This is the second book in a crime series
The main characters were lacking depth. The plot is very complicated
The pace started off slow but picked up towards the end
It is an ok mystery

This is the second book in the Detective Annie Delemere series and unfortunately I just couldn’t get into it at all. The storyline was really slow and just didn’t hold my interest.

Great characters in this book , it was a fast paced book. It was entertaining , and I couldnt put it down. I recommend that you read the first as the characters in the first book are created then.

I started the book, did not like the main character - Michelle Wentworth, read what happened to her son, saw her less than warm reaction and skipped to the end. I read the end and found I still did not like Wentworth...so...read a bit here and there in the middle and still didn't connect. I don't know if it is Covid-19 and the pandemic or that I am not into this series because I did love one book by this author in the past that was not in this series, and will give him another try in the future. I also did not read book one in the series and that sometimes impacts my ability to connect in the rest of the series...it just depends. If I have time before the book expires in my computer I might return to try again. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review.

There is not much I can elaborate on this series. I picked the second up because I already had the first pending and I thought I would better appreciate a series than an individual book.
Firstly, I was wrong in the assessment. Each of these books can be read as a standalone in any order. There are references, but for the most part, they can be ignored.

In the second book, the previous case has left at least one in our team under scrutiny. We have an unlikeable victim who refuses to reveal the required information when her son is targetted. This is a proper procedural where we are taken through the motions of reaching a suitable conclusion. I would not have guessed the ending nor expected the hints that things may not be the way they seem even at the very end.
Both books in the series thus far are decent police procedurals in which I was moderately invested. They are quick reads, written in a way that keeps the pace constant and the storyline moving. I am not sure if I would pick up the next, although I still think we are missing something when it comes to our lead’s partner.

⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 3 out of 5.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, and the review is entirely based only on my own reading experience.

Lost Hours is a great thriller. It starts off with quite an uncomfortable crime, the murder of a teenager at home, but as the investigation unfolds there is more mystery and intrigue.....and more bodies.

I was really gripped by Lost Hours, and couldn't wait to find out what happened next.

DI Annie Delemare, along with her DS Zoe Everett are called to investigate when a call is received from Michelle Wentworth, regarding her son.

When Annie and Zoe arrive, they find her son lying outside next to the cars, having been brutally beaten. The mother, and her attorney, don't seem to be bothered by the fact that her son has been murdered.

Upon investigation, Annie and Zoe find that the mother was not a well-like business woman. Annie's gut feeling is telling her that not only is his mother being secretive about 'something' but that the mother maybe the true target.

Another battered body is found on Wentworth's property ... they discover that this victim also has ties to Wentworth and a dispute along the lines of a possible strike. Many people are threatened with the loss of their jobs, benefits, etc., it's hard to know who to question, and to determine the exact motive.

This is a well written police procedural with outstanding characters involved in this intricate plot. There are many suspects to follow ... all who have an interior motive to want to see Wentworth suffering. The action starts on the very first page and the suspense maintains a steady pace throughout. Although 2nd in the series, this is easily read as a stand alone, although I do recommend starting with the first book. There's a lot of backstory in the first book making the second book much more interesting.

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

Described as a thriller but it wasn’t so much thrilling as plodding. The police procedures seemed to be well researched with the two main detectives both likeable and perhaps promising enough for what seems to be a series but there is a distinct lack of drama and some of the other characters are flat and uninteresting.

Just as in real life, the investigators in Lost Hours must search for clues and build a possible case while checking off names on a suspect list provided by the victim's mother. Michelle Wentworth's son has been murdered in the driveway of their home. DI Delamere and DS Everett soon come to the logical conclusion that the mother was most likely the target and the son was collateral damage. Wentworth's character is a ruthless example of today's empire builders. Nothing comes between them and their money. As more murder victims connected to Wentworth appear, the investigators are pulled in many directions before the clues start to line up.

This was a very good police procedural with a very dislikeable character at the center of the crimes. While she was dislikeable, it was definitely different to see a woman portrayed as the villainess at the center. Alex Walters is flexing the rules to give us a really good read.

Lost Hours is the second instalment in the Detective Inspector (DI) Annie Delamere, set in the Peak District. It isn't necessary to have read the opening book, Small Mercies, before diving into this as each story is self-contained. DI Delamere and colleague DS Zoe Everett are called to the plush home of successful businesswoman Michelle Wentworth, which sits in its own expansive grounds in the rural countryside. Parched, Michelle had sent her son, nineteen-year-old Justin, to grab her a drink but discovered his battered and bruised corpse on the ground between two vehicles on their driveway before he has a chance to return to her. With little evidence to be found Annie soon believes that Michelle was the intended target; she is notorious for her ruthless, unethical business dealings, a cutthroat attitude and priority on profit over all else, which has not only earned her a bad reputation but countless enemies too. When head of the trade union, Keith Chalmers, is brutally slain and dumped outside the gates of Michelle's country estate, closely followed by Sammy Nolan, a business acquaintance and eventually her lawyer, Peter Hardy, this all but validates Annie’s theory.

This is a captivating, convoluted and exciting police procedural with one of the most immoral and hateworthy characters I've encountered recently in the disgusting narcissistic Michelle, who I came to despise, as even after losing her son and close associates to a killer hellbent on revenge she puts herself and wealth first. Despite the police having just about clarified that Justin was a misstep, it remains to be seen whether the police have enough solid evidence to prove this is related to shady business ventures as opposed to more personal. I am always a fan of strong female protagonists so to be treated to the great dynamic between TWO fierce women detectives is a treat. Walters makes excellent use of twists, turns and misdirection throughout bringing some surprises to the narrative and the whole thing moves at a pretty brisk pace. It's a refreshingly original thriller with plenty of intrigue surrounding current business practices and social issues, including wealth, power and politics. An entertaining and compulsive, clever and engrossing story, which is an easy read. Highly recommended. Many thanks to Canelo for an ARC.

Michelle Wentworth is a successful, self-made, wealthy business woman. She’s also ambitious, ruthless and cunning. Dulled by drugs, her son Justin lacks his mother’s drive, intellect and passion. He is bludgeoned to death in first chapter and DI Annie Delamere and DS Zoe Everett begin the investigation into this gruesome murder on a remote, expansive country estate. They suspect that Michelle may have been targeted by an employee fired after one of her corporate takeovers. Her lawyer Peter Hardy shares a list of possible suspects and Annie and Zoe begin interviews. Meanwhile, union strikers man the picket line at one of Wentworth’s newly acquired companies. Unnecessary violence mars the event and merits police involvement.

Annie believes that Michelle is hiding something, something that may be tied to her business expansion and that Peter Hardy is manipulating her. Then another body is found. Are these cases connected? Is there a serial killer at work? And who is threatening Michelle? Annie will eventually solve this baffling case but not before many secrets, personal and business related, are uncovered.

Although it works as a standalone police procedural, Lost Hours is the second a series by Alex Walters featuring Annie Delamere and it is as good as the first. As in the previous Small Mercies, Walters features realistic, socially relevant plots and well described characters. I look forward to the third. 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Canelo and Alex Walters for this ARC.

This is the second book featuring DI Annie Delamere. The story opens at the home of business woman Michelle Wentworth when her son is murdered on a hot summer's day in the drive way whilst she is relaxing outside by the pool. DI Annie Delamere is assigned the case with her DS Zoe Everett. A good police procedural novel with lots of twists. As Michelle was a ruthless business woman, her businesses are put under scrutiny and also involved is Annie's partner, MP Sheena Parsons. Lots of business, processes and financial talk. When a union rep is murdered too, Michelle is in the frame. But is she guilty?? I enjoyed this novel despite it was heavy going at times and dark.

Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC of this book. I had not read the first in the series, but didn’t really feel that it impeded my enjoyment of this book. A police procedural involving two lady detectives, Anne and Zoe, it had enough twists and turns and dead bodies to keep the reader involved. Looking forward to the next one

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book

another police procedure book but it was nice to catch up with zoe and anne the two cops working together

its a slow burn this one with bursts of action then plodding along at a real paced investigation but as it goes on dead bodies keep appearing

but what is the link....

can anne and zoe find the link before its to late....

Lost Hours is the second book in the DI Annie Delaware series by Alex Walters however whilst I enjoyed the first book, Small Mercies, I found the latest instalment a bit pedestrian and flat.

The storyline itself was good however the main characters were very simplistic and the relationships, both professional and private of the 2 main detectives, were under utilised. The ending was also rushed.

Whilst I didn’t enjoy this book the series and author still have some credit so I will give book three a go when it becomes available

A good read with some good twists. This story kept me reading but I would have liked the characters to have more depth.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

Revisiting the characters in this series was good but the story dragged and did not hold my interest.

A complicated plot involving high finance businesses, trade unions and a family. A woman whose main interest in life seems to be about making money. Using people for as long as they are helpful and then dumping them when they are no further use. This leads to a series of murders which apart from the cause of death seems unconnected. A good read.

What have I just read??? This book did nothing for me. Most of the characters were so unlikable and flat. The plot was all over the place and most of time very confusing. I did finish this book but it was a struggle. Saying that I am sure other readers will enjoy it more just not for me.
Thanks to Canelo and Netgalley for the ARC in return for giving an honest review.

A police procedural with the usual interference by senior/retired officers. Murder of an unpleasant young man whilst his mother sun bathes by the pool. She's a very aggressive business woman and has people to deal with the pesky workers and their Unions. Nasty lady. Eventually it becomes clear that she was the target as more bodies turn up and the convoluted back stories start to emerge. Proficient enough writing, well thought out, if convoluted, story that perks up as we move through it. Didn't really grab me though. Thanks to NetGalley and Canelo for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.