My spouse and I have taken up watching British mysteries on Netflix and BritBox, Midsomer Murders, Frost, Shetland, Vera, and so forth. This book reads much like those TV episodes. It's a sort of British police procedural, I suppose one might say. But, instead of having Detective Inspector someone-or-other as the main character, we have Detective Sergeant Karen Hart as the main character in this book. Apparently, this is the third such book featuring D.S. Karen Hart.

So, a body is found on a hillside. There are no identifying marks, other than a tattoo on his arm and a beer mat (coaster) in his back pocket that features the logo of the Red Lion Pub. The Red Lion is near by, so the police check it out. The Red Lion is run by Rod and Patricia Perry, a sketchy couple with whom D.S. Hart has had a previous encounter.

The Perrys, naturally, claim to know nothing about the dead man. But, as they're about to leave, D.S. Hart and crew see a movement in the garage behind the pub. They investigate and find three men inside, apparently living there in squalor. They think they might be illegal immigrants, so haul them off to check them out. They're thinking that the Perry's might be involved in human trafficking.

As they leave, Patricia Perry says to D.S. Hart, "I'd have thought you'd learned your lesson the last time". This brings up all kinds of flash backs for D.S. Hart. Last time she'd dealt with the Perrys was five years previously. That period coincided with the auto accident in which Hart's husband, Josh, and young daughter, Tilly, had been killed. The police investigation at that time concluded that it had been a one-car accident. D.S. Hart was unconvinced and spent considerable time and energy worrying about a possible police cover up. She had since, finally, reconciled herself to the findings of the police report, but now, she's no longer sure. Was there a police cover up, is some kind of collusion within the police still going on?

Well, that's a big part of the story. D.S. Hart is once again faced with the possibility of police collusion in the human trafficking and murder investigations in which she's involved. They get some tip offs about the human trafficking, but when they get to the various scenes where things might be going down, everything is clear and calm. There is, however, one instance of a stake out that does uncover some perfidy. That particular operation had been approved through a somewhat irregular channel, so many fewer people knew about its going down. Interesting!

So, anyway, D.S. Hart and company slog along. They have to deal with a couple of detectives from outside their local area who seem fond of preening and throwing their weight around, but not actually helping get much done. Hart also has to deal once again with the trauma of having lost her spouse and child. In the end, of course, things more-or-less work out.

It was a pretty GoodRead. I'll likely re-visit D.S. Hart again.

#DontTurnBack #NetGalley
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DC Karen Hart is still getting over the death of her husband and daughter when she’s brought in to investigate the death of a man found in the woodlands near the picturesque village of Canwick. But as Karen digs deeper into the village and its inhabitants she uncovers secrets including slavery, people trafficking and police corruption. Karen will have to put aside her own grief for the time being and find the answers with the help of her loyal team.

The novel basically follows two threads, the murder/slavery angle and Karen’s re-awakening belief that it was not an accident that killed her family. I liked the way these two gradually came together. It should be noted that this novel is entertainment so there is not much detail on the way these people are treated, in fact they seem remarkably healthy, given their living conditions. This is not a criticism as I prefer to get this kind of information from the news rather than in my lighter moments when I’m seeking escapism.

I thoroughly enjoyed Don’t Turn Back which is a gripping read with plenty of twists and turns. It is mostly told from the investigative point of view so the reader knows as much as the detectives throughout the course of the novel. This is my favourite approach as it allows me to try and work out the solution alongside the detectives, not that I had much room for reflection as it is one big reveal after another with twists thrown in for good measure. There is never a dull moment. ( )

This is the third novel in the series, but the first book I have read. There is enough background within this story that I don’t think there is a need to read the previous 2 books. Set in the small town of Lincolnshire, Detective Sargent Karen Hart is holding her life together 5 years after her husband and daughter died in a car accident. A violent, bludgeoning death brings Karen once again to face an old nemesis in the form of the Perry family. The Perry’s are a slimy group that are well known to Karen’s team since they have been investigated before for illegal payroll practices. This time around, Karen and her partner find 3 very dirty men living in squalid conditions in the Perry’s garage. With enough evidence to bring the Perry’s in for questions involving an illegal modern slavery trade, Karen looks to lock up the Perry’s for good this time. When the Perry’s bar The Red Lion is set alight in the middle of the night and witnesses start disappearing, it becomes clear that the Perry’s may have been a front for a much larger, more dangerous organization who’s purpose is to exploit vulnerable groups for cheap labor. A complex, layered story complete with murder, mayhem, and dirty cops. Karen is a sympathetic figure who is determined to do her job to the best of her ability, while also struggling with many demons from her past. While story doesn’t contain mind blowing shockers, story is well rounded and has many different facets. There was a bit of a lag in pacing in the middle, but it finished strong. Should appeal to fans of this series and police procedurals at large. Thank you to Netgalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. ( )

The mystery begins with the

The mystery begins with the discovery of a man is found bludgeoned to death in a set of sparse woods near the village of Canwick. Canwick is a close-knit community and therefore is sent into shock. Enter Detective Karen Hart. Karen is certainly capable but still haunted by the tragic loss of her husband and daughter which occurred very near the same site. That’s tough no matter how great a detective one happens to be.

As dark secrets begin to manifest, Hart begins to suspect that a modern-day slavery ring has been hiding in plain sight among the villagers. The race is now on to find proof before the culprits slip Away. Intrigue builds when key witnesses start disappearing an it is obvious that there’s a deep-rooted conspiracy going on in this innocent little village where everyone knows everyone and some know more than they are letting on,

the storyline is one that is a bit different and I really liked that. It was the slow pace of the investigation that kept me from really enjoying the read. The pace was that of a real life style investigation. I wanted more action and twists to give my mind the oh wow ,I didn’t see that coming effect.

This was my first Detective Karen Hart adventure. ( )

Mediocre police corruption story

Here we have a police corruption story centred on human trafficking. It's not gruesome as some other ones are, but it didn't engage my interest very strongly. The writing is often ponderous and the dialog stilted. I think that there are some gaping holes in the story.

It's a good enough beach or quarantine book but it is not one you will read twice.

I received a review copy of " Don't Turn Back: Detective Karen Hart" by D. S. Butler from Amazon Publishing UK through NetGalley.com. ( )