Louise Blackwell makes for an engaging protagonist, and the beautiful and atmospheric setting is an added bonus. In this book we learn more about what makes Louise tick. Conflicted and intriguing in equal measure, Detective Louise Blackwell of the Avon & Somerset Police is fast becoming a favourite series character of mine in this her second outing. Louise is fighting herself in this novel, trying to be there 100% for her work as well as for her family. As one would expect, she fails and mistakes are made. It is distressing to realize that Louise does not trust her own judgement.

This plot featured social outcasts and a charismatic man who preyed upon their vulnerabilities. It was so disturbing to be reminded that there are many people we see every day who are 'invisible', people who have no one to really miss them if they were to disappear.... How lonely and desperate they must be.

The setting - Weston-super-Mare, a seaside tourist town in Somerset, England and the backstory of the protagonist added much to the narrative.

In case you haven't yet guessed, I loved "The Descent" just as much as its predecessor "The Crossing", and can't wait to read the next novel in the Louise Blackwell series which is called "The Gorge". Highly recommended!

There’s a spate of women committing suicide in Weston-super-Mare, but was it suicide or something else?  So much about this book is depressing, even the descriptions of the town itself.  Inspector Louise was annoying with the decisions she made, the way she didn’t always have her full mind on the job at hand.  The side story with her brother and niece was predictable and boring.  I won’t be bothering with anymore in this series.

This is the second book in the series featuring Di Louise Blackwell.  I hadn’t read the first one but it could be read as a stand-alone.  The story is based on young women committing suicide but is it suicide?  Louise is investigating the case as well as coping with problems in her family life.  The story is told from Louise’s perspective with chapters from Amy, a depressed lonely young woman.  I must admit I found the book very slow and depressing.  Not one for me I’m afraid.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

I felt this was a thought-provoking book about mental illness and how a controlling individual made the characters feel they were being helped to take control of their lives when, in reality, the controlling personality was covering up his hatred of people, especially women. It was sad to think that the sufferers of mental health problems did not have the capacity to seek help from professional health carers. A sad indictment of our health systems as a whole.

The Descent is the second book in the DI Louise Blackwell series.  I picked this book up without realizing that, but I never felt lost. Now I want to go back and read book 1. DI Blackwell is a strong female lead with a little baggage....a newly widowed brother, over-caring parents and a young niece that needs Louise as a positive role model. Her boss is compassionate but stern, and her immediate team members would take a bullet for her.  
There are women apparently committing suicide and it’s DI Blackwell’s job to figure out why there is this frightening trend. While enmeshed in this mystery, she’s dealing with some very personal family issues that she tries to keep close to the vest, but could it be to her detriment?
I enjoyed Book 2, and will go back and read book 1 right now!

A second book in the DI Blackwell series set in Weston super Mare.

This time round she is investigating a spate of apparent suicides - young women with little reason to live are found with traces of a drug called DMT present in their bodies.

They are also connected via IT but mysteriously the police never follow up this link at all but pursue a much more random and somewhat fortuitous line of inquiry to make the necessary connection.

Meantime Louise’s brother Paul has gone off the rails again and her niece Emily could be in danger.

I enjoyed the set of familiar characters rather more than the plot which was miserable and stretched the bounds of credibility even more than the first book.

A good holiday read none the less. Thanks to NetGalley for a free copy in exchange for a fair review.

EXCERPT: From her spot on the dry grass of the churchyard, Amy glanced at Jay,trying not to make it look obvious. He was older than everyone else in the group and certainly more relaxed. There was an easiness to his long-limbed body; a sense of grace that belonged to a dancer. He sat on the other side of the fire, his arms wrapped around Claire. This in itself didn't mean that Claire would be chosen tonight, but if last month's events were anything to go by then she would be the one. The thought brought with it a mixture of jealousy and relief. Amy's time would come, but sitting here overlooking the town with its glittering lights, the sea for once at full tide, she began to doubt herself.

ABOUT THIS BOOK: In the quiet coastal town of Weston-super-Mare, a body is discovered at the foot of a cliff just months after a near-identical tragedy—and Detective Inspector Louise Blackwell can’t believe it could be a coincidence.

Next to the body, she discovers a note that echoes one found beside the first: Death is not the end. Louise is certain that behind these desperate acts someone is pulling the strings, but how many more will plunge to their demise before she can find out who—and why?

Struggling to stay focused under the strain of her troubled brother’s disappearance with his young daughter, Louise hits a much-needed breakthrough when a third tragedy points to the involvement of a charismatic cult leader. The suspect is within her sights, but he knows she’s on to him…

Short on proof and with the body count rising, can Louise intercept his deadly mission—or has she taken on an unbeatable foe?

MY THOUGHTS: The Descent by Matt Brolly is the second book in his Detective Louise Blackstock series. I have read the majority of Brolly's books and loved his DI Michael Lambert series. Unfortunately I was not so impressed by The Crossing, the first in the Louise Blackstock series, and I am even less impressed with the Descent.

The story is told by Louise, struggling with both family issues and her career. I made the comment in my review of The Crossing that I didn't find the characters well depicted. I felt no connection to any of them and Louise's whining inner monologue on Finch and his past treatment of her quickly became wearing. In fact, she is pretty stereotypical of the current trend in female detectives... I see no reason to change one word of that comment in regards to The Descent.

Louise spends a lot of time engaging in 'naval gazing' and 'if only I had/hadn't....' which quickly becomes tiresome in its repetitiveness. There's no development of any of the supporting characters, even the thread involving her family is repetitive. Now even I am becoming repetitive. Maybe it's catching!

Despite the claim on the cover, this is definitely not a thriller. I found it slow moving and lacking in suspense. 

I expected more from Matt Brolly, and I won't be reading any more of this particular series. Which doesn't mean that I won't be reading other books by this author.

🤦‍♀️🤷‍♀️.6

THE AUTHOR: Following his law degree where he developed an interest in criminal law, Matt Brolly completed his Masters in Creative Writing at Glasgow University. Matt lives in London with his wife and their two young children.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Amazon Publishing UK via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of The Descent by Matt Brolly for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

For an explanation of my rating system, please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com

This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage

Again Matt Brolly has done it for me. I am truly enjoying these who done it's. If you love a good detective novel this is yours! This book could be read as a stand alone, they do give you enough back story to more forward. But I recommend starting with the first book. Some of the pieces will fit much better.

This is the second book featuring DI Louise Blackwell by Matt Brolly. Set in Weston Super Mare, Louise who has recently transferred to Weston is investigation a series of suicides.  The suicides, all women, have the same tag line in their suicide note. What makes it worse; these women all want to die, but are they doing so willingly?? Great police procedurals and lots of clues. I loved this book, well written and have characters that you can relate to. Louise also has family problems, her brother Paul, recently bereaved is having trouble coping alone with his young daughter Emily. Very Gripping and sad. There should be an addendum of the Samaritans phone number, for those affected by this storyline. A must read. I will be reading the first in this series and future novels by this author.

The book asks, did she jump, did she not? What are the strange notes? 

The book is well-crafted as there is time to get to know the area, the characters and the story feels really well developed.

The prologue gives a great feel to Weston-Super-Mare, the setting of this book. So, even, if you haven’t physically travelled there before, you certainly can with ease with this book.

Amy Carlisle is one of the main characters , who is also within a group with Jay and Megan. Megan has been sleeping rough in Bristol (perfectly reasonable to travel from Bristol to Weston-Super-Mare).
Jay, Megan and Amy belong to a group to talk about their experiences of homelessness over tea that is not your normal breakfast tea and has unusual, interesting effects. It’s a great beginning to set the scene and introduce the chararcters before, in chapter one, readers meet, DI Louise Blackwell and her niece – Emily and within this family there’s domestic strife as all isn’t as harmonious as it could be.

The unfolding story is emotional and is well-written as it throws up social issues and also the crime itself, all intertwined to paint a picture of what’s really going on in terms of the mystery and today’s society.

There’s a body of a young woman discovered, presumed suicide by jumping, since a note is left. The crime scene on the backdrop of the sea and sand of Weston-Supermare creates a good setting and pace, which  makes it a book that you can sit back and relax with. The characters are ones that it was a pleasure to get to know and there’s a nice building up of the town and the areas where the book is set. There are also little bits about issues, such as the run-down high street that is thought-provoking of some human activity as it shows it used to be busy but hardly anyone uses it anymore, so it became shabby and many shops closed.
As the story moves on, so does the body count and the notes as the intrigue builds to whether notes that have also appeared before are connected or not. Matt Brolly is good at creating the mood and really humanising his characters with emotion and natural worry in case mistakes were made and wraps them all up well amongst the case itself.

The writing is well-rounded and done well, with characters to really get into and there’s enough to keep people guessing. It does feel between police procedural and thriller in some ways in its detailing, but all the same, it is a book that readers can really get into and makes the writing well rounded. It also means you can really get to know the surroundings, the issues and the people that make up this story in Weston-Super-Mare.

I really enjoyed this book! I read the first of the series earlier this year and wanted to find out what happened with Louise and her brother etc... this one had a great storyline which kept me interested all the way through! I’m really liking Louise plus colleagues, family and friends so hope theirs a third book coming out soon.

Louise Blackwell is struggling. Her brother, who lost his wife fairly recently is drinking heavily & she & her parents are worried about how her niece is being cared for. At work things have not been easy since she was posted to Weston super Mare after a case went wrong. However she knows that was not her fault & she will always try her best to get justice for victims. When the body of a young girl is found at the base of a cliff, suicide is the first thought. However Louise is not convinced. A note finishing with'Death is not the end'in more than one case she is sure she is onto something.

The story is told from Louise's perspective & from the perspective of Amy- a lonely depressed young woman who grieves for the death of the baby she gave up.

This is a fast paced police procedural with interesting characters. It is the second in the series & is best read in order although it would work as a 'stand alone' only maybe not so well. I really enjoyed it & look forward to the next one. Thanks to Netgalley & te publisher for letting me read & review this book.

The Descent isn't your run of the mill whodunnit police detective stories. This book is darker than an all black nightmare. Sometimes, an act of compassion or hate is all it takes to tip the scales, to make or break a person. Be kind. You don't know what other people are going through, what demons they are trying to subdue.

Thrilling, original and a bloody good read!!


I couldn't put this book down, reading it in two sessions with only a short sleep getting in the way.

Matt Brolly has produced an original, innovative police procedural that keeps the reader on edge all the way through. DI Louise Blackwell is faced with a quandary; a group of young women are committing suicide in Weston-super-Mare. Is this coincidence or are there darker forces at work? At the same time, her brother, a recovering alcoholic, has relapsed taking his young daughter away with him.

The scene is set for a wonderfully tense story, as the crimes escalates and DI Blackwell is faced with a terrible dilemma.

Matt Brolly handles the tension beautifully, showing immense skill in balancing all the different elements of the story, peeling back layer upon layer until the truth is finally revealed.

In the crowded world of crime thrillers, this is refreshingly imaginative, wonderfully written, unusual and superbly paced. I wish I'd written it....

My first time reading this author and I was very impressed. Detective Louise Blackwell is a tough cookie although at times, she seemed to be overwhelmed with her personal life and her job. I've read quite a few books where the female investigator is made out to be super woman enduring both physical and mental pain. 

The storyline dealt with a Jim Jones kind of character. As a matter of fact, the very idea of cults scare me to death! To know that one single person can have total control over an individual is pretty scary and knowing that there are people out there who are so easily lead into whatever cult leader wants.

Blackwell doesn't rely on what she sees in one victim and therefore doesn't make quick decisions as to results. When a second case pops up, her radar kicks in and from then on it gets quite intense. My recommendation is to read the book! You will like it!

This is a really good compelling read. I loved the characters and the plot and the setting. I really enjoyed the first book in the series and I would recommend both books. I looking forward to seeing how the series and the lives of the main characters develop.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

A woman is found at the bottom of a cliff. General consensus is that this is a case of suicide. DI Louise Blackwell isn't convinced. Next to the body is a note ... Death is not the end.

Months earlier, another young woman was found at the bottom on a different cliff.. and there was a note there, too.

Blackwell is certain that someone is behind these acts, someone pulling the strings turning these cases into murder. How many others have not been discovered ... or marked as suicides? How many more will follow?

When a third woman is found, Blackwell sets her eyes on what she feels is the prime suspect. But she has no proof .. and no one is talking.

Simultaneously, Blackwell has family issues. Her brother has been drinking quite heavily since the death of his wife, and his young daughter is bearing the brunt of his negligence.

The plot is tightly woven between the deaths and Blackwell's personal life. It's well written with a twist that is totally unexpected. The characters are deftly drawn and I loved the interaction between Louise and her family, and the women and the prime subject.

Many thanks to the author / Amazon Publishing / Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

Well written, intelligent police procedural with fabulously real characters and a very involving plot. I love the Weston Super Mare setting and how big a part it plays throughout the book. DI Louise Blackwell is a breath of fresh air, with no 'over the top' personality traits or habits. All of Matt Brolly's books are worth reading, but I would recommend reading the different series in chronological order.

This is author Matt Brolly's second book in the DI Louise Blackwell series. I dived right in, not having read #1 in the series. There were several references to Louise's history from the previous book, which has necessitated her move to the small English coastal town of Weston-Super-Mare. Having become intrigued in Louise's story, and liking the writer's style, I will go back and read #1 in the series. 

A body is found at the base of one of the cliffs in the town of Weston and there is a suicide note, "Death is not the End." The first death is taken as a suicide, but when an eerily similar suicide happens again, DI Blackwell begins to suspect there is more at play here. Meanwhile she is experiencing serious stress on the homefront. Her recently widowed brother, Paul, has taken to drinking heavily and he is the sole caregiver for his daughter Emily. Both Louise and her parents are troubled by Paul's behavior and begin to wonder, is there more behind this than what meets the eye?

The author skillfully unfolds each layer of the story as Louise uncovers it so that the reader is drawn in and feels like a part of the case. There is a cult-like leader who wields influence over a group of women followers through his charasmatic and sexual presence, as well as carefully dispensing the tea, ayahausca, which gives the followers an otherworldly high. 

I enjoyed watching this case unfold with it's two concurrent story lines: DI Louise Blackwell's police case, which has it's fill of drama and backstabbing fellow officers, as well as her personal story with the brother.  This is a great book for those who enjoy police procedurals and stories set in British settings. I will look forward to following her story. 

Thank you to NetGalley, Amazon--Thomas & Mercer Publishers, and author Matt Brolly for allowing me an ARC of this book.

A good mystery, fast paced, gripping and entertaining. Great characters, a plot that kept me hooked, and the solid mystery kept me guessing.
It's the first book I read in this series and won't surely the last.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.