Oh my goodness, even though we are only in March, and I have a lot of books still to read this year, I would be surprised if this book doesn't end up in my top five for the year. Not just because of its contents, which were brilliant, but because of the ending. I mean, how is the author possible going to follow this... What a debut!
There are two timelines in this book. We follow what happens back in 1984 in the Longacre Children's home. To say that it isn't very well run is a bit of an understatement with all sorts of abuse going on making the children's lives a living hell. In the present, DI Ray Drake is called to oversee a rather nasty crime, the heinous murder of Kenny Overton and his family, with his prodigy DS Flick Crowley as lead investigator. Pretty soon it becomes evident that Ray has a vested interest in the crime and, as more crimes occur, he starts to muscle in more and more and it starts to seem like he has something to hide personally, at all costs. As Flick starts to make connections with other deaths, previously ruled suicide or accident, it becomes clear that someone is targeting people with connections to the home. A serial killer is on the loose, and their sights soon become set on Ray too. Exactly what is his connection, what is he trying to hide? As secrets and lies slowly get uncovered, will Ray be able to hold Flick off before she finds out too much?
Several days after finishing this book and I am still so very impressed by it. To say that I never saw that happening is a big understatement but, that said, it's totally in context with what went before. As things progressed, I started to wonder a few things, some stuff just didn't quite gel and I got thinking about motivations. The tag line for this book is so black and white; "one became a detective... one became a killer" but are the lines really that defined?
The plotting for this book was excellent. It definitely kept me wondering throughout as I tried to second guess and work things out. It was also refreshingly unique. I read so many of this genre of book that it does take a lot to really impress me but this author has done so, and then some! It's quite intricate so you do have to have your wits about you whilst reading.
The atmosphere of the book is quite dark and the author also gets this across very nicely without wasting too many words in superfluous description. His style is neat and succinct and he sets a very good scene without distracting too much from the story. He has managed to create an original voice rather than try to match others who have gone before. This also helps his pacing which was also very good throughout. It was also quite a cerebral book for me as it did have me questioning my own morals, thoughts and feelings as I finished it.
The best things and the worst thing about the book was the ending, the best thing because it was sheer brilliance, the worst, well, now I have to wait to see what happens next... and I will be waiting... with baited breath...

My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

My review as posted on Goodreads:

This is a very tense story. I like the writing style and Mark Hill has created an eclectic bunch of characters in this story.

The book uses a tried and tested formula of the dual-timeframe. This helps to develop a very convoluted story involving so may individuals. Who will still be alive at the end?

The parts of the story relating to the Longacre Children's Home are very disturbing, not in a graphic way, but in a psychological way.

This is also a confusing book, what is the genre?
Crime thriller-yes
Psychological thriller-sort of
Police procedural- loosely
Murder mystery- murder yes, mystery no.

I note it is described as DI Drake # 1. Can that really be true? I will eagerly await the next book in the series in that case.

My Thanks to Netgalley and The Little Brown Book Group for a copy in exchange for this review.

I didn't like DI Drake, not sure I was meant to but I find if I like the lead character its easier for me to get into a book.There were certainly plenty of characters and I had to keep my wits about me with the time switches as well.There was a lot going on, not necessarily a bad thing but I found the writing some what long winded.I wanted to like this book but did struggle really and that is a shame because I liked the sound of the plot.I think it just wasn't for me but hope that others will enjoy it.Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for an ARC in return for an honest review.

I have been unable to review this book - see notes to publisher. Many apologies

This is the debut novel for Mark Hill and, I think, a successful one and I want to thank the publisher, Little, Brown Book Group UK, and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest review.

I admit to being a crime book addict so I can be hard to please but I really enjoyed this one. The story is a familiar one of past misdemeanors coming back to haunt you but it’s told in a quite unique way. The characters are great particularly DI Ray Drake who is far from perfect and isn’t afraid of bending the rules; I found him compelling and I was desperate to find out how far he would go to hide the past. DS Flick Crowley has recently been promoted and is the lead investigator into the gruesome murders of people from Ray’s past and their families but she finds herself hampered by Ray who wants to keep the past buried however, it becomes clear that this is not going to be possible as the killer, named The Two O’Clock Boy, has him and his daughter in his sights.

This is a compelling read with great characters, an intricate plot which is well written at a great pace and, I think, will be enjoyed by readers who enjoy a dark story with twists and turns and a satisfying ending.

Mark Hill has created an interesting and complex character in DI Ray Drake and I am very much looking forward to the next installment in the series.

Two childhood friends. One becomes a Detective, the other becomes a killer.

DI Ray Drake investigates several murders that all have a common link, they were all ay Longacre Children's home during the 1980's. The children lived in terror of Gordon Tallis, the homes manager. When Connor Laird arrived he quickly becomes Tallis's favourite criminal helper. Now someone is killing everyone who lived there.

I was quickly drawn into this book and I throughly enjoyed it. It's well written with believable characters.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Little Brown Book Group UK and the author Mark Hill for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Quite good, if a little predictable. Slow to build up. A once-only read.

yet another great book to get my mind blowing! This certainly did that from the very beginning. I had no idea who I should trust, I like books like that, books that keep me guessing right until the very end. This did just that with all its twists and turns and cold and calculating characters. Boy it was a good one

Great story, recommending this at work.

Thanks for the advanced copy

TBC

What a fantastic novel , has it all , intrigue , history ,sex ,drugs ,believable characters and a thrilling exciting plot , highly recommend !

Great thriller to read. Look forward to reading more from this author

I really enjoyed the book, but I'd guessed the ending and twist quite early on, and kept worrying all the way through that this was spoiling my enjoyment of the journey.