It's so good to have a new detective to follow, particularly one based in an area I know and love, North Wales.  This is apparently the third in the series about DS Gaby Darin - I'll have to seek out her back catalogue of cases - a likeable, engaging character, who has respect and consideration for her team, and enjoys their loyalty in return.  This cold-case beginning very quickly develops and merges into current crime in the area, becoming more intriguing and involved as the novel continues.  No spoilers, but I felt absorbed throughout, leading to a satisfying climax and overall gripping read.  Another addictive detective to add to my collection.

On the whole I enjoyed this book, but did feel the story took quite a while to develop, there seemed to be an awful lot of going round in circles, I know nothing of the police so maybe this happens?

Angelica Brock is found dead at a local beauty spot, there is no obvious sign of foul play, and no indication of suicide, the only thing that seems out of place is the nightdress she is found wearing.

Many years later DI Gaby Darin is looking into cold cases when she is approached by her DS Owen Bates, to reopen the case, we find he has an ulterior motive as he married Angelica's sister. 

A good read but would say that there was an awful lot of personal issues/background with the team, probably more than I have ever read in a book, the mystery almost became a secondary event while you kept up with everything else!

This is a book that keeps up a stimulating pace as events unfold in the pursuit of a killer. DI Gaby Darin is looking at cold cases when one of her most trusted officers reveals that in an unsolved murder, the victim was related to him by marriage. She was Angelica Brock, thus the title of the book. The story is based in 
Wales. There are many interesting characters with the usual array of detectives with problems in their personal lives but these all add to the attraction of the story. Soon it becomes apparent that this was not a one off murder and a serial killer is on the loose. Then there is collateral damage which seems to have some connection to the case. The reader by this time is probably sure about who the culprit is but will be proved wrong several times over as the book works to an unexpected ending. This is a well conceived, well written book. I recommend it.

Thank you to Netgalley and H Q Digital for an ARC of this novel in return for an honest review. I requested this book because police procedurals and murder is one of my favourite genres and I was intrigued by the setting in my native country, Wales.

I immediately connected with the main character, acting DI Gabby Darin, a Liverpudlian with twenty years in the police service and some of it quite eventful. But I also felt occasionally irritated by the often, somewhat clunky prose style. I was glad that it was in digital form or I might have been tempted to take out my ex-school teacher’s red pen.. But a really good story soon overcame this. Set in Llandudno, it began with the review of a cold case and soon starts to escalate to much more. I think a police officer relative might have opinions about some of the procedurals, but as the author says, she is a nurse and not a policed officer. It’s a an excellent story and several times I just had to keep turning the pages, resulting in jobs not being done. Some of the connections in the case at the end could have been possible. But did somewhat stretch credulity. This is the third book in the series and not having read the previous two, I found that it worked well as a stand-alone novel. I dislike making any criticism of a newish author’s work. So I will say that overall I much enjoyed this read. I will be looking for the previous two books, particularly since they seem to feature my native Cardiff and Swansea as well as my beloved St Davids. My thanks to Jenny O’Brien for providing several hours of enjoyment and I look forward to more.

A most interesting and pleasant read in sharing the life and work of a team of detectives investigating a cold case. A most interesting cast of characters concerning their interrelationships, private lives and the trials and tribulations in trying to balance work and domestic affairs. The victim in the cold case is an enigma. Dead without signs of any injury, dressed in an old-fashioned nightdress, not her own and laid out looking like an angel. How the team finally discovers that the victim is the first of an unknown serial killer to bring it to the present day while coping with their personal lives and bring matters to a final solution makes a complex and satisfying story.

Having read and enjoyed the previous two books in the Gaby Darin series by Jenny O'Brien, I expected to enjoy reading this book. It certainly didn't disappoint. 
In this story set on North Wales, Gaby Darin is acting as DI. Jenny O'Brien has continued to develop the detective team very well in this fast moving police procedural crime thriller. 

really liked the pace and style of writing in this book. The ending certainly leaves the door open for further cases to be explored by DI Gaby Darin and her team. I for one will be looking forward to future books in this series. 

I will avoid saying too much about the plot out of fear about spoiling the story. It is based around an historic case, which may be linked to current events. What are occurrences and what are crimes?

I particularly like the use of geographical locations, this helps to anchor the story and give a sense of reality. I also like the short snappy chapters, each time, character and location stamped, this helps to build the tension as the novel draws to an exciting denouement. 

My recommendation is that you try to read the books in the order in which they are written if you can. Each stand alone on their own merit, but the series is beginning to develop a sense of continuity. 

I give my thanks to Netgalley and HQ Digital for a copy of this, the third book in the Gaby Darin series, in exchange for this review.

Complex thriller with interesting characters. A good detective team who interact well. Story was a bit slow to get going with the detectives struggling to find clues and connections. Overall a good read.

This is a rather traditional detective story. I enjoyed the story and was able to like and engage with the investigating team.
I was enjoying the read and was keen to pick the story up again but I predicted the last chapter early on and so there was no big reveal for me. 
I would probably be interested in reading the first in the series, as I wasn't aware that this book was number two but for me there wasn't anything outstanding to say about.
I am happy to recommend it.

Fallen Angel, for me, was a bit of a slow burner, in fact had it been Bonfire Night the crowds would have gone home disappointed. The cold case idea caused me to think back to those dreadful end of term days before the Christmas holiday. The one's where a 'hip' teacher let the children choose the day's itenerary. In this case we have a load of detectives sitting on their hands waiting for work, when Owen suggests an unsolved crime, close to his heart. What slowly unravels gives rise to the crime being one of many and a serial murder investigation kicks off. Of course we know who the guy might be, or at least who we want him to be because of his portrayal earlier on in the novel. The pace picks up a little but finally we only get to see the bookends of a serial murderer's career. Frankly I thought the plot was poor, the delivery slow and the ending predictable. The prize for the most inappropriate word was 'diabolical' to descibe the wearing of jewelry which carried a momento of a deceased loved one.

Ejghteen year old Brock is found dead at a local beauty spot, dressed in a pure white nightgown, her white-blonde hair arranged around her. Her death was a mystery for years, her ,iller had got away. For DS Gaby Darin  it's not just a cold case, the victim in intimately linked to someone close to her. Just as the team finds a clue on Angelica's nightdress, another case crashes into the station. Could the cases be linked.

Thisnis the first book that I've read in this series. The plot.ine is complex and I was pulled in from the beginning. The pace fast and the twists come along thick and fast. Gaby is a  out likeable character. This  ook can be read as a standalone but I would have liked to have read the books in order. I will be .oozing out for this author in future.

I would like to thank #NetGalley, #HQ and the author #JennyObrien for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Fallen Angel is the third instalment in the Detective Sergeant Gabriella “Gaby” Darin series, set in Llandudno in Conwy County, North West Wales. It's a new day at St Aleph police station and not only has DC Darin recently been promoted to DS, but she has also been made the Acting DI while her boss and 30-year police veteran, DI Stewart Tipping, has reluctantly taken leave due to the cancer riddling his body to be cared for by his wife, Sheila. Gaby has only recently returned to work after 6 weeks on medical leave having been seriously injured in the line of duty so the lull in cases she and colleagues are experiencing right now is certainly welcome and allows her to focus on reviewing cold cases until something comes in. At the request of DC Owen Bates, she re-opens the old case of 18-year-old Angelica Brock who was murdered in 1995, almost 3 decades ago; she disappeared from her bedroom and was discovered dead the following day at the local beauty spot of Great Orme, and it would've been deemed an accident had she not been dressed in a strange lily-white, handmade nightdress. 

With renewed vigour and forensic advancements now available, Gaby hopes she can uncover the murderer's identity and bring some closure to the Brock family. Then a new case comes in; a terminally ill woman has been killed in a devastating explosion whilst her daughter was shopping. But all is not what it seems and another death follows revealing the handiwork of a serial killer who has been biding their sweet time. This is a compulsive and engrossing police procedural and from the moment I turned the first few pages I was hooked. There are several great twists spaced throughout the narrative, and I found the single investigative perspective more immersive than if it had alternated. It allows you to feel as though you are part of the team and you see all of the action through their eyes. It's compelling, quick-paced and well written and has enough layers and plot threads to keep you invested. The taut, tight plotting packs a real punch and I enjoyed learning more about the team. Highly recommended.

Thank you to HQ Digital and NetGalley for my copy of this book which I have voluntarily read and honestly reviewed.

This is the third book in this series which features Gaby Darin who has recently been promoted to Detective Sergeant in the Murder Investigation Team and a case centred around Llandudno, North Wales. After recovering from serious injuries, she has returned to work but all is quiet so is looking into cold cases. One case in particular is important to one member of her team, the one termed Operation Angel, as the victim was his now wife's older sister. As the team start to investigate can they determine what really happened to Angelica?

What an intriguing read this proved to be. The evidence from the past is re-investigated and the possibility of Angelica being the victim of a serial killer arises. Can they identify the killer before he strikes again?

This is a real page turner that makes the members of the team seem like people you know and relate to. It is different to most murder mysteries in that this is a re-investigation of an unsolved case but there are definite links to the present, too. There are family dramas, developing relationships, even a possible romance for Gaby as the story unfurls. I have no hesitation in highly recommending this to anyone who enjoys crime thrillers, police procedurals or murder mysteries.

Fallen Angel is the third book in the DS Gaby Darin series ,I haven't read the previous books but I am now going to but this book is a good stand alone. This is a very good Police Procedural set in Llandudno Wales, the  descriptions are very good and so are the characters they felt very real .This is one of those books that grabs you from the first chapter and is full of twists and turns I didn't guess the ending .!I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more about Gaby in this series .Many Thanks to the Publisher the Author and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest review .

A solid four star read. Good premise. Great characters. Enjoyed the writing style. Plenty of suspense to keep me guessing. It even had a twist that I didn’t see coming. Would definitely read her next novel. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to review it.

I love this series and Fallen Angel, the third instalment, is another fantastic addition to it. I will also say that it is my favourite one to date and is another one that had me in its clutches from start to finish! I love it when an author does this to a reader and Jenny O’Brien has certainly perfected this.

Jenny O’Brien has created another thrilling and intriguing tale that has been masterfully plotted and executed. Fraught with so much tension and suspense with twists and turns aplenty to keep you on your toes, Fallen Angel really is a heart pounding and gripping read that will just consume you.

With each book, Gaby keeps getting better and better. I really enjoy her character and she is the perfect lead for the series. A woman of strength, she has been beautifully created as someone you can completely resonate with. The recurring characters also add value to the series and compliment Gaby well. 

Once again Jenny O’Brien had me glued to the pages with her prose, which is always just so engaging. She has a real gift for being able to immediately hook you into the story, making for it to be almost impossible to put down. This was most definitely the case with Fallen Angel and is one that I read in one sitting!

Fallen Angel is a compelling read and whist can be read as a standalone, I do encourage you to read the other two in the series first, as they are also fantastic reads. Thank you for another amazing book Jenny O’Brien and I can’t wait to see what you have in store for Gaby and co next.

Thank you to Jenny O’Brien, HQ Digital and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy of Fallen Angel, which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

An excellent cold case mystery that had me stumped. There is a lot of old fashioned detective work happening for most of the story along with another investigation occurring at the same time. There were plenty of twists and turns. I didn't see that ending coming! There was a bit of information dump at the end tying events and individuals together but the journey to that point was nerve-wracking and I really found it difficult to put the book down.
I enjoyed the insight into the personal lives of Gaby's team, including her own friendship with Rusty who can be such an arse at times. There was never a dull moment! An excellent read. Can't wait for the next book.

This is a great read. It’s the third book in the series but can easily be read as a stand-alone book. 
DI Gaby Darin is on the hunt for a case to get stuck into so starts going through some cold cases and comes across one that is far from simple. 
It’s the case of a murdered student, Angelica, who was found in a foetal position dressed in an old fashioned nightgown. 
It comes to light that Owen is married to her sister so has a vested interest in finding the killer. 
After more digging it seems this is not an isolated murder and Gaby and the team realise they have a serial killer on their patch. 
I loved the dynamics in the team and as for Gaby and Rusty, well they just need to get together. 
The book had a gripping ending and I was really pleased with the decision Owen made at the end as well. 
Thanks to HQ and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

This is a really good series. In this book we find out more about Gaby and her team. The cold case they are trying to solve is personal to one of them. It turns out to be a complicated case. There is a lot of suspense and chasing clues. With the personal details of the characters being told alongside the solving of the case it makes everything seem more real. This is definitely a series that I would recommend.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

Acting DI Gaby Darin is twiddling her thumbs: the usual flood of cases has slowed to less than a dribble and she's looking through cold cases for inspiration as to which one she should have a good look at. DS Owen Bates suggests the murder of eighteen-year-old Angelica Brock in 1995 and Gaby is intrigued. She can't see any immediate failings in the original investigation: Angelica disappeared from a room in a securely-locked house, wearing her pyjamas, and was found dead by a dog walker on the Gt Orme in Llandudno the next day. She was wearing a hand-made nightdress which her mother had never seen before. Bates hasn't quite told the whole story: he's married to Kate Brock, Angelica's younger sister.

Darin thinks it's worth having a good look at the case but Owen Bates can't really be involved, given his relationship to the victim. He's looking into the case of a gas explosion in which a woman in her forties was killed, shortly after her husband committed suicide. Everyone suspects that it's just a case of a tragic accident and the paperwork will close it down but the husband is aggressively protective of his rather timid wife.

Time is pressing. Will Darin and her team be able to get a result before there are new cases which will have to take precedence? It's a good team. Jax Williams is thinking of leaving home and moving in with his girlfriend: he's gaining a quiet, impressive confidence. Malachy Devine looks confident but that might be deceptive. Darin can't quite understand how someone on the post-degree national detective programme and paid just £21,000 a year can afford designer clothes and to drive a Jag. Marie Morgan has problems at home: her husband has moved another woman into their home and Marie has been forced into a shoe-box bedsit. She feels that she's wasted ten years of her life. Gaby Darin's in a strange situation: there's obviously some chemistry between her and Dr Rusty Mulholland but she's not certain and he's, well, rather changeable.

I first met Gaby Darin when I read Silent Cry in April 2020. I wasn't totally convinced by the book, the series opener, but was more than happy to read this, the third book in the series and I'm glad that I did. Rank becomes Darin - she's grown into herself and there was an excellent dynamic between her and the team. There's obviously been a book between the first and this book, but I didn't feel that there was any problem in having missed that book - or that it wouldn't be worthwhile to go back and read the missing story at some point in the future. We know Darin was injured but there are no spoilers.

HQ Digital suggest that these are stories which will keep you reading into the early hours of the morning and that's certainly what happened to me. There came a point when I simply couldn't have stopped reading because I had to know what happened. I did work out who the wrong 'un was but I didn't get all the reasoning and it didn't spoil my enjoyment of what was a cracker of a book. From being 'interested to read about what she does next' I've moved to 'must be sure of getting hold of the next in the series'. I'd like to thank the publishers for letting Bookbag have a review copy.

Fallen Angel, the third in Jenny O’Brien’s DI Gaby Darin series, is a compelling police procedural set in a seaside town in Wales that combines exceptional character development with suspenseful mystery. 

Years ago, Angelica Brock, a beautiful girl was found dead, posed on a stone table wearing a white, handmade, detailed nightgown. The nightgown was not hers and there was no obvious cause of death.  Gaby, back at the precinct after medical leave, decides to reinvestigate this cold case. Her work is doubled when an explosion takes the life of a terminally ill woman while her daughter is shopping. The woman’s husband was killed in a bus accident less than a month earlier. Gaby assigns Owen, a member of her team and friend, to investigate these deaths since his wife is Angelica’s sister. Soon there are two major investigations but only after there is another murder do the detectives see what has been in front of them all along.

Although Fallen Angel is the third in the series, it is an exciting standalone thriller. If you’ve read the earlier books, you’ll enjoy seeing Gaby and Rusty navigate their rocky relationship, what Marie has been through and how Owen is affected by his home life. If you are new to the this well-written series, you have a treat waiting for you. Fallen Angel is for fans of Elizabeth George and Deborah Crombie and is definitely a 5 star read.

Thank you to NetGalley, HQ Digital and Jenny O’Brien for this ARC.