This was the second one in the series and it can be read alone, however the first book adds much better clarity to the situation of why Jake is there in the village, the village atmosphere and descriptions of the charcters. This was a good read but I do have to add that i personally preferred the first book. Jake is still trying to understand what he really wants his future to be, does he want the solitary , isolation life, a more permanent relationship wih Olivia, or to continue as a being an temporary detective.
This had lots of twists an an unexpected ending.

After not liking the first book in the series much, I was really pleased to enjoy this one. The writing seems more assured, the scene setting is good and the mystery too. I'd quite like to go to Little Sky. Some fun storylines and nice atmosphere.

This one wasn’t for me, I’m afraid. Too slow, overly descriptive and repetitive, and also a little hard to pinpoint what it was trying to be. Interestingly, in the acknowledgments the author says he was originally planning to write a country house mystery but his editors told him it needed to take place more in the village and I think that was possibly part of the problem for me. The whole set up at the start centred around the country house but then veered off suddenly and seemed to be more a scandi noir with constant emphasis on the weather and landscape before veering back to the house and the two just didn’t hang together well. Many of the problems I had with the book could have been editorial decisions as much as the writer, to be honest.

For me there was far too much description of Jake, the main character (particularly his exercise regime, constant cold showers and saunas, and what he’s cooking) and it just took away from the pace of the drama. Throughout the book there’s constant reference to his desire to be retired and off grid but he’s immediately drawn into the mystery and when he has to perform some actual investigation, he’s utterly hopeless, despite everyone talking about how much his skill is needed.

The secondary characters are hardly developed at all. We get a little bit about their appearance but almost nothing about them as people and the characters in the country house are hardly brought to life at all. Instead we have a double amputee helping the investigation (somewhere between Lisbeth Salander and Lincoln Rhyme) who literally mentions her lack of legs every time she talks. A prostitute at the house party is exactly the same. Rather than develop the characters at the party, the main character gets a file with descriptions of them all and a map of the house – it’s partially explained but also seems a really lazy way to get around building character.
Dialogue between characters is also very ham fisted. Calling someone lovey, duck, wifey or chief does not establish a relationship as well as people talking normally would. The plot itself is slow, too many people involved are far too inept to have created what is supposed to be a huge conspiracy at the highest level and there is an awful lot of reliance on coincidence.

Crime fiction is obviously important to the author and he makes references to it throughout in quite a clumsy manner. Rather than trusting that anyone reading this book might have some background knowledge themselves, for example, it’s all spelled out. So when Jake and Martha, the double amputee, create a system of finishing their messages to each other with the name of a writer of crime fiction to prove all is well, it then includes a little description of who they were, which just bogs things down again.

It's obviously very personal which books we enjoy – a lot of this one didn’t work for me but may well appeal more to others. 2.5 stars, rounded up to 3.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy in return for an honest review.

Having read and loved the first book i was really looking forward to this one. Once again beautifully written, gripping and fast paced. The only negative for me was that i found things getting a little over the top towards the end. My thanks to netgalley and the publisher for my copy. Overall a decent five star read.

4.5* Death in a Lonely Place is the 2nd outing for Stig Abell's reclusive former detective Jake Jackson, and this time it isn't small village crimes that he is drawn into. Another stunning book in a series which is fast becoming a firm favourite for me.

Since Jake Jackson inherited Little Sky, a house with extensive grounds in the countryside, from his uncle and he left his role in the cold case team at the Metropolitan Police, he has been trying to live a quiet life. He manages without many daily trappings, such as the internet and a mobile phone, and his new found happiness is enriched by local vet Livia and her daughter Diana, along with the locals in the nearby village - many of who we met in the Death Under a Little Sky.

When Jake's acquaintance the local policeman is struggling with a child abduction case he turns to Jake for his expertise, throwing open a link back to some of Jake's old cases and a potential web of activity which puts both of the men in potential danger. It's hard to say more about the plot without spoilers, so I will leave it there.

It's an absolute pleasure to be back with Jake in Little Sky. Stig Abell is a self confessed crime fiction aficionado, and his in-depth knowledge as a reader makes for a rich and pleasing series. The backdrop of the countryside and the characters are perfectly balanced in a way that this is crime fiction at its best but wrapped in a literary novel. The characters and the scene setting are the stand outs in the book but the plot and how it unravels is smart and twisty and ultimately very satisfying.

I thought Death Under a Little Sky was one of the stand out books of 2023 and I was curious how it would be followed up, given the potentially narrow world that Jake lives in. Stig Abell has managed to deliver a very different expanse of plot but keeping true to the warmth of the first book.

Death in a Lonely Place would be a great standalone, but understanding Jake's background and his early days in Little Sky will add to the enjoyment for readers.

Thoroughly recommended and I am really looking forward to the next in the series.

Thanks to Netgalley and Harper Collins/Hemlock for an ARC.

When Jake is left his uncles farm and a few acres of land that seems to be isolated except for a a small community not far away. The draw back is that there is no road and few modern amenities. Of course when he comes across local vet Olivia it is almost love at first sight. When they find a bag of bones that turn out to be human he has to put all his past experience as a Detective to work again. Lovely characters prove helpful others suspicious, well written as you feel the isolation and impending doom but having opened an old closed case Jake won't rest until all is solved

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC in return for an honest and unbiased review..
Having enjoyed book one in the Jake Jackson series, I was really looking forward to this second instalment.
Jackson is still living in his rural retreat and cut off from the local community and still refusing to engage with the modern world any more than is really necessary. He does however, again find himself drawn into yet another crime, this time involving a secret organisation who deem themselves to be above the law. When his vet girlfriend gets a role at the big estate looking after the horses and they find themselves invited to stay the weekend. The mystery really starts after this and ultimately leads to a cliff hanging finish.
I enjoyed this book, although probably not as much as the first one and felt in parts this became a little far fetched. I'm also not certain, how the author develops this character further in his current locality. Nonetheless, I've be interested enough to come back for more when the time comes..

The second in the series featuring reclusive Jake Jackson. This was a thrilling read with lots of tension in the plot. It is well-written and fast paced. I love the characters who have all developed since the first book, especially the camaraderie amongst them. The story was rather far-fetched but great fun to read. I enjoyed this book even more than the first one and I can't wait for more books in the series.

A superb follow on to the first in this series. The balance of crime solving and characters is so strong, it is a strong novel and one that I will be recommending.

I read both of the author's books back to back and really enjoyed them.
This book was a bit quicker to get into and the characters wove well together.
I'm a little disappointed there isn't another one to go onto - I hope the Jake Jackson series continues.

Last year I read Death Under a Little Sky and really enjoyed it., so I was delighted to get a copy of Death in a Lonely Place.by Stig Abell. This is the second book about detective Jake Jackson. He had previously been a detective in London, but decided to move to a little village miles from anywhere when his Uncle left him a property in his will. The house is well away from the village and he plans to spend his time swimming in the lake and using his sauna, spending time in his library and listening to classical music as well as spending time with his new friend Livia, a vet, and her daughter Diana, His friend Detective Watson brings him a new case of a missing child. This reminds him of an unsolved missing child case from years ago. He believes a crime organisation No Taboo is involved.
I enjoyed this book very much, and although I guessed the outcome, there were many nail biting moments. I hope there will be a third book in the series to forward to.
My thanks go to NetGalley, Harper Collins UK and Stig Abell for an e arc copy of this book.

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I was really pleased to get sent the next Stig Abell thriller and continue Jake's story of living in Big Sky.

This time the story gets him involved investigating a secretive and menacing organisation who provide the wealthy with darkly money can't buy experiences. Despite his attempts to stay away and keep his loved ones safe Jake gets pulled in not knowing which of the people helping him he can really trust. A page turner and I came to the conclusion about who the traitor in the midst was at the same time as Jake does in the story.
Very enjoyable for anyone who wants a twisty, dark thriller.

Having read and enjoyed Stig Abell’s first novel, which provides an introduction into the characters and context for this second novel, I was eagerly looking forward to reading Death in a Lonely Place. A particularly enjoyable feature of the first novel was the exceptional descriptive writing which lent a tremendous sense of atmosphere to the unfolding plot. In this respect, Death in a Lonely Place does not disappoint; the reader is again treated to some passages and descriptions that are beautifully crafted.
Unfortunately, the plot doesn’t quite do justice to the quality of the writing, although it has to be said that the bar set by the way the author weaves words into a description is very high indeed. The good guys/bad guys plot, with perhaps rather too many implausible happenings just isn’t of the same high standard. All fiction requires a suspension of disbelief from time to time, but - for this reader at least - this plot took rather too many liberties. Despite these reservations it is an enjoyable read and keeps the reader turning the pages.

4.5 rounded up
Jake Jackson #2

We first meet ex-Met detective Jake in the terrific ”Death Under a Little Sky” when he goes to live in the isolated cottage, Little Sky, that he is bequeathed by his uncle Arthur, close to the village of Caelum Parvum. Against the odds, he now loves his quiet life, the lack of communication with outside world and he relishes the peace it offers. He also loves spending time with local vet, Livia and her daughter Diana. When DCI Watson brings him a missing child case, it plunges Jake back several years to a Met case he investigates as it seems to link to “No Taboo”. This shadowy, dark web based, clandestine group provides an elite service for those who can pay for “no taboo”. He agrees to help Watson but warns him, as previously, their enquiries will probably yield very little. Livia has a new client in Sam Martinson, a newspaper magnate, and in whom Jake has immediate suspicions. Is Jake’s peaceful life with Livia under threat? Will Jake plays Sherlock alongside Watson?

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.

You get definite vibes about No Taboo very early on and it’s frightening how deep its reach seems to be. Their dangerous intent is evident from the beginning, there’s a deep sense of foreboding, dark omens, sinister tones, and deep tentacles of corruption, as the conspiracy theories tumble through Jakes mind. There are some touching moments which contrast sharply with the growing feelings of malign presences. Jake is so torn, to pursue or continue to live his life peacefully? I thoroughly enjoy (though this not quite the right word, as circumstances prove) the Christiesqie tense gathering at “ Purple Prose”, the stately home owned by Martinson. The Queen of Crime herself would be proud of that scenario. It presages a storm brewing, but of what nature? From this point on the pace is brisk with plot twists galore, some shocks, some dangerous encounters with a dramatic end, worthy of any crime writer of note. Just strap your disbelief suspenders on and enjoy!

Overall, this is a gripping page turner with a creative plot, terrific settings, plenty of yummy food, and some moments of humour to alleviate the fear and murderous intent.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Harper Collins, HarperFiction for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

The second episode in the Jake Jackson series is remarkable in that a story of a retired policeman living off grid manages to be a superior crime novel. The main characters from the first tale all reappear as the details of an obscure organisation dealing in no taboo crimes from murder to child abduction are gradually investigated and revealed. Beautifully described throughout with graphic violence inserted at moments building to its multi layered finale. Good stuff and hopefully more to come without descending into Midsummer Murders fare.

Stig Abell’s Death Under a Little Sky was one of my favourite novels last year and I was really excited to be able to read this new book about ex detective Jake Johnson.
The setting is still the same as Jake is continuing to live his remote lifestyle in the isolated farmhouse somewhere in the countryside and the author again does a brilliant job of conveying the isolation and beauty around Jake’s home.
However, the mystery took a very different turn in this book. Whereas the previous book was very much about the local area and people, this one is concerned with organised crime and corruption and has a very different feel. The plot felt very far-fetched and I didn’t enjoy the mystery as much as the previous one.
I didn’t really connect with any of the new characters with the exception of Martha. I did enjoy the interactions between her and Jake and their shared love of crime fiction. Jake’s relationship with Livia continues to develop but their frequent bursts of passion at times seemed to be an unnecessary interruption to the story.
This was still a very readable mystery thriller but not in the same league as Stig Abell’s earlier book.
Thank you to Net Galley and the publishers, Harper Collins UK, for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Second book in what is hopefully a series of stories about Jake Jackson the “good life” policeman, an ex cop from the city who is carving himself a new life in Little Sky, an old farmhouse set in acres of beautiful countryside inherited from his Uncle Arthur. Jake is settling in to a simple unconventional existence with minimal modern distractions but like the previous book once again manages to tangle himself in a complex web of criminal activity, a missing child, a Cluedo murder mystery at a country manor and a larger conspiracy that he can’t ignore. Jake risks all he has including his new love, Livia the country vet. He is aided by a tech savvy old colleague and her ex security services friend and Rose, a local rogue. It’s all set in a snowy harsh winter world beautifully written and thoroughly enjoyable, you don’t need to have read the first book but you will want to.

Another outing for Jake and Livia, now 18 months after the first episode. Livia is offered remunerative work looking after the horse for a plutocrat who owns a nearby mansion. They are invited to the mansion for a murder mystery week-end, but it all appears a bit threatening and they make their excuses and leave. However the contact throws up a link to one of Jake's old, cold cases suggesting the existence of a shadowy organisation with connections in the highest places. Its a clever plot with plenty of action and gore and well written. Could be a top class thriller if Jake didn't spend quite so much time admiring the countryside - reminds you of Fotherington- Thomas in Molesworth, and sets the book in the Cosy Crime genre.

A return to Little Sky and Caelum Parvum and Jake is still finding trouble in the middle of nowhere.

His friend DCI Watson (from the first book) has asked for help in investigating the shadowy organisation known as "No Taboos"

This leads him and all his friends and neighbours into the way of danger as Jake relentlessly pursues the truth.

A second great offering from Stig Abell, a series I hope will continue!

I would like to thank Netgalley and Harper Collins Publishing for the chance to read and review 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.