I have read a lot of Helen H Durrant books this year and enjoyed most of them but unfortunately this one did hit the spot for me. I particularly enjoy the 'Calladine & Bayliss' series but to be honest all of them are good reads. So with 'The Guilty Man' starting a new series I was keen to read this one hoping for yet another gripping one. Well there were plenty of positive signs, characters with demons and decent plots but maybe it will take another couple of books before I get into this series.

Set in the in the North of England, Detective Harry Lennox and DI Jess Wilde are involved in the case of a missing child. When the little girl, presumed dead, turns up playing in a local park, her mother shows little interest. Another case involving a tortured victim who has his hand severed and left on his wife's doorstep is followed by a similar vicious case.
This book really sets the scene for another series of books so there is perhaps too much going on in such a short novel. Plenty of scope to develop the characters to make this another popular series.

I would like to thank both Netgalley and Joffe books for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

This is the first book in what I hope will be many of a new series set in the northern town of Ryebridge near Manchester. The story starts with an account of Nick Sutton being tortured. The man who has just amputated Nick’s hand knows that Nick is a ruthless criminal, wealthy and feared in the area. As he begs for his life Nick gets a surprise when he is told whom the man is working for. Meanwhile DI Harry Lennox and DS Jess Wilde have just received word that a three year old child, Lucy Green, has turned up safe and well after being missing for weeks. She is handed back to her mother who lives on the notorious run-down Baxendale estate and who appears to be more interested in getting her next fix than in her daughter’s well being. Something is not right, since a man is already locked up after confessing to her kidnap, and the child is better fed and dressed than when she was taken. It looks like there will be a whole load more investigating to do. Unfortunately good news is swiftly followed by bad news, and Caroline Sutton is at the police station wanting to report her husband missing. She must be desperate since Sutton and arch rival Andy Marsh are both well known villains who have carved up the local drug market between them but recently have fallen out again. The detectives believe they may have a turf war to deal with, especially when a severed hand is left on the Sutton’s doorstep. Nick was involved with other businesses too, and Lennox and Wilde are drawn to a family of thugs who run their business on the Baxendale. Before they know it, events start to mushroom out of control, with an influx of dodgy drugs and sinister unknown faces. Old faces from his past that Lennox would prefer to forget start to make a reappearance and everything threatens to implode for him. Harry is a bit of an enigma. Jess has worked with him for around two years and still knows very little about him apart from the fact that he originally transferred from Scotland, he has just split up with latest girlfriend Andrea and that he now is living temporarily in a mate’s camper van parked outside the house. He drinks far too much, to sleep or maybe to forget how he got the burns to his hands? The more Jess nags at him to talk about his past, the more it annoys him but he might just have to come clean if they are to stop these ruthless killings and crimes that are threatening to take over the town.
This is a smashing start to the series with loads of great story for the reader to get stuck into. It has an exciting plot which is well delivered in lots of threads which are all brought together to make a thrilling ending with lots of clever twists along the way. We begin to get to know the pair of detectives as people as well as police officers, and Lennox’s intriguing past eventually gets revealed a little. I suspect there will be far more to come in future stories and I am looking forward to their next case. 5*

I hate to say it, but for a brand new series, this one reminded me entirely way too much of her other works (especially her Calladine and Bayliss series). It seemed nearly ever aspect was the same just with a different name - partners who don't really know much about each other, human trafficking, crime lords, right down to the "rough housing development" that is ripe with drugs and other criminal activities. She even used the same formula of having two seemingly unrelated story-lines going on at once.

Now I get that it's a formula for a reason (and one this author has used to their success many times over), but it made it hard for me to become invested in these characters when every few pages I was comparing them to her other characters. Even the surprising twist wasn't that surprising for me as it was nothing more than what I've come to expect from her.

It didn't help that DS Jess Wilde seems more interesting in Harry's personal life (between constantly berating him for living in a camper van and not having a "proper flat" to telling him to go around to his ex-girlfriend's house for the rest of his things - things he has no place to store because he doesn't have a place to live), she quickly became annoying. Harry was no better, harboring this deep dark secret (or was he? I guess we'll all have to wait and see as it was never proved one way or another in this story), but he has an obvious drinking problem, as well as no qualms about using his friend (I mean seriously, who helps themselves to someone else's clothes when they aren't home because he needs something fancier than what he's got)?

Despite these things, this is the kind of story that will appeal to those who enjoy police procedurals that aren't as straight on as they appear. I also believe that other fans of this author will most likely be able to enjoy this one without making all the comparisons that I did. For me? I will likely continue on with this series, although depending on when the next one is released, I might wait awhile in between readings.

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

A man is tortured by a merciless criminal. The victim's hand is severed and left on his wife's doorstep. A second man is similarly tortured and his hand removed.

Detective Harry Lennox and DI Jess Wilde are investigating a missing child. The little girl, presumed dead, turns up alive and well in the local park.

Lennox and Wilde believe these case are all connected ... but have no proof. Most people they talk to have nothing to say ... those that do are usually lying.

Lennox is hiding something in his past, causing problems with Wilde. He's drinking too much and living like a homeless person. Wilde is determined to flush out his secrets .. but then she might be sorry later.

It's a mystery chock full of twists and turns ... a real page turner from beginning to end. The cases are complex with plenty of suspects to follow. The characters are deftly drawn and full of surprises. A missing child, drugs, human-trafficking, hangings and two spectacular fires......this is the first of a promising new series and I look forward to seeing the next adventures of these detectives.

Many thanks to the author / Joffe Books / Books n All Book Promotions / Netgalley for the digital copy of this new crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

The Guilty Man is the first instalment in the DI Harry Lennox and DS Jess Wilde series, set in the rundown town of Ryebridge, Northern England. Three-year-old toddler Lucy Green has been missing for several weeks when Lennox and Wilde are called to Cheetham Park where she has just been discovered wandering around shoeless but, miraculously, unharmed. She appears dishevelled and quite dopey for a child her age, who would usually have bags of energy to spare, and doesn't remember her own name. It's seems quite possible that she may have been drugged during her ordeal. Her mother, Kelsey Green, is a narcissistic sociopath who cares more about using her daughter as a cash cow to sell column inches rather than being relieved she's safe. But she must be questioned before she can be allowed home as Albert Sykes, had confessed to both kidnapping and killing Lucy before he was attacked is prison and is now being kept alive on a ventilator in hospital. Jess and Harry are also assigned the case of Nick Sutton, a notorious criminal, who is reported missing by his wife, Caroline, and when his sworn enemy Andy Marsh vanishes too the police are puzzled by this double disappearing act.

This is a superbly plotted, absorbing and totally riveting read with a plot that grips you early on. It starts off at quite a pedestrian pace in order to introduce the characters but it soon picks up and has you racing along turning the pages. It is a terrifying and chilling police procedural with multiple plotlines, both equally as addictive, and is written in a gritty and gripping fashion to ensure you're engrossed from start to finish. There are many twists and most of them I didn't see coming, especially the identity of one of the perpetrators which really caught me off guard. Durrant takes the time to develop the cast of characters meaning you really care about what happens to them and even the settings are wonderfully described. I am already looking forward to learning more about Lennox and Wilde and seeing them evolve over the upcoming instalments. If you enjoy menacing, tension-filled stories with killer climaxes then give this a try. With kidnapping, people trafficking and murder all taking place against the backdrop of a dead-end town, I guarantee you won't be disappointed. Highly recommended. Many thanks to Joffe for an ARC.

Detectives Lennox and Wilde Thrillers #1

In a town on town in the North of England, a man is tortured by a ruthless criminal. The victims severed hand is left on his wife's doorstep. Detective Harry Lennox and DS Jess Wilde are involved in the case of a missing child. The little girl, presumed dead, turns up playing happily in a local park. Her other doesn't seem to care. Detective Harry Lennox is battling his own demons, trying to Bury secret from his past with alcohol. He lives in a campervan on a friends driveway.

Three year 9ld Lucy Green had disappeared vive weeks ago. Albert Sykes had confessed to her murder. But Lucy turns up in a local park alive. A local drug dealer goes missing and his severed hand is left on his wife's doorstep. A lot to pack into a book that's less than 200 pages. DS Jess Wilde is an irritating character. Detective Harry Lennox likes a drink. They're a strange combination and hopefully they will grow on me thennore the series progresses.

I would like to thank #NetGalley, #JoffeBooks and the author #HelenHDurrant for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

208 pages

4 stars

Three-year old Lucy has been missing for three weeks. She is found in a nearby park, shoeless but in better care than when she disappeared. Her mother Kelsey is a real winner. She doesn’t seem to care about Lucy and is only interested in getting the most money for her story.

At the same time there is a killer on the loose in the northern part of England.

DI Harry Lennox and his partner DS Jess Wilde have been working Lucy's case. They have a suspect who confessed to kidnapping and killing Lucy. He is now in hospital due to an altercation in prison.

Jess and Harry also are assigned the case of Nick Sutton, a criminal type. His wife Caroline has reported him missing. When Andy Marsh, Sutton's main rival, goes missing the plot thickens, as they say.

Kidnapping, people trafficking, murder and mayhem all play a part in this first book of a new series for Ms. Durrant. There are surprises in store for the reader. I must confess I didn't cotton on to the head bad guy until it was revealed in the book.

As usual with Ms. Durrant's books, this one is both well written and plotted. It was eminently readable. And a quick read as well. The tortured Harry was well portrayed and the very snoopy and persistent Jess, mmm...not so much. I'd like to know more about her. Perhaps in the next book, for I hope this will be a new series for this author. Very well done, Ms. Durrant.

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

I love Helen Durrant's books, but to me, there was just something missing from this one. Not too sure about the new detective pair, maybe they need the character development of a second book. I also guessed the identity of the 'boss' early on, which is unusual with Helen Durrant. I know people trafficking is a real and serious problem, but so many books recently have similar plots. I'm sorry that I didn't love it, but it's still a good read.

Lennox and Wilde Book one in a new series by the author
A thriller that will shake you and set your blood pumping
a Sharp and gritty read
D.S. Jesse Wilde and Detective Harry Lennox are a team, and Harry's life is a bit of a mess as we get to know the two character's.
Three year's old Lucy Green has been found wandering out of Cheetham Park alive she has been missing for five weeks and looks like she has been giving sedatives she doesn't even know her own name, but she had to be questioned, Albert Sykes had admitted to killing the child and was on remand and attacked so was now in hospital on a ventilator, Lucy's mum Kelsey Green wanted to just take her home and was more interested in telling her story to the papers, but was later found after taking a drug overdose, the question is where did they come from.
Rye Bridge is a small northern town and when Marsh and Sutton both disappear and their hands are left on their home doorsteps this cannot get any more gruesome, this is looking like a drug barren on a killing spree around the place, so the investigation goes on.
Wow this book will churn your insides as you read.
its full of twists and turns around all the character's with a slap bang ending.
I hope to get more from these two in the coming reads from this author a good start to a new series.

Really enjoyed this a first in a new series. I liked the characters and I’m looking forward to seeing them develop in future books. This was a thrilling and tense book which kept my interest throughout.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Joffe Books for an advance copy of The Guilty Man, a thriller set in the fictional Northern town of Ryebridge.

DI Harry Lennox and DS Jess Wilde are investigating the disappearance of 3 year old Lucy when they are diverted to investigate the disappearance of a local gangster and contaminated drugs on the local estate.

I quite enjoyed The Guilty Man but it’s hardly the edge of the seat read advertised. It’s slow and somewhat clumsy in its execution with the set piece action scenes seemingly inserted for thrills rather than logical extensions of the plot. In mitigation, however, the last couple of twists are a surprise.

I can’t say that it held my attention or pushed me to keep reading. It’s easy enough to put down and pick up later and I think that part of the reason is the scope of the crimes. Obviously the novel widens from a simple missing persons case and it tries too much in a simple format, leaving no room for nuance or empathy. It’s a series of scenes, not all of which fit together seamlessly.

The characters aren’t particularly likeable either. Harry has a secret past that he won’t talk about and a dysfunctional present that he also won’t discuss. Jess doesn’t do much except moan about Harry’s lifestyle and try to prise his secrets from him. She’s the adult in the room and I actually liked her better than Harry.

The Guilty Man is a solid, if uninspiring, read.

A really good start to a series. Plenty of action and characters that I want to find out more about.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

Another great story from Helen Durrant, main character D I Harry Lennox has a secret in his past life in Scotland and whose current personal life a total disaster. Despite all of his problems he manages to investigate the various avenues the crimes have taken, leading to a successful but surprising end.

I always enjoy books by Helen Durrant but this one, not so much. It was slow paced, took me some time to get into and there were a few inconsistencies in the story. The character of Jess left me really irritated with her constant repetitions and criticism of Harry. The plot had great promise and I liked the twist at the end. Overall, an average read. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

I don't normally pick a read now but this description really intrigued me.

This started off really so well with so much promise poor little Lucy.
For me nothing much was happening and I got distracted in the middle.

An Ok read but not something I would rush back to unfortunately.

I’m afraid I didn’t enjoy this book at all. I have enjoyed the Rachel King series that I have read by this author and haven’t given her anything lower than four stars before. So, I was really surprised by how terrible I found this new crime series.
For only 208 pages it really dragged, I just felt like I was taking ages to get through it. I think this is because I just couldn’t connect with the characters and there were so many little plot holes it was distracting. The characters jump to conclusions with nothing to back up their thoughts. They then state these thoughts as fact. For example, the guy leaving Bab’s house, they have no idea who this or why he was there but later on it is stated that he lives there and they know who he is. How do they know this, when was this information discovered? This is just one of many examples of inconsistencies. It was very off-putting, and I had to keep going back in the book to make sure I hadn’t missed anything. Another factor that added to how long it took me to read such a short book.
The writing felt stiff, and if I didn’t know better, I’d say this was the author’s first-ever book. I’m even wondering if someone else wrote this on her behalf as it was miles away from the standard of her other books that I have read.
Jess is a very annoying character, and I felt like she was just on repeat saying over and over again that Harry needed to sort himself out and save a deposit to buy a house. This was the least of the man’s worries, yet it was all she seemed to harp on about.
The story itself was over-complicated; there was too much thrown at it. There were too many characters to keep track of, and like I have said a lot of the storylines were based on nothing to back them up. They just seemed to be plucked out of thin air by the detectives, treated as fact and then developed on. It was all very bizarre.
The only slight positive I can find was the small twists at the end. I didn’t see them coming, and they were a welcome addition.
So, I’m afraid I won’t be reading any more in this series as I was terribly disappointed.

Having read everything by Helen Durrant I was excited about a whole new series. What a great start, Loved Harry and feisty Jess, an explosive read I can't wait to read more.

A fast paced new series from this prolific author. A dark and twisted case and a well balanced humorous police duo.

I’d like to thank Joffe Books and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘The Guilty Man’ written by Helen H Durrant in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.
Three-year-old Lucy Green is found wandering around Cheetham Park after being missing for five weeks. Meanwhile, local villain, Nick Sutton, is reported missing by his wife Caroline who shortly after finds his severed hand on her doorstep. DI Harry Lennox and JS Jesse Wilde are soon investigating his disappearance and evidence points to his rival Andy Marsh as being responsible but when Marsh’s wife finds her husband’s hand in their garden Harry and Jess realise it’s likely both men are dead.
‘The Guilty Man’ is the first thriller in a new series featuring DI Harry Lennox and DS Jess Wilde. Harry has personal history from a traumatic incident that happened when he lived in Glasgow that caused him to move away and although he’s worked with Jess for two years she still has little knowledge of his background and the cause of the scarring on his hands.
I’m a big fan of Ms Durrant having read and thoroughly enjoyed the majority of her thrillers so it’s interesting to start a new series with completely different characters who have no connection to any of those in her previous series. Harry Lennox has this big secret that he doesn’t want to talk about and Jess gets annoyed that he’s happy imbibing too much alcohol and living in squalor in a camper-van with no desire to find a proper home. But they do get along well, working off each other’s strengths and weaknesses, and eventually discovering the truth. ‘The Guilty Man’ has an interesting storyline, there’s lots of drama, suspense and twists and turns that add to the complexity of the plot as they strive to discover the truth. I’m looking forward to reading the next in the series and seeing how the characters of Harry and Jess develop. I can definitely recommend this thriller which I found so easy to read I finished it in just over twenty-four hours.

THE. GUILTY. MAN......Helen Durrant
Three year old Lucy Green had disappeared without a trace, now found playing with other three year olds at a park. Found with no shoes on an expensive smock, sleepy, probably from a sedative. A mother that seems unaffected that she is now home.
A detective with a past, a story of alcohol, drugs, a story with twist and turns. Given ARC for my voluntary review and my honest opinion
by Net Galley and Joffe Pub