THE CROSSING by Matt Brolly is a police procedural and the first book in the Detective Inspector (DI) Louise Blackwell series. It is set most in and near Weston-super-Mare in England. When the body of an older woman is found on a beach, DI Blackwell becomes the senior investigating officer. As Louise and her team work to identify and capture the murderer there are also personal issues that are weaved into the story line.

While this book is a police procedural, the reader knows who the killer is in the first chapter as some of the chapters are from his viewpoint. The plot is driven by the police working through the clues and the killer’s activities and motivations. There is a lot more going on under the surface. Other themes running through the story line include work relationships, the drive to succeed, corruption, infidelity, loneliness, aging, friendship, family, dealing with grief, and much more. These other themes enhanced the plot.

The characters are compelling, fascinating, and felt three-dimensional. There was enough at stake to keep me engaged throughout the story. The world-building was absolutely fantastic and gave a clear sense of place.
Overall, the plot was creative, absorbing and well-paced. I would recommend it to those that enjoy police procedurals and British crime dramas. I look forward to reading the next book in this series as well as checking out his DCI Michael Lambert series.

Thanks to Amazon Publishing UK and Matt Brolly for a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley and the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.

Weston super Mare. The body of an elderly woman on a beach. Newly transferred DI Louise Blackwell's first case in her new job.

A priest is found murdered in a local church with similar injuries. A killer with a vendetta. Who, and why?

An excellent read, hope there'll be many more in the series

A good start to a new series for Matt Brolly. It's always a good sign when you are constantly looking for a few spare minutes so you can read a few more pages.

Definitely sets things up to be a good ongoing series so I'll certainly be looking out for the next.

And if you haven't read any of his other books give them a go, you might just be glad you did

Before reviewing this title, I first have to confess I’m quite fond of British crime dramas. The cover and description of The Crossing immediately evoked shows such as Broadchurch and Happy Valley, leading me to happily delve into its pages.

In the fallout of the last case she worked at Bristol’s Major Investigation Team, DI Louise Blackwell was summarily transferred to the small seaside town of Weston while her manipulative narcissistic ex-partner, Timothy Finch, enjoyed a promotion to DCI.

Eighteen months after her arrival, DI Blackwell encounters her first major case when the bled out body of a woman, with uncharacteristic injuries, is found laying on a beach. The first in a series of grisly murders that will shake the town and its inhabitants.

All that I love in a good British drama is present in this book. The author’s attention to detail allows us to get intimate knowledge of not only the main character and her family, but also of the supporting cast. Along the pages, even the town itself comes alive as a character of its own.

The murderer isn’t your classic two dimensional psychopath, either. His slowly revealed motives, rooted in his childhood, his relationship with his father and the church, bring us to a point where we can’t help but to feel some empathy, in spite of his despicable acts.

The expertly written investigation, keeping us constantly guessing alongside the detectives, leads to a riveting ending in which the full meaning of the book’s title is finally revealed.

This appears to be the first book in a new series by bestselling author Matt Brolly, and I, for myself, can’t wait to visit the town of Weston again.

Thanks to Amazon Publishing’s Thomas & Mercer and Netgalley for the ARC provided in exchange for this unbiased review.

The Crossing is the first in a new series featuring Detective Louise Blackwell by Matt Brolly. The Crossing begins with the brutal murder of a pensioner, an older, retired woman with no known enemies. Among other injuries are two puncture wounds in her wrists. Then an elderly Catholic priest is also found murdered in a grisly manner. Are the murders random or selected for a personal reason?

Shocked at the murder of two elderly and seemingly good people, Louise struggles to find the connection. Louise is also being harassed by a former partner who seems determined to see her fail. (I despised him!)

Since it is the first in a new series, some of the characters are being introduced and will probably be developed further in successive books.

NetGalley/Amazon Publishing
British Detectives. Feb. 15, 2020.

Firstly, I would like to thank Mr. Matt Brolly, Amazon Publishing UK and Netgalley UK for giving me the opportunity to review The Crossing ahead of its publishing day.
This is the first book I am reading of Matt Brolly but I look forward to catching up on his previous books and future books in this serie.
With compelling writing and showing his criminal law knowledge, the book was chilling and exciting. Although I felt it was slow paced at the beginning The Crossing gets more and more exhilarating after each chapter and although you know the who, you cannot stop reading until you understand the why.
DI Backwell’s personal side and emotions were so well portrait and explored that made her a relatable character, with “normal life” issues and professional problems. The plot was interesting and I would like to see future books to learn more about the other characters in the squad.
Although the main theme of this book has been explored previously, Mr Brolly gives it a new breath and the ending is tied perfectly.
Looking forward to further books in this series and would definitely recommend this book to everyone that enjoys a good thriller and crime book, following the detectives solving caseswhilst getting glimpses of the criminal’s mind.

Just finished reading The Crossing and thought it was excellent. I loved how the characters of DI Blackwell and the perpetrator are developed throughout the book against the backdrop of Weston-super-mare and cannot wait to read more in this series.

Keeps you gripped throughout, interweaving the case and DI Blackwell’s own personal turmoils as she tries to solve the murders.

Definitely a must read!

Difficult mystery for the detectives to solve,not many clues and no clear link between victims. Good characters and a story which moved quickly along.

Wasn't sure about this to start with but after a chapter ot two I was hooked. Hopefully there will be a book 2?

This is the first in a new series for Matt Brolly and I haven’t read any of his work before, so I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. I liked the character of Louise - broken from a past history with her last boss Finch, but was still a strong and determined character. You can see the re-emergence of her personality as the story progresses, finally get the strength to confront her history and have the self-confidence in her abilities.

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The protagonist Geoff I couldn’t help but feel a bit sorry for him. He felt let down all his life in regard to an event in his childhood, something which should have been acknowledged and dealt with at the time. He is someone who has been bullied his whole life and comes across as being sad and lonely. He is just messed up but with the desire to commit murder - a horrifying combination!

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Although the plot of stigmata has been done numerous times before I still enjoyed the narrative and the dramatic ending was chilling.

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This book was chilling, thought-provoking and fast paced! I would certainly be interested in reading the second book when it is released.

2 stars

Not as good as his Michael Lambert books. There is too much angst about Louise's past and her demons. She was written as weak and emotional – certainly not a strong woman. Not someone I'd see as a SIO on an important murder case.

Not a bad book, just not my style.

I want to thank NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for forwarding to me a copy of this book for me to read and review.

Loved this book by one of my favourite authors it was exciting and I couldn’t wait to see what would happen next