Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience

It's the first book I read by this author and it's intriguing and gripping.
This is the third in a series and I hope to read soon others as it was brilliant.
The author knows how the world of investigative detectives works and delivers an excellent story that mixes political and technological topics.
A riveting, engrossing and fast paced plot, a great cast of characters and excellent storytelling.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Reporter William Carver is an analogue man in a digital world. He isn't the most tech-savvy reporter, he's definitely old school, but he needs to learn fast - the people he cares most about are in harm's way.

From the Chilean mines where they dig for raw materials that enable the tech revolution, to the streets of Hong Kong where anti-government protesters are fighting against the Chinese State, to the shiny research laboratories of Silicon Valley where personal data is being mined everyday. This is a gripping thriller, Very good novelist. Exciting, engrossing, page turner.

Journalist William Carver returns for a third time in Peter Hanington’s A Cursed Place which is an engaging, complex and enthralling novel that was an excellent read.

The main and supporting characters are well drawn and all contribute to pushing the highly topical story along.

This has been a superb series to date and hopefully there is more to come from Carver

This is the third William Carver book and to my mind the best of what is already a highly impressive body of work. The author has a deep understanding of the machinations of the BBC and how a reporter works in the field and Carver is a wonderfully drawn character who I am sure is an amalgam of many colleagues that the author has worked with in his time at the BBC.

The plot id complex, meaty and topical and the reader is drawn in quickly and easily. The supporting characters are also well drawn and interesting.

I am not going to provide spoilers regarding the plot but just to say that the actions that the book described have made me think deeply about the implications of Artificial Intelligence and media conglomerates.

An exceptionally good book that is highly recommended.