The newspapers called it The Bad Place. A remote farm out on the Thames estuary, where six children were held captive for two weeks. Five of them got out alive.That was twenty years ago. Now adults, they meet up annually to hold a vigil for their friend who died. The only rule is that no-one can talk about what happened the night they escaped. But at this year's event, one of them witnesses a kidnapping. A young girl, Sammi, is bundled into a van in front of their eyes.DI Sasha Dawson, of Essex Police, is certain that the key to finding Sammi lies in finding out the truth about The Bad Place. But she also knows that with every second she spends trying to unlock the past, the clock ticks down for the missing girl...Is history repeating itself? Is one of the five responsible? Or is someone sending them a twisted message?
The Bad Place by Mark Hill was published by Head of Zeus on 5 September 2019. My thanks to the publisher who sent my copy for review and invited me to take part on this Blog Tour.
The Bad Place is the first in a brand new series from this hugely talented author, and features DI Sasha Dawson as lead character.
I'm a huge fan of this author; his writing is skilled and so easy to read. He creates characters who are incredibly vibrant, yet complex and multi layered. The reader really does invest in them, and in their story.
The Bad Place of the title is the nickname given to an old farmhouse in which six teenagers were kept after being abducted during a Youth Club outing. It happened twenty years ago, and is something of a local legend, especially as only five teenagers returned. The aftermath of the murder of young Becky and the subsequent police shooting of her killer was long and painful for the Essex Police; something that locals, and family have never forgotten. Nor have the five remaining victims; now adults who meet once per year to remember their experiences, and Becky.
It's happening all over again, young people are being abducted from the street, in broad daylight - and each time there seems to be a link to those five who escaped all those years ago.
DI Sasha Dawson also has a link to the case. Twenty years ago she was a rookie WPC, just a week into the job and The Bad Place case has haunted her ever since. Now a Detective Inspector, she's in charge of the latest investigation and is determined that this time nothing will go wrong.
Oh, this is a cleverly plotted, intricate and extremely clever thriller that kept me reading way past my bedtime. It's a book that calls 'just one more chapter' every time you attempt to put it down.
This is such an intelligently written thriller that concentrates on the long-lasting impact of one horrendous event on those who were affected. It's not just the young people who were abducted, but everyone who was connected to the case has allowed the happenings to shape their futures. There's an air of sadness, regret and anger overwhelming these characters which add to the ever increasing tension as the novel progresses.
This is such an intelligently written thriller that concentrates on the long-lasting impact of one horrendous event on those who were affected. It's not just the young people who were abducted, but everyone who was connected to the case has allowed the happenings to shape their futures. There's an air of sadness, regret and anger overwhelming these characters which add to the ever increasing tension as the novel progresses.
I adored Sasha Dawson; I love how the author has created a realistic, flawed and hugely likeable police character. She has issues, but don't we all? These personal issues often conflict with her professional life and as a reader I was almost as intrigued by her own family set up as by the case that she was investigating.
The Bad Place is fast paced, with an intriguing and compelling premise. The characters are excellently drawn. I loved it and can't wait to read more about Sasha Dawson
Highly recommended.
About the author
It's nice to see you here,
thanks for coming.
I've been a journalist and an award-winning music radio producer. I worked for about five minutes in PR. But I write the Drake and Crowley thriller series now, which is just as well, because I love writing. It's my dream job.
If you enjoyed His First Lie or It Was Her, do get in touch. There are plenty of ways to do it!
I've been a journalist and an award-winning music radio producer. I worked for about five minutes in PR. But I write the Drake and Crowley thriller series now, which is just as well, because I love writing. It's my dream job.
If you enjoyed His First Lie or It Was Her, do get in touch. There are plenty of ways to do it!
Follow Mark:
Facebook: @MarkHillAuthor
Twitter: @markhillwriter
Instagram:@markhillwriter
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