Book Review: The Graveyard Killings by Wes Markin

I’m happy to be welcoming Wes Markin to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for his novel, The Graveyard Killings.

A decades old case….

When the body of a young girl is found exhumed from her grave, DCI Emma Gardner knows there’s more to this grisly find than just misadventure. Penny Maiden was killed in a hit and run accident forty years ago, and her killer was never found…Could someone be trying to right an old wrong?

A DI on the rails…

Determined to bring a dangerous gang of drug dealers to justice, DI Paul Riddick is trying hard to play by the rules. After his previous reckless actions, he knows this is his last chance to stay in the job he loves. But when his private life takes an unexpected turn, Riddick begins to lose control again.

Emma needs Paul to help her with her case, especially when more bodies are found in the same graveyard. But hurt badly by Riddick once before, Emma’s not sure she can trust him again.

But as Paul’s behaviour begins to spiral even more, Emma worries she may have left it far too late to save her old friend Riddick from his own destruction…

*****

DCI Emma Gardner is still reeling from the death of a colleague but is determined to keep going. When the victim of an old case is found on the grave of another person, Emma needs to find out what’s going on and fast. What makes it even more complicated is her ex friend, DI Paul Riddick, who is dealing with ghosts and demons of his own.

This is the first novel I’ve read from author, Wes Markin but as I like a good crime/psychological thriller, I was so pleased to be invited onto the blog tour for The Graveyard Killings, book four in the Yorkshire Murders book series.

If, like me, you’ll be picking up the series from this point, don’t fear. There’s enough information given to be able to keep up with the story. However, I did also feel that reading the previous novels would have enriched the story. They have definitely been added to my list.

This book hits the ground running and the reader is immediately put into the action and mystery. There’s a few time shifts and incidents that don’t seem to be connected. It was like a puzzle – trying to work out where everything slotted in and I didn’t see the end coming.

Emma Gardner felt very real to me. She’s strong yet feels guilt. She’s commanding and tough. I loved her.

Paul Riddick is also likeable but a lot more disruptive. He’s fighting his past demons and they sometime got the better of him. In all honesty, I just wanted to give him a reassuring hug, sit with him and tell him it was going to be OK. He’s a character that has his emotions very close to the surface and he’s fiercely protective. I’d much rather he was in my corner that’s for sure.

Suspense, tension and mystery constantly build in this story and it’s a book that’s hard to put down, at least in my opinion. It’s a bit of a window into the class system and what people will do to survive.

The Graveyard Killings is a high octane crime novel that has lots of twists and turns. I hope you chose to give it a read. I loved it and can’t wait to see what happens in the next novel.

(Thank you to Netgalley, Boldwood Books and Rachel’s Random Resources for the advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review.) 

About Wes Markin –

Wes Markin lives in Harrogate and is the bestselling author of the DCI Yorke crime novels set in Salisbury.

He is also the author of the Jake Pettman series set in New England as well as The Yorkshire Murders series. 

Say hi to Wes Markin on Facebook, Instagram, and Bookbub. Click here to sign up to his newsletter. 

The Graveyard Killings is book four in The Yorkshire Murders book series. It was released by Boldwood Books in March 2024. Click here to buy on Amazon UK and Waterstones. 

by

Laura

I’m Laura. I started Novel Kicks in 2009. I wanted a place to post my writing as well as give other writers like me the opportunity to do the same. There is also a monthly book club, a writing room which features writing prompts, book reviews, competitions, author interviews and guest posts.

I grew up by the sea (my favourite place in the world) and I currently live in Hampshire. I am married to Chris, have a cat named Buddy and I would love to be a writer. I’m trying to write the novel I’ve talked so much about writing if only I could stop pressing delete. I’ve loved writing since creative writing classes in primary school. I have always wanted to see my teacher Miss Sayers again and thank her for the encouragement. When not trying to write the novel or writing snippets of stories on anything I can get my hands on, I love reading, dancing like a loon and singing to myself very badly. My current obsession is Once Upon a Time and I would be happy to live with magic in the enchanted forest surrounded by all those wonderful stories provided that world also included Harry Potter. I love reading chick lit. contemporary fiction and novels with mystery.