I read this book as a standalone (haven't read book one), and on the whole I thought it held up well. I suspect I'd have cared more about the main characters if I'd read book one, though. As it was, I never fully clicked with either of them. It was also hard to tell how/why they related to one another.

The mystery plots were enjoyable, though as another reviewer noted, the level of coincidence was a bit high for suspension of disbelief. Overall, I enjoyed this and would be interested in reading book one if my library got it, but it wasn't something I'll be raving about.

My thanks to the publisher/NetGalley for an advance copy of this book.

I received a free copy of, The Devil's Smile, by Daniel Sellers, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This is book two in the Yorkshire Killings series. Adrian Brown is in his second year of university and he has another murder to solve, when his friend Sheila when her coworker goes missing. This was an intriguing read, fast paced.

This is the follow-up to The Lollipop Man, a novel which I enjoy. It’s October 1995 and the location is Leeds where we follow the progress and investigations of renowned TV host of Yorkshire. CrimeTime and journalist at the Yorkshire Press, Sheila Hargreaves and university student Adrian Brown. Sheila‘s co- host Tony Tranter, with whom she has a rocky relationship, has gone missing. Meanwhile, Adrian is struggling with the events of the Lollipop Man investigation and is also finding navigating the gay scene a difficult experience. A violent encounter following a night out understandably totally shakes him up. Could there be a link to the murder of 21 year old Craig Salter and other attacks on gay men?

A bit like my experience with the start of the previous novel, I’m a bit bamboozled and confused at the start as there’s so much to take in. However, once the scenes are set, it becomes easier to follow the dark storyline. There are shocks in store, not just for Sheila, but for Adrian too. There are a few lulls in the storytelling, there’s a lot of dialogue but the storyline is gritty and chilling and I like how the darker side of the city of Leeds is used in the plot. The 90s timeline is a good one too and you get a real sense of the period of time. The central characters are likeable as are some of the secondary ones but there are a lot of characters to get your head around and some are undeveloped as a consequence.

Overall, it’s a decent thriller but I’m not sure I’ll wish to continue with the series.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Allison and Busby for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and Allison & Busby for the eARC.
After the first book in the series, The Lollipop Man, I was excited for the second one, It was great to be back in Adrian's and Sheila's world, they are such likeable characters.
Sheila is co-hosting a real-life tv show with Tony, who she dislikes.: he's frequently late, full.of himself and probably an alcoholic.
Adrian, still anxious after his ordeal in The Lollipop Man, has another setback after he's attacked by a stranger; he's even afraid to leave the house.
When Tony goes missing and is subsequently found murdered, a lot of salacious rumours come out about his private life, but the police are strangely reluctant to delve into that, not willing to consider it relevant.
This is another great read, I loved it and couldn't put it down. Can't wait for the next one!

The Devil's Smile is the second in a series set in mid nineties Leeds. It involves the same lead characters, local tv presenter Sheila Hargreaves and student Adrian Brown. For the second time, the pair are drawn into the hunt for a killer.

Adrian is drugged and assaulted by a man who he meets in a gay club, but survives. He finds out he is not the first victim and eventually goes to the police. Meanwhile Sheila's colleague Tony Tranter goes missing, and his body is found in a deserted area. The two cases, of course, become linked. Both Sheila and Adrian investigate, working with, and occasionally around, the police.

Overall, this is a decent thriller, although the core plot relies on too many coincidences. The sense of place is good, and the retro setting gives it a little of a different feel. The links between the two main characters established in the first novel give them a relationship, but both again being involved in a series of murders is a little hard to believe.

I dived right into this as soon as I finished reading the first in this series, The Lollipop Man. I was curious as to where Adrian and Sheila were in their lives and how they had developed and I wasn't disappointed. This is the second in the series and I do think you need to have read the first to understand the back story of Adrian in particular but you might just get away with it as the author does provide some history.

The book takes place in Yorkshire in the 1990's and has a real eclectic set of characters which works really well. There a two story lines, each of which were equally as intriguing as each other and kept me guessing as to whether they were related or not. It is well paced and kept me reading to the end.

A good psychological thriller that I would recommend and thanks to the author, Allison and Busby and NetGalley for enabling me to read this, the second in a developing series.

After the attack from the Lollipop Man, Adrian and Sheila have both moved on with their lives - Adrian is now at university in Leeds, while Sheila is co-hosting a crime reconstruction programme. But when Adrian is drugged and almost attacked in his own home, and Sheila's co-host disappears - their lives intertwine once more. Both of them will need to use all of their investigative talents to ensure that they aren't the next body found.

This is a very confident second book in the series - the characters who return from the first book feel much more fleshed-out and the story is a lot more engaging. 5*.

The Devil's Smile is the second novel in the Yorkshire Killings series by Daniel Sellers. Just like the previous novel, (The Lollipop Man), The Devil's Smile is a dark and disturbing but brilliant story, set in the mid-1990s. And concerns a a number of violent attacks on gay men and also the high profile murder of a TV presenter.
Adrian and Sheila both return and once again are thrust into the middle of the mysteries.
I really enjoyed this novel, and, there are several intersecting storylines that add to the overall intrigue and elevate this novel above the usual murder mystery. The characters are believable and written to be compelling and sympathetic. And is a great addition to this strong series.

The Devil’s Smile is the second book in the Yorkshire Killings series by Daniel Sellers and whilst it built on the promise of the first one I felt that it was just a little bit too obvious in places which slightly reduced my enjoyment.

Overall though it was a good read.

The Devil’s Smile is the follow up novel to The Lollipop Man and is also set in 1990’s Leeds, featuring the sleuthing efforts of local legend TV presenter Sheila Hargreaves and Adrian Brown, a second year university student that got caught up with a serial killer in the previous book and who looks like he may have struck unlucky again.

The characters are great, the evocation of the 1990s is great and the plot line is also brilliant. I couldn’t wait to find out what had happened to the sleazy TV host Tony Tranter and to find out whether he was an innocent victim or if he had it coming.

A recommended read for lovers of crime fiction.

The Devil’s Smile is a moody, immersive crime thriller that captures the dark side of 1990s Leeds with raw energy and a clever dual narrative. The story reconnects readers with Adrian Brown, now in his second year at university and still reeling from past trauma. His nightlife is all neon and noise until a violent encounter forces him to face a much darker reality.

At the same time, Sheila Hargreaves—true crime writer and reluctant celebrity after her success with the Lollipop Man case—is back in the spotlight with her new TV show, Yorkshire Crimetime. But her co-host Tony Tranter’s sudden disappearance, followed by his grisly murder, throws her straight into another chilling mystery.

Sellers weaves together the threads of Adrian’s vulnerability and Sheila’s determination with impressive tension. Their bond, born of earlier horrors, deepens here in a way that feels authentic. The contrast between grim back alleys and the bright, performative world of television creates a compelling backdrop for the unfolding investigation.

The book doesn't shy away from difficult themes, particularly gender-based violence and exploitation, but handles them with sensitivity. The atmosphere is perfectly gritty, the pacing brisk without ever feeling rushed, and the mystery keeps you guessing with every turn.

The Devil’s Smile is a strong, character-driven thriller with an emotional core. Daniel Sellers continues to prove himself as a confident voice in British crime fiction. A gripping and thoughtful read, especially for fans of dark psychological crime with a sense of place and purpose.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

Adrian and Shiela are reunited in the 90s in this second installment by Daniel Sellers.

A greaty follow up to the first book which I raced through.

Thanks to net galley and the publishers for this arc.

4 stars

Thanks to Daniel and NetGalley for allowing me to read The Devil’s Smile prior to the publication date.
This is a follow on from The Lollipop Man but it can be read as a standalone book.
It is an easy read about the difficult subject of abuse of power, but it is worthwhile remembering that this takes place in 1995.

Sheila Hargreaves is co-host with Tony Tranter on the Yorkshire CrimeTime program.
Whilst Tony is adored by the audiences, he is a nightmare to work with. His close friendship with Frank Crossland, the Station Controller and Executive Producer, means that any complaints about Tony’s behaviour are brushed over.
When Tony goes missing, information about his alleged activities starts to surface.
Meanwhile Adrian Brown’s experience of first love and the gay scene leads to unexpected violence.

Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to read this book in return for an honest review. I really enjoyed the first book in this series so I was excited to read the new book and I definitely wasn’t disappointed. An absolute thrill of a ride, just like the previous book. A great collection of characters that are so very different but gel extremely well together. A thrilling story that never let me stop to catch my breath, it was so fast paced and I love that about a book. You will definitely need to read the first book in the series in order to enjoy this story to its fullest potential. I really hope that there will be another book in this series as it is so good. Highly recommend. 5 stars

Adrian Brown is a broken man who visits nightclubs frequented by other gay men. One night, he is drugged, driven home and nearly murdered by an assailant who preys on vulnerable men. TV personality Sheila Hargreaves is cohost of a popular true crime series. Her co-presenter Tony Tranter, a womanizing alcoholic, is unreliable and misses an evening broadcast. Later his body is found. He’s been stabbed to death. Now Adam and Sheila’s lives collide. Both are waiting to be a crucial witnesses in the trial of a notorious killer. Both know men who have been viciously attacked and murdered. Could the same person be responsible for the attacks? With Adrian’s help, Sheila, a reporter and a police detective work to unravel a complicated case involving corruption, assault and deception.

The Devil’s Smile, an excellent police procedural by Daniel Sellers, has well described characters, especially Adam, Sheila, Jeanette and Nikki. This thriller offers a compelling contrast between the gritty world of dark nightclubs and the polished, high-pressure environment of TV broadcasting. I look forward to the next in this series!. 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Allison & Busby and Daniel Sellers for this ARC.

This is a great, if somewhat complex story. I had no idea it was the second book in what I guess will be a series. The frequent reference to the first book meant I constantly felt I was missing uout.

A ‘cast of thousands’ meant I was frequently confused about who was who and were they fitted in. There. Was little or no character building (perhaps it relied on book 1) so left me out in the cold and ultimately not caring about the dangers the characters faced.

A good book that could have been great but missed the mark for me.

Many thanks to the publishers for the early early access to this book.
A captivating,chilling, and well paced thriller set in 1990's Yorkshire.
Adrian is still struggling from events in book 1 in this series and is driven even deeper into despair when his faced with another truamaic ordeal.
Sheila is also drawn into another harrowing crime, which is connected to her TV show,I like how strong and determined she is, and her friendship with Adrian in spite of the age gap is endearing.
Gavin is a great friend to Adrian, always there with a shoulder to lean on,I'd like to see his character explored a bit more in upcoming books.
The story covers 2 crimes in which one outcome was a surprise, and the other I felt ended a bit abruptly once the culprit was revealed, but that doesn't take nothing away from this great psychological thriller read.
Roll on Book 3
Highly Recommended.
Thanks to Netgalley and Allison and Busby for the Arc.

Top notch investigative mystery - awesome build from Lollipop Man and we have Sheila, Adrian et al, back in the game. You might guess a bit, but not everything! Enought twists and red herriings to keep you guessing. A winner for murder mystery fans.

This was another good read featuring Sheila and Adrian with some nasty assaults and two murders being the crimes that they find themselves caught up in now. Over a year has passed sine the Lollipop Man case and in this book they aren’t working together as much although they are still in regular contact. Sheila finds herself caught up in trying to work out why her tv costar has been murdered whilst Adrian has his own reasons for investigating the attacks but comes to realise the two crimes could well be connected. I would have liked more of Sheila and Adrian collaborating however the format does work well and I loved the part Sheila’s friend Jeanette plays in this, she was quite a significant character in this and really helped with story progression. I liked that the murder victim was very flawed as it opened up so much motive and caused problems for Sheila too which added to the tension. Adrian’s story was well considered and it was interesting to see the varying Police attitudes to the case. Overall there’s some great crimes, it feels authentic to the time it’s set and I personally love the familiar Yorkshire settings.

Who is killing people? That is the question I had in my mind while reading. It is a dark crime mystery that had me looking for any signs. The characters are trying to solve the mystery while not getting killed themselves. It's haunting, nitty gritty,dark plot leaves you breathless.