Burn the Evidence

Thank you Netgalley, be-ebooks and Keith Nixon in this the second Solomon Gray book.
When a body washes up on shore, it's that of a refugee but when 2 more bodies wash up, one of them is definitely not a refugee. He is Regan Armitage, the very spoilt, womanizing son of a prominent, rich business man, who swears to find Regan's killer.
Soloman's investigations into the reasons for Regan's death, and why he was with two unrelated bodies take him to the past, 10 years to be exact.
A deadly fire in which Armitage came under suspicion is not making him a likeable character, but Solomon empathizes with him. He is an overbearing, totally unsympathetic man, but a man who has lost his son and Solomon knows how much heartbreak that causes. He is still mourning the loss of his own son, still looking for him...He is determined to solve Regan's murder.
This is a well written police procedural, a quick and engaging read. I disliked Regan's father, but that added some spice to the book. Solomon is a brooding man who still hasn't got over is son's loss, but there are signs this may change.
All in all I really enjoyed this book, but the unresolved end was a bit disappointing. On the other hand that means I will definitely be reading the third in the series! A must read for fans of British thrillers.

Burn the Evidence is the second in the Detective Solomon Grey series by author Keith Nixon. Like the first in this series, this is a fast read, a well-timed British police procedural with easy to like police and hard-nosed bad guys. I enjoyed getting to know better the essential personnel in this series, and found the prose colorful and interesting. Unlike the first in this series, there is no closure at the end of this novel, however. Will have to read Solomon Gray #3 to see how this one ends.

Very solid followup to "Dig Two Graves" finds DS Solomon Gray looking into the case of 3 bodies that wash up on the beach of a well known refugee landing area. What starts out looking like a fatal attempt by immigrants to reach English soil quickly turns into so much more when they find one of the bodies has stab marks and another one is the privileged son of a very wealthy, very powerful businessman/gangster. The investigation takes Gray all the way back to a deadly fire 10 years ago that raises more questions than answers as he simply doesn't know who he can trust.

Once again, Solomon Gray continues his heart wrenching search for his son who went missing 10 years ago at the age of 6 as new leads arise and I thought the author did a great job with this part of the story as he touched on it a few times but didn't make it the main focus of the book.

A new series that I recommend and look forward to continuing with. Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Burn the Evidence is book 2 in the Solomon Gray series.

I really enjoyed this book, there were lots of twists and a lot going on but once I sorted out who was who and how they all connected it was fine.

You have to feel sorry for Sol, he lost his son 10 years ago and it’s constantly on his mind yet still he manages to do his job and do it well. For more on the back story of Sols son you will need to read book 1 Dig Two Graves.

This story was exciting and suspenseful, it kept me on the edge of my seat turning pages really wanting to see what was going to happen next.

This really was a gripping thriller which I enjoyed very much and highly recommend.

I’m going to give this a big well deserved 4 stars.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Bastei Entertainment for a review copy of Burn the Evidence, the second novel in the Margate based DS Solomon Gray series of police procedurals.

Solomon is called in to investigate when three bodies are washed up on the beach, two are obviously illegal immigrants and the third is Regan Armitage, son of the shady Jake. Regan was not a pleasant individual but there are no obvious suspects until the investigation gets underway and the team uncover several surprises. In the meantime Solomon's friend DCI Carslake has uncovered a new lead in his son Tom's ten year old disappearance.

I must admit that I was not enthralled by Dig Two Graves, the first novel in the series, as its emphasis on Tom's disappearance and Solomon's anguish over the crime element did not appeal to me but Burn the Evidence has a different approach and I couldn't put it down. Solomon's hunt for Tom still features in a low key, background way while Mr Nixon concentrates on the murders on the beach and their extensive ramifications. It is amazing how much ground he manages to cover in such a short time, illegal immigration, corruption, the tentacles of crime, family and the shadow the past casts. It's a fascinating and assured read which had me turning the pages furiously.

I like the way Mr Nixon portrays life in a small town where everyone knows everyone and relationships tend to be ambiguous and uneasy, like Solomon and Jake Armitage who were childhood best friends but are now on opposite sides with Solomon trying to distance himself and Jake trying to play on old allegiances. It's great stuff. Solomon, himself, is not an easy character. Essentially he's a loner with one goal in life, that of finding his son, but he's a good investigator whom people talk to although his judgement is not always sound which leads to strife and more damaged relationships.

Burn the Evidence will work as a stand alone but it is better to look at it as episode 2 of an ongoing series and read Dig Two Graves first because there are several ongoing strands to the novel and characters which are still unresolved at the end of it. I'm not a big fan of cliffhangers but in this case I'll make an exception as they have really whetted my appetite for the next novel which I wish I could start now! My curiosity about where Mr Nixon is taking it is fully aroused.

Burn the Evidence is a great read which I have no hesitation in recommending.

I received a ebook copy  from netgalley in exchange for an honest review

The novel follows the journey of DI Solomon Gray as he investigates the murder of Regan Artimage. Regan was the son of the business tycoon, Jake. Regan's body was found along with the bodies of two immigrants. The police find evidence that there was a third immigrant who has escaped. In the meantime Jeff provides some information on Tom, Gray's son who has been missing for 10 years.

Will Gray and team find the third immigrant?
Are the murders related?
Who wants Regan dead?
Will Gray find Tom?
Read to find out

It was a good suspense thriller. I feel bad for not having pieced the puzzle together earlier, but that what makes the book interesting. I would like to read other Solomon Gray books. As I didn't read the first book, did feel left out at certain parts, on the whole it was manageable

Recommended for suspense thriller readers

The second book in the D.S. Solomon Gray series and a great follow up to book one. Very good character development and fast paced. Jake Armitage is a very unlikeable character, controlling and arrogant but Solomon empathises with him in the loss of his son. A very inconclusive ending means that I will read book 3! If you like solid and well written police procedurals, this is one for you. Read Dig Two Graves first though for the background to the characters. Thank you Net Galley for my copy.I reviewed on Goodreads, Amazon and Facebook.

Catchy cover, tight who-dunnit, cop with a tortured-soul finds redemption. Great addition to the series, I will keep my eyes on this one.