The Solstice is the seventh book in the DI louise Blackwell series, and although the reader who has read the books in order will understand more about Louise's character, it is not necessary to have read any of the previous books to easily follow the story. Louise is returning to work after a maternity leave and is immediately thrown into a case involving a child's bones, found in a nearby cave. The bones turn out to belong to a boy that went missing ten years ago. The boy's parents were involved in a local somewhat mysterious cult, which depending on your point of view was either a new-age commune or a dangerous pagan community practicing ancient rituals.

Brolly manages to keep the pace of the book really flowing by dropping new clues and revelations, as well as an underlying feeling of urgency. Louis is torn between doing her best on the case and having to leave the baby in care for the first time. Some of the trials that are mentioned that she faces as a working parent will feel familiar to many in that situation, but the difference is that the case Louise is working on is life or death! Another child has been kidnapped and Louise is afraid he will be sacrificed in a gruesome ceremony on the upcoming solstice if she and her crew can't find him in time and find the perpetrator who killed the boy ten years ago.

The dramatic scenery played a role in this story and was certainly used to forward the plot a couple of times. I really enjoyed reading another installment of DI Blackwell's adventures, and look forward to the next.

Thank you to NetGalley, Matt Brolly and Brilliance Publishing for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I have read a couple of this series and have enjoyed them both and this was no exception; I think it can be read as a standalone so don't worry if you haven't read any of the previous ones.

With fantastic characters, a riveting story, oodles of tension, twists and turns and all written at a great pace, this is a great book that I devoured in a day. I was on holiday at the time so didn't have the daily grind to contend with and I was able to sit in the sun and just enjoy being drawn into this intriguing story from start to finish with minimal interruptions.

I have no hesitation in recommending this book to lovers of excellent thrillers and I can't wait for the next instalment to find out what's next for Detective Louise Blackwell.

Thanks to the author, Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of The Solstice.

Matt Brolly is back with novel no 7 featuring DI Louise Blackwell who is now a mum & back to work following her maternity leave & as I feared there is lots of guilt at leaving her son Jack & adopted daughter Emily, but to be fair this is a relevant & modern dilemma for plenty of working mothers. The story is saved by the interesting story though which involves the discovery of a young child’s bones in a cave in Banwell Somerset. The story is as always is gripping and interesting and kept me interested & as always I look forward to the next story & to find out what Louise will do next..

Another great story featuring DI Louise Blackwell.

It always seems to be that her current case affects or reflects her current family members. ie Children Emily's age when the focus is on Emily. In the current case, Louise is freshly back at work after an extended Maternity leave. She is constantly thinking about how her life has changed and the good of her new little family. I appreciated the tender take on a modern woman's struggle with full time work and being a parent. It is hard to weigh up the career you love and the family you love more. Kudos to Matt Brolly for his insight.

The case itself was a grisly one that had formed over decades. It highlighted a cult that was suspicious in more than one way. I started the book while busy with work myself but found that once about 40% through, I couldn't put it down. A very late evening and satisfied reader later and the book was devoured.

I'd like to thank the author for the great story also the publisher and of course Netgalley for the opportunity to read it as an ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

The Solstice by Matt Brolly is a dark and compelling addition to the Detective Louise Blackwell series, blending elements of mystery, suspense, and psychological drama. The story kicks off with a chilling discovery in a cave near Weston, where potholers stumble upon what they believe to be human remains.

Brolly’s narrative is intricate and engaging, drawing readers into a web of secrets and lies that spans years. Detective Louise Blackwell, a character known for her tenacity and sharp instincts, is at the heart of the investigation. Her pursuit of the truth is relentless, and Brolly does an excellent job of portraying her as a deeply human character, grappling with her own demons while trying to solve the case.

The setting of the novel, with its eerie caves and the looming presence of the Summer Solstice, adds a layer of atmospheric tension that enhances the overall sense of unease. Brolly’s writing is vivid and descriptive, making the reader feel as though they are right there alongside Blackwell, navigating the dark and treacherous paths of the investigation.

The plot is well-paced, with twists and turns that keep the reader guessing until the very end. Brolly’s ability to weave together multiple storylines and characters without losing the thread of the main narrative is commendable. Each revelation feels earned, and the climax is both satisfying and thought-provoking.

For fans of crime thrillers and psychological mysteries, The Solstice offers a gripping and immersive reading experience. This book is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a well-crafted mystery with a strong, relatable protagonist.

The Solstice by Matt Brolly is a very highly recommended procedural and the seventh book in the DI Louise Blackwell series.

In a cave near Weston, cave explorers (called potholers) discover the bones of a child. On her first day back from maternity leave, DI Louise Blackwell immediately finds herself leading the investigation with a new partner, DC Miles Boothroyd. The bones are identified as belonging to Hugo Latchford, a boy who went missing a decade ago, and whose parents belonged to an eco-pagan commune. It’s not long before rumors that he was sacrificed in a midsummer ritual resurface. Since the cult is still active and the summer solstice is fast approaching, the fear is very real that they may be planning another sacrifice.

The well-written plot moves at a quick pace with new discoveries seamlessly propelling the action forward. The narrative is mainly following Louise and the investigation with a few chapters from the point-of-view of Fiona, a member of the commune, who is afraid her son may be targeted next. The group is actually already secretly under surveillance for financial crimes by DI Pepperstone, who is less than happy with Louise also looking into the group members.

The case is complex, disturbing, and intense. Louise throws herself completely into the investigation hoping for answers before there is another victim. She is also experiencing guilt over missing time with her children due to work. This leaves her wondering if she should leave the force or if a potential promotion to DCI would help.

Even though this is the seventh book in the series, The Solstice can be read as a stand-alone novel too. There is enough background information about DI Louise Blackwell provided to easily follow the story. The case is solved in a heart-stopping ending, but Louise's personal quandaries are left as a cliff hanger for the next novel. Thanks to Thomas & Mercer for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The review will be published on Edelweiss, Barnes & Noble and Amazon.

Louise is torn between leaving her children at the care of others and going back to work and her first case upon return is a cold case as a skeleton of a boy is found in a cave which touches her deeply as she cannot dissociate the case from her children. The more she and her team investigate they find ties of that death to a cult owing large parcels of land throughout the country, and the case deepens when another skeleton is found in another cave. There is also a 7 year long investigation into the cult by another team and cooperation might not be at its best from both sides, till they finally merge forces and the whole financial and killing crimes are uncovered and the culprits punished. During all the investigation Louise is trying to balance professional and personal life and she feels guilty towards her family. Will she keep her job? The Solstice has a great plot with the right amount of action, mystery and life pondering.
I thank the author, his publisher, and NetGalley for this ARC.

A fine read, even if you, like me, haven't read the earlier installments in the series. Told primarily from the POV of DI Louise Blackwell, it's also the story of Fiona, who is living in a communal setting with her son and worrying, with justification. While this is very much about the investigation into a cult and the sacrifice of a child, it's also a well done look at the struggles of balancing personal and professional lives. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. I'll look for Brolly again.

This is book 7 in the series, and picks up after the events of The Bridge, with Louise coming back from maternity leave after the arrival of baby Jack. She is now a full time working mother, with her nice, now adopted daughter in school, and a baby in daycare. With Thomas away for work, she struggles to juggle work, a case that seems to be much more than just finding of some bones, and the thoughts of maybe it's time to leave the force and be a full time mother. But policing is in her blood, and as much as she wants to leave, the new case has her in it's grip, and as one set of bones leads to another possible murder, and a missing witness, getting into the cult/organization is key to solving more than one case. With a roller-coaster ending, fans of the series will love this book, and new readers will be entranced by this new Louise!

A good police procedural, Louise returns from maternity leave and immediately caught up in a "cold"case where the bones of a child are found in a cave. With a little detective work, it appears that the child was tortured and sacrificed 10 years ago by a cult based in the area. The book covers the investigation, but also the possibility of another sacrifice at the summer solstice which is coming up. The book is told from the point of view of Louise and includes her problems with juggling childcare and the long hours she needs to put in for the investigation. Some chapters are told by Fi, the mother of Max who is perhaps being groomed by members of the sect. There are lots of characters and although the book is not too long, my attention drifted off at times. When characters reappeared, I had trouble thinking about their role earlier in the book.
The author does make a good job of portraying the dilemma's of Louise's life as a working mother and partner. The investigation is interesting and the suspense builds up towards the end. Miles, her co-worker, did not seem to have much personality though . A good read overall . Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

DI Louise Blackwell #7

In a cave near Weston, potholers discover what they think are humana remains. The bones are identified as belonging to Hugo Latchford, a boy who went missing a decade ago, and whose parents belonged to a quasi-religious cult masquerading as environmental activists. It's not long before rumours that he was sacrificed in a midsummer ritual resurface. Returning to duty from maternity leave, DI Louise Blackwell finds herself leading the investigation, soon discovering that Hugo's parents are still alive and the cult very much active. As she begins to fathom the ghoulish depths of the group's pagan beliefs, new mother Louise is profoundly disturbed by the case. And with Summer Solstice fast approaching, she is faced with the terrifying prospect that the group might be preparing for their next sacrifice.

When potholers find remains that look like human bones, Detective Louise Blackwell and her new partner are called in to investigate. The rumours have started, is there a connection to the quasi-religious cult group who masquerade as environmental activists? Summer Solstice is fast approaching. Louise is just back from maternity leave, and she struggles to cope with the thought of a child being sacrificed, but she's determined to find out what is behind it all. We also get some background on Louise's family. There are some scenes about child torture and sacrifice.

Published 17th September 2024

I read my first Matt Brolly book earlier this year (The Alliance), which I loved! So when I saw The Solstice ARC I grabbed it asap. This is book 7 in the series, but my first Detective Louise Blackwell reading experience. It can be read as a standalone and provided information from previous books throughout.

I really enjoy the author’s writing. It grabs my attention in the beginning and holds it throughout the whole story. POV is mostly told through Louise, but also a sprinkling of chapters from Fiona’s POV. Fiona is living in a commune with her son. After the bones of a boy are found and are linked to the “environmental group” she fears her son may be in danger. Her chapters felt suspenseful. I felt her fear and was holding my breath hoping she and her son would stay safe.

This book did a great job of conveying the difficulties of returning to work after maternity leave and the mental gymnastics of leaving the workforce, pursuing a promotion, and balance work/family in the meantime. The book also dives into the roadblocks and red tape detectives run into. As soon as Detective Blackwell may be on the right path she needs to find enough proof to get the okay to pursue her gut feelings. But time is of the essence. A suspected sacrifice is thought to take place on the solstice and every second counts.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. This review will be shared on NetGalley, Goodreads, and Amazon.

Pub Date Sep 17 2024

A sense of urgency, plenty of suspense, and a chilling prologue immediately captured my interest and kept me rapidly reading The Solstice by Matt Brolly. This is the seventy book in the Detective Inspector Louise Blackwell series set in and near the seaside town of Weston-super-Mare in England. While the tale occasionally switches points of view, it is primarily from that of Louise.

Two men exploring a cave near Weston discover bones they believe are human. Forensics confirms this and eventually the bones are identified as Hugo Latchford, a boy who disappeared a decade ago. He was living with foster parents at the time and his biological parents had joined a quasi-religious group whose members were also environmental activists.

Louise has just returned to work following the birth of her son and ends up leading the investigation. Balancing her family life with mentoring a new detective constable, animosity from a detective inspector with another group, and interviewees who are close-mouthed, lying, or afraid, Louise feels pulled in multiple directions.

Louise tends to immerse herself in her cases. She’s hard-working, dedicated, and focused. In this story, she also grapples with how a child’s death affects her now that she’s a mother. Her struggle for work/life balance makes her feel more realistic. The other characters are a mix of new and familiar faces and are well-drawn. Her friend and colleague Tracey plays a minor role in the background. I missed her interactions with Detective Sergeant Greg Farrell, but enjoyed getting introduced to Detective Constable Miles Boothroyd.

Once again, this author starts with a prologue that immediately grabs a reader’s attention and pulls them into the story. Throughout most of the story, these is a feeling of dread as the investigators try to make sense of what has happened and what may happen during the solstice celebration. The story is thought-provoking. I wondered how many people have been lured into giving up everything and joining a group such as the one featured in this story. While the story ensnared me from the beginning, the ending was action-packed and shocking. My only quibble was that a major life decision wasn’t made in the epilogue. Readers are left hanging until the next book. This was a sub-plot throughout the novel and I felt it should have been resolved.

Despite this, the novel is gripping, gritty, atmospheric, and chilling with complex characters and a multi-layered plot. This story contains spoilers for earlier books in the series so I recommend reading them in order. Those who enjoy police procedurals and British crime dramas will likely enjoy this series.

Thomas & Mercer and Matt Brolly provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for September 17, 2024.

Really atmospheric and evocative mystery based on a cult and human sacrifices of children. The action is well paced, engaging and suspenseful and made a compelling read. The characters are stealthily and expertly developed and I felt engaged with the main investing police officer. Her human qualities were really amplified by the relatable forces of the guilt of a mother pursuing a career and having to lean heavily on others for childcare and missing out key bonding time with her own children to save others and for her to give her job the best. I loved the mysterious feel and the sinister undertones of what on the surface was a commune vibe centred on what is best for the environment and the earth. Plausible and soaked in real history, often the possible and echoes of the past and indeed present make for the scariest themes. Thought provoking but also great entertainment. I have loved books by this author previously and certainly wasn’t disappointed this time.

In her latest case, Detective Blackwood delves into the mystery of ancient bones discovered in a cave, scrutinizing a local commune whose members are reticent to cooperate. The author's writing captivates from the outset, weaving a narrative that seizes the reader's attention and sustains it to the final page. Blackwood, as a character, is endearing, resolute, and persistent, yet she grapples with the common struggle of balancing personal and professional life. Her character growth is a highlight of the story. The addition of a new Detective Constable is a welcome one, and I'm eager to see his role expand in subsequent novels. The plot is impressively credible and intricately crafted, with multiple storylines that converge seamlessly as the tale unfolds, culminating in a desperate race to save a young boy's life. The book's final segment is particularly riveting, and the resolution is satisfying. For fans of police procedurals, this book comes highly recommended, though newcomers to the author's work should consider starting from the beginning of the series to fully appreciate the characters and their backstories.

This was a really engaging read that I couldn’t put down. I had to know what was going to happen!
I actually haven’t the other books in this series but I will now. I don’t feel it lost anything from not having read the previous books.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book.

This was my first Matt Brolly book and my introduction to DI Louise Blackwell. This book can definitely be read as a standalone and I'd thoroughly recommend it.

I want to say it almost borders on a cosy crime for me, even though there's sacrifice etc. It's an easy read. There's nothing too taxing, but it has a really satisfying build up and conclusion. The characters are all very real and the writing is very concise.

It wasn't the most complex and compelling plot I've ever come across, but it didn't need to be. The formula and storyline worked and it worked well.

I am a fan of this authors DI Blackwell series and The Solstice is a very good and enjoyable book to read.

Blackwood investigates a case where historic bones are found in a cave and she looks closely at a local commune group where members are less than willing to speak to her. As always the authors writing style is engaging, easy to follow and I was drawn straight into the story which grabbed my attention and interest quickly and held it until the last page. Blackwood is very likeable, determined and tenacious and is struggling to balance her home and work life. It is good to see her character develop. I really like the new DC and hope to see more of him in future books. I think the plot is very good, all to believeable and well thought out with lots of threads that slowly come together and tie up as the book progresses and Blackwood and her team find themselves in a race against time to save a young boys life. The last quarter of the book is a very engrossing read, and I like how the story ended. If you like police procedurals I'd recommend this although if you're new to this author I think its best to read the series in order so you know the characters and their histories from the start.

4 stars

The Solstice by Matt Brolly is a good story with good characters. Human remains are found in a cave, and the bones are identified as belonging to Hugo Latchford, a boy who went missing a decade ago, and whose parents belonged to a quasi-religious cult masquerading as environmental activists. It’s not long before rumors that he was sacrificed in a midsummer ritual resurface.

Returning to duty from maternity leave, DI Louise Blackwell finds herself leading the investigation, soon discovering that Hugo’s parents are still alive and the cult very much still active.

DI Blackwell is juggling returning from maternity leave and feeling conflicting emotions about juggling her work and home life. She is also interviewing for a promotion to DCI.

I really like Louise's new partner, Miles, and I can't wait to see what will happen with him next. I am also looking forward to seeing what Lousie decides about the DCI promotion or what she will do next.

I enjoyed how the author unraveled this story and mystery and all the intricate red herrings and leads that finally come to an explosive ending. The story was tense.

I would recommend this book, this author, and this series.

#TheSolstice #NetGalley @AmazonPub @MattBrollyUK

Although this is book 7 in the DI Louise Blackwell series it could easily be read as a stand-alone, however as it is a brilliant series, you would be missing out on six other great reads. In this instalment we have an excellent new character - Miles. Miles is very enthusiastic, and likeable, and I really enjoyed the chemistry between Miles and Louise. The plot is suspenseful and well written, and whilst the tale deals with historic murders, it held my attention throughout. The ever-present tension leads to a surprise lead villain, and a satisfying conclusion.