Mike Hambling's DCI Sophie Allen Series

In November of last year, I read Silent Crimes by Michael Hambling as an ARC from NetGalley. The book was #8 in a series featuring DCI Sophie Allen, and although I had not read any of the previous books, it worked well as a stand-alone.  

I like police procedurals, so I ordered and read the first in the series Dark Crimes: Sophie Allen #1.

from description:  A young woman’s body is discovered on a deserted footpath in a Dorset seaside town late on a cold November night. She has been stabbed through the heart.
It seems like a simple crime for DCI Sophie Allen and her team to solve. But not when the victim’s mother is found strangled the next morning. The case grows more complex as DCI Sophie Allen discovers that the victims had secret histories, involving violence and intimidation.

I just realized that I didn't review it at the time, but I did keep Hambling in mind because I wanted to read more.  

Kindle Unlimited



This month, I went back to the series and read books 2,3, and 4.  They read quickly and are full of puzzling investigations.  

from description:   A young man’s mutilated body is found on top of the Agglestone, a well-known local landmark on Studland Heath
It seems that he was involved in a human trafficking and prostitution gang. 
There is also a thread concerning Sophie's father.  It was believed that he deserted her pregnant mother, but when a body is found down a mine shaft, Sophie and her mother realize he was murdered.

Kindle Unlimited. 

from description:  The body of an attractive festival-goer is discovered on the rocky shoreline at Peveril Point
But the young woman’s injuries arouse suspicion. Who was the man she met? Is there a history of suspicious deaths at other music festivals across the area?
 Sophie is still dealing with the effects of the previous book and her own involvement.  She has had therapy and is now trying to get on with her life.

A new character is introduced.  Transgender detective constable Rae Gregson joins the team--hoping to fit in, but aware of potential problems.

Kindle Unlimited

 from description:  A family move into their dream home in Dorchester: it seems perfect, particularly for their two children, but when Philip and Jill Freeman decide to move a buddleia bush, what they find buried beneath its roots will haunt them forever.

 Decades old murders are short on clues, but the team works at all of the twists presented.  Kept me a bit off-center and guessing about two possible suspects.  

Kindle Unlimited.


I'll eventually get to the other books in this series.  :)