Great thriller that kept me turning the pages. Great story, great writing and characters. Really enjoyable and would read this author again.Great thriller that kept me turning the pages. Great story, great writing and characters. Really enjoyable and would read this author again.

The past is never over. It's just waiting for an opportunity to return...

When the Past Kills is the 5th book in the DI Ridpath Series. Having read quite a few detective series over time, this is one series that keeps getting better with each book. Though this book can be read as a standalone, it involves characters from the previous books in the series. So, it will help a lot if you read the series right from the start.

When the notorious serial killer ‘The Beast of Manchester’ was finally captured, the streets should have been safe. Except the police got the wrong man. An innocent person was convicted, and only later was the real culprit apprehended. Now, those connected to the case are being targeted. Someone wants revenge. DI Thomas Ridpath has to relive the horrors all over again. As the bodies stack up once more, Ridpath has to find the answers before it gets too late.

This is a fascinating story that's really hard to put down right from Page 1. The story is full of action, drama, and lots of twists and turns. There is always so much going on in the book that you are never sure about what will happen next. What sets the series apart from other detective series is the way you feel connected to Ridpath and his story. Though Ridpath’s personal story never distracts you from the main story, it is always engaging with its own ups and downs. If you have read the DI Ridpath series so far, this book sees Ridpath is transitioning back into MIT. That and how does get on with the newly appointed DCI also adds another dimension to the story.

All of the characters were well developed, and you enjoy knowing Ridpath, his family, and his colleagues. Ridpath is a really likable and relatable protagonist and I enjoy learning more about him with each installment. Back from a serious illness and having his own difficulties in his personal life, Ridpath is still devoted to his job and adds a lot of emotions to a police procedural.

Overall, this is a fast-paced thriller, full of twists and turns and a cliffhanger for an ending. It’s a superb addition to an amazing exciting series, and I look forward to reading the next in the series. Although it can be read as a stand-alone, I strongly advise you to read the entire series so that you get to experience Ridpath’s emotional journey series throughout the series.

Many thanks to the publishers Canelo and Netgalley for the ARC.

Thank you Netgalley. I enjoy the D.I. Ridpath series very much and wait eagerly for each new book. This one was a wonderful read. My only regret , it is over and I have a while to wait for the next one.

Coppers are being targeted. Graves desecrated. What is it – a warning? And who else will be dragged in?

Just as Ridpath’s life is getting back to normal, the investigation that defined Ridpath’s career, the Beast of Manchester, rears its head once again. But this time it’s not just the investigation at stake – it's his life.

Absolutely love this series and this latest installment did not disappoint! Loved all the twists and turns and trying to work out who the killer was... Cant wait for the next one!

My thanks to netgalley for an arc of this book in return for my honest opinion.

From the very first sentence this book reached out and caught my attention in its grip. From this point I didn't even consider setting it down until the very last line. I'm writing this review at 5am. The pace set by the author in the first page never lets up culminating in a shocking climax. While it is possible to read this book as a stand alone I would advise any potential reader to read at least book one in the series as this story is really a follow up to it.

This is the fifth book in the series featuring DI Tom Ridpath and is a riveting read. I have enjoyed all the books in the series and this certainly did not disappoint. Ridpath is still working in the Coroner’s office where he has been since recovering from cancer but he is hoping to get back full time to his job at the MIT. In the meantime he is dividing his time between both but the past comes back to haunt him. One of his early cases saw James Dalbey being convicted as the Bast of Manchester and serving ten years in prison before the real killer was charged. Ridpath is called out to investigate the desecration of the grave of an ex colleague and when a coroner is also murdered he begins to suspect Dalbey being involved. As more deaths occur new evidence comes to light giving Dalbey an alibi making this a very tricky and dangerous case for Ridpath. This is a fast paced and gripping read with a shocking ending. I can’t wait for the next book in the series.
Thanks to Netgalley and Canelo for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

M J Lee is becoming one of my favourite authors. Loved the books I have read so far. This one again is the same detective Ridpath, who is a great character, who keeps me gripped throughout the story. Highly recommend.

I started this book then realised it was book 5 and I had only read books 1 and 2. I stopped reading this and bought books 3 & 4. I do like to read a series in order. I find I get a better understanding of the characters and learing their back life.
I really do like the character that is Ridpath. I love that he's working with the coronors office although he is still a police officer. His move came about after a spell of illness and that it would be better for him that running big cases. He can't help himself though, he does like to investigate anything and everything.
A realistic story line with brilliant characters this book will keep you engaged the whole of the way through.

WOW WOW WOW 🤩 another cracking read in a great series! I have read the first in the series and loved it but haven’t managed to read anymore until this one arrived on my NetGalley shelf, it’s book 5 so I was a little read as I really like to read in order but thankfully 😅 this book is based on the case in book 1 so I could remember the storyline well! This is turning out to be one of the best police procedurals out at the moment and WOW did it end on a cliffhanger 😳

My thoughts about this brilliantly written gripping, crime police thriller, was just fantastic. MJ Lee's 5th Book, in the DI Thomas Ridpath series, When The Past Kills, is truly remarkable. Amazing  characters a hardhiting revenge story you won't be able to put down. What I loved about the story, was what happens, when a face from your past you thought you left behind, one days comes looking for you was, just fantastic. Talented Author MJ Lee not only writes a fantastic gripping revenge story but he takes you on a rollocoster ride which gives you thrills and chills, what an ending, I did not see coming, I'm a huge fan of MJ Lee's fantastic writing, and the series gets better and better. The main character DI Thomas Ridpath, is truly a brilliant detective, who will not give up until he finds the killer is just incredible. Highly recommended. A well written gripping revenge thriller, that will take you on a rollocoster ride. I would like to say thank you to Author M J Lee, publishers Canelo Books and Netgalley, for giving me a chance to read and review this outstanding thriller. 💥💥💥💥💥⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐👊👊👊👊👊

Mr Lee has done it again. Another cracking story in the life of Tom Ridpath, detective pushed into coroner's assistant, happy family man, cancer in remission and the chance to return, at least part-time, to his old detective job. That has its problems with the new boss being an old adversary. Gruesome murders abound, not really for the faint-hearted, revenge, linking cases, thinking outside the box. All grist to the mill for Ridpath if not the boss, but bigger boss has his back and he moves forwards/sideways and backwards at a typical pace. You cannot put this down, although that ending. Wow. Did not see that coming. Thanks to NetGalley and Canelo for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed this book all the way through. It had a really good plot, great main characters and really keeps you hooked on the plot. I would highly recommend this book.

This is the first book of the DI Ridpath series I've read, but it reads nicely enough as a standalone. I will however go back and read the previous books in the series. The whole plot of the book is bases on Ridpath's past, that come to haunt him now. This was an entertaining read and recommended.
TB

DI Thomas Ridpath finds that his past has come home to roost. In one of his first cases, a man was charged and convicted and only after 10 years was found innocent and released.

People who were a part of that process are being murdered in gruesome ways. The killer doesn't seem to care if law enforcement knows who he is .. he has an agenda and nothing is going to stand in his way to finish.

And Ridpath is on that list.

Everything seems to be open to interpretation .. Ridpath's gut feeling just might be leading him in the wrong direction. This highly entertaining tale is full of suspense from start to finish with a few red herrings along the way. The characters are deftly drawn and will be remembered long after the explosive conclusion. Although 5th in the series, this reads well as a stand-alone, but I do recommend starting at the beginning.

Many thanks to the author / Canelo / Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

Thanks to #NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review M. J. Lee's newest installment in the "DI Ridpath' series. Having read all of the previous books, I was eager to get my hands on the latest one - and I was not disappointed in the slightest. This is the fifth book in the series, and the tension is ramped up to 11.

DI Thomas Ridpath has been given the opportunity - finally - to rejoin his old crew; but first he has to finish his work with the Coroner's Office and Mrs. Challinor, whom I have come to love over the course of all of these books. She has encouraged Ridpath to become a better investigator and he's shown his tenacity and intuition over the course of all of their cases, sometimes overlapping with his old unit and his old boss.

But now, there's a new second-in-command and the interactions between him and Tom are less than amicable - he doesn't believe in intuition and gut feelings. His presence and the 'stepping back' of his old boss might be a factor in Ridpath's decision.

But first, an old case will come back to haunt Ridpath, Mrs. Challinor, Tom's former co-workers and others who have been perceived as being parties to a miscarriage of justice.

It starts with a gruesome case of animal cruelty, and escalates quickly. Cops are targeted, CSIs are targeted,, former Coroners are in danger..... even the undertaker is fair game for our killer or killers. And DI Ridpath might just be the ultimate target!

The Beast Of Manchester case is back in the spotlight, and everyone associated with that case and the wrongful imprisonment of an innocent man has a bullseye on their back as someone is seeking retribution.

There are too many spoiler opportunities so I will just say that this a first class police procedural/whodunit with a seriously twisted ending. The wait for the next book will be excruciating.

DI Ridpath's life seems to be on a more even keel. his cancer is in remission and he has been invited back to MIT after his investigation led to the capture of the real Beast of Manchester and the freeing of a man wrongly convicted for 10 years. However when his ex-boss' grave is desecrated and another retired officer's dogs are killed Ridpath feels that there is a connection. Then the deaths start...
I have really enjoyed this series over the past few years and this book is no exception. The plots are always tight and the Manchester sense of humour evident. Lee is very good on the cultural links and the knowledge of the geography, urban and rural, is impeccable. Finishing on a real cliffhanger, I eagerly await the next installment

I absolutely love this series, it mixes police procedural with crime thriller and works so well. The plot for this book comes from an arrest Ridpath made in his past, someone who seeks revenge and causes havoc for the police force. The writing is engaging and the story line is believable, apart from the fact a DI may not be that hands on in the real world but that made no impact on the greatness of the book. I think this book could be read as a stand alone however to get the best from it would be to start at the beginning and get to know the characters and the past story lines.

Another fabulous book in MJ Lee’s series featuring DI Ridpath.
I was initially drawn to this series due to the original concept of a detective inspector solving crimes whilst working within the coroners office. Since reading that first book, I have been hooked on the series; the skilled writing, plots, characterisation and cliffhangers (within, and at the end of the books).
Here we pick up where book four finished, with DI Ridpath having agreed to return to leave the Coroner’s Office and return to the murder investigation team. With only a couple of weeks left in his old role, he is assigned to help the MIT with a new case that of the killing of two dogs belonging to his old boss. Whilst it initially seems a minor matter, it develops into something much more sinister.
I just devour every book in this series and as the characters develop it has become one of my favourite ongoing series, and I cannot wait for the next one!
Thanks to NetGalley for a Kindle copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I have read and thoroughly enjoyed all the books in this series and this one was just as good as the others - a little bit different to a normal police procedural and I enjoy the Coroner angle. This one also has a huge cliffhanger - I hope it won't be long before the next one comes out. Highly recommended.

Another solid, fast-paced story set just before the beginning of the global pandemic.
Excellent storytelling and well-portrayed characters. The live broadcast of the executions is sure to bring a chill down your spine. The mystery behind the killings takes the reader on a nail-biting adventure.
DI Ridpath is a fighter - a cancer survivor - though not liked by many, he is known for his out-of-the-box thinking. Ridpath realizes the killings are connected to a case he solved years ago. He must act fast - act before the killer makes him the next victim.
Highly recommended!