This is the third in this series and, although the story is completely stand alone, to get the best from the main characters in terms of backstory and development, it is advised that you read the first two before starting this one. Indeed, in my opinion, they are also excellent reads.
This book centres around the cold case of a missing child. Susan Verity was playing with five of her friends when she disappeared without trace back in 1976. A few years later, Adrian Wicklow confessed to her murder along with several others. He was never tried for this but convicted of others. Years later, he recants this confession but as he has been playing the police for years over several things including the location of the bodies, the police don't know whether to trust him or not. With the 20th anniversary of the death looming, coupled with the fact that Wicklow is on death's door, DS Ian Bradshaw is tasked with a last ditched effort to get to the bottom of what really happens. Hoping that Wicklow's dying declaration will get him the truth. As he is the sole officer tasked to this case, he requests and gets approval for help outside the force. Enter Tom and Helen, investigative journalists that Ian has worked with in the past. Will the threesome succeed where everyone else has failed and, in Ian's case, at what personal cost as he is played by Wicklow?
The action flits between 1976, when Susan disappeared, and 1996, present day. As things are uncovered in the now, they are illustrated as they are played out in the past. I found this to be very effective as the past was injected into the present at just the right times to enhance the current story line. Pacing was also very good. As you can imagine, investigating a cold case is not as high octane as it would be if it was a fresh murder. The urgency here is driven by Wicklow's health. Race against time to get what they need from him before he dies. Likewise the witness interviews are different as they are trying to recall things from years ago. But does that make it harder or easier?
All they way through the book I was intrigued by Wicklow. Did he do it? If not, what does he know about it and why? What secrets are there to be uncovered? Will Ian, Tom and Helen manage to cut through the secrets and lies to find the truth? With a case so old as this, I was very interested to see where the break would come from. Cold cases fascinate me as I think the investigators have to do a lot more work to dig out new information. I also do love a juicy manipulative serial killer and we had that here too. I know I shouldn't admire a bad guy but I kinda did, he is written so well.
Obviously, I am pretty familiar with the main three characters, Ian, Tom and Helen, and I am happy to see that they are still developing nicely through this third book. There is a kinship between the three of them and, as such, they do have their ups and downs as every "family" does, but the foundations for the trio are solid and I do look forward to seeing what they get up to in book four. There will be a book four, I hope?

My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

Thanks Netgalley and Publishers. This author is one of my favourites and this third book was just as good as the other 2. Brilliant book

I could not get into this book. I felt like I couldn't engage with the characters and it was all over the place. such a shame as I was really looking forward to reading it.

DNF @ 34%

I've been trying for several days now, to get into this book, but I found myself bored every time I picked it up.

I honestly can't pinpoint one specific thing that made me not want to pick up this book, it honestly, was the whole thing. I couldn't connect with any of the characters and even though we were a third of the way through, nothing seemed to have happened.

I also didn't like the way it would switch between characters. Rather than doing it via chapters like most books do, it happened during the chapter, with no indication that it was going to happen. Granted, I did had an ARC copy of this book so maybe that was just an issue with the copy I got, but even still, it made my reading experience bad.

Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin UK - Michael Joseph, for giving me the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review. Sorry I didn't enjoy it!

Another decent thriller from Mr. Linskey. I got the central mystery solved fairly on but it was an exciting journey getting to the end/reveal. Certainly recommended if you like your crime fiction with interesting central characters.

Another excellent instalment featuring Detective Ian Bradshaw and journalists Tom Carney and Helen Norton. Det. Bradshaw is tasked with investigating a decades old murder of a child., Susan Veroty, whose body has never been found. The man suspected of this, and several other child murders Aidrian Wicklow is in prison. The "did he or didn't he" scenario is what keeps this vile murderer amused. A disturbing and harrowing case for Bradshaw to investigate and recruits the help, once again of Tom and Helen. The plot in this book is intriguing. There are so many suspects and I wondered if the truth would ever be discovered. Tom has also undertaken a more personal search for his girlfriends missing sister. I love the location settings in The Search. This was a gripping read with some heart stopping moments. A great trio and I look forward to reading more in this series

The search by howard linskey.
Someone knows where the bodies are buried...
Little Susan Verity went missing during the heatwave of 1976. An unprecedented amount of police resource went into finding her, but to no avail. Until now.
Convicted serial killer Adrian Wicklow was always the prime suspect. In the past, he's repeatedly lied to the police about where Susan's body is buried - playing a sick game from behind bars. But this time, he says, he'll tell the truth. Because Adrian Wicklow is dying.
Detective Ian Bradshaw works with investigative journalists Helen Norton and Tom Carney to find the body. However, this is Wicklow's life's work. Would a murderer on death's door give up his last secret so easily...?
I really enjoyed this book. I loved the story and the characters. I loved how Helen and Ian worked together. I liked the ending too. 5*. Thanks netgalley and penguin books.

Twenty years ago, ten year old Susan Verity went missing. Her body was never found, although authorities assumed they had their man. But what if they were wrong?

The search is told over two timelines, which smoothly segue into each other throughout the book. It's fast paced and gripping, with plenty of red herrings dotted around to keep you guessing. I didn't figure out the ending before I got to it, which is always a winner for me, and I literally couldn't put it down.

I was kindly sent a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Told in two separate time frames, 1976 and 1996, this is the story of six young children who go out to play and only five return. Set in the North East of England in the middle of that fantastic heatwave that lasted all summer, I remember it well, we are faced with the uncomfortable issues of child disappearance , maybe murder or abduction, things that rarely happened in those innocent days.
Adrian Wicklow was convicted of the murder of Susan Verity , but faced with a diagnosis of cancer whilst in prison, he sends his memoirs to D.S Ian Bradshaw with the taunting message that he knows who murdered Susan and will tell Police where the body is and the name of the murderer if Ian will read his book .
I found the primary story set in 1976,to be excellent. The descriptions of the children's behaviours as they play together, form close friendships and how they enjoy being naughty is so innocent and unknowing, then one of their tight knit group goes missing and life falls apart then and in the future. One feels quite sorry for lives destroyed and the stresses of being left with survivor guilt is well described. It was lovely to be reacquainted with Helen Norton and Tom Carney, reporters who have previously helped the Durham Constabulary with cases.
There is a secondary story which involves a Northern Mafia family in Newcastle that I found to be annoying and not very convincing and didn't add anything to the story. My only criticism!
I like all three main characters and it was great to see that DS Bradshaw through dogged determination gets such a well deserved result and boost to his confidence. Helen and Tom work perfectly together and their official partnership deserves to grow in strength , book by book !!
It was a very atmospheric read, and I found it so typical of its time, very engrossing and well paced.
I have posted this review to Goodreads, thank you for my advance copy in return for this honest review.

In 1976 six children went out to play but only five of them returned home. Serial killer Adrian Wicklow was subsequently convicted of her murder but now DS Ian Bradshaw is called upon to investigate whether Wicklow really did kill her and if he didn't then who did? Wicklow is in the last few weeks of his life and it is hard o know whether he is telling the truth or not.

I really enjoyed this book. I like the characters in this series and the way they interact I just wish they were written quicker!!!

Tom Carney, Helen Norton and Ian Bradshaw are thrown back together when a convicted serial killer professes to know the location of a suspected victim, and is willing to reveal it after a terminal diagnosis. The case re-opens, witnesses are re-interviewed, as Tom, Ian and Helen do their best to roll back the clock by two decades and get to the truth about Susan Verity's disappearance, where her body might be hidden, and whether a man as manipulative as Adrian Wicklow would give up much a secret so lightly.

Third in the series featuring Bradshaw, Carney and Norton, and another thumbs up from me. Love Howard's choice of setting these in the mid-nineties, as his characters are forced to unpick these cases using brainpower and legwork, instead of the more high-tech investigations we see today. Some great interplay between Tom and Helen on a personal level, and Bradshaw continues his road to redemption at a steady pace alongside them. The only thing that could make it even better for me is that I wanted to be more frightened by Adrian Wicklow. I know that can be hard to do, when he's already behind bars, and it's not that he was without any menace, but he could have been even more of a chip off the Hannibal Lecter block. Doesn't affect my five star rating though, as I'm a big fan of Howard's easy style of writing, and the knack he has for pulling a multitude of plot threads together at just the right pace.

Look this is another series I’m coming into late – my book halo is seriously slipping PLUS another load to add to the teetering to be read pile because this one was rather terribly good.

I say terribly because there are some deeply haunting themes in this, dealing as it does with child murder and the like, but it is utterly compelling and so gripping, one of those proper page turners that manage to make you growl whenever you have to put them down to do mundane stuff like feed the kids.

I very much enjoyed the past/present vibe, as the story goes between 1976 and the disappearance of Susan and modern day where DS Ian Bradshaw and his sidekicks for this story (and possibly other stories seeing as how I’m very late to this particular party) Tom and Helen, try to unravel the seemingly useless clues offered by serial killer Wicklow – a man who likes to play games.

Howard Linskey writes with such a brilliantly decisive style that you are just shoved straight into the story, I was fascinated by the character dynamics – both with the children as they were back then and how they are now – and with the investigative team and their history. Plotting perfection keeps you completely engaged with all of them and as a twisty tale with those wonderful unexpected moments it worked really really well. Both the main story and the personal stories melded together in excellent fashion, I got to the end and immediately wanted more. I like it when that happens.

Overall a terrific character driven crime thriller with some memorable moments and a really atmospheric twist – I’m also vaguely in love with Ian Bradshaw so another book crush for me. Bodes well I’d say. Well maybe not for my book pile but certainly for my future reading pleasure. Another author for the “must read” list.

Recommended. That little birdy in the pub the other night was right when he said I should read this.

**Review also on Goodreads, Amazon upon Release**

I enjoyed a previous book in this series but this book feels like a rehash of too many other crime novels: the cold case, the psychopath playing mind games from prison, the child murders. I like the set up of characters but getting a couple of journalists on the police payroll didn't feel believable. Too formulaic to stand out.

This is the third in a series set in Durham. Unusually, it has DS Ian Bradshaw working with Helen, once a reporter but now working as a freelance reporter after her boss was murdered and Tom Carney, a seasoned freelance journalist. In 1976, six children went out to play and only five came back. Susan Verity went missing, and despite a mammoth police hunt, and was never found. Five years later, Adrian Wicklow, a serial child killer, is arrested and convicted for the killing of 3 children but was the chief suspect responsible for Susan's disappearance. On the anniversary of her disappearance, the media recall the botched police investigation and float various theories as to what could have happened to her.

The twisted Wicklow has led the police, psychologists and the parents of the dead children, a merry dance, much to their detriment, physically, mentally and emotionally. He has said he is responsible for Susan's killing but then retracts this confession, time and time again. He has a strong penchant for playing mind games and revels in getting the better of every single person but he is now dying. DCI Kane wants Bradshaw to visit Wicklow in prison and ascertain the truth as the cold case is reopened. Ian finds himself drawn in traumatising territory as he hears Wicklow's memoir and tries to get him to reveal the location of the remains of the dead children and find out what happened to Susan. Helen and Tom join the investigation as they delve into the lives of the suspects, the witnesses and others. Tom finds himself involved with a new woman, Lena, who tells him about her missing sister. He offers to help, only to find he has taken on more than he bargains for. Things get increasingly fraught and more dangerous as they get closer to the truth of the matter.

All three, Ian, Helen and Tom find themselves at a crossroads as the emotionally draining case end. This is a good series, with three strong characters who interact well with each other. In a tense narrative that is well plotted, there is plenty of suspense. Many thanks to Penguin Michael Joseph for an ARC.

One day during the long hot summer of 1976,six children went out to play but only five returned home.Little Susan Verity vanished without a trace and her body was never found.

Five years later child killer Adrian Wicklow was arrested,charged and convicted of the murder of four small children including Susan Verity.

It is now 1996,for fifteen years Wicklow has played mind games from behind bars,one minute saying he will give up where the bodies are and then suddenly changing his mind.This time he swears he will tell the truth because Adrian Wicklow is dying.

Detective Ian Bradshaw teams up with investigative journalists Helen Norton and Tom Carney to find the body but this is Wicklow`s life's work,after so many years is he really ready to give up his last secret so easily...

The book is set in two time frames,the long hot summer of 1976 and twenty years later when Susan Verity`s case is reopened.The author`s descriptions of the behaviour and mannerisms of the children and the games that we used to play back in the 70s are believable and realistic.My kids look at me like I am mental when I tell them about when we used to make dens and building go karts.

I didn't realise when I requested this book that it is actually the third book in a series,although some events from the previous books are mentioned it can be read as a stand alone,not having read either of the two previous books did not in any way spoil my enjoyment of this one.I loved the characters Ian,Helen and Tom,I loved their interactions and friendly banter and how they worked well as a team.

Adrian Wicklow really was a cold,evil,twisted character who gave me the creeps everytime he appeared throughout the story.It was enjoyable reading how Ian Bradshaw slowly learned how to outwit him,the cat and mice interactions between the pair where really entertaining.

It is a well written mystery that is not fast paced or action packed but does contain a number of twists and a really unexpected ending.I really enjoyed reading it and will be getting hold of the previous two books and keeping an eye out for the next book in the series.

My review as posted on Goodreads:

I was hooked into this story from the start. It is told over two time-frames. One being a group of children playing on the outskirts of a village in the North East of England in 1976. The second being a police investigation involving a convicted child killer who is near to death, set in the present day in Durham Prison.

I like the way Howard Linskey has created his characters, I also like the style of his writing. He captures the thoughts and behaviour of the young children very well. His use of the summer of 1976 is well observed.

He builds the tension very well. I liked the use of DI Ian Bradshaw and the investigative journalists: Helen Norton and Tom Carney, working together. To bring the two sides of this complex story together.

The twist in the story comes late on, it is worth waiting for.

Only after reading the book did I see that DI Bradshaw has featured in two earlier books.
On the strength of this I will look out for other novels by this author.

I give my thanks to Netgalley and Penguin UK (Michael Joseph) for a copy in exchange for this review.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Penguin UK - Michael Joseph for an advance copy of The Search, the third novel set in 1996 Durham to feature Detective Ian Bradshaw and reporters Tom Carney and Helen Norton.

Child killer Adrian Wicklow is dying and DS Ian Bradshaw has been instructed to try and get some truths from him, namely the location of his victims' bodies and if he was really responsible for the death of 10 year old Susan Verity 20 years ago. As he is the only investigator he drafts in Tom and Helen as expert consultants to help him.

This is the first novel by Mr Liskey that I have read but it won't be the last as I thoroughly enjoyed The Search. It works well as a standalone and I didn't feel that I had missed much, apart from a good read, by not having read the two previous novels.

The plot is wide ranging in the ground it covers and clever as it had me fooled about the events surrounding Susan's death. It has various points of view and while it concentrates on Ian, Tom and Helen it also has newspaper articles, flashbacks to 1976 and the events surrounding Susan's death and some glimpses of what Billy Thorpe, the last person to see Susan alive, has become and his memories. Normally I'm not a big fan of this scattergun approach to narration as I find it difficult to maintain concentration but it works well here, drawing the reader deeper into the novel with all the different angles.

In many respects Adrian Wicklow is a bog standard serial killer. He is highly manipulative, takes great pleasure in lying to and frustrating anyone who comes to him for information and is desperate for attention but Mr Liskey's skill lies in how Ian deals with him - it is audacious, totally unexpected and very impressive.

I like the way the police are described as it seems very realistic, from the Sweeney style 70s policing to the real reasons for the revisits to Wicklow. I also think Mr Liskey has the children's behaviour to a T as it also seems natural and realistic. In fact, I think all his characterisation is excellent from Helen's unsettledness to Ian's rather compulsive investigating.

The Search is a great read. It has a nuanced plot with so many angles it keeps the reader absorbed and guessing and pleasant, realistic characters. I have no hesitation, therefore, in recommending it as a good read.