The first book in this series was so good that I wondered whether anything that followed would top it, but it blew it out of the water. You can almost feel the dread settling heavily around your shoulders, your brain conjures up creepy music and a chill creeps up the back of your neck as you can see what the main character can't. Great plot, fascinating characters and superb attention to detail. This book kept me up long past my bedtime, and I can't wait for the next book.

The Ordinary Man follows Detective Beth Fellows and is the second instalment in The Preston Murder series. I hadn’t read the Raven’s Mark first but didn’t feel like I was left in the dark at any time. That said, I will be adding it to my collection to be more familiar with the characters and the backstory in preparation for book 3.
This is a must-read for fans of crime thrillers, although be advised that the read is at times slightly dark!

Rarely does a book grab me by the throat in the first couple of pages and refuse to let go, but Christie Newport's books are 2 for 2 so far - incredible! Full disclosure - book covers that scream 'massive twist' I find a little off-putting, as you find yourself second guessing everything all the way through, to try and see what's coming ahead of the game. However, I did have one theory that I started looking for evidence to back up as I read the Ordinary Man chapters but it quickly became apparent that it wasn't tenable, so the surprise DID still manage to come as a surprise!

DCI Beth Fellowes is back on the case - albeit under certain provisos - after the events of the Raven's Mark (if you haven't checked that out you should rectify this immediately!) but still errs on the side of mistrustfully playing her cards close to her chest, despite already being in trouble for her previous lack of openness about what's going on for her. For someone as intelligent as Beth this is somewhat frustrating but, like all of us, she's a flawed character, which makes her very relatable and understandable. She has isolated herself while she tries to deal with the outcome of book 1 and has uncharacteristically extended this isolation to include (exclude?) her best friend and beloved aunt, and when she's finally ready to return to a more normal life, it comes as something of a shock to her that while she's been wrapped up in her own stuff, they have been wounded by the exclusion, and she has some work to do to get things back on an even keel, and a lot of news to catch up on.

As beautiful young women go missing and turn up dead and tortured, Beth is worried this is her nemesis come back to haunt her with a new MO, and she tries to juggle her responsibilities in these new cases with her anger and self-punishment over the Brander cases, attempting to keep a clear head and open mind whilst also fearing the worst. Watching her try to walk this tightrope - not always successfully - encompasses some very perceptive writing, and keeps us rooting for and sympathetic to Beth, even as we see her make some questionable choices - she's very real, and well fleshed out as a character.

Events escalate, both with the killer and in Beth's own life, and the plot reaches a crescendo of breathtaking pace leading to its denouement, which is both satisfying but leaving us waiting excitedly for book 3! Excellent work again from this talented author, with thanks to NetGalley and Joffe books for an advance copy.

Massive twisty gripping crime thriller the Preston Murders book two, after reading and enjoying the Raven's Mark I was eager to get stuck in as we once again join DCI Bethany Fellows, who is still living with night terrors but she can't confide in anyone they will say she is unfit fit for work.
Someone was in her home, someone tampered with the camera, someone is stalking her, she needs to protect Danielle her sister and her two daughters, but Danielle needs a fresh start and Beth has to convince DS Dillon West she is fit to come back to work.
And monster DC Tom Spencer is still out there sending blank postcards, but one person to welcome her with open arms is her Aunt Margie she has been gone for a reason to protect her it's been a long time an she has missed her terribly, Aunt Margie still remains my favourite character.
With the murder of Jasmine Foster so chilling, this book gets better and better as you read on, sending shivers and your head spinning right to the end.
And the last postcard wasn't blank, excellent there has to be a book three, that I will await eagerly from this author written from her heart and soul. I loved it.

The Ordinary Man follows DCI Beth Fellows as she navigates the trauma from a past case while trying to solve the gruesome murders of young women who are rapidly being discovered throughout her city. As the second installment in The Preston Murder series, I read this book as a standalone novel and could have used more context from the first book. I understood the main gist of what had occurred, but I would have appreciated the character development more if I had an existing foundation.

This being said, The Ordinary Man has a compelling premise. Told from multiple POVs, including the killer, the novel takes readers on a graphic, suspenseful ride as they try to piece together this puzzle while wondering if Beth will eventually catch the unassuming killer, who is escalating terrifyingly fast. This police procedural is not for the faint of heart; there are some truly graphic scenes described with young women (even one teenager). Not minding the graphic descriptions, I found it extremely interesting to read the story from the killer's POV as I truly got an inside look at his motivations, which only heightened the suspense.

Overall, I highly recommend reading the first installment before diving into this second novel. It is the amuse-bouche you need to truly appreciate Beth and her trauma process.

Thank you to NetGalley and Joffe Books for this ARC.

This book had so much tension and suspense! It really gripped me and I didn't want to put it down until I knew the truth.

The second in The Preston Murders Series and whilst it would read as a standalone I definitely recommend reading book one for context. DCI Beth Fellows is a tough woman but the last case she was involved in, and some terrible personal revelations, left her reeling and she is now returning to work, understandably still struggling although she won’t admit it. Told in multiple timelines and from the POV of Beth and the murderer, ‘the ordinary man’, this is a fast paced and exciting police procedural. But what I also love is the continuation of Beth’s personal story; which is one anyone would find it hard to come to terms with.

Briefly, Beth is having to take second place to a former member of her team Amer, who is appointed SIO, when they are given the case of investigating the murder of a young woman, badly beaten. Shortly afterwards a second body is found and the degree of mutilation is even worse than the previous case. Beth is not happy taking orders and is having panic attacks which she is hiding from her colleagues but a condition of her return to work was that she undertake counselling.

As with the previous book there is a degree of graphic detail in the murder scenes but it’s not unduly gratuitous. It was heartwarming to see how Beth’s wonderful Aunt Margie forgives Beth for cutting her off after the revelations at the end of the previous book. However, Beth’s friend Millie finds it harder to forgive. A good storyline with some excellent twists and turns made this a one sitting read! Exciting, shocking, gritty and dark but also touching and caring; an excellent police procedural and a very compelling read.

Great minds think of depth and wonder as they marvel within to search for the answers of truth and justice in the quest for knowledge and fun packed lovers of futuristic art fantasy.

DCI Bethany Fellows is a woman driven by her past and unsure of her future. After witnessing the murder of her mother as a young child, Beth was compelled to find answers for herself and joined the police force in the hope of doing so. As this book gets underway, she is keen to return to the job after an enforced break of sorts.

This book is the second in a series, and although it can be read as a standalone story, to be honest I sometimes found it difficult to figure out what was happening, because of the references to the events of the past.

Framing the killer as the Ordinary Man made for a chilling tale, and consequently the storytelling was fairly effective in unsettling the reader. The book is compelling, but can at times be somewhat graphic, so it's basically a good police procedural for those with a strong stomach.

Gripping from first page to the last - tense, twisty, and fast paced with a good mix of investigation, personal interaction, and the killer's view. Second in a new investigative series definitely worth following.

Thank you NetGalley and Joffe Books for the eARC.
Reading some stellar reviews, I was so looking forward to reading this book. I hadn't read the first in the series, but hoped that wouldn't matter.
Unfortunately, I really couldn't get into this; I didn't like the main character and it was too graphic for me.

Wow! Absolutely loved this book, it had me hook, line and sinker from the first chapter! The chapters switch between the DCI and The Ordinary Man however they are easy to follow. The story has lots of information and twists and is jam packed! I was not disappointed! I loved the character development. If you loved police/murder/mystery books then this is for you!

There is another book before this which I haven't read but was comfortable reading this as a stand alone, I was able to pick up on bits I possibly missed out on ok. However I will read the first book!

Thank you to Netgalley and Jaffe for allowing me access to the book prior to its February 2024 release date!

Thank you NetGalley and Joffe Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.

OMG, the beginning of this book had me gripped!! The story is told over different time periods and with Beth and The Ordinary Man's characters in different chapters. Beth, Amer and Millie are part of a team that are investigating the disappearances of young women and this is just the start. Beth is still dealing with the aftermath of discovering unknown family and how they led a horrific life of crime. Luckily, Beth has the support of her Aunt Margie. I was left speechless in how all the twists and turns led to the conclusion of the case. More please!! I highly recommend this book.

A thoroughly enjoyable read and a little bit different in as much as DCI Bethany Fellows is very personally involved. It's a good plot with engaging characters and I liked the chapters giving the viewpoint of the ordinary man.
I thought the first book in the series was good but this one is even better. It can be read as a standalone though it does follow on from book one.

Great book and series!! Wow! What a suspenseful book! My poor heart is still pounding! This book had it all! It had high suspense, intrigue, action packed, murder, mystery, serial killers, great police work, a fantastic who done it, and some crazy twists and turns! It does end in a continuation! But not really a cliffhanger! I can't wait for more in this series! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this one! Great thriller!! I highly recommend reading this book and series they're well worth reading! Thank you Netgalley and Joffe books for sharing this book with me! Once again Joffe books has another fantastic author and series! Thank you!!