Absolutely brilliant! I love the Matilda Darke series of books; after the last instalment I didn’t think Michael could shock his readers any more than he already has….but what an ending! I gasped when it was revealed who was the killer, I did not see that coming! I can not wait to see what happens in the next book, which I hope he’s already writing!

I’ve been with this series since the very beginning, so needless to say I was really looking forward to reading this latest one, Survivor’s Guilt. After the shocking events of the previous book, I was eagerly anticipating this one to see what happened in the aftermath of Time Is Running Out.
Survivor’s Guilt is another excellent installment in the series. Gripping, fast-paced and it definitely packs a punch. I knew when I started it that I would get hooked, and that’s exactly what happened. I put down all the other books I had on the go because I just had to keep reading. I love that about this series.
I’m not even going to go into plots or anything like that, not least because I hate giving anything away. What I will say is that I enjoyed Survivor’s Guilt immensely. Having been with these characters from the beginning, the emotional investment in their welfare will always be there. I’ll always recommend the Matilda Darke series for crime fans,

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley.

I was a fan of the first six instalments of this series, gave up on the seventh in disgust, and hoped that this one would be a return to form. Sadly, I think Matilda Darke and I will have to part ways after this. This is very much a continuation of on-going storylines (the author is still flogging the Carl Meagan horse) and doesn't really stand alone. There was a constant harking back to the colleagues massacred in the last book, with Matilda still suffering from both emotional and physical after-effects, and everyone else affected to a lesser or greater extent. Matilda's sufferings make her rude and a bully to almost everyone, and she demonstrates an appalling leadership style, which leads directly to one of her officers becoming a paraplegic. Matilda doesn't appear to view this as her fault for some reason, and just plans to welcome her back to work in a desk job.

The identity of the serial killer was certainly a shock and I didn't see it coming, but it cemented my resolution not to continue with this series. I know it's a small point, but it also means I won't have to constantly read about characters 'sat' in chairs (as opposed to 'sitting' or 'seated').

It hasn’t even been a year since an attack left DCI Matilda Darke with a bullet in her head and others in her team dead, but she has to get back to work. A woman found murdered bears all the hallmarks of unsolved cold case murders, leading Matilda to believe there may be a serial killer operating on her patch. But the events of the last year have taken a toll on the DCI and her team; will their feelings let a killer escape, or even worse, get too close? Wood Is a fabulous writer and I always know I’m in for a treat when I start one of his books

There's no let up for Matilda and her team.
As they try to recover from their loss and grief,things aren't quite the same.
Lost friends and colleagues,friendships put to test, and on top of that,somebody appears to be killing prostitutes.
I'm giving no spoilers here ,just saying that I raced through this book,and genuinely gasped out loud at least once.
It's an emotional rollercoaster... for the reader and the characters.
I don't wish to be pushy,but more please Mr.Wood.

I really enjoyed this book. It was a great storyline with excellent characters. I would highly recommend this book as it was a great read.

Less than a year ago DCI Matilda Darke and her team stared death in the face. Not all of them survived and amongst the many who lost their lives were family members and friends. Now though, Matilda is back at work and a body has been found. When similarities are discovered which seem to link the new investigation to a number of cold cases it suggests there is a serial killer roaming the streets of Sheffield once again.

Matilda is a past master at keeping her feelings to herself but, as the kidnapping of Carl Meagan four years earlier showed, that isn't always a good idea. Now her emotions are so close to the surface that keeping them hidden is getting harder by the day. With the body count rising the risk of failure is a torment she can't escape but is unable to share, what will happen if it all goes wrong again?

This is an absolutely fantastic continuation from the previous, traumatic book by the excellent Michael Wood and I was hooked from the first word to the last. By moving on nine months the aftermath of the shootings is dealt with gradually and the current case is allowed to take centre stage.

The resolution of the investigation is shocking in the extreme and I defy anyone to work it out ahead of time but it is in no way unrealistic or disappointing. Added to this there is, at the very end, a cliffhanger and the need to wait once again to see what happens next!

I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the opinions expressed are my own. This is first class British crime writing which will keep you up all night. Absolutely unputdownable and highly recommended.