annetanne's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
annabellw06_'s review
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
annarella's review against another edition
5.0
I'm usually more on the "cosy mystery" side so this novel was really out of my comfort zone but the blurb attracted me.
It was a great choice as once I started I couldn't put it down.
I think that Kelly is a great character, well developed and interesting. The entire cast of characters is well written and I liked them with their flaws and issues.
The plot is gripping and engrossing and it kept me guessing.
As I'm a practicing neo pagan I appreciated the descriptions of the neo pagan people and rites that are correct and well researched.
It's the first book I read in this series but I had no issues with the characters and the plot.
I look forward to reading other books in this series.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to Canelo and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
It was a great choice as once I started I couldn't put it down.
I think that Kelly is a great character, well developed and interesting. The entire cast of characters is well written and I liked them with their flaws and issues.
The plot is gripping and engrossing and it kept me guessing.
As I'm a practicing neo pagan I appreciated the descriptions of the neo pagan people and rites that are correct and well researched.
It's the first book I read in this series but I had no issues with the characters and the plot.
I look forward to reading other books in this series.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to Canelo and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
robinlovesreading's review against another edition
5.0
DI Kelly Porter is on the case yet again. When a young woman was found in an ancient stone circle, circumstances are rather odd. Unfortunately for Kelly and her team, there are very few clues to be found as to why the girl was there, and as to her identity. To make matters even worse, the young woman soon disappears.
By no coincidence, soon after a murder occurs at the exact same site, but this time the killer left a message. Kelly does what she can to solve the current murder, all while trying to find the missing girl. The clues point to a group of people that are connected to the ancient stone circle. These people believe in certain ways. It might be rather confusing to Kelly, but it does at least give her the clues that she needs.
Little did Kelly realize that her current case would tie back to someone from her past, and that she would be facing a critical danger. With lots of twists and turns, excellent writing and a compelling conclusion, this proved to be an excellent addition to the series.
It has been several months since I read a book from this series, and I have have read all of the previous books. I fell right back in with Kelly and her method of solving crimes, no matter how difficult they proved to be. It was also a pleasure to see her getting along well with Johnny despite the difficulties they ran across in the past.
I have come to love Rachel Lynch and I definitely look forward to more on this series and to anything else she has to offer.
Many thanks to Canelo and to NetGalley for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion.
By no coincidence, soon after a murder occurs at the exact same site, but this time the killer left a message. Kelly does what she can to solve the current murder, all while trying to find the missing girl. The clues point to a group of people that are connected to the ancient stone circle. These people believe in certain ways. It might be rather confusing to Kelly, but it does at least give her the clues that she needs.
Little did Kelly realize that her current case would tie back to someone from her past, and that she would be facing a critical danger. With lots of twists and turns, excellent writing and a compelling conclusion, this proved to be an excellent addition to the series.
It has been several months since I read a book from this series, and I have have read all of the previous books. I fell right back in with Kelly and her method of solving crimes, no matter how difficult they proved to be. It was also a pleasure to see her getting along well with Johnny despite the difficulties they ran across in the past.
I have come to love Rachel Lynch and I definitely look forward to more on this series and to anything else she has to offer.
Many thanks to Canelo and to NetGalley for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion.
whiteswanblackswan's review against another edition
5.0
Best one yet. Absolutely fantastic! I have a lot of interest in secular paganism so this was right down my alley!
kim58's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
whiteswanblackswan's review
5.0
Best one yet. Absolutely fantastic! I have a lot of interest in secular paganism so this was right down my alley!
j_lbrbsblogs's review
5.0
We are back in the beautiful Lake District with Rachel Lynch’s sixth D I Kelly Porter book. You can breathe in the air, the scenery and settle right back in with Kelly and her team along with Ted, Johnny and Josie.
We are getting to know Dan, Kate and the team more and more. We are seeing Kelly’s increasing trust in them allowing her to give them the responsibilities they should have. Not that Kelly is a sit-behind-the-desk type she gets right in there with the investigation which also means getting out and about because that’s how she thinks.
In this story there is an investigative strand that means she has to get very up close with someone from the past. I like the way Rachel Lynch allows Kelly to be quite human, you are shown feelings and trains of thought which, along with the interaction with other characters, allows a lot of procedural information to come through in a natural way.
We also have the personal side to Kelly her relationship with Johnny and his daughter Josie and with Ted. All effortlessly woven into the overall story of the investigation.
Ah, The investigation! It begins with the discovery of a young woman on Castlerigg Stone Circle she is naked and seemingly abandoned. There is no identity and she won’t or can’t speak. There is something wrong but no obvious signs of an attack. Taken to hospital Kelly goes to talk to her but she has disappeared. Concerned for her safety a missing persons case is opened. It’s difficult with so little to go on. Then Kelly is called to a murder and this takes precedence.
We are lead into the world of Panganism the murdered woman, Mary Hales, was part of such a group. They are a small group who feel their beliefs are not widely known and, perhaps, are misunderstood, stereotyped or generalised by those who do not know much about it. They disavow any association with a darker side. Nevertheless there is both a lot of personal anger and symbolism at the scene.
There is little graphic detail in the story which has murder, child abuse and animal cruelty within it. All well handled by Rachel Lynch. She includes sufficient information to get across what she needs to demonstrate the evil within the world today without giving it any kudos.
As always we get an excellent police procedural with these books but, for me, they are also a cracking good read, well paced and a fascinating story. They are set amongst some of the most beautiful scenery we are lucky enough to have in the UK and you get a great sense of place. Highlighting some of the social and political situations of the day whilst keeping focused on the main investigative story line.
There are new characters in this story including Callum and Demi Cramer who may well become a part of further books in this series? I hope so.
The D I Kelly Porter series continues to be a really good read. It really is a terrific book and series, I always look out for when the next will be published. Without any hesitation at all I highly recommend this book, indeed the whole series. I hope you will read them and agree.
Thanks
With thanks to Sophie at Canelo for the exclusive access to an early copy of Blood Rites, the sixth book in the DI Kelly Porter series, via NetGalley. I had this on order but couldn’t resist this early read! Of course, I will still purchase – and receive – Blood Rites by Rachel Lynch on 30 September.
We are getting to know Dan, Kate and the team more and more. We are seeing Kelly’s increasing trust in them allowing her to give them the responsibilities they should have. Not that Kelly is a sit-behind-the-desk type she gets right in there with the investigation which also means getting out and about because that’s how she thinks.
In this story there is an investigative strand that means she has to get very up close with someone from the past. I like the way Rachel Lynch allows Kelly to be quite human, you are shown feelings and trains of thought which, along with the interaction with other characters, allows a lot of procedural information to come through in a natural way.
We also have the personal side to Kelly her relationship with Johnny and his daughter Josie and with Ted. All effortlessly woven into the overall story of the investigation.
Ah, The investigation! It begins with the discovery of a young woman on Castlerigg Stone Circle she is naked and seemingly abandoned. There is no identity and she won’t or can’t speak. There is something wrong but no obvious signs of an attack. Taken to hospital Kelly goes to talk to her but she has disappeared. Concerned for her safety a missing persons case is opened. It’s difficult with so little to go on. Then Kelly is called to a murder and this takes precedence.
We are lead into the world of Panganism the murdered woman, Mary Hales, was part of such a group. They are a small group who feel their beliefs are not widely known and, perhaps, are misunderstood, stereotyped or generalised by those who do not know much about it. They disavow any association with a darker side. Nevertheless there is both a lot of personal anger and symbolism at the scene.
There is little graphic detail in the story which has murder, child abuse and animal cruelty within it. All well handled by Rachel Lynch. She includes sufficient information to get across what she needs to demonstrate the evil within the world today without giving it any kudos.
As always we get an excellent police procedural with these books but, for me, they are also a cracking good read, well paced and a fascinating story. They are set amongst some of the most beautiful scenery we are lucky enough to have in the UK and you get a great sense of place. Highlighting some of the social and political situations of the day whilst keeping focused on the main investigative story line.
There are new characters in this story including Callum and Demi Cramer who may well become a part of further books in this series? I hope so.
The D I Kelly Porter series continues to be a really good read. It really is a terrific book and series, I always look out for when the next will be published. Without any hesitation at all I highly recommend this book, indeed the whole series. I hope you will read them and agree.
Thanks
With thanks to Sophie at Canelo for the exclusive access to an early copy of Blood Rites, the sixth book in the DI Kelly Porter series, via NetGalley. I had this on order but couldn’t resist this early read! Of course, I will still purchase – and receive – Blood Rites by Rachel Lynch on 30 September.
annc's review
5.0
Number 6 in the series and still as good a read as all the rest. I do love this series. Kelly and team take on strange happenings in the beautiful setting of the Lake District. Interesting main plot as things get near to home and threaten her closest relationships. Brilliantly written it’s like meeting up with old friends as the characters and sub plot develop. Another cracking addition to this cracking series
nigmatillium's review
2.0
First of all, I didn't read the previous books in the series. I received this one and I didn't check to see if it was part of a series or not. Good news is that the 6th instalment can be read as a standalone. There are mentions to past cases, one in particular, but enough detail is given so that it's not too confusing. Bad news is that reading this book was such a chore.
What's good about it is that I got to know all of the characters. There is plenty about every one of them, some more than others, of course, but still. I liked the shifting perspectives and although at first I was confused about what's a coven doing in there, it ended up being quite an interesting touch to the plot overall.
I thought I have more good things to list, but that's about it. For the things I didn't enjoy as much, and the main reason why reading this felt like a chore to me, is the writing style. I couldn't get into it and I would lose focus so often. Every few pages or so I was not there. I don't know what is it about it, but it didn't grip my attention. I liked how the author took time to explain everything and familiarize us with the characters and situations, but at the same time that took the novel all over the place and slowed it down. Odd is that I actually enjoyed it more when the point of view settled on someone else rather than Kelly, the change was welcome and probably what helped me turn yet another page. I particularly liked it when it focused on Josie, although I didn't like Josie all that much. She was just okay.
To that I add that for the first 100 pages or so nothing is really happening. The focus is mostly on Kelly's former case. After 100 pages there's a murder and things look like going in an interesting direction. Only they aren't, quite.
I liked the plot overall and I think everything was well researched and well written, but I still have some questions. I wanted to know more about the murders, about how they happened, what triggered the criminal.And speaking of the criminal, I don't know how it took Kelly so long to figure out who it was. Wait, she didn't figure it out. It was obvious for the reader, not for the characters, I agree, but Kelly and her team, out of witch no one thought hey, something's off here, had plenty of information and hints to lead them to the criminal. And yet, even when it was revealed to her, Kelly didn't believe it at first. The last 20 pages alone made me want to drop the book, it was so annoying.
There's no thrill to this novel, it was not captivating as the back cover claims it to be, it was mediocre at best. Maybe readers who are familiar with the series are able to enjoy it more, but where I'm looking from, it's surprising I even finished reading it.
What's good about it is that I got to know all of the characters. There is plenty about every one of them, some more than others, of course, but still. I liked the shifting perspectives and although at first I was confused about what's a coven doing in there, it ended up being quite an interesting touch to the plot overall.
I thought I have more good things to list, but that's about it. For the things I didn't enjoy as much, and the main reason why reading this felt like a chore to me, is the writing style. I couldn't get into it and I would lose focus so often. Every few pages or so I was not there. I don't know what is it about it, but it didn't grip my attention. I liked how the author took time to explain everything and familiarize us with the characters and situations, but at the same time that took the novel all over the place and slowed it down. Odd is that I actually enjoyed it more when the point of view settled on someone else rather than Kelly, the change was welcome and probably what helped me turn yet another page. I particularly liked it when it focused on Josie, although I didn't like Josie all that much. She was just okay.
To that I add that for the first 100 pages or so nothing is really happening. The focus is mostly on Kelly's former case. After 100 pages there's a murder and things look like going in an interesting direction. Only they aren't, quite.
I liked the plot overall and I think everything was well researched and well written, but I still have some questions. I wanted to know more about the murders, about how they happened, what triggered the criminal.
There's no thrill to this novel, it was not captivating as the back cover claims it to be, it was mediocre at best. Maybe readers who are familiar with the series are able to enjoy it more, but where I'm looking from, it's surprising I even finished reading it.