This is the first book in the Dylan Kasper series. A good read, though a little slow at the start. Looking forward to the next one to see how the main character develops

Dylan Kasper is stuck. Living in self-imposed reclusion from his former life in the police, he's been in a downward spiral since his daughter's death five years ago.

All that changes when the son of an esteemed professor jumps under an inner-city train. His former colleagues call it suicide, but Kasper knows different. This has all happened before - to him, and his dead daughter.

Taking on the investigation himself, Kasper soon realises the terrible trouble young Tommy had found himself in. With nowhere to run, he thought suicide was the only way to keep his family safe.

But before long, Kasper's investigation makes him target number one. Can he keep his demons in check and stay alive long enough to bring those responsible to justice?

This is a thrilling read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and action with wonderful world building.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.

I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.

A dark subject matter with this book but it was well written with likeable characters.
Great Debut novel and look forward to more from Elliot Sweeney.

This was a debut novel by an author that might be going places. Book was intriguing, well written, and fast paced until the end. Will try to read more in future.

The Next to Die is a brilliant debut!

It's a rough around the edges, gritty noir, with fascinating characters and an intriguing plot line.

I very much look forward to learning more about Kasper and his journey as a private investigator, but I have to say that my favourite of all the characters is Dr. Steiner, and I really want to see more of her in the future.

Twists, turns and many surprises lurk in this drama/thriller and it's very enjoyable overall.

Star Rating: 3.5 rounded up

CAWPILE Rating: 8.7/10

Characters: 8/10
Atmosphere: 7/10
Writing: 8/10
Plot: 8/10
Intrigue: 8/10
Logic: 7/10
Enjoyment: 7/10

Many thanks to the author, Headline and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Well written, addictive and unpredictable. This is a book I have really enjoyed and devoured. i definitely want to read more from this author. Full Review to follow.

Kasper has been a recluse since his daughter's suicide. He left the police & has got by as working in a run down pub until one day at a gym he is approached by a young man who is being bullied. Kasper takes his side & soon finds himself being asked to keep an eye on Tommy by Tommy's father but when Tommy kills himself in the same way Kasper's daughter did, he decides it's time to return to the world & find out why Tommy did this.

This book deals well with the sensitive subject of suicide, men's mental health as well as dishing out a lot of violence. I struggled a bit to get through this one. It was well written but the darkness & violence was sometimes hard to deal with. I'm sure many will enjoy this series but I don't think I'll be back. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book.

The next to die by Elliott F. Sweeney.
Dylan Kasper is stuck. Living in self-imposed reclusion from his former life in the police, he's been in a downward spiral since his daughter's death five years ago.
All that changes when the son of an esteemed professor jumps under an inner-city train. His former colleagues call it suicide, but Kasper knows different. This has all happened before - to him, and his dead daughter.
Taking on the investigation himself, Kasper soon realises the terrible trouble young Tommy had found himself in. With nowhere to run, he thought suicide was the only way to keep his family safe.
But before long, Kasper's investigation makes him target number one. Can he keep his demons in check and stay alive long enough to bring those responsible to justice?
A good read. I did find this slow in places. 4*.

I found this book hard going.
In essence it provides an opportunity to tackle stigma around men’s mental health and there was a good story/ plot there but it was hard to wade through the heavy content.

I never repeat the blurb. I'd struggled with some recent books but devoured this in two afternoons. Sensitively and thoughtfully penned, this was a really satisfying read.

Thank you to #Netgalley for my copy of #TheNextToDie by #ElliotFSweeney

I know I will be in the minority but I really didn’t get this book.
I found it boring and contrived and there wasn’t one likeable character in it.
Not one for me.

The Next to Die by @elliotfsweeney is a fast-paced read that kept me on the edge of my seat. Kasper is a totally believable character that I found myself rooting for. I can't wait for the next chapter of his story.

Thanks to the publisher and the author for this great ARC

What terrific start to a new series! I’ll eagerly wait for the next instalment.

I just loved all the twist and turns and the anguish too!

What a great read.

Thanks again.

Thanks to Wildfire books for inviting me on the tour for the newest crime writer in town, Elliot Sweeney, starting Dylan Kaspar in 'The Next to Die'. This is a gritty urban thriller, bringing London's seedier side to the fore.

The story of ex-policeman turned rogue detective is a well-trodden path, and its in good hands with Elliot Sweeney. Dylan Kaspar was a police investigator until his 14 year old daughter Rosie took her own life. He's now working in an old-school pub and keeping himself to himself. One day his landlady gives him tickets to a up-market gym where he is propositioned by 19 year old Tommy Berkowitz. Tommy is a troubled soul who is being coerced into an uncomfortable situation. He trusts Kaspar and turns to him for help, but before he can explain what's troubling him, he too takes his own life in the same way and location that Rosie did. Before he does so, Tommy leaves a message for Kaspar saying that he'll know what to do.

The police are content to label the death as suicide without investigating further, but Kaspar senses there's more to the tale and is determined to uncover the truth, using Tommy's message as an incentive. He comes up against drug dealers, blackmailers and gun-toting gangsters, who will stop at nothing to protect their income and stop Kaspar.

Kaspar is a well written lead, he is in emotional turmoil, the damage caused by his daughter's death has had huge repercussions and he is working through them and with them. He is brave and headstrong though, throwing himself into physically dangerous situations without a second thought. He's also persuasive, influencing Tommy's father and sister to share some hidden truths.

I really enjoyed reading the story and polished it off in one evening. It is an accomplished debut and the main characters are well established for future adventures, with hints of romantic intrigue to come. I am looking forward to seeing where Dylan Kaspar ends up next - wherever it is, its sure to be full of adventure and danger and Im there for it!

I thought this was a cracking debut novel. A gritty drama / thriller about an ex policeman who becomes embroiled in a damaged family who are caught up in sordid dealings that result in a death. It’s a violent read at times and not really the sort of book I’d normally enjoy, but, it’s really well written with excellent characters and a solid storyline that kept my interest throughout.

I’m looking forward to more from this promising author and am grateful to NetGalley and Headline publishers for the opportunity to preview this excellent read. Congratulations.

The Next to Die is the debut novel by Elliot F Sweeney and whilst the underlying story about an ex cop is good there just seemed to be too much thrown into the pot at times with the characters, both main & supporting, have too many issues and with too much at times going on. So, whilst showing some promise overall the book is an ok from me.

I enjoyed reading this book, even though the subject was pretty dark. I thought it was well done, and I liked the main character, I liked the fact that he wasn't perfect and had demons and unresolved issues. Good start to a series.

This is the first book in a new series to feature Dylan Kasper, an ex police officer. The difficult subject matter revolves around male suicide, mental health, drugs, homophobia, prostitution....you get the drift. I failed to like any of the characters and I was feeling totally dejected half way through. On the plus side, it challenges the stigma that males have with a reluctance to discuss mental health. I hope the next book in the series is a bit more uplifting. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

An over the top action packed crime tale.

Former police officer Dylan Kaspar has lost his way since the sudden death of his teenage daughter five years before. When he meets the flamboyant but damaged Tommy at a new gym he is reluctantly drawn into his life, and when Tommy dies suddenly Kaspar is determined to understand why.

I fear for Kaspar’s liver. He really takes the hard-drinking PI stereotype to heart here, seeming to go through a bottle of whisky in a night (and sometimes a day). Overall the damaged detective who can’t sustain long-term relationships, but becomes embroiled in a stranger’s life at the drop of a hat, is a very heavily leaned on crutch for this whole novel.

That probably contributed to my feeling that much of the book felt over-the-top and crime plotting by the numbers. Hopefully as the author develops their style and this character things will settle down. But, for me it feels like this debut tries too hard and doesn’t quite land.

3.5 stars - I was given a free copy of this book through NetGalley in return for an honest review.
I found the story line to this book enjoyable from the beginning and grew to like several of the characters throughout the story. This book tackles several difficult topics which were handled and wrote into the story line well such as suicide and prostitution. It was an easy read which I was able to finish quickly and would recommend to friends and family.