Kate Marshall Is Convinced To Investigate A Very Cold Case Abduction

Jean Julings with her three-year-old grandson, Charlie, and his parents are camping in an isolated part of Dartmoor National Park. Jean put Charlie in his sleeping bag in the tent that she was sharing with him after a day and evening of much activity. His parents were in their own tent a short distance away. Jean left the tent to smoke. Nearby she sees her uninvited and drunk sometime partner of many years. She goes to tell him to leave. When she returns to her tent, her daughter is exiting the tent and asking her where Charlie is. They search for hours. Finally, the police are called at 4 am. They arrive, but Charlie is never found. Eleven years later, Kate Marshall is taking her morning swim but is caught in a violent riptide. She nearly drowns but is saved by some surfers. She awakens in the hospital sharing her room with Jean. After overhearing that she is a private detective. Jean starts to talk about her grandson, and the novel proceeds from there.

The main storyline starts with the initial investigation to determine what happened eleven years ago to Charlie at Devil’s Tor. The investigation is slow but quickly runs its course. The only hope is a tenuous connection to a cold case murder that occurred shortly after Charlie’s disappearance. Another slow investigation starts requiring much shoe leather. In each of these phases, every possible suspect is investigated vigorously. My interest was quickly fully engaged like when I work a complex jig-saw puzzle and was maintained all the way to the end.

There is a major B-storyline thread that does affect the main storyline threads. It is the near drowning of Marshall. After talking with Julings in the hospital room, this case captured Marshall’s interest. As soon as she is released from the hospital, she and Julings immediately try to contact to each other. Marshall goes full throttle in the investigation but soon scales back because she is not fully recovered. Her efforts provide more insight into her character than I saw in the previous novel. Also, this aspect leads to showing how her partner, Tristan Harper, steps up to running both the investigation and her seaside resort. Lastly, Harper’s character is filled out with his interaction with his sister, her husband and son, and with Harper’s colorful retired DCI friend, Ade. These B-storyline threads enrichened my reading enjoyment of this novel.

For the aspects that some readers find objectionable, there are not any intimate scenes. Vulgar and rude language is minimal with impious language used a little more. Violence scenes are less edgy as they mostly are described after the fact. Even though I have read dozens of British based novels, this novel still drove me to use the internet access of my e-reader to determine the meaning of many British informal words used in the novel. Lastly, in this category, this is the fourth book in series, and I have read only the previous one in the series, but I did not find any unexplained references that appeared to events in previous novels. Therefore, the topics in this paragraph should not be objectionable to most readers.

There are several aspects of this novel that I liked especially how the complex investigation unfolded. A color character Ade plays a more substantive role in this novel. He was a retired police officer. In this novel, I learned that he was a retired DCI and contributed significantly to the main storyline. I did not have any dislikes, but I believe that some readers will believe that the novel’s flow is slow. The reason, I believe, is that this novel a thinking vice an action novel. Still, I still could not put it down. When I had to stop reading, I did not want to stop reading. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel. It is the fourth book in the series. I’ve only read the previous novel, but this author has earned a solid place in my Will-Read category. If a thinking mystery-thriller is your genre, I recommend reading this novel. I am looking forward to reading further novels or series by this author.

I received a free prepublication e-book version of this novel through NetGalley from Raven Street Publishing. My review is based only on my own reading experience of this book. I wish to thank Raven Street Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this novel early.

Once I started I just couldn't put this down and read it in one sitting. I was totally hooked from the start. A young boy goes missing while camping with his parents and grandmother. Years later and a chance meeting in hospital Kate, a private investigator, is asked to find out what happened Charlie.

I just loved the way the storyline played out, I semi guessed how it would end but I enjoyed it very much. I loved all the twists and turns. This is book 4, which I didn't realise, so I'm kicking myself for not starting from book 1. I enjoyed this from the first page and I will definitely be adding the others to my ever growing TBR list. I didn't feel as if I had missed out and found it worked well as a standalone read

Devil’s Way is the fourth book in the Kate Marshall series, I didn’t know it was a series at first but thankfully this book can be read as a standalone just fine.
Fortunately, there are some flashback to give the readers an overview of what happen in the previous books.

The plot is interesting, a boy has gone missing for eleven years and Private Detective Kate Marshall and her partner, Tristan started to investigate the case.
The plot keeps progressing but in a slower pace, it might happen cause the detectives take their time in following where each clue might lead.

The case is quite difficult to crack, I didn’t guess the truth from early on so I had fun making theories as the story goes. The twist at the end brings a pleasant surprise that I didn’t see coming at all.

As for the characters, Kate and Tristan seems to be having difficulties in doing this private detective business as partners cause Tristan used to be Kate’s assistant in the past.
I think I would have connected more with them and understand their relationship with the other characters if I read the series from the start. Nonetheless, I still enjoy the whole book.

Overall, this is a fascinating missing person case story, full with dark secrets and unexpected twists.
I’m looking forward to read more from this series and the author’s other book series as well!

I received an advanced review copy for free through Netgalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Huge thank you to the author and publisher!

5 Oh. My Stars
* * * * *
This was my first read of Robert Bryndza. Why I Have No Idea, silly me! This had everything a reader could want and was done so well, it makes other books of this type seem like a fifth-grader's project.
This was amazing.

I absolutely loved it! The plot was well thought out, and kept me guessing; the characters were all likeable, and it didn't have any of the tropes I usually hate in a mystery, thriller. It even got my heart rate up a couple of times.

The book is part of of The Kate Marshall series, but is just as enjoyable as a standalone. There were a couple of cases that are mentioned in this book that I assume are featured heavily in past books and I look forward to going back and reading them

Kate Marshall is a Private Investigator who narrowly avoids death in a swimming accident. Whilst recovering in hospital she comes across Jean who had lost her young grandson some eleven years previously in suspicious circumstances. Hearing that Kate was a PI she asked her to try and find her grandson.
This is a police procedural which had many twists and turns. Kate alongside her partner Tristan discover a lot of new evidence including information withheld from them by Jean.
After a slow start this becomes a very intriguing read with the occasional red herring thrown in for good measure.
Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC which I've reviewed honestly.

I love Kate Marshall series and this was another great entry in it. Kate is a sensitive character and I appreciate the way the author handles her sobriety.I can't wait for the next one!

Book Info: Devil’s Way by Robert Bryndza; #4 in the Kate Marshall series.
Publication Date: January 12, 2023
Summary: It’s all fun and games until someone goes missing. After a family camping trip goes astray, Jean Julings is left wondering what happened to her grandson. Her chance meeting with private detective Kate Marshall might be exactly what she needs to find the closure she’s spent the last decade hoping for. As Kate and her partner, Tristan, start digging, they begin to find there’s more to this case than meets the eye. Who can you trust to be telling the truth when the case is this cold and even the officers on the case aren’t squeaky clean?
Thank you! A big thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Raven Street Publishing, for the opportunity to read an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Rating and Review:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

For fans of “The Brokenwood Mysteries” or “Midsomer Murders”, Bryndza’s Devil’s Way is British mystery at its best!

We’ll take it from the beginning: from the first paragraph, we’re given a cinematic treat. The story fits together like scenes from your favorite television series. Creatively outlined and excellently cut together to show us every step of Kate and Tristan’s deep dive into the mystery behind the missing Charlie Julings.

Bryndza’s writing is gorgeous, and he does an amazing job of balancing enough information to give new readers context without recapping everything from other books. But the whole book is honestly an experience in the best way. I loved how he set up the case, the meeting between Kate and Jean, and the relationships between characters. I definitely had favorites, but it was refreshing to see all sides of our heroes: they were easy to like and engage with because they were sympathetic. Bryndza also managed to create characters that were easy to dislike, but in the end everyone was beautifully human.

Now, the mystery! Part of the fun of reading mystery novels is following along and trying to figure out who did it yourself with the detective. Devil’s Way was pieced togeher so expertly! Every clue is placed exactly where it needs to be and just vague enough that they make you think, but also so they come together in just the right way when they figure out just how Charlie went missing. Overall, it’s a realistic progression without any weird leaps in information we’re just supposed to believe.

The best part of Devil’s Way, though, is that Bryndza doesn’t just brush off the repercussions of characters’ actions. The ending wasn’t rushed and readers aren’t treated to a “and that’s what happened, now everyone lives happily ever after” chapter. Instead, readers are left with something a little more hopeful.

So, if you like well-rounded characters with depth in a plot-heavy and subtle mystery, this one is absolutely for you. And if you love a good British crime drama, Robert Bryndza is a must.

Who are your favorite detectives?

Oh so good!! I truly enjoy this series and take back all my complaining that Mr. Bryndza had put aside Erika Foster to start work on this one. Kate is a flawed character and this colors all her relationships and reactions. I love how Kate and Tristan work together as a team, each knowing when and where to provide support and when to sit back and let the other lead. In the story of a young boy going missing, there were several plots that weaved in and out of each other, all offering a bit of the ultimate picture. And even though I guessed the ultimate twist early, it was exciting to follow along as the truth was revealed. At this point, Mr. Bryndza is a must read author for me! Even though it is a stand alone and won't feature Erika or Kate, I'm now waiting for Fear The Silence coming out in July!

4.5 stars

Devil's Way by Robert Bryndza is the 4th in the PI Kate Marshall series.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Raven Street Publishing, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
  

Series Background:    (Warning – May contain spoilers from previous books)
Kate Marshall lost her career, reputation, friends, and almost her life when, as a plain-clothes detective, she unmasked the Nine Elms Serial Killer, her boss and lover.   Pregnant with his child, Kate suffered. She turned to alcohol, and almost lost her son, but her parents stepped in to become Jake's legal guardian when he was six.  She is now sober, and back in his life, although he is currently in California studying.  She is now a PI, partnered with her old teaching assistant Tristan Harper.


My Synopsis:    (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
Kate ends up in the hospital after being pulled into a riptide during her morning swim.  She struggles to figure out why she was so careless.

While in the hospital, she meets Jean, an older woman who tells her the story of how her 3-year old grandson Charlie disappeared eleven years ago during a camping trip to Devil's Way.  Although it is assumed that he fell into the rushing river and drowned, Jean still hopes that he is alive.  Kate agrees to look into it.

But Kate and Tristan start to find some disturbing information about the family.  Then they discover that a social worker who had bad-mouthed the family ended up brutally murdered shortly after the boy disappeared.

Perhaps there is more to this case than one little boy who wandered off.


My Opinions:
Okay, this one has cemented my love of this series.  The last one was good, this one was great.

The plot was really good, and it really tied in nicely to both Kate and Tristan's experiences with social workers, and the fact that Kate almost drowns, and she is looking for a child that is assumed drowned....it works.  Although I felt the major twist was obvious, getting there was really good.

I had a few problems relating to the grandmother and family of the missing boy -- they were all responsible for his disappearance as far as I was concerned.

I think the relationship between Kate and Tristan was solidified in this one, as Kate had to lean more on him while she struggled to get better from her near-drowning accident.  They make a good team.

The writing, as always, was excellent and the pace was fast.

Overall, it was another fast, entertaining read.

This is the first book that I have read by Robert Bryndza and it left me wanting more.
Kate Marshal had worked for the Met police and lectured at university, she was now working as a PI in Thurlow Bay. Kate was a recovering alcoholic, she had been sober for thirteen years, the circumstances of her next case were to test her strength at ignoring the bottle
On taking her usual morning swim in the sea, strong swimmer Kate made a disastrous error and was caught in a riptide, saved by two surfers who realized that she was in trouble, Kate was hospitalised and it was this that led Kate to her next case.
Jean Julings shared a hospital room with Kate, on learning that she and her partner Tristram Harper ran a detective agency she unfolded her bizarre story and asked Kate for her help.
Jean, her daughter Becky, Becky's partner, Joel and grandson Charlie were camping on remote Dartmoor close to Devil's Tor. Charlie had disappeared under suspicious circumstances, the police search had drawn a blank, they came to the conclusion that Charlie had fallen into the water and drowned but lately Jean had had a strong feeling that Charlie was still alive.
As this story unfolds there are so many different threads to follow, more deaths, more mysterious characters, a strange social worker, where did she fit in ?
This is a terrific mystery thriller set in beautiful but also dark and moody, Dartmoor, the author paints an atmospheric picture with words, I really enjoyed this story.
I received a free copy of this book and my review is voluntary

This was just not a tale that held my attention, I’m afraid; a bit too all-over-the-place with characters that weren’t relatable.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC opportunity.

An engaging mystery! I've not read any other books in this series & wasn't sure what to expect. I was happily surprised and am definitely going to go back and read the other books in this series. I liked Kate a lot. She's an interesting character. I liked Tristan a lot too! The mystery of the missing boy was intriguing, and I enjoyed putting all the pieces together as they uncovered them. I completely recommend this book and look forward to more in the series. I received an advance copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.

I really liked this book! It was such a good detective story, and I loved the angle of PI. I read it without any context, and didn’t feel I was missing too much backstory. I really loved Kate, and how we get to see her humanity, her fears, her worries. I loved seeing her interact with Tristan as they work to figure out their working relationship. The setting I think is what really made the book for me; it is very atmospheric and spooky throughout. It was a little predictable for me, but I liked the changes in POV as the book went on to mix it up. A really wonderful read and I would definitely pick up more by Robert Bryndza. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to provide my honest review.

This is one of my favorite book series and I am so happy that I was able to get it as an ARC! Robert Bryndza did not disappoint! This was a great book and I still love to see the friendship and partnership between Kate and Tristan. This one had some twists that I kind of saw coming but not totally and I loved it. The poor kids and family members. But the fact that there is hope at the end always makes me happy! Will definitely be telling my pals to read this one!

#DevilsWay
#NetGalley

I thought this was a well written book. It grabbed my attention from page one. It moves fairly quickly and I could have read it in one day. The mystery was good and I’m looking forward to more in this series.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced digital copy of this book.

Kate Marshall is in hospital following a freak swimming accident when she meets an older woman who tells her the story of her 3-year-old grandson's disappearance eleven years ago. Intrigued, Kate gives the woman her name and agency information and soon the woman calls wanting to hire the agency to find out what happened to her grandson.
Through a lot of twists and turns, some of which are totally out of the blue and some give you a little niggling brain tease, Kate and her partner Tristan keep falling further and further down a seeming rabbit hole. But does any of it have to do with Charlie's disappearance all those years ago?
The answer to those questions, and the solution to some other crimes, will keep you guessing. A good read, I recommend it - and I plan to catch up with Kate Marshall!!

Thanks to netgalley and raven street publishing for letting me review a copy of this book
PI kate Marshall ends up in hospital after having her usual swim in the sea, where she gets caught in a riptide. Two surfers manage to get her to shore and dial 999.
Whilst recovering in hospital kate meets an elderly lady who tells her that her grandson went missing 11 yrs ago whilst on a camping trip. When kate leaves hospital she has agreed to take on the case, with tristan her sidekick., they could never have imagined what they find out. Was charlie abducted? Has it all been lies?. Recommended reading, lots of twists and turns

I am a little disappointed I am a huge fan of Robert Bryndza but this took me an age to finish it. I kept going as I do love his book so much but didnt give up

I have yet to not like any book by Mr. Bryndza. He just knows how to tell a really, really good story. This book is no exception. The story was superb. The characters were on point. The ending was fitting. I have nothing but great things to say. This is the 4th book in the series. I have NOT read book one or two yet. You can read this without reading the others, however I highly recommend you read all the books in this series as you get a better background of the main characters and understand them more as the series goes on. I plan to go back and read the first two in the series because I am hooked.
Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.