The synopsis for this book sounded really good, but sadly that was the best part of the book. I really struggled to get into it and seemed to be an awful lot of waffle and very little story.

"Silence protects the victims... And the killer"


A debut crime thriller set in Sheffield introducing DI Diana Walker: A grizzly murder has Diana questioning everything she knows, and secrets come to light that threaten to tear her world apart

When the dismembered body of a headmaster is found on the derelict site of a former school in Sheffield, Diana finds herself chasing shadows.

Faced with missing teachers, unreported crimes and silent witnesses, Diana is running out of leads. Her colleagues insist this is just another instance of gang violence, but Diana knows there’s something more. Something everyone’s too scared to talk about.

With her reputation on the line, Diana is determined to find the truth. Her search for answers leads to Sheffield’s neglected underbelly, where she finds distrust, horrifying secrets and a whole new understanding of justice.


…

Awarding a rating for this book was so difficult, a real 'head v heart' decision. Logic and reason was telling me that 3* was a fair assessment of how much I had enjoyed the underlying detective storyline, whilst emotion and conscience heightened by the many societal issues the author raised, demanded the full 5*. In the end, I chickened out of making the ultimate decision and plumped for 4* in the certainty that, like myself, most readers will come away from the book with a multitude of differing and opposing views and feelings.

DI Diana Walker, black, female, disorganised and dyslexic, is definitely one of the growing list of detectives whose personal baggage and dysfunctional lives, means that they are rarely focussed 100% on the job in hand and are often bolstered and supported by one dependable partner, in this instance, DS Robertson, a married man who is the perfect foil for Diana's shortcomings in neatness and lapses in concentration, but who is every bit as dogged as his boss when it comes to seeing justice done and is prepared to cover her back when other colleagues barely conceal their disdain and dislike for her.

The case in hand and the difficult circumstances surrounding the investigation, was in itself quite a strong premise around which to build a storyline, albeit that there were many suspects and motives and keeping track of them all was quite a challenge, especially when it became obvious that Diana's own mother and the members of her 'Black Sistahs' book club were in some way involved. Crimes which were considered to be community centric went unreported and potential witnesses remained stoically silent and unresponsive, both about their own secrets and the growing list of murder victims being discovered.

However, I felt that the investigation was overshadowed by the many issues of FGM, coercion, rape, gaslighting, refugee immigration, race and ethnicity, sexism and sexual grooming, county line drugs, embezzlement and gangland violence, which all vied for attention and a fair hearing. It isn't obvious that many, or indeed any, of the wrongdoings are personal to the author, however, she seemed in such a rush to get her words and thoughts about all of them down on paper, that the whole thing became rather overwhelming and simply too much to take in, despite the optimum length, well-signposted chapters.

Diana's mother and her fellow readers have closed ranks against her, to the point where she begins to think that her mother is ashamed of the career she has chosen in their adopted country. A visit from Diana's grandmother does put things into a new and positive perspective for her though, a place where she feels valued and respected, even though at work things are not quite so amicable.

The overwhelming knowledge that the institutional failings inside the police service haven't really changed or moved on substantially since 2010, which is when this storyline is set, is disappointing, but no real surprise. Systemic racism and misogyny amongst some of Diana's police colleagues, together with the inference that she is only tolerated by her immediate superiors, who would be more than happy to see her fail, plays a large part in defining who Diana is as a person, as she strives to prove that her methodical stance, leaving no stone unturned and never assuming that a situation is as it first appears when solving a crime, is as much her way of dealing with her tormentors, as it is proving that she is worthy of her position.

The action took place in and around Sheffield, England and whilst replete in enough detail to enable me to envisage many of the dark and less celebrious areas of the city and some of their least desirable inhabitants, I never really felt the strong connection between people and location, which was a little frustrating.

The author's writing style is realistic, sharp and pulls no punches, the storyline multi-layered, complex and multi-faceted. So, if this is scheduled to become a series, I would like to think that there is a place on my shelf for this new and unconventional detective and I look forward to reading at least one more book in the series, to give Diana a fair chance to redeem herself as a first class detective, now that her own emotional baggage has been exposed and partially dealt with.

Thanks go to publisher Hemlock Press and NetGalley for my ARC copy of the book. This is my personal review and I have received no recompense for sharing my thoughts and words.

Unfortunately, I did not enjoy The Day of the Roaring. It was packed full of too many characters and too many subplots which I found difficult to follow and really spoilt a book that I thought, from the description, I would enjoy.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC.

An excellent read. A brilliant read. Told from different perspectives so it adds to the mystery. I am also glad to reading more books with Black characters. There is an also domestic abuse within the writing. Whilst this isn’t central it certainly raises awareness. Very impressed with the characters and the story.

I was super intrigued by the synopsis and I enjoyed this gritty northern crime thriller. I was invested from the grim opening - this is a case I wanted to see solved.

I really liked DI Diane Walker - I think this genre often has a male protagonist it's great to have a strong female lead, written by a woman. Diane's backstory and family history was really interesting and fleshed out her character. I would like to see more of her.

Multi layered and complex, there are a lot of sub-plots woven throughout, and it's quite a long book, however, I do think it's worth the investment.

The Day of the Roaring delves into some tough subjects including cultural differences, FGM, misogyny, racism, poverty, drugs and sexism but I feel they are sensitively dealt with and important topics to be discussed.

A clever and thought provoking debut - I would recommend.

Oh dear, what was this about?
From the blurb this looked like the perfect book for me, I just could. It get into this, I tried more than once, but it just wasn’t to be and I was a defeated.

From the blurb this looked like a book I would enjoy, a police procedural, start of a new series, set in the UK. Unfortunately I struggled to get involved. In spite of coming back to it on numerous occasions I have reluctantly admitted defeat!
I'm sure this will appeal to many people but it was not for me. Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for letting me try and read this book

Set in Sheffield, this story follows a police investigation into the death of a headmaster whose dismembered body is discovered on the site of an old school. With a dark and complex plot and multiple themes and storylines, it can feel heavy going at times but the character of DI Diana Walker is compelling and keeps the reader engaged.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review a copy of this book before publication.

This book is stuffed full of important topics - from colonialist abuse, to FGM, via corruption, drug dealing and bullying at work. The problem for me was it felt like there were just a few too many themes and they started to detract from the overall flow of the book.

There were too many sub-plots for my liking. I'm not saying it was too complicated (as I'm happy to read a lot of complex novels) but it just didn't entirely work for me.

I liked the policewoman protagonist, I cared about the dead school teacher (if not so much the dead headmaster) but it all just felt rather 'laboured'.

An interesting read. I would have liked some translation for the Kenyan language as I have no idea what they were on about. .This was a very long book and there were parts that I found were over complex.

I did enjoy this book. But I felt there was too much going on and sometimes I found it difficult to remember who everyone was and what was going on. I would read another book as I feel there is a lot of potential.

Ambitious but confusing debut police procedural
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A police procedural set in Sheffield that also includes flashbacks to Kenya, this is an overly complex and confusing book. Told in short, terse sentences as in a hard-boiled detective novel, the three POVs elide into each other, making the reader work to distinguish each narrative, each character (I had to constantly look at the name at the top of each section to be sure I was where I thought I was). The main character of DI Diana Walker is a great foil with a rich family history and plenty of obstacles in life and at work, but the proliferation of aspects to the case bog down this pretty long book. There are flashes of brilliance but it needed more of a steer.

Two and a half stars.

Review of The Day of the Roaring by Nina Bhadreshwar

Nina Bhadreshwar’s debut novel, The Day of the Roaring, is a compelling and thought-provoking crime thriller that masterfully intertwines a gripping murder investigation with profound social commentary. Set in Sheffield, the story introduces readers to DI Diana Walker, a determined detective facing the challenges of a gruesome case and the systemic biases within her own department.

The narrative begins with the shocking discovery of a dismembered headmaster on the grounds of a defunct school. As Walker delves deeper, she uncovers a web of unreported crimes, missing teachers, and a community shrouded in silence. Bhadreshwar doesn’t shy away from addressing pressing issues such as racism, misogyny, and the lingering effects of colonialism. The inclusion of historical contexts, particularly the Mau Mau uprising in Kenya, adds depth and resonance to the storyline.

Bhadreshwar’s portrayal of Sheffield’s underbelly is vivid and authentic, bringing to light the struggles of marginalized communities. The characters are richly developed, with DI Walker standing out as a resilient and relatable protagonist. Her personal journey, intertwined with her professional challenges, offers readers a nuanced perspective on justice and morality.

The Day of the Roaring is more than just a crime novel; it’s a narrative that challenges societal norms and prompts reflection on historical and contemporary injustices. Bhadreshwar’s storytelling is both engaging and enlightening, making this a standout addition to the crime fiction genre.

For readers seeking a thriller that combines suspense with substantial thematic depth, The Day of the Roaring is an essential read.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for this eCopy to review

Wow, what a debut! I just finished "The Day of the Roaring," and I'm still reeling. Nina Bhadreshwar has crafted a truly compelling and layered crime thriller that kept me hooked from the first page.

The story centres around DI Diana Walker in Sheffield, and she is faced with a gruesome discovery: the dismembered body of a headmaster found on the grounds of an old, derelict school. Right from the start, you can feel the tension. Diana's colleagues are quick to label it as gang violence, but she has a gut feeling that there's something much deeper and darker at play.

What follows is Diana's relentless pursuit of the truth, which takes her into the heart of Sheffield's most marginalised communities. Bhadreshwar doesn't shy away from tackling tough issues like racism, social inequality, and the long shadows of historical trauma. The book also weaves in very interesting historical context relating to the British violence against the Kikuyu people in 1950s Kenya during the Mau Mau uprising. This added a very deep layer to the story.

I was particularly impressed by the way Bhadreshwar builds suspense and creates a palpable sense of unease. The atmosphere is thick with secrets and distrust, and you can feel Diana's frustration as she encounters silent witnesses and unreported crimes. The characters are well-developed, and Diana herself is a strong and determined protagonist.

The book is more than a simple police procedural. It's a social commentary, a psychological thriller, and a historical exploration all rolled into one. The writing is vivid and evocative, and Bhadreshwar's attention to detail is remarkable.

I did enjoy this, but found there were too many storylines and characters and almost needed a pad and paper to write down the characters!

Loved DI Walker though so would read another one in her series.

With a dismembered headmaster, missing teachers, unreported crimes, witnesses too scared to talk and a book club with secrets, it’s a good thing the school has been closed. DI Diana Walker is investigating the murder but is it a bit too close to home for her to be objective?

I found this book rather hard to follow, there were so many parts feeding into this story which for me over complicated it, making it hard to follow the progression of the investigation. In my opinion it is a book that really needs the readers full attention. There were some really sensitive topics that I felt were not given the sensitivity they deserved as there was too much in one book.

I would recommend this book to someone who likes a more layered read and likes to give it their full attention.

The synopsis immediately intrigued me, and I eagerly anticipated reading the book.
Unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. I found the numerous characters made the plot difficult to follow.

There's a lot going on in this tale, including some uncomfortable investigations into the practice of FGM, so you'll need to concentrate, but the pay off is well worth it both in the multiple strands of this book and in the set up for the future of DI Diana Walker.

I really enjoy a police procedural & was delighted to receive an e-ARC of #The Day of the Roaring by #Nina Bradreshwar from #Netgalley.
The author introduces us to DI Diana Walker in this her debut crime novel.
Diana is a black policewoman dealing with institutional misogyny & racism when she is sent to a crime scene where a partially dismembered body is found in a locked filing cabinet. The remains are found on the site of a demolished school & soon hidden truths start to come to life.
Set in Sheffield in 2010 the novel explores topics like colonial history, racism, immigration, FGM & how poverty is a never ending grind.
At first Diana Walker appears to be a prickly & unlikeable character but as the story unfolds we realise that the face she presents to the world is a mask & that she has trauma of her own to face.
While the story is mainly told from Diana's point of view, other characters share their perspectives & this offers insights into how different events affect different people.
I found this novel to be a page turner & I look forward to reading Book 2 in the series

The Day of the Roaring is a police procedural that weaves in broader social issues, adding depth beyond the central investigation. However, while the premise is intriguing, I found it difficult to get into at first. The pacing felt slow in the early chapters, making it a challenge to fully engage with the story.

As the novel progressed, it gained momentum, and the investigative elements became more compelling. The social commentary added an interesting layer, but at times, the multiple threads felt disorganized, making it harder to follow the central narrative. While the ambition of tackling both crime and societal concerns is commendable, a more streamlined approach might have improved the overall reading experience.

Despite these challenges, The Day of the Roaring has strong moments, particularly in its latter half. Readers who enjoy procedurals with a broader thematic scope may appreciate it more, but for me, it was a mixed experience.