Smart, layered, and quietly intense. The story unfolds with precision, wit, and just enough shadow to keep you leaning in. Goddard doesn’t shout—he whispers, and it works beautifully.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Another gripping mystery in the second installment of the Inspector Taleb series! Picking up after the events of This is the Night they Come for You, this sequel finds Chief Inspector Mouloud Taleb attempting to ease into retirement, only to be thrust back into the fray by a seemingly harmless TV interview. When the truth slips out, it reopens an old political wound tied to Algeria’s toxic past.

From the outset, Goddard’s expertise in weaving historical depth into taut thrillers shines. The murky echoes of Algeria’s colonial era and the political fallout of a 30-year-old scandal form a rich backdrop for the present day investigation. Taleb, reluctant, introspective and quietly heroic, is matched by Hidouchi, whose intelligence and steely resolve elevate every scene they share. The dynamic between Taleb and Hidouchi, a blend of respect and tension, brings warmth to a dark story. Taleb's moral struggles and his conflict between professional duty and personal desire add real weight.

Goddard’s plotting remains labyrinthine yet clear, with double-crosses and buried secrets turning what should have been a routine investigation into a dangerous game. The pace is well balanced, methodical enough to appreciate the intricate politics and character motivations, yet punctuated by real tension and suspense. Goddard doesn’t just reference Algeria’s past; he immerses you in it without slowing the pace.

If you enjoyed the first Inspector Taleb novel, this sequel builds on it deftly, delivering atmospheric intrigue, moral complexity and a signature twist. Even readers new to Taleb’s world can dive in, though you’ll appreciate the deeper context if you're familiar with the series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for my review.

I really enjoyed the first book in the series so was looking forward to the follow up.

Again filled with Algerian history and politics it was very interesting, but I felt this was very slow paced in comparison that I struggled at times to keep going with it and I didn't enjoy it as much as I wanted to.

There were two timelines now and thirty years ago and a lot of Algerian background which I felt showed down the pace of the book, so much that at times, it took away from the story a little too much for my liking. That said its definitely a book I will pick up again in the future

A big thanks to Random House UK, Transworld Publishers | Bantam for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy.

A complicated political thriller set over two timelines. I am a huge fan of Robert Goddards novels, his writing and research is impeccable and on this level I do fault this book. However, I found this novel a difficult read but highly recommend it to readers who want an intricate delve into Algerian history.

This is the Day They Dream Of Is the second book in Robert Goddard’s Inspector Taleb series, set in Algeria and France. I really enjoyed the first book, so I was excited to be given the opportunity to read book two.

Unfortunately I found this one a bit of a slog. There is a dual timeline, both quite dense with Algerian politics, multiple government agencies and a large cast of characters. The plot was propulsive, but I often forgot which timeline I was in and who was who, especially as the book took me quite a while to read.

A recommended read for lovers of complex political thrillers.

This is the second book featuring Superintendent Mouloud Taleb, the first being the excellent This is the Night they Come for You, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Sadly, this book did not quite live up to the heady heights of the series opener but it was a good read nonetheless.
So... Taleb is still trying to wind his stellar career down with no further fuss. Sadly, trouble has a way of seeking him out and, yay for us readers, as it would be a short boring book had this not been the case! This time it comes after a decision to tell the complete truth when talking about a decades old controversial political incident which basically opens up old wounds for some and a whole heap of trouble for him, and by association, his Algerian Secret Service colleague Hidouchi.
This is one of my favourite authors going back many many years. I just love the way that he manages to weave a story around some really interesting characters and this series is no exception to that. The story mixes Algeria's past and present and I have to admit that I did get a wee bit bogged down with it all at times which did have a bit of a knock on effect to the pacing, slowing it down for me on occasion. That said it is necessary for the overall story.
That said, I do love the juxtaposition of the two main characters. The chalk and cheese are Taleb and Hidouchi, who rub up and off each other perfectly, adding a whole other layer to the story being told. Outwith the historical explanations, the rest of the story got on with itself very well indeed and was filled with fast paced action.
And then there are the well crafted and well executed twists that you would expect from this author. But I will leave you to discover these for yourself.
All in all a solid follow up to a cracking series opener, leaving me excited to see what's next. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

This book follows on sometime after the events in This is the night when they come for you. Taleb has been told that he has to appear on a TV talk show and not to disgrace himself as he is representing the Police. All is going well until a journalist starts asking questions about events of 30 years ago. His answers spark a whole chain of events that take Taleb from Algeria to France and back again. His plight is not helped by the DSS and if it wasn't for his loyal friends, he would be in big trouble.
An interesting read which uses real events from history as it's background.

A beautifully rendered story with several characters we have met once before. Robert Goddard continues to excel with thrillers and taut mystery novels which are as varied as they are brilliant.
The plot is a clever and complex mix of Algeria's dark political past and current events which could bring its difficult relationship with France into open conflict.
Superintendent Taleb and Agent Hidouchi are a perfectly mismatched double-act, and two of my favourite characters. I do hope they will return in future novels.
The action is fast-paced and there is never a dull moment. The locations are exotic and well-drawn. The villains are viciously evil and in true Robert Goddard style there is twist after twist after twist.
A captivating thriller. Not to be missed.

Incredibly intelligent, thought-provoking and well researched story telling from a master of his craft.

So different from any other mystery out there, it does take some getting into but once you do its a treat. The Algerian setting, the characters and the subtle humour. A book to absorb and enjoy. The recent books by Robert Goddard were my introduction to his writing and its a joy to read every time.

The second in the brilliant series featuring Algerian policeman Superintendent Taleb. This was a fast-paced exciting read with plenty of surprising twists. The characters are engaging and the plot is tightly controlled. I learnt a lot about Algerian political history. A very entertaining read.