What a long way Bingham has come from the first in this series which I found a little shaky. This book is imbued with a confidence in the writing that gives voice to Fiona's strange and intriguing personality. At the same time, the plot takes a welcome step away from the ubiquitous psychopathic serial killer and works in far more realistic territory. The melding of modern crime with medieval religious sensibility maintains a kind of modern gothic feel that fits with Fiona's own sometimes troubled mental state but keeps it all credible.

The background, too, is very well done from the rural Welsh setting to Fiona's new colleague and partner in crime (and I'd love to see more of Burnett in later books - a brilliant foil to Fiona). I don't want to say anything more about the plot but trust me, this is a very satisfying mystery that develops in an unexpected direction. Recommended.

To be posted on Amazon

This is the 5th instalment in the Fiona Griffiths series of books. I have to admit that I hadn’t read any of the previous books, but that didn’t detract from my enjoyment of this one. Fiona Griffiths is unlike any character I have ever read before. If I am being honest it took me around 20% of the book until I understood her and the authors writing style, but then BOOM, I was hooked. You always feel that there is a great sadness behind her character but at the same time she is happy. She is funny, loyal, and clever. I felt she could go over the edge at any moment but her work kept her from falling. She reminds me of Tony Hill in many respects. The supporting characters were well written and believable.
It’s a well knitted story with many strands that are all brought together at the end. There are two parts in particular that stand out for me and without giving too much away the Cave had me literally holding my breath and made me feel as if the walls were closing in on me. I really felt as if I was down there. The climax to the book is great reading and unexpected. Another Author I need to add to my read all pile.

Well written and paced crime novel, but one that stands hands above the competition. Featuring DS Fiona Griffiths - maverick, eccentric, determined and possessed of a sharp detective instinct - in a case that starts with the discovery of the body of a young women laid out respectfully in an old 'dead house" (church annexe), the story goes in directions that I didn't foresee. Some amazing, powerful scenes, especially as the plot reaches its climax. Very engrossing and compulsive, avoiding a lot of the cliches of the police procedural genre.

A superb thriller featuring the inimitable DS Fiona Griffiths set in Cardiff and the wilds of Wales. This is the first in the series which I have read and I have to say that I thought it was wonderful. You know how when you first meet a person and you are not sure if you like them? That is how I felt on encountering Fiona, thinking there is something not quite right about her and that I could find this woman irritating plus she has OCD issues. She oversees the dead body she names Carlotta and through the night has developed what seems to be an unhealthy relationship with her corpse. The body in the bier house, a remnant from the Victorian era, known as the Dead House turns out not to have been murdered, but this does not stop the tenacious Fiona from working very hard to identify her. She succeeds, and anomalies in the interview with the dead girl's parents reveals she was abducted for a ransom.

This in turn leads to the discovery that there is an organised business set up to kidnap the children of rich Eastern European and Russians. None of this would have been uncovered without Fiona's off the scale persistence. I am beginning to like Fiona. Sure, she's an oddball, but she starts to get under your skin. Her and DI Burnett encounter a monastery and connections with the disappearance of Bethan Williams. Fiona and an injured Burnett are trapped in underground caves with a murdered guide and blocked exits. To ensure that rescuers will find Burnett, Fiona constructs a mind map of the caves based on the corpses she has known. Her favourite corpses are assigned significant landmarks. We encounter the medieval concept of anchorites, which Fiona becomes uncomfortably familiar with as she engages with a fight for her life later. The case turns out to have connections with the recently closed Operation April. This just might get Fiona and the police closer to the top tier of suspects as the novel closes.

My love for Fiona is cemented on her interactions with the grief stricken Neil Williams, her family and her relationships within the police department. Yes, she is not to be trusted, but you can be sure that her actions are instigated from a good place. In a overcrowded crime fiction genre, the Fiona Griffiths series makes an unusually distinct contribution. Highly recommended. Thanks to Orion for an ARC via netgalley.

When requesting to read this book all that really interested me was where it was based, Wales. As originally from the area of South Wales myself where this story takes place I was intrigued to find out what the author's take was on the area and it people.

What I got was oh so much more different than the “run of the mill” police crime thriller story. The reason for this is Fiona Griffiths, a wholly unique and complete original protagonist. In short this girl is weird! But please don't let that put you off or allay to doubts of quality, this book produces a good solid police crime story; with an exceptional lead character.

The description given tells you all you need to know concerning the plot and gives you an indication on the genre to help you decide if this is something you would like to read.

Now I have not read any previous works by Mr Bingham or the previous 4 novels which pertain to Fiona; I think this unknowingly coloured my early views on the character.

I persevered through however and the uncomfortable feeling of unease and general "ickiness" that Fiona's continued reaction and interaction to the corpse she finds, gave way once I understood the history of the character and was able to continue with this story.

If you are new to Fiona Griffiths and her adventures as a South Wales Police Officer, I would suggest starting with book 1, Talking to the Dead. Allowing the reader to learn about Fiona as the author intended helps enormously towards liking, understanding and even relating to her, if only a little.

I truly believe she is a unique creation within the realm of crime fiction and her continued existence is something which I would look forward to finding out about.

However to fans of Mr Bingham's work and previous novels of Fiona they will surely be delighted to join her in continued quest to solve crime, punish the bad guys and still "fit in" where she can.