Gwyn Bennett’s Broken Angels is a gripping and emotionally charged crime thriller, blending elements of mystery, psychological suspense, and character-driven drama. The novel revolves around the investigation of a series of disturbing murders, with a detective protagonist who is both haunted by their past and deeply committed to uncovering the truth.

Bennett’s storytelling excels in building tension and atmosphere, with a complex plot that unfolds through unexpected twists and revelations. The characters, especially the lead investigator, are deeply layered, bringing emotional depth to the thriller as personal stakes are woven into the unfolding mystery. Themes of trauma, justice, and redemption are explored, giving the novel a thoughtful edge beyond the usual crime narrative.

Broken Angels is fast-paced yet carefully constructed, keeping readers engaged with its intricate mystery and psychological insights. Fans of dark, emotionally driven thrillers will find it a compelling read, with enough suspense and intrigue to keep them turning the pages.

I thought I’d like this more than I did but it was still worth a read. The plot was intense (which was a good thing!) but I also felt like there was a lot going on, so at times it was hard to digest what was happening. The intricacy of the investigating process was brilliant though and I found it so interesting. I can’t wait to read the rest of the series, it just sucks I have to wait!

I'm not a big fan of police procedural novels and this book was no exception. It's not quite as suspenseful and the personal lives of the characters are more up front and center than the crime itself. I prefer one of those surprise endings and they figured out who did it early on, so it becomes more of a game of cat and mouse. I received a free sample for an honest review.

Broken Angels was a pretty good thriller. I don't think the hook was as good as other thrillers I've read. One thing to know is that this book will definitely be a series and there is a cliff hanger. I usually pick up thrillers when I'm in between a really large series or I need something quick, so I wasn't as thrilled (ha see what I did there) with this one. I most definitely prefer stand alone thrillers. The concept of this one was interesting, there was an element of religious scrupulosity that was really cool. I also like the fact that one of the main detectives is trained in cults, it brought another cool layer to the story. Another thing I wasn't too jazzed about was that the perspectives flipped among the characters a lot. I'm okay with a couple perspectives, like flipping between the villain and the detective, but this one seemed to flip between every person involved in the case. Overall, this was just an okay thriller that you will like if you're into tracking down missing children with a religious maniac involved.

I did not finish this one, it was not for me, I couldn't relate to the characters, and just did not care for the story.

This is the 1st book in the Dr Harrison Lane Series.

I was hooked from the start. It was fascinating to observe how Harrison could figure out how complete strangers think by either studying them or seeking for clues. If you're interested in discovering how historical events, such as trauma, effect people, this is the book for you. And it kept me interested to the very end. Furthermore, the perpetrator was not some wild nut, but rather someone who was intelligent in many respects.
Dr Lane is an authority in this field, and his investigations lead him to a graveyard, where he recalls his own odd childhood. He had visited this cemetery with his mother just before she died. Not for long.

Soon after, another kid goes missing. Dr. Lane must fight his own problems while searching for the missing child in order to stop the killer before he strikes again.
A unique twist on a crime thriller, I enjoyed Dr. Lane's character and anticipate further revelations as the series progresses. Gritty crimes that keep readers wanting to discover who the killer is and what drove them to do such a horrific act. Gwyn Bennett gets five stars.

⭐⭐⭐

Book Review: Broken Angels by Gwyn Bennett

Introduction
In the thrilling novel Broken Angels by Gwyn Bennett, readers are taken on a chilling journey into the dark depths of ritualistic crime. The story revolves around Dr. Harrison Lane, the Head of the Ritualistic Behavioural Crime unit, as he investigates the murder of a young boy. With a unique blend of suspense, religious themes, and personal demons, Broken Angels offers a captivating narrative that will keep readers on the edge of their seats.

Summary
The book opens with the discovery of a young boy’s lifeless body in a woodland clearing. The boy is surrounded by candles and bears disturbing symbols on his chest, suggesting a satanic ritual. Driven by his conviction that the killer has ties to a religious group, Harrison embarks on a relentless pursuit to unravel the truth.As Harrison delves deeper into the case, he uncovers a personal connection that brings forth haunting memories from his past. A cemetery visit triggers a chilling recollection of his mother dressed in a black cloak, just before her untimely death. Meanwhile, another child goes missing, intensifying the race against time to catch the killer before another innocent life is taken.

Review
Broken Angels delivers a solid reading experience that combines elements of mystery, suspense, and psychological depth. The writing style is engaging, allowing readers to immerse themselves in the story from the very beginning. The well-paced narrative keeps the tension high, making it difficult to put the book down.

One notable aspect of this novel is the originality of its protagonist, Dr. Harrison Lane. As the head of the Ritualistic Behavioural Crime unit, Harrison brings a fresh perspective to the crime-solving genre. His expertise in religious rituals and symbolism adds a captivating layer to the investigation. This unique character concept sets Broken Angels apart from other crime novels and opens up the potential for intriguing storylines in future installments of the series.

Additionally, the author successfully weaves religious themes throughout the book, creating an atmosphere of mystery and darkness. The satanic rituals and references to scripture add depth and complexity to the plot, keeping readers engaged and intrigued as they try to decipher the killer’s motive.

While Broken Angels stands as a strong standalone novel, it is worth mentioning that it is part of an eight-book series. This discovery provides an unexpected delight for readers who find themselves eager to continue following Dr. Harrison Lane’s journey in the subsequent books.

Conclusion
In conclusion, Broken Angels by Gwyn Bennett is a thrilling crime novel that combines elements of mystery, suspense, and religious symbolism to create a captivating reading experience. With its well-paced narrative, engaging writing style, and original protagonist, this book is sure to keep readers hooked until the very end. Whether you are a fan of crime fiction or enjoy delving into dark and twisted mysteries, Broken Angels will not disappoint.

**ARC Via NetGalley**

Thank you NetGalley for giving me the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review. Everyone must read this. I enjoyed it.

This is a well written police case story with an added element of a doctor of behavioral sciences who is. Dry intuitive and brilliant. Can’t wait to read future stories.

Many thanks to NetGalley and to Storm Publishing for letting me see an advance reader's copy of Broken Angels by Gwyn Bennett.

DCI Barker and her team have a particularly grisly case on their hands, a case that involves children. And as if that isn't harrowing enough, some of her team are also battling their own demons. 

Broken Angels is the first in a series by Gwyn Bennett, and it's one I for one will certainly be going back to.

Set in London, it's a dark story that addresses dark issues and it goes a long way to also show how the case affects those investigating. I really liked the contemporary setting and the modern feel, and I liked the dual mystery element – the one they're all looking into *and* the one that directly affects one member of the team in particular. 

I did feel that the Jack storyline went a bit off topic and didn't really have anything to do with the main story and that perhaps it was a bit of an author soapbox subject. But the Harrison storyline, I thought, did impact on the main investigation because his experiences made him the investigator he is.

I wasn't keen on the occasional head-hopping either, where we suddenly switched viewpoint character mid-scene and back again. It didn't happen often enough for it to work, for me. And I'm old-school anyway in that I prefer to stay with one character at a time.

All of this was balanced out, though, by the excellent overall story and the great characters the author has created.

Gwyn Bennett has a new fan.

Five stars.

This book kept me on my toes from the very beginning! Quick, easy read that did NOT disappoint!
This is my first title by this author and will read more in the future.
Will recommend this to anyone looking for a thriller.
Thank you to the author and NetGalley for my ARC!

I devoured this book in one sitting, utterly captivated from the start. Harrison's ability to decipher strangers' thoughts through observation and clues was fascinating. If you enjoy exploring the impact of past events on individuals, this is a must-read. The clever and cunning criminal added an extra layer of intrigue. Additionally, I'm eager to uncover the mysteries surrounding Harrison's past, including figures in strange cloaks and a haunting cemetery.

I really enjoyed this one and I read it in one sitting, I am a huge fan of crime books and I loved the attention to detail of even the smallest clues! I will most definitely be picking up the next instalment! Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book.

This series has me hooked. I've already devoured book 2 and I am now on the free prequal novella that Gwyn kindly gifts when you sign up to her newsletter. I love the ritualistic behavioural side of the crimes in this series. It's just something a bit different to other series. It does give me Chris Carter vibes if you're a fan of the Robert Hunter books.

Harrison is a unique character and I love getting to know him more. His insights into the case are so interesting and I'm so intrigued by his past. There are also some great recurring characters. The hunt for the killer had me hooked and I had no idea if they were going to find the missing boy in time. It's a fast paced read that I couldn't put down. Definitely recommend.

I received a copy of the ebook via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

The Ritualistic Behavioural Crime focus makes for a dark setting in this well constructed mystery, featuring a protagonist who I absolutely loved. The author handles the dark, sensitive subject matter really well - nothing is shied away from but neither is it glorified. A really great book.

I really enjoyed this book! I can’t wait to read the rest of this series and more from this author! I thought it was very well written and flowed well. I would definitely recommend this book!

This is the first book by this author that I have read.
Really enjoyed the book and will be looking at others by this author in the near future.
Would highly recommend 5 stars

Harrison is a complex character and this first book in a new series had me gripped from the beginning. The case is twisted and dark. The entire cast of characters are interesting. It appears the mystery surrounding Harrison's mother is going to have a wide arc across the series. I will definitely be reading the next book.

[BOOK REVIEW]

▫️Star rate: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thank you Netgalley and the amazing Gwyn Bennett for this opportunity!

This book has me grasping at the edge of my seat every single day when I was reading it.
This book is just mind blowing!
5 stars is not enough for this amazing masterpiece. It deserves more!
This book is very fast-paced which I love so much because there is no bullsh*t or any unnecessary stuff that will make the story boring.
I don't know what Gwyn Bennet put into this story that got me sooo freaking addicted to it.
It's just that good and what's even more amazing is that... this book is a freaking series! hell yeah!
Guess I'll be binge reading the whole series now! 😍🥰

A brand new series introducing Dr Harrison Lane of the Ritualistic Behavioural Crime unit.

When the body of a young boy is discovered in woodland with an inverted cross and Latin phrases scrawled on his body Dr Lane knows they are looking for a deranged killer. Fighting his own demons he must put them aside to work out who did this awful crime. And then another child goes missing.

I absolutely loved this book and getting to know Dr Lane as well as the other characters. It was fast paced and kept me reading late into the night. I cannot wait to read more.