THE ENGINE HOUSE

The Engine House by Rhys Dylan
Book 1 in the DCI Evan Warlow series
Narrated by Joseph Tweedale
Genre: crime fiction
Format: ebook & audiobook

About The Engine House:

You can bury the bodies, but you can’t hide the truth.

When a landslip on Pembrokeshire’s stunning coastal path reveals the harrowing remains of two bodies, ex-DCI Evan Warlow’s quiet retirement is shattered. As the original investigator for the two missing persons eight years before, Evan is recalled to help with what is now a murder inquiry. But as the killer scrambles to cover up the truth, the body count rises.

Working with a new young team, Warlow peels away the layers to reveal the dark and rotten heart that beats beneath the chocolate box tranquillity of an area renowned for its quiet beauty.

But does he still have what it takes to root out the monstrous truth before all hell lets loose?

The Engine House is the gripping debut crime thriller set in the heart of wild Wales from author Rhys Dylan. Perfect for fans of LJ Ross, JD Kirk. JM Dalgliesh and Simon McCleave. Celtic noir with a spatter of dark humour.

Source: Info in the "About The Engine House" was taken from GoodReads at https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59783034-the-engine-house on 19/04/2023.

Buy Link(s):

 

My Thoughts:

Favourite quote:

"Hypocrisy, thy name is vodka."

I don't know why, but I like the fact that the main protagonist, Evan Warlow, is a retired copper rather than currently a serving officer. I also like the fact that the setting is here in South Wales, thus the places mentioned in the book are familiar to me. And I also like the hint of a suggestion of a supernatural element in the story. Even if it is only in Izzy's mind.

Joseph Tweedale has a nice voice but he talks like Robert E. Fuller. With that kind of intonation. Not the best reading style for a narrator.

I am not usually a crime fiction fan, however, the story telling quality is easy to read/listen to. Thus, I started reading this book. Even with the less than desirable intonation of the narrator, I still enjoyed this book.

And just for sh*ts and giggles, I googled Kieron Thomas. And d**n! If he doesn't exist! For all intents and purposes, this is most likely coincidental. Still... he exists!

DCI Evan Warlow

Then we have a description by Molly of DCI Evan Warlow as Tom Hollander. So, Tom Hollander it is then!

Quantitative Evaluation:

Story telling quality = 4.5
Character development = 4.5
Story itself = 4
Writing Style = 4.5
Ending = 4
World building = 4.5
Cover art = 4
Pace = (9 hrs and 4 mins listening time)
Plot = 4
Narration = 4

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5 cherries

Books In The DCI Evan Warlow Series:

 

Meet The Author

About Rhys Dylan:

Rhys Dylan lives on the edge of the Black mountains of Wales with his wife and a dog who doesn't like the rain.

Though he has written books for children and adults under different pen names in other genres, the Black Beacons Murder Mystery series sees him return to crime and his love of Celtic noir and dark humour.

He hopes readers will find a brief escape from a very troubled world inside the stories. He does not expect to get rich as an author, but as someone once famously said, money can't buy you love, but it can get you some great chocolate digestives.

rhysdylan.com | twitter | facebook | instagram | amazon | goodreads

The Narrator

Joseph Tweedale:

goodreads

FTC Disclosure:
The ebook and audiobook were bought with private funds.
No money received for this review.

CUT SHORT

Cut Short by Leigh Russell
Book 1 in the DI Geraldine Steel series
Narrated by Lucy Price-Lewis
Genre: crime fiction
Format: ebook & audiobook

About Cut Short:

When D.I. Geraldine Steel relocates to the quiet rural town of Woolsmarsh, she expects to find her new home to be somewhere where nothing much ever happens; a space where she can battle her demons in private. But when she finds herself pitted against a twisted killer preying on local young women she quickly discovers how wrong she is...

By day, the park is a place for children's games, for people walking their dogs or taking a short cut to avoid the streets. But in the shadows a predator prowls, hunting for a fresh victim. When an unwitting bystander comes forward as a witness she quickly becomes the next object of his murderous obsessions — someone whom the killer must stop at all costs.

D.I. Geraldine Steel is locked into a race against time, determined to find the killer before they discover yet another naked corpse. But can she save the lives of the town's young women — or will Geraldine herself become the killer's ultimate trophy?

Source: Info in the "About Cut Short" was taken from GoodReads at https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18745888-cut-short on 25/08/2023.

Buy Link(s):

 

My Thoughts:

This is my first Leigh Russell read and I am glad that I stumbled upon her!

The story telling quality is good but for some reason I find myself needing breaks every now and then.

The plot wasn't very twisty for a crime fiction. However, it is not the twistiness of the plot that brought me reading enjoyment but how they got there. How the bad guy got caught. It is more about the journey than the actual end. Not that the end does not matter as well, because it does!

I got a little annoyed with the victims in the story. It was like they were running through hurdles to get killed! Geez!

This is my first Lucy Price-Lewis audiobook listen and I would buy audiobooks by her again.

Quantitative Evaluation:

Story telling quality = 4
Character development = 4
Story itself = 4
Writing Style = 3.5
Ending = 4
World building = 4.5
Cover art = 3.5
Pace = (8 hrs and 46 mins listening time)
Plot = 4
Narration = 4.5

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5 cherries

Books In The DI Geraldine Steel Series:

 

Meet The Author

About Leigh Russell:

Leigh Russell has sold over a million books in her Geraldine Steel series of crime novels. Published in English and in translation throughout Europe and in China, the Geraldine Steel titles have appeared on many bestseller lists, including #1 on kindle. Leigh's work has been nominated for several major awards, including the CWA New Blood Dagger and CWA Dagger in the Library.

Leigh has also written a trilogy featuring Lucy Hall, set in the Seychelles, Paris and Rome, and two standalone psychological thrillers.

Leigh serves on the board of the Crime Writers Association and chairs the judges for the prestigious CWA Debut Dagger Award.

She is represented by Bill Goodall.

leighrussell.co.uk | twitter | facebook | amazon | goodreads

The Narrator

About Lucy Price-Lewis:

Lucy Price-Lewis is a professional narrator and voiceover artist who hails from Wiltshire, England. In addition to having recorded over forty audiobooks she is an experienced Director with a demonstrated history of working in the media production industry. Skilled in Audio Books, Audio Editing, Editing, Journalism, and Radio. Strong professional with a Postgraduate Diploma focused in Broadcast Journalism from London College of Communications.

linkedin | goodreads

FTC Disclosure:
The ebook and audiobook were bought with private funds.
No money received for this review.