Thank you NetGalley for the ARC opportunity!

3.5⭐️

This was good but felt longer than it needed to be. I didnt think we needed all of the POV jumps to that many people. It distracted from the bigger point of the story. I was also left with some questions that never got resolved.

D.S. Butler’s See No Evil is a chilling and twisted thriller that lingers in your mind long after you’ve turned the final page. At the center of the story is the brutal murder of a woman, but it’s the way she is left behind that makes the narrative especially haunting. That disturbing detail gives the book its unforgettable edge, setting it apart from other crime thrillers and immediately pulling readers into a dark, unsettling world.

Butler’s strength lies not only in the disturbing premise but also in the way the characters drive the story forward. Each one feels essential, carefully crafted to play an integral role in the investigation and the unraveling of the mystery. Rather than being simple background players, they become threads woven tightly into the plot, creating a cast that feels both compelling and indispensable. Their interactions add tension, conflict, and emotion, ensuring that readers remain deeply invested in both the case and the people connected to it.

The pacing is another standout element. The suspense builds steadily, with each chapter revealing new layers of secrets, lies, and betrayals. Just when you think you’ve figured out where the story is heading, Butler throws in a twist that forces you to reconsider everything. The result is a narrative that feels unpredictable, unsettling, and impossible to put down.

Ultimately, See No Evil succeeds because it balances a disturbing, atmospheric crime with strong character development and razor-sharp plotting. It’s creepy in all the right ways and keeps the tension high until the very end. Fans of dark thrillers and police procedurals will find this an engrossing, standout read that showcases D.S. Butler’s ability to craft stories that are as character-driven as they are spine-chilling.

3.5 stars! This one took me a little bit to get into but then once it picked up it kept me guessing. Overall, I enjoyed it, and I appreciated that it worked fine as a standalone, since I haven’t read any other books in the series.

I enjoyed the audiobook edition and thought the narrator was a good fit!

***SPOILERS BELOW***

The biggest things that kept me from giving it five stars were the dialogue and some of the character choices. The dialogue felt stilted throughout in a way that kept taking me out of the story. I also was really confused by a lot of Karen’s choices in particular. I know a lot of it is explained by high emotions clouding judgment, but it still felt unrealistic in the way she kept charging full steam ahead at any cost. She knows how dangerous the people they’re dealing with are and repeatedly says she doesn’t want her fiancé to be in danger, but then leaves to go to the park by herself to clear her head? She thinks it’s suspicious that the house is dark and the police detail left, but still enters like all is normal? I don’t know, it just confused me.

I did love that this book kept me guessing though. I can genuinely say I didn’t suspect the murderer, and the last 20% or so especially had me on edge! I didn’t see the twists with Ruth or Naomi coming at all.

haven’t read a book in this series in a while and I’m not sure why. I love a good police procedural. Especially when the case is personal. And this one can’t get much more personal for Karen Hart. She finds her future MIL murdered.

With no shortage of suspects, all of them seemed to be hiding something. I really liked how the author mixed in Karen and her family all handling their grief differently and balanced that against solving the cases. This added a complexity to Karen and her team’s ultimate goal.

Definitely twisty but it was also nice to revisit with the characters. That’s part of what I like in police procedural series. The dynamics of the team and how they mix their personal and professional lives. This really exemplified that aspect.

Henrietta Meire is a new to me narrator and was easy to listen to. She did a good job of voicing Karen and all the other characters. It was a pleasant listen.

See No Evil by D.S. Butler (Book 11 in the Detective Karen Hart series) was a total rollercoaster. What should have been a celebratory night for Karen and her fiancé turns horrifying when his mother is found brutally murdered. With her team forcing her off the case, Karen can’t sit back—especially as more chilling crimes unfold.

This one was fast-paced, full of secrets, and impossible to put down. Butler always delivers on suspense, and Karen Hart is such a strong, engaging lead. If you like police procedurals with plenty of suspects and shocking twists, this series is one to check out.

I really enjoyed this book and it was a great spooky season read. Well written!! Will be recommending to my readers

Thanks to Brillance Audio and NetGalley for this ALC for review. All opinions are my own.

See No Evil by Butler is book is number 11 in a series that can be read a stand-alone. I have read a few others in the series, so I knew that I liked Butler's writing style. However, this one just didn't work for me. It felt repetitive in the beginning, slowing through the middle before picking up in the end and with the epilogue. There could have been chapters written with background story of the killers and the history that led them to this point. The trope in this one isn't a favorite of mine, as I don't usually pick up titles that have a years later revenge storyline. Interesting to have the characters so interconnected, but it was a little confusing since they were referenced by their titles like "she should have been my mother in law". There were also missing elements for me that I find in other novels, like the DS team working together to solve the crime, somehow I didn't really feel that vibe with this one.

I liked the reader of the book as it was my first audio for this series.

See No Evil took so many unexpected turns. It was gruesome, dark and sad. DS Karen and Mike thought the worse thing they had to deal with was finding Lorraine dead. But it wasn't. Everything that happened after that, was dark and terrible.

Karen's life, job and day-to-day was flipped upside down the more things came out. I understood why they didn't want her to be a part of the investigation, but at the same time, the secret keeping, could have caused more harm than not. DS Karen and her department went through a lot trying to solve these murders, new and old. Karen did what she could, with the help of Arnie & Sophie.

A lot happened in this book, that would definitely make me want to tune into the entire series, and catch up from the first book. Because I'm sure so much has happened from book 1 to this one. I feel terribly for Mike and James. They went through so much and it was unfair to them. The victims didn't deserve it either.

I enjoyed the narrator, Henrietta Meire. Her delivery of the puns and even the serious bits were on point. She was really good.

I received an Audio ARC of this book from NetGalley.

When DS Karen Hart’s fiancé Mike’s Mother is killed, she wants badly to help solve the case. Due to her closeness to the case she is not allowed to help in the investigation. When someone else related to Mike also turns up dead she decides to try to crack the case before she becomes a possible next victim.
This was a pretty good listen! I didn’t know it was part of a series, but it can be read as a standalone. I kept wanting to know who was the killer and I was surprised who it was in the end. I felt the narration was also good and loved the accent.

I really really enjoyed this mystery. Honestly there were a few times my ideas of suspects were probably ridiculous, but I just couldn’t piece it together right away. This thriller definitely kept me on my toes and had me worried for our heroine in more ways than one.


Definitely worth the read. The audio was really enjoyable as well.

Thank you D.S. Butler, Brilliance Publishing, and NetGalley for this opportunity. I received a copy of this book to review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

So normally I don't care for DI, DS, or DC books or series because I always find the lead to be cold, selfish, ruthless and uncaring. I usually wind up feeling sorry for the criminal or people lives they ruin in the search for their villainous justice, such as the case in the series Luther. However, I found this book quite refreshing and easy to follow. The author hit a home run in every criterion in my book. Although the book is a series, this book could stand alone. In fact, I didn't even realize it was a series until later.

This book had great characters, a great plot and story line and amazing narration. I had favorite characters in the book and least favorites, but I wanted to hear and see how everyone's character would fare out. I actually was invested in this book and did feel for some of the characters. I was on the edge of my seat hoping a favorable outcome for some. I loved this book! It makes me want to read the others. Thanks to Netgalley, the author and publisher for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I gave this 4 stars because it was my own fault for not releasing this was the 11th in a series when I applied on NetGalley to read an advance copy. That said, I didn't find it terribly hard to stay on track with the story. I liked it enough I would go back and start from book 1 to see if that changes my perspective and investment in the characters. Think you should give this series a try. Thanks, NetGalley!

<i>I listened to the audiobook format, which isn't available on Goodreads yet. Thank you to Netgalley for providing a free copy for review purposes. All opinions are my own.</i>

This was really fun! It reminded me of Louise Penney in its sprawling cast - we get perspectives from many people on the police force and the characters involved in the case. However, it was fast paced, and I almost never lost track of who was who (super impressive, considering my audiobook track record). While this is part of a series, I felt like both the recurring characters and plot events that carried over from past installments were easy to understand for the context of this book. I haven't read the other books yet, but I certainly wouldn't be opposed to picking them up now! I'm pretty intrigued by Karen's dynamic with the gangster.

While I didn't "buy" the ending all the way (I didn't feel the emotional truth of the choices in the way I do in, say, a Tana French book), it was still an entertaining twist that worked on a logical level.

The audiobook was well done too. This was the perfect mystery to put on in the background while I'm going grocery shopping, doing PT exercises, or biking to work. It's easy to follow, engaging, and twisty!

So, plot twist, I didn’t realize this was book 11 in a series 🤦🏻‍♀️ Clearly should’ve done my research first. That being said, I still dove in and was able to follow along just fine without the previous books. The chapters were quick, the characters were solid, and the story kept me entertained. A fun surprise read, even if I skipped straight to book 11!

Book 11 in the Detective Karen Hart police procedural and the mystery was very close to home. Karen and fiancé Mike find his mom murdered with her eyes sewn shut.

Karen was officially sidelined from the investigation and out of her depth trying to comfort Mike. So there was plenty of emotion as well as mystery.

This was my first book in this series but had no problem keeping up. Any mention of previous books provided enough information for the reader. Will definitely go back and revisit the earlier stories.

Henrietta Meire did a good job as narrator. Her pacing was a tad slow for me but still had nuance after I sped up the audiobook.

I have previously read another of the books in this series and enjoyed it but was a little wary about skipping so many. I need not have worried as it was easy to pick up and not feel I had missed out. That said I plan to go back and read the rest of the series.

DS Karen Hart finds herself on the other side of a murder investigation when her future mother in law is killed. She finds it difficult to not be involved while knowing it would not be appropriate.

The phrase biological father was repeated a few times too often but I suppose it was a strong theme.

The storyline was good and kept me interested. The narrator was excellent.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the DRC

This is part of the D.S. Karen Hart series, but I went in without reading the earlier books and had no trouble following along. That said, I liked it enough that I’ll probably go back and pick up more from this series.

The story kicks off with the shocking murder of Karen’s soon-to-be mother-in-law. As we learn more about Karens fiancé Mikes complicated family history there is the murder of another relative, again with the same gruesome details. The race is then on to find the killer before they strike again.

The pacing felt steady, with enough detail to keep the investigation realistic without dragging. I really liked how Butler built out the police team dynamics and gave Karen’s personal life some weight too so that it made me care about what happened to her and her family.

It had solid British police procedural, complete with endless cups of tea and the odd digestive biscuit. The ending wasn’t predictable either, which I always appreciate in this genre. All in all, a solid crime thriller. Definitely worth a read if you enjoy police procedurals with strong characters.

I received a copy of this book via NetGallery and am leaving this review voluntarily.

I really enjoyed listening to this novel! I didn't realise when I applied I didn't realise it was book 11 in a series. I'm glad when I realised I didn't put it down. There was an awful lot of characters in the story because it's so developed I think reading the rest of the series would benefit, however I did manage it as the stand alone. I would definitely read the rest of the series. The narrator was excellent.

This was my first book by D.S. Butler.
I enjoyed the characters, the storyline, and the pace. I liked the quick chapters as it kept me wanting more.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.