The Lines (DS Liam Kilshaw, #1) by Matt Brolly Read as a NetGalley ARC

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The Lines (DS Liam Kilshaw, #1) by Matt Brolly  Read as a NetGalley ARC


⭐⭐⭐ Stars

Blurb

Once you cross the wrong lines, there’s no turning back.


For DS Liam Kilshaw, a former marine who almost died on a mission gone wrong, returning to the sea was meant to help combat his PTSD. But when he’s called out with the lifeboat crew off the rugged Cornish coast at night, the dark danger of the waves comes crashing back. The body of a young man is floating in the water, and the zip-tie marks on his wrists show this is no tragic drowning—it’s murder.


It’s not the first suspicious death to shock the tight-knit the identical discovery of a young woman with connections to a county lines drugs gang leads Kilshaw to suspect the killings must be linked. But as the brooding Cornish coast and whispered local rumours fold darkly around him, he starts to feel he can’t trust the water or anyone in town.


As the bodies keep coming, he must confront a sinister gangland underworld as well as his own demons—before tragedy strikes even closer to home.


The Lines 

3 stars for me

I received the Review Copy of this book and my thanks to the team of NetGalley, the publisher Amazon Publishing UK and the author for the copy.

All views expressed in this review are my own and based on my reading of this book. 

I read this book as an ARC and this review is based on my reading the book.


I have to say I am a bit in two minds having completed the book earlier this week and having had a couple of days to ruminate over it.. The setup for the story was strong and compelling enough for me to select and read the book. A former marine turned detective facing shadows of his past when a dead body appears on the wild Cornish shore. Matt paints the landscape with genuine texture and I could almost taste the sea and hear the crash of waves as scenes unfolded.


Liam carries the heart of the story. His wounds both seen and unseen are treated with tenderness and realism. When he reflects on what he has lost the voice rings true. Supporting characters add warmth and occasional bursts of humour though some connections feel only sketched rather than fully formed.


The storyline has promise but for me it does not always hit its stride. Some clues are too obvious and twists meant to surprise fall flat because I saw them coming having been on a diet of thrillers for a long long time. Subplots that should enrich the tale sometimes feel neglected leaving questions unanswered and moments that were a tad under baked.


The pacing varies with some dwelling on procedural steps in a way that readers like me who love details may savour but for others the momentum lags especially for those craving speed and thrust. The final act delivers tension and conflict that satisfy but some resolutions feel hurried and certain character motivations are underdeveloped.


In sum The Lines is a solid beginning to what could be an excellent series and I would love to read another of Matt's stories. The place is vivid and the lead compelling enough that I would read more. If you love atmospheric crime fiction with character at its core you will find much to enjoy. If you prefer breakneck twists you may feel it moves too steadily.

⭐⭐⭐ Stars

Recommended


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You can also write to firstsutraindia@gmail.com


Goodreads Review here -

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7997652262

Amazon Review here -

https://www.amazon.in/review/RUHOAIHXPDACP


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