Tag: Laying Out The Bones

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Fiction Thriller

Hollow Grave, Kate Webb

A chance discovery which presents new evidence into Nazma Kirmani’s disappearance. A prospecting archaeologist, Nazama went missing twenty one years earlier when a site was being excavated in the grounds of Trusloe Hall for a TV documentary.

The case was closed after Nazma presented herself at a police station back in 1999, but what does this new evidence suggest, and can DI Lockyer and DC Gemma Broad help find the truth for Nazma’s family whose lives have been in upheaval for more than two decades?

Hollow Grave is a cold case mystery – perfect for any fans of ITV’s ‘Unforgotten’. It is  the third installment of the DI Lockyer series, following ‘Stay Buried’, and ‘Laying Out The Bones’. Whilst it can be read as a standalone, I would recommend reading the books in order for extra depth. The character development over the trio of novels has been phenomenal and all three books have been compelling.

Hollow Grave goes above and beyond most mystery books, and does an outstanding job of highlighting so many other themes throughout the book, which is a testament to the author Kate Webb. In addition to themes of grief and inequalities which have been present throughout the predecessors, Hollow Grave also touches upon the subjects of loneliness, new parenthood racism, domestic abuse, power and control.

Once again I’m blown away at how Kate Webb manages to have so many different storylines and so many well developed complex characters, and yet somehow it all comes together.

Overall 5 stars… the countdown to book four is on.

Thank you to NetGalley and Quercus Books for the ARC. Hollow Grave will be published on 13th March 2025.

Categories
Fiction Thriller

Laying Out The Bones, Kate Webb

Following flash floods, something sinister is brought to the ground’s surface; a human skeleton. Forensic tests soon reveal that the body belongs to Lee Geary, a man who went missing nine years earlier and the case is passed to DI Lockyer to solve.

As Lockyer digs into Geary’s past he unveils the fact that Geary was questioned during the same year he went missing in relation to another crime- the murder of Holly Gilbert.

Alongside DC Gemma Broad, Lockyer delves deeper and discovers a web of mysteries which he is left to untangle.

At last! The long awaited sequel to Stay Buried has arrived. Laying Out The Bones is the next in the DI Lockyer series. With such a high standard to follow I was relieved the second book in the series did disappoint!

Laying Out The Bones is another fast paced, multifaceted mystery about unsolved murders and buried secrets. The story spans over a long timeframe, and involves many characters with intertwining stories- the fact Kate Webb pulls this off is truly a testament to her writing skill. Very much like the first book – every character is well thought out, and despite there being so many you really gather an insight into each of their histories, struggles and motivations.

Similarly to its prequel the series continues to highlight themes surrounding inequalities, grief and injustice. I thought these were presented well and added substance to the story, evoking emotion beyond your typical crime mystery/thriller.

Overall, Laying Out The Bones is masterfully crafted, from compelling characters to intricate plot twists and with the book ending on a cliffhanger, I am very hopeful this is not the last of DI Lockyer. 5 stars.