Dead End by Rachel Lynch

D I Kelly Porter: Book 3

Book blurb

When the seventh Earl of Lowesdale is found hanging from the rafters at Wasdale Hall, everyone assumes the aging, hard-partying aristocrat had finally had enough of chasing the glory of his youth. But when the coroner finds signs of foul play, DI Kelly Porter is swept into a luxurious world where secrets and lies dominate.

At the same time, two young hikers go missing and it’s up to Kelly to lead the search. But digging deeper reveals ties to two other unsolved disappearances and Kelly and her team find themselves in a race against time.

Now, as all roads of both investigations and Kelly’s own family secrets lead to Wasdale Hall it becomes more important than ever for Kelly to discover the devious truths hidden behind the walls of the Lake District’s most exclusive estate…

My thoughts

I was part of the Blog Tour for Dead End (this link will give you all the information on Rachel and her books) last October when I was delighted to contribute with a terrific extract from the book. Rachel Lynch is fast becoming a firm favourite of mine, and many other readers, with the DI Kelly Porter series and I’m thrilled that I will be on the Blog Tour for book four Bitter Edge in a few days – do come back then it’s on 5th March.  Anyway, I thought it was a good time to say a few words about Dead End.

Rachel Lynch is building up Kelly’s character, background and life as we read and yet this in no way distracts from the plot of the missing hickers or the investigation into the suspicious death at Wasdale Hall.  Everything is weaved together so well and moves at such a good pace that you never feel bogged down it just flows.

The setting of the Lake District, an area I know a little and love, is wonderful and Rachel Lynch portrays it so well you feel as if you are there walking the fells, ambling around the various lakes and even driving around the area. For you or I that will be to enjoy some sightseeing, beautiful views and interesting spots. For D I Kelly Porter whilst it may be clearing her head when she runs mostly it’s in the line of duty chasing down evidence to, in this book, find out what happened at Wasdale Hall or find the missing hikers. You become immersed in the story.

Every word of these books are necessary Rachel Lynch’s book is tightly written and yet you get a wealth of information, description and a story with a terrific plot, wonderful characters – I’m sure there will be more on Kellys team through the series as well as her family – and the ‘goodies’ and ‘baddies’ that make for compelling reading in a mystery-thriller crime story.

It is this incredible ability to write so compactly, sometimes using short chapters, which builds the tension and keeps you gripped. With enough possible suspects to keep you guessing, plenty of insight into the workings of a case – or two, in this instance – the life of a police officer, the characters and setting all combines to give a very realistic portrayal of a police investigation.

So a tense, atmospheric book with a great setting and characters and a series which just keeps getting better I am so looking forward to Bitter Edge.

With thanks to Ellie at Canelo for the Blog Tour invite and to Canelo via NetGalley for an eCopy of Dead End. These are purely my own thoughts, for which I have received no payment.