Fear in the Lakes

Third in Graham Smith's 'lakes' series and they go from strength to strength.

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Book description

A case with no leads.
A victim with no enemies.
A killer with no conscience…

When Detective Beth Young is called to investigate a victim with multiple broken bones, nothing prepares her for what she finds. James Sinclair is fighting for his life, and Beth can’t shake the idea that the nature of his injuries suggest someone with a personal grudge against him.

But James’s devastated wife Laura insists that her kind, softly-spoken husband is a man with no enemies. She was the one with the fiery temper, but James was so calm, she’d never once managed to provoke even a cross word from him in their eight year marriage. And he was the same with everyone – she can’t name one person who might want to hurt him.

But she knows virtually no details about her husband’s childhood or his life before he moved to the Lake District as a young man, and Beth feels sure that the key to finding James’s attacker is hidden in the secrets of his past. Who was he really? And what is the significance of the coded messages that Beth finds hidden on his laptop?

Then two more bodies are found in one of the deep, picturesque lakes that the area is so famous for, exhibiting similar injuries to the ones James Sinclair suffered. How are they connected? And how many more people are at risk?

Beth knows she is in a race against time to hunt a vicious killer who is both elusive and incredibly dangerous. A killer who knows what James did in the past. Who likes to be one step ahead. But who – if they realise they’re being hunted – might come for Beth next…

My review -

A man is found in his own bedroom with multiple shattered bones, to the extent that he needs his arms and leg amputated. It’s a puzzle for Beth and the team to find out who did it and also why. More bodies – different wounds but there seems to be a connection. When a series of emails appears, all written in code, Beth is in her element. There’s more about her own life, and the race is on to find the perpetrator before there’s another set of crushed limbs. It’s an exciting story, a real puzzle with an unexpected ending. This series is going from strength to strength. Highly recommended.

About the author

Graham Smith is a time served joiner who has built bridges, houses, dug drains and slated roofs to make ends meet. Since Christmas 2000, he has been manager of a busy hotel and wedding venue near Gretna Green, Scotland. 

He is an internationally best-selling Kindle author and has six books featuring DI Harry Evans and the Cumbrian Major Crimes Team, and four novels, featuring Utah doorman, Jake Boulder. His 'Lakes' series which has three novels featuring DC Beth Young has received much critical acclaim.

An avid fan of crime fiction since being given one of Enid Blyton's Famous Five books at the age of eight, he has also been a regular reviewer and interviewer for the well-respected website Crimesquad.com since 2009

Graham is the founder of Crime and Publishment, a weekend of crime-writing classes which includes the chance for attendees to pitch their novels to agents and publishers. Since the first weekend in 2013, ten attendees have gone on to sign publishing contracts.

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Just a thought

Writing fiction is the act of weaving a series of lies to arrive at a greater truth.
― Khaled Hosseini

A Body in the Lakes

Second in a fantastic series by Graham Smith. Highly recommended (both books).

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Book description

When a hiker finds the body of a woman by the shores of Lake Ullswater, the police are put on high alert. Felicia Evans was known to be a tough character, but who would have strangled her?

Detective Beth Young quickly spots the links to three cold cases. Three women strangled and discarded in the stunning, wild hills of the Lake District.

As Beth begins tracking down witnesses, the team receives an anonymous letter claiming the charming mayor of Carlisle is behind the murders. There’s pressure from the top to clear his name. But Beth is determined to find the truth no matter whose feathers she ruffles in the process.

Beth knows the clock is ticking. The killer is hunting again. And it’s down to her to find who’s responsible before another woman becomes his prey…

My review -

This is a second in the DC Beth Young series and a great story. The body of an elderly woman is discovered and there are links to the charismatic local mayor. Beth’s individual strength is her analytical thinking, and she discovers three previous murder/rape cases in the area in the past few years. Bad news for previous investigators who should have found that link. The story is wide ranging, complex and interesting. Beth’s personal life is expanded upon in this book and she faces danger from more than one of the suspects. It’s an exciting, well-paced story that links cold cases with a current one. It left me breathless on a few occasions and I really look forward to more.

About the author

Graham Smith is a time served joiner who has built bridges, houses, dug drains and slated roofs to make ends meet. Since Christmas 2000, he has been manager of a busy hotel and wedding venue near Gretna Green, Scotland. 

He is an internationally best-selling Kindle author and has six books featuring DI Harry Evans and the Cumbrian Major Crimes Team, and four novels, featuring Utah doorman, Jake Boulder. His ‘Lakes’ series featuring DC Beth Young has received much critical acclaim.

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Just a thought - A book is a gift you can open again and again.” 

― Garrison Keillor

Death in the Lakes

Graham Smith is a new author to me and I'd like to follow this series.

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Bok description -

Detective Beth Young has just joined the Cumbrian major crimes team when a body is found posed in a ritualistic manner – arms spread and graceful wings attached – at a crumbling castle in the hills of the Lake District. 

The entire police force is on red alert. But Beth begins to feel she’s the only one who can follow the disturbing clues left by the twisted killer. Because she doesn’t think like everyone else. To Beth, crimes are puzzles she can solve. Even if real life is a little harder.

As more bodies are discovered in derelict stately homes across the Lake District, Beth knows she’s in a race against time.

But the killer is looking for another victim to add to his collection… Will Beth be able to save her? Or will he get there first?

My review - 

I bought this book as The Silent Dead fairly recently, and as I was reading it, the title changed to Death in the Lakes. To be honest, I prefer the first title. There’s a series of murders here and all by the same bizarre and painful method. They seem to be random. One of the DCs on the case, Beth Young, has an analytical mind and begins to see patterns, but doesn’t yet see her own role in this. Beth is an interesting character, with her scarred face and loner lifestyle. I enjoyed the way she drew out of her fellow officers their own problems and strengthened the team. It’s a fast-paced story, just the way I like them, and a recommended read.

About the author -

Graham Smith is the bestselling author of two explosive crime thrillers in the Jake Boulder series, Watching the Bodies and The Kindred Killers. Watching the Bodies spent over two weeks at number one in the Amazon UK chart and Amazon CA charts. Graham is also the author of the popular DI Harry Evans series and has collections of short stories and novellas. 

He is the proud father of a young son. And as a time served joiner he has built bridges, houses, dug drains and slated roofs to make ends meet. Since 2000 he has been manager of a busy hotel and wedding venue near Gretna Green, Scotland. 

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Just a thought - A room without books is like a body without a soul.