The Lost Children
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- Type：Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
- Create Date：2022-07-03 21:21:40
- Update Date：2025-09-07
- Status：finish
- Author：Michael Wood
- ISBN：B09LXY47HV
- Environment：PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle
Reviews
dawn sadler
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Matilda has to win I enjoyed this book the only thing is how much more can Matilda and her team take， I know they always win in the end but it would be great for a really good win
Carly Rushforth
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It’s been about 7 months since I read the last instalment of this series so I went into this book thinking I wouldn’t remember but most of it came flooding back to me and the little snippets in this book about the past helped refresh my memory。Matilda is still fragile after the traumatic events that happened in the previous book and so are her team but when they get sent to a suspicious death all that changes and they will do everything they can to cover the truth no matter what it costs them。I It’s been about 7 months since I read the last instalment of this series so I went into this book thinking I wouldn’t remember but most of it came flooding back to me and the little snippets in this book about the past helped refresh my memory。Matilda is still fragile after the traumatic events that happened in the previous book and so are her team but when they get sent to a suspicious death all that changes and they will do everything they can to cover the truth no matter what it costs them。I was completely hooked on this story and i couldn’t put the book down it was that good， it had so many twists and turns that I didn’t see coming at all， I actually thought I’d guessed who the killer was but I was completely wrong！。 The red herrings the author put it completely through me。Another fantastic instalment in this brilliant series and after that ending I can’t wait for the next book。 。。。more
Mary Picken
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This book comes with a trigger warning – and while generally I’m not a fan of those， in this case I think it’s well merited。 Michael Wood’s book is about the trauma and long term devastating impact of child abuse。 It’s not for the faint-hearted and does deal with some violence as well as abuse。D。C。I。 Matilda Darke and her team at the Major Crimes Unit in South Yorkshire are still struggling after the events of the last two books。 Could this be the case that finally brings them to their knees？The This book comes with a trigger warning – and while generally I’m not a fan of those， in this case I think it’s well merited。 Michael Wood’s book is about the trauma and long term devastating impact of child abuse。 It’s not for the faint-hearted and does deal with some violence as well as abuse。D。C。I。 Matilda Darke and her team at the Major Crimes Unit in South Yorkshire are still struggling after the events of the last two books。 Could this be the case that finally brings them to their knees？The Lost Children pulls no punches。 It propels Matilda and her team into the depths of depravity and corruption and leads to them investigating multiple cases of historic child abuse。It begins with a vicious murder which is sensitively portrayed but brutal nonetheless。 Prominent businessman Richard Ashton has been savagely murdered and the killer has forced a pretty disgusting thing on him。 But this prominent civic figure is not the beneficent figure he always presented。Delving deeper into Ashton， Matilda and her team uncover a series of terrible stories all connected to the former children’s home， Magnolia House。 Sian is still struggling so by Matilda’s side is DI Christian Brady。 He is finding this case more emotionally disturbing than anyone expected。Cold cases are always difficult and this one is proving especially so。 The team’s best hope is to track down boys who were at the home before t closed and see if they can get other victims to come forward。 But that’s not as easy as it should be。 No-one wants to talk and at every turn， Matilda’s efforts are thwarted and diverted by her superiors who are intent on focussing her work on other matters。But more killings take place and Matilda is not one for being cowed。 Setting up camp at home she and her team take working from home during Covid to the limit。 But her movements are being carefully watched and more than one warning is shot across her bows。 After everything she has been through， you’d think this might be the last straw， but Matilda rises to the challenge and in so doing gets back some of her lost mojo。These are characters that you root for and their development is critical to the success of this series。 Matilda and Adele are good for each other and living on the same house is working well。 Scott is beginning to find an interest in life again and Sian is considering some drastic measures to get her life back。The killer too is sensitively portrayed and their perspective is well handled。 Despite the crimes they have committed， the reader would have to be very hard-hearted not to feel sympathy for what they have undergone。By the end of this book， it’s clear that there are many changes underway。 Whether or not this is a good thing remains to be seen。 But the reader’s interest never wanes and we care about what will happen to these characters。Verdict: The Lost Children is heart-breaking and emotive。 Michael Wood balances this well with some moments of laughter and some heart-racing drama as well as the more harrowing stories of abuse。 Fantastic plotting and an authentic storyline make this book an unputdownable read。 Never one to give his characters an easy ride， Wood nonetheless makes you care about each and every one of them。 I look forward eagerly to the next installment。 。。。more
Emma
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All of my reviews can be found at https://damppebbles。com/Michael Wood’s DCI Matilda Darke series is one of the most exciting， most edgy police procedural series out there and I flipping love it！ The arrival of the latest book， in this case book nine （！）， is something I always look forward to with baited breath。 So when I was offered the opportunity to read The Lost Children， I， of course， grabbed at it with both hands。 What I love about this series is that the author isn’t afraid to push the bo All of my reviews can be found at https://damppebbles。com/Michael Wood’s DCI Matilda Darke series is one of the most exciting， most edgy police procedural series out there and I flipping love it！ The arrival of the latest book， in this case book nine （！）， is something I always look forward to with baited breath。 So when I was offered the opportunity to read The Lost Children， I， of course， grabbed at it with both hands。 What I love about this series is that the author isn’t afraid to push the boundaries – either on subject matter or character development。 Wood really likes to put his characters， including lead protagonist Darke， through the wringer which is something I appreciate。 As a reader， I never know what to expect！ The Lost Children takes the battered and bruised team， still hurting from their last few cases， deep into the heart of an upsetting and distressing historical child abuse case。DCI Matilda Darke is called to the scene of a vicious murder。 Local businessman and philanthropist， Richard Ashton OBE， has been slain in his bed in the most stomach churning of ways。 Upon closer inspection into Ashton’s life it becomes clear to Darke and her team that perhaps Ashton wasn’t the figure of virtue he first appeared to be。 It doesn’t surprise DI Christian Brady who has been investigating historical claims of child abuse behind Matilda’s back。 Matilda can’t ignore the connection between Ashton and events at Magnolia House， a home for young boys which closed many years ago。 So she sets out to discover the truth。 But at every turn， Darke is shut down。 Extreme measures are put in place to prevent Matilda and her team from discovering the secrets of Magnolia House。 But Matilda won’t be stopped…The Lost Children is an incredibly gripping addition to a superb series featuring some of my all-time favourite characters。 I love the South Yorkshire Homicide and Major Crimes Unit but they’ve really had a tough time of it recently， and I’m not sure it’s going to get any better for them anytime soon！ This latest investigation is already personal for DI Brady and the devastating secrets the team reveal affect them all in some way。 The subject matter is tough but the author has done a great job of writing a very difficult， very emotional story。 There were times when I had to take a break from reading because I was so affected by the characters and their stories。 It’s heart breaking stuff but handled very well。I found it fascinating how Matilda’s investigation was shut down from every direction。 I could really feel her frustration and her determination to keep digging， despite no longer having the resources。 Her drive is one of the reasons I love the character as much as I do。 I’m very much looking forward to seeing where Wood takes the team next as there are clearly changes afoot， one of which I hope is reversed。 But knowing how this author operates， I can’t be sure it will be！Would I recommend this book？ I would， yes。 The Lost Children is a highly emotional， edgy read which I enjoyed。 The subject matter is upsetting and I don’t think this book will suit everyone but the care the author has taken with the story really shows。 I liked the way the author didn’t shy away from setting this book in March 2020 at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic。 I think， surprisingly， it’s the first book I’ve read that’s been set during the pandemic。 Perhaps other authors are shying away from mentioning COVID for the moment。 Perhaps it’s too fresh。 I thought it added a really interesting facet to the investigation though and applaud Wood for doing something many other authors are not。 The DCI Darke series remains one of my favourites and I wait with baited breath for the tenth （！） book to be published later this year。 Particularly after the incredibly tense and unnerving cliff hanger at the end。 Wow， what an ending！ I’m not sure I can wait until October to find out what happens next。 Recommended。 。。。more
Gee
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Book 9 in the DCI Matilda Darke series is the most bleak， dark and disturbing in the series for me。 Set in the first part of the impending COVID lockdown， the team are dealing with a gruesome murder of a local well known business man。 It’s not as straightforward as it might have been and the evidence takes them down a road that is bleak but unfortunately all too believable。 This is a stand-alone read but I’m glad that I’d read previous books， as I feel you need the back ground of the members of Book 9 in the DCI Matilda Darke series is the most bleak， dark and disturbing in the series for me。 Set in the first part of the impending COVID lockdown， the team are dealing with a gruesome murder of a local well known business man。 It’s not as straightforward as it might have been and the evidence takes them down a road that is bleak but unfortunately all too believable。 This is a stand-alone read but I’m glad that I’d read previous books， as I feel you need the back ground of the members of the team， especially Matilda and Sian This deals with child abuse， the repercussions in the lives of the abused and the betrayal by the abusers。 。 Michael Wood has a sensitivity in his writing， that helps the reader understand the abject horror of the subjects without sensationalising it。 Whilst I can’t say I enjoyed it all， it’s a book that I knew I needed to read to the end。 It makes very grim reading at times but is compulsive reading too。 I liked the way that previous characters were referenced， especially those in prison， and I found the grim humour amongst the team very reassuring and again realistic。 I now need to know where the team goes next。Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book。 。。。more
Cleopatra Pullen
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Matilda Darke is on her ninth outing in this fantastic and highly addictive read。The Lost Children opens with some particularly scenes and the book involves some very hard-hitting aspects but the author manages to stay away from this reader finding this to be purely for shock value。The plotting of the different strands of the story were both inventive and carefully balanced alongside the ongoing delight in finding out more about life outside the 'office'This series fast found its way into my aff Matilda Darke is on her ninth outing in this fantastic and highly addictive read。The Lost Children opens with some particularly scenes and the book involves some very hard-hitting aspects but the author manages to stay away from this reader finding this to be purely for shock value。The plotting of the different strands of the story were both inventive and carefully balanced alongside the ongoing delight in finding out more about life outside the 'office'This series fast found its way into my affection and based upon this latest offering will remain there for some time into the future。 。。。more
Michelle Forster
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WOW。。。。。。。。。。 Another masterpiece in the DCI matilda darke series。。 D。I brady is looking into cases of abuse at a local childrens home。 It soon becomes clear the home has a much darker history， as matilda and the team delve further into the allegations， they uncover some shocking truths。 Twists，turns， its gritty， i had a tear in my eye at times at what the children in the home went through。 Brilliant writing。 Highley recommend
Billie
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Matilda Darke is back…APRIL 2020: LOCKDOWNWith street crime at an all-time low， Matilda and her team finally find the time to dig into their backlog of cold cases。DI Brady has been tracing victims of systemic abuse at a local children’s home after a high-profile accusation pitched it into the spotlight – a case that couldn’t be more personal。Nothing could have prepared them for what they uncover next…As they piece together the disturbing picture of the history of the home， it soon becomes clear Matilda Darke is back…APRIL 2020: LOCKDOWNWith street crime at an all-time low， Matilda and her team finally find the time to dig into their backlog of cold cases。DI Brady has been tracing victims of systemic abuse at a local children’s home after a high-profile accusation pitched it into the spotlight – a case that couldn’t be more personal。Nothing could have prepared them for what they uncover next…As they piece together the disturbing picture of the history of the home， it soon becomes clear that this is much bigger than either of them ever suspected。When they find the body of a former staff member in a supermarket car park， Matilda realises her days on the force could be numbered。This is a wonderful addition to this thrilling series！Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start。Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable。Great suspense and action with wonderful world building that adds so much to the story。Such a thrilling read that I couldn't put it down。Can't wait to read more of these。Recommend reading。I was provided an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher。 This is my own honest voluntary review。 。。。more
chantalsbookstuff
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ARC read: Publication 30 June 2022。Matilda finds herself in the worst situation ever。 The Magnolia House for orphaned boys was shut down years ago， but a secret looms and its bursting to be brought to light。 But it looks like all the top dogs of Sheffield is involved in the most darkest secrets and will stop at nothing to make sure it never comes to light。This is probably the hardest one I've read from this series。 It is absolutely heartbreaking。 The writing is so good that you can feel the pain ARC read: Publication 30 June 2022。Matilda finds herself in the worst situation ever。 The Magnolia House for orphaned boys was shut down years ago， but a secret looms and its bursting to be brought to light。 But it looks like all the top dogs of Sheffield is involved in the most darkest secrets and will stop at nothing to make sure it never comes to light。This is probably the hardest one I've read from this series。 It is absolutely heartbreaking。 The writing is so good that you can feel the pain and suffering that the boys have endured over the course of their lives。 Michael is a master at character development， you truly feel that you could be part of the team as you read and immerse yourself in this story。 I have high hopes for the next book and can't wait for it to come out。Thank you Netgalley and HarperCollins UK for is e-ARC。 。。。more
Mags
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Fifteen months on from the devastating events in Time Is Running Out and the shocking discovery that followed in Survivor's Guilt。 DCI Matilda Darke is back about to investigate the most harrowing and for somebody on the team personal case yet。As the Homicide and Major Crimes Unit are called to the sprawling home of Richard Ashton O。B。E。 Who's been found murdered in the most macabre way imaginable and soon after news of his death is made public， the team are told a heart wrenching story that she Fifteen months on from the devastating events in Time Is Running Out and the shocking discovery that followed in Survivor's Guilt。 DCI Matilda Darke is back about to investigate the most harrowing and for somebody on the team personal case yet。As the Homicide and Major Crimes Unit are called to the sprawling home of Richard Ashton O。B。E。 Who's been found murdered in the most macabre way imaginable and soon after news of his death is made public， the team are told a heart wrenching story that sheds light on their victim and exposes a trail of child abuse dating back to the late 1990s。But not everyone inside South Yorkshire's Police Headquarters are keen to hear this and with the country on the verge of lockdown and very few people willing to talk an edgy and once again depleted HMCU struggle to ID a killer who's made it clear they will not stop killing。And with the strain of the unknown。 A harrowing storyline and the shocks and twists， which are as ever brutal and plentiful。 This is an utterly compelling read。 That I just couldn't put down and with everybody's futures in the balance and a dramatic ending。 Michael Wood has once again knocked it out of the park， and I can't wait to see where this series goes next。I would highly recommend the DCI Matilda Darke series and The Lost Children to all。**I was kindly provided with an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review** 。。。more
Rachel Sargeant
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I’ve read most of the Matilda Darke series and I’d say this is Michael Wood’s best yet。 To me it marks a change in mood from the previous two where the author kept us entertained with high body counts and shock revelations。 This time around the writing is thoughtful as it deals with the traumatic subject of the sexual abuse of children。If this had been written ten years ago， many of us would probably have thought it farfetched。 Who could imagine a high-profile philanthropist using the care facil I’ve read most of the Matilda Darke series and I’d say this is Michael Wood’s best yet。 To me it marks a change in mood from the previous two where the author kept us entertained with high body counts and shock revelations。 This time around the writing is thoughtful as it deals with the traumatic subject of the sexual abuse of children。If this had been written ten years ago， many of us would probably have thought it farfetched。 Who could imagine a high-profile philanthropist using the care facility he funded as his private fiefdom？ Who would ever think of a benefactor routinely turning up and helping himself to a child to abuse？ Or that many people in senior positions would know about the abuse and do nothing to stop the abuser？ Or that a well-known politician could be part of a paedophile ring that was apparently covered up by those in authority？ Well we all know differently now and this novel is a reminder of what abuse can mean for individual victims both at the time and years later。Set in 2020， the story incorporates the pandemic in a seamless way， allowing it to play not only backdrop but also catalyst to some aspects of plot。Despite the seriousness of the topic， the usual banter between Matilda and her colleagues is still there at appropriate moments。 And Michael Wood leaves us with his trademark trail of breadcrumbs to coax us into the next instalment。 The series goes from strength to strength。（NB Although it can be read as a standalone， it contains spoilers to the previous two books so I suggest joining the series from the start。） 。。。more
Elaine Tomasso
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I would like to thank Netgalley and HarperCollins， One More Chapter for an advance copy of The Lost Children， the ninth novel to feature DCI Matilda Darke of the Sheffield Homicide and Major Crimes Unit。The brutal murder of a local property developer leads Matilda and her team into an investigation of historical abuse at a local children’s home。 The opposition they meet is unprecedented and puts them in jeopardy。I have read and enjoyed all the previous novels in the series， but The Lost Children I would like to thank Netgalley and HarperCollins， One More Chapter for an advance copy of The Lost Children， the ninth novel to feature DCI Matilda Darke of the Sheffield Homicide and Major Crimes Unit。The brutal murder of a local property developer leads Matilda and her team into an investigation of historical abuse at a local children’s home。 The opposition they meet is unprecedented and puts them in jeopardy。I have read and enjoyed all the previous novels in the series， but The Lost Children didn’t grip me or call me back when I put it down。 This is not because of the subject matter， which I found to be sensitively handled， but because I found it hard to believe the cover up and the threats to the team （and I can believe plenty if required）。 This is not a workable scenario nowadays， given the country’s addiction to enquiries and condemnation of poor policing in such cases。 For those prepared to believe it is a well paced novel with reveals in most chapters， several twists and an inexorable march towards justice， although that seems a rather ambiguous concept in light of the abuse。 The novel is mostly told from Matilda and her team’s point of view with the unnamed killer contributing from time to time。 This latter point of view is there， in my opinion， to try and describe the anguish of an abuse survivor rather than gratuitously describe the violent killings。 The Lost Children is not one of the best novels in the series， but it still has plenty to offer， even if it is of a difficult nature。 。。。more
Mike
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Set in the early days of the Covid 19 pandemic， The Lost Children by Michael Wood is the ninth in the Matilda Darke series。 It actually begins with a flashback to 1997， when a priest tries in vain to alert police of abuse occurring in a children’s home。 A content warning: as some readers may find the graphic victim accounts triggering。 Matilda Darke and her team are called to a bloody murder scene which kicks off an investigation into historic abuse in the murder victim’s past。 Yet there are num Set in the early days of the Covid 19 pandemic， The Lost Children by Michael Wood is the ninth in the Matilda Darke series。 It actually begins with a flashback to 1997， when a priest tries in vain to alert police of abuse occurring in a children’s home。 A content warning: as some readers may find the graphic victim accounts triggering。 Matilda Darke and her team are called to a bloody murder scene which kicks off an investigation into historic abuse in the murder victim’s past。 Yet there are numerous obstacles and limits placed on the team as the cover-up of the crimes continues with interference from police command。 Whilst there are mentions of events in earlier books， such as a 2019 shooting， it does make for a credible standalone story。 With believable characters， an intriguing narrative， covid references， humorous dog puns， and historic figures like Jimmy Savile named， this is a quality police procedural that sensitively portrays a horrendously disturbing theme， all too real for some。 As crime fiction， it makes for a four star read rating。 With thanks to Harper Collins UK and the author， for an uncorrected advanced reader copy for review purposes。 As always， the opinions herein are totally my own and freely given。 。。。more
Karen
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Somehow this series just gets better and better。 This one deals with a very dark and disturbing subject in a very sensitive way。 I had to put the book down a few times as it had me in tears。 I was equally outraged and heartbroken。When Matilda and her team find evidence of historical child abuse at a children's home their investigation is hindered every step of the way。 Which obviously just makes her more determined than ever to bring the perpetrators to justice。This book turns your feeling upsid Somehow this series just gets better and better。 This one deals with a very dark and disturbing subject in a very sensitive way。 I had to put the book down a few times as it had me in tears。 I was equally outraged and heartbroken。When Matilda and her team find evidence of historical child abuse at a children's home their investigation is hindered every step of the way。 Which obviously just makes her more determined than ever to bring the perpetrators to justice。This book turns your feeling upside down and inside out。A fantastic page turner that keeps you reading late into the night。And THAT cliff hanger。。。。。。。wow！ 。。。more
zoe Hitchen
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Wow！ Michael Wood does it again！ Matilda Darke is back in another expertly written book。The subject matter is disturbing and at times a hard read ，however the calibre of the writing made it a book that I could have read in one sitting if life didn’t get in the way！ A man is found murdered with his genitals in his mouth ， and Darke and her team immediately get to work investigating the case with the back drop of the Covid pandemic and lockdowns。Reading about Matilda and the team is like reuniting Wow！ Michael Wood does it again！ Matilda Darke is back in another expertly written book。The subject matter is disturbing and at times a hard read ，however the calibre of the writing made it a book that I could have read in one sitting if life didn’t get in the way！ A man is found murdered with his genitals in his mouth ， and Darke and her team immediately get to work investigating the case with the back drop of the Covid pandemic and lockdowns。Reading about Matilda and the team is like reuniting with old friends and the cliffhanger at the end leaves me yearning for the next in the series。A must read ， highly recommended！ Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK， One More Chapter。 。。。more
Sara Millward
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it， click here。 The second book in the DCI Darke series that I have read。 Set during the Covid 19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown。 Explores historic sexual abuse in the care system and police corruption。 Links in with previous books。 Interesting read but lacks something， given the horror it uncovers。
Linda
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✂Gruesome vigilante justice: do they have a choice？🚨The Lost Children was another winner Matilda Darke police procedural for me。 I love DCI Darke and her team。 As in real life， their lives are changing， their priorities not always staying in sync。 Repeated twists keeping me guessing just how Matilda will cope。 I think the mix of the investigation with the team's personal life is just right。This story centers on the revelation of a disturbing history of systematic abuse of young， vulnerable boys ✂Gruesome vigilante justice: do they have a choice？🚨The Lost Children was another winner Matilda Darke police procedural for me。 I love DCI Darke and her team。 As in real life， their lives are changing， their priorities not always staying in sync。 Repeated twists keeping me guessing just how Matilda will cope。 I think the mix of the investigation with the team's personal life is just right。This story centers on the revelation of a disturbing history of systematic abuse of young， vulnerable boys at Magnolia House Children's Home in Sheffield。 The ringleader influential local businessman ends up dead and horribly mutilated; Matilda's team is looking for a murderer exacting his own personal revenge while trying to bring the abuse to light and find some justice for the young men broken by their experience。 Plenty of complications and influential attempts to shut down the abuse side of the investigation。 Fascinating， well paced and all set in the early days of the British pandemic lockdown in 2020。I don't want this series to end！ I hope Michael Wood has lots more adventures for Matilda & co。 in store。Thanks to HarperCollins UK/One More Chapter and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion。 。。。more
Sandie McCormack
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This is a really good series with DCI Matilda Darke I enjoy every one of them this starts with abuse to children in a care home that happened a long time ago the priest Peter who was in charge reported the abuse to the young boys to the Police but nothing was done about it consequently there is a murder and DCI Matilda Darke is on a mission to find out who murdered Richard Ashcroft who actually funded the Care home。 It’s a real page turner definitely recommend。Thank you to Netgalley and the Publ This is a really good series with DCI Matilda Darke I enjoy every one of them this starts with abuse to children in a care home that happened a long time ago the priest Peter who was in charge reported the abuse to the young boys to the Police but nothing was done about it consequently there is a murder and DCI Matilda Darke is on a mission to find out who murdered Richard Ashcroft who actually funded the Care home。 It’s a real page turner definitely recommend。Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for an ARC 。。。more
Sue Frances
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D。N。F。 at 35%。 I couldn't read any more， much too upsetting！ D。N。F。 at 35%。 I couldn't read any more， much too upsetting！ 。。。more
Carole Wright
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This was a really difficult book as it was about child abuse and Covid so two depressing subjects but it was really well written， you could empathise with the characters and overall I really enjoyed it。 Michael’s books are always action packed with plenty of suspense and twists， I would definitely recommend the Matilda Darke series。Thank you to NetGalley and One more chapter for my advanced reading copy。
Emily Burrows
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In 1997， Reverend Peter Ogilvy notifies the Chief Constable of the police of a murder of a boy from the children’s home he runs。 The situation is never investigated。 Now， in 2020， just as covid is emerging， a wealthy property developer is found mutilated and murdered at his home。 The injuries imply a very personal motive。 DCI Matilda Darke and her team are led to Reverend Peter and the abuse which took place at the children’s home he ran in the 1990/2000s。 Reverend Peter hopes this time he will In 1997， Reverend Peter Ogilvy notifies the Chief Constable of the police of a murder of a boy from the children’s home he runs。 The situation is never investigated。 Now， in 2020， just as covid is emerging， a wealthy property developer is found mutilated and murdered at his home。 The injuries imply a very personal motive。 DCI Matilda Darke and her team are led to Reverend Peter and the abuse which took place at the children’s home he ran in the 1990/2000s。 Reverend Peter hopes this time he will be listened to and justice will be upheld。It is amazing to have DCI Darke back， although out of sequence from the last book。 Matilda and her team have such a established bond， which helps them through this raw and gritty case。 Desperate for book 10 already！ 。。。more
Bookaholic
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What can i say another fantastic book from Michael Wood - bring on book 10
Tove R。
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Probably the best book I have read this year！ This utterly gripping story had me hook from the first sentence。 I am a huge fan of Matilda Darke， and like her even more after reading this book。 I am trying to think of flaws in the book， but I can only think of one: it ended。 The story itself is utterly disgusting and horrible due to its nature of rich and/or powerful men abusing young orphan boys。 This was back in the days， but the boys have not forgotten。 It looks like one of them hast started k Probably the best book I have read this year！ This utterly gripping story had me hook from the first sentence。 I am a huge fan of Matilda Darke， and like her even more after reading this book。 I am trying to think of flaws in the book， but I can only think of one: it ended。 The story itself is utterly disgusting and horrible due to its nature of rich and/or powerful men abusing young orphan boys。 This was back in the days， but the boys have not forgotten。 It looks like one of them hast started killing the abusers， one by one。 The character development throughout this series has been outstanding！ I feel like I know the people in the book， and I could easily see myself living alongside these characters。 That is how vividly live they feel to me。 The writing is superb， the words simply flow on the pages， and I was soaking it all up like a sponge。 The ending made me want to fly to the UK， drive to Sheffield， knock on Mr Wood's door， lock him up in a room， and not letting him out until he has written the next book in the series。 So， Michael， you better be writing as we speak， because this reader is waiting， no， demanding for more Matilda Darke！ 。。。more
Martha Brindley
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This is an absolutely gripping read in the Matilda Darke series， the best yet。 I can highly recommend the read to lovers of crime thrillers。 Set between 1997 and 2020， at the start of lockdown， it opens with a visit to the Chief Constable by a priest， followed by a grisly murder scene。 The characterisation is excellent and I could empathise with many of the characters。 The read is a very emotional one， but the subject matter of child abuse is dealt with great sensitivity and respect to the victi This is an absolutely gripping read in the Matilda Darke series， the best yet。 I can highly recommend the read to lovers of crime thrillers。 Set between 1997 and 2020， at the start of lockdown， it opens with a visit to the Chief Constable by a priest， followed by a grisly murder scene。 The characterisation is excellent and I could empathise with many of the characters。 The read is a very emotional one， but the subject matter of child abuse is dealt with great sensitivity and respect to the victims。 It can only be another 5* read from Michael Wood and I honestly can't wait to see what is next for Matilda and her team。 Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC。 。。。more
Keyreads
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Matilda Drake Series #9The Lost Children by Michael Wood is a novel set at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic。 DCI Matilda Darke and her team set out to investigate a child abuse cold case that becomes a high-profile nightmare for all parties involved。 The author， Michael Wood， handled the subject of child abuse with empathy and honesty。 He captured the emotional and psychological trauma of victims with awareness and understanding。 Mr。 Wood did his research when writing this novel。 I must be Matilda Drake Series #9The Lost Children by Michael Wood is a novel set at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic。 DCI Matilda Darke and her team set out to investigate a child abuse cold case that becomes a high-profile nightmare for all parties involved。 The author， Michael Wood， handled the subject of child abuse with empathy and honesty。 He captured the emotional and psychological trauma of victims with awareness and understanding。 Mr。 Wood did his research when writing this novel。 I must be honest in my review。 This was not my favorite in the Matilda Darke series。 It was missing the fast-paced， page-turner from the previous novels。 That being said， Matilda and her team are the most relatable cast of characters in a thriller series out right now。 I would recommend this series to all the fans of the genre。 I look forward to seeing if Sian’s candy draw will have American snacks in the future！Thank you， NetGalley and HarperCollins UK！ 。。。more
Tracy Wood
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Warning: Triggers for child abuse， suicide， and rape。 When a prominent local businessman is found dead by his housekeeper nothing can prepare DCI Matilda Darke and her team for the scene which awaits them。 As they begin their investigation it becomes clear there was far more to their victim than met the eye， the more lurid details of which will only be become apparent if they can get reluctant people to come forward。 With more than one area of concern to look at initially it becomes clear quite Warning: Triggers for child abuse， suicide， and rape。 When a prominent local businessman is found dead by his housekeeper nothing can prepare DCI Matilda Darke and her team for the scene which awaits them。 As they begin their investigation it becomes clear there was far more to their victim than met the eye， the more lurid details of which will only be become apparent if they can get reluctant people to come forward。 With more than one area of concern to look at initially it becomes clear quite quickly where they should concentrate their investigation so why are they being instructed to steer their efforts in a direction which provides no leads？ When details are leaked in the national press Matilda finds herself on the defensive but nothing could have prepared her for what happens next。 This is the nineth Matilda Darke novel and once again is horrifically amazing。 The crimes， reasons behind them， and the perpetrators， never disappoint and the dialogue， emotions， and humour are also as spot on as ever。 There is nothing here which I didn't like or felt was unnecessary and this is easily one of the best I've read all year。 I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the opinions expressed are my own。 This is an absolutely brilliant read which I can't recommend highly enough。 It is absolutely first class。 。。。more
Alan Cotterell
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How do you top what was possibly？ last year’s book of the year？ By writing an even more gruesome， grim and disturbing story that puts Mathilda and her team under ever increasing pressure and restrictions to solve the case。 And that’s without Covid restrictions！ The author gives a warning right at the start as to the subject and contents of this book， which handles the subject as sensitively as possible。The story starts in 1997， when the Reverend who runs a children’s， home goes to the Chief Cons How do you top what was possibly？ last year’s book of the year？ By writing an even more gruesome， grim and disturbing story that puts Mathilda and her team under ever increasing pressure and restrictions to solve the case。 And that’s without Covid restrictions！ The author gives a warning right at the start as to the subject and contents of this book， which handles the subject as sensitively as possible。The story starts in 1997， when the Reverend who runs a children’s， home goes to the Chief Constable to report a murder and start an investigation into child sex abuse。 Move forward 23 years and a very prominent businessman is brutally murdered。 The deeper DCI Darke digs， the more pressure from higher up to drop the case。 Do you really think that is going to work with Mathilda？There are several chapters written from the killers’ point of view and phone calls with Mathilda， and to be honest I actually found my sympathies lie with the killer and hoping that for once the killer will get the justice they deserve？ The actual crime scenes are not for the faint hearted， but in view of the reason behind then， are they enough！I highly recommend this book and of course the entire series， there isn’t a dud in there。 Mr Woods has done it again， another fast paced， tension building， grim and gruesome story。 Can’t wait for book 10。Thank you NetGalley and especially to HarperCollins UK / One More Chapter for the much-anticipated sequel to Survivors Guilt。 。。。more
Maureen
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The Lost Children by Michael Wood is book 9 in the DCI Matilda Darke series。 The characters in this series are so engaging and get under your skin。 Matilda， Sian and Christian are all dealing with horrific events in their past， both recent and historic， and in this brilliant and engrossing read， I found myself continually holding my breath as the events unfold。 This is a cleverly crafted storyline and so sad at times， I found I was crying。 But Matilda and Sian in particular， have not lost their The Lost Children by Michael Wood is book 9 in the DCI Matilda Darke series。 The characters in this series are so engaging and get under your skin。 Matilda， Sian and Christian are all dealing with horrific events in their past， both recent and historic， and in this brilliant and engrossing read， I found myself continually holding my breath as the events unfold。 This is a cleverly crafted storyline and so sad at times， I found I was crying。 But Matilda and Sian in particular， have not lost their sense of humour so there were laughs as well。 This story dealing with crimes from 20 odd years ago leading to revenge and murder in the present day will be one of my books of the year。 。。。more
Pat
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In 1997 the Reverend Peter Ogilvy meets with the Chief Constable of the Sheffield constabulary， Tony Bates， to report the death of a seven year old boy at the Magnolia House boys home。 Bates tells him to leave it with him。 But nothing happens except the Reverend is shockingly threatened to keep his mouth shut。In 2020， just as COVID is starting to spread police are called to a brutal murder scene。 Richard Ashcroft， a wealthy and successful businessman， developer and philanthropist has been murder In 1997 the Reverend Peter Ogilvy meets with the Chief Constable of the Sheffield constabulary， Tony Bates， to report the death of a seven year old boy at the Magnolia House boys home。 Bates tells him to leave it with him。 But nothing happens except the Reverend is shockingly threatened to keep his mouth shut。In 2020， just as COVID is starting to spread police are called to a brutal murder scene。 Richard Ashcroft， a wealthy and successful businessman， developer and philanthropist has been murdered in a way that seems to be very personal。 DCI Matilda Darke and her team soon discover that Ashcroft funded the establishment of Magnolia House which has since closed its doors。Meanwhile DI Christian Brady has been trying to track down victims of abuse at Magnolia House after some allegations are aired。 As the team begins to dig into Ashcroft’s affairs， wondering if there is a link to his murder this line of inquiry is swiftly shut down by Matilda’s boss。 The plot thickens when more men are murdered， evidence disappears and ACC Ridley himself shuts Matilda’s team down。 Clearly there is something very fishy going on and there may be corruption at the highest levels within the force。 But you can’t keep a good detective down。 Matilda moves the incident room to her dining room and the work continues。 Christian seems to have a very personal stake in the outcome and he has found a witness willing to talk。The story that Guy Grayson tells them is shocking and heartbreaking and makes for some very uncomfortable reading。 Matilda’s team， those we have come to know over nine books now， are magnificent and go above and beyond to get justice for the many victims of these awful crimes。 The audacity of the perpetrators is breathtaking。 This story is dark and gritty and there is no fairytale ending。 What we do get though is a cliffhanger intro into the next book as Matilda’s nemesis sends her an ominous message。 I can’t wait for the next instalment。 Many thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollins UK， One More Chapter for the much appreciated arc which I reviewed voluntarily and honestly。 。。。more
Kristie
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