Title: BLACK HEART
Author: Anna-Lou Weatherley
Narrator: James Lailey
Source: Audible
There’s a letter on the floor covered with blood next to a heart-shaped box of chocolates. The note says: ‘My beautiful darling, I’m sorry, please forgive me.’
When the body of a man is found with his wrists slashed in a London hotel room, it appears at first to be a tragic suicide. But Detective Dan Riley suspects there is more to this case than meets the eye and the pathology report confirms his worst fears – the victim was poisoned and suddenly Dan is dealing with a murder inquiry.
Then he makes a disturbing discovery, uncovering links between the victim and a woman calling herself Goldilocks on an online dating site. Is she seeking revenge or something more?
Still grieving the devastating loss of his girlfriend and unborn child in a car accident two years ago, Dan throws everything he has into the investigation. Yet just as Dan begins to piece together the clues of this complex case, the body of a woman is found in her bed with identical wounds.
Dan is on the trail of a twisted individual who is much closer than he realises. Can he overcome his own demons and stop the killer before it’s too late?
Official Summary
06 September 2023
It is just like me to not follow a series. For some reason I often find myself starting with the middle book and then going back to read the other books in a series. A while ago I came across The Couple on Cedar Close and jumped straight into it without checking if it was part of a series.
The good news is that the Detective Dan Riley story does not need to be read in order – luckily for me.
Black Heart is the first Detective Dan Riley book and I enjoyed this character. I had to add books one and three to my TBR after reading book two. This book introduces Dan Riley and shares details about the loss of his girlfriend and unborn child. However, the main story is unrelated to The Couple at Cedar Close.
When you reach for this book you can expect a gripping crime fiction read that will keep you curious right to the end. While the story includes dead bodies and blood this is not excessively graphic and most crime fiction fans will enjoy this book.
The author brings her characters together in a realistic manner. They are “normal people” whom you easily visualise while reading. I found myself quickly engrossed in this story and raced through the audiobook in two days.
The narrator is well suited to the story and he adds to Dan Riley’s personality. While I tend to be critical with narrators and their voice changing James Lailey manages to bring this book to life without me even thinking about who is who and what voice he gives each character.
Detective Dan Riley is called to a murder scene in an upmarket hotel. It appears to be a suicide, but Dan’s instinct tells him things are not what they appear to be. As Dan struggles to deal with the loss of his girlfriend and unborn child, he juggles work and his personal life. While he digs into the life of the victim he is forced to share details with the widow that she does not want to hear. The teddy bear left on site steers Dan and his team to an online profile on a dating app which leads to Goldilocks. This children’s tale featured three bears and Dan is convinced that this killer is only just beginning.
This story is a harsh read that deals with neglect and abuse and a killer that leaves you feeling sorry for them. As you join Dan Riley and his team in the hunt for a killer you are left amazed with the story that unfolds. I raced through this one and could not get enough. I cannot wait to dig into the third Dan Riley book.
I enjoy this character. Dan Riley is struggling to deal with the loss of his true love and he sees Rachel in everyone he meets. He missed her input and wisdom but he realises that he needs to move on. He is driven and motivated at work and his gut instinct seldom lets him down. But this time he may have missed something important. I look forward to spending more time with this detective.
While I found this book to be a gripping read that kept me engrossed, it was also an easy read that I raced through. This book has joined my 2023 loved list because it was a great escape read.
Fans of crime fiction will love this series. I have seen a lot of social media posts about The Couple on Cedar Close – but I do not think anyone has mentioned Black Heart. If you enjoy The Couple on Cedar Close, then Black Heart is a must-read book for you.
Also By Annal-Lou Weatherley
The Couple on Cedar Close
One sunny August afternoon, the residents of Cedar Close throw their annual summer barbecue. Children play in the cherry-tree lined street, tables are laden with food, and the wine is flowing. For Laurie Mills, it’s her first time meeting the neighbours. And it’s the first time she discovers her husband Robert is having an affair.
Cedar Close has always been a nice place to live – a quiet suburban street where everyone looks out for one another and bad things don’t happen.
Until late one evening, when Robert Mills is found dead in his bedroom.
Downstairs, in their beautiful kitchen, his wife Laurie sits alone in the dark with her head in her hands.
She can’t remember the last few hours, but she knows she didn’t kill Robert.
The trouble is, no-one believes her…
Anna-Lou Weatherley was born in Hampshire and grew up in London where she still lives with her partner and two children. An award-winning journalist and women’s lifestyle writer for over fifteen years, she is the former editor and acting editor of J-17 and Smash Hits respectively and has written for all the major glossies including, Grazia, More, Company and Marie Claire among others.
Thank you for visiting the blog and reading my review. I have been neglecting my Audible subscription but September is the month I am determined to spend some more time with audiobooks. Have you been reading the Detective Dan Riley series? Which is your favourite so far? Remember to leave a comment below. I have book three ready and waiting.
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