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.

His best book to date and a welcome back to Poe and Bradshore.
Fast paced and so gripping it is a one sitting read.
Loved the plot line as well as his characters that come alive across the pages

This book is AMAZING! This series somehow keeps getting better and better, despite each book being absolutely brilliant in its own right. I may be a bit late reading this one but there is method to my madness; you know the Poe and Bradshaw hangover you end up with when you finish the book because you just want more of them? Well, I have timed it perfectly to go straight on to book 4 so that's my book hangover averted.

The Curator is simply brilliant from start to finish. The trio of Washington Poe, Tilly Bradshaw and DI Stephanie Flynn is literary gold; they are fiercely loyal and would fight to the death for each other. Although you can definitely read The Curator as a standalone, it's so much more rewarding when you have followed the characters through the previous books. Tilly remains one of my favourite literary characters of all time; I just love how literal and honest she is and it makes me laugh every time she addresses someone by their full name, even people she knows well.

The plot is razor-sharp, completely awe inspiring and incredibly clever; I felt like I should have stood up and given M.W. Craven a round of applause at the end. Take a bow, Mr. Craven! There is no other crime series quite like this one and it's no wonder that readers (me included) get so excited when a new Washington Poe book is released. The writing is gripping, vivid and as no-nonsense as Poe but it also has a sprinkling of dry humour despite the often gruesome subject matter. Even the author's note and acknowledgements have Mike Craven's wonderfully dry humour woven through them, as I found out to my delight when I greedily devoured every single word of The Curator.

The Curator is SO gripping that I almost burnt my chips! I was so engrossed in the book and didn't even want to put it down for a minute so we ended up with some very crispy chips for tea. This is top-notch crime fiction and it's definitely one not to be missed. So very highly recommended and an easy full-house of stars for this outstanding book.

I received a digital ARC from the publisher via NetGalley but will also be imminently purchasing a paperback for my collection. This is my honest and unbiased opinion.

Another book that I listened to on audio I loved the last audio of this series so I stuck with what I know. The narrator is brilliant and so is this book. It is one of those stories that speaks for itself and doesn't need me to rave about it. Anyone that is a fan of this series will know what I mean. Now I am left waiting for the next book! .

Amazing as usual, Tilly, Poe and the gang are on top form and I love how the responsibilities of dog ownership are always included

The best Poe by Craven yet.
Fingers are turning up left right and centre. Fingers that were severed while the victims were still alive. Poe and Tilly are determined to find out who is committing these atrocities, finding the victims identities and putting this monster, who has no scruples whatsoever, behind bars.

I suppose I am lucky I read the ecopy version of this book, because I highlighted a lot as I was reading, which I only do when the author writes the kind of points or ideas I want to refer back to eventually. I particularly liked the way Craven researched the whole BWC and BSC elements of the read - the psychological impact and how the victims go from a to b and finally to a very drastic z.

After reading this book there is no doubt in my mind that Craven is set to stay a successful fixture in the crime fiction world - it just gets better with each story. I really enjoy the way this author combines the ruthlessness of violent crime with an element of mystery, however it's the crime duo of Washington and Tilly that makes this read and series for that matter.

At this point Poe feels protective towards Tilly and is quick to defend when others are critical of her. Tilly is concerned for his health and overall well-being. The two are symbiotic, and perhaps in a way they have become family. Either way they are a crime solving duo to be reckoned with.

Kudos to Craven for the ending. Nice one. In equal measures also the well-plotted perpetrator of the story. It really is a fantastic read.

I love Tilly and Poe!!
OK, now I have gotten that out of my system, on with the review. I held off on reading this book, I got this book first so bought books 1 and 2 and I am really glad I read these in order.
I absolutely love Tilly, and I would read these books just for her. I love her quirks and habits, but equally love her friendship and working relationship with Poe.
I really enjoyed the cleverly written storyline, and was kept entertained and intrigued all the way through. Even the acknowledgements were fun to read.
I listened to books one and two and loved the narrator, and equally enjoyed reading this book. I am a firm fan of MW Craven and this brilliant duo. All the stars for this book, my favourite of the 3.

Book three in the Washington Poe series and this one did not disappoint when I finally did pick it up again. I started reading it months ago but this Covid year has massively affected my wanting to read. However, my reading mojo disappearing is no reflection of this book. Just my mindset and an addiction to mindnumbing boxsetting. It's good for the soul occasionally. All that said, I picked up the book (actually Kindle!) one very recent rainy afternoon and after being about a third of the way through I found I couldn't put it down until it was pitch black outside and the acknowledgements read. Yay!!

I love the familiar settings; the familiar characters especially Tilly and the dog and the whole thing feels like snuggling down under the duvet and losing yourself in witty one liners and computer speak which goes over mine and Washington's head! I love Tilly's awkwardness and Poe's obvious affection for her as he navigates her though difficult situations.

The story once I was in, was engaging and thrilling. I thought I had it sussed; I'm embarrassed I didn't..... darn it! I'm supposed to be good at this!! I'm seasoned!! I'm not going to outline here the arc others can do that besides enough can be gleaned from the blurb but I will say it's best to read these books in order if you want character development and familiarity and cannot bear to read books out of sequence. I mean ..... who does that?! ;)

Overall my rating here is four stars with a five star ending. Just brilliant. Craven is an author at the top of his game and he's really one you shouldn't miss. Highly recommend.

Many thanks for my arc copy. Truly grateful.

Mike craven knows how to write a book that you cannot put down. Tillys one liners had me belly laughing, her character has developed incredibly and shes become.one of my favourites. Poe and Tilly are what make these books addictively good. The plot was brilliant and kept me guessing until the end (no spoilers here). I highly recommend this book to everyone, Mike Craven is a fantastic author and his books are not to be missed.

Ever since I picked up the Puppet Master a few years back this series has always been a must read for me and the third is no different.

Fingers are being displayed around Cumbria at Christmas, so Poe and Tilly are brought in to investigate. What seems to be a serial killer case takes an stranger turn when they discover a sinister figure, The Curator, is involved. Will they be able to find him before more people die?

The Curator is what I’ve come to expect with this series, a complex mystery, coupled with a few gruesome scenes and nail biting moments.

For me what makes the series a standout is Poe and Tilly. Their relationship is sweet, they’re very loyal to each other and always look out for one another, which makes the perfect contrast to the gruesome/upsetting murder cases they investigate.

Truthfully, it kind of lost my attention a bit in the middle but the tense and emotional ending really made up for it.

The Curator is a good addition to this great series, I’m looking forward to Tilly and Poe’s next adventure!

I've really been enjoying this series. Didn't love The Curator quite as much as the previous books, but still very much enjoyed it, and can't wait for Tilly and Poe's next outing!

I wasn’t sure about this book at the start but oh my god did the ending make up for it. I found some of it overly descriptive which made it hard to stay engaged and I also found the switching between first and last names a bit confusing. I haven’t read the first 2 books though which definitely didn’t help. I loved the main characters and I will definitely be going back to read the other books asap.

The first half of the book was a bit slow but once it got going I could not put it down. It was such a tense read. It’s not very often that a book surprises me like that but the ending was just incredible. It’s one of those books that I kept thinking about once I had finished it. It was so clever. 4.5 stars rounded up to 5

I received a copy of the ebook via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really don’t know where to start with my review for this awesome book. It’s the third book in the Washington Poe series and yes you do need to read them all just so you understand how Washington Poe and Tilly Bradshaw work so well together.

The synopsis, well, to be honest, I have only just read it! Why? It’s quite simple, I don’t need a synopsis for this series I will automatically but the next book as soon as its available, this has been the case since I finished the first one. Oh yeah! the synopsis… it does give a good idea of what you are going to get, but it also comes nowhere near to the journey you are about to embark upon.

The characters of Poe and Tilly are exceptional, they have been brilliantly developed and the banter between the two is spot on. The author has definitely given these two their own voices and set of personal traits that fit them to a tee. Poe is occasionally acerbic, blunt and comes across as tough as nails but he is showing a more softer side when it comes to Tilly. She is naive, a computer genius and has no filter when it comes to speaking, this is explained more int he first book. This is where I suggest reading all the books in order.

As for the plot of the story, well there are a few things that immediately spring to mind and they are dark, twisted, devious and then some. This is such a cleverly executed plot that had me on my toes right the way through. I was wrong-footed many times.

A cracking story, exceptional characters and a storyline that just has to be read, I think this is going to be in my Top Reads of the Year list. This is a must-read book and series, if you haven’t read them already, and especially for crime thriller readers and those that like a mystery on the darker side. This is a book that I would give a massive thumbs up to and therefore it gets a Highly Recommended from me. For me, this is fictional deviousness at its very best.

For well-paced, ingeniously plotted crime thrillers featuring characters you enjoy spending time with, you can't go far wrong with Craven's Washington Poe series. The how- and why-dunnits are often a tad far-fetched, but enjoyable nonetheless. Meanwhile, the verbal sparring between Poe and analyst Tilly, underlaid with a great deal of mutual respect and fondness, brings a light touch to the often tense plots. And while I'm not crazy about the obvious sponsored product placement (and if he's not actively making money out of it, someone needs to tell the author that no-one cares about the tyre grip or steering capabilities of Poe's car while the tension is running high... or ever, to be fair). There's quite an American feel to these novels, while also being very much grounded in UK geography and culture, so it's something that would be enjoyed equally by lovers of hard boiled US thrillers as by fans of Val McDermid, Mark Billingham or Peter James.

The third in the Washington Poe and Tilly Bradshaw series. I found this a book of two halves. The first part for me was slow but the second part certainly made up for it. A confusing at times plot with a shocking revelation.

With three books, Craven has become one of my most favorite writers. He's created two incredible main characters with Poe and Tilly and i love reading about them. The Curator is such an intricately crafted story i can't begin to imagine how Craven wrote it. So many little interweaving details that come together in an ending i never imagined. He's one of the few thriller writers who craft stories i can't predict. Amazing book.

Great gritty dark murder thriller. I have discovered a new author and will be reading more from this guy

Brilliant to have Washington and Tilly back in another brilliant and gripping tale. Kept me up way beyond my bedtime to finish it!

When I started reading this third novel in Mike Craven’s police crime series I realised just how much I had missed Washington Poe and Tilly Bradshaw from the National Crime Agency (NCA). Mike has struck gold with this partnership and I find myself more captivated during scenes with them in it. Poe has an astute probing investigative mind that utilises an instinct when the evidence doesn’t always line up, or even when it does for everyone else but his gut tells him something isn’t quite right. Tilly is the socially awkward but gifted data analyst who sees crucial information in data. She is adorable and her dialogue is funny in its candid innocence, with Poe often jumping in to distract the recipient.

DSI Jo Nightingale calls in the NCA team, under the leadership of DI Stephanie Flynn, after three pairs of fingers are found in public places, all with a reference to a code #BSC6. Nothing seems to connect the victims, no obvious personal, social or work links, and even the amputation of the fingers is inconsistent. The story is brilliantly plotted with intricate complexity that is layered and layered to keep you guessing. Even after elements of the investigation are solved there are other details gradually revealed and the chase continues. Who is the real mastermind and what was the real motive? I often wonder how you could genuinely play chess with yourself but Mike has figured it out.

A call from a discredited FBI agent suggests the crimes fit the profile of someone she claims is the Curator. Someone who has a fascinating strategy for manipulating people into escalating crimes until murder is an option. A devious psychopath that remains invisible, even digitally, and seemingly doesn’t make mistakes.

“When you think you’ve figured out what the Curator’s up to, you’re normally exactly where he wants you to be.”

There is a great range of personalities on display, from supportive and empathetic to psychotic and evil. The friendship between Poe and Tilly continues to deepen with an unbridled loyalty and commitment to each other. Stephanie Flynn is becoming a close proponent of them, but since she is heavily pregnant this is one case she should sit out.

The Curator is a truly outstanding police thriller, with a perplexing plot, layers of mystery and investigation, ruthless and gruesome murder, enthralling suspense and of course my favourite pair of crime fighters. I highly recommend this book and I would like to thank Little Brown Book Group UK and NetGalley for providing me with a free ARC copy in return for an honest review.

The Curator is Book 3 in the Washington Poe series and although I highly recommend reading in order so that you get a feel for the character development and few recurring themes, it can be read as a stand alone and will work well.  If you are a fan of dark and disturbing crime thrillers and you have yet to discover this series then I highly recommend you hop over to your favourite books seller and get started. 

Poe is back and this time he is on the hunt for a serial killer responsible for some very unusual deaths.  As always with a Poe story, there is just as much fun trying to figure out the how as there is in the who and the why.  I'm highly sure there isn't a reader around who can work out all three at any point in the novel.

Somehow, Craven weaves a tangled web or mystery and crime and just when you think you have some answers....BAM! the rug is pulled from under your feet and everything you thought you knew is reset.  Yet again, the plot is always unique and fresh and every detail is immaculately plotted and woven into the narrative.  I have to say there is nothing else like it out there.  I have been convinced for a while that Matt is an evil genius.  How on Earth he constructs his plots is something I don't think I want to know about.  Every reveal is jaw dropping and the hits just keep on coming until one hell of a conclusion.  (How could you?)

Poe and Tilly are a dream team and I adore them both.  I have , in the past professed my allegiance to #teamtilly however I have to say I think Poe is starting to catch up.  I was overjoyed to see that Tilly herself has much more 'screen' time in The Curator which I loved.  I am so pleased that Tilly has grown in character and learned so much but still stays true to who she is and what she's about.  Poe is also slowly softening a little and is such a loyal friend to his team although I would love to see him ask Estelle out.  Along with Flynn I feel that they are like a little family who are willing to completely risk anything for each other. 

I cannot recommend this book (or series) enough.  The characters become your best friends, and the cases are dark, disturbing and unlike anything else.  Seriously........go read them!