Isolation Ward is the second book in the Lorraine Quick series by Martine Bailey but the first that I have read. It is an enjoyable crime thriller which I didn’t need to have read the previous book to fully follow and enjoy. The book is set in 1983 which makes a pleasant change and definitely adds to the storyline Overall an enjoyable book

This was a very slow read and really struggled with it. I did finish it and the concept of the story was there but I just couldn’t connect with the main protagonist. I would have liked it to be a bit more thrilling but it’s rather boring and foreseeable. Thanks to Allison and Busby for the early ARC

I have not read the first book in the Lorraine Quick series however didn't feel that this held me back in reading and understanding this one with any relevant background being introduced when needed. The story itself starts fairly slowly and there are no direct hints towards the identity of the person behind the first murder. I wasn't overly keen on the relationship between Lorraine and the police officer Diaz which is a continuation from the first book as far as I gathered and didn't seem particularly necessary other than padding out the story. The description of the mental hospital where the story is set is excellent and I felt that I could picture where acts were taking place. I struggled to actually get behind any of the characters and this probably restricted my enjoyment of the story which otherwise was a decent enough thriller. Given this I'd probably not be too bothered about reading the first book or any others in this series as I don't particularly care one way or the other for our lead.

Set in the 1980's, Lorraine Quick has the somewhat unenviable task of running a teambuilding course with the staff of a psychiatric hospital. The hospital is in the process of moving into a new building and the old 'Asylum' is to be demolished. It is not going to be a very easy task as the staff are a mixed assortment of characters who are not very keen on the idea. When one of the staff is found murdered in one of the old isolation rooms, in similar circumstances to one of the inmates many years ago. The premise of the book sounded interesting. The description of the setting was very good. I could really imagine the claustrophobic corridors and tunnels. Where the book fell down for me was in the characterisation. I really didn't bond with any of them. I know that this is the second book in a series, but I don't think it would have made much difference if I'd read the first one. Overall it was a bit of a disappointing read. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book.