Death in a Lonely Place is book number two in the Jake Jackson series and although it can be read as a standalone I would recommend reading book number one for the back story.
Jake is an ex police detective who is enjoying his off grid lifestyle, living in a remote house, until Inspector Watson asks for his help to find a missing girl. As an expert in cold cases he sees a likeness to a previous case of his and starts to dig deeper. With the help of his old police researcher Aletheia, and Martha, a genius in finding out anything and everything, a troubling organisation comes to light and he is dragged into another investigation.
For a small village there is an awful lot going on in the criminal world. I found this story so far fetched it spoiled my enjoyment but having said that it will not put me off reading book number three in the series.
3 stars ***

There are some things in life that you just can’t get away from. When Jake moves to the countryside to pursue a quieter existence he doesn’t count on big crime being just around the corner. Nor does he count on it putting his own life and those whom he loves at risk. Beautifully written once again, a compelling story to keep you turning pages. Thank you to Netgalley for the advance reader copy.

The second book in the series from Stig Abell. We return to Little Sky and the life of retired policeman Jake Jackson. First half of the book was a bit slow in parts but the second half made up for that. Enjoyed reading about the continuing relationship between Jake and Livia and the community surrounding them.

This is the second Stig Abell book that I have read and thoroughly enjoyed. I love the setting of Little Sky and how Jake Jackson has adapted from his old life in the Met and settled into this remote rural community. Jake's policeman friend Watson asks for Jake's help in locating a missing child. This leads to trying to uncover a secret 'club' known as No Taboo. I loved meeting some of the same familiar characters and also, some not very nice new ones! Abell very deftly tells the story and links all the details together. Again, Jake seeks to protect his girlfriend Livia and her daughter Diana. This is another suspenseful story with twists and turns resulting in a very surprising ending. Many thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this great book.

The second novel in the series from Stig Abell. Much as I enjoyed the first I felt more 'at home' with this one. It is often the case I find with a series, probably due to getting to know the characters and locations.
I like the humour that runs through these books, the naming of the areas after authors or characters and look out in this book for the spook like sign off code.
Whilst the physical setting is fictional Stig has created a very believable village and surrounding area. I also have a serious case of library envy.
I've just started the third in this series and it promises to be as good, if not better.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for this ARC which was very much appreciated.

Beautifully written and very twisty. I loved all the clues and investigations running through this book. The descriptions of the area was very vivid. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

This is the second installment in the Jake Jackson series. The story involves a blend of mystery and suspense, with a plot that delves into the "shadowy world of a secretive group serving the extravagant whims of the elite."

I really enjoyed this second book in the series about, supposedly, retired detective Jake and his new life in the countryside. The book is beautifully descriptive and well written. The main characters are extremely likeable and engaging and the setting wonderfully easy to envisage. Whilst I picked up on certain clues and, to some extent, foresaw the twist at the end it in no way detracted from my enjoyment of an engrossing and dark story. I am very glad Jake’s self imposed retirement is not going to go to plan and look forward eagerly to his future involvement in other dark and mysterious cases.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review and to the author for another piece of excellent writing.

Another gripping read in this detective series. I’ve enjoyed the characters and relationship development from book 1. This is a difficult read at times with some interesting themes around money and power and the lengths people will go to. I was kept guessing for the final twist and the tension built brilliantly to a terrifying finale.

Following on nicely from the first book, we are reintroduced to the main characters and how they are all gelling together. This time Jake and Livia are being enticed to "live it up " with the local millionaire however they are right to be wary. The local DI , once again conscripts Jake into looking into a group known as No taboo and gets him to find out as much as he can with his unauthorised help. But there is a traitor among them. Fast paced with lots going on and a great twist at the end that I did not see coming. This series is developing nicely.

Thanks to Netgalley for an ebook to review.

My find of his year. The second in a wonderful tranquil location where a threat hangs over Jake and the new life he is forging in splendid isolation.

As an ex-detective he has gained a connection with a local police officer, Chief Inspector Watson during the mystery they solved in the first book. Now Watson approaches Jake for help on another case which has links to his own former police work and a couple of unsolved cases he was involved with. This leads them into a confrontation with a criminal organisation, No Taboo, where money seems able to buy any desire. From sexual abuse to the thrill of murder, without the fear of discovery or repercussion in law.

A conspiracy seemingly infiltrating the higher levels of the establishment and with influence within the police and legal systems. A cancer Jake confronts, risking his independence, new relationships and placing his own life in danger.

As before, I really enjoyed the countryside location; the idealism of a life outside the elements of social media, fake news and societal demands for perceived success and normality. This place of isolation is both a benefit and a curse as his property is so off the grid, roads and Sat nav cannot take you there; it is almost too out of the way; like outer space, where someone once said, “no-one can hear you scream”.

This paradox of gaining independence but losing control plays out again in this novel but the stakes have been raised and the power and money behind No Taboo are not playing games.

Loved the repeat character appearances and the development of relationships and the path of Jake’s journey. The author clearly loves this genre and I love the constant reminders to crime fiction and the peaceful relaxation of the classical play list that is the background music in Jake’s life.

Book 3 is out shortly, If these standards are maintained I simply can’t wait and plunge into the next Stig Abell thriller, The Burial Place, due out 27th March 2025.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the chance to read this ARC.

Whilst the story was good, it could have done with being a little more to the point as I find myself skim reading or zoning out at certain points.

Would recommend as a one off read

A full review has been left on Goodreads

So good! I was hooked on this crime story, with excellent characters and a detailed plot. Brilliant author, and thoroughly enjoyable read.

I loved book one in this series, Death Under a Little Sky and book two did not let me down. This was another well written, fast-paced enjoyable read with Jake this time helping in the search for local missing girl. I loved seeing Jake's relationship continue to grow with his new community, girlfriend Livia and her daughter, he is really continuing to grow as a character.
This was another very descriptive & atmospheric read with a great plotline, lots of twists; a real page-turner.
I look forward to what comes next.

This is book two in the series, it is both descriptive and eloquent.
The plot is twisting and unexpected.

Like the first, Death Under a Little Sky, Death in a Lonely Place is competently done, though having to find a way to get retired copper Jake involved in another case is going to require more and more contrivance. In this one, his local police chief friend Watson brings him in on the case of a missing girl. A clue found at the scene points towards an underground criminal enterprise. As you can see from the cover above, we again have crows flying around a (different) tree, and a lake, though both trees and lakes feature less in this than in the first volume.
The author says in an afterword that he was originally going to make this some kind of country house mystery. Clearly Abell loves the genre and he wanted to have a go. But his publishers steered him towards something more contemporary. So there is a country house, and a millionaire with horses, which means girlfriend Livia the local vet is offered some work. The billionaire* happens to be a former newspaper proprietor. But there’s other stuff too, involving surveillance and hacking and somehow getting access to private banks.
So the retired cop, who definitely wasn’t going to get involved in any more cases, gets involved in the case. And the man who swore off phones and the internet gets a phone of some sort. And his partner and her daughter are again at risk and again Livia begs him not to get involved. And he does. And so it goes.

Detective Jake Jackson moved to the countryside for a quieter life.
A shocking secret.
But the return of an old case shatters the calm, and pulls him into a shadowy group that caters to the darkest desires of the rich and famous.
An enemy closes in…
As the web around Jake tightens, he's about to learn just how far some people will go to protect their secrets.

This is the second book in the series, I read the first. It’s good to settle down with familiar characters and feel you are already privy to their back story. There are some brief explanations which bring a new reader up to date so it can be read as a standalone novel. It has a great pace about it and easy to read. I enjoyed all of it.

After reading and loving the first book in this series, I was excited to read the second one.

I wasn’t disappointed.

In fact, if anything, it was even better!

The story was very different and opened up at a different pace which kept it fresh and alive. Enough intrigue to keep you guessing. Some alarming and emotional scenes which got my heart racing.

There were moments where the story resolved certain aspects which were satisfying, but there were still questions left unanswered which led into another level of the unfolding story.

I love the writing style of this author and I’m about to read the third book in this series.

Highly recommended and the last part is literally unputdownable!

Death in a Lonely Place by Stig Abell

Another great story by This author featuring Jake Jackson , former police officer not quite being able to hang up his boots !

This time it is about a missing child from his rural area. It has plenty of twists and turns to keep you reading.
If you like fairly cosy crime then this book will be right up your street.

Having read the first book, which I also loved, this was more fast paced.
Loved the exciting story and once again good strong characters! The twist at the end had me totally shocked!