Complex but clever - so very clever!

Washington Poe and Tilly Bradshaw of the National Crime Agency, are called in to support a very strange investigation - three pairs of fingers have been discovered on three consecutive days in three locations over the Christmas holidays in Cumbria. At the scene of each crime, a piece of paper was found with #BSC6 written on them. Internet searches bring them no nearer to understanding exactly what this message means.

There are no bodies initially to assist the inquiry, but Poe and Bradshaw, in conjunction with Cumbria police, put in all the man hours possible to discover who the victims are, and where their bodies might be. As the investigation gathers pace, including contact and information from a disgraced FBI agent, it becomes clear that they are being forced to play some very weird psychological game with someone very scary and extremely dangerous - who’s nicknamed the Curator.

Wow! This was, without question, an absolute page turner, the storyline, though complex, was breathtaking, The relationship between Washington and Tilly was brilliant. Washington, a deep thinker who’s able to make sense of what others can’t see, isn’t afraid to go out on a limb, defying the rules, if it gets him a result, while sidekick Tilly, a slightly quirky character, is exceptionally gifted in the field of data analysis. The dialogue between them ( indeed the dialogue between Tilly and ANY of the characters) makes an interesting and amusing addition to the narrative.

M.W.Craven plots with skill, and keeps you turning the pages, and you can throw whatever adjectives you can think of at this book - exciting, gripping, surprising, suspenseful etc - they’ll all fit, and one thing you can be certain of - you’ll be holding your breath right through until the end. Brilliant!

I think this is my favorite book of the series so far, even though they’re all brilliant. The Curator just grabbed me from early on and I couldn’t put it down. Tilley and Poe are a formidable team, and that’s really evident in this one. I wasn’t expecting the direction The Curator took, but I loved it. Dark, a bit grisly but with real heart, The Curator is definitely a brilliant book. These books just keep getting better and better!

Oh my giddy aunt - this is a stonker. Poe and tilly are my absolute favourite crime busting duo and I can't describe how much I loved this book.
From the laugh out loud moments to the tense, edge of your seat moments, to the dogged investigative moments to the beautiful scenic moments, Craven's mastery is apparant.
The plotting is fantastic - and as for that ending - well - Hold on to your breeches - it's a whammy.
I don't know how much time Craven spends researching the 'Tillyisms' but, hats off to him - they certainly make her character so beautifully three dimensional.
I always have a bit of a bet with myself as I'm reading to see which Tillyism is my favourite - without spoiling it for others, I've finally decided on the 'leaking' references. Read the book to find out what I mean. You'll be rolling about on the floor, I'm sure.
The concept of The Curator , based on real-life events, is brilliantly executed and all the more chilling because it isn't immediately apparant what's going on. It's also a cautionary tale about how easily the human psyche can be messed with.
I found myself , genuinely perplexed as to who The Curator was and although all the clues were there, I have to say that until the end, I was flummoxed.

Of course, Tilly and Poe get five stars - as does The Curator

It was good to be back with Poe and Tilly again for a third time. In this new case pairs of fingers are found at three different crime scenes. If that wasn’t strange enough there is also a note with a hashtag left with them too. The hashtag - #BSC6 - proves hard to get a handle on - even with Tilly’s help. Is this something fundamental to the case? Maybe halfway through you get to the point where you think you know what is going on - you don’t! After that the tale gets deeper and darker. Poe get a call from an FBI agent. Law enforcement in the USA do not believe her but she tells Poe a strange story. The sheer deviousness of this tale takes some beating.

Once again Poe himself is an investigator par excellence. He manages to look in places that others don’t. Tilly and her partnership with Poe are aspects of these books that I really enjoy too. We also have Estelle Doyle - Poe’s ”go to” pathologist from the last book - back. She is a very rich and colourful character in her very particular way. Estelle gives Poe some chilling advice that he should maybe pay attention to...

As with the previous books in this series there is a fairly slow pace for the early part of the book. However after that the book is very hard to put down. These stories about Poe and Tilly are deceptively simple. At first sight that is - then they hit you with a brick between the eyes. Indeed Poe says that "the difference between a thing and a weapon is intent". The author does seem to have a fairly twisted mind (!!) which means that the cases are very twisted too - it all adds an extra something for me.

I thought that the first book in this series was good. The second book was very good. This book is to me the best of the series so far. I was strongly suggest that anyone coming to this series fresh should consider reading them in order. The development of the characters is part of the enjoyment. It is a series that has steadily got under my skin and become one of my favourite UK based police reads. They are good tense stories and highly entertaining too. I certainly hope that this author can sustain and develop these for some time to come.

Favourite of the year so far. . It’s the third outing for Washington Poe and Tilly Bradshaw, and is a fabulous continuation of one of the best series out there. Poe and Tilly are the unlikeliest of pairings, perfectly matched in a case that pits Poe against his most cunning adversary to date. Cumbria is as much of a defining part of the story as the characters, and you’re taken on a dark and twisted trail through some striking scenery, that will cement this series on your got-to-have list.

The Curator by M W craven is the third in the Poe and Tilly series and what an outstanding read it is. When I received a copy of this I whooped with joy. This I think is the best one in the series yet.
It is Christmas time Poe and Tilly are attending their bosses DI Stephanie Flynn’s baby shower. Poe is feeling quite uncomfortable being there.
When there is an incident at a Christmas office party. Like every year the company gave gifts through Secret Santa but instead of a small present they got a mug which contained two severed fingers. With a folded piece of paper with hashtag BSC6 written on it. There are another two cases across Cumbria regarding severed fingers turn up with the same inscription, so there must be a serial killer on the loose. The National Crime agency are called in the form of Tilly and Poe. They are asked to head the investigation. Which at first is quite complex but, with Poe’s knowledge and Tilly’s expertise the clues start to unravel.
This is another compelling thriller from M.W. Craven. With its unique storyline and professionally researched story. I loved this and what makes it even better is the great relationship between the two main characters. Poe and Tilly are like Chalk and cheese, but they make a brilliant team together. Tilly more open minded then the previous two novels but I loved her outbursts they were hilarious. I highly recommend this book. A big Five star from me.

These books just get better and better, Tilly coming into her own yet again.
Would highly recommend this series of books.
5 stars

Washington Poe and Tilly Bradshaw are back! This is the 3rd in the series featuring the unconventional detective duo and this time they face a ghoulish opponent.
The story begins innocently enough. It's Christmas and Poe and Tilly are attending a baby shower for their boss DI Stephanie Flynn organised by her sister Jessica.
But soon they are part of a 40 strong task force investigating 3 separate crime scenes at which someone has placed two severed fingers in very public places - a Secret Santa party, a butcher's shop and the font of a church during Midnight Mass. The victims are 2 females and 1 male. One has died an agonising death, but the others have been anaesthetized.
These horrific crimes make no sense. Even when Poe and Tilly have their prime suspect in custody, they realise things are not what they seem.
To add to their confusion, Poe receives a phone call from a female FBI agent who tells him of a man known as "The Curator" - an extremely clever killer for hire.
As a result, he and Tilly begin a separate investigation but the more they dig, the more twists and turns they uncover.
Despite their best efforts, it's "The Curator" who seems to be pulling all the strings. Using her amazing computer wizardry, Tilly discovers the 3 murder victims have something in common. As she and Poe battle their way through a welter of cryptic clues, they zero in on another likely murder victim who needs their protection before the killer strikes again.
As the story hurtles towards a shattering conclusion, it reads more like a horror story than crime fiction. Just when you think it's all over, there's a sting in the tail as Poe faces a difficult decision before this case can finally be closed.
This is a truly breathtaking thriller - the best of the series (so far!). It's shot through with dark humour and beautifully written. Highly recommended.
My thanks to the publisher Little, Brown Book Group UK and Netgalley for a copy of this book in return for an unbiased review.

Really big twist no one will ever see coming ends The Curator on a high. The final showdown setting with The Curator raises this book to the next level. Poe and Tilly a team you will have followed from previous stories (well worth catching up on). Tilly with her mathematical brain and Poe who can fit the jigsaw pieces together even when the case runs into a dead end.
This will be one of your must reads of 2020 then check out the wonderful Cumbria setting.
I was given an ARC of this book by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

M.W.Craven does it again with this fantastic crime thriller. As always a strong plot that keeps you gripped and nothing short of two brilliant main characters. Poe and Tilly have a relationship that you can’t help to route for, her quirky ways and Poe strong instincts make them a lovable and engaging crime fighting team. While the story at times was dark it was also eye opening, knowing venerable people and the internet can be so damaging, I applaud the author on mixing fantasy and reality into a plot for this fantastic book.

This is such a strong series and this may well be the best so far. Its Christmas and there’s a serial killer in Cumbria leaving body parts with a coded message. The National Crime Agency in the form of Poe and Tilly are called on to investigate. I had forgotten just how much I enjoy spending time with this slightly mismatched duo. Both are terrific characters in their own right but working together they are at another level. I know from having read the first 2 books that there’s no point in trying to workout the who or why and it’s best just to let the author lead you through to the end. This one kept me reading well past my bedtime, highly recommended.

The Curator is the third book in the Washington Poe and Tilly Bradshaw crime fighting partnership, the first two books were excellent and The Curator is no exception. It’s Christmas and someone has left 3 sets of severed fingers in 3 different places with a cryptic message left at each different place. The National Crime Agency, with the compelling partnership of Poe and Tilly Bradshaw,
are called in to assist with the investigation which initially makes no sense. However Tilly, an exceptionally talented data analyst and Poe who has one of the keenest inquisitive minds, soon begin to unravel the crime. Whilst carrying out the investigation Poe receives a phone call from a disgraced FBI agent who convinces Poe that they are not looking for a serial kill but a person who calls himself The Curator, the investigation then takes a more sinister turn. Poe soon finds signs where no-one else sees them and with Tilly’s data expertise they soon begin to unravel the murders, or so they believe. The books is fast paced, has lots of twists and turns. The Poe and Tilly partnership goes from strength to strength, both characters are well drawn and very likeable. The book is a cracking good read, I couldn’t put it down, it is a brilliantly plotted dark and twisted crime thriller which grabs your attention from the very first page. MW Craven is a hugely talented writer and if you haven’t read the previous 2 books I recommend you do although you can read The Curator as a stand-alone book, it is no surprise that MWCraven won the CWA Gold Dagger Award for Black Summer his books are dark and compelling. Many thanks to Little Brown, and Net Galley for the ARC and to MW Craven for another impressively well written book

The Curator is one of 2020’s MUST reads. This is an exhilarating, chilling thrill ride with a devastatingly dark plot. With characters to love, action in abundance and suspense galore, you won’t be able to put this thriller down.

Washington Poe and Tilly Bradshaw are back, called in to support an investigation into three potential homicides after three pairs of fingers are discovered over three consecutive days. The only clue to what might be happening are sheets of paper with #BSC6 written on them, left at each scene. As Poe and Tilly work with the Cumbrian police to unravel the mystery, they begin to discover the unsettling meaning of #BSC6. Piecing together the evidence, they are drawn into protecting a suspected next victim...but is all that it seems in this case, or is an even darker and more sinister truth buried deeper?

Craven just keeps getting better and better and The Curator is another astounding, heart-pumping and clever thriller. The inspiration from the real life Blue Whale Challenge adds an additional layer of atmosphere and authenticity to the plot. The pace is perfect - chapters are short and snappy, mainly ending on cliffhangers that mean you can’t help but read 1 (or maybe 10 more!) there and then. There’s a brilliant blend of action, mystery and police procedure, which helps propel the narrative through to a shocking and satisfying ending.

The characters of Poe and Tilly are well established - now on their third case - and they never disappoint. Poe is a slightly more level-headed Luther type and Tilly is a refreshingly to the point analyst, who says the kind of brutally honest things that we all wish we could. As well as the well crafted and exciting plot, these characters make the novel. Their relationship is akin in part to a father-daughter dynamic and their mutual respect and care for each other adds substance and - without being corny - heart to the narrative. They also provide plenty of humour and light-heartedness at times, which is always well placed in the plot and welcomed by the reader. Too often, thrillers of this nature are so dark and devoid of humour that they can be heavy going. Craven’s real skill is creating a disturbingly depraved central crime, whilst still retaining humanity and comedy. This makes The Curator a crime thriller that’s well above your average fare.

I couldn’t have enjoyed this captivating, clever, original and authentic novel more - get reading...you won’t regret it!!

The dynamic trio rides again! DS Washington Poe, analyst Tilly Bradshaw and grumpily pregnant DI Stephanie Flynn of the NCA are back in Cumbria to help identify a probable serial killer who has deposited severed fingers in audacious places. There’s an intriguing hashtag of BSC6 to accompany the gruesome finds. The Cumbrian case is managed by the competent and likeable Detective Superintendent Jo Nightingale who asks Poe to lead a separate team in order to rattle some cages and then report back to her. This is a very difficult and challenging case which spans both sides of the Atlantic and involves an audacious, creative and very dangerous killer known as The Curator. The case takes all of their ingenuity, challenges them psychically and mentally, takes them all into danger and is very personal for one of them.

There are so many things I admire in this fantastic series. First of all, the characters are some of the best in current crime fiction. Poe is spiky, protective of his friends, intuitive, clever, tenacious and brave - he’s a real one off. What of Tilly??? Her brain is a thing of admirable beauty, she’s like a human equivalent of Google and I just love her!! Flynn is just so real, down to earth and very likeable. I like the element of true crime that is woven into the fabric of the storyline in a seamless way that gives the plot line an authentic feel. It is very well written, the plot is clever, it’s fast paced with revelations that keep the reader gripped. There are vivid, gritty descriptions and there’s smart, believable dialogue which often is darkly humorous. There are some beautiful descriptions of Cumbria in winter which adds an additional element of atmosphere and the natural elements are used to great effect too. The author always seems to find interesting locations too, in this case part of the story is set on islands off Barrow in Furness and that added to the interest in the storytelling. The plot is exciting, clever, intelligent with twist upon twist. You think you’ve got it all sorted in your head and then you realise you so haven’t, so it’s edge of your seat reading!!!

Overall, a brilliant read. This series is one of the best in crime fiction at the moment, with great characters and creative storylines.
Ps. Can we see more of Edgar (Poe’s dog) in the next one please??!!!!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown Group for the Arc.

Woah! This is something else! I’m a big fan of Tilly and Poe so it was a given that I would be reading this, I wasn’t expecting anything like THIS though. I’m a Cumbrian so I love these books and reading about places I know and the area, and the characters are like good friends to me now. The ending in this made me cry, feel sick and shocked me! That’s some task let me tell you! This WILL be another bestseller!

A well-written, gripping, satisfying story, that I simply could not put down. Love Washington and Tilly so much can't wait for more. xx

Gritty thriller set in Cumbria. Interesting characters who work well together,lots of twists and turns and surprises.

This was possibly my most anticipated novel of the summer. Having read Black Summer last June and rated it 5 stars, I was happy to see another book featuring DS Washington Poe and Tilly Bradshaw.

This time, they are called in by Cumbria police to help search for a serial killer. It is Christmas and severed fingers belonging to three different people have been left in three different locations. The thing which links the murders is hashtag BSC6. Poe and Tilly's detective skills are needed to figure out what it means and to unravel the clues to find the killer.

What follows is a compelling, dark, twisty novel. Little details which seem irrelevant, crop up later in the book and add depth to the already engaging story. I didn't quite read it in one sitting, but I did find it highly absorbing and absolutely a book which I didn't want to put down.

Even the acknowledgements at the end are entertaining! And yes #teamtilly tote bags are a good idea!

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Absolutely love this series, the other two books have been amazing but I think this one is one notch up in brilliance. The two main characters work as a fantastic team and both have a unique personality. The story rushes along at a breathtaking speed and nothing could prepare me for the jaw-dropping conclusion. Don't forget to read the Epilogue to get a taste of the authors sarcastic but brilliant sense of humor

Review Scheduled for 12th May 2020 and will be available at the following address:

https://www.phonotonal.com/2020/05/m-w-craven-the-curator/

With two highly applauded books in the Washington Poe and Tilly Bradshaw series already in the line up, The Curator would have to be a superb story to avoid disappointing fans of M. W. Craven’s newest detective duo. So, can third instalment maintain the standard set by The Puppet Show and Black Summer? Having donned a paper suit and plastic shoe covers, it’s time to find out.

Let’s start with the story. It’s an absolute corker. The plot leaps about like an eel in a frying pan. Each and every time you find yourself on the verge of an “a-ha” moment, everything has changed. Craven has always been good at delivering convincing ways for pennies to drop and this book doesn’t disappoint.

To explain why this book is pure excellence, a brief detour is needed. Those around me will often hear me profess that Christie is a smart crime writer because you could work it all out before the big reveal. The twist doesn’t come from information that has been held back until the very end; it comes from that little trigger that makes everything you’ve read fall neatly into place. With The Curator, Craven almost mocks this concept by letting you fulfil layer after layer of eureka moments. When it all comes clattering into position, it is nothing shy of complete genius.

That’s the story covered. It is quite possibly the best plot in the series. However, I’m smart enough to realise that there is other magic at work here. It has been mentioned before that this is one of the legendary crime duos, but Poe and Bradshaw supply the goods once more with their ace interactions. Yes, their relationship has necessarily developed from their initial meeting in The Puppet Show. They have now worked big cases together, got few some scrapes, and ascended to a new place. There is nothing to mourn in this progression, as everything is still electric and when the emotional buttons get pushed in this book, it’s your attachment to these strange companions that causes the laugh-out-loud moments as well as the strange interludes where the text gets all fuzzy and your eyes itch.

If all this seems over-indulgent, please be reassured that after having read the classics in this genre I am fully qualified to certify this book excellent.

If you haven’t read the first two, advance to Go, collect The Puppet Show, and make your way through them in order. There is no envy in my heart for the great and terrible task M. W. Craven now has ahead of him to create a forth book in this series that can live up to the first three.