C.S. Green’s “Down Among the Dead” offers a solid foundation for a police procedural. Detective Rose Gifford is a compelling lead, and the central mystery is intriguing enough to keep you turning pages. The characters, both living and deceased (supposedly), are well-developed and add layers to the investigation.

However, the narrative stumbles under the weight of excessive backstory. While some background can be helpful, the novel delves into unnecessary details that bog down the pacing. This is further compounded by the inclusion of ghostly encounters. While the concept might hold some appeal, the execution here feels out of place, jarring the reader.

For fans of traditional police procedurals, “Down Among the Dead” might feel like a missed opportunity. The core elements are there, but the extra baggage prevents the story from reaching its full potential. If you’re looking for a straightforward detective thriller, this might not be your cup of tea.

Another great instalment in the Rose Gifford series - I love this character and the unchartered crimes investigation team (UCIT)! Having the spooky, supernatural element gives a great twist to the standard crime/police procedural genre and CS Green's writing is a delight to read - the characters, pace and storytelling are superb. Highly recommend.

Another great read from c s green never fails to disappoint you are sucked in and I love the way she twist and turns just when you think you solved it she throws something else into the mix

This is a brilliant crime series. It’s got a bit of a supernatural element too which adds to the story.
Detective Rose Gifford and her colleague Adam investigate unusual crimes. When they are asked to look into the death of a woman at a climbing centre in the woods, it’s not clear straight away what happened.
When they find a creepy stick doll next to the body they know why they were called.
Upon further investigation they find other people have died who were linked to this woman but they can’t seem to understand why.
It all seems linked to the woods and an old myth about a girl who was buried alive but they can’t see how this relates to the present day.
Rose has some personal problems as well but does her best to stay focussed on the case.
This is a great read that I really enjoyed.
Thanks to Harper Collins UK and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.