I don't know how, but William Hussey has done it again. After reading Killing Jericho I was as disappointed as much as I loved it because I - incorrectly - thought that I would never read anything so brilliant again and that the sequel could never live up to the original. I have never been so happy to be proven wrong before. The characters were just as wonderful and realistic as in the first book and I adored seeing Jericho and Harry's relationship, especially since it wasn't perfect, just like it should be given everything that happened previously. I especially loved seeing the travellers' reaction to Harry and I laughed out loud more than once at how they constantly "chose" Harry over Jericho, considering just how worried Jericho had been, thinking that his father would never accept Harry. DCI Tallis being aro/ace was just a cherry on top of an already delicious cake, and I have no idea why I'm so surprised by it considering that this entire series has given me the most realistic representation of queer characters that I've ever read! The murders themselves were also just as gruesome and fascinating as in Killing Jericho, which was certainly no small feat, and once again, I didn't have even the slightest suspicion as to who the killer was until the grand reveal at the end. Needless to say, this series is without a doubt the best book series that I have ever read, and both books are easily within my top five favourite novels of all time!

A creepy gothic murder mystery. Ex-police detective, convict and fairground traveller Scott Jericho returns in this second novel. When fortune tellers and psychics are ritually murdered, can Scott find the brutal killer before more blood is shed? A dark, sharp and compelling read.

An exciting second book about ex detective Scott Jericho.

William Hussey has done it again. This is another deadly thriller, with twists and turns. A slightly slow start, but once you're hooked, this will keep you guessing until the end.

I really enjoy William Hussey’s writing and his ability to vary tone, from dark YA thriller, to teen romantic comedy and this series, hard boiled detective crime.

I say this because gritty crime books aren’t something I pick up, but because of Hussey I read the first Scott Jericho book and was instantly drawn in.

The series follows Jericho, a member of a Traveller family in a fairground. Scott has a chequered, violent past - culminating in a stint in the police - before beating a suspect and serving time. His world has mobsters, serial killers, paedophiles, violence and more stuff I shy away from. This second book looks at TV mediums and a crime against a member of his community.

But. Whereas some of that genre are patriarchal, violence glorifying, wish-fulfillment for sad blokes who want to be hard men, this is much more nuanced. Scott’s sexuality and connection to his community are really well handled. His relationship to his mentor is beyond complex and drives the narrative across both books.

While there is an element of ‘gratuitously torture the hero ‘cos he’s a double hard bastard’ Jericho is much more likely to use his wit and intelligence in a situation, and Hussey never forgets that the mystery is key. His Christie-esque plots come together perfectly with red herrings peppered throughout and the revelations always feel like ‘I could have got that, but it was just out of reach’.

I enjoy the characters he creates, which are explored enough to be fascinating but not enough to slow the plot down.

I loved this dark little gem, and there’s is an insane setup for the third book that will make you very upset at Hussey for not having it released already.

Extra accolades go to him for the first mobster/crime boss character that ever ever actually been interested in. I won’t spoil more about his but he is unsettling and unique.

I was #gifted the chance to listen to this on audiobook by the publisher, and would definitely recommend it. The narrator was well paced, did enough voice work to make it clear who was who without distracting accents and caricatures. A great way to enjoy the story.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author (William Hussey) and also the publishers, Zaffre, for the opportunity to read this ARC in response for an honest review.

I thoroughly loved the first Jericho book by William Hussey so when I spotted this I didn't hesitate. I love the concept of this series, an ex-cop who has returned to the travelling community. The first I think is still my favourite though. I felt the link in this story was just a little tedious - it felt a little dragged out. I can't begin to assess whether the author has accurately portrayed individual's from the fayre but I felt it provided a good understanding of the culture whilst following Scott Jericho who is slightly different having previously been Police. We see less of his family and friends in this novel, and so I felt there was less of an emotional connection to the story and none of the characters were particularly endearing - in fact even Scott was less likeable to me in this story. That said...I am already looking forward to what Scott Jericho comes up against in the next instalment.

Once this one gets off the ground, pardon the pun, it's a great follow up to the first book . Give it a whirl. This is a deadly thrilling series

The second novel from William Hussey set amidst the travelling fairground life of Scott Jericho who is also an ex-detective. For me the novelty of the setting has worn off and I found that the story did not really grip me as much as the first.

Jerocho is back and I loved him even more in this second instalment than in the first! There is a lot of development both at a personal level but also community wise. Layers upon layers are being added to Jericho's history and character and the travellers' community is being developed quite nicely as well. As for the murders, we once again have a very interesting story linking them all, exploring one aspect that the travellers community insist upon: clairvoyance. I loved that all the facets of this practice have been explored, and to my mind is once again clear that Hussey has inside knowledge and makes a grated job of offering us a realistic view of the travellers community. Also interesting the introduction of DCI Thomas Tallis, I am rather curious if he will feature in the next book?!

What else can I say then: Hussey please hurry with the next book!!

This is the second book in the Jericho series. I thought it built well on the first book and I really enjoyed it.

This is the second book in this series & I loved catching up with the great character of Scott Jericho again.
I enjoyed this one as much as I did the first one.
Scott Jericho is a gay ex police detective whose family are fairground travellers.
He broke away from that life to get an education & joined the police force which was unusual for someone of his background.
Unfortunately that ended when his temper ran away with him & he ended up in prison for attacking a murder victim.
In this story Scott is now working the fairground with his father .
Trouble always seems to find Scott & before he knows it he is helping hunt down a serial killer.
Someone is targeting mediums & it becomes personal when they target someone close to him. There’s something about Scott Jericho’s character that I really like he is definitely different.
Well written this great storyline is full of twists & turns to keep you on your toes.
Thoroughly enjoyed it & can’t wait to see what happens next.

There was a lot to like about this book but I am not sure if it entirely matched my aspirations for a book. I liked the location and I loved the fact that the main character worked on a fairground.

Scott Jericho is very intriguing with lots of aspects in his life giving food for thought. The plot was crafted carefully and I appreciated the twists and turns throughout. The relationships between a few of the characters stretched my appreciation somewhat!

The book is part of a series but I am not certain how much more I wish to read. I am keeping an open mind though!!

A delicious sequel that only builds upon what the first book set into motion. Wonderfully written, twists and turns aplenty. I adored this and cannot wait for more. Scott and Has are couple goals!

From Good Reads:
Book 2 absolutely does not disappoint.
Jericho is an unforgettable character with .. a varied past ... and a talent for getting into trouble
Funfairs, Superstitions, Gangsters and Murder mix wonderfully. Fast paced and twisty.
Looking forward to next

Jerichos Dead is the second book in the Scott Jericho series by William Hussey.
In short, when a vicious serial killer targeting fortune tellers and psychics, targets someone close to him, Jericho inserts himself into the police investigation. And if his recent experience in Bradbury End had taught Jericho anything, the unlikeliest of suspects sometimes turn out to be the most depraved killers!
William Hussey has done it again, Jerichos Dead is another tense, chilling thriller…it’s a chaotic merry go round ride at the funfair which reels you in and never lets go. Great original series, bring on book 3!
Big thanks to William Hussey, Bonnier Books UK and NetGalley for this eARC which I chose to read in return for my honest review.

There's a thrill in discovering a book that's part of a series, promising a reunion with characters you want to spend more time with. This was my experience when I started reading Killing Jericho and, soon after, the sequel, Jericho's Dead. In these books, we delve into the life of Scott Jericho, a troubled and flawed character who is also a traveller and ex-police detective - an unusual combination.

As someone who grew up by the seaside, the allure of the fair is strong. Within the grit and glitz of the fairground, we meet Scott for the first time. He has to get his life back on track when he is pulled into unravelling a series of gruesome murders and confronting a past nemesis. After the thrill ride of the chase, the ending was totally unexpected, as was the rationale for the murders, and I was hooked and keen for more.

The second book, Jericho's Dead, finds Scott investigating murders within the psychic world after a fortune teller he is close to is found dead. William Hussey had me at Halloween and fortune tellers and I was once again following in Scott's footsteps as he unravelled the mystery of these deaths and who was behind them.

I can't wait for book 3. I love a character I can get behind, and Scott Jericho is definitely that man. I'm excited to find out where William Hussey will take us next.

Jericho’s Dead is a follow up to Killing Jericho, with ex-police detective Scott Jericho, a gay, Oxbridge educated man from the travelling community, finding himself investigating a serial killer who is targeting mediums and psychics. This series has a strong cast of interesting characters and William Hussey has the ability to convey the energy and atmosphere of the fairground community highly effectively. A worthy follow-up to the first book in the series and an appetiser for more to come. This would make a great TV series.

With thanks to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy

After really enjoying the first book in the series I was intrigued to see where the second would take Scott Jericho - ex CID/ convict now living back with his traveller family on Jericho's funfair.
Jericho is an intriguing and increasingly well developed character and, even though serial killer themes are not my usual sub genre of crime these days I feel invested enough in the character and the author's writing style to see where this one would go.
Initially the book looks as if it might be going down a more supernatural route than its' predecessor: as a killer seems to be focusing on mediums and psychics.
A second series novel is always tricky in terms of the amount of detail and method the author uses to cover what happened in the first novel and William Hussey manages it well - not only moving things along but dangling plenty of strings for future books.
This is a strong series two books in and there's a strong enough set of characters here that the author could take it in any direction of crime stories. I look forward to seeing what comes next.

Oh my, what a read this was. I can safely say that it has made one of my top reads for 2024 and I look forward to Jericho Book 3.

Scott Jericho is such n intriguing character that it's almost impossible to put the book down. I read this in two sittings and the pages just turned themselves.
It's very refreshing to have a main protagonist from an under-represented group and being both from the travelling community and gay, Scott Jericho is a welcome addition to the crime fiction world. He is beautifully drawn - flawed, strong, vulnerable, loyal, filled with rage, intelligent, charismatic.... need I go on.

As with the previous book in the series, Jericho's Dead is a good old fashioned puzzle but set very firmly in a contemporary UK. The clues are dropped at just the right frequency and the different strands are interwoven seamlessly.
The right balance of emotional intelligence, action, tension and puzzles. I loved it 5* from me

This is an excellent series, fast paced and featuring an original and flawed main characters. It's gritty, violent and gripping. The type of story you love and cannot stop even when you think it's a bit too much.
Good plot and character development, excellent storytelling.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

William Hussey returns to the gloriously brutal world of Scott Jericho with "Jericho's Dead," the follow-up to 2023's excellent "Killing Jericho." Right from the off, Hussey wastes no time in throwing us (and Scott) back to the wolves; a brutal series of murders, a conspiracy involving fortune tellers and a figure from the past all play key roles in making this second Jericho novel even more of a thrill ride than the first.

Scott Jericho is a flawed hero; a former police officer pulled back into the sleuthing game by circumstance. Hussey has crafted an incredible three-dimensional protagonist who feels all too real in the best possible way.

The central mystery in "Jericho's Dead" unfolds at a breakneck pace with relentless twists and turns that keep the solution just out of reach for the duration. When the ending comes, it hits hard and fits firmly in the world Hussey has created. The threads left dangling as we (hopefully) head towards a third novel in the series.

There is a dark, looming presence over this novel in the form of the first novel's twist-reveal villain (who I won't name here because, y'know, spoilers) but somehow Hussey makes this figure even more intimidating with far less page-time. This character, coupled with the threatening new antagonist from Scott's past, offer a delicious tension that never seems to go away. If Hussey keeps this up, the future of the series will be dark - oh, so dark.