Looking for a solid police procedural with a female lead? I've got 2 for you today, and this is the first! While this is a newer series, I've been a big fan of the DI Lambert series for years, and this series is a natural flow from it. Probably because of his law degree, Brolly always gives us a look at both sides of the mystery at hand, and this book sticks to that idea. Louise has to put aside her family issues to try to work out a pattern with the suicides, so that they can hunt for the true killer. it's a furtive game of cat and mouse, and how we all have blinders and misconceptions. A fast read, it's perfect for staycation reading!

This is the second book featuring DI Louise Blackwell, who is based in Weston-Super-Mare. This time she is convinced that the supposed suicides of two young women are connected. She is also concerned for her brother Paul, and her niece, Emily. Paul was widowed a few years ago, and isn’t handling it well. 

I read the first book  in this series, and was glad that I had done so. I like the premise of this main character as a woman in a decidedly mans world and the setting for this book is very well  written. However, I couldn’t quite empathise with Louise, and felt slightly irritated by her at times. But there was definitely enough intrigue in it to make me want to finish the story, and the other characters are developing nicely. I didn’t see the twist at the end coming and I look forward to reading the next in the series

Thanks to netgalley and the publishers for an ARC in return for an honest opinion..

The Descent is the second in the series of books featuring DI Louise Blackwell, I haven’t read the first, and it can certainly be read as a stand-alone novel as it has several references to the first and gives a background as to how Louise is in her current situation as Detective Inspector of a quiet team in Weston-super-Mare.
It is a brilliant book, the characters are so great and the plot is very original.
DI Louise Blackwell is battling with the most complex case since her placement in Weston-super-Mare and feels guilt that she cannot give the time she would like to her personal life when her family need her.
The case involves apparent suicides.  How are they connected? Are they suicides are is foul play involved?  What can Louise do to stop any more people dying? Will she be able to help her own family as well at the same time as protecting the community at large?
A very good book, so well written and very original.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for a Kindle copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

DI Louise Blackwell #2

Set in Weston-Super-Mare: A body has been discovered st the foot of a cliff just months after a near identical tragedy. DI Louise Blackwell doesn't believe it could be a coincidence. There's a note next to the body that echoes the one found beside the first: Death is not the end. How many more will die before Louise can find out who is behind it all.

Louise is convinced there is a link to the women's deaths and she is determined to find out what it is. She's also dealing with her brother eh is on a downward spiral after the death of his wife. This is a well written police procedural. I haven't read the first book in this series but it did read well as a standalone. This story is told from Louise and  Amy's point of view. This was an interesting read due to its unusual plotline.

A body is discovered at the foot of a cliff, and then another one and another one.  Detective Inspector Blackwell knows that it cannot be a coincidence, but then a personal problem is getting in her way. She needs to find her missing brother with his daughter.
Thank you Netgalley and thanks to the Publisher for this opportunity.

The Descent is the second book to feature Detective Louise Blackwell. I really enjoyed the first one but this one not so much. It's a good, solid police procedural but I felt there was too much time spent on Louise's family background, which became a bit repetitive and distracted from the main story. The plot centres around vulnerable young women in an online chat group and is fast paced, although a bit depressing at times. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

THE DESCENT by Matt Brolly is a police procedural and the second book in the Detective Inspector (DI) Louise Blackwell series. It is set most in and near Weston-super-Mare in England. This series is best read in order. Louise’s background is shared in book one and helps shed light on her situation and mind-frame in book two. The story has two points of view; that of Louise and a few chapters from Amy’s POV.  Amy works at a diner, lives in a run-down bedsit, and is grappling with grief.

When multiple suicides occur, DI Blackwell is called to the scene. When it appears that they may be linked, Louise works hard to discover what is occurring while trying to balance that with family troubles. The work/life balance that she faces is what many workers face every day. This added to the realism and kept me thoroughly engaged in both facets of her life.

The plot is driven by the police working through the clues. There is a lot more going on under the surface. The mystery around the suicides was somewhat unique and different from many other books using this type of story line. Other themes running through the story line include work relationships, the drive to succeed, grief, loneliness, friendship, family, alcoholism, drugs, gambling and much more. 

The characters are compelling, fascinating, and felt three-dimensional. There was enough at stake to keep me engaged throughout the story. The world-building was absolutely fantastic and gave a clear sense of place. While the main mystery and the family issues were resolved in the book, there are several open threads for future books in the series.

Overall, the plot was creative, absorbing and well-paced. I would recommend it to those that enjoy police procedurals and British crime dramas. I look forward to reading the next book in this series as well as checking out this author’s DCI Michael Lambert series.

Thanks to Amazon Publishing UK and Matt Brolly for a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley and the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.

This is a solid police procedural.

A suicide in Weston-super-Mare isn't particularly suspicious until another one happens and Detective Inspector Louise Blackwell is called to the scene. She starts asking questions, especially once she sees the accompanying farewell note that says 'Death is not the end'.

But she's also distracted by family troubles - an alcoholic brother who's not doing a very good job of looking after his child.

Soon we're introduced to a young woman who's fallen under the spell of a charismatic man who has a whole group of cult-like followers. He gives them a drug that shows them what the 'other side' might look like, and that brings them closer to him. So close he can push them off the edge of a cliff with their consent...

It's an interesting case and kept my attention. Sometimes I found the main character's concerns about her family matters a bit repetitive, but on the whole it was an enjoyable read and I'd come back for another one in the series.

I'm already a big Matt Brolly fan. Love his Michael Lambert series and Louise Blackwell is shaping up to be equally as enjoyable. The mystery around the suicides was an interesting and unusual way to approach this topic and I was captivated from the first page. Louise's private life provides as much interest as the main plot. The troubles with her brother, her worry for her niece, there were times when I wasn't sure who I should be most concerned about. Action packed, full of emotional depth and engaging characters. I can't wait for the 3rd Louise Blackwell book. Plus Mr Brolly does the Audible thing and for that on its own he deserves a round of applause. Get on board with Louise Blackwell now, you can always thank me later.

Really enjoyed this book, definitely as good as the first one in the series. Plenty of twists and turns, had me gripped all the way through. Definitely worth reading

DI Louise Blackwell has a lot on her plate. As well as a troubling series of apparent suicides, her brother and young niece go missing and she finds it difficult to concentrate on the ongoing investigation, leading her to make uncharacteristic mistakes.

A number of vulnerable young women are members of an online chat group led by the charismatic and sinister Jay Chappell. As matters develop, Louise discovers that Chappell is not all he claims to be. Events escalate, leading to a dramatic showdown on an abandoned pier.

We are constantly reminded of Louise "seeing" her niece in the young women whose deaths she is investigating, which seems a distraction at times; however, it helps us appreciate how difficult balancing her personal and professional life is.

This is a well-written police procedural and although there isn't as much focus this time on the relationship with Louise's treacherous former colleague, Tim Finch, this suggests unfinished business to come.

I enjoyed reading this book and will be interested to see how the various characters and their relationships develop in the next instalment of the series.

I was sent an advance review copy of this book by Amazon Publishing UK, in return for an honest appraisal.

Wow, this was an incredible book and enjoyed every page!

Louise is making the best of her situation, after being forced out of a previous position but when she thinks that the suicide of young women in her town seem to be staged, it takes all her skill to get to the bottom of it. Coupled with her worry about her brother, who seems to have gotten in over his head, and her adored niece, she has her hands full.

This was an excellent police procedural and the storyline was effortless. I held my breath on numerous occasions and even the ending, as shocking as it was, was something I kinda understood. I got emotionally involved, which is what you want when you read a book.

5 stars from me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for this ARC.  

This is the second book in the DI Blackwell series and my first read by this author.  This book can be read on it’s own, although there are references to the first book and previous case, I now want to read the previous book now 😀.  

I really liked the main character and her work colleagues.   DI Blackwell is investigating a spare of deaths that appear to be be suicide.  But all is not as it seems.  She also has ongoing problems outside of work with her family life and you see glimpses into her private life.   I initially thought the book was a bit of a slow burner, and soon was slowly drawn into the story.   I loved the authors writing style, i thought it was very descriptive, the story flowed really well and I liked that some of the scenes were told by the different characters.  Once I became hooked, I found this to be a fast paced and thrilling read.  There were plenty of twists, some I guessed, some I didn’t.   I want to read more books by this author and recommend this one.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Amazon Publishing UK for an advance copy of The Descent, the second novel to feature DI Louise Blackwell, set in Weston-super-Mare.

When a suspected suicide is found at the bottom of a cliff Louise is suspicious as the circumstances, including the suicide note, are very similar to a previous death. When another body is found and the Press have dubbed Weston-super-Mare “suicide by the sea” Louise starts to suspect there may be some kind of cult at work but her mind isn’t entirely on the investigation as her troubled brother, Paul, has disappeared with his young daughter, Emily and he’s in no fit state to look after her.

I enjoyed The Descent which has a stronger plot line and a more compulsive hook than its predecessor, The Crossing, which I wasn’t overly enthused by. It is mostly told from the points of view of Louise Blackwell and Amy, a woman with knowledge of the deaths. I liked the comparison between the two points of view, Louise’s struggle to understand what is happening and Amy’s inner conflict about what she knows to be happening. I think Amy wins the most interesting story competition as her story has the forward momentum while Louise seems stuck in the rut of little knowledge and going over the same things. I also have to say that I found her inaction over he brother’s behaviour less than credible given she is a senior police officer. 

Manipulative cults and their leaders are not unknown in crime fiction but I liked the slant the author put on this tale. I found it interesting and strangely compulsive when viewed through Amy’s eyes. I liked her ambivalence, clear sighted one minute and true believer the next. It’s well done. I also really liked the final deconstruction of the leader’s motives and the way it stripped away all the mysticism. That was very satisfying.

The Descent is a good read that I can recommend.

Matt Brolly - you just know when you see he is the author that the book you are about to open is going to tick all of the boxes - a strong story line, well developed characters and that feeling of time well spent as you progress through it.

Another book that just reinforces that expectation.

This would have been a great read but for the unecessary  repeated element of Louise's inner turmoil re her ability to do her job (once was enough). 
 I liked:
* the fact she kept seeing Emily in the victims.
* her ability to get people to talk.
My favourite character was the IT man Coulson, his back story was  good.

Another fantastic book by Matt,  a great story set in a great location. It had me gripped till the last page. 
Looking forward to reading the next book.

This is the first book by Matt Brolly I have read. It won't be the last. This is crime fiction of the highest order, written with confidence & originality.
In the seaside town of Weston-super-Mare DI Louise Blackwell is part of a small CID unit. Personal problems with her alcoholic brother are intruding on her professional life.
Three young women have plunged to their deaths from high cliffs in quick succession. Louise is convinced there is a link & is determined to find it.
Her first clue is Ayahuasca, a psychedelic drug that users believe takes them to a higher universe & the guardians of paradise.
The novelist William S. Burroughs believed it could cute his opium addiction in the early 1950s.
Matt Brolly's narrative is tense & gripping, & refreshingly innovative.

This is the second book in the series and as I'd enjoyed The Crossing, I was looking forward to reading The Descent, and it didn't disappoint me.  Set in Weston Super Mare we follow DI Louise Blackwell as she tries to work out whether a series of suicides are linked and by whom.  While this is going on, in Bristol her brother Paul is imploding, a widower with a small child he is an alcoholic and when he vanishes with his child, Emily, Louise is conflicted.

Loved it

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher I read a free advance review copy of the book.  This review is voluntary, honest and my own opinion.

The Descent is the second novel featuring Detective Louise Blackwell,  set in Weston super Mare but the good thing with Matt Brollys writing is you could read this as a stand alone novel. if you didn't read the first. This novel features Louises family more, which was good to get a bit more background on the character. Louise also has to deal with a spate of deaths which everyone says is suicide but Louise is sure there is more to it.. I look forward to more soon.