I've just been introduced to author David Fennell through "The Silent Man," and if this book is any indication, I'll be reading more from him in the future.

This was a really engaging read that captured my attention right from the first page and held on tight. The story is filled with murder, darkness, and a lot of twists and turns that kept me guessing until the very end.

The main character, DI Grace Archer, is pulled away from personal challenges and a sick grandad to investigate the unusual murder of Jason Todd. The mystery starts right away, as Jason is killed at home with his son in the next room, and the son is left unharmed.

As Archer and her colleague Quinn dig into the case, danger gets closer and closer, with threats against Archer mounting. The tension escalates, and it's uncertain whether Archer or Quinn will make it through the case alive.

The story is really gripping, with surprises, moments of humour, and macabre elements that I enjoyed. The identity of the killer was a real shocker for me, which made this an incredibly satisfying read. I wholeheartedly recommend it to others, and I'm definitely going to catch up on the books I've missed in this series as soon as I can.

This is the final installment in this fantastic trilogy. DI Archer and DS Quinn are a perfect team. This book starts with the brutal murder of a father whilst his son sleeps in the next room. That is the first in many gruesome murders.
We also have the return of Frankie White who is out for revenge as he blames Grace for the death of his grandson.

Amongst all of the dark storylines there is an injection of humour from Quinn's elderly neighbourhood watch.

There are some surprises and twists in this book with a superb ending. A 5* book, and series, and I sincerely hope this isn't the end of Archer and Quinn's partnership.

Having loved The Art of Death and See No Evil, I could not wait to read The Silent Man! David has delivered another captivating and chilling crime novel that kept me hooked from start to finish.
Similar to the first two, David manages to keep the tension up by having Archer and Quinn on the case of another cold blooded killer whilst still having to deal with the gangster Frankie White looking to get his revenge.
With a cracking opening that sets the scene and enthralling detail that keep it tense, this is perfect for for fans looking for a crime read that packs a punch with its haunting detail that draws you in and doesn't let you go. It was great to see how the characters of Archer and Quinn have grown throughout the series.
I love how David has managed to deliver a haunting and chilling killer in each book that is as original as the next. Fans of Thomas Harris & Chris Carter or those wanting a gripping London based crime read that pushes the boundaries when it comes to captivating detail need look no further that this amazing read.

Grace Archer and Harry Quinn are called to a crime scene where a man was killed by having his head completely wrapped in tape and drawing a smiley face on the mask. The man’s child was left untouched during the attack. Then an another incident occurs under the same circumstances, parent killed by tape mask and the child untouched.
Circumstances are made worse when notorious gangster Frankie White puts a target on Graces back as blames her for killing his grandson. Time is ticking on both scenarios and Grace need to survive and search out the tape killer.
David Fennell is in a league with Chris Carter on his writing style and gruesome details. The writing paints such a realistic picture and you feel emerged in the plot and with the characters. Such an enjoyable read with a fantastic finale that doesn’t disappoint.

Another great story from David Fennell, as he wraps up the trilogy, with a hint of more to follow. I for one really hope there are more books in this series. Even though this book helps to resolve some parts of the story. there are lots more unanswered questions and plot lines to follow as the characters are developed.

This is an unusual crime story that has an emotional pull on the heart strings. Loved the chapters from the killers point of view, I suggest you pay attention to all the detail in all the chapters, it will all make sense in the end.

I like the uncomplicated relationship between Archer and Quinn, as their relationship has developed. Another fast paced story that builds up the menace until the tense and gripping finale.

Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The new DI Archer book. And O. M. G. What a book it is. I was taken on a thrilling emotional rollercoaster from start to finish. I cannot recommend this book, in fact the whole series, highly enough. If you love dark, twisted thrillers with a plot that doesn't let up then this book is definitely for you. Brilliant 5 ⭐

A father is murdered in the dead of night in his London home, his head wrapped tightly in tape, a crude sad face penned over his facial features. But the victim's only child is left alive and unharmed at the scene.


Met Police detectives Grace Archer and Harry Quinn have more immediate concerns. Notorious gangster Frankie White has placed a target on Archer's back, and there's no one he won't harm to get to her.


Then a second family is murdered, leaving young Uma Whitmore as the only survivor. Once again the victim's face is found wrapped and inked.


With a serial killer at large, DI Archer and DS Quinn must stay alive long enough to find the connection between these seemingly random victims. Can they do it before another child is made an orphan?

This book had me gripped from beginning to end. Had several cases intertwined so kept me guessing. The characters were interesting and I loved the 'neighbourhood watch '. They injected some humour in my opinion. A book I'd recommend.

Just to lay out my stall - I've read the first book, The Art of Death when it first came out and was totally hooked on that book. I've also read the second book (where I fell a bit out of love with Archer & Fennell) but I'm pleased to say with this third installment that Fennell is back to the story telling 'A' game.

In terms of plot, this one is spot on, and the twist was great - the trope was something you don't usually see in the Crime genre very often (I don't think I've ever read a book where its been used actually, just movies) and as such I didn't see it coming.

When the reveal happened, I wish I'd paid more attention in the previous chapters - and here's the flaw in the delivery.... I kind of didn't pay attention to that thread of the story because it didn't feel connected to the main police procedural. The police procedural was also a bit dry, and lots of characters and backstory were used that I couldn't really remember from previous books.

My downfall was that I didn't pay attention because the characters were a little 2D and a little difficult to follow (the police). And by the time the reveal happened I'd kind of spoiled it for myself, because it wasn't as impactful as it could have been. I literally had to flick back a few pages to check what I'd just read and then went: 'ooooooh I wish I'd paid more attention and read a bit more thoroughly.'

Then that also made me think about why I hadn't read it more thoroughly - characters confusing and unrelateable? By the time I'd gotten to the end, I was gutted I wasn't more involved in the story to really get the wow factor at the reveal.

Plot - superb. Characters - 2d.

Also probably not helped by the fact that I've just read another similar book (series) that we won't talk about that has a very similar lead character with an equally similar name, doing equally similar things with equally similar killers...

DI Grace Archer and DS Harry Quinn return in The Silent Man which is the latest instalment of the police procedural series by David Fennell.

I have thoroughly enjoyed the previous books in this series and had high hopes for The Silent Man however I felt that, whilst one of the main series story arcs was brought to a satisfying conclusion, the underlying storyline of this particular book paled by comparison.

The book is still full of action with some twists & turns and the ending sets it up nicely for the next story.

This isn’t me saying this book is poor and despite the above it was still a good read but maybe not quite as strong as its predecessors.

Still a 4* rating from me

This is the final book in this trilogy and having read ‘The Art of Death’ back in 2021, I was surprised to see that I had somehow missed book two – ‘See No Evil’. Other than the fact that I have missed out on what I am sure is another great read, this isn’t a massive issue as the author gives enough details of Archer’s backstory to enable the reader to join the dots.

The murders in this book are gruesome and unusual, that said, the violence isn't gratuitous, and the killer’s chosen method is fully explained in the climax, where I found myself feeling sorry for him. I was less keen on the ‘criminal underworld’ storyline – although I can see and appreciate why it was added, but I was pleased this part of the tale was brought to a prompt conclusion. I have one slight issue with the book and that is as the tale is told exclusively in present tense, it is sometimes difficult to comprehend the timeline, and this confused me in places.

All in all, this is a tense, fast paced and twisty police procedural, which I am happy to recommend.

The Silent Man is the third book in the DI Grace Archer series. This is another gruesome, but riveting read. There is action from the first page, with kept me hooked to the very end.
A father has been brutally murdered by his face tightly bound in tape with a face crudely drawn on it. Whilst his son is unharmed next door.
DI Grace Archer and partner Harry Quinn are heading the investigation to find the killer before they strike again. But that’s not just Grace’s troubles. Gangster Frankie White has put a price on her head and her Granddad’s. The stress of it has made him have a stroke and he ends up in hospital.
Another father is killed but this time there is a survivor, but the victim has the same M. O. as the previous body. The hunt is on to find the killer before they strike again.
The Silent man is another brilliant read from the talented David Fennel. The author knows how to tell a story and get you attention and you never want to leave. Yes, this is a story about a killer, and it is gruesome in parts, but it also shows the emotional side of the killer and how he came to be. I felt sorry for him when we learnt about the killer’s childhood. Nobody needs to have a childhood like that. I like the relationship between Archer and Quinn. They have a great relationship together at work and off work. I am just wondering, is there more of this series? I hope so and can’t wait for more. 5 stars from me.

My thoughts about David Fennell’s The Silent Man is a tense and twisted investigation police procedural serial killer thriller, that makes you play the guessing game right from start. David Fennell’s book is so thrilling very well written story and keeps you guessing until the end. David Fennell’s The Silent Man is a pulsating thriller that delves into the recesses of the mind of a serial killer. Writer David Fennell puts a complex spin on this nihilistic tale. David Fennell’s The Silent Man story begins with A father is murdered in the dead of night in his London home, his head wrapped tightly in tape, a crude sad face penned over his facial features. But the victim's only child is left alive and unharmed at the scene. Met Police detectives Grace Archer and Harry Quinn have more immediate concerns. Notorious gangster Frankie White has placed a target on Archer's back, and there's no one he won't harm to get to her. Then a second family is murdered, leaving young Uma Whitmore as the only survivor. Once again the victim's face is found wrapped and inked. With a serial killer at large, DI Archer and DS Quinn must stay alive long enough to find the connection between these seemingly random victims. Can they do it before another child is made an orphan. Overall David Fennell’s The Silent Man is an eye-opening serial killer thriller in every way possible that will blow your mind. David Fennell’s book also has one of the best endings in crime thriller subgenre history, to say more would spoil the ending and the seat-dropping sensation when it catches you off guard. I would like to say a big thank you to writer David Fennell and publishers Zaffre Books, for kindly letting me read this brilliant book on netgalley. It’s been a privilege reading it. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥💥💥💥💥💥

I wish I had realised it was a follow up to other books. However it read fine as a stand-alone. I don’t know that I would bother going back to read earlier Grace Archer books as this gives the outcome to some of the wider plot points. But I would read more in the future to see where the characters develop to.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for this eARC.

The Silent Man is a thrilling read full of tension and suspense that really hit the mark with me. I was drawn into the story immediately with the opening chapter which certainly grabbed my attention and interest. I really like the pairing of DI Grace Archer and DS Harry Quinn who I think work very well together and complement each other. They investigate a murder case which soon escalates when a second victim is found. I think this is a well written book where the story flows so easily and I liked that it is told through different characters. In my opinion the author certainly knows how to set a scene, grab his readers attention and hold it until the last page. I loved all the different story threads that slowly begin to fall into place as the book progresses and I think the plot line is well thought out and all to believable. Archer faces an old enemy but can she trust everyone around her? I really liked the suspense the author created here and found this to be a very moreish read which I would return to whenever I could. I've read this in just over a day and when I get books I keep returning to I know I'm onto something special. If you like police procedurals I would say give this book a go, I don't think you'll be disappointed. Whilst
I think this can probably be read on its own I would suggest you read the two previous books to get to know the characters and their histories from the beginning. I loved everything about this book and can't fault it at all.

5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Wow I've really enjoyed this latest book by David Fennell.The 3rd book featuring Archie and Quinn who make a great partnership,this one can be read as a standalone but I'd recommend you read the first two books first as you will get a better insight to the characters history together and why would you not want to read this brilliant series?
Couldn't put this one down and the ending was just perfect.
For lovers of serial killer thrillers.
Roll on this author's next book can't wait.
Recommend.
Thanks to Netgalley and Bonnier Books for the ARC.

David Fennell is definitely becoming one of my go to authors.
I hadn’t realised this was book 3, luckily it can still be read as a standalone although I have actuality read the first book.
I loved the relationship between Archer & Quinn the 2 detectives and the added fun aspect of the pensioners on patrol.

If you love serial killers and twisty fast past reads this is definitely for you, brilliant ending, it wasn’t what I was expecting.
Will definitely be recommending

This is my first read by author David Fennell and I was so intrigued when I read what the story was about without realising it was a series. This is book 3 in a series, but I don not think that you have to have read them all to enjoy them.

We meet main character DI Grace Archer and her partner DS Harry Quinn. They make a great team and I thoroughly enjoyed reading about this pair.

This novel is dark and tense and such a good read. An infamous gangster is out to get DI Grace Archer but along this story line is also the story line of a father that has been murdered in the most horrific way and then another family is murdered but a survivor is left.

I really liked how the two stories entwined and how the author really gets the reader engrossed in the story.

Thanks to David Fennell, Netgalley and the publishers for allowing me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is the third in the series to feature DI Grace Archer, following on from the brilliant 'The Art of Death' and 'See No Evil'. I've followed this series - breathlessly, sometimes peeking through my fingers, with a pounding heart - from the beginning. This third instalment is another terrifying, gruesome and twisty tale.

Thanks to Compulsive Readers and Zaffre Books for my place on the blog tour and my copy of the book for review. As always, opinions are my own.

This book opens with a truly horrifying murder - a body left with a sinister 'mask' of tape and pen for his young son to find. Other murders follow, but DI Grace Archer and DS Harry Quinn struggle to find the connections between the victims. Meanwhile, Grace is battling with her own problems, not least a poorly relative and a dangerous entanglement with a local criminal family.

As in the previous books, Fennell is excellent at keeping the tension going - the murders are really shocking and the presence of younger family members in the house make them almost unbearable to read. I had to stop myself from reading this one at night because it was making me too tense to sleep! That said, the violence isn't gratuitous and all makes sense with the final denouement.

I enjoyed being back in the world of DI Grace Archer and DS Harry Quinn. They make a brilliant pairing of Met detectives and I love the supportive relationship they have. Although DI Grace Archer is tough and independent, it's really heartening to see the characters around her who care for her - and I especially loved the other inhabitants of Harry's block of flats who keep an eye on her... There's some great touches of humour in there to lighten the grimness of the crimes!

As always, I totally failed to see where the story was going - the ending was a surprise and worked well in explaining the killings. There's a good pace to the novel too - it all started to come together in a race against time that kept me turning the pages.

My least favourite element of the story was the criminal underworld strand - while adding extra peril for DI Archer, I was glad that there was some resolution in this novel. I much preferred the focus on the killer and the investigations around the murders - although the two story elements worked well together and made sense.

Although this is the third book in the series, I think it would make sense as a standalone. The only thing readers really need to know is that there is a complex history between Grace Archer and the criminal White family. This is explained in the novel, and there are a few references to the previous cases.

I'd recommend this to anyone who has enjoyed the previous books in the series, or fans of other excellent, high-concept police procedurals such as M W Craven or Cara Hunter. Just make sure you clear your diary as you won't want to put this down!

I wish I’d realised this was the last in a trilogy as I’d like to have read them in order and felt I was missing a lot of the back story. Having said that, I enjoyed the storyline, the relationships between the characters and the author’s writing style. If you enjoy fast paced police procedural crime thrillers then this is for you!
Thank you Netgalley, David Fennell and Bonnier books for this ARC.

The Silent Man starts with a bang and continues at a rollercoaster pace until the end. This is book 3 in the Detectives Archer and Quinn series but can easily be read on it's own. it's filled with suspense, clever plotting and interesting characterisation. I like the relationship between the two detectives, and the emotions portrayed throughout, the tension builds right to the last page and I was genuinely disappointed to finish reading. I would highly recommend this series. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.