Number 2 in the series and we are back with Jake in his rural idyll. It’s some years since I read the first book and while I recall Jake and his cut off lifestyle I can’t remember the crime he was forced to investigate, but enough is covered here that it doesn’t matter. Another beautifully written book, wonderfully descriptive and with an unusual and clever plot which threatens everything that he holds dear.
It really was a joy to be back in Little Sky and I’m looking forward to returning again soon.

Another excellent and gripping novel by this author. A page turner I couldn't put down
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Tricky second book syndrome…

Ex-detective Jake Jackson is still living the life of a semi-hermit in the house his uncle left him. But he has gradually made friends with some of the locals and his relationship with Livia has deepened in the year or so since we left them at the end of the first book in the series, Death Under a Little Sky. One of the people he has stayed friendly with is Inspector Watson, whom he worked with in the previous investigation. Now Inspector Watson has come to him seeking help. A little girl is missing, probably abducted, and a card left at the scene bore the name No Taboo. When Watson searched police records, Jake’s name came up – years before he had investigated a cold case concerning another missing child and again the name No Taboo had come up in the course of the investigation. Jake tells Watson he didn’t manage to find out who or what No Taboo was, but agrees to talk to his old researcher, Aletheia, who still works with the police. It turns out Aletheia has learned a little more about No Taboo since then, just enough to put them all in danger…

I loved Death Under a Little Sky so much that it won the FF Award for Crime Fiction (on my blog) last year. In particular it was the depth of the characterisation that I admired, both of Jake himself as a damaged man using solitude as a means of healing, and gradually of the various people who make up this small rural community. The writing was beautiful as Abell showed Jake developing a love of nature, learning the joys of growing his own food and making things with his own hands. This second book has some of those elements too, especially the descriptions of Jake’s continuing need for solitude. But this time the plot is far-fetched and somehow doesn’t suit the thoughtful atmosphere. We’re no longer involved in the intimate lives of the small group of locals – now we’re suddenly dealing with an evil organisation of caricatured baddies catering to the perverted desires of the very rich. I’m afraid it feels like a complete mismatch between style and content. Intriguingly, Abell tells us in his afterword that he originally intended for the book to be a kind of country house mystery, but he was advised by his publishing team to go down this route instead. Bad advice, in my opinion, and another example of why I feel authors should fight to go with their own intuition, especially if they’ve already had a successful book.

Abell is clearly a lover of detective fiction, especially, though not exclusively, of the vintage kind. He’s given that love to his character too, so there are loads of references to books and authors, which is always fun for fellow mystery lovers. In that spirit, I’d say this book has more the feel of an Edgar Wallace, or perhaps even an Ian Fleming, than a Christie or Sayers. Right back from my introduction to Moriarty as a child, I have always had difficulty with the concept of the evil genius who runs an organisation that reaches its tentacles into every layer of the establishment but remains entirely invisible, so part of my struggle with this one is due to my subjective scepticism.

I’m also rather tired of “genius” misfits (cf. Mallory or Lisbeth Salander, for example) who can find any and all information on the “dark web”, negating the need for much real investigation. This book has one such genius, Martha, who left me feeling that since she could find out everything about No Taboo in the space of a few days it couldn’t have been very well hidden after all. Between the evil genius and the good genius, I didn’t feel Jake got much of a look-in as an investigator, and so had to become a combination of messenger-boy and muscle-bound action man instead.

I feel I’m in danger of being too critical, probably because my expectations were too high. There’s much to enjoy in the book in terms of the writing and Jake continues to be an interesting character, though I feel his hermit-like existence has probably been played out now and is in danger of becoming repetitive. I’d actually like to see Abell move away from these characters and/or this setting now. There is a limit to how often a murder or a conspiracy can happen in a place as small and isolated as this – even Miss Marple had to leave her village sometimes, and Jessica Fletcher didn’t spend all her time in Cabot Cove (much to the relief of the inhabitants, I imagine). And next time I hope he’ll listen politely to his publisher’s advice, and then ignore it. The tricky second book is over – I’ll be looking forward to the third.

This is Stig Abell's second title; it follows on Death Under a Little Sky. While it is not necessary to have read the first book to enjoy this one, anyone who likes Death in a Lonely Place will want to read the origin story.

Here are many of the characters from the first book starting with Jake. He is a former detective who has chosen to live largely off the grid in a remote home that he was left by a relative (although he has many go arounds). Readers should take a look at the map of the estate that is in the front of the book. Jake has charmingly named the various spots for well-known detective fiction people and characters. There are other mysteries and authors mentioned in the text as well.

Jake is in a relationship with a local vet, Livia, who has a young daughter named Diana. He wants this relationship to succeed. He and Livia are in different spots as an old case surfaces and Jake becomes involved while Livia's main wish is to keep Diana safe.

No Taboo-it is a dark organization that offers people the unthinkable. In investigating it Jake has to think about a very dark place. Readers will wonder how the events unfold. Will Diana's newest and very wealthy client put her and/or Diana in danger?

This book offers an interesting mix between Jake's rather cozy domestic life and some very nasty business. Abell manages both of these story aspects well.

I recommend this title to those who enjoy crime stories. I look forward to whatever Abell writes next.

Many thanks to Harper Collins UK and NetGalley for this title. All opinions are my own.

Former cold case expert with the Metropolitan Police Department, Jake Jackson’s idyll in Little Sky – a remote farmhouse in the English countryside – gets disrupted once again after a year of quiet when the local police chief approaches him about the kidnapping of a little girl. The case, resembling one Jake had investigated and failed to solve years ago, is intriguing enough for him to get involved. Within no time, Jake, aided by an old colleague and an eccentric but resourceful woman, is drawn deep into a treacherous investigation into a secret group called No Taboo, which provides services of all imaginable kinds to people of means and has connections at the highest levels of all fields. Meanwhile, Livia, the beautiful vet with whom Jake’s relationship is growing substantial, gets hired by a horse farm some distance away owned by a billionaire of ill repute. When certain events reveal a connection between the magnate and the secret organisation, Jake, despite his own and Livia’s wishes, cannot tear himself away from the case. Matters come to a head when someone is brutally murdered, and the only way for Jake and his associates to stay alive is to end the menace of No Taboo once and for all.

Jake’s first outing, Death Under a Little Sky, was a charming read, not the least because of its setting, and it is refreshing to return to the piece of paradise. Jake is a likeable protagonist – strong and reliable with a love for crime fiction. Livia and her eight-year-old daughter, Diana, and the other recurring characters are pleasant to meet again. The new characters, too, are well-crafted, though a few of them feel like stereotypes. The story is gripping for the most part, and the features of No Taboo are scary. The pace of Abell’s narration is languorous, with flashes of action and a thrilling finale. His descriptions of the landscape, the weather, the action, and the people are lifelike, though tending to drag the plot at times.

While Death in a Lonely Place is appealing on many counts, the case at its core does not gel with the setting, unlike the one in its predecessor. Also, there are places where the actions of some characters do not make much sense. Now that Jake has had two adventures that he did not want in the first place, it will be interesting to see what Abell has planned for him next.

I would like to thank HarperCollins UK for the opportunity to read an advance copy of Death in a Lonely Place through NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.

I just found this too far fetched to be believable.

Basic story line.

Rich people willing to pay for anything, including killing someone.

The story was dragged out with no real mystery on who was involved.

Not for me.

This was a great follow up to the authors first book in this series.
Another well written, descriptive book with a great plot and plenty of twists & turns.

A brilliant series & I'm really looking forward to the next installment.

Enjoyed this, well written atmospheric, full of twists and with believable characters. Many thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Received arc from Harper Collins I am and Netgalley for honest read and review,this review is my own.Book 2 in Jake Jackson series.This was a.good story, but I found the first book better.
Jake is a decent character living his dream in an isolated little cottage in the middle of nowhere.
I feel that the story was a bit too far fetched with organised crime etc.
But a decent enjoyable read.

This is the second book in a series, I haven't read the first one so treated this as a standalone in its own right.

We meet Jake, ex-policeman no longer in the force and trying to live the quiet life out in the country in semi-isolation - but as is often the way with these ex-detectives, things happen that just keep pulling them back in and demanding their attention and expertise!

This is a tightly plotted story with a range of characters becoming involved and playing their part. I enjoyed the bits about putting together clues and there are a couple of risky excursions by the main character in pursuit of information.

I found the momentum of the story a bit difficult to keep engaged with, I kept drifting away from it and having to force myself to go back and read on. No particular reason for this, I felt at times the story stalled a bit but that's just my opinion.

As ex-police procedurals go this is not overly predictable and was an enjoyable read- it didnt blow me away though

Book 2 Jake Jackson series.
This is another stellar addition to hopefully a series. Stig Abell writes so well, with flowing descriptions, steeped and rich in the atmosphere of deep winter at Little Sky which I happily mind tramp with Jake. However, I’ll pass on the early morning winter lake swims, thank you. The pace isn’t especially fast, particularly at the start, though it certainly speeds up later. This pace actually suits Jake’s lifestyle, at least the one he desires. The characters are really good, Jake is immensely likeable and I love his addiction to detective/thriller novels (well, I would wouldn’t I?!) and there are lots of references to these used cleverly throughout, especially in the dialogue. Livia is a wonderful character and their relationship is heartwarming and something that Jake fully deserves. Rose is becoming more likeable by the day.

Book Two of Little Sky series although could be read as a stand alone as there is plenty of background throughout the book when appropriate and this story picks up 18 months after the events of the last book finishes.
Jake Jackson is continuing to enjoy life living at Little Sky, not quite sure if he wants complete wilderness without any outside conveniences such as TV or internet or even a road anywhere near his property or if he needs to compromise in order to share is blossoming romance with Livia the local vet and her school age daughter. However, what Jake does know is that he is enjoying his life in nature away from his old job as a detective. That is until Livia secures a new contact at newly acquired mansion house 'Purple Prose' by a billionaire and the whispers of one of Jake's unsolved cold case arises at the same time. The mysterious world of No Taboo is an exclusive but clandestine group that serves the whims of those that can afford it like billionaires where even the very illegal is made possible. Jake finds his life and those of Livia and her daughter under threat and Jake needs to work out who he can trust especially when the head of a woman turns up at his property.

The protagonist Jake is a likeable if hairy (some might say hippy) man and Livia certainly thinks so. This book would appeal to those who ready cosy crime, thrillers and mystery with some romance thrown in.
Roll on book three as there is definitely room for more.

With thanks to #NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction and Hemlock Press for this preview read of #DeathUnderaLittleSky

Former detective Jake Jackson is back in a second thriller Death in a Lonely Place.

A case from his past turns up in a strange way, a secret message with the words No Taboo, a hint to the clandestine group who make Britain’s elites dreams come true.

Now I haven’t read the first Jake Jackson book but I did enjoy this one, lots of twists and turns, a great setting and group of characters. I will definitely be going to check out the first book and any more in the series that Abell writes.

Having read the first instalment of the Jake Jackson series I was really delighted to read this second book. Set in the wonderfully atmospheric village of Callum Parvun I had high hopes for another great story.
Ex detective Jake has retired and is now living off grid, however a visit from his ex colleague DCI Watson with news of a missing child brings him back to an old case. While agreeing to help he’s not too sure if they will ever get to the crux of the matter.
While the first book was a page turner I felt this book went beyond the realms of belief. I did however unveil the crook long before I reached the end, which was disappointing. So for me this book didn’t ever reach the standard of the first story. Having said that I would still have high hopes for the third story.
So for me this is a 2.5 ⭐️ review. Many thanks to #NetGalley for my advanced copy of this book.

Brilliant story. Better than the first book as it didn’t take so long to get going.
Very well written and enjoyable book. I look forwardto another installment

Jake Jackson is enjoying life as an almost hermit in his remote, wi-fi, telephone free cabin (thanks to a bequest from his uncle) near the small town of Little Sky. He has his sauna, his crime books and a relationship with Livia, the area veterinarian. Jake is a retired detective and wants none of his former work. But cold cases don’t stay away and the kidnapping of a young girl ties into a child kidnapping he couldn’t solve years ago. In a frightening way, the case leads to a newspaper magnate turned investor who buys a large estate near Little Sky and hires Livia as vet to his horses. Now the question. Is he using Livia to get to Jake? Why? And who else is involved?

Death in a Lonely Place is a complex thriller with characters you hope you never meet. Other are the friendly townspeople from the first in the series, Death Under a Little Sky. You don’t need to read that but you should. It’s that good! Jake has to solve this complicated case while he tries to discover which of his friends is a threat to him, Livia and her daughter Diana. Their relationship is tested by the dangers they encounter. This is an excellent series and I look forward to more. 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Collins UK and Stig Abell for this ARC.

The download date was unfortunately missed, I would be happy to re-review it if it became available again. I have awarded stars for the book cover and description as they both appeal to me. I would be more than happy to re-read and review if a download becomes available. If you would like me to re-review please feel free to contact me at thesecretbookreview@gmail.com or via social media The_secret_bookreview (Instagram) or Secret_bookblog (Twitter). Thank you.

When I reviewed the first in this series I said that I hoped there would be more to come and I am delighted to say that the second one does not disappoint. Retired DI Jake Jackson is again drakes out of his idyllic country retreat to help investigate the disappearance of a young girl. The investigation very soon broadens into something much bigger and puts at risk not only Jake’s lifestyle but his relation with Lydia a local vet.The author has a very good writing style and the action moves along at a good pace populated with great characters. Once again I hope for more in the series.

This is the second book in the series and I hadn’t read the first.
I was still able to follow the story and the characters and really enjoyed it.
I’m going to go and read the first now and can’t wait for the next one.

Really enjoyed this. The 2nd Stig Abell book I have read. Grips you from the start making you want to keep reading. Good follow on book from the first one too. Look forward to reading more.