A huge thanks to Caroline Vincent of Bits About Books #cazvinbooks for organising this tour and to Wes Markin for a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
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Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/39NAnfv
Synopsis
How do you stop a perfect killer?
After the terrible events of the past year, DCI Yorke’s team are on the verge of finding peace. But after a terrifying act of violence shatters their equilibrium, they are forced to dance with a skilled assassin who knows no equal.
After it becomes clear that this hitman is connected to the most shadowy of criminal organisations, Yorke is forced to dive into his own past, and face a future in which he is either alone, or dead.
Can Yorke and those he holds dearest survive the Reaper? Or will this be one dance too many?
“An explosive and visceral debut with the most terrifying of killers. Wes Markin is a new name to watch out for in crime fiction, and I can’t wait to see more of Detective Yorke.” – Bestselling Crime Author Stephen Booth
The DCI Yorke thriller series
Prequel: A Lesson in Crime https://amzn.to/2ZCLW5v
#1 One Last Prayer for the Rays https://amzn.to/32o9KMp
#2 The Repenting Serpent https://amzn.to/3h0UaKK
#3 The Silence of Severance https://amzn.to/393bnQO
#4 Rise of the Rays https://amzn.to/2OxOUSv
#5 Dance with the Reaper https://amzn.to/2B6dgzF
#6 Christmas with the Conduit https://amzn.to/3fDMvl9 (pre-order; out Dec 2020)
My Thoughts
Although this novel does work well alone, I’d recommend reading the whole series in order so that you get a much better feel for the character development and where they are coming from. They are also cracking reads. I have read 3 out of the 5 and I did have to fill some gaps in from context however, it doesn’t spoil the main plot line or excitement of the novel.
A hitman is on the rampage and it becomes obvious for Yorke that the people in his life are potentially in danger. Can he identify and catch the killer before it’s too late for his loved ones or even himself?
I’m always excited to read a DCI Yorke thriller and experience has taught me that this series is never a cosy crime mystery. The first chapter is explosive and I was actually sitting with goosebumps up my arm whilst reading it. I had my breath held and couldn’t believe how the opening went (although I should have known better). From this point until the end, I was addicted and couldn’t put it down.
As always, a plot devised by Wes Markin is the stuff of nightmares and this one is no different. Always dark, disturbing but like an invisible force holding you there – refusing to let you put the book down and run away. I am both fascinated and terrified by the darker side of human nature and this book (and the others I have read in the series) indulges my whim completely.
There is always a good balance of the macabre, the police work and the personal relationships of Yorke which really bring the novels to life. This installment has a lot of new team members and the dynamics from previous novels have changes and are slowly being redefined and rebuilt. I enjoyed the different perspective the new relationships brought to the series.
The best thing about this series is that every book is different. There is no familiar format or deja vu feel to them. The plots are fresh and unique each time and the surprises are still as haunting and compelling as ever.
Highly recommend this novel and the whole series if you have never indulged. I also highly recommend you lock the doors and keep the light on whilst reading.
Author Bio – Wes Markin
Wes Markin is a hyperactive English teacher, who loves writing crime fiction with a twist of the macabre.
Having finished the fifth instalment in the DCI Yorke series, Dance with the Reaper, Wes is now working on the sixth instalment of DCI Yorke’s wild ride. He is also the author of Defined, a prequel to his DCI Yorke novels, which takes the reader back to his blood-soaked university days.
Born in 1978, Wes grew up in Manchester, UK. After graduating from Leeds University, he spent fifteen years as a teacher of English, and has taught in Thailand, Malaysia and China. Now as a teacher, writer, husband and father, he is currently living in Harrogate, UK.
Herding Cats 