Dark Objects is the first book I have read by the author. Now I’m wondering why it took me so long to pick up one of Simon Toyne’s books. The crime story itself, and the backstory of the engaging cast held my interest very well. So much so, I’m about to read the second book in the series, The Clearing, immediately. I’m hoping to find a further expansion of Laughton and Tannahill’s stories in this second book. The book flows really well. The easy writing style had me turning the pages quickly. The plot is very well thought out and executed, though not so intricate it becomes beyond realistic. I highly recommend this 5⭐️ book.

I've read and enjoyed previous books from Simon Toyne. But I could not stop listening to his latest book, Dark Objects. It's fantastic! A cleaner is the one who finds the body of a wealthy woman, murdered in her upscale home. Her killing includes a message to someone, as there are very specific objects displayed around the body. One of those objects is a book titled 'How to Process a Murder' by Laughton Rees. Laughton is a forensics academic, but finds herself drawn into this live case. Working with her is DCI Tannahill Khan of the North London Murder Squad. That's just the bare bones of the plot. There's so much more to this case with no predicting who, what, why. I loved the layers of storytelling, the dark and devious direction the plot went. And my personal favorite, a lovely twist that I didn't see coming. The addition of excerpts from Laughton's book, news articles and a neighborhood WhatsApp group add epistolary elements to the book. Toyne does a great job with his two lead characters. They're given detailed personal lives, especially Laughton. Her past figures greatly in the here and now. DCI Khan isn't a cookie cutter cop, he's somewhat quiet, but he's a clever and intuitive copper. There are many supporting characters that round out the viewpoints. Especially the tabloid journalist, Brian Slade, who would sell his soul for a story. Social issues such as knife crime, racism, bullying and more are woven into the book. I'm truly hoping that this is the first in a series. I think Laughton and Tannahill have many more tales to tell...

Imagine three floors of a multi million perfectly aligned modern house of glass overlooking Highgate Cemetery through which cleaner Celia Barnes is perfectly framed. Now imagine a masked watcher from the cemetery noting when her cleaning is interrupted by a horrific find and who then vanishes. Celia discovers the body of Kate Miller, brutally murdered, stabbed with a knife, her body then surrounded by objects forming a tableau. Her husband Mike is missing. DCI Tannahill Khan of NoLMS (North London murder squad) and an expert on knife crime leads the police investigation. One of the objects at the crime scene is a book “How to process a murder“ by Laughton Rees. Laughton is the daughter of the police commissioner from whom she is estranged and also a well respected forensics professor. Tannahill seeks her advice and Laughton finds her self drawn back into the nightmares of her youth in order to prevent a psychopath from destroying her family again. The gripping novel is told from the perspectives of Tannahill and Laughton as well as a ruthless journalist Brian Slade, interspersed with extracts from Laughtons book, media articles and a local WhatsApp group which works extremely well. This is just a kind of mystery thriller I like, it’s well written, meaty and topical with a fast paced plot and excellent characters. Central to the storyline is rising knife crime and how this is dealt with, for example in the press and by government. This is thought-provoking and pertinent as this concerns us all. Via Tannahill, who is mixed race (a Pakistani father and an Irish mother) there is some racism and through Laughton’s daughter Grace there is serious bullying. I really like both central characters. Tannahill is hard-working,thoughtful, clever and open-minded. Laughton is very complex and becomes a source of fascination with her multiple heavy baggages, she is a boiling pot of grief, anger and loneliness with a need to control especially so she can protect herself and her much loved daughter. The scenes between her and Grace are very authentic, well portrayed and powerful. I love the way this is written, it’s clearly observed and engaging, the plot is well thought out and complex and utterly immersive. Each chapter has drama, many ending on a cliffhanger thus making it feel episodic. It’s a rollercoaster ride of multiple twists some of which are shocking jaw droppers, it’s crammed full of tension and breathtaking suspense as it builds to a dramatic, surprising and emotional end. Overall, this is a terrific crime thriller which has me transfixed and enthralled throughout. I’ve never read this authors books before but won't make that mistake from now on!

A tense thriller that grips you from the start. A real page turner with a clever and twisted plot. Such an unexpected ending. A must read book. I received an early complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own

Cecilia Barnes is a cleaner for the Millers who is live in a modern glass fronted house, secluded in the grounds of Highgate cemetery. She does not know what they do for a living but must be good to live in a home like this. It is her usual day to clean. But when she enters the home, she finds Karen Miller dead with several objects around her. It is a gruesome site, and the blood will not be able to get rid of easily is Cecilia’s first thought as the room is all white. One of the objects at the scene is a book written by Laughton Rees a forensic professor ‘How to process a murder’. The author’s father is a police commissioner, but they are both estranged from one another. Somehow the killer has taken note of the instructions in the book and when they process the scene it is hard to find any evidence of the killer. Straight way they think that the killer must the husband Mike Miller as he seems to be missing. But further into the investigation run by Tannahill Khan from the North London Murder squad and with the help of Laughton Rees the find that this is not the case. They also discover Mike Miller’s body in a different location. Tannahill wants to know why the Millers where targeted? When they fin dout who the Millers really are suddenly it starts to come clear. Thank you, Harper Collins, for a copy of Dark Objects by Simon Toyne is the first book from the author that I have read, and I found it a fascinating read. I can’t wait to discover the other books that this author has written. Dark Objects is a well written and plotted story that a first is a slow burner but gets more interesting as things are revealed. They may not be the most likeable characters but are well developed and Tannahill and Rees work well together. I understand this is a standalone thriller, but I do hope the author re-considers and continues this story because I would like to see how it develops. 5 stars from me.