My thanks to Joffe Books and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘The Lion’s Den’, book two in the DI Anna James series written by Emmy Ellis, in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

When the body of a woman is discovered beaten in a field at Hawthorn Farm, DI Anna James and DS Lenny Baldwin are called out and Anna immediately recognises her as Maureen Frost, the wife of Albert, who’ve both had a feud with Toby Potter dating back over the last fifty years. To learn the reason behind Maureen’s death, Anna needs to go back in time to what happened in the village many years ago and why everyone is keeping secrets.

‘The Lion’s Den’ is the second book in the series where we know from page one the identity of the killer and then watch while Anna interviews everyone in the village to find out why they’re keeping secrets, some of them dating back to past investigations. I’ve enjoyed reading this thriller and like the characters of Anna, Lenny and DCI Ron Placket who are easy to relate to. But so many of the residents of the village are ‘disappearing’ I wonder if there’ll be enough left for book three which I’m looking forward to reading as I want to know more about Anna’s relationship with Joshua ‘Parole’ Cribbins.

multiple-deaths, revenge, misogyny, village, Yorkshire, domestic-violence, emotional-abuse, verbal-abuse, crime-thriller, unpleasant-suspect, unpleasant-victims, suspense, action, multiple-murder, multiple-perspectives****8

The book starts with the mutterings of two separate murderers and more. This sets the tone of the investigation and the character perspectives. It seems that the story is not driven by the story of DI Anna James but by the very unpleasant suspects and other intriguing characters. It's a very interesting story but crammed with my personal triggers, so it would be better for someone without that sort of baggage.
I requested and received a free temporary uncorrected e-proof copy from Joffe Books via NetGalley.

This is the second book in this series, and the second I have read by this author, although to be honest, it will probably be my last.

Again, this is due to the fact that we are told who the killer is (and more or less why they do what they do) in the first chapter and then spend the rest of the book watching Anna chase her tail with these people (all of whom are horrible with no redeeming qualities whatsoever). I also found it funny who within moments of meeting him, Anna somehow seemed to know who was behind it, spending the book just trying to prove it. Sure, the culprit was nervous, but it was like she didn't actually entertain any other ideas.

And while I appreciated the author throwing in the old deaths as well, as with Maureen's death, it was all pretty obvious who were behind those ones as well. Which makes me wonder just how incompetent the officers who handled those particular cases were if Anna and her crew were so easily able to put the pieces together.

The final nail in this one's coffin though was the way it ended on a cliff-hanger. While I understand it is done as a way to try an entice the reader to keep going, it had the opposite effect on me, especially since it makes the book's blurb misleading as the book ends before Anna actually walks into the metaphorical lion's den.

Despite my personal feelings on this story, I'm sure there will be others who enjoy it more, especially if they don't mind knowing who the killer is in advance.

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

I really enjoyed this book, I loved the action and the fear for safety that it brings to the reader. I loved its realistic feel which made it all the more real

A gripping crime novel that weaves together a complex web of secrets, lies, and deceit. With its small-town setting, a mysterious murder, and a detective with a troubled past, this book promises to keep you on the edge of your seat. As Anna James delves into the dark underbelly of the community, you'll be drawn into a world of abuse, control, and obsession, where nothing is as it seems.

Thank you NetGalley and Joffe Books for the eARC.
The second in the series is good, I really like Anna and Lenny, they work well together and are good friends too.
There are quite a few nasty people in the village who have committed some awful murders. Anna and Lenny have their work cut out for them.
Trigger warning: the murders of newborn babies that are difficult to read about, as well as domestic violence.
The cases took place many years before, as well as in the present.
It's a tense read with quite a bit of violence, but the two detectives are so sympathetic, I look forward to meeting them again.

Tense, graphic, complex - secrets and betrayals everywhere, some trailing for years and not letting go. Solid police mystery with developed characters that you will feel - and some ongoing subplots that will have you gripping your seat. Second installment, but can stand alone. Waiting for number three!!!! (You will know why!)

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

When an elderly lady is murdered detective Anna James and her team are on the case. The lady wasn’t pleasant and she and her husband were disagreeable and rude. With many suspects and links to the past the team need to work quickly.

I enjoyed this. Like the first in the series it was good knowing whodunnit right from the start, but being able to observe the procedures and clues used by the team to solve it. There were a lot of stories within this story and lots of things from the part revisited. I liked how all the loose ends were tied up. I am intrigued to see how the next instalment goes after that cliffhanger ending.

Wow, The Lion’s Den is a gripping crime thriller. If you were fans of this genre, this book is for you. I enjoyed the story and it kept me coming back for more.

Another brilliant book,
I really enjoy how real Anna is as a person it’s so completely different to most detective Books.
I love how we already know who’s done the crime and get to see Anna and the team try and figure it out which they do brilliantly.
I adored Anna and Lenny and the rest of the team can’t wait to find out more about them
The crime was brutal, the book is full of twists and turns secrets and lies it was brilliant

A different tack for a mystery—we learn who the murderer is in the first chapter. We also learn how many unlikable denizens are in this English village, and some graphic details of domestic violence, and earlier deaths with apparently very different causes than previously reported. We don’t learn much about the officers investigating the murder, except that one is an allegedly former gang member--would the police really hire someone who has pledged lifelong allegiance to a gang? I didn’t really care about any of the characters, and this novel had a cliffhanger ending, which I dislike. TW: domestic violence/infanticides and multiple suicides. British police procedurals are one of my favorite genres, so I was very disappointed. I received an advance copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Great book and series!! Ooooh I can’t wait for more!! This book had great suspense, intriguing, action, murder, mystery, fantastic characters, a great who done it and some crazy twists and turns! The storyline was very interesting and had me glued to my kindle! 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! I can’t wait for the next book!!!