Book four is another exciting and cleverly plotted book in the DI Ridpath series. The detective is believable and easy to like. Attached to the Coroner's office, it gives him a unique viewpoint on the crimes he investigates. The plot is contemporary, and the investigation meticulous. The suspense building is good with a climactic ending.

I received a copy of this book from Canelo via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Really enjoyed this fast paced thriller, the fourth in the DI Ridpath series.  The death of a detainee in an Immigration Removal Centre is recorded as suicide but the Coroner is not totally happy with this conclusion and instructs Ridpath to investigate.  With the Inquest only days away can Ridpath discover the truth?

Another brilliant story in this series.
Great characters and a story line which I just could not put down.
My only complaint is I finished it too quickly.

This is the fourth DI Ridpath book in the series. 
When DI Ridpath is sent to Manchester Immigration Centre after a body was found things don't seem quite right, the pathologist is certain that its suicide but things just don't add up.
Can DI Ridpath discover the truth before more bodies are found.

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

An excellent story and well told.

The 4th book for DI Ridpath and still makes great reading.  He is still assigned to the Coroners Office and the inquest into a suspicious death in the Immigration Removal Centre is due to start and the family want to return their daughters body to China with them when this has concluded.  The initial pathologist ruled suicide but Ridpath has three days to confirm if this is correct.  

A steady paced story that tells of the lack of interest in the deaths of illegal immigrants held for deportation.  The Coroner knows something isn't right but doesn't want to let the family down by delaying the inquest and is torn between continuing with the hearing or getting true justice for the young woman.

Looking forward to the next instalment.

This is the 4th book in this DI Ridpath series, a well written and thought out crime thriller, The book tackles some very current issues, and the strong characters make the whole story very believable. Although this is part of a series, the story would also work well as a stand-alone.

So this is Detective Ridpath again in the Coroner’s Office and there is a death in a Detainee Centre and he is asked to investigate it and confirm the findings as the Inquest was due – the parents had flown over from China to take their daughter’s body home. The Coroner did not want to postpone the inquest because of this.
The pathologist had identified the death as suicide but there was one factor that confused Ridpath. Despite all the doors to the rooms being locked by 9.15pm and the inmates being unable to unlock them, the girl’s door was unlocked – which was why her death had been discovered in the wee hours of the morning as the ‘officer’ made his rounds. And then the camera outside her room had been disabled – as had 5 others in the facility.
 Ridpath has to work fast to discover the truth of the death which turns out, as one could expect, to be rather more complicated than the initial findings.
The story proceeds – and Manchester is portrayed in its grimy, grey self accurately – and yes, people retiring wanted to get away to somewhere warmer – it drove our daughter, once she had lived there a few months, to Australia!
 I like these stories and hope Ridpath stays with the Coroner’s Office as it makes a definite change of storyline from the usual major incident squads.

This is the second book of the DI Ridpath series that I have read and it didn’t fail to impress. DI Ridpath is still working at the city of Manchester Coroner office as a police officer helping to find out why people died. 

This time a young Chinese national was found dead in her cell at the immigration removal center. Initially the case was closed as a suicide but evidence suggests that the woman was murdered. Time is of the essence for Ridpath as he has less than a week to find out how the woman died and to solve the crime. 

I enjoyed the DI Ridpath series by MJ Lee, following the DI with his determination to solve any crime committed and see that justice is done. Looking forward to the next installment in the series.

This is the 4th book in the day I ridpath series,and my favourite so far. As an ex prison officer I thought the description of the detention was centre was absolutely spot on,and definitely brought back lots of memories for me. Ridpath as an excellent relationship with the corner who strongly reminds me of Sarah Lancashire in last tango in Halifax.  Ridpath relies on his coppers instinct,and it's usually right.  I also like the character Sophie, and I hope she evolves in upcoming books. There is a big decision to be made at the end of this book,is truly hope he picks the right one for the readers.  A definite favourite author of mine.

I enjoyed this book as a competent police procedural. I think I have read others in the series and liked those too. The story is engaging as it is about the death of a young Chinese national who dies while being held in a immigration centre awaiting deportation. The initial investigation is perfunctory as all believe she has committed suicide but DI Ridpath has to investigate as part of his job at the Coroner's office in the few days before the Coroners Inquest hearing, This adds an element of time pressure to the investigating which speeds the action along nicely. One criticism I would make is that the dialogue is very stilted. It was a bit jarring as I kept thinking "people don't talk like this". The book isn't a literary masterpiece but is a page turner and an solid read.

I love a police/crime thriller and this was a cut above the rest. An original story with the added element of the Coroners office to add extra intrigue. The characters were well written and believable. Great book - highly recommended

If there's one thing I really like in a crime novel it's a maverick cop and that description fits Thomas Ridpath to a tee. When he's working a case the only thing that matters to him is getting justice for the victim and if he steps on a few toes on the way well that's just tough. At the same time the author shows him to be a sensitive and loving husband and father.
The subject matter here is difficult and I thought the author dealt with it sympathetically and non judgementally. There was plenty of tension theoughout the book and right until the final denouement I had no idea who the killer was. I can't wait for the next instalment.

This series gets better and better, I've read the previous ones and really enjoyed them but in my opinion this is the best so far!  Ridpath is asked by the coroner to have another look at the death of a young Chinese girl in an immigration centre, the death has already been examined by the police but the coroner, Margaret Challinor, isn't happy with the investigation. When Ridpath uncovers flaws in the initial investigation and decides to follow his instincts in rooting out corruption in the system (ably assisted by Sophie) it leads to more deaths as the murderer tries to cover his tracks. The story is excellent, the characters are believable and I'm looking forward to the next in the series. Will Ridpath and Jenny Challinor still be working together though?

An interesting story that goes behind the scenes of illegal immigration and the dangers they face. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and would definitely recommend it to fans of this author.

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.