My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Boldwood Books, for letting me read and review an advanced copy of this book, ‘The Winter Killings’.

When DCI Emma Gardener and her friend are having casual drinks at a local pub, a storyteller pulls a skull from a box. The problem was, it isn’t his usual fake skull; it was real. Emma is put on the case with her team, and this series set in Yorkshire continues.

The side story involves Emma’s friend and fellow officer, DI Paul Riddick, has gone off the grid and Emma has a private detective searching for him.

These two cases take the reader on a journey of discovery, including uncovering the dark history of a care home for young girls, that includes the mother of one of the investigating detectives. The story really picks up speed as it progresses, as a series of events point to the identity of the skull’s owner and the dark history of the care home.

I'm reviewing this via NetGalley, as part of a tour with Rachel's Random Resources.

This murder mystery is the fifth book in the Yorkshire Murders series. I hadn't read any of this series before, but it sounded like something I would enjoy.

On first impressions, I liked the characters and wanted to know a little more about them, particularly Gardner and O’Brien. I liked the banter and dynamics between the characters, and I found that the story flowed easily and had me turning the pages quite quickly.

In places, I felt the writing was quite succinct and to the point, and some of the chapters were quite short. I felt that was a clever way to build suspense, as I found I had to read one chapter, then another, then another, and it was difficult to set the book aside.

I think that initially, I was expecting a cosy village mystery, or something with that type of atmosphere. I found it wasn't exactly like that, but I don't think it strayed too far away from it either. Although it would be a good choice for a wintertime read, I think it would be suitable to read at any time of year. I would probably read more from this series, as I liked the characters and the writing style.

Thank you to Rachel's Random Resources, NetGalley, Boldwood Books, and to the author, for the opportunity to read and review this.

Another great episode in this series set in Yorkshire. I like the main detective, Emma and her team seem to be more together than in a previous book that I read. There is lots going on here and plenty to work out. Not least Emma's love interests.
It does all come across as believable though and the writing flows well.
Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC, a great read.

I’ve read books 2, 3 and 4 of this series and this one - book 5 - was the best by far in my opinion. It was good to be back with DCI Emma Gardener and her team.

Emma and her colleague Lucy were watching a storyteller in the pub when things took a sinister turn. Someone had swapped the fake skull in the storytellers props for a real one and things suddenly started going at a hundred miles an hour.

Emma and her team were tasked with trying to find out who had swapped the skulls and most importantly who the skull belonged to. The discovery soon after of a headless skeleton added to their workload and ramped up the investigation as they linked both finds.

Emma has hired an ex police detective to trace DI
Paul Riddick as she was worried about him and Cecile, the detective, had a breakthrough.

This book was involved, fast paced and full of surprises- another triumph for Wes Markin. I loved it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advance copy in return for an honest review.

I received an E-ARC with a request for my honest review.

This dark crime thriller is based in Yorkshire and follows DCI Emma Gardner. During a show at the pub a local storyteller discovers an unexpected real skull in his show props. It is down to Emma and her team to find out if this is a prank or if murder is involved.

When more bones are discovered, the team suspect there is more behind this case, and must try to solve the link between the sites of discovery.

Soon a dark and terrible past is revealed, and the team must work out how this links to the murder.

Will Emma solve the case? Who is behind the discovery of the bones?

This crime thriller is quite dark with the secrets which are revealed throughout the case. It unravels secrets from the past which you wouldn’t even think would happen.

DCI Emma Gardner is a strong female lead, and you get to see into her personal life and the amount she cares for her team.

There is another storyline entwined throughout, which involves someone in Emma’s past which adds even more tension to Emma’s life.

Overall, a dark crime thriller where bones discovered leads to unimaginable secrets to be revealed.

This was okay. I spent most of the book a little bored and waiting for things to happen. The ending was good, but there were so many characters to keep track of, so it was kind of difficult for me to. I also didn’t really connect with any of the characters, and they all kind of fell flat for me. The plot and story was good, just a bit slower than I like. It was written very well, and was a quick read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

"The Winter Killings," being the fifth instalment in the series, presented some challenges for me as I hadn't read the earlier books. The narrative was engaging, yet the frequent allusions to its predecessors left me a bit lost. I would suggest reading this book, but it's advisable to familiarise yourself with the previous ones beforehand.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for my ARC.

Unfortunately I really struggled with this book. I think it's simply because it's the fifth book in a series so I found it difficult to keep up with the characters without knowing the back story. I really think that had I read the previous books in the series then I would've enjoyed this book far more.

This is the fifth book in this series and, as always, I'm going to bang on about starting from book one and reading in order. There's quite a bit of past to understand to fully appreciate certain character relationships and connections that won't really make sense if you don't. That said, you could also go back and read the Michael Yorke books too as the main character herein began there...
So... we start with Emma on a night out with a colleague. They are in a pub about to watch a performance. A performance which is halted when a prop skull turns out to have been swapped out for a real one. But whose and why? Emma, being present already takes the case, and it is not long after that the rest of a skeleton is discovered. Both skull and skeleton displaying strange notes.
Meanwhile, if you are familiar with this series, you'll remember Paul Riddick who has been on the missing list. Well, Emma's investigator Cecile has found him, but won't tell Emma where he is..
And then we also have a young woman who is sole carer for her father. But I will leave you to meet them as the author intends.
There is definitely a lot going on in this book. Hence my plea for you to play catch up first, especially around the Riddick thread. We also delve into the past for the skull one and learn about a life cut short.
If I have one slight niggle it is that the pacing is a wee bit hit and miss occasionally. But then there is a lot going on and the author definitely has to concentrate on juggling to keep all the balls in the air. That said, it's only a minor annoyance and didn't take me out of the book or distract me. It does ramp up nicely as it reaches the final denouement, the endgame, which left me wholly satisfied. And with no superfluous waffle or padding the story does get on with itself very well.
All in all, another winner from another of my favourite authors. Roll on next time. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

Another absolutely brilliant read from Wes Markin. I was straight in and totally hooked in this latest book in the Yorkshire Murders Series. DCI Emma Gardner is tasked with working out how a human skull is connected to the person who discovers it and who it is obviously intended for. What follows is a delve into incidents at a homeless shelter thirty years ago and the repercussions, as well as finding out who the skull belongs to and where the rest of the body is. This is fast paced with twists and turns. It’s very easy to work out how everyone is connected and how the different aspects of the story are entwined. Although you don’t need to have read the previous books in the series I would highly recommend them! Really hoping there will be more 🤞🏻 Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for the ARC.

When a human skull is found during a storytelling event at a pub DCI Emma Gardner and her team are tasked with finding out who it belongs to and where the rest of him is. Then rest of his skeleton is found in an old derelict barn and his identity is revealed Emma and her team have to find out how and why he died.
The clue to that could lie in the past of not only the victim but also the men who found his remains. It will lead them to investigate a long-forgotten home for single mothers and the global corporation that bought it out.
On top of this Emma is worried about her old friend and colleague DI Paul Riddick. Riddick seems to have dropped off the radar and Emma is worried for his welfare.
Can Emma solve the case or will her worries for Riddick prove too much of a distraction?
This is a fast paced, totally absorbing thriller that is gripping and at times shocking but always brilliant.

Book 5 in the Yorkshire murder series and as much as I like the series I get frustrated by the DCI Emma Gardner and DI Paul Riddick back story, I just want to bang their heads together to sort themselves out and because of this, the story felt a little disjointed to me. Maybe the next installment will start bringing all the story lines together.

As winter settles over Yorkshire, DCI Emma Gardner is hoping that work will calm down for everyone. Distracted by the continued disappearance of DI Paul Riddick Emma can’t seem to get her head back in the game. But when a human skull is discovered in a local pub, Emma knows it’s time to get a grip.

My first impression was a jumble of names and people plus the distinct feeling that I should have read the previous books in the series first. There seems to be a lot happening pertaining to previous stories making me feel a bit like an outsider. About a third of the way through the story began to gel for me and then the pace increased. It became an okay read but never really did it for me.

Love the Gardner and Rodrick series. Plenty of thrills and a quick and easy read. Great characters. Enjoy the style of writing. Plenty to keep you enthralled. Look forward to the next instalment. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for chance to review it.

A well written book that touches on some sensitive issues and handles them well. As many I have seen the affects of dementia on a close family member for example. Plenty of action to keep the reader entertained. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the chance to ARC this book.

Wes Markin at his best again.

The book seemed to start off a little feeble, but within a few pages it had picked up the pace and it never stopped giving throughout.

Bent corporate organisations blackmail, drugs, trafficking and friends who are there for one another no matter what happens. This book has it all. Even reading it after a broken night at 4.00am it definitely did not help me get back to sleep.

Eagerly awaiting the next one.

Thank you Netgalley for letting me read this great author.

You always know when you open a Wes Markin book you're going to get a brilliant read.
I think The Winter Killings is one of Wes's best. The story begins with a real skull being swapped for a fake one. No one knows where the rest of the skeleton is, how old it is, or if its murder. However there is a strange note inside. The team, the small number they are, start to ask questions.
Meanwhile Riddick, that went missing a book or two ago, has been sighted. Cecile, the investigator looking into it, let's Gardner know but won't give her the details.
When the rest of the skeleton is found with another strange note, the team start to investigate deeper.
What they uncover is an old homeless shelter that was shut down after reports of abuse and incompetence. The truths, when they are revealed, are both horrific and shocking.
Alongside these two stories are a sweet autistic eighteen year old, looking after her father suffering with Alzheimers. Both of these are both handled delicately but truthfully. The portrayal of stims, and the fears and need for order, the explanation of some people liking being touched while others don't, showing all people with autism are unique. Then there is the dad, who has his good days, remembers reading 237 books to his daughter, and on his bad days shouts awful abuse.
There were a couple of brilliant reveals that I never expected and as the action and tension really ramp up towards the end, you can't turn the pages fast enough.
Then, because I swear Wes is evil, he goes back and ends in a way you'd never expect.
The setting against snowy Knaresborough really adds to the atmosphere. The silence of the snowy land, the cold and complication of driving etc, really added to the overall story.
Another really brilliant, clever, involved, heartbreaking but utterly gripping read by the hugely talented Wes Markin.

This is the first book I’ve read in this series but I felt I had enough of a back story to follow what had happened previously. However, I would like to read the previous novels in the series. This book has a lot going on. It’s fast paced and edgy and I was keen to see how the plot unfolded. It’s a great police procedural and I look forward to reading more from this author. Thank you to NetGalley, Boldwood Books and the author for the chance to review.

The next installment of the Yorkshire Murders with Emma Gardner. This is an amazing series of stories set in Yorshire. Wes Markin's characters are compelling and even the ones who a bit parts to the story draw you in. I can't praise these stories enough. I look forward to the next one. Recommend to anyone who loves a police procedural are like to be drawn into the landscape of a story. With thanks to Wes Markin, Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this advanced copy.

Enjoyed this book. Kept me interested all the way through. Would recommend to a fellow reader. Would recommend

Thank you to Wes Markin, NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the arc of this book