BLOGTOUR, BOOK REVIEW - Death In The Woods (DCI Jude Satterthwaite #6) by jo Allen

 

                                                                    BOOK SYNOPSIS

A series of copycat suicides, prompted by a mysterious online blogger, causes DCI Jude Satterthwaite more problems than usual, intensifying his concerns about his troublesome younger brother, Mikey. 

Along with his partner, Ashleigh O’Halloran, and a local psychiatrist, Vanessa Wood, Jude struggles to find the identity of the malicious troll gaslighting young people to their deaths. The investigation stirs grievances both old and new. 

What is the connection with the hippies camped near the Long Meg stone circle? Could these suicides have any connection with a decades old cold case? And, for Jude, the most crucial question of all. Is it personal — and could Mikey be the final target?

The discovery of the body of a teenager hanging from a tree in Cave Wood is the catalyst for a frustrating case of what at first appears to involve multiple suicides. But as DCI Jude Satterthwaite and his team dig into the young victims life, they find themselves caught up in a complex case with fingers that reach back into the past. The case is made more complicated for Jude because of his concerns for his troubled and vulnerable brother Mikey. If someone is targeting vulnerable young people and is clever enough to manipulate them into taking their own lives, Jude is worried about the possibility that Mikey could find himself amongst the victims.

The chapters of this gripping mystery are written from the perspectives of a number of characters including Jude, his partner and lover DS Ashleigh O'Halloran and Jude's ex girlfriend Becca Reid. I thought that Jude was a really likeable individual, I liked how he wasn't prepared to just write off the deaths as simple suicides and how much he cared and worried about his younger brother. Each member of his team had their own individual personality and character traits and they worked really well together. I liked how each one of them was given the opportunity to contribute their own theories and opinions to the case. As the story unfolded, I was conflicted in my opinion of Ashleigh especially when it came down to her relationship with Jude, there was times when I liked her and times when I didnt. 

The brain is a complex organ which still has many grey areas and probably always will. Hopefully one day in the not too distant future, scientists will finally figure out the complexities of the human brain and discover a cure for the horrors of dementia, alzheimer's and find a way to stop mentally vulnerable people from taking their own lives. Suicidal thoughts are terrifying and have repercussions not only for the victim but also their loved ones. If Jude and his team are searching for someone is clever enough to manipulate and coerce people into taking their own life then who is the puppet master and what is the motive behind their actions.

I loved the settings that featured in this book, the stone circle, oak sentinel tree and the woods. The author's descriptions of the vast contrasts between the beauty of the settings during the hours of daylight and the sinister, haunting atmosphere once darkness fell.

This is a extremely well written, cleverly plotted mystery that hooks the reader in from the first page, keeps you captivated and glued to your kindle. The cast of recurring characters were well rounded,vivid and realistic and the plot covered a wide range of relatable issues. This is the sixth book in the series and although it can be read as a stand alone due to the continuing character story arcs, to enjoy the series to its full potential,I would personally advise that readers should read the books in the correct order. This is the first book that I have read from this series and after reading this one,I fully intend to read the previous books in the series.

                                                                        AUTHOR BIO

Jo Allen was born in Wolverhampton and is a graduate of Edinburgh, Strathclyde and the Open University, with undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in geography and Earth science. She's been writing for pleasure and publication for as long as she can remember. 

After a career in economic consultancy she took up writing and was first published under the name Jennifer Young, in genres of short stories, romance and romantic suspense. She wrote online articles on travel and on her favourite academic subject, Earth science. In 2017 she took the plunge and began writing the genre she most likes to read -- crime. 

Jo lives in the English Lakes, where the DCI Satterthwaite series is set. In common with all her favourite characters, she loves football (she's a season ticket holder with her beloved Wolverhampton Wanderers) and cats. 

Social Media Links – 

https:// www.facebook.com/ JoAllenAuthor 

https:// twitter.com/ JoAllenAuthor 

https:// www.instagram.com/ joallenauthor/ 

Purchase Links 

Amazon UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09BG9BY1N

Amazon US https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09BG9BY1N

THE DCI SATTERTHWAITE MYSTERIES

1: Death By Dark Waters

2: Death At Eden's End

3: Death In Coffin lane

4: Death At Rainbow Cottage

5: Death In The Lake

6: Death In The Woods

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