Book Description
Is it revenge or is it justice?
DI Gravel is supposed to be on mandatory leave, but when a severed head washes up on the estuary beach his holiday is cut short. Back on the job, he’s shocked when the case leads him to the victim from an old case
Seventeen years ago, the system failed Rebecca. They let the abuser of a six-year-old girl walk free. But she’s all grown up now and taking the law into her own hands.
Is this one killer DI Gravel doesn’t want to catch?
This is the second book in the dark, edge-of-your-seat Carmarthen Crime thriller series set in the stunning West Wales countryside.
*Previously published as Before I Met Him*
BOOK REVIEW
Review for 'The Tywi Estuary Killings' by John Nicholl.
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for John Nicholl and Boldwood Books
Publication date 20th June 2022
This is the sixth book I have read by this author and it was previously published as 'Before I Met Him'. It is also the second book in the 'Carmarthen Crime' series but can be read as a standalone. I have previously read 'Killing Evil' and 'The Doctor' (First book in the 'Dr David Galbraith' series) and 'The Wife' (Second book in the Dr Galbrailth series), 'The Father' (Third book in the Dr Galbraith series) and 'The Carmarthen Murders' (First book in the 'Carmarthen Crime' series) which I would also highly recommend.
I was originally drawn to this book by its unique eye catching cover and its intriguing synopsis and title. I am a huge fan of true stories and although this book is fiction it is based on a true story. I loved John's other books called 'Killing Evil' and 'The Doctor' (which is the first book in the Dr Galbraith series), 'The Wife' (which is the second book in the Dr Galbraith series), 'The Father (which is the third book in the Dr Galbraith series) and' The Carmarthen Murders' (the first book in the 'Carmarthen Crime' series) and if this is half as good as they are it's bound to be a page turner. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Boldwood Books. I have yet to read a book published by Boldwood Books that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).
This novel consists of 35 chapters. The chapters are short to medium in length so easy to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
This book is based in Carmarthen, Kidwelly and The Tywi Estuary, Wales 🏴 , UK 🇬🇧. The bonus for me of books that are partly or fully based in the UK is that I live in the UK and have sometimes visited places mentioned in the book which makes it easier to picture. The fact that I live in Wales and only live a few miles from Carmarthen is amazing as I'm hoping to recognise a few local places.
This book is written in third person perspective and the main protagonists are Rebecca Smith, Detective Inspector Gareth Gravel and DS Laura Kesey. The benefits of third person perspective with multiple protagonists are that it let's you see the bigger picture of what's going on and you get to know more characters more, what they are thinking and what they are doing. It feels like you get to see the whole picture and not miss out in anything.
This book was reviously published as Before I Met Him.
'The Tywi Estuary Killings' discusses some topics that may trigger some readers or may not be suitable for others. I like to point this out ahead of time in my reviews so you can judge if this book is for you or not. In this book John discusses/includes strong language and child abuse.
OMG!!!! Yet another fantastic success by John!! What a read!! Just Wow!!! This is one of the best psychological thrillers and series I have read in a long time,in fact that I have ever read!!!
The book is written perfectly and with such vivid descriptions it really feels that you are with the protagonists walking the streets of Carmarthen and Kidwelly with your heart pounding in a race against time.
Clear your schedules before picking this up because you won't be able to put it down!!
The storyline is absolutely addictive and gripping. I seriously WOULD NOT even start this book unless you have cleared your schedule because you will not be able to put it down!!! I absolutely blew through it in one sitting and it genuinely was unputdownable!!! A true page turner absolutely rammed with suspense, tension and everything you want when you read a psychological thriller. This would be absolutely amazing if turned into a movie, if done right of course!!! This is an absolutely gripping and addictive storyline. I absolutely loved John's 'Galbraith series' and when I discovered this series was being republished I couldn't wait to get stuck in. I didn't think John would be able to bring out another series as good as the Galbraith one as that was utterly explosive but yet again he managed it! For anyone interested in 'The Galbraith Series' the books in order are 'The Doctor' (previously published as 'White Is The Coldest Colour'), 'The Wife' (previously published as 'When Evil Calls Your Name' ) and 'The Father'.
This book is an absolutely explosive and addictive start to what promises to be an action packed series. I love the fact that this book is based in Carmarthen and The Tywi Estuary which is literally 15 minutes away from me by car and there was even some parts set in Kidwelly where I live. The fact that I recognised so many places really brought the story to life. John really describes Carmarthen, Kidwelly and the estuary perfectly and even when this book is filled with crime and murder he manages to portray the beauty of local areas. The storyline is absolutely ram packed with crime, mystery, murder, suspense, tension, and everything you could ask for in a page turner. It also has just the right amount of humour in to lighten the mood which I always love in crime books. I must say I was absolutely gutted by the ending and was not expecting it at all!!! Will I say more? Nope, sorry for the tease but you'll just have to pick up a copy to find out what I mean. I can't go spoiling it for future readers now can I? I love how John wrote this book giving the readers so many different perspectives from various characters so you get such a good insight into what is happening including from the killer. Not only is this a gripping and addictive storyline but it is immensely thought provoking. It really made me think and question that if I could get away with it would I do the same? Wrong and crime is not always black and white. Without revealing too much of the storyline it is hard to say what I want without exposing the story too much and spoiling it for other readers. Some readers will agree with what she does, some wouldn't. I absolutely agree with the fact that the justice system we have is a joke!! I think I'll have to leave this here as I dont want to risk giving anything away but needless to say this book is an absolute must read with an unexpected ending. I would love to see this turned into a movie!!
Although this is the second book in the series I had would have had absolutely no problems reading it without the others. Any details or events that have previously happened are mentioned in just the right amount of detail to let a new reader know what has happened and yet not too much to bore a previous reader.
I previously met the main protagonist Detective Inspector Gareth Gravel in the Galbraith series and again in the first. Book in this series 'The Carmarthen Murders'. I was pleased to "meet" him again. Not quite the hero that some may expect Grav is sarcastic, has an attitude problem, loves to swear and has nicotine stained teeth but at least their his own! All of this made him one of the most realistic characters I have ever met in a book and he had me laughing out loud on several occasions!! I love that he says it how it is and doesn't hold back. I also enjoyed meeting Detective Sergeant Laura Kesey who was another huge part of the team and is very likeable. All the characters are realistic and strong. DS Laura has come into this series after we said goodbye to Grav's previous partner Clive Rankin in 'The Carmarthen Murders'. In this book Grav is called back from his holidays to find he has been partnered with Laura and it was intriguing to see how they would get on especially with Grav's old school attitude. However and surprisingly Grav and Laura actually made a good team in and they worked well together. I am intrigued to see how they will work together after what happened at the end of this book though. It was interesting to see Grav's approach to this case considering who the victims were and who the killer turned out to be. It was nice to see his softer side when they worked out who it was and I would have done the same thing and given the same advise as he did. The so called victims made me feel absolutely sick, ABSOLUTELY perverted sickos and it wasn't just them that shocked and disgusted me. However, sadly they are just as realistic as the other characters. This book really does make you question yourself and the law and is extremely thought provoking. As it states on the back of the book is it revenge or is it justice? I belive they got what they deserved and I would have probably turned a blind eye to what was going on. However, some may not agree but this would definitely make a great book club discussion!! Regardless of whether you love or hate them these characters worked perfectly to make this book absolutely unputdownable and I cannot wait to get stuck into the next book in this explosive series 'The Castle Beach Murders'. Keep your eyes peeled for my review for that.
I really cannot compliment and recommend this book more. It is a heart racing, nail biting, suspense packed psychological thriller that will stay with you for one hell of a long time. If you have read and enjoyed John Nicholl's 'The Victim' then you will love this!!
Congratulations John on yet another absolutely addictive nail biting edge of your seat novel. This is exactly why you are on my favourite author list!!! As always I'm looking forward to reading your next page turner!!!
Overall a unputdownable, heart racing, nail biting and addictive psychological thriller
Genres covered in this novel include Fiction Classics, Contemporary Urban Fiction, Thriller, Hardboiled Mystery, Adventure Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Suspense, Psychological Thriller, Contemporary Fiction, Women's Fiction Classics, Mystery, Urban Fiction, Police Procedural, Death & Grief, Cromer Fiction and Crime Thriller amongst others.
I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as Charlie Gallagher, Mark Edwards Lisa Regan, Carol Wyer, DK Hood and anyone looking for a page turning series.
282 pages.
This book is just 99p to purchase on kindle, free on kindle unlimited and £9.99 in paperback via Amazon at the time of review which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
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Author Bio
Thanks for looking at one of my books.
I write fast-paced, gritty, and dark psychological suspense thrillers, which draw on my real-life experiences as a police officer and social worker. I began writing after leaving my job heading up child protection services in west Wales.
All my books work as standalone stories, but some are part of a series and others are connected.
I’m very grateful to all of my readers, and I very much hope you’ll discover more of my books. I’m always interested to receive your feedback and read your reviews.
John
John Nicholl, a former police officer, social worker and lecturer, is the award-winning, Amazon bestselling author of numerous darkly psychological suspense thrillers. He began writing after leaving his job heading up child protection services. You can find out more about John and his books at: www.johnnicholl.com
John Nicholl, an ex-police officer, social worker and lecturer, is the award-winning, #1 bestselling author of numerous darkly psychological suspense thrillers. He began writing after leaving his job heading up child protection services. You can contact John at johnnichollauthor@gmail.com
Purchase Link
Amazon: https://mybook.to/TheTEKillings
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