I have read all the previous books in this series and found this one a bit dull and plodding. It is a good read but it is not as good as her previous books. #NetGalley #DarknessOnTheFens

I have never read a book by Joy Ellis but I will definitely keep her on my reading list from now on, Darkness on the fens is a follow on from other books Joy Ellis has written about the lead characters in this book but I found it worked reasonably well on its own,

The story takes place over a three day event known as the Dark Greenbourgh festival which is a celebration of Folklore and superstitition, but there is a serial killer on the loose and striking random victims and killing them in various and obscure ways.

And its down to DI Nikki Galena and her team to try and find a pattern to the killings and put a stop to the killings before the public find out and panic ensues.

I love these novels from Joy Ellis especially the Nikki Galena series. The plots are complex and imaginative and are great page turners. I read it in two sittings on lovely sunny afternoons. Bliss.

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to revisit Joy Ellis's Nikki Galena series. This was real edge of your seat thriller. People were being killed randomly in horrific ways. The police were stretched to breaking point not knowing where the killer would strike next. Nikki's mother Eve and her friends were trying to help out. All of the team were in mental turmoil. Joseph and Nikki's relationship was under strain as he was unable to open up to her about his feelings. His friend Vinnie knows what he is thinking "this killer must be stopped at all costs" but he doesn't want him to put his career or his relationship with Nikki on the line by acting irrationally. All in all an exciting and well crafted novel..

Book 10 in the Nikki Galena series of mysteries. Enjoyable mystery, twists aplenty with a swiftly moving plot and credible characterisation. Dark doings are afoot at the annual Greenborough festival - with a deadly warning which is clearly no hoax the detectives find themselves in a race against time. Although book 10, this can easily be read as a standalone but there is a timeline in characterisation and enjoyment to be had in reading from the start of the series. An engaging read.

This is the 10th DI Nikki Galena novel from the pen of highly talented Joy Ellis and is an excellent addition to the series. Nikki is based in the Lincolnshire Fens and covers a huge area with her team including partner and ex soldier DS Joseph Easter, and DCs Cat Cullen and Ben Radley. They are ably assisted by ex copper Dave Harris and PC Yvonne Collins, a highly experienced veteran. Things have settled down since the last gruesome case and the market town of Greenborough is looking forward to hosting its three day festival, "Dark Greenborough", featuring a wealth of spooky lectures, displays and market stalls. What should be a highly enjoyable experience for all is overshadowed by a warning letter sent to the new ACC predicating that the town will be a very dangerous place this year. Hopes that it could be a hoax are dashed when people start dying from poisoned alcohol and there are fears that bootleg booze could be flooding the town. The victims appear to be random as the team struggle to find any connection between them that could point to a suspect, but then as further people die in excruciating pain, it starts to look like they have a deranged psychopath on the loose with a very twisted and as yet unknown agenda. Someone appears intent on taking the town's horror show to another level entirely, and even with help from her mother Eve and her band of ex RAF/MOD ladies who have already proved they are not to be messed with, can Nikki and her team of detectives stop the killer? This story is full of the wonderful characters that have grown to be so popular as the series has progressed and much of this is due to how warm and human they are. The plot is clever and beautifully plotted, and draws the reader through a dark trail of clues and suspects to the final exciting chapters as the culprit is revealed in an ending that still has a few surprises. Some loose ends are nicely tied up and some new openings appear which leaves me hoping for another book in the series. Highly recommended reading!!

My thanks to Joffe and Netgalley for the chance to read and review.
It's no secret that I'm a Joy Ellis fan. From the time I first read a book of hers I was hooked!
My favorite thing about her books are the large cast of characters, the setting and the investigation. There are always many irons in the fire, and I love watching them being shuffled and sizzled!
Now my complaint!! We are never given any clues. The big bad is never a shocker, nor is it a given. I like to try to solve the crime too. It's just not possible with these books. Also, I realized that I just don't like Nikki Galena. I love Easter and everyone else, but Nikki is not for me. She's very rigid and not very open. So I quit these Galena and Easter books. I do love her Jackman and Evan's books though! I'll still be reading Ellis, but only her other books. Also, clues woman! I need clues!
If you want to know what the book is about then read the synopsis! Otherwise, welcome to my mini-rant!
I still loved the book and recommend it!

The title of this latest addition to the DI Nikki Galena of the Fenland Constabulary series by Joy Ellis could not be more apt for the book that overflows with darkness. Set in the Lincolnshire Fens, the fenland police have a large geographical are with many remote villages to cover. A three day Dark Greenborough Festival to celebrate local folklore and the creepy, sinister and spooky attracts a huge crowd for its wide range of activities. However, prior to the festival an anonymous warning is received of murder. An over worked Nikki is not happy, particularly as promised murders occur put down to alcoholic poisoning. Nikki, and DS Joseph 'Holy Joe' Easter, her partner are faced with an impossible investigation where there is no evidence and no apparent connections between the victims. They interview a number of possible suspects as they hunt down a horrific serial killer. This is a highly entertaining and intense crime read, full of intrigue and drama, with plenty of suspense. A great and compelling piece of crime fiction and an excellent series. Many thanks to Joffe Books for an ARC.

Darkness on the Fens is the 10th? book in Joy Ellis' Nikki Galena series, which I read like gum drops with each new entry.

Dark Greenborough is a traditional festival celebrated much like Halloween with ghost walks, haunted houses, and people dressed as zombies, monsters, and other creepy characters. Nikki isn't happy about the darker content of the festival which has changed since she was young, but the festival is an economic boon for the town. This year, however, a note arrives telling the police that the festival this will be dangerous. The reality is even worse. (from my review on my other blog)

I liked Dave's role in this one and his interest in historic homes. Joseph's friend Victor is becoming a staple in trying to keep Nikki's mother Eve and her friends safe.

This is not my favorite in the series because of the elaborate and gruesome plot, but Ellis' characters are, as always, worth catching up with. :) And Eve and her "golden girl" network is really growing on me. I'd love to see them get a book of their own.

NetGalley/Joffe Books
Police Procedural. July 16, 2019. Print length: 302 pages.

Number 10 in the Fens series and as a good as all the rest. I really like these characters and it was like meeting up with old friends again. Interesting and unusual plot that had me guessing and nice development in the characters in the sub plot

Another amazing story one wonders how Joy Ellis continues to come up with these imaginative crime stories. Nikki Galena and her team are faced with a murderer using various means to kill. A formidable foe pushing them to the limit but eventually manages to bring him to justice.

Deliciously dark and twisty! This kept me reading into the early hours of the morning with its dark plot, plentiful murders and several suspicious characters to keep me guessing to the end! The creepy atmosphere from the first page gave a sinister feel and this kept building throughout! Satisfying ending, clearly resolved as a good murder mystery should be!
This was my first Joy Ellis novel, but I’m keen to read more!

This was my second Joy Ellis book, I know it's odd to read a book in a series while skipping previous books, but I had no problem getting to grips with this book. I had previously read book 8. There were odd instances here and there, but that's expected. Otherwise this book was just like a standalone. And boy, was it a good book!! Brilliantly written, wonderfully intriguing story and beautiful characters. The mystery shrouding the book was masterfully spun and the accompanying story brilliantly woven. I loved all the police characters. They were brilliantly created. And I had no clue as to who the culprit was till he was exposed. Overall a brilliant book and has made me really interested in the previous books. I also look forward to the next book in this series. And finally a big thank you to NetGalley and Joffe Books for giving me this wonderful book in exchange of my honest review.

4 and 1 / 2 stars

Nikki Galena and Joseph Easter and the team are back in this exciting entry into the series.

Ghoulies and ghosties are haunting the streets of the annual Dark Greenborough Fair. What used to be a fairly mild holiday, has turned into very big business for the little village. People come from all over the British Isles to partake in the horror-themed festivities. There is something for everyone: ghost walks, lectures, drinking and so on.

The police are shocked to receive a threatening anonymous missive promising murder. When the threat begins to be carried out, several people die and Nikki and her team are at a loss how to find the killer. Nikki's Mom, Eve, and her friends get involved in the hunt for the killer too.

Because of the use of Latin and the wording in the note, Nikki and the other police officers believe the perpetrator is someone with a love of history and is highly educated. They brainstorm a potential list of suspects, as do Eve and her friends. As the death toll mounts, Joe begins to have an agenda of his own. He contacts one of his war buddies named Vinnie Silver and they discuss what to do.

This is a great novel. It follows the trail of a serial killer step-by-step. From the police officers' frustrations to the very real actions they must take to track down the killer. I have no idea how Joy Ellis keeps coming up with such fresh and original ideas. This book is non-stop action, start to finish. I had a very hard time putting it down to go to bed. As Ms. Ellis' books are, it is well written and plotted. One event follows another logically. The transitions are very well done and smooth. I didn't spot any typos or grammatical errors. This author can write a fantastic police procedural and makes her characters real. I can hardly wait for the next in this series.

I want to thank NetGalley and Joffe Books for forwarding to me a copy of this very good book for me to read, enjoy and review.

I had never read a Nikki Galena book, but I will pick up the other ones in the series! It was an enjoyable read, just had figure some interrelationship connection first, but it was like meeting up with a group of friends you hadn't met yet. Good story, nice characters, gruesome murders...all in all a good read!

The book is well written and the characters are great, but the plot seems to be quantity more than quality with a huge number of deaths. This could also be OK, but as the book is mostly dialogue that does little to move things along, it gets a little tiresome for me.

Absolutely fantastic! It was great to see Nikki and her team back and this did not disappoint. Straight from the first page it was full of tension, darkness and mystery. I read this in super quick time because I was hanging on to every word and couldn’t put the book down.. a really great read which totally deserves five stars.

The Dark Greenborough Festival is the most important event of the year. Costumes, eating, drinking, ghost walks, superstitions, this festival has a little something for not only the locals. but the flocks of tourists, as well.

A letter is sent to the police, promising death. Nikki and her team are prepared for just about anything ... until the body count rises.

There's been 4 deaths from what they think is alcoholic poisoning ... as in someone is poisoning the drinks or the bottles of alcohol that are available. There's no rhyme nor reason to these deaths, nothing that connects them, no clues.

If that's not bad enough, even more deaths occur ... each one killed differently, and more horrendous than the previous murder.

Who is doing this ...and why? Why these particular victims?

Nikki and her team have their hands full. Routine maintaining of peace during this weekend is hard enough, but throw in a mix of petty crimes, looking for a serial killer, keeping the public ignorant of what's happening ... and this is a recipe for disaster.

Although 10th in this series, it is easily read as a stand alone. I highly recommend starting at the beginning. Nikki is a great character. Female, ferocious, and as tenacious as a bulldog. She has her issues, but nothing gets in the way of her job. DS Joseph Easter is a member of her team ... and her partner in life. He's an ex-soldier, still has moments of PTSD, and always has Nikki's back. I really enjoy how they relate to each other at work ..and at play.

As usual with small villages, the residents are, in turn, quirky, secretive except when they aren't, and on the whole, lends not only credibility to the story, but some humor as well. There are plenty of suspects and twists and turns that lead to an incredible ending.

Many thanks to the author / Joffe Books / Books n All Book Promotions / Netgalley. I received a digital copy of this crime fiction at no charge and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

She has done it again! I don't know how the author keeps this series fresh and engaging after so many titles, but I still enjoy each new book as if it's the first time I'm reading about DI Nikki Galena and her team. It is time for the Dark Greenborough festival, which takes place over one crazy long weekend. Not only has it brought out the usual weirdos and ghoulish freaks, but also a fiendish murderer who kills in the most atrocious ways, drawing out the suffering of the victims.

Everyone takes the horror of these crimes personally, especially Joseph Easter, Nikki's sergeant and partner. In a bit of a side story, he suffers on his own and begins to revert back to his soldier mindset of taking out the enemy no matter what the cost. This would completely destroy his career and relationship and he knows he needs to hold back but is finding it too hard to do so.

Nikki's mother, Eve, and her elderly gang of girls also feature in this story, trying to enjoy the festival but getting drawn in as usual to the crimes occurring. They try to stay out of the way for Nikki's sake, but can't help jumping in to assist when their skills are necessary.

I enjoyed the parts of the story revolving around Cressy Old House and the motley crew of residents and tenants who could all be connected to the crimes. You can picture the grand old estate with its antiquities and ghosts - it is the perfect setting for much of the haunting weekend.

Fans of Joy Ellis will enjoy this newest book but even a brand new reader to the series can pick this up and delve right in. That''s how good her writing is, you feel like you've been right there with the characters the whole time, no matter where you are in your journey on the fens.

Mourning the anniversary of the death of her daughter Hannah, DI Nikki Galena is not looking forward to the Dark Greenborough Festival , a 3 day event bringing visitors to the Fens, a warning note sent to the Chief Inspector warns of tragedies never seen before. When bodies start turning up poisoned in many ways DI Nikki Galena and her team know they have a murderer at large who will stop at nothing to achieve his mission