I thought this book was just a bit over the top with all the morbid deaths of police personnel and people connected with them . Added to that was Simon and Stuart who seemed to take on lives of their own without anyone for years having any insight to their evil acts.
Matilda even seemed to be too good to be true with everyone going ballistic without her. The author had all his characters crying and the word tears was a too frequent word. The whole book seemed to be far fetched with the bulk of the action happening near the end. A lot of soul searching and blame happening in this book.

crime-thriller, procedural, law-enforcement, suspense, fiction, serial-killer, vengeance, South Yorkshire, stabbing, abduction, working-partners, teamwork, fast-pace, intense, unputdownable, family, cold-case*****

This book is evil! Now I have to go find all the earlier books and do a grand binge read!
DCI Matilda Darke goes missing at the same time as one of her team is severely stabbed in her front hall. And the doors are locked. And the electricity cut. And her phone turned off.
The members of her team have been through the wringer both personally and professionally over the past few years and are totally distraught over this new assault on their sanity. Yet The Job still has more cold case victims to find and identify.
I requested and received an EARC from HarperCollins UK/One More Chapter via NetGalley. Thanks a lot!

The first time I have read this Author but was fine as a stand alone. I enjoyed the style of writing. A solid four star read. Great premise. Good characters. Page turner. Plenty of suspense to keep me guessing Would definitely read the next novel. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to review it.

Below Ground By Martin Woods is book 11 in the DCI Matilda Darke series of police crime thrillers and it is a totally engrossing read from start to finish. Matilda is kidnapped, bodies are discovered and one of the officers are stabbed. Everything that can go wrong does go wrong and that it begins to go right again or does it?
Highly recommended

Having read and enjoyed almost (turns out I hadn’t read the one before this!) every book in this series, I was dying to catch up with Matilda and her team. In the aftermath of previous books events, it’s safe to say the team are still struggling with various issues and it’s clearly evident in Below Ground as there are quite a lot of emotional deep dives. It takes real skill as an author to have a book in a beloved and ongoing series that doesn’t really feature the main character but Michael Wood has done exactly that. And he has done an excellent job in keeping the reader turning those pages as we twice along with the team trying to locate Matilda. Below Ground is fast paced, addictive and gripping. Another excellent installment in the series.

I'm not going to lie - if I was Matilda Darke, or even just one of her team - I'd be thinking of a career change right about now. It's fair to say that Michael Wood has put them through the ringer over the course of the past few months and the emotional, and physical, toll on them is becoming more and more pronounced with every case. Heck, these books are so fraught with tension and danger, I think they are giving me palpitations.

Now, if you are coming to this as. Matilda Darke newbie, you probably need to step away and read the earlier books first. There are some very key elements of this story that link to earlier novels and it is impossible to read the book without major spoilers. Whilst this is, in theory, a story in its own right, it comes as a direct result of the prior books finale, and with links to earlier cases and perpetrators which will have more meaning to you if you know all that has come before. You have been warned.

This is a book packed with mystery and a lot of unanswered questions. With a missing person investigation taking the attention of the majority of the team - the missing person in question just happening to be their boss, Matilda - they are also faced with a very grim discovery making, albeit one with perhaps a little less time sensitive implications for its victims. The discovery of a body in the boot of an abandoned car leads to all manner of questions, some of which it is clear certain people will not want answered. It's a case that creates an unexpected kind of jeopardy and the risks that they are facing grow exponentially with each new discovery.

I really like the characters that Michael Wood has created in this series. Its safe to say that fans of the books have been hit as emotionally over the course of the eleven books as any of the beloved folk we are reading about. The books can be dark, but with a nice balance of light moments too as the camaraderie amongst the team often pulls them through. Admittedly, those moments of light have been getting harder to see, no more than pin pricks on some occasions, but they are there, and that bond and that sense of family, both genetic and extended, makes the series a joy to read. If we didn't care so much, I'm not sure the impact would be as great, but Michael Wood has added such warmth and authenticity to his team, as well as loathsomeness and cruelty to his adversaries, that I find myself hooked every single time. Whether it's to see how low certain folk can go, or just see them get their comeuppance, I'm always rewarded with a sorry that makes the spine tingle and often draws me to the edge of my seat.

The pacing in this book is spot on, and the balance between the professional and personal just right too. We are privy not only to the two investigations, but Matilda's point of view as a victim, as well as having direct access to one of the series most venomous characters as he seeks one final revenge on Matilda. I liked the way the author has presented his story, how he uses a particular narrative style to convey the hatred they are harbouring towards the team, but especially Matilda. But even though we 'think' we know everything that is going on, the author manages to pull the wool over our eyes, not just once, but repeatedly, drawing me back to my earlier comment of considering new career choices. There have to be some out there that are better for their health and well being!

That said, I'm kind of hoping they stick with it as I am still loving this series as much now as I did when I first met Matilda and co. Things may have changed dramatically over the course of the eleven books, but they are as hard hitting and engrossing now as they ever were. Be warned though - I think Mr Wood should be given the title of 'King of the Cliffhanger'. If you wanted a nice tidy ending to this story arc ... well. We don't always get what we want, do we. Just deserts? Yes, kind of. Uncertainty, shock and a fraught reader until I can get my mitts on books twelve - absolutely! And I wouldn't have it any other way. Definitely recommended.

This series really should carry a health warning! When you have finished a Matilda Darke thriller you are drained physically and mentally! I have said before that this series is one of the best in modern crime fiction, and Below Ground confirms this. I just wish Matilda could have an easier life!

The latest episode in an established series, this is ideal for fans of plot-driven police drama.
We don't see much of the usual protagonist, DCI Matilda Darke, this time as she's... well... the clue is the title, but other team members take up the reins.
The story starts from the moment the previous book, Silent Victim, ended. The intrigue gets underway with the subplot discovery of human bones in dense woodland.
Although it can be read as a standalone, there is a lot of recapping that necessarily means spoilers to previous novels. At the least, I'd recommend reading beforehand: book 4, The Hangman's Hold; book 7, Time is Running Out; and book 8, Survivor's Guilt.
With thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early copy in exchange for an independent review.

OMG Michael Wood you definately are trying to give me a heart attack.... W.O.W JUST W.O.W My love for this series has grow.n and grown from the first book. Im not going to spoil it by telli g you what happens, you must read it.. i never thought some of the things that happened would happen, it was quite an emotional read. The characters are brilliant, the storylines well thoughout and written. Some little quirks in there aswell.. lots of twists, who will make it ? Michael wood im seriously hoping that is not the end for DCI Matilda Darke and the great team? A must read, gripping, intense, highley recommend, 5🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 read....

Another fabulous book by Michael. Although Matilda wasn’t heavily featured in the story the other strong characters we have met and love are able to carry the gripping storyline. I tried to limit myself to a small amount of reading every day, but it was very hard! The story rattles on at a good pace, and before you know, you are very close to the end. As per usual, you are left on a cliffhanger at the end eagerly awaiting the next book. Highly highly recommended. Please read it in fact, read them all! With thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an early copy to read and review.

Below Ground was absolutely fantastic. I loved everything about it. A strong plot line leads to a fast paced thriller that gets its hooks into you from page one. Superbly written, I couldn’t put it down and the ending was sheer brilliance. Can’t wait for the next in the series. Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter and the author for the chance to review.

It is a huge testament to the character development, the author has put into the team, over the years that you can take the main character, pretty much out of the book. Without weakening the plot.

Over the years, Matilda has made a lot of enemies who could be potential kidnappers. The team must sift through all these. Plus investigate a body found inside an abandoned car in the woods.

If you are a first-time reader to this series, don’t worry the author fills in the gaps, succinctly. I pretty much guarantee you will be back reading the series after this one,

In true Michael Woods style, this a dark, intense storyline with many layers and multiple investigations that will keep you turning the pages and pinned to your seat, as the plot twists and turns. This is another cracking instalment to this series I sincerely hope book 12 is not far away, especially with that cliff hanger.

Highly recommended. Firstly, I would like to thank netgalley and HarperCollins uk one more chapter and the fantastic author Michael wood for an early copy of his book.

Another excellent, well written read in the Matilda Darke series. The author is consistent with his characterisation and clever plotting, his descriptive passages and the cliffhanger ending. I really like Matilda, her role is much smaller in this latest episode, but it works really well. If you like fast paced, dark thrillers then this is an excellent read for you! Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

Another very exciting book by Michael Wood. His Detective Matilda Darke series is one of my favourites.
Matilda doesn’t feature as much in this book, as from the very beginning we realise she has been kidnapped. It’s nice to find out a bit more about how her team can cope without her. They certainly do!
Below Ground kept me on the edge of my seat, I really couldn’t put it down. I highly recommend this book.
Thank you to Netgalley and the author for the opportunity to read and share this book.

A new Matilda Darke is always a treat; one of my top police procedurals for so many reasons. Well developed characters that feel like friends, a brilliant plot that is gripping, great dialogue and touches of humour. If you have never read any of the series I highly recommend them because most can be read as stand alone, this one not so much, with references to past cases.
This time Matilda is front and centre without appearing for a large part as she has been kidnapped at the start. This brings her team to the fore and the suspense higher. I raced through it, it was so compelling.

Here we are on book 11 in the DCI Matilda Darke series – how did that happen?! The books really do need to be read in order, as Michael Wood is the undisputed master of the cliff-hanger. Book 10 was no exception to that, thus ensuring that Below Ground opens with a bang! Scott has been found stabbed at Matilda’s house and Matilda herself is missing, presumed kidnapped – gripping stuff from the very first page.

I think it was a very brave move to have the main character play such a slight part, but a move that really paid off as it showcased how well developed and interesting the supporting characters have become over the series. I am interested to see where things go from here, taking into account everything the team have been through, and I would really like to see some new culprits raise their heads – Steve Harrison has masterminded so many atrocities, surely, it’s time he had a rest.

All in all, Below Ground is a phenomenal read, which I have no hesitation in recommending.

5 Stars from me  

I can honestly say I wish that I had never read a single Michael Wood book, because then I'd have to whole lot to discover and enjoy all over again!

Below Ground brings the story to where it seems to have been heading for a long time - Matilda is missing, taken, but is she held hostage or has she been murdered?

Not to mention who on earth would be foolish enough to take her?!

It is hard to explain quite how much I love reading about these characters. They are alive in my mind and wish beyond all reason that one day they will be brought to life and get to star in their own TV series, rubbing shoulders with the good and the great of the crime thrillers and tv detectives who have gone before them.

DCI Matilda Darke is the perfect heroine but in Below Ground it is time for her team to shine and shine they do as they pull together to find her - but will they be in time? And what will be the collateral damage along the way...

DCI Matilda Darke is missing and one of her officers has been found badly injured at her home.
Her team are desperate to find her but the one person who might know, convicted killer Steve Harrison, isn’t saying.
Matilda’s team throw everything they can at the investigation but with little forensic evidence to go on they don’t seem to be getting anywhere.
Then a body is found in the boot of a car abandoned in woodland, when they are identified the team begin to think it could be connected to Matilda’s disappearance. As more bodies are discovered the race to find Matilda becomes even more frantic. The team feel the mounting pressure but know they can’t crumble. Matilda’s life is in their hands.
This grabs you straight away and holds on tight until the end. There are twists and turns, ups and downs. Utterly brilliant!

Firstly I would like to thank netgalley and HarperCollins uk one more chapter and the Brilliant author Michael wood for an early copy of his book.


I'm always looking forward to reading this series, one of my favourite authors. What another fantastic read. DCI Matilda Drake she is kidnapped in her own home Scott who lives in a flat above her is badly injured. This is a race against time to catch the kidnapper in time,Maltilda has many enemies they dont have many clues apart from Steve Harrison a serial killer behind bars was he behind it? The team also trying to solve a case of human remains found to be more than one of sex workers,Sian husband in prison does he know anything about the remains..Another engaging read from the start to the end.looking forward to reading more of this series..Highly recommend this series.

This book will be reviewed on goodreads and Amazon uk and waterstone's.

DCI Matilda Darke and the team are back with a bang. Below Ground starts with Scott being found stabbed at Matilda’s house and she is missing. The team know Matilda well enough to know she had nothing to do with Scott’s attack and would only be missing for a serious reason and find out she has been kidnapped.
First thoughts point to the begrudged Steve Harrison, who blames Matilda for his life failings and being locked up for life in a max security prison. He makes no secret of his hatred. Steve is questioned but is he really behind Matilda’s disappearance?
Meanwhile a body has been found in a car deserted in the woodland, it is one of three missing sex workers and Sian fears her ex-husband and serial killer Stuart is to blame. Stuart denies any involvement in this death. The forensic team discover more bodies in the vicinity and the team are getting a bit to close to the truth for the killers liking.
As always, such an eventful, rollercoaster plot. Twist upon twist as the story develops. Even without Matilda being present, this book really works as the characters and team are so well developed and likeable that you can really relate to the emotions they are going through. Just when you think Michael Wood has peaked, he succumbs all expectations with this instalment.