Dark Game by Rachel Lynch – Book Review

Dark Game by Rachel Lynch – Book Review

Dark Game by Rachel Lynch

Dark Game
Detective Kelly Porter Book One

Author – Rachel Lynch
Publisher – Canelo
Pages – 305
Released – 29th January 2018
Format – ebook
Reviewer – Stacey
Rating – 5 stars
I received a free copy of this book
Post contains affiliate links

 

After a scandal forces DI Kelly Porter out of the Met, she returns to her home turf in the Lake District. Crimes in the Cumbrian constabulary tend to be of the minor sort, but Kelly begins work on a cold case that shocked the local community – the abduction and brutal murder of ten-year-old Lottie Davies.

Meanwhile, Kelly is also investigating two seemingly straightforward crimes: a case involving an illegal immigrant, and a robbery following the death of local businessman Colin Day. But evidence comes to light that reveals a web of criminal activity beyond anything Kelly imagined. Behind the veneer of sleepy, touristy towns lies a dark and dangerous underworld. As Kelly threatens to expose those with much to lose, she risks paying the ultimate price to get to the truth…

New one review witch 2017

After working in London as a detective for the last few years, DI Kelly Porter has returned home to Cumbria amid a scandal. Now working in an area with less crime, Kelly sets about working a five year old cold case of ten-year-old Lottie Davies, who went missing on a family day out. Her body was eventually found brutally murdered, but no-one had been charged with her death.

Not long after beginning her investigation, Kelly is called to the Thwaite Hotel where a local prominent figure has been found dead in bed. Whilst there were no suspicious circumstances, it would seem that he had been enjoying the company of a young lady before his death, and video evidence shows that she robbed him before leaving.

Whilst simultaneously running the two cases, Kelly is shocked when the same name appears in both. Could there possibly be a connection between the two?

Dark Game is a real page turner. The book had me hooked straight away with its two plots that intermingled. I couldn’t, for around half the story, work out how the two were connected. It was an eye opener when the dots were finally joined.

This is a real dark thriller containing scenes of a sexual nature, violence and plenty of bad language, some not easy to digest. If you are sensitive to any of these then this may not be the book for you. However, with the gritty, hard-hitting plot, these scenes are perfectly justified and the book wouldn’t work without them. They have been done with expertise and the author has clearly done her research.

The vast array of characters are all well formed and have all been cast in their roles perfectly. They are exceptionally realistic, which is also quite scary to think about.

The twists in the plot came thick and fast, and there were plenty of surprises along the way. I found it completely unputdownable and although I had to once, the second time I picked it up I read for a few hours straight, right until the early hours of the morning. I needed to know where the story ended.

I was left satisfied with the closure, then, the author added the epilogue which left me open mouthed. Looks like we have a contender for who is going to show up in book two. Fair play to you Ms. Lynch I really didn’t see that coming, even-though looking back there had been a few hints along the way.

This is a thriller that has been well written, full of surprises, has hard to swallow scenes and one I couldn’t put down. Now bring on book two, I can’t wait.

Reviewed by Stacey


Purchase online from:

Amazon.co.ukAmazon.com


About the Author

Rachel Lynch

Rachel Lynch grew up in Cumbria and the lakes and fells are never far away from her. London pulled her away to teach History and marry an Army Officer, whom she followed around the globe for thirteen years.

A change of career after children led to personal training and sports therapy, but writing was always the overwhelming force driving the future. The human capacity for compassion as well as its descent into the brutal and murky world of crime are fundamental to her work.


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9 Responses

  1. Jo Linsdell says:

    Sounds like the sort of book I enjoy. I love thrillers. Adding to my TBR.

  2. Nicole says:

    Oh, this one sounds suspenseful. I will add it to my list!

  3. Stephanie says:

    Hmm looks pretty interesting, I’m not sensitive to offensive language or violence so it looks good to me ?.

  4. DJ Sakata says:

    Wants it!

  5. Allie Bock says:

    It sounds fascinating. Thanks for the review.

  6. Terri A. Wilson says:

    I was just talking with a friend about how we both like to throw in a thriller every once in awhile because it feels more adult than some of the romance stuff we read. Thrillers are hard to write.

  7. Kathy says:

    Sounds really good!!

  8. Great review, this book looks and sounds absolutely fantastic and right up my alley. I will most definitely check it out one day. Thank you so much for sharing and putting this book on my radar.

  9. Megan @ Ginger Mom says:

    This sounds really good, though not what I usually pick up.