The Woman in the Wood by M.K. Hill Blog Tour

 Some books are utterly compelling. They grip you in a way that you just can't put a book down.

M.K. Hill seems to have mastered his skill.

Back with his second DI Sasha Dawson novel, The Woman in the Wood, this is an author who definitely sets out to thrill.

Three years ago, Danny 'Abs' Cruikshank, star of reality show Laid in Essex!, was living the dream - but on the night of the party, everything changed. It was supposed to be an intimate weekend gathering, just a few close friends in a remote cottage in Wales. But after a night of heavy drinking in the village pub, a local girl was reported missing - and never seen again. Abs and his friends had been the last to see her alive.

No-one was ever charged, but the controversy destroyed Abs's career. So now, three years later, the celebrity who once captured the heart of millions is opening Basildon's new branch of Quidstore.But then one of Abs's mates is murdered.

Does someone know what really happened that night in Wales? DI Sasha Dawson and her team must race against the clock to find the killer before they strike again – but first she must discover what happened to Rhiannon Jenkins on the night she vanished.

Will the truth set Abs free? Or bury him?

Now I mentioned that this was a second book in a series. I haven't read Hill's first novel The Bad Place and I can comfortably say that you don't need to read the first book to be able to enjoy this one. There is however enough back story within this tale to make me want to go back and read the first in the set.

Of course this book starts with murder (what better way to reel you in).

Andrew “Deano” Dean is found dead at a train station it opens up an old case that was left unsolved 3 years ago. A murder that Deano was accused of. Could this be retaliation or something more sinister?  

When word gets out about Deano, it spooks his old friends, Tony, Jez and Danny “Abs” Cruikshank, who had also been involved in the tragic events all those years ago.

No charges were brought against these men but Abs had his life turned upside down anyway, losing his reality TV contract and his life has been spiralling ever since Now DI Sasha Dawson is renewing police interest in Rhiannon’s case while investigating Deano’s murder.

What follows is nothing less than explosive.

A reality TV star becomes a suspect in an Essex murder case in the sharp, exciting and moving new thriller from the brilliant new star of crime-writing M.K. Hill.

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. I have to admit that Abs became my favourite, his cheeky chappy way of behaving won me over.

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.

Will the truth set Abs free? Or bury him?

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.

Do join the rest of the blog tour for more insight into this twisty thriller.