brewtifulfiction's review against another edition
5.0
The format of the book is a clever one.
We get flashbacks to the events that led up to Rhiannon's tragic death as well as alternating chapters for Abs and Sasha. Their narratives although entirely different for me complimented each other well. Offering both the view of the investigator and the suspect.
Clever use of character placement had me second guessing who the real criminals were and just who had committed what crime.
Shockingly suspenseful and smart.
I think what appealed the most was just how easy this book was to read. Despite the mystery surrounding the events portrayed, everything written was clear, carefully thought out.
Realistic and addictive.
A story made more relatable because the author doesn't just focus on the crime either. Sasha's family life is depicted too making me feel just as invested in what this woman just as much as I wanted to find out how it would all end.
Over all The Woman in the Wood is a fast-paced, high-stakes whodunnit which is bought together with cunning twists and believable procedures.
I'm looking forward to reading more of Hill's novels in the future.
We get flashbacks to the events that led up to Rhiannon's tragic death as well as alternating chapters for Abs and Sasha. Their narratives although entirely different for me complimented each other well. Offering both the view of the investigator and the suspect.
Clever use of character placement had me second guessing who the real criminals were and just who had committed what crime.
Shockingly suspenseful and smart.
I think what appealed the most was just how easy this book was to read. Despite the mystery surrounding the events portrayed, everything written was clear, carefully thought out.
Realistic and addictive.
A story made more relatable because the author doesn't just focus on the crime either. Sasha's family life is depicted too making me feel just as invested in what this woman just as much as I wanted to find out how it would all end.
Over all The Woman in the Wood is a fast-paced, high-stakes whodunnit which is bought together with cunning twists and believable procedures.
I'm looking forward to reading more of Hill's novels in the future.
thereadingparamedic's review against another edition
4.0
I absolutely flew through The Woman in the Wood, I was instantly hooked. It is a fabulous whodunnit with great red herrings that I didn’t see through, and I genuinely didn’t put two & two together until the big reveal at the end. Really liked Sasha Dawson as a character too. Fabulous stuff!
This is the second Sasha Dawson book. I haven’t read the first and, although there were references to what happened in the first book, I don’t feel it ruined my enjoyment of the second book at all. It works perfectly well as a stand-alone too.
This is the second Sasha Dawson book. I haven’t read the first and, although there were references to what happened in the first book, I don’t feel it ruined my enjoyment of the second book at all. It works perfectly well as a stand-alone too.
emmaisreadingabook's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
sparklebox1's review against another edition
5.0
Not read the first book but this was enjoyable and a definite page turner. Moving on now will look out for the next one!
steph1rothwell's review against another edition
4.0
I don’t watch reality TV, so have never understood the fame and adoration that seems to be handed on a plate to its stars. But I did have a soft spot for Abs, one of the main characters in this very entertaining novel. After becoming a suspect in the disappearance of a young woman he was dropped from a very successful reality TV show. He aches to be back in the limelight. Skint, no other skills apart from his charm and totally deluded about his relationship with his onscreen co-star Kelsey. But he soon discovers that his dream of success and a future with Kelsey fades into insignificance when faced with danger.
Sasha is the police officer who is investigating the death of Abs friend. Unlike her colleagues,in particular Lolly, she is unaware of who Abs is and doesn’t let his fame affect her investigation. I liked her a lot and appreciated the insight into her personal life. There are hints of a tragedy in her past that I wanted to know more about and I liked that there was nothing revealed that made the later reading of book one in the series unnecessary.
I found this novel to be very original. There is a lot of focus on the investigation which you would expect, but I liked Abs having such a prominent role. His way of coping with what was happening around him was quite refreshing. He felt fear, guilt and disappointment but he was still capable of turning on the charm.
Another two original aspects of this novel were the impact of not knowing what happened to a family member had on a relative’s judgement forcing them do something they wouldn’t do under normal circumstances and the way that the pressure on an overworked police department meant that often other cases suffered.
I did work out who was responsible for the crimes in this novel but I didn’t see everything. I will definitely be reading more by this author.
Sasha is the police officer who is investigating the death of Abs friend. Unlike her colleagues,in particular Lolly, she is unaware of who Abs is and doesn’t let his fame affect her investigation. I liked her a lot and appreciated the insight into her personal life. There are hints of a tragedy in her past that I wanted to know more about and I liked that there was nothing revealed that made the later reading of book one in the series unnecessary.
I found this novel to be very original. There is a lot of focus on the investigation which you would expect, but I liked Abs having such a prominent role. His way of coping with what was happening around him was quite refreshing. He felt fear, guilt and disappointment but he was still capable of turning on the charm.
Another two original aspects of this novel were the impact of not knowing what happened to a family member had on a relative’s judgement forcing them do something they wouldn’t do under normal circumstances and the way that the pressure on an overworked police department meant that often other cases suffered.
I did work out who was responsible for the crimes in this novel but I didn’t see everything. I will definitely be reading more by this author.
happilyeveramy's review against another edition
4.0
A huge thank you to @annecater14 @markhillwriter and @hoz_books for my #gifted copy of this book for @randomthingstours
The Woman in the Wood is a suspenseful thriller following DI Sasha Dawson and Danny 'Abs' Cruikshank.
DI Dawson is on a new case, a man has been killed on the train tracks. At first she wonders of its a freak accident or suicide, but it turns out to be murder. Soon the victim is revealed to be Deano, who happens to be one of the suspects of a missing persons case 3 years before. The other suspect is Danny or know as Abs, a tv star known from 'Laid in Essexs!' Between DI Dawson and Abs- secrets, betrayals, lies and blood will soon be revealed. Will Abs get redemption or will he finally meet his end.
Oh this book was on fire from start to finish. The first chapter I was literally on the edge of my seat, shocked at the massive revelation, and jaw drapped thinking what the hell! From get go I wanted to know exactly what will happen. I couldn't stop reading, a chapter few past and I wanted more then boom, it was the end and I was shouting nooo as I didn't want it to end at all!
I love our DI Sasha! She's a mum of two, juggling a past and a DI, where a job demands her a lot. I liked her sass, her banter with her colleagues and I just like how she is as a mother and wife. Sasha sounds really quirky to me and I was devouring her parts in the book like it was chocolate.
Now Abs is one who irritated me to hell. He's selfish, vain, thinks the world revolves round him and tbh is quite a shitty friend. However his character certainly grows on you, and you just watch him go on a journey. His character had the biggest change, but I also like how he didn't lose certain touches.
The plot of this book is just so captivating. We have a murder, which turns into a possible serial killer. A missing woman from 3 years ago that never was solved and then a new abduction case where 3 women have gone missing. At first I was like why 3 different plots, but as you get into the story it all connects and links together. And that twist and ending! Wow!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I didn't realise this is a series, which considering it is, this is a good standalone too. Only reason I haven't given this a 5 stars as I got a bit irritated with certain parts of the book that I felt wasn't necessary for this story. We had a random fling, a romantic getaway and little things like that. I just personally felt it was unnecessary. I also predicted who dunnit quite a bit in the book which dissapointed me, but I certainly didn't guess the why.
Definitely a thriller author I want to read more and certainly will be picking the first book up, and hopefully keep reading Hills series.
The Woman in the Wood is a suspenseful thriller following DI Sasha Dawson and Danny 'Abs' Cruikshank.
DI Dawson is on a new case, a man has been killed on the train tracks. At first she wonders of its a freak accident or suicide, but it turns out to be murder. Soon the victim is revealed to be Deano, who happens to be one of the suspects of a missing persons case 3 years before. The other suspect is Danny or know as Abs, a tv star known from 'Laid in Essexs!' Between DI Dawson and Abs- secrets, betrayals, lies and blood will soon be revealed. Will Abs get redemption or will he finally meet his end.
Oh this book was on fire from start to finish. The first chapter I was literally on the edge of my seat, shocked at the massive revelation, and jaw drapped thinking what the hell! From get go I wanted to know exactly what will happen. I couldn't stop reading, a chapter few past and I wanted more then boom, it was the end and I was shouting nooo as I didn't want it to end at all!
I love our DI Sasha! She's a mum of two, juggling a past and a DI, where a job demands her a lot. I liked her sass, her banter with her colleagues and I just like how she is as a mother and wife. Sasha sounds really quirky to me and I was devouring her parts in the book like it was chocolate.
Now Abs is one who irritated me to hell. He's selfish, vain, thinks the world revolves round him and tbh is quite a shitty friend. However his character certainly grows on you, and you just watch him go on a journey. His character had the biggest change, but I also like how he didn't lose certain touches.
The plot of this book is just so captivating. We have a murder, which turns into a possible serial killer. A missing woman from 3 years ago that never was solved and then a new abduction case where 3 women have gone missing. At first I was like why 3 different plots, but as you get into the story it all connects and links together. And that twist and ending! Wow!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I didn't realise this is a series, which considering it is, this is a good standalone too. Only reason I haven't given this a 5 stars as I got a bit irritated with certain parts of the book that I felt wasn't necessary for this story. We had a random fling, a romantic getaway and little things like that. I just personally felt it was unnecessary. I also predicted who dunnit quite a bit in the book which dissapointed me, but I certainly didn't guess the why.
Definitely a thriller author I want to read more and certainly will be picking the first book up, and hopefully keep reading Hills series.
beckylej's review
4.0
Three years ago, nineteen year old Rhiannon Jenkins went missing. Witnesses last saw her with four men: reality star Danny "Abs" Cruikshank, Andrew "Deano" Dean, Jeremy "Jez" Weston, and Tony Gardner, who had been vacationing in Wales. And although no evidence of wrongdoing has ever been found, simply being associated with the story meant something of a downfall for Abs in particular.
Now, however, Deano is dead. And it doesn't look to be an accident either. Tony is convinced that he's being followed, which is enough for him to call a meeting with the other two. Could it be that someone knows what happened that night? But if so, why have they waited so long to exact their revenge?
Sasha Dawson is part of the team investigating Deano's death and it's clear from the start this is murder. The man was killed by a train, and completely drunk, true. But he also had acid in his eyes and burns consistent with a cattle prod. Which matches the train conductor's statement that he'd seen someone with a walking stick on the train platform.
But for Sasha, this case is more than just Deano's murder. It's uncovering what happened three years ago as well.
So let me start off by saying that although this is technically the second book in a series, you don't have to have read the first book in order to sink into this one. Which is perfect because I myself have not yet read the first book, The Bad Place.
That said, I so enjoyed this book by Hill that I abs (sorry, had to do it) will be seeking out book 1 and book 3 when it's released as well!
The book alternates between various points of view (starting with Deano's but mostly focusing on Sasha and Abs) and timelines so that the reader gets the full perspective of the present day investigation while also getting pieces of what happened three years ago. Although it is known from the outset that the men are guilty of something, the revelation of the exact what, why, is teased out as the story progresses.
I found myself truly unable to tear away from this one and I did not see the twist coming at all! This was a great mystery and I'm really looking forward to reading more from Hill.
Now, however, Deano is dead. And it doesn't look to be an accident either. Tony is convinced that he's being followed, which is enough for him to call a meeting with the other two. Could it be that someone knows what happened that night? But if so, why have they waited so long to exact their revenge?
Sasha Dawson is part of the team investigating Deano's death and it's clear from the start this is murder. The man was killed by a train, and completely drunk, true. But he also had acid in his eyes and burns consistent with a cattle prod. Which matches the train conductor's statement that he'd seen someone with a walking stick on the train platform.
But for Sasha, this case is more than just Deano's murder. It's uncovering what happened three years ago as well.
So let me start off by saying that although this is technically the second book in a series, you don't have to have read the first book in order to sink into this one. Which is perfect because I myself have not yet read the first book, The Bad Place.
That said, I so enjoyed this book by Hill that I abs (sorry, had to do it) will be seeking out book 1 and book 3 when it's released as well!
The book alternates between various points of view (starting with Deano's but mostly focusing on Sasha and Abs) and timelines so that the reader gets the full perspective of the present day investigation while also getting pieces of what happened three years ago. Although it is known from the outset that the men are guilty of something, the revelation of the exact what, why, is teased out as the story progresses.
I found myself truly unable to tear away from this one and I did not see the twist coming at all! This was a great mystery and I'm really looking forward to reading more from Hill.
annarella's review
5.0
First book I read by this author and won't surely be the last as I found it quite gripping and entertaining.
A fast paced plot full of twists and turns, interesting characters and a solid mystery that kept me guessing.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
A fast paced plot full of twists and turns, interesting characters and a solid mystery that kept me guessing.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
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