Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

That was good. I enjoyed the way the book was written and the storyline. I would recommend and would like to read more by this author.

A gripping read, especially towards the end. I enjoy the DI Fenchurch series by the same author and I was excited to read this too. It didn't disappoint. Lots of tension.

Whilst I appreciate receiving an ARC of this book, unfortunately, it was not one for me. I found that I was unable to get into the story or care about the characters and ultimately this was a DNF. However, we do all have different tastes and I'm sure there are people who will enjoy this book.

An excellent book by Ed James that kept me enthralled til the end. This is a story about two men and a woman who have been tortured and released and D.S. Corcoran and Dr. Marie Palmer have to solve the case. This is a page turner that you cant put down.

Well this did not disappoint. Simple and clear style of writing, well written, quick to pick up. Great pace with plenty of twists and turns. Great start and it caught my interest straight away. I particularly liked the short chapters.

Sarah Langton turns up after being kidnapped for 6 weeks, she’s been starved and is emaciated.

‘’I’ve found a girl’s body.’ Bob looked over again. She was painfully skinny. He groaned. ‘Listen, she’s like a sack of bones. I think she might be a druggy.’ ‘Is she breathing?’ ‘Mate, you need to send someone out to sort this—’ The woman rolled over onto her side. ‘Christ!’ Bob jumped back, pressing himself against his van. The woman’s eyes were shut, but her chest was moving, like she was sipping shallow breaths. ‘She’s alive.’ ‘Thanks, Bob.’’

She’s just the first, 3 more people are kidnapped and tortured, and it’s all about revenge. Shocking conditions, quite horrific ill-treatment and I’m not usually squeamish... Infidelity is thrown into the equation too.

I didn’t take to DI Alana Thompson, she was rude and her attitude was demeaning. However, all part of the incredible plot.

As most thrillers do, it kept me guessing until the end, it was an exceptional page turner and kept me on the edge of my seat.

DS Corcoran was a great guy and he partnered Dr Marie Palmer, to his dismay initially, a criminal psychiatrist who was put on the case to support him. Corcoran has got history, he was demoted from the Met. The way their relationship developed over the case intrigued me and I’m looking forward to the next in the series.... hopefully there is one.

Dark and edgy. Could have been improved with a little more depth to the characters, however James will most probably develop the team in his next book.

Thank you to the author, Netgalley and Headline for this ARC provided in exchange for this unbiased review.

I found this book rather fractured in places and unrealistic in terms of what a police officer would say to other people, such as details about the case to civilians.
I felt like the ending was rushed and cliche.
Overall it wasn't the book for me unfortunately.

A great book, that really grabbed me in the first couple of chapters.
Lots of Twists and turns, that I didn't see coming at all - couldn't put it down!
Have never read anything by this author before, but will be looking out for more.

Senseless by Ed James gets off to a cracking start as DS Aidan Corcoran and criminal psychiatrist Dr Marie Palmer pair up to investigate when victim, Sarah Langton, is found in Oxfordshire, England showing signs of neglect six weeks after she disappeared. As the detective struggles with the case, more missing persons appear.

The story's focus here was the pithy relationship between the reluctant DS Corcoran and Dr Palmer. Corcoran is not a fan of criminal profiling, but despite this, the two worked well together. Both very different and opinionated, they made likeable protagonists as they hunted down clues and searched for links. With its quick pacing and the engrossing plotline, this thriller held my attention right from the exciting prologue and there was never a dull moment as I followed the leads alongside the investigating team. A rip-roaring denouement rounded things off very nicely. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Senseless and highly recommend it to fans of the genre.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Headline via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

I enjoyed the plot but found the characters and a lot of the dialogue on the whole not realistic. I can’t believe a police officer would tell a paramedic to “ get out of my way” for example . The pace of the book is good and lots of things happening with twists and turns to the story.

A great story, but it was difficult to connect with the writing. Particularly Marie Palmer and Aidan Corcoran going on about how much pressure they were under was unconvincing—a classic example of being told but not shown. The dialogues were stunted and sometimes made it difficult to follow the story. Despite that, and despite the prolonged climax, it was an okay read.

(Review copy from NetGalley)

A solid four star read. Well written. Fantastic characters. Fast paced. Plenty of twists and turns to keep me guessing. Would definitely read his next offering. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to review it.

Summary:
When a girl is found six weeks after vanishing, she is starved close to death, with no idea who abducted her. When another person reappears, after months of confinement, DC Corcoran realises that there is a connection.
Corcoran and Dr Marie Palmer, a criminal psychiatrist, work together to find the link between these survivors and unravel the puzzle that has surfaced. When a third victim reappears, the pattern becomes clear: their abductor is set on driving his victims to the brink of madness.
When another girl disappears, and the clock starts running out, will Corcoran and Palmer catch the abductor in time?

Review:
My favourite genre is (murder) mystery. I need something that pulls me in, guts me and leaves me hanging onto every clue. Senseless certainly didn’t disappoint. The plot was really fascinating, with the book leading straight into the action, which didn’t stop until the last few pages. I had no idea where the story was heading, but the clues made me unable to put the book down. I just had to know the conclusion of the twisted and gruesome tale of psychological torture and an abductor who was unlike any I had ever read about.
This will be up there with my favourite mystery thriller books and I was enthralled by the victims and the motive behind the abductions. The relationship between Corcoran and Palmer was brilliant as you see it develop, and their interactions with the victims and the other minor characters were utterly brilliant.
I really hope that this book is just the beginning in a series about DC Corcoran and Dr Palmer!

This dark and edgy thriller just jumped right in at the start, a kidnap victim found alive after what looks like she’d been staved and neglected starts the book and then introduces DS Corcoran and Dr Marie Palmer, a leading criminal psychiatrist, Corcoran doesn’t like profiling and find it’s hard when Palmer is sent to help.
The middle part of the story seems to slow a little for me and didn’t match the fast start and gripping fast paced ending. That said I still really enjoy it and it’s shame if this is not made into a new series for this author as I loved the two main characters.

Brilliant. Really well written. I read this book in one sitting. I got totally caught up in the story. A definite page turner.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

I tried to start this book a few times and it just didn't pull me in. But third time lucky and I am so glad that I persevered and waited to read it.

It was so so good that I couldn't stop reading once I started.

Corcoran is thrown in the deep end in a new role within the police, and being forced to work with a criminal psychologist, the worst thing that could possibly happen to him. He doesn't believe in profiling so discards her at every opportunity.

I really enjoyed watching Corcoran and Palmers relationship devlop as the twists and turns of the investigation unfolded. I didn't guess the perpetrator until just before they did. But utterly fantastic book and I will look forward to the next one.

As always with this author, this book was exceptionally well written and I have to admit, absolutely terrifying. I would definitely recommend this book for Police Procedural fans.

It's always difficult to review crime books without giving to much away but all I will say is, WOW this book doesn't let up for a second, it kept me on the edge of my seat & guessing right till the end at who was behind the terrifying abductions of seemingly random people but Its down to DS Corcoran & Dr Marie Palmer to find the link that ties them all together.
Senseless is a real page turner and I look forward to the next novel.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers fro this ARC.
First publication by Ed James that I have read but note that Mr James has a substantial back catalogue for me to discover. A cracking read with a massive twist that I just didn't see coming.
If you actually stop and reflect on what went on her it is actually quite terrifying.

This book was ok, but I did not find it riveting, just ok really.
The characters were interesting and the plot had a few twists and turns, but on the whole I felt that it could have been better.
Revenge, kidnapping and historical ill- treatment make for a dark story.