Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

David Hodges's "Shadows On The Levels" is an enthralling crime thriller that masterfully combines atmospheric tension with a labyrinthine plot. Set against the hauntingly beautiful backdrop of the Somerset Levels, the novel follows Detective Kate Hamblin as she unravels a series of chilling crimes that threaten to engulf the quiet countryside.

The story begins with the discovery of a mutilated body, sending shockwaves through the tight-knit community. As Hamblin and her team dig deeper into the investigation, they uncover a web of deceit, secrets, and dark pasts that link the victims. Hodges excels at building suspense, with each new revelation adding another layer of complexity to the case.

Kate Hamblin is a compelling protagonist whose determination and sharp instincts drive the narrative forward. Her character is richly developed, and readers will find themselves rooting for her as she faces both professional and personal challenges. Hodges's supporting characters are equally well-crafted, adding depth and authenticity to the story.

The novel's pacing is impeccable, with the right balance of action and introspection. Hodges's descriptive writing vividly brings the Somerset Levels to life, creating an immersive setting that enhances the novel's eerie and suspenseful atmosphere. The twists and turns are expertly woven into the plot.

"Shadows On The Levels" is a standout entry in the crime thriller genre, offering a gripping and immersive reading experience. Hodges's ability to blend intricate plotting with richly drawn characters makes this novel a must-read for fans of crime fiction.

My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

Highly recommended for readers who enjoy crime thrillers and police procedurals with complex plots, well-developed characters, and a strong sense of place. "Shadows On The Levels" is an addictive read.

Another fabulous story by David. I am enjoying this series of books.. I am looking forward to reading the next one.

A police procedural set in Somerset, the UK . Number 14 in the series, but I have not read others and it is fine as a standalone. As the book begins, an old woman is knocked down and killed by a car carrying a group of young people, who were under influence of drugs and alcohol. They covered up the death at the time, but 30 years later with changes to the road, remains are found. The story of who it was and what became of the group of friends is gradually revealed. The group appear to be being stalked by some one who knew the woman and what happened and then some of the group turn up dead, perhaps murdered.
On the whole a good read, plenty of twists in the plot and descriptions of people and places give a good picture of where the scene is situated and the nature of those involved. I was not keen on the dialogue in the first scene, it did not come across as realistic for a group of young people in that situation, I would have expected more panic. But that is perhaps nit-picking. The rest of the book was fine. The relationship between Kate and Hayden, her husband, is definately complicated and it may have helped to have read previous episodes to understand it better. The antagonism between the DCI and Kate was also not fully explained. Certainly an interesting case though and although I had my suspicions, the plot keeps you guessing almost until the end.
Thanks to Net Galley foe the ARC

Shadows On The Levels by David Hodges is the 14th book in the Detective Kate Hamblin Mystery series and the first book I have read by this author. I really enjoyed this book and did not find it hard to understand the main characters and storyline. This book was was a fast paced Murder Mystery book which was filled with so many twists and turns.
I didn’t want to put my phone down, which was great especially as the weather outside was horrible!!

In 1989 five friends staggered out of a pub and got into a car. When they ran over and killed elderly vagrant Annie Evans at Pagan’s Clump, Lizzie, Julian, Jennifer and Robert discovered the driver Danny was already disqualified, and in a misguided effort to save their own skins and careers, they decided to bury the woman known locally to some as The Night Hag. January 2024 and after nearly a year away renovating their Welsh cottage, DS Kate Lewis and her DC husband Hayden are back to work in the market town of Highbridge on the edge of the Somerset Levels, much to the delight of their colleagues and DI Charlie Woo. Their sabbatical was hardly the rest they had hoped for anyway, after Kate was dragged into a nasty case to work undercover. It looks like there won’t be any respite here either as a call comes in to say human bones have been found buried in the woods at Pagan’s Clump, a place steeped in local folklore and suspicion. When news of the bones reaches the media, the five friends congregate and are instantly worried. What if their deadly secret is about to come to light after all these years? First Lizzie has a nighttime intruder but when Kate and DC Indrani Purewal investigate, she says she must have imagined it. Then Lizzie is found dead from an overdose. It looks like suicide but her diary gives Kate cause for concern and then as more details are learned by detectives about the bones, the net closes in as a link appears between the old and new deaths. Has the legend come true and Annie is back to haunt the five or is there a more sinister earthly explanation for the rising body count?
It’s nice to see Kate and Hayden back where they belong at Highbridge CID, and this time Kate seems to be really trying to ditch the lone wolf reputation and work with the team, making her a lot more likeable. Thank goodness she has the DI on her side when dealing with the DCI who is really gunning for her. The pace is well maintained throughout in this well plotted and suitably twisty police procedural. The relationship between Kate and Hayden is as feisty as usual although Hayden plays a smaller role in this investigation for the main part (spending half of it in the canteen by all accounts). Readers of the series will know what a support and calming influence he has on the very independent Kate. and whatever the reader thinks of their marriage, it’s clear that opposites really do attract. With a shocking ending to the case, I can’t wait to see what comes next.

Update: TikTok post 1-8
Shadows on the Levels is a smooth, fast read that satisfied my craving for a British murder mystery. It's the fourteenth crime thriller in the Somerset Levels Murder series featuring Detective Kate Hamblin. This was my first book by David Hodges and it worked fine as a standalone. I chose it because of the author's police career and found it to be an entertaining escape.

I liked the characters, their relationships, and the conflicts on both sides of the law. The eerie countryside came to life, making the novel an immersive experience. The descriptions are wonderfully atmospheric. A bit of local supernatural lore played a part, and there’s an appealing sense of history that adds dimension to the place and the crimes. The web of relationships between people who spend their lives in one place felt real.

Hodges maintained tension and good pacing throughout the book. He has a knack for creating chilling moments and gruesome events. Although there are some implausiblities and the mystery elements weren’t especially challenging, it kept my attention. The writing was good throughout, except that the tone became a bit stiff and melodramatic toward the end.

The acerbic yet devoted husband and wife detective team is unusual. Their interplay, and the tensions of Kate’s maverick behavior riling the higher-ups, added to the book’s magnetism. I was fully engaged in discovering what happened and how a decades-old crime figured into it all. I’d read more books by David Hodges.

I recommend this novel for crime thriller and murder mystery readers who are comfortable with graphic details and realistic crime scene descriptions.

Thank you, Joffe Books, for the e-ARC for consideration. These are solely my own opinions.
I'll post my TikTok review closer to the publication date and add the link below.

Shades of Joy Ellis in this clever police procedural, which does an amazing job of setting a scene which is engaging and clear. I felt like I was right there with the characters as they sought to get to the bottom of what at first seems like a straight forward case. Well written, I enjoyed this very much,

While this book is down the line in a long series, it is the first I have read. I felt it read fine on its own. The plot is not a whodunit as we know the crime from the beginning and those who did it. At least we think we do. I was surprised with a twist near the end that set the whole mystery plot on its head. I thought I knew what was going on but there was a deeper layer to the mystery that Kate revealed.

Kate is an interesting detective, known for her independence. I was a little surprised at her harsh comments toward her husband but he seemed to need that treatment to be motivated to action. I am sure previous novels reveal her reasons for her attitude towards him. Why they stay married seems odd but is good for character interaction.

The plot is good as Kate works to uncover the long ago crime. Current murders create a new emphasis to the investigation and a twist in the plot. There is a good amount of suspense near the end. This is a good novel for those who like British crime investigations set in an interesting location.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

Police procedural part of a series featuring Detective Kate Hamblim and her husband Hayden. Believable characters and an interesting storyline.

This latest book in the Kate Hamblin murder mysteries is full of action, set, as usual, in the Somerset Levels. The plot begins with a the discovery of bones linked to a cold case, but this quickly connects to a recent murder. The action is fast and the book is well-plotted, so keeps your interest right to the end.

Another great addition to the Kate Hamblin Levels books. David Hodges creates believable characters in a wonderful Somerset setting with Kate band Hayden back from their sabbatical. It doesn’t take her long to find a case or be at loggerheads with the powers that be - promotion seems a distant hope for her.
A great read.

Detective Kate and her husband, Hayden, return to a particular station after having been away for a year. Immediately, they are drawn into investigating 'crimes' that are not what they seem. Were there two attempted burglaries, or are the supposed victims not telling the full story? When decades-old bones are discovered nearby, there may be a link between them and a series of present-day crimes. Detective Kate seeks to find the truth while avoiding trouble with the press and with her superiors in the police department.

I've read another book in this series and enjoyed them both. The mystery is compelling, but the relationship between Kate and her husband, if it can even be called a relationship, seems more like a perpetual sniping match, making the reader wonder how they got together in the first place and why they bother to stay together. Kate is a competent investigator, but Hayden is portrayed as a buffoon, albeit a smart one at times. The rest of the characters interact in believable ways and the plot unfolds in an unexpected, though satisfying way.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

A plodding police procedural in which Detective Sergeant Kate Hamblin manages to tie a group of well-to-do friends to the 30-year-old murder mystery of a local vagrant, Annie Evans. Battling the misogyny of a superior, Kate manages to connect the dots to arrive at a very surprising conclusion.

After a year's sabbatical for personal reasons DS Kate Hamblin and husband DC Hayden, I assume, Hamblin are back at work. Bones have been found and they are human. A cold case so the detectives expect a gentle introduction to work. Then there's a break in and a few days later, the occupant of the house is dead - accidental?? overdose. Plenty of twists and turns and further deaths. Can they all link back to those cold case bones? Supernatural faces at windows, paganism, drunken driving all play their part. Descriptions are good, characters are well-formed and, thankfully, Kate is starting to be less dismissive of bumbling Hayden. Definitely another good read and it's not essential the reader has read previous stories in the series. Thanks to NeGalley and the publisher for an advance copy.

First book I have read from this author. Well written. Plenty of suspense and twists to keep me reading. Well rounded characters. Very enjoyable . The only negative for me was I felt the ending finished too abruptly. Would definitely read the next novel. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to review it.

Thank you so much for allowing me to read an Advanced Copy!! I can’t wait to read the next novel!

My first but definitely not my last book by David Hodges. This was a fast paced Murder Mystery book filled with so many twists and turns. I didn’t want to put my phone down!!

The characters, their backgrounds, the conflict between Police and Reporters. Everything about this book had me on the edge of my seat. This is the 14th book featuring Detective Kate Hamblin but this can be read as a standalone.

This was my first read where a husband and wife were partners but I liked that. Hodges does an excellent job with making the reader feel that they are on the mission with this duo.

I love how Kate made it her mission to solve the 20 year old crime. She felt that something was wrong and she acted on it. When the news of multiple murders happened in a specific timeframe she knew that it was time to regroup and start looking elsewhere. With that smart thinking she was able to crack the case!

I loved reading about Detective Kate, the story was easy to follow and very fast paced. I enjoyed every second of it and I didn’t want it to end. I suggest everybody read this book! You won’t regret it!!

This is a steady read in the Kate Hamblin series, the author is always consistent and the book is well written. Plenty of mystery and an interesting plot which surprised me with a twist. I highly recommend this series if you like crime mysteries, the characterisation is well developed and there is not too much gore! A good steady read. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

So Kate and Hayden are back in their old jobs, much to the disgust - in Kate's case - of DCI Ricketts. When some old bones are dug up it looks like an impossible ask, to find out whose they are. Then the Night Hag starts haunting people and the murders start can Kate keep Hayden out of the canteen long enough to solve it.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher I read a free advance review copy of the book. This review is voluntary, honest and my own opinion.

1989, 2024, crime-thriller, law-enforcement, suspense, series, partners, married, danger, unpleasant-boss, unputdownable, detective-duo, England*****

Very interesting characters on both sides of the law, and the plot twists totally blindsided me with their inventiveness. Great read!
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected proof from Joffe Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
Pub Date Jan 07, 2025 #NetGalley #ShadowsOnTheLevels by David Hodges #DetectiveKateHamblinMysteriesBk14 #JoffeBooks #Suspense #Mystery #CrimeThriller @goodreads @bookbub @librarythingofficial @barnesandnoble @kobobooks @waterstones ***** #Review @booksamillion @bookshop_org @bookshop_org_uk

I really enjoyed this as a crime thriller novel, it had that element that I was looking for and enjoyed about this type of book. It was a strong start to this world and characters. It had that character development that I was looking for and was glad I read this. It had that twists that I wanted and had me guessing from the first page. David Hodges has a strong writing style and am excited for more.