This is a great book. The setting is fantastic. I enjoyed the plot. It was very interesting. It is a brutal action packed thriller. The main characters are flawed.

Fans of British police procedurals will be glued to the pages of Wes Markin’s The Viaduct Killings, Book 1 of The Yorkshire Murders series.

DCI Emma Gardner is still haunted by the tragic death of a colleague. Emma continues to blame herself and is unable to focus on her job. With her career suffering, when Emma is seconded to rural Yorkshire, she hopes that she will be able to get back in the game, get her mind back on the job and continue to put dangerous criminals behind bars where they belong. In the wilds of Yorkshire, Emma discovers that there is plenty of insidious evil bubbling underneath the surface and when she is assigned with investigating a violent murder, she quickly realises that life is going to be far from peaceful in the countryside.

With her new partner DI Paul Riddick having demons and issues of his own, investigating this case is going to be far from easy as Emma quickly discovers. This investigation is hampered by links to an old case Riddick was involved with – that could lead to history repeating itself in the most frightening and sinister of ways. Can Emma and Riddick put a crazed murderer in prison and ensure that justice is served? Or will a ruthless killer end up getting away with murder?

A pacy chiller that bristles with tension, menace, suspense and atmosphere, The Viaduct Killings is a nail-biting procedural perfect for Angela Marsons and Helen H Durrant fans. Wes Markin really knows how to grab readers’ attention and hold them in thrall from beginning to end and with The Viaduct Killings, he has penned a terrifying thriller that will keep crime fans reading all through the night.

The start of a new book, can be the make of break of a series. This is definitely a series I will be following!! I have loved this book.

Markin has been on my TBR for a while so a new series has been the perfect opportunity to get stuck in. I haven’t been disappointed. This book has delivered in more ways than one.

This is a great book filled with great characters. The plot keeps you guessing and is completely unpredictable.

I have loved trying to suss this one out but been unsuccessful. I have been transported by this one. The writing has been so clear that I have felt as though I have been watching this one play outs in front of me.

This is a superb start to a series. I have devoured page after page in just one sitting. I can’t wait to see where the author takes this one.

The book was well written in that it stirred up all sorts of emotions while I was reading it and made me want to keep turning the pages to find out what would happen next. Dark and compelling, a slow-motion collapse; I read it in 24 hours with my heart in my mouth. So good!

Still grieving from the tragic death of her colleague, DCI Emma Gardner continues to blame herself and is struggling to focus. So, when she is seconded to the wilds of Yorkshire, Emma hopes she’ll be able to get her mind back on the job, doing what she does best - putting killers behind bars.
But when she is immediately thrown into another violent murder, Emma has no time to rest. Desperate to get answers and find the killer, Emma needs all the help she can. But her new partner, DI Paul Riddick, has demons and issues of his own.
And when this new murder reveals links to an old case Riddick was involved with, Emma fears that history might be about to repeat itself…

This is a great start to new series.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and found myself second guessing every thought I had continuously.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.

I was provided an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher. This is my own honest voluntary review.

Brilliant written, engrossing thiller. I read this in a day as I was hooked from the first page. The twists were expertly plotted and I definitely didn't expect that ending. I was new to the author but now I can't wait for the sequel in this wonderful series. @bookandtonic @wesmarkinauthor

Not long after DCI Emma is moved to Yorkshire a violent murder takes place, with DI Paul Riddick she must find the killer. But when this murder is linked to suicide questions are raised and past demons will soon come out.

This is the first novel in a series and a fantastic, engaging and fast-paced novel I couldn’t put down. The back story of Paul Riddick will have every reader's heart swelling and twists that no one will see coming.

This novel is written split between different characters' points of view which is a great way to allow the narrative to flow as well as explore the different characters. I have not read novels by Markin before but I will be reading more by them.

The Viaduct Killings, is the first novel in The Yorkshire Murders series, and my first time reading Wes Markin, I have heard of his DCI Yorke series but have never got around to reading. This was a great introduction to his writing and I absolutely loved this book.

DCI Emma Gardner has been seconded to the wilds of Yorkshire and she is literally thrown in the deep end where she meets her new partner DI Paul Riddick at the scene of a violent murder. What a way to start her first day! It becomes clear from the onset that Riddick has had something happen in his past that has hardened him as he comes off as standoffish towards Emma, as the story progresses we get titbits of what has happened and we get his story it is heart breaking (not gonna lie I kinda guessed but it still made me tear up) Although they both got off a rocky start both Emma and Paul work really well together, and when the put their heads together to solve the murder, it becomes clear that there is a connection to a suicide that Paul dealt with a few years prior. 

When another murder happens, and the pieces start to fall into place it a race against time for Emma and Paul to catch the killer before someone else dies. This was a really great police procedural that Markin has weaved, the interlinking storylines of Emma and Paul alongside the murder ran smooth and really gave us an insight to these wonderfully flawed characters. I loved the journey Markin took us on with this first book on the series and I can't wait to read more from DCI Emma Gardner and DI Paul Riddick.

5 stars

The story:
DCI Emma Gardner is reluctant to leave her Wiltshire life to take up a secondment in North Yorkshire, blaming herself for the loss of a colleague while on duty with her. But her superiors think it’s the best thing for her, to get her out of the slump she has fallen into.

DI Paul Riddick has his own demons to deal with, having suffered terrible personal tragedy and been vilified in the press and by his own colleagues over his handling of a previous case, a young girl’s suicide.

But when a body is found on DCI Gardner’s first day on the job, at Knaresborough Castle in sight of the picturesque local viaduct, the pair must work together to track down a killer.

With the trail leading back to past cases, and the press and public demanding answers, will Gardner and Riddick be able to find the culprit, before they kill again?

My thoughts:
I’m reading quite a lot of crime fiction at the moment — it feels like the right time of year! But “The Viaduct Killings” by Wes Markin really stood out. The partnership between Gardner and Riddick works brilliantly; starting with uncertainty and antagonism, they move towards appreciation of one another’s skills and a genuine rapport.

The plot is an intriguing one, with potential ties to a notorious local criminal, but also the more personal world of the victim and his time at school. The way the various strands of the story come together is well done, and I could imagine this book transferring well to the screen. It ends on a cliffhanger, and I look forward to reading the next instalment to learn more about the demons in DCI Gardner’s past.

A great read for crime fans, and the first in what I hope will be a long-running series!

A brand new series from Wes Markin which hails a change from the books I have previously read of his. The Viaduct Killings is slightly more 'cosy' than what I am used too. Still, I couldn't wait to see what Wes had in store for me this time.


DCI Emma Gardner is seconded to Knaresborough. She doesn't get time to catch her breath as she arrives when there is a murder to investigate. She finds her DI, Paul Riddick is man with a tortured soul. Can they work together as they need to, to solve this case? Or will the demons from Riddick's past and Emma's grief get in the way of the case?

If there is one thing I can guarantee, it's that Wes Markin always weaves a story that you don't want to stop reading. Emma does appear in the Yorke books, so anyone who has read them will already know her. In Knaresborough, she is out on a limb. Alone as she has left her family behind temporarily, in a strange place and with a new team, she is determined to solve the case. I got to know Emma properly in no time. She is a tenacious woman, who knows she needs Paul Riddick and his local knowledge, but she also knows there is something not right somewhere.

Again, a very well written crime thriller and characters I cared for before I had read a quarter of the book. I was kept guessing about the murderer due to the twists, turns and red herrings that Wes Markin had thrown in for good measure. Even though the reader is allowed to see some facts that are known to the police, it didn't make trying to guess the killer any easier. I was on the edge of my seat in some parts and for me,that's an excellent sign!

I loved everything about this book. It may not be as dark as his other books but there is a frisson of Wes Markin's darkness running throughout. I didn't expect to be glued to this book for some reason, but I was...totally. The pages almost turned themselves and that ending!! I have to read the next book as soon as humanely possible!
Thanks to Rachel's Random Resources, Boldwood Books, NetGalley and Wes Marking for the copy of this book.

I do enjoy a police procedural and The Viaduct Killings was such a great one! From interesting characters to a compelling story and pretty much everything in between. It was very easy to become invested in discovering the truth. I especially enjoyed how I was kept on my toes throughout. There were plenty of suspects to choose from which of course meant I kept changing my mind over who was guilty. Along with getting caught up in Emma and Paul’s lives. Which in turn gave a bit more depth to the story.

I thought the author did a great job of combining the police investigation with getting to know the characters. It can sometimes be a bit of a tricky balance especially with book one in a new series but I think it worked out really well. Let’s just say I became caught up in the story wondering where it would take me next. All of the little twists and surprises managed to keep me guessing. Oh and the setting was another bonus. Well, it always going to be a hit with me.

The Viaduct Killings is such a strong start to a new series. The pacing was spot on and I really enjoyed trying to figure it all out. This book also gave me characters that made me sad to say goodbye as I turned the last page. All that’s left to say is I can’t wait for book two and to catch up with Emma and Paul again!

DCI Emma Gardner is immediately thrown into a murder investigation, a very rare occurrence in Knaresborough, and is given DI Paul Riddick as her second in command. Paul is a man with a tragic past, both personal and professional, and is still struggling to overcome the ghosts which haunt him. He’s abrasive, a drinker and difficult to handle but a very good detective and Emma recognises this in him. After all, she knows all about the loss of someone close, having been recently present at the murder of a colleague which resulted in her year long secondment from Wiltshire to North Yorkshire. A young man, a known troublemaker, has been found murdered at the castle ruins with very little by way of clues and forensics, but soon the detectives discover that a number of people could have had a motive for killing him, including a link to a sad case in Riddick’s traumatic history. Will Emma be able to stop the killer before anyone else dies whilst holding everything together?
Emma Gardner first appeared in this author’s DCI Yorke series which is much darker and more grisly than this one. This story will appeal to readers who love a good solid police procedural with a complex plot but without the sadistic nightmare characters that Yorke had to deal with. This is a great start to a new series and I am looking forward to reading more. 5*

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, my first by this author, and It was good to start at the beginning of a new series. I read this after ploughing through a hefty read so I appreciated how well this book flowed and the story moved along.
The characterisation was very effective and you felt as though you got to know the characters. I would happily read more of the series, in fact I would look forward to it.

This is a new author for me and one I'm very excited to have found. I love the beginning of a new series, getting to know the characters and the two leads are very interesting characters. I believe DCI Gardner is part of a different series and has moved to a new location. She's a great, strong female lead, I would definitely like to read more of her backstory. Her new DI has a lot of baggage with him, they seem quite different at the moment so it will be interesting to see how they work together in future books. A brilliant crime thriller, I can't wait for more!

DCI Emma Gardner has been sent to Yorkshire for 12 months. Just as she gets there, she is thrown headfirst into not only into solving a murder but also getting to know her crew. Her second is DI Paul Riddick who has demons that haunt him, and who uses alcohol to get through his days. Little hints are dropped along the way as to what may have happened in Riddick's past. Of course, Emma has her own issues that she has to get past. For me, the pacing was a little slow at the beginning but then picked up as clues started coming in as to potential victims. There were quite a few twists along the way as they worked to solve the case and Emma made good use of her team, even the ones who didn't make the best first impression.

Instantly engaged by this compelling police procedural, I like the detectives, the setting and the twisty investigation with its multiple suspects and false leads. DCI Emma Gardner is likeable, compassionate, and committed to finding justice for the victims. DI Paul Riddick is grieving and guilty but still a dedicated detective. Both have their demons, and this story draws out Paul's with their connection to the case. I like the developing dynamic between Emma and Paul; that gives the story depth and humanity. The mystery is full of twists and cleverly drawn to an action-filled and emotional conclusion. Emma's personal life is imploding and hopefully will be explored in the next book.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

I've read previous books by this author and enjoyed them so I knew I would enjoy this book. And thoroughly enjoy it I did! The characters of DCI Emma Gardner and her DI Paul Riddick are just brilliant., both have a backstory. For me this was as important to the story as much as the plot was .as it added another dimension to the book. As for the plot,, the murder of a young man is the beginning of their investigation, . it was intriguing and gripping., while discovering the who and why.. A fantastic start to a new series and I hope to read many more . Can't wait for the next book in the series

First there was the Michael Yorke series which spawned the Jake Pettman spin-off-series. Now it's Emma Gardner's turn to shine... She is seconded to Yorkshire and has to hit the ground running when she is called out to a murder on her first day. Teamed with DI Paul Riddick, the two of them have to really pull out the stops to try and make sense of what they see. Chalk and cheese and barely met, they have to put all that aside to work out the whys and wherefores...
The story is told in two timelines. The current investigation and flashbacks. The two work well together and complement each other perfectly with the past supplying background and colour to what is happening in the now. As well as progressing the narrative nicely, which goes along at a bit of a lick!
As you would expect from a series opener, there's a fair bit of meet and greet and foundations to be laid. Although, if you've read the Yorke books, you'll already have met Emma. Paul also has a bit (lot) of baggage and there is maybe a tad too much with the two together. But, that said, it's done now, so the next book(s) will be much more crime focussed.
The story itself is very well crafted and kept me on my toes throughout. There are the usual twists and turns etc that you'd expect from a book of this genre. Some of which left me a tad dumfounded,. And then, the ending, when it came was a bit of a jaw dropper!
So all in all, a cracking start to what looks to be another winning series. I will be very interested to see how Paul and Emma develop as characters both individually and as partners. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

The Viaduct Killings by Wes Markin is a gripping contemporary crime novel that had me glued from the start. It is the first book in The Yorkshire Murders series and I cannot wait for the subsequent novels.
This is a fast paced crime thriller that gives the reader a roller coaster ride as the crimes mount up. We see a cold case that appears to be linked to present day.
There are cases that some police personnel are haunted by. A case that they just cannot let go of as the guilt threatens to overwhelm them.
Growing up in an area has the advantages of knowing who the criminals are – the naughty ones at school prove to be equally challenging as adults. Spats from classroom days continue into adulthood. Choices always bring consequences – some choose a life of crime, others a life of law enforcement.
A new face from down south brings a fresh perspective.
A close knit community means sometimes life choices from the past come knocking in the present.
All the characters were well drawn. Wes Markin has created an eclectic mix who produce strong emotional responses from the reader.
Daily life simmers along in the background as a character battles his demons. When what is haunting him is revealed, I was genuinely shocked and saddened.
The Viaduct Killings would make a fabulous Netflix series. It was a cracking crime novel. I am looking forward to book two.
I received a free copy from Rachel’s Random Resources. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

What a fantastic, totally engrossing, compelling, brilliant and mind-blowing police procedural. A perfect start to a series with a right mix of murder mystery, series-scene setting and character introduction.

A story becomes a masterpiece when the author does a fantastic job of storytelling. So, kudos to the master storyteller (and a new favorite author to me) Wes Markin.

We have two PoVs in the first half of the book: the current murders and flashbacks from a young girl named Kelsey. As the story began, I wondered if Kelsey's bullying had some link to Paul Riddick. Turns out, Kelsey's suicide was investigated by Paul. And it caused quite an uproar because, according to the public, Paul acted insensitively.

It was heart-wrenching to read about Paul's loss. The poor guy lost the one thing that mattered to him the most. No wonder he was drinking like there's no tomorrow. Speaking of characters' side stories, we have a flashback of Emma's childhood (at the beginning of the book) and some development on this topic in the second half of the story. There's a shocking twist at the end and I am looking forward to seeing how this affects Emma.

The mystery behind the murder kept me guessing till the end. The identity of the killer was a huge shocker. I never saw the twists coming.

If you are looking for a gripping, intense and completely engrossing police procedural, I recommend you to give The Viaduct Killings by Wes Markin a try.