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.

Wow - what can I say but thank you MW Craven for another 5 star offering in the Poe and Tilly series. The opening pages - I thought No, No, OH, OH , really …. woah bring it on.!!!!!!This book never lets up from the opening page to the last. MW Craven has it down to a fine art where he draws the reader into his stories , grabs them by the scruff of the neck and never lets you go until after the book is finished. Even then the story stays with you. This book has everything you would want in a cracking good read. A roller coaster of a ride through a horror house. Tilly really came into her own during this story - she is a superhero!!! and I loved every single page of it. Well done MW Craven for a belter of a story. 5 stars all the way . Bring on the next one.
Thank you Netgalley and Little Brown Publishing Group for this advance copy

The Washington Poe series is rapidly becoming one of the best in contemporary crime fiction. The combination of the loner Poe, who lives in the wilds of Cumbria, and Tilly, the computer genius who lacks the niceties of polite society but without whom the police would be struggling, works perfectly. This latest case is initially baffling as three pairs of fingers are found in three different locations, and Poe, together with his heavily pregnant boss Stephanie Flynn, must solve it without delay. Gripping from start to finish, this is a tremendous novel!

Oh wow and wow again this was stunning !!
So here we are with another outstanding 5 star read from the fabulous Mike Craven featuring two of my favourite characters of all time Washington Poe and Tilly Bradshaw. The rapport, charisma and laugh of loud exchanges between the both of them just makes for such a wonderful read and then of top of that we have a brilliant murder mystery and how can you fault this combination, well you can’t ... each book in this series has been a 5 star read but I have to say this one deserves more than that it was an amazing read that has everything you want from a book it’s funny, complex, clever, twisty and wonderfully written.
I’m not going to rehash the plot it really is too good for that, it’s the best in the series so far but then I said that with the last book and I have no doubt that when book 4 is out I shall be saying the same words. A tremendous series don’t miss it and many many thanks to Mr Craven you are a genius and I need the next book please asap!!
My thanks also to NetGalley and Little,Brown Book Group, Constable for giving me the chance to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

With thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the arc, which I have enjoyed reading.
There is something addictive about Washington Poe and Tilly Bradshaw as characters, in this crime series by M W Craven, that as a reader you have to devour the book as soon as you have it in your possession. I requested it yesterday and fortunately was able to download it almost straightaway and start reading.
The Curator by MW Craven is an amazing read, the storyline is so complex and incredible, that you just don’t want to stop reading in case you miss something in the story. The writer is a storyteller who can weave complex themes and intrigue into a plot and make them believable.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and highly recommend it to other readers.

Oh this book was fantastic and creepy and dark. Another smash hit for this author. Brilliant as always x

Firstly, I need to start by announcing that I WORKED SOMETHING OUT ALL BY MYSELF in this one. Admittedly, the tiniest little detail and only about 4 pages before it was revealed anyway but still...
Secondly, the overriding feeling about this installment in the Washington Poe series was how incredibly worth the wait it was. I actually thought this one was better than Black Summer (which I gave 5 stars so it took some beating) - possibly because there are more strings to the story that are all pulled so tightly and neatly by the end that you're left with this insane feeling of calm whilst your heart still hammers in your chest from the topsy turvy thrill ride that is evidently any book Craven writes. He has fast become one of my favourite authors, probably my absolute favourite crime/thriller author and I can't believe I've to wait ANOTHER year for book #4.
Rarely when I get to read a book via Netgalley do I also buy it in hard copy, even when I really enjoyed it, but with this series, I am compelled to. I couldn't recommend it more and am just sorry that you can only read his books for the first time, once.

This really is an exdellent series. So gory and gruesome but so ultimately compelling. Love the random finds of fingers, the rural setting with visits to some strange places in and around Cumbria. The best bit? The humour, the wit and the banter between Poe and Tilly.

There's so much to love here. - a great addition to the series and i'm already waiting for the next one!

Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?
Thou art more lovely and more temperate:
How else can I review such an excellent book? I need some assistance from the Bard of Avon himself to express my appreciation for M.W. Craven's writing. Washington Poe and Tilly Bradshaw are the fish and chips, the Morecambe and Wise, the strawberries and cream of detection. They are the most divine pairing and their relationship and conversation provides a lift, a brighter side to the horror of the crimes perpetrated in the book. Some of the technical explanations went completely over my head but I understood enough to get the gist of the crime. I was totally engrossed in the story and couldn't put the book down. So much so that when Mr Melanie turned out his light and waggled his eyebrows at me, (which he thinks is enticing but always makes me question why he's got so much hair on his face when there's so little on his head), I said to him, "I'm just going to slip into something more comfortable" and got out of bed, went downstairs, made a cup of tea and lay on the sofa so I could finish the tale uninterrupted. Honestly, no sense of timing some men! I was agog and aghast, compelled and captivated, electrified and engrossed. I feel that Mr Craven is a paradox; his crimes are depraved and dastardly whilst his detectives are dutiful, dynamic and dauntless. I am in agonies of anticipation for the audio book of The Curator. If I haven't been clear, please permit me to elucidate. It's a great book, I really enjoyed it and I recommend it. Simples!

Another great book, Really Love Tilly and Poe, a gripping story from start to finish.. Literally! Highly recommended.

Washington Poe and Tilly Bradshaw are back with another thrilling case in Craven's new novel The Curator.
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This is the follow up to The Puppet Show and Black Summer which were two of my top reads last year, so when I got my hands on an advanced copy from Netgalley, I was thrilled.

Poe, Bradshaw and Flynn are back and this time they are investigating what they suspect to be a serial murder case, but something is off. The clues seem to lead them perfectly to The Curator, but what if that's what The Curator wants?

This book is another great read, I devoured it in a day. Poe and Tilly's partnership is fantastic, with their antics giving me a laugh, but it wasnt only their friendship that had me laughing but Flynn too in this book.

I love how the characters are developing into some of my fictional favourites and I cant wait to get my hands on Craven's next book!
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This is the third book in the Poe and Bradshaw series. I read the previous two in the wrong order after getting a review copy of number two and then buying The Puppet Show (Book 1) as I loved the book and particularly the characters so much and was keen to know about how they started off.
The Curator is a great edge of your seat thriller with many twists and turns. Poe and Bradshaw have to use all their combined investigative talents to unpeel the layers of the investigation and find the Curator, a serial killer like no other.
When several sets of human fingers are found around Christmas time in Cumbria, Poe, Bradshaw and their boss, heavily pregnant Stephanie Flynn, are called in to aid the investigation.
The problem at first is that there are no bodies and limited clues. Gradually different layers of the investigation are revealed and a strange psychological game, set up by The Curator is uncovered.
This book was so carefully written that even when we reached the climax of the book and I thought I knew who was behind the murders I was still wrong! Even the climax was not that and more excitement and revelations awaited me.
I have enjoyed following Poe and Tilly’s relationship in the three books and this is one of the aspects
that has drawn me to this series. The author’s character development is excellent.
Poe is ever the policeman trying to solve the crime using regular means but he relies a lot on Tilly and her huge intelligence to crack the computer and technological aspects of the case.
Tilly is naive , trusting and fiercely loyal to her comrades and these traits are incredibly charming and make her seem so real. She is definitely a person I’d like to meet in real life!
Poe is extremely protective of Tilly but in this book she really has to come out from behind her computer and help Poe when it is a matter of life or death.
If you haven’t read this series you have a real treat in store. Start on the first two and preorder this for when it is published in June.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my arc in exchange for an honest review.

Wow, a fantastic 5 ⭐️ Read from Mr Craven. This series has to be my favourite, with Washington Poe and Tilly Bradshaw two of the best characters. I love the way they bounce verbally off each other, and how their friendship has developed over the three books. Each one protective of the other in their own ways. Tilly with her endless supply of information, not always said to the right person or at the right time, but if you have read the first two books you will know this is what makes Tilly unique, she says things as they are. Poe is the grouch, but a likeable grouch.

Who is The Curator? It’s Christmas, six fingers are found, two in each location, the first two are in the middle of a secret Santa gift, the second two have been left in a church font, and the the third two have been left in between the sausages and black pudding on a deli counter in a food hall. The only other sign that links the 6 fingers is the lettering #BSC6 but no one has a clue what that means. The hunt is now on to find out who the fingers belonged to, Estelle Doyle the Pathologist another unique character, who enjoys making Poe blush, is called in to look at the fingers and determines they were all removed with different tools. A short time later a body is found, despite working out who the other fingers belonged to, there is no sign of the bodies. Poe, Tilly and the team have their work cut out. Just when they thing they have caught the killer, Poe gets a call from an FBI agent with some information which may be linked to his crimes, unfortunately, she isn’t having a great deal of luck getting people to believe her on her side of the ocean. But Poe looks into what she has to say. The tension builds throughout the story, each time Poe and Tilly think they are on top of things something else comes along to throw them, then Poe realises something he has missed and the race is on to catch the Curator and stop him. But who has hired him?

Set in Cumbria, this a gripping, engrossing, fantastic read, I found myself reading into the early hours of the morning desperate to finish the book, only problem now is I have another year to wait until book 4. If you haven’t read the first two books in this series, like a good serial killer thriller, with some light humour and absolutely great characters, grab them now. The Puppet Show is book one, and Black Summer book two followed by this one. Get to know Poe and Tilly from the start. I hope this is a series that will just keep going for a long time yet. Absolutely brilliant.

I would like to thank #netgalley and #LittleBrown for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest, fair and unbiased review.

I can really write my review using only three words: Read. This. Book.
Actually, I can expand a little to also encourage latecomers to the series to read The Puppet Show and Black Summer first. I know I always bang on about reading a series in order but, as this is my all time, number one series, well.. you get the picture.
So... what has the author in store for Tilly & Poe this time? Another serial killer who leaves body parts all over Cumbria. Obviously the NCA is bound to be brought in to investigate in their own inimitable way. But there are differences in the remains that don't make sense. Looks like Tilly & Poe have their work cut out for them. They are just starting to get to grips with things a little when Poe gets a call from the FBI...
Oh My Days. I am usually quite good with my TBR but when I get my hands on a book such as this, one I have been waiting (not at all) patiently for over a year for, well... At least I did the decent thing and finished my current read before diving in. I'm not a complete monster!
I read a lot of this genre book. It's my bread and butter... And, as with the majority of books, I try and get ahead, second guess, work it all out. Yeah... not with this series. OK so I guessed one plot point a little (couple pages) ahead of the game, but it was so minor to almost be inconsequential in the bigger picture. As for the rest of it, hang on, I'm standing up for this ovation to the author. Yeah, you got me...!
Everything I want and need to make a good book a great read is present as always. Plot, pacing, banter, lack of waffle, as well as quite a lot of, often deliciously dark, humour. Which reminds me - don't stop reading at the end of the story. Please do read the acknowledgements - you can thank me later.
All in all, I am just going to repeat my earlier instruction. Read. This. Book.
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

How dare it end like that?! I need more...

M W Craven never Ceases to amaze me. He draws me in, and continues to blow my mind with every revelation.

I can’t describe the amount of love I have for Tilly. She is my favourite fictional character, I want to be her friend.

It’s dark, gory and thrilling, keeps you reading and wanting more.

Officially on the countdown for book 4 in the series

Thank you Netgalley

Craven has done it again,a fast paced tension filled book with two of the best characters around.
Tilly surprises you once again with her sheer wealth of knowledge and ability to do things we mere mortals would get confused at,then has some of the best lines in the book.
Poe is still someone you'd want on your side,he will go to any lengths to see justice is done.
This one was all sorts of twisty and turney,and had a finale that almost had my jaw hitting the floor.
Thoroughly enjoyable.