The latest in the series about DI Ridpath and Manchester Coroners Court and it is just as good as the previous three. The plot focuses on the death of a young woman at the Wilmslow Immigrant Removal Centre. Initially it was concluded that she had committed suicide but Ridpath isn’t convinced. As the plot and the mystery develop there are stark messages about the plight and helplessness of those detained in immigration centres and the power held by those who run such places.

The plot development is excellent and the characters are all intriguing. The setting of the Coroners Court means that the story can be told from a different angle to the usual police procedural and that is quite fascinating. I would recommend this novel very highly.

Thank you to NetGalley and Canelo for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Really enjoyed this book. The plot was well written and capturing. Really liked the main character. Never would have seen the plot twist. Few name mix ups and typos so I had to reread a few lines every now and then to understand what should have been written but other than that no faults. Look forward to reading more from this author

An unusual setting, a politically sensitive situation, and an international connection all add up to another brilliant new DCI Ridpath novel.
With more turns than a fairground ride, and a plot that charges along at a great pace, this is another great read from M J Lee.
I love the vulnerability of the central character, and his determination to do the right thing. despite great personal cost. The supporting cast are brilliantly portrayed, and the villain of the piece, obliquely, is a dig at the corporate world!
I am a massive M J Lee fan, and highly recommend this latest addition to the collection!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for allowing me to review this book.

An excellent story and well told.

I have read one other book in this series and rated it highly. This book i received from netgalley in exchange for an honest review

I like the character of DI RIdpath he has depth and likeability as someone who does not always get everything right. I didn't know about the events that precipitated his move to the coroner's office bu that doesn't seem to have spoilt my enjoyment of this book.

The author has captured two sectors of investigation into death and married them in a way that allows DI Ridpath to work on two sides. Both his bosses are arrogant demanding females but likeable all the same. I enjoyed the blend of work and home. The investigation was well done and although not totally predictable there was a limited number of suspects

I hope his decision is no but i suspect it won't be. I look forward to more in this series.

A complex plot and a race against time element to solve the mystery make this well written police procedural a worthwhile read.

I haven't read any of the other books in this series, but I found this was a solid standalone.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for allowing me to read a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Another superb Ridpath book by MJ Lee. I've read them all now and each one is so good!! I think this was my favourite Ridpath boon though!

Where the Innocent Die is the fourth installment of the DI Ridpath series. Though it’s the fourth book of the series, it provides enough backstory of DI Ridpath and can be read as a standalone.

A woman dies under suspicious circumstances in an Immigrant Removal Centre. All circumstances and the evidence point at suicide, but upon a deeper investigation in the coroner's office by DI Ridpath, the evidence starts to fall apart. With no leads and only five days to solve the case, Ridpath must work harder than he ever has before to uncover the truth. Faced with inter departments politics, stonewalling by authorities, and general apathy, he must crack the case, before time runs out.

The DI Ridpath series just keeps getting better with each successive book. So, it’s not surprising that Book #4 is a winner too. Though it is perfectly enjoyable as a standalone book, the readers may appreciate DI Ridpath and other characters in the book a lot more, if they read the series right from the start. DI Ridpath’s character arc throughout the series has been great and it will give you a greater understanding of DI Ridpath and his backstory.

While most detective stories are written from the POV of the police, this series focuses on solving crime from the perspective of a forensic investigator. So the focus is more on post mortems and forensic evidence and less on police work and suspects, which is a refreshing change. What I also like about the series is that it has a perfect blend of Ridpath’s personal story and the crimes he solves. he case covered in the book was riveting. The plot was excellently constructed with several twists and turns. It covers many topical issues like immigration, how migrants are treated, and the moral issues and legal issues surrounding it.

The characters were memorable incl Ridpath & Mrs. Challoner, the coroner. The book was less focused on Ridpath’s personal life and more on workplace rivalries and the political tussle between the police force and the coroner's office. The conflict between Ridpath and the coroner and Ridpath and his previous department adds an additional dimension to the story.

Overall, Where the Innocent Die is an excellent read. It has an absorbing storyline with some characters. I hope to read many more DI Ridpath books in days to come.

Many thanks to the publishers Canelo and Netgalley for the ARC.

I have read the. Previous encounters with d.i ridpath so. I knee i wanted to read more. Almost recovered from his brush with death he is again in a race against the clock. This time he has to find a reason for a death before the coroner returns her verdict. Using his contacts he uncovers a brutal truth one that will see him up against it. The author has moulded and shaped Ridpath into a wonderful central lead, one who you can empathise with and root for. The pace is fast and tense and it keeps you gripped to the end. I for one cannot wait for book 4 and maybe a tv appearance for this character.

Another solid crime thriller from M. J. Lee. What I love most about this series is that it's set in Manchester.

I enjoyed this book, I couldn't put it down once I started reading. The characters are well rounded and believable. The plot highlights the treatment and living conditions of detainees of immigration removal centres in the UK in a balanced and honest manner. I highly recommend this series.

Good solid police procedural with series character Ridpath I'd not read before. People trafficking and incompetence and corruption are rife in this story, and its complexity drives the story nicely forward. Court scenes bore me but the coroner's inquests here had some good drama. Deaths of the innocents, young women and men treated as commodities in detainees camps that are like prisons .. genuine research has gone into this, I think. Despite some moments of excitement , for me, however, it's all a bit lifeless .. the twist ending was all too excpected in some ways. But well crafted and gripping in its slightly derivative way ...

When the body of a young chinese woman is found in a detention centre on the eve of her deportation, the authorities write it off as suicide. Investigating for the Manchester coroner's office, DI Redpath isn't so sure and when a second post-mortem shows it is murder then it becomes a personal quest for justice.
This is a perfectly solid police procedural. The setting is different, a coroner's office, and I do like the links to the Chinese community in terms of background and plots. However this story never seemed to take off and the ending was a little bit too blurred.

I am really enjoying this series of DI Ridpath and just finished this four installment. Up against a tight deadline, Ridpath investigates a case originally thought to be suicide and realizes its a much darker case. Attached to the coroners office, this is a no nonsense officer with a good heart and solid principles. The author is developing the characters in different ways and is opening them up more and more in every book and they are all fascinating.

You know when you pick up a MLLee book you just have to suspend the rest of your daily activities as you’ve just signed up for another thrilling, twister of a ride. Well folks, buckle up and turn off your phones. We meet again Ridpath who is recovering from cancer and has been given a ‘soft option desk job’ in the coroner’s office, but nothing is ever straight forward with this guy. A death of a Chinese woman in a detention centre in Manchester is just the start.
A well written, excellently plotted thriller/police procedural book with good guys, baddies and a strong feeling of truth and realism. Can’t wait for the next one!

I do love a Ridpath story and this was no exception. Thrilling with non stop action all the way through this is an excellent book.

One of my favourites this year.

I've read all the books in this series and enjoyed each one. This was another cracking read - I love the character of DI Ridpath and I love the coroner's officer element. I highly recommend this series.

DI Ridpath goes from strength to strength. In this outing the Coroner looks into the suicide of a young Chinese woman in a Deportation Centre and Ridpath soon suspects it could be murder. Back at the major incident team where Ridpath used to work the guvnor has noted Ridpath's success working for the Coroner and wants him back on her team. The Coroner is determined not to postpone the inquest because the girl's parents are coming from China to take the body home soRidpath has only a couple of days to solve the murder. Things move at a cracking pace and build to a dramatic climax. A great read.

Another enthralling tale of D I Ridpath as he investigates deaths on behalf of the Coroners Office in Manchester while he continues his own battle with cancer and the effects of his chemo therapy.
Well recommended, a very interesting read.

Always enjoy a DI Ridpath book although this was not as gripping as previous books in the series. It was still good with a nice twist at the end.

When a young Chinese woman is found dead at an Immigration Removal Centre, it is first thought that she committed suicide. An investigation by DI Ridpath, on secondment to the coroner’s office, to be completed in 5 days, shows this is in fact murder. Human trafficking is at the heart of this story.
Another great Ridpath story, a roller coaster, at a great pace and with a twist at the end. I have really enjoyed the Ridpath series and look forward to reading the next one.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.