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DI Charlotte Savage #6
The Boneyard
The truth won’t stay buried forever . . .
Malcolm Kendwick is charming, handsome – and a suspected serial killer.
When the partially clothed body of a woman is discovered on Dartmoor, all eyes are on one man.
There wasn’t enough evidence to convict Kendwick of his suspected crimes in America, but DI Charlotte Savage is determined to bring him to justice. She’s certain the woman’s murder, so soon after Kendwick’s return to Devon, is no coincidence. But Savage hadn’t anticipated one thing: Kendwick has a perfect alibi.
When more human remains are discovered at an isolated dumping ground, a full-scale murder investigation is launched. Savage realises it’s up to her to uncover the truth before the killer strikes again.
She knows Kendwick is hiding something.
Is there a limit to how far she’ll go to find out what?
A page-turning, terrifying crime thriller with a gripping twist, perfect for fans of Mark Billingham and Tim Weaver.
400 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2017
59 people are currently reading
199 people want to read
About the author
Mark Sennen
17 books115 followersMark Sennen was born in Surrey, but spent his formative years in rural Shropshire where he learnt to drive tractors and worm sheep. He has been a reluctant farmer, an average drummer, a failed Ph.D. student and a pretty good programmer. He lives, with his wife and two children beside a muddy creek in deepest South Devon where there hasn't been a murder in years. He is the author of the best selling DI Charlotte Savage series: Touch, Bad Blood, Cut Dead, Tell Tale, Two Evils, The Boneyard, and Puppet; the Holm and da Silva series: The Sanction, and Rogue Target; plus the standalone thrillers: Three and The Sum Of All Sins.
The DI Charlotte Savage series is published by HarperCollins.
The Holm and da Silva series is published by Canelo.
The DI Charlotte Savage series is published by HarperCollins.
The Holm and da Silva series is published by Canelo.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
January 28, 2018
Charlotte Savage is an unusual copper, a fine, instinctive detective who puts her all into any investigation she leads.
So it was good to pick up her story again in a book I have sat upon for some time. The Boneyard has a premise where you wonder if the writer has left any room to extricate himself from the plot, having served the serial killer upon a plate.
Malcolm Kendrick is coming home to Devon, somehow, he has avoided the death sentence in the USA having his prosecution collapse due to an over zealous police office who left crucial evidence inadmissible.
Tasked with collecting him from the airport, Savage spends the long journey in the back of the car. During this time she is left with a real certainty that the man is dangerous and almost the most evil person she has come across in her police career.
Consequently, when bodies of young girls appear on Dartmoor, fitting his MO, Savage is convinced Kendrick is escalating like serial killers tend to do.
Trouble is he seemingly has a watertight alibi and a smugness that is pitched to push all of the police’s buttons and gets under Savage’s skin.
Beautifully told, with some horrific murder, torture sequences it is yet another novel that appears to lie in the area of the murder and violence to women. However, the expansion of the plot to tell an even darker story is perhaps justification and makes for an original read.
So it was good to pick up her story again in a book I have sat upon for some time. The Boneyard has a premise where you wonder if the writer has left any room to extricate himself from the plot, having served the serial killer upon a plate.
Malcolm Kendrick is coming home to Devon, somehow, he has avoided the death sentence in the USA having his prosecution collapse due to an over zealous police office who left crucial evidence inadmissible.
Tasked with collecting him from the airport, Savage spends the long journey in the back of the car. During this time she is left with a real certainty that the man is dangerous and almost the most evil person she has come across in her police career.
Consequently, when bodies of young girls appear on Dartmoor, fitting his MO, Savage is convinced Kendrick is escalating like serial killers tend to do.
Trouble is he seemingly has a watertight alibi and a smugness that is pitched to push all of the police’s buttons and gets under Savage’s skin.
Beautifully told, with some horrific murder, torture sequences it is yet another novel that appears to lie in the area of the murder and violence to women. However, the expansion of the plot to tell an even darker story is perhaps justification and makes for an original read.
January 25, 2018
This was book 6 on the series... thanks Audible for not telling me that! It can be read as a standalone but I will be going back to the start now!! Charlotte is a great character and this was a story not not for the faint hearted.
July 3, 2020
This took much longer to finish than I expected. The first half was super exciting and just as it should have gotten seat-gripping, I lost interest. I can’t explain why, but maybe it was the DCI going rogue or the fake US detective. Or maybe just some of the not so important characters. I’d try more in this series as maybe it was just this one novel.
November 5, 2017
Oh boy, this was the best book in the series yet, very dark and very gripping. DI Charlotte Savage, Riley and Enders are to pick up one Malcolm Kendwick from Heathrow airport. He was charged with five murders in the US but had to be released because of technicalities. He is returning to his former home region of Devon. Savage is also to make it clear to him that he will be watched and to warn him not to put a foot wrong. Kendwick, while taunting the police, maintains his innocence, says he has never killed anyone.
It doesn't take long for a dead girl to turn up on the moors. Kendwick is immediately hauled in for questioning but has a rock solid alibi so has to be released. The police are also keeping an eye on a Mr Chandry who has a farm on the moors and who keeps an eye on the boneyard - a resting place for old vehicle wrecks. It was in such a place that the bodies in the US were found.
Not long after, a group of four young women camping on the moor is attacked and one of them is killed. Again, Kendwick is hauled in for questioning and Chandry is further investigated. Again no luck. But then, things take a really sinister turn. A prostitute who has a young child is reported missing and Janey Horton (a police officer from the US who tortured Kendwick for information about the location of the bodies because her daughter was one of the victims) turns up in England to 'help' Savage finally trip Kendwick up.
From here it gets really creepy and dark. This has to be one of the nastiest killers we have met in the series and Savage must pull out all stops to catch him before he can destroy what she holds most dear (trying to avoid spoilers here). It got very tense and nail-biting and raises the question - how far would you go to protect someone you loved? Charlotte goes a long way down the dark path. I have to wonder if her career can survive the events of this book.
It doesn't take long for a dead girl to turn up on the moors. Kendwick is immediately hauled in for questioning but has a rock solid alibi so has to be released. The police are also keeping an eye on a Mr Chandry who has a farm on the moors and who keeps an eye on the boneyard - a resting place for old vehicle wrecks. It was in such a place that the bodies in the US were found.
Not long after, a group of four young women camping on the moor is attacked and one of them is killed. Again, Kendwick is hauled in for questioning and Chandry is further investigated. Again no luck. But then, things take a really sinister turn. A prostitute who has a young child is reported missing and Janey Horton (a police officer from the US who tortured Kendwick for information about the location of the bodies because her daughter was one of the victims) turns up in England to 'help' Savage finally trip Kendwick up.
From here it gets really creepy and dark. This has to be one of the nastiest killers we have met in the series and Savage must pull out all stops to catch him before he can destroy what she holds most dear (trying to avoid spoilers here). It got very tense and nail-biting and raises the question - how far would you go to protect someone you loved? Charlotte goes a long way down the dark path. I have to wonder if her career can survive the events of this book.
October 2, 2017
I liked the previous books in this series better. This wasn't bad but much of it seemed out of sync with the character development in the previous books. It was also a bit far fetched in terms of the American angle and a lot far fetched in terms of the criminal angle.
Read
June 22, 2019DNF
Halfway through but can't go on reading without rolling my eyes every 2 pages.
Halfway through but can't go on reading without rolling my eyes every 2 pages.
June 21, 2017
I would like to thank Netgalley and Avon Books UK for an advance copy of The Boneyard, the sixth nove in the Plymouth based DI Charlotte Savage series.
Charlotte is called in to work and told to bring an overnight bag. All very mysterious until it is explained that she is on escort duty. Malcolm Kendwick was charged in the States for the abduction, murder and rape of 5 young women but got off on a technicality. He is now returning to the UK and, more specifically, his home county of Devon. When a young woman's body is found on the moor Charlotte's obsession with Kendwick's guilt blinkers her to other possibilities and causes her problems.
The Boneyard is a great read. The plot may not be the most plausible I have ever read and some of the content is only for the broad minded but the battle of wills between Charlotte and Kendwick is fascinating and makes for a compulsive read. The problem for Charlotte is that while the reader knows from the first chapter that Kendwick has an accomplice she doesn't and it allows him to run rings round her initially.
The novel is not all character driven as there are some actions scenes in the second half but it is mostly. Malcolm Kendwick is an inspired creation. Mr Sennen has his twisted psychopathy and need for control down to a T - he has the glib charm and intelligence of a Ted Bundy but reverts to type when thwarted. I'm extremely impressed. Charlotte, I'm not so sure about. She is a loose cannon, prepared to throw out the rule book if her perceived needs and idea of justice don't fit.
This is an excellent read which I have no hesitation in recommending.
Charlotte is called in to work and told to bring an overnight bag. All very mysterious until it is explained that she is on escort duty. Malcolm Kendwick was charged in the States for the abduction, murder and rape of 5 young women but got off on a technicality. He is now returning to the UK and, more specifically, his home county of Devon. When a young woman's body is found on the moor Charlotte's obsession with Kendwick's guilt blinkers her to other possibilities and causes her problems.
The Boneyard is a great read. The plot may not be the most plausible I have ever read and some of the content is only for the broad minded but the battle of wills between Charlotte and Kendwick is fascinating and makes for a compulsive read. The problem for Charlotte is that while the reader knows from the first chapter that Kendwick has an accomplice she doesn't and it allows him to run rings round her initially.
The novel is not all character driven as there are some actions scenes in the second half but it is mostly. Malcolm Kendwick is an inspired creation. Mr Sennen has his twisted psychopathy and need for control down to a T - he has the glib charm and intelligence of a Ted Bundy but reverts to type when thwarted. I'm extremely impressed. Charlotte, I'm not so sure about. She is a loose cannon, prepared to throw out the rule book if her perceived needs and idea of justice don't fit.
This is an excellent read which I have no hesitation in recommending.
July 6, 2017
The Bone Yard – The Charlotte Savage Series Gets Even Better
Mark Sennen has released the sixth outing for Detective Inspector Charlotte Savage, and what a rollercoaster we are taken on. Once again Sennen has proven why he is one of the best thriller writers in England now, as the Charlotte Savage series gets better with every outing, this is simply a stunning thriller that will leave you breathless. Mark Sennen has delivered, to use the cliché, a real page-turner, it is intense, gripping and keeps your breathless until the end.
Charlotte Savage and her DS, Darius Riley have been sent to pick up Malcolm Kendrick, who has been ‘asked to leave the USA’, and the police want to mark his card early on. Accused and of the murder of a number of girls in America and spreading their remains across a very large national park. But due to being tortured by a police officer whose daughter he is alleged to have murdered they cannot make a case stick.
While driving Kendrick back to Devon he taunts and suggests what he may have done in America without ever admitting to any crime. When a woman’s body turns up on the moors, murdered, Savage is sure that Kendrick knows something or has had some involvement but does nothing more than taunt them, and Savage in particular.
When Savage discovers more human remains in a bone yard for cars in what looks like a dumping ground, a full-scale murder investigation begins. But tied up with procedures and the correct way of doing things, Savage knows that she will have to solve the murder. It is only when she is taken off the case, for assaulting Kendrick, and her daughter has been kidnapped, does Savage’s fight or flight mode kick-in.
Assisted by the American cop, who has flown over, who had tortured Kendrick it is left to them to solve the case, find what Kendrick is hiding and safely lock him up. As more of Kendrick’s back story comes to light, to the reader, do you really see the evil in the crimes. Kendrick comes across as a smooth, smug operator who manages to stay a couple of steps ahead of the law, Savage realises that she may have to fight fire with fire.
With many twists and turns Sennen really knows how to draw the reader in and is a masterful storyteller, who pulls no punches but has created one of the best heroines in the thriller genre at the moment. Savage is just a kick ass, no nonsense character who loves her job, but loves her family more and will go the extra mile to protect them.
Charlotte Savage is the hero of the moment.
Mark Sennen has released the sixth outing for Detective Inspector Charlotte Savage, and what a rollercoaster we are taken on. Once again Sennen has proven why he is one of the best thriller writers in England now, as the Charlotte Savage series gets better with every outing, this is simply a stunning thriller that will leave you breathless. Mark Sennen has delivered, to use the cliché, a real page-turner, it is intense, gripping and keeps your breathless until the end.
Charlotte Savage and her DS, Darius Riley have been sent to pick up Malcolm Kendrick, who has been ‘asked to leave the USA’, and the police want to mark his card early on. Accused and of the murder of a number of girls in America and spreading their remains across a very large national park. But due to being tortured by a police officer whose daughter he is alleged to have murdered they cannot make a case stick.
While driving Kendrick back to Devon he taunts and suggests what he may have done in America without ever admitting to any crime. When a woman’s body turns up on the moors, murdered, Savage is sure that Kendrick knows something or has had some involvement but does nothing more than taunt them, and Savage in particular.
When Savage discovers more human remains in a bone yard for cars in what looks like a dumping ground, a full-scale murder investigation begins. But tied up with procedures and the correct way of doing things, Savage knows that she will have to solve the murder. It is only when she is taken off the case, for assaulting Kendrick, and her daughter has been kidnapped, does Savage’s fight or flight mode kick-in.
Assisted by the American cop, who has flown over, who had tortured Kendrick it is left to them to solve the case, find what Kendrick is hiding and safely lock him up. As more of Kendrick’s back story comes to light, to the reader, do you really see the evil in the crimes. Kendrick comes across as a smooth, smug operator who manages to stay a couple of steps ahead of the law, Savage realises that she may have to fight fire with fire.
With many twists and turns Sennen really knows how to draw the reader in and is a masterful storyteller, who pulls no punches but has created one of the best heroines in the thriller genre at the moment. Savage is just a kick ass, no nonsense character who loves her job, but loves her family more and will go the extra mile to protect them.
Charlotte Savage is the hero of the moment.
October 23, 2024
This book actually made me laugh at one point when DI Savage lashed out at a journalist, telling her to read up on serial killers and not just jump to wild, imaginative conclusions because - duuuuh - psychology is a thing.
A lot of things had changed for the better in this book, actually.
I felt like research into the criminal mind actually (for the first time?) had been done properly.
AND I felt like the author was making fun of basically all the critique I'd lashed out about the previous five books by turning it into sassy comments by the characters in the book.
That was seriously funny. I was amused.
Somehow, in this book, Charlotte Savage has had an upgrade.
Suddenly she's an expert when it comes to the criminal mind. The one the team previously has sorely lacked, in my (not so humble) opinion.
This was much needed, but honestly... Too little, too late - and weirdly shoehorned into the story. The author could at least have sent her on a course or something, instead of pretending like she's always been this savvy at understanding murderers.
(They are occasionally still referred to as "nutters" - but rightly so.)
I actually thought the criminals involved in this story were well built. A bit sensational, but that's okay in fiction and sometimes... Reality is worse than fiction, after all, so that worked. Gruesome stuff. Really. Horrible - in a good way.
All in all, this was the first book in the series I thought managed to get its nose above the surface, rather than crawling around in the deep, murky bottom slime and mud of the Made-up-murder-stuff Pond.
Well... Better late than never, I guess?
Or... Not.
Turns out, it wasn't.
I noticed the publisher has dropped the author and the 7th DI Savage book is self-published on Amazon, with a very mixed bag of reviews. (And sadly no audiobook.)
The more I think about this series the more I wonder why I stuck with it because its redeeming features are few when comparing it to better series out there.
I wanted to see how it and the author would evolve, I guess.
In that way, I got a result I'm pleased with.
So, this is me saying goodbye to Charlotte Savage.
A lot of things had changed for the better in this book, actually.
I felt like research into the criminal mind actually (for the first time?) had been done properly.
AND I felt like the author was making fun of basically all the critique I'd lashed out about the previous five books by turning it into sassy comments by the characters in the book.
That was seriously funny. I was amused.
Somehow, in this book, Charlotte Savage has had an upgrade.
Suddenly she's an expert when it comes to the criminal mind. The one the team previously has sorely lacked, in my (not so humble) opinion.
This was much needed, but honestly... Too little, too late - and weirdly shoehorned into the story. The author could at least have sent her on a course or something, instead of pretending like she's always been this savvy at understanding murderers.
(They are occasionally still referred to as "nutters" - but rightly so.)
I actually thought the criminals involved in this story were well built. A bit sensational, but that's okay in fiction and sometimes... Reality is worse than fiction, after all, so that worked. Gruesome stuff. Really. Horrible - in a good way.
All in all, this was the first book in the series I thought managed to get its nose above the surface, rather than crawling around in the deep, murky bottom slime and mud of the Made-up-murder-stuff Pond.
Well... Better late than never, I guess?
Or... Not.
Turns out, it wasn't.
I noticed the publisher has dropped the author and the 7th DI Savage book is self-published on Amazon, with a very mixed bag of reviews. (And sadly no audiobook.)
The more I think about this series the more I wonder why I stuck with it because its redeeming features are few when comparing it to better series out there.
I wanted to see how it and the author would evolve, I guess.
In that way, I got a result I'm pleased with.
So, this is me saying goodbye to Charlotte Savage.
June 18, 2017
I really enjoyed this book in the DI Savage series. She flaunts the rules to track a killer and does it in style. Well written, a good plot and interesting characters. I really hope there is another in the series. I would like to read more. Many thanks to Net Galley for my copy.
September 3, 2017
Gripping, tense & fast paced - I devoured this book in one sitting - enough said!
Hurry up book 7!
Thanks to Avon Books UK for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Hurry up book 7!
Thanks to Avon Books UK for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
December 15, 2017
Posted too in my blog : https://onewordtoomuch.wordpress.com/...
This is the 2nd book that I read and reviewed by Mark Sennen. As usual, the story is quite twisted and everything is not unraveled until near the end.
The story
Apparently, there are some bones discovered in a bone yard near a farm. It was supposed to be only for dumping unused cars, but someone has been using it for a real bone yard. Things are getting interesting when not only 1 but a few bones were discovered. DI Charlotte Savage at first got derailed by some false clues. Different facts were thrown all over the place and as a reader, you could get confused too. But that’s the fun in it. The real murderer disguised as a ranger, even help assist the investigation. I was baffled when by the end, the real story unraveled. Kendwick was actually a victim. During the whole book, we’ve been shown through Kendwick childhood, although the so called uncle never mentioned by name.
I like the fact that the background story of Kendwick runs simultaneously with the investigation. That way, we could connect the two events.
This is the first time in my reading list that Necrophilia is used as a background story. It’s quite peculiar, unique and different. To be able to peer into someone’s tendency to have sex with a corpse is very interesting.
The character
The appearance of Janey Horton gives this story some girl power theme. Janey Horton is quite the opposite of Charlotte Savage. Janey is fearless, a bit of mad, has anger management issue and no regret at what she’s doing. Charlotte is careful, precise, trying not to cross some rules. I like these duo and hope that there will be further story from both of them.
The plot
It’s quite fast pacing for this type of story. At first, I got bored, maybe until a quarter of the book. Because the story looks it’s running in circle. How Charlotte got in the brink of obsessed with Kendwick, positive that he’s the murderer. But things got more interesting in the middle, and keep escalating until the end of the book.
Recommendation
I would recommend this book to readers who like fast pacing story, girl power theme, twisted plot, and unexpected ending. If you like the killer’s background story other than just plain crazy and a bit of biology, I think this book would be suitable for you.
This is the 2nd book that I read and reviewed by Mark Sennen. As usual, the story is quite twisted and everything is not unraveled until near the end.
The story
Apparently, there are some bones discovered in a bone yard near a farm. It was supposed to be only for dumping unused cars, but someone has been using it for a real bone yard. Things are getting interesting when not only 1 but a few bones were discovered. DI Charlotte Savage at first got derailed by some false clues. Different facts were thrown all over the place and as a reader, you could get confused too. But that’s the fun in it. The real murderer disguised as a ranger, even help assist the investigation. I was baffled when by the end, the real story unraveled. Kendwick was actually a victim. During the whole book, we’ve been shown through Kendwick childhood, although the so called uncle never mentioned by name.
I like the fact that the background story of Kendwick runs simultaneously with the investigation. That way, we could connect the two events.
This is the first time in my reading list that Necrophilia is used as a background story. It’s quite peculiar, unique and different. To be able to peer into someone’s tendency to have sex with a corpse is very interesting.
The character
The appearance of Janey Horton gives this story some girl power theme. Janey Horton is quite the opposite of Charlotte Savage. Janey is fearless, a bit of mad, has anger management issue and no regret at what she’s doing. Charlotte is careful, precise, trying not to cross some rules. I like these duo and hope that there will be further story from both of them.
The plot
It’s quite fast pacing for this type of story. At first, I got bored, maybe until a quarter of the book. Because the story looks it’s running in circle. How Charlotte got in the brink of obsessed with Kendwick, positive that he’s the murderer. But things got more interesting in the middle, and keep escalating until the end of the book.
Recommendation
I would recommend this book to readers who like fast pacing story, girl power theme, twisted plot, and unexpected ending. If you like the killer’s background story other than just plain crazy and a bit of biology, I think this book would be suitable for you.
June 30, 2017
The boneyard by Mark Sennen.
Malcolm Kendwick is charming, handsome – and a suspected serial killer.
When the partially clothed body of a woman is discovered on Dartmoor, all eyes are on one man.
There wasn’t enough evidence to convict Kendwick of his suspected crimes in America, but DI Charlotte Savage is determined to bring him to justice. She’s certain the woman’s murder, so soon after Kendwick’s return to Devon, is no coincidence. But Savage hadn’t anticipated one thing: Kendwick has a perfect alibi.
When more human remains are discovered at an isolated dumping ground, a full-scale murder investigation is launched. Savage realises it’s up to her to uncover the truth before the killer strikes again.
An absolutely fantastic read with brilliant characters. I didn’t like Malcolm kendrick or alan Russell. Charlotte was my favourite character. 5*. Netgalley and avon books UK.
Malcolm Kendwick is charming, handsome – and a suspected serial killer.
When the partially clothed body of a woman is discovered on Dartmoor, all eyes are on one man.
There wasn’t enough evidence to convict Kendwick of his suspected crimes in America, but DI Charlotte Savage is determined to bring him to justice. She’s certain the woman’s murder, so soon after Kendwick’s return to Devon, is no coincidence. But Savage hadn’t anticipated one thing: Kendwick has a perfect alibi.
When more human remains are discovered at an isolated dumping ground, a full-scale murder investigation is launched. Savage realises it’s up to her to uncover the truth before the killer strikes again.
An absolutely fantastic read with brilliant characters. I didn’t like Malcolm kendrick or alan Russell. Charlotte was my favourite character. 5*. Netgalley and avon books UK.
September 19, 2017
Gripping
Read this in one day just could not put it down From page one the plot twists and Turns great book
Read this in one day just could not put it down From page one the plot twists and Turns great book
December 30, 2019
DNF storyline got too graphic and dark for me 😳 but will read more in the series
July 22, 2017
As I was nearing the middle of The Boneyard I had decided that I really liked Mark Sennen’s writing and Charlotte Savage was a character I could get behind. Then I hit a twist to the story I’d not expected and I suddenly realised that The Boneyard was going to get really dark – Fan-bloody-tastic. That’s how we like ’em.
Background – I own all the Charlotte Savage books, but this was the first I’d read. One of the best bits about blogging is seeing what your pals read (and what they enjoy)! I bought the earlier books in the series on recommendations of friends but I just hadn’t found time to start reading them. Now I will need to make time and get caught up, I loved how Mark Sennen built up The Boneyard and he kept me hooked.
A British man has been released from prison in the United States. He was accused of the murder of a number of young women but released on a legal technicality (his confession was obtained under dubious circumstances).
*no spoilers*
The killer (Kendwick) elects to return to the UK and Savage finds herself on escort duty, bringing him in to settle in her area in the South West. She is far from happy about the situation – particularly when Kenwick displays extreme contempt and arrogance and virtually goads the police about his background and the crimes he seems to have committed.
It is not long before a dead girl is found on the moors and suspicion inevitably points to Kendwick. Is he so self assured that he believes he can get away with murder right under watchful eyes of the police? Savage thinks so but proving it will be tricky.
Kendwick leaps off the pages and you cannot help but be repulsed by him. The reader is willing Savage to find the evidence she needs to have him returned to prison, but does she have the right man? The feisty interchanges between K and Savage make for captivating reading. As I eluded to above, this is a dark take on the behaviour of a serial killer and Sennen has spun a brilliant tale.
Got a holiday coming and want a cracking read for the beach? Take The Boneyard with you, you’ll not be disappointed.
Background – I own all the Charlotte Savage books, but this was the first I’d read. One of the best bits about blogging is seeing what your pals read (and what they enjoy)! I bought the earlier books in the series on recommendations of friends but I just hadn’t found time to start reading them. Now I will need to make time and get caught up, I loved how Mark Sennen built up The Boneyard and he kept me hooked.
A British man has been released from prison in the United States. He was accused of the murder of a number of young women but released on a legal technicality (his confession was obtained under dubious circumstances).
*no spoilers*
The killer (Kendwick) elects to return to the UK and Savage finds herself on escort duty, bringing him in to settle in her area in the South West. She is far from happy about the situation – particularly when Kenwick displays extreme contempt and arrogance and virtually goads the police about his background and the crimes he seems to have committed.
It is not long before a dead girl is found on the moors and suspicion inevitably points to Kendwick. Is he so self assured that he believes he can get away with murder right under watchful eyes of the police? Savage thinks so but proving it will be tricky.
Kendwick leaps off the pages and you cannot help but be repulsed by him. The reader is willing Savage to find the evidence she needs to have him returned to prison, but does she have the right man? The feisty interchanges between K and Savage make for captivating reading. As I eluded to above, this is a dark take on the behaviour of a serial killer and Sennen has spun a brilliant tale.
Got a holiday coming and want a cracking read for the beach? Take The Boneyard with you, you’ll not be disappointed.
July 18, 2017
This is the first DI Charlottes Savage book I've read and I really enjoyed it.
The story moved along at a good pace and Kendwick's character really added to the story.
Part of me felt sorry for him at times but then I came to my senses!!
This a gripping crime story and one that I would highly recommend.
Thanks to Net Galley and Avon Books for sending me a copy to read.
Here's the blurb:
Malcolm Kendwick is charming, handsome – and a suspected serial killer.
When the partially clothed body of a woman is discovered on Dartmoor, all eyes are on one man.
There wasn’t enough evidence to convict Kendwick of his suspected crimes in America, but DI Charlotte Savage is determined to bring him to justice. She’s certain the woman’s murder, so soon after Kendwick’s return to Devon, is no coincidence. But Savage hadn’t anticipated one thing: Kendwick has a perfect alibi.
When more human remains are discovered at an isolated dumping ground, a full-scale murder investigation is launched. Savage realises it’s up to her to uncover the truth before the killer strikes again.
She knows Kendwick is hiding something.
Is there a limit to how far she’ll go to find out what?
The story moved along at a good pace and Kendwick's character really added to the story.
Part of me felt sorry for him at times but then I came to my senses!!
This a gripping crime story and one that I would highly recommend.
Thanks to Net Galley and Avon Books for sending me a copy to read.
Here's the blurb:
Malcolm Kendwick is charming, handsome – and a suspected serial killer.
When the partially clothed body of a woman is discovered on Dartmoor, all eyes are on one man.
There wasn’t enough evidence to convict Kendwick of his suspected crimes in America, but DI Charlotte Savage is determined to bring him to justice. She’s certain the woman’s murder, so soon after Kendwick’s return to Devon, is no coincidence. But Savage hadn’t anticipated one thing: Kendwick has a perfect alibi.
When more human remains are discovered at an isolated dumping ground, a full-scale murder investigation is launched. Savage realises it’s up to her to uncover the truth before the killer strikes again.
She knows Kendwick is hiding something.
Is there a limit to how far she’ll go to find out what?
December 15, 2017
A good, twisted tale; the character of the main 'baddy' was so well-drawn that he seemed to leap off the page & actually made my flesh crawl!
I really enjoy the DI Charlotte Savage series, & would give it 5 stars except for the fact that some of the police procedure seems slightly shoddy: not sure if this is down to shoddy writing or actually a true depiction of how the police operate - hopefully the former
I really enjoy the DI Charlotte Savage series, & would give it 5 stars except for the fact that some of the police procedure seems slightly shoddy: not sure if this is down to shoddy writing or actually a true depiction of how the police operate - hopefully the former
October 25, 2022
Mark Sennen has the ability to shock. In Boneyard the shock is the way in which the perpetrators conduct their gruesome and evil ways and over time have eluded the clutches of the law. However, through the determined efforts of detective Charlotte Savage who puts herself in mortal danger , justice does seek them out, although not in the expected way but none the less very satisfying. I hope that this series continues and look forward Charlottes next case.
July 2, 2017
Darkly disturbing, The Boneyard is one of the most compelling books by Mark Sennen so far. Some great characters, especially Malcolm - he's beyond terrifying.
Perfect for crime and thriller readers in the South West as the books are primarily set in Plymouth, although the focus for this one is Dartmoor.
Perfect for crime and thriller readers in the South West as the books are primarily set in Plymouth, although the focus for this one is Dartmoor.
July 25, 2017
aka. SherleyB
Wow that was one hell of a story.
Fast paced all the way,great characters especially DI Charlotte Savage..
The storyline just grabbed you and gave you a great ride right up to the last word...
Can't wait to read the next book....
Wow that was one hell of a story.
Fast paced all the way,great characters especially DI Charlotte Savage..
The storyline just grabbed you and gave you a great ride right up to the last word...
Can't wait to read the next book....
October 26, 2017
Not one of Mark Sennen's best. Perhaps a bit tedious at times, seemed just too far fetched at others. The ex cop from America , Charlotte's assault on a,suspect, Kenny Fallon' s appearance and Riley's a compliance were a bit too much to sustain my belief. Sorry no more Charlotte Savage for me.
June 18, 2019
SPOILERS AHEAD!
This my first and last book by this author that I will read. The plot is fine. The writing solid. The characterisations, though, are flabby. Apart from the three protagonists, everyone else is beige. The author is no Stuart MacBride, who creates characters as memorable as anything Dickens did.
So what’s really wrong with this book? The author’s morality. In this book, the two main police officers are sanctimonious sadists who torture the Big Baddie. The author depicts the officers as righteous in their mission. Even though their evidence against the Big Baddie is circumstantial, the author insists that the police are justified in torture.
In this author’s universe, looking at a police officer funny justifies them cutting off a finger.
The psycho-cops, the so-called heroes, violate every rule in the book: they kidnap, they torture, they lie, they manipulate evidence, they corrupt other police.
It turns out that the Big Baddie is innocent of the murders that the psycho-cops think he committed. The psycho-cops are utterly wrong about their hapless victim. Yes, he is a Little Baddie, but hehas done nothing to justify his many tortures
The author has no problem with any of that. So, the police tortured someone? And they tortured an innocent man? Hey, cops gotta do what cops gotta do!
The author lets his self-righteous and utterly misguided sadists avoid all repercussions, thanks to their many perversions of their colleagues and of justice.
The book’s morality is despicable. Utterly despicable.
This my first and last book by this author that I will read. The plot is fine. The writing solid. The characterisations, though, are flabby. Apart from the three protagonists, everyone else is beige. The author is no Stuart MacBride, who creates characters as memorable as anything Dickens did.
So what’s really wrong with this book? The author’s morality. In this book, the two main police officers are sanctimonious sadists who torture the Big Baddie. The author depicts the officers as righteous in their mission. Even though their evidence against the Big Baddie is circumstantial, the author insists that the police are justified in torture.
In this author’s universe, looking at a police officer funny justifies them cutting off a finger.
The psycho-cops, the so-called heroes, violate every rule in the book: they kidnap, they torture, they lie, they manipulate evidence, they corrupt other police.
It turns out that the Big Baddie is innocent of the murders that the psycho-cops think he committed. The psycho-cops are utterly wrong about their hapless victim. Yes, he is a Little Baddie, but hehas done nothing to justify his many tortures
The author has no problem with any of that. So, the police tortured someone? And they tortured an innocent man? Hey, cops gotta do what cops gotta do!
The author lets his self-righteous and utterly misguided sadists avoid all repercussions, thanks to their many perversions of their colleagues and of justice.
The book’s morality is despicable. Utterly despicable.
November 4, 2018
I received this as my first subscription to date night with a book for their Thriller/Horror selection and it didn't disappoint, both thrilling and horrific, this one features both murder and necrophilia so definitely isnt for the faint of heart. Also enjoyed the fact that it has an English setting so that it was a policing system that I understand, and is set in an area of my country that i've visited previously. Was a bit dumbfounded by Charlotte's decisions sometimes hence why the three star instead of four, might check out some of the other books in the series in the future.
August 25, 2017
The weakest of all of them I feel. I've really enjoyed all the previous ones but this degenerated into farce. Sorry but the story became completely unbelievable, just ridiculous. DI Savage as vigilante? How can she keep her job after this? Maybe the author wants to kill her off- in that way I could see why you would do this-otherwise I think the books have lost some credibility sadly
June 15, 2017
This book took me a little while to read whilst it was a good story and I will certainly read more books by mark semmen I was able to put the book down and walk away. Di savage flaunts the rules and follows her instincts but is she right to do this.
August 5, 2017
Thank you Net Galley. A well written police procedural. It balances intense suspense with systematic police work, and keeps you turning the pages. Hard to put down. I will definitely be looking for the back list and future installments in the series.
October 21, 2017
I will admit, there was one line in this book that made me think “that’s who did it” and I was right, but this in no way detracted from my enjoyment of the book. I have loved all the books in the Charlotte Savage series but this is by far & away the best one. Thoroughly recommend it.
October 27, 2017
Can't Believe
that I ever bothered slogging to the end. Completely preposterous and cannot say more with beiling a spoiler, but, really, a police officer can behave like this and still have a carer?
Oh, and by the way, the villain: dead obvious.
that I ever bothered slogging to the end. Completely preposterous and cannot say more with beiling a spoiler, but, really, a police officer can behave like this and still have a carer?
Oh, and by the way, the villain: dead obvious.
December 4, 2017
Predictable and boring towards the end, shame as it started well
The concept was different and interesting, however, after the plot was uncovered the villain was obvious and the story left the realms of reason.
The concept was different and interesting, however, after the plot was uncovered the villain was obvious and the story left the realms of reason.
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