I never repeat the blurb. Yet another awesome instalment of this brilliant series sees Ridpath once more on the trail of another sick individual hell bent on wrecking lives. Shocking ending a real cliffhanger...roll on the next one...

This is the fifth novel in the D I Ridpath series by this author and I have read them all. The books keep getting better and I am totally invested in the characters of Ridpath and his family.

D I Ridpath is part of the Greater Manchester Major Incident Team (MIT) and was seconded to the coroner’s office for some time as he had cancer which is now in remission. He has been offered a position back in MIT and agrees to take it. The Coroner, Mrs Challinor, is desperately looking for somebody to replace him.

Based in Manchester the story follows from a previous book, although it can easily be read as a stand-alone. The opening is of Mrs Challinor being sent a link to a live hanging of a former coroner. The reader then learns that a few days before this a grave was demolished and a former MIT head had his dogs hung.

The only connection appears to be an old case where James Dalbey was convicted of murdering several women and then found to be innocent and released after serving ten years. ‘The Beast of Manchester’ was then charged and convicted.

Needless to say DI Ridpath had been involved with both convictions and the others involved begin to be murdered one by one. Great ending, so let’s see what happens next.

Thank you to NetGalley, Canelo and M J Lee for my ARC in return for my honest review.

Once again a brilliant read and highly recommended.

Oh boy what a read this was. I have followed DI Ridpath from the get go and have enjoyed his adventures immensely . He is a man bent but not broken by his illness and who ha found his salvation with the coroners office. In this encounter he has to face the past and a killer intent on getting revenge. Fast paced, tense the book is a great read and when i got to the end i was literally blown way . Brilliant book.

This is the 5th book in the DI Ridpath series and was another fantastic read. Returning to work after cancer treatment, Ridpath has been working for the Coroner but really longs to be back on the MIT. There are a few new characters, his new boss to be Turnbull seems particularly nasty. This was a real page turner and follows on from previous installments so best read in order. THe 'beast of Manchester' seems to have reappeared and is killing people associated with the investigation so it is a race against time to protect those believed to be on the list (Ridpath included) and to apprehend the killer. Another 5* read and I can't wait for the next installment.

I love when I find new to me authors and especially if the book holds my attention at all times.
This is the fifth instalment in the crime series DI Ridpath and although I haven’t read any of the previous books, I feel that I could easily get into the story without a missing a beat. And that’s probably one of the author’s gift as the writing was so good that got me invested from the first page to the last in one sitting.
If you love a great crime thriller story, this one is definitely worth your time. It’s fast-paced, it has compelling characters and so many twists and turns that I could barely wrap my head around all the layers upon layers unveiled with each new chapter. And that cliffhanger ending really got me hooked for more in this series.

Very grateful to the publisher and NetGalley for my review copy.

This is the 5th book in the DI Ridpath series by author Martin Lee and although it is the first book I have read my enjoyment was not spoilt at all starting at book 5. That said the case does feature a character from a previous book.

Following a cancer scare DI Ridpath is currently still working with the Coroners office but due to go back to his previous role catching criminals. The Beast of Manchester is back on the scene and is murdering people previously associated with his conviction. DI Ridpath is one of them and faces a race against the clock to prevent further murders including his own.

This is an exciting read with great characters ad lots of action. /this is a series I plan to read more of.

I would like to thank both Netgalley and Canelo for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

It is always nice to read a book, enjoy it and find that it is part of a series. With strong characterisation and a story which kept a fast pace without seeming rushed, this is a must for mystery buffs.

DI Ridpath has decided to return to his previous team with the MIT and leave Mrs Challiner as a Coroners Officer, then a series of horrific videos are p0sted on the dark web with bodies turning up . The link that Ridpath sees is not agreed by his new DCI and leaves Ridpath wondering whether he has made the right decision..
This is a really good read with many twists making it compulsive reading . I have enjoyed the DI Ridpath series and look forward to reading the next in the series.

When the Past Kills is the 5th instalment of this wonderful crime thriller series with the superb character of DI Thomas Ridley. The story features the case of the Beast of Manchester a horrific case in the first Ridley book, Where the Truth Lies, you don’t have to read this to enjoy this book but it would help understand the characters involved, plus at present it free on Amazon for kindle.
Ridley is still with the Coroner’s office but about to return to his previous duties, now in remission from his cancer he wants to get back to more normality. New characters in the form of Detective Superintendent Claire Trent and DCI Turnbull are now running things at the station, Turnbull is a particularly nasty character giving Ridpath no respect for how he has handled his illness or kudos for his previous impressive record of catching criminals.
The case of the Beast of Manchester rears it’s ugly head when previous professionals involved in that case are murder horrifically, it is obvious this killer has a kill list Ridpath being one of them.
It’s a race against time to prevent any further killings as they chase clues haphazardly at first until things become clearer as to the who and the why.
Yet again an excellent story, page turning, exciting and suspenseful, I had an idea who was behind everything but that in no way impacted on how much I was riveted by this book.
The ending....Mr Lee you are an evil man and had better be a speedy writer so I can get my next Ridpath fix.
My thanks to net galley and publisher for the opportunity to review this book honestly.

Another decent instalment in this now well established series. Ridpath continues to straddle two roles with his latest case sitting firmly between the two. A real cliff hanger conclusion

I absolutely love these Ridpath books and couldn't wait to start reading this one. It really is a fabulous read, the plotting is genius and the characters, even the nasty ones, are so true to life. My only disappointment is that Turnbull didn't get his comeuppance, maybe next time? Manchester is brilliantly portrayed, especially the traffic problems and the leafy suburbs which are often forgotten. Now to the absolute crux of the review; that ending! What a complete shock! I must really beg MJ Lee to bring out the new book asap, just can't wait to find out what happens. This book is totally riveting, don't start it if you have things to do later that day as I promise it's unputdownable.