This book was everything I hoped it would it be.
I was hooked quickly and completely unwilling to put this down. I devoured this book in just one sitting. I have no regrets and can’t wait to read more by this author.

Another fantastic book by Nicholls. Dark and gory just like his others. Fast paced and gruesome. Kept me gripped from start to end

5☆ Utterly Fantastic

A Cold Cold heart is a fast paced Thriller that is fresh, gripping, addictive and will leave you turning pages into the early hours.
If you are looking for a fresh new Thriller, that is gripping, Creepy, fast paced, short addictive chapters, that keep you reading till the early hours. Then this is definitely the book for you!!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. I have chosen to write this honest review voluntarily and it reflects my personal opinion.
This author is new to me and this is the first book I have read in this series but this does not seem to make any difference understanding the book or characters as there is little reference to previous events. The style is somewhat different to most detective novels in that the reader is informed of the perpetrator early on.
I particularly disliked the amount of bad language used by many of the characters, this was unnecessary and added nothing to the characterisation or story. There was also more explicit violence than I expected and I do not understand why we had to be told about how 3 female victims felt 'urine trickling down their leg(s)'. The plot seemed weak, the characters not credible and the narrative did not provide suspense which would be expected in the case of a character who relies upon using his image presentation to trap then use psychology as part of his victims' torture.
I persevered until the end with this book but cannot recommend it as enjoyable, a good or clever read. I am going to try the next in series to see if this is a one-off.

Another great read from this amazing author. I loved that the writer had DI Grave step back some to allow Kesey to shine. Both Detectives did an awesome job with the story. I enjoyed the intense research of the killer and the background work it took to put the puzzle pieces together of the killer. I absolutely loved that the writer had the killer has the main character of the story. His insight brought the excitement of the story, as well as the entertainment. This book was a great read.

A clever serial killer, a detective who is in failing health opens for a great detective book. The book early on reveals the killer and his obsession with the detective’s daughter who is working for him. In a race against time who will win out. I think reading the previous books would give context to elements of this book but would still recommend.

Book three in the excellent DI Gareth Gravel series sees him on the trail of a serial killer but events become very close to home in this thrilling story from a master story teller. Another great addition to a superb series.

There is a serial killer and rapist on the loose, and the detectives have few leads. Emily starts a relationship with her new boss, Charles Turner, but quickly becomes uncomfortable. With DI Gravel's health failing, and the killer planting false evidence, it is a race to catch him!
Great thriller, which describes a psychopath with no mercy. Highly recommend this crime series, which has well thought out and detailed crimes. Excellent!

Overall, I really enjoyed this dark, chilling, well-plotted story. It was intense and fast paced and I raced through this in a few hours, frantically turning the pages, desperate to find out how it was all going to be resolved. With that dramatic ending, I wasn’t disappointed! I’m already looking forward to the author’s next book.

This is book 3 in the Carmarthen Crime Series, and just as good as the first two, although a little darker in places.
This time, DI Gravel is hunting a serial killer, but things get too close to home for comfort when his daughter Emily is taken. Can Grav and DS Laura Kesey find Emily in time to prevent her becoming another victim?
As a many time visitor to this part of Wales, I can picture the places they visit, and the descriptions bring the places back to life for me.
An excellent series of books, and I will continue to read them until I have read them all.
Thank you for the chance to read this ARC.

Third book in the DI Gravel series, The Castle Beach Murders was previously published as A Cold Cold Heart but new to me. As is typical for this series, you know who the killer is almost from the start, so the book is more about the chase than whodunnit; how will Grav and DS Laura Kesey catch the killer, and in this case, will they catch him before Grav's daughter becomes ones of the victims? Warning to the "faint of heart": this is a dark book, the characters swear a lot, and there are some pretty vivid and gruesome descriptions. Some of the dialog is a bit stilted, but the characters have depth and Nicholl keeps you on the edge of your seat.

When I requested this arc I thought it was part of a series of whodunnit set in Carmarthen. As a matter of fact I got the setting right as this is a very dark, twisty, gritty mix of police procedural and thriller.
Great characters and plotting.
This is another twisty and fast paced story that i enjoyed.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

I enjoyed this one. While I have not read the first two books in the series I will need to do so now.
I believe there is also a fourth book as well.
I love short 4-5 book series.
The end was definitely the best part of the book. Good author that I’ll definitely read more of.

This is book 3 of the Carmarthen Crime series, but the first I had read. It starts off with giving you multiple sides of the story- the police and the killer. Very quickly the readers senses that the victim has fallen into a trap she won't be able to get out of, but knowing that her dad is the inspector, means the story might nor unfold the way the reader initially thinks, and it doesn't. When he has to take a back seat, it's up to his team to solve the mystery and save his daughter. A page turner at the end, this is a 4 book series to sink your teeth into!

The Castle Beach Murders was called A Cold Cold Heart by John Nicholl is one of the best authors I have read. This is the third book in the brilliant DI Gravel series and WoW this has been one of the best series I have read, i did not want this book to end. This book is a chilling Psychological Thriller and like all his books I have read, once I started I Couldn't Put it Down.

I do HIGHLY recommend you read the other three books they will not disappoint.

It's full of great twists and turns and John has a way of drawing you into his books..........This is what makes John an excellent author.
DI Gravel is a brilliant character, someone who you could look up to and tell him all your problems over a bottle of beer. Wine in my case. I just loved this character.

The novels in the DI Gravel Series include: new and old titles. So don't get confused.

The Carmarthen Murders was Portraits of the Dead (DI Gravel, #1)
The Tywi Estuary Killings was Before I Met Him (DI Gravel, #2)
The Castle Beach Murders was A Cold Cold Heart (DI Gravel, #3)
The Dryslwyn Castle Killings was Anonymity (DI Gravel, #4)

Part of a series featuring DI Gravel but can be read as a stand alone as their is enough description for you to understand the storyline and the background. Lots of suspense and a great plot line. Quite graphic, but in the context of the story. A family connection too which makes it all the more difficult for D I Gravel. One to definitely enjoy.

This is number 3 in a series but can be read on its own.

Not my usual genre but once started you had to finish it to see how it ends. Less gory than book 2.

It grabs you from the start to the finish. Easy read, Great characters
Thank you to John Nicholl, NetGalley, and Boldwood Books for the arc of this book.

When DI Gravels daughter takes a job with Solicitor Charles Turner they are unaware of the events that will soon follow

Not as gripping as i thought from the blurb but still a good read

Book 3 in the DI Gravel, Carmarthen Crime series and another great police procedural thriller. Although you are clear who the killer is from the start this is still a book full of suspense and some surprises. The killer, Charles Turner, is one of the most evil fictional characters I’ve read. He is charming and attractive to women he is also predatory, obsessive, twisted and sadistic. As always with this authors books you should be aware that they are going to be graphic - this killer has his own torture chamber!

Briefly, Gravel is pleased when his daughter returns home to works for a local solicitor. He is currently working on a serial killer case where young women are murdered and found dressed in dated clothes. What no one expects is who his next victim will be so when Emily disappears… With Gravel sick in hospital DS Laura Kesey is left in charge of the case.

A great plot line, well written and moved along at a great pace. I’ve enjoyed all the books in this series and look forward to reading the next one soon. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫