. Personally I think that this will be another gripping and addictive series. An easy five stars and so Highly Recommended.
I would like to thank the author, Canelo and Netgalley for the ARC in return for giving an honest review.

I really liked all of Rob Sinclair's earlier books and look forward to a new one coming out.
I hate to say this but I wasn't over keen on this one. I did stick with it all the way through and it did get better but the slow start nearly put me off.
Maybe it's because there are some fabulous, established, seasoned crime writers out there to compare it to but I felt this direction wasn't a great one for such a superb writer.
Fair play for not sticking to the same type (I really enjoyed an earlier one which was different to his tough guy assassin type novels) but this time it wasn't working for me.
Sorry.

There’s nothing I love more than a good series to get my teeth into and I’m delighted to have yet another belter of a brand new series to add to my list.

DI Dani Stephens returns to work after a couple of years following rehabilitation after her twin brother attacked her, leaving her for dead, first day back and Dani is thrown into the thick of it with a murder case and as the investigation continues, Dani believes they are dealing with a serial killer but she is the only one. Dani is still suffering side effects from her brain injury, could it just be that her mind is making her see what she wants, after all she never knew or realised her brother was a serial killer……

Loved this first instalment of this series and can’t wait to see where it will go next, this kept me on the edge of my seat, plenty of twists and turns, looking forward to the second book already.

I admit that I was sold as soon as I read the blurb. I mean, a crime thriller with a detective lead that has a serial killer twin? How can I say no to that?! You guessed right, I simply couldn't. If you, like myself, have that weird obsession with serial killer thrillers, you will be in for a treat with this first installment of a new detective series. This story will keep you on your toes and will have you biting your nails as you keep turning those pages to discover what is really going on... Both the murder case and the main lead's personal background are simply fascinating.

So what makes The Essence Of Evil such a successful start of a new series? I already gave you a few hints, but I think our new lead DI Dani Stephens deserves to be named first. Why? While it's true that she at first glance might seem to be like the typical damaged detective lead, there is a whole lot more to her character. Likeable or not, there is no doubt that she is a fascinating character and one of the reasons The Essence Of Evil worked so well for me. Because Dani isn't just a detective with a serial killer twin. Oh no, that same twin actually tried to kill her and she only just survived... Spending the next two years of her life trying to recover from the brain injury that almost killed her. Chapters set in the present are mixed with diary style entries taking place during those two years. They show us just how hard it is to recover from serious brain injuries, not only for the victims but also for those around them. I could personally really appreciate this psychological aspect of the story, as it's not something you read about every day.

Likewise, it was intriguing to read about Dani's return to work and how she reacts to both her co-workers and the murder case that is thrown at her the very first day she returns. Dani is desperate to go back to work and prove herself, but is she truly ready? It was interesting to see this aspect of the plot evolve as well as how the case affects Dani's personal life. Because this isn't just another murder investigation. Dani's personal life plays a considerable role throughout the plot, and not just in the flashbacks and her twin brother. We also see it in her road to recovery, the things that happen to her during the investigation and the dynamics with the other members of the team. I personally enjoyed this different focus as it gave another refreshing touch to The Essence Of Evil.

Next up is the plot. With flashbacks and an active present murder investigation, there is a lot going on and you can say that The Essence Of Evil has quite a complex plot. We have Dani's brain injury recovery, we have the murder investigation and all its complications and subplots... All woven together with a healthy dose of suspense, plot twists and plain old action. The slower flashbacks are nicely balanced with superfast action scenes, thus appealing to a wider reading audience. The writing is easy on the eye and really makes you fly through those pages... With so many twists and unanswered questions, The Essence Of Evil is one of those books you will have a hard time putting down before you know all the answers.

Did you guess already that I really enjoyed this book? Between a fascinating new lead, the serial killer element, the brain injury recovery, interesting flashbacks and an intriguing murder mystery, there is no doubt that The Essence Of Evil is a promising start of a new series and one I can recommend to fans of the genre.

The Essence of Evil by Rob Sinclair is the beginning of a new series featuring fascinating new character DI Dani Stephens. Dani is returning to work after a traumatic event that nearly ended her life. Still recovering from her injuries, she is quickly thrown back in at the deep end, as she is assigned to a horrific murder case that sees dead bodies being discovered on the streets of Birmingham.

With no link between the victims, Dani must try to get inside the mind of the killer. So who better to turn to than the murderer she knows best – her own twin brother. Will understanding her twin help her get inside the head of a murderer who leaves no trace? Or will it just open up old wounds that would be better off left closed?

What follows is a fast paced and gripping thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout. Brilliantly written, with twists and turns to keep you guessing, this is a book that will keep you on your toes. As Dani gets closer to the truth the tension ratchets up to almost breaking point. Can she find the killer before it’s too late? Or is she about to become the next victim?

I loved this book. The fact it’s set in Birmingham, the city I grew up in, makes it even more interesting to me as I recognise so many of the places mentioned. Dani is an intriguing character who I hope to learn more about as the series continues. A flawed but fascinating character, the traumatic brain injury she suffered at the hands of her brother continues to plague her throughout The Essence of Evil, which adds an extra element to the story that I found particularly interesting.

Rob Sinclair has written a superb crime thriller that’s full of intrigue and suspense. The story flows well and has a cast of supporting characters who I look forward to seeing more of in future installments. The Essence of Evil is a promising start to what I hope will be a fantastic new series featuring DI Dani Stephens and is a book I would highly recommend.

A really good start to a series. There is a lot of suspense and strong characters. I was kept guessing right up until the end.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

The Essence of Evil is the first book in a new series by Rob Sinclair.

DI Dani Stephens is faced with a murder on the day of her return to work 2 years after nearly dying at the hands of her twin brother.

The author has written a very fast paced book that keeps you clicking to the next page as the tension mounts with Stephens trying to identify the murderer.

This has the promise of making an excellent series and I look forward to further books. Highly recommended

This story is about a detective Dani Stephens who is just returning from work after being attacked but broth/twin. The attack leaves her with a brain injury, but she is finally allowed to return to work. First case back is a brutal stabbing that Dani believes to be a serial killer., the rest of the force does not. To complicate things further Dani believe she is being watched. But is it just her brain injury playing tricks on her? This book certainly was suspenseful and keep me glued to the page. The writing was quick paced with short chapters that keep me turning the page. The main character is a sassy badass, I’m excited to see the rest of the story unfold with more books.

This was a quick read it sucked me in right from the get go. Excellently written, fast paced, i could not put it down.

I was provided this book in exchange for my honest review.

Omg what a twisted tale came from the mind of author Rob Sinclair where evil seeped the book with its essence slowly ozzing into the crevices, spreading so deep into its pages that it became difficult for me to guess where and when it started.

The author did the only thing he could do. He knew that the one person who could counter his essence of evil was a strong woman who had the heart of courage. Evil could be fought only by someone who had faced evil and survived. Enter the brilliant Detective DI Dani Stephens.

The brain of the author must have been so wicked the moment he conceptualized Dani and then went about creating a background for her. She was literally the phoenix who not only emerged from the author's pen but from the ashes. Her twin brother had attacked her and left her for dead. It took her two years to join back the force, and the first thing she saw was the murder of a young woman.

Soon dead bodies started mounting up, and Dani knew she had a fight in her hands. Getting to that killer would require all her wits and intelligence, especially when evil twisted the case so much so that she didn't know what was real anymore.

I loved Dani, not only did she have to beat the killer at his own game, she also had to deal with the repercussions of the traumatic brain injury. Her friendship and connection with Jason was solid, and it felt like it would flow into the next book. This was Dani's book through and through. As I kept reading down the pages, I knew that it was her courage which would lead her to the killer, who brought malice and darkness to the story.

Some parts meandered a bit in the middle, but considering this was the author's first foray into a police procedural, it was understandable. The ending more than made up for it and gave me the twist I so wanted.

Overall, what can I say? I am a DI Dani Stephens fan all the way. Book 1 was great, I wonder what has the author in store for book 2. More evil perhaps!! Yayy!!

Absolutely loved this book! The story flows, the characters are fascinating and I couldn't tear myself away. Highly recommended.

I really wanted to like this book. Great story line. Twists. A strong female character overcoming her injuries.
It was slow. Dani's relationship with Jason. Her return to work. Her struggle to overcome.
It was slow.

Read this in one sitting and could not have predicted the ending if I’d tried! The new DI Stephens is a compelling character with a tragic background but she doesn’t let it stand in her way. Looking forward to catching up with her again