Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.
The Body in the Shadows is the 11th procedural thriller featuring DCI Craig Gillard by Nick Louth. Released 19th Jan 2023 by Canelo, it's 287 pages and is available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats.
This is a very well written procedural with a well established ensemble cast. Despite being the 11th book in the series, the plot is self contained and the necessary character backstories are written in, so it works well enough as a standalone. These are returning characters and their interrelationships have developed over time, so some spoilers are inevitable if read out of order, however.
It's a modern procedural thriller, so there is some on-page violence and rough language. Not egregious and certainly not off-putting, but it's there (i.e., not a cozy mystery). There are 11 books extant at this point. It would make a good choice for a buddy read, or series binge read. All the books are well written and tightly plotted. Fans of Deborah Crombie, Cynthia Harrod-Eagles, and Anne Cleeves (Jimmy Perez books, not necessarily Vera) will find a lot to like here as well.
Four and a half stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes
Reviewed by annieb123 on
Reading updates
- 8 July, 2023: Started reading
- 8 July, 2023: Finished reading
- 8 July, 2023: Reviewed