Lots of development in the character arc of Helen Birch, recovering from the major injury sustained in the previous book of the series. Supposedly on sick leave, Birch inserts herself into an investigation, suspecting a vigilante is at large...but will this be the death knell for her career?
Enjoyable but not the strongest of the series.

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

This is the next instalment of the DI Helen Birch series, and it was just as good as the previous books. Helen, while on sick leave, decides to help secretly on a new case with the newly promoted DS Amy Kato. But, maybe Helen isn’t ready to return to crime solving just yet.

I really enjoy this series, and always look forward to seeing what Birch is up to next. She’s a great character, and in this story it was really good to see a different, more vulnerable side to her. The storyline was well written, and was, as always, a clever plot, with excellent descriptions of areas of Scotland.. I couldn’t guess what or who or anything, and that is always a good thing for me. I really enjoyed this, and would recommend this series to anyone who enjoys crime thrillers.

If a book mentions fans of Elly Griffiths would enjoy it, is instantly added to my teetering tbr. This is how I find myself reading The Dead Don’t Speak by Claire Askew, a new author to me.

It would appear I’ve picked up a series on book number 5. DI Helen Birch sustained a serious injury, a gunshot, during a hostage situation, and is currently recovering, in theory. Taking things easy, and letting her body rest does not come easily to her, in fact, it’s virtually impossible.

Despite being a new instalment of a series, the book reads well as a standalone. I feel there is a lot of ground covered in previous books, but I don’t feel I have missed out. The author puts enough detail through the pages, to help me to understand the backstories of the characters, and the previous events they have experienced.

I enjoyed the cast of characters, all were distinct and easily remembered. Helen is independent and head strong, to the point of self destruction. Her Dad Jamieson is my favourite character, I found his rich language painted his image into my mind. I found myself smiling during the pages he featured in. A rough diamond you would rather have on your side, than against.

The story felt realistic, and authentic. The characters are imperfect and relatable. I read the book quickly, as it was a good easy read.
The Dead Don’t Speak is a good, solid 4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ crime fiction read.

This book finds Scottish DI Helen Birch unusually inactive, as she recovers from being shot in the hip during the hostage situation she found herself negotiating in the previous novel, “A Matter of Time.” Immobile, in pain and, reluctantly, in therapy, she has been ordered to take time off to recover, and is staying with her lawyer boyfriend, Anjan, in his immaculate apartment. Frustrated, bored and guilty about what she perceives as her failure to get a better outcome from the siege, she is soon drawn in when her friend and colleague Amy Kato tells her about a case involving escalating vigilante-type crimes. Soon she is unofficially investigating- and putting at risk her health, her relationship and her career. Another cracking read from Askew, gritty and realistic with a plot that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The characters are really well portrayed and sympathetic, and it is fascinating to get some input into Birch’s psychology, particularly her self doubt., and to see the relationship with her previously absent father being rebuilt slowly. The writing is intelligent and gripping, with interesting detail on how evidence can be pieced together to solve a crime. Hopefully Birch will be back on her feet and ready for her next case very soon!

Absolutely loved this one, the buildup was immense. Felt a little let down towards the end though, but not enough to spoil the book for me.

Well worth a read!

Detective Inspector Helen Birch is on sick leave after being shot. But when a case comes up in her force involving a killer known as the Vampire, she can’t help getting involved.
This police thriller has some familiar ingredients - a maverick cop who’s fallen foul of her boss but is the only one who can get to the truth, a confrontation between the cop and the killer.
But it also has some fresh elements, in particular the relationship between Helen and her previously estranged father who becomes her unlikely sidekick.
It’s well-written, pacy and keeps you guessing.
I haven’t read the others in the series, but I’d certainly recommend this one.

DI Helen Birch is thoroughly fed up. Off work having been injured in the line of duty, she's incapacitated and bored.

Meanwhile, out on the mean streets, some very odd incidents are taking place...

Helen has been told to stay out of it and recuperate, but will she listen?

Of course not...

Thanks to Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for ARC.

Full disclosure - I love Askew's writing and I think Helen Birch is up there with the late Susie Steiner's Manon Bradshaw as the most plausible detectives in contemporary crime fiction. A real person, not a superhero, doing a job of work in a bureaucracy, trying to balance work identity with sense of self.. And chores.
This is the fifth in a series, and although it could be read as a standalone, it would be richer to read as part of the evolution of the world Askew has created.

Birch is at a crossroads - off sick from work after she was shot in the line of duty, chafing at being out of the loop, at the loss of independence her injury has led to, at the burden of gratitude she feels to those who help her, at the need for psychological assessment. Is this the job for her? Is she right for the job? Is Anjan the right man for her?
Her friend and mentee Amy Kate calls for help - there's been a spate of vigilante activity and Kato doesn't feel well supported by her superiors. This sets in train a series of events that take Birch into some ethical minefields and put her life and several careers at risk.

It's not perfect (there's a subplot involving a pop star/influencer concert that doesn't feel right, the psychologist subplot is a wee bit contrived) but it's pretty darn close. Loved this. Look forward to more.

I've read and enjoyed a few in this series about Edinburgh based DI Helen Birch, so was looking forward to the latest instalment.

Things aren't going well for Helen in this book - signed off work and on crutches after being shot in the line of duty, she's going stir crazy. She's also suffering trauma as well as her physical injuries after the incident in which a man died, and she's not dealing with it particularly well, chafing against the restrictions and her partner's attempts to take care of her. Developing a new theory about a case her DS, Amy Kato, is investigating, Helen prevails upon a reluctant Amy to let her get involved.

There's not a huge amount of mystery - we see parts of the story from the point of view of the criminal they're seeking, although some salient aspects - like his identity - are withheld till the end.

There's a lot said about a social media/pop star - the oddly named Eddison Deas - who's performing in Edinburgh, and I thought this might turn out to have a bigger role or connection than it in fact did.

I'm not sure if this is my favourite in the series, but I did enjoy it, and Helen is definitely an interesting and relatable character.

I haven't read any of the precious books on this series but I can assure you I will making a point to download them all in a second! This is such a strng police procedural. I loved the plot, its really fast paced with some good twists and turns thrown in. The characters are well written and multidimensional with very human layers, emotions and traumas. No doubt if you've read the precious books then you'd be even more well versed with the characters but even as a stand alone, the characters are still introduced in a way thst let's you get to the heart of them and it doesn't rely on you already knowing them from previous books. The writing style just flows really easily and its got that perfect balance between giving you enough description to make the story come alive in your mind but it doesn't get bogged down in the details and feel like it's ever waffling on about irrelevant things. I'm away to download the rest of the series and get right back to the start. Highly recommended

Great read for anyone into crime fiction.
I just love everything about DI Helen Birch.
Reader be warned this is a tricky one to put down and you may find yourself reading well into the night as i was.
My thanks to netgalley and the publisher for my early copy.
A compelling read.

The first I have read of this series involving DI Marsh but easy to read as a stand-alone. Plenty of action, twists and turns but I picked up on the clues (ex-DI) to the perpetrator and the trap set for him with the conclusion beyond belief and somewhat ruining the lead up to it. Appeared as if the author had run out of ideas for the ending? A weak ending to an otherwise reasonable read.
My thanks to NetGalley and especially Hodder & Stoughton for this chance to leave an honest and unbiased review.

3.5 rounded up

DI Helen Birch Book 5, Edinburgh.

This instalment picks up following the drama and fallout from Operation Kendall in the Scottish Borders in which Helen is injured. She’s on sick leave but being Helen she isn’t coping well with the restrictions of her injury and she’s bored. Oh dear! Watch out team.

An observer, a good deed with a woman driver saved from an odious, vicious boy racer. Over the next few months a couple of other incidents suggest a Robin Hood type of figure targeting individuals who threaten others on some way, shape or form. But why? It becomes clear that the person need stopping as their actions are escalating. Newly promoted DS Amy Kato is placed in charge of the case but Helen finds it impossible to keep out of it which is no great surprise!

This has been a high octane mystery thriller series up to this one which isn’t as breathtaking as its predecessors though I’m not sure what else Claire Askew could do given Helen’s circumstances! However, it is gritty in places especially in the ‘revenge’ acts and the voice of the vigilante figure is very good and chilling. The characterisation is good as they all feel authentic and real. Helen is a VERY independent woman, she’s intelligent and intuitive but is equally exasperating, infuriating and frustrating especially to those above her pay grade in the police ranks. It entertainingly coveys the conflicts and clashes as she wants to work but they fully appreciate her current limitations. I love the character of her father Jamieson who always enlivens the pages he’s on and he’s called upon here to help Helen out on more than one occasion. His broad Scottish vernacular is always a fun challenge!

The pace rises and falls throughout as some of the narrative concerns Helen's struggles and also the pitfalls and difficulties of a job in the police force and what it can lead to so it definitely hits the realism button. It builds with some twists to a good conclusion with a surprise or two along the way.

Get well soon Helen and I look forward to the next high octane instalment when your up and at ‘em!

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Hodder and Stoughton for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

I’ve not heard of Claire Askew before so this was the first of her books that I’ve read, I realised it was probably part of a series due to the strength of backstories however it was very easy to read this as a standalone. Set over a short space of time during DI Helen Birch’s recovery from a serious hip injury this offered a realistic view of her frustrations during recovery and the limitations on her whilst a party for newly promoted DS Amy Kato brings one of her cases to Birch’s attention and leads her to investigate into it from the sidelines very much against her superiors insistence she has a complete break from work. I found the storyline engaging and I really liked Birch’s point of view and way of thinking, it was good to have some input from Birch’s counsellor as well as Kato and the perpetrator too, it balanced the story well. Overall this was a good crime read and I’ll definitely look into reading the rest of the series as I really liked Birch’s character.

Close to one of the best police detective crime reads i have read recently. Why is the criminal world being targeted to die? and who would miss these people. Birch injured and unable to do her duties but determined to find this killer wont give up....
I love police detective crime and found that this book was a good read ... i loved the intense passion of Birch for never giving up and poor Anjan who was devoted to her
Twists and turns and lots of good descriptive elements to keep you in the story line
this is a five star from me

Helen Birch is on sick leave after being attacked on a previous case, but when a colleague reaches out to ask her opinion on a peculiar case that has arisen, she is drawn back into her job - whether she's physically or mentally able to do it.

This is the first of the series that I have read (although I believe it is the fifth in the series) and it was incredibly well-paced - the plot moves along very quickly. However, I did find the final reveal a touch underwhelming for reasons that I think may be apparent to anyone reading the book! A solid 4* book for me.

This is my first DI Birch thriller and I had no real expectations but I was very pleasantly surprised. The story itself was interesting with a lot of twists and turns and characters who were obviously well developed (which was to be expected as this is number 5 in the series) I'll be honest I found Helen a bit exasperating at times but I suspect that's because I've read this as a standalone. Really enjoyable though and I'll certainly be looking at the others in the series!

I didn’t not realise this was part of a series of book with the same lead, this should have been my warning that this wasn’t for me as I love Scottish crime books and the fact I had not heard of or read any the previous novels made me wary about reading it but I gave it a try.

I was right this wasn’t for me at all it was no rebus, pirre or laidlaw sorry but I was bored and skipped to the end

‘The Dead Don’t Speak’ is the latest in Claire Askew’s compelling DI Helen Birch series set in and around Edinburgh. This time Helen should be far away from the action – she is on sick leave trying to recover physically and mentally from a gunshot wound inflicted during a hostage incident. Recuperating at partner Anjan’s super cool flat, she feels very much out of her comfort zone and, when recently promoted DC Amy Kato tells her about a hit and run incident, her interest is piqued. Soon she is coming up with a theory about the perpetrator that needs consideration.
Not only does this narrative provide plenty of twists and turns. ‘The Dead Don’t Speak’ is also an intelligent consideration of the psychological pressures that are often part of a ‘policeman’s lot’. We see how traumatic events can derail even the strongest as Helen Birch lives with the aftermath of a shooting. And it’s not just her who is troubled: in the police community we see how alcohol makes life bearable, how self-doubt creeps in, and why fantasy can take hold.
Another excellent addition to this series about a feisty officer who is also very human.
My thanks to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for a copy of this book in exchange for a fair review.