What a find! I love police procedurals and am delighted when I discover a new author of real merit.

This is the first Washington Coe book that I have read and it won't be the last. Tautly written, well plotted with excellent characters, I was drawn into this book from the opening chapter and the tension and excitement never diminished.

MW Craven is a real talent and I loved this book.

Highly recommended.

** spoiler alert ** I enjoyed the puppet show enormously,so when I got this book,I put aside what I was reading to get stuck in straight away.
It's an excellent second book,whilst I did think the immolation man case was referenced too much in first part of book,nothing was ever given away so you couldn't read it after this one.
The characters are still likeable,still individuals and still have their own way of doing things... luckily or else the case would never be solved.
Throughout the whole book I tried to figure how the murder could/could not have been done. The actual events were imaginative.
There was a ton of food talk here,made me think Mr Craven might have been watching Masterchef whist writing... but there were some moments that turned the stomach too.
All in all,a solid second book to the series. Enjoyable and kept me guessing the whole way through.
I had a completely different scenario to what happened in my mind.

As always Mike’s books are filled with well researched characters and plots. He writes some of the best crime thrillers I’ve ever read, with dark and compelling plots. Maybe Tilly has given him a hand!

The twist at the end was amazing and I for one didn’t see it coming at all. I just cannot praise him books enough, and would like to thank Mike, the publishers and netgalley for the ARC.

When is the next one out? Soon I hope.

I just finished black summer. It was a thrilling read. It had me chuckling, tense and grimacing in turn as I read the pages. The story just flows and there is no stopping. Was well worth waiting for. Congratulations Mr craven you are an excellent storyteller whose unique voice is what readers long to experience. Another gem.

Thanks netgalley for this opportunity to give you my feedback

I love discovering new writers. Taking a chance on Puppet Show and Mr Craven, I was introduced to Washington Poe and Tilly I absolutely adored this book and couldn't wait for his next. Black Summer is another brilliant book. Both Washington and Tilly are wonderful, believable characters. This is a book to read when you have several hours to devote to it, as you will want to keep reading long beyond bedtime! I can't wait to read the next book by this author and his interesting, well-written characters.

You are hooked following the case as closely as the police from the start. It really draws you in to the bleak setting of Poe’s home of Herdwick Croft, Cumbria where Bradshaw has to bring every advancement in technology to set up a personal incident room.
You engage with the main characters immediately it draws you in to a story that does not let you go until the end. The Bullace and Sloe restaurant is where it started. A daughter disappears, signs of a struggle with excess blood. A celebrity father charged, in prison for 6 years. When the daughter reappears is DS Poe being set up? You will not want to put this story down it will keep you gripped and guessing till the very end as all brilliant thrillers do. I eagerly await the next instalment with these charismatic characters. I was given an ARC of this book by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Another fabulous read from MW Craven. I have been waiting for this new thriller starring Washington Poe and Tilly, hoping it wouldn't disappoint. It certainly didn't; the pace, the plot, the characters, the location are all brilliant. How the 'blood problem' was solved is pure genius as is the final piece of 'evidence' that rocks the killer into a confession. Mr Craven has the ability to hook the reader from the first and make it impossible to not keep turning the pages. Completely brilliant!!

An absolutely amazing story. Just as good of not better as the first The Puppet Master. I love the two main characters. Such a great interesting investigative story.