The Solstice is the next book in the Detective Inspector Louise Blackwell mystery series, and this series is fast becoming one of my favourite series. I love how the author blends the difficulties of Louise's daily life, especially now that she is a new mother, with the demands of the job and the toll it takes on her mental and physical health. Having been off for several months, Louise is torn between her love for the job, the demands of motherhood, dealing with police officers with which she has not worked in the past, and mentoring new officers. Having written a thesis when my son was in diapers and pregnant with my second child, I can definitely empathize with the demands of parenthood and how difficult going back to work was for Louise.

Louise is a great character and I love how her character has developed throughout the novels. She is hard-working, dedicated, and tenacious, she now has to grapple with the demands and limits motherhood places on her job. She also is trying to deal with her new emotional state as this case involves the death of a young child (I am not spoiling anything as you learn this in the first chapter) and she is unprepared for the emotional toll this is putting on her mind so she is struggling to detach herself from her own emotions, something she has more difficulty doing now that she is a mother. It made her much more relatable and I enjoyed this new phase in her life.

There was a mix of old and new secondary characters, something I was expecting, and although it took me awhile to get used to the new ones, they did grow on me as the plot went along. It is sometimes hard to let go of old characters, especially when this is book seven, but I did take a liking to the new ones and look forward to learning more about them as the story progresses in further books. Although some of the other favourites took much more of a secondary role than I thought, I do think they will play more prominent roles in future books once the new characters are established.

The plot itself is quite thought-provoking and sent me into a deep dive into other books featuring cults when I was finished as I grappled with the idea that people would be willing to give up everything they owned for the thought of comfort and new-found family, not realizing the difficulties they would have when they tried to leave. For me, I had this feeling of tension and dread throughout the story wondering what was going to happen, and although it started off slowly, it built up to quite a tense-filled ending. There was also a sub-plot involving Louise that wasn't resolved in this book, something that will continue in the next one and I was a little annoyed about that only because I wanted to know what the decision was NOW.

The Solstice had a great, multi-layered plot with characters that were relatable and sympathetic. I did find the concept quite chilling and I have difficulty grasping how people would be willing to give up everything they own to someone/something else. While I understand there are some good communes out there, we hear so many negative stories that this story tends to resonate with the difficulty of really knowing how to tell the difference. The plot was complex and downright eerie. And while the book could be read as a standalone, I do recommend reading the previous books in this series as there are some spoilers in this book for previous books.

As a fan of Matt Brolly books I couldn’t resist requesting this when I saw it. And it definitely did what I wanted in terms of an enjoyable read…but then the longer I’ve thought about it since then, the more I feel that yes, I did enjoy it, and yes I got through it quickly and easily enough…..it did feel a little repetitive and just a bit dull. It definitely didn’t capture me as well as other of his have in this series. So ultimately, it was good, I’m not sad I read it, but it hasn’t left me wanting more right now. I will still continue this series though so it also hasn’t put me off.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the opportunity to read this in return for an honest review.

Matt Brolly writes a mean police procedural and “The Solstice” holds true to that.

Matt Brolly writes of Louise’s struggles as a working mum and the narrative reads true, which is sometimes difficult for a male author to eloquently capture.

All in all, another quality release.

The Solstice by Matt Brolly is the 7th book in the Detective Inspector Louise Blackwell series and what an excellent series this has been. It was been a series I have enjoyed from the beginning and look forward to read more about Detective Inspector Louise Blackwell character who I think is excellent.

Trigger Warning: Reference to child sacrifice.

The Solstice can be read as a standalone but I do recommend you go back and read the other six, they will not disappoint. Another 5 star read.

Big Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas And Mercer for my ARC

This was a superb read and the story unfolds at a perfect pace. It is apart of the Di Blackwell series but it is easy to read as a one off without knowing the history from the previous books. The plot is in some ways emotionally sad and throughout I felt that the family life was well portrayed along with the dilemma facing those that wanted to believe in the cult until it affected them personally. The characters were all well described and because of this it was easy to relate to their behaviour patterns. Thank you Netgalley for letting me read this book and I highly recommend it to anyone who likes reading mystery books with a little more depth than usual.

Returning from maternity leave, DI Louise Blackwell is thrown back in at the deep end with the discovery of the bones of a child. Leading to an investigation into a wealthy environmental group with outlets across the country, Blackwell is soon on a collision course with some influential people and on a tight deadline to discover the culprit before history repeats itself.

This is quite an interesting if slightly histrionic plot line, with lots happening and plenty of plausible setbacks. The weakest area for me was in the DI’s relationship with her family, who were all far too patient, supportive and understanding to be entirely believable.

This was pacy and enjoyable and nicely tied up at the end.
With thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for an arc of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

A great read which kept me interested all the way through. This was part of a series but, can be read as a stand alone book. The story flowed along quickly and was twisty. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

A child's body is found in one of the Somerset caves. The boy has been there a long time & an autopsy reveals that he is Hugo Latchford who went missing a number of years ago. DI Louise Blackwell is just returning from maternity leave, so the death of a little boy struck home with her. The trail leads to a community living close to nature. This group has been under scrutiny by another team & their DI insists in being involved. However the safety of anyone with the group is low on his list of priorities- unlike Louise & her team. With the Solstice approaching & a call from a worried mother Louise is desperate to make sure another child doesn't suffer a similar fate as Hugo.

I have enjoyed this series from the start & this book didn't disappoint. I've loved to see how Louise & her team is have changed over the years. I look forward to seeing where she goes next. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book.

This book sounded so promising, but was such a let down. The characters are one dimensional and the plot is too predictable. I was hoping to have a new detective to follow, but I likely won't read another.

Matt Brolly has done it again- I am really enjoying the DI Louise Blackwell series and this is book number 7. I’m not sure what it is about Matts writing but I could not put this book down. Every time I tried to figure out what was happening, something else would happen so I’d end up changing my thoughts. As a parent, I could really relate to Louise- trying to get that work and home life balance is hard especially when you’re someone who likes to give it everything. I think Louise becoming a parent had really helped her solve this cold case!

For DI Louise Blackwell the last sixteen months have been eventful. After moving in with her partner Thomas and her niece Emily, who she adopted after the death of her brother, she then given birth to baby Jack. She’s enjoyed every moment of her extended maternity leave, and is returning to her job at Avon and Somerset police headquarters at Portishead with mixed feelings.

On her first day back her boss, some potholers report finding human bones while exploring a system of caves in the area. They are those of a young boy who appears to have been tortured, later be identified as those of Hugo Latchford, a young boy who went missing ten years before. He was living with foster parents at the time he disappeared, after his parents had given him up for adoption when they joined a cultish, eco-activism commune.

The commune is part of a larger organisation spread across the country. Started as an ecological lobby group it was rumoured to have been taken over by those dabbling in religious and even occult practices and is currently being investigated for financial crimes. Louise must be careful not to step on the toes of the detective leading that long-term investigation.

As Louise searches for Hugo’s birth parents, a woman living on the outskirts of the commune is worried that the commune’s leaders seem to be taking an interest in her young son. As the summer solstice approaches the tension rises steadily with a building of dread and unease in the commune. Louise also feels an approaching sense of evil and she and her team suddenly find they have a race against time on their hands.

Brolly perfectly balances the gritty police investigation of the novel with lighter moments in Louise’s family life, also depicting the dilemmas of a young mother juggling the conflicting demands of work and family. Louise is enjoying mentoring a new DC, Miles Bothroyd, who’s proving keen and quick to learn, and her role as a new mother is driving her to solve this chilling murder of a young child. However, she is finding that her dedication and commitment to her job is interfering with her ability to also manage childcare and family life.
She is relying heavily on the help of friends and family to bail her out and is starting to question whether she should stay on the force.

This is a dark and atmospheric addition to this series, which would also work well as a stand-alone novel. With a suspenseful plot and great characters, it’s an engrossing read which should tick all the boxes for fans of crime fiction.

Just a fabulous read, this is another great addition to the series from an author you don't hear enough about.

I love this series about Louise, her family and her team. I also really enjoy the location as I know that part of the country really well. Matt Brolly is very clever at keeping the reader absorbed in the story; wanting to know the outcome, but also wanting to savour the story.

While exploring caves near the seaside town of Weston-Super-Mare, two potholers discover the remains of Hugo Latchford, an eight year old boy who disappeared a decade earlier.

DI Louise Blackwell is returning to work after maternity leave and is immediately thrust into the investigation. This leads her to a commune called The Verdant Circle, who believe strongly about protecting the environment, and giving thanks to Goddess Gaia (Mother Earth). The group are making preparations for the Summer Solstice celebrations, and Louise and her team race against the clock to ensure that no other child is used as a human sacrifice.

This is Book #7 in the DI Louise Blackwell series, and after reading this, I can’t wait to read the rest of the series. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves a crime thriller, and has a passion for folklore.

Thanks to Matt Brolly, Thomas & Mercer, and NetGalley for providing me with this free ARC, with which I leave a voluntary review.

4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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.