Dig Two Graves

by Helen H. Durrant

Meet detective Hedley Sharpe in this brilliant new crime series full of stunning twists.
Chloe Todd believes her baby daughter is sleeping peacefully in her pram in the back garden. She lifts away the blanket to check on her — and gasps in shock. Chloe’s neighbour calls the police. But all is not as it seems . . .Day 2. Superintendent Hedley Sharpe is called to a murder scene in the city centre. A body is discovered in a cellar beneath an empty shop. A single shot to the head. The victim has been dead at least a year.Day 3. A second body is found in the cellar next door. Again a single bullet wound in the head. But this time the body is fresh.Hedley Sharpe doesn’t believe in coincidence. The two murders must be linked. Then he uncovers a connection to young mother Chloe Todd — and the case takes an extraordinary twist. Hedley’s investigations will unearth a series of dark secrets. Secrets that reach back into his own troubled past.

Perfect for fans of Angela Marsons, Rachel McLean, Joy Ellis, J.D. Kirk, Rachel Abbott, Elly Griffiths or J.M. Dalgliesh.
Superintendent Hedley Sharpe is a long-serving detective working for Manchester’s Major Crime Division. He is something of a rough diamond, but has an excellent clear-up rate. A widower, Hedley lives a lonely life, existing on fast-food takeaways. His wife Emily was murdered some years previously. Her killer was never caught.

Genres: Crime, Audiobook, British Literature

234 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 14, 2024

Reviews

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Firstly I would like to thank netgalley and Joffe books and the fantastic author Helen durrant for an early copy of her book.


This is a new series from this author, I've read quite a few of her books and still to read many more,I really enjoy her books immensely. Chloe is in a terrible marriage her husband hiding his past life.chloe had a child her neighbour Brenda is concerned how her husband treats Her.superintendant Henley Sharpe on a murder case where the victim is shot in the head...then another victim...is there a connection with chloe? Henley investigates and finds the truth.I enjoyed reading this head strong character and looking forward to reading the next instalment. I was fully engrossed with this read, and highly recommend her books.


This book will be reviewed on goodreads and Amazon uk.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5★

I’ve only read a couple of books by this author and so far I’ve enjoyed what I’ve read including this book. I find her books are fast-paced, twisty and overall entertaining. I also like that they are easy to read and you can read them in one or two sittings.

With thanks to Netgalley for my digital copy to read and review.

[Holly in Bookland · Rating 3 out of 5]

A new series by Helen, featuring superintendent Hedley Sharpe. Within two days, two men are discovered in separate cellars with a bullit to the head. Does it have something that happened a year ago when one of their suspects did a runner? Sharpe and his team have suspects piling up, but which one of them is telling the truth. Fast paced with a couple of twists to keep things interesting. Good plot with some good characters. Overall an ok read

[Grace J Reviewerlady · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now here's an author who always spins a gripping tale!

Detective Superintendent Hedley Sharpe finds himself with not one, but two bodies; one of them is at least a year old, found in a cellar. The other, in the cellar next door but this one is very recently dead. All the usual questions need to be answered, but this isn't a straightforward case. A young woman, Chloe Todd, recently found her baby's pram empty in her garden and the police were called by a neighbour. Now there seems to be some sort of connections between that young woman and the bodies lying in the mortuary . . .

This is the first in a new crime series from the pen of a very favourite author. I'm always astonished at how she manages to create so many different crime series without getting them confused! As always, this is a mesmerising story with many twists and turns but the heart of it is never lost and I rather liked Hedley Sharpe. Another terrific creation from Helen H. Durrant - and one I'm delighted to both recommend and give all five glowing stars! *****

[Lady MacDeath · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a British crime thriller by an author unknown to me. Two bodies have been found in two different cellars, within a couple of days of each other, both with bullets to the head. Detective Hedley Sharpe and his partner Stuart, thinks it may be linked to a diamond robbery which happened a year ago. They have enough suspects, but who could it be?

The pace was very nice with this book, and it had a good storyline. Though I can’t say that it had me eagerly turning the pages. I prefer a bit more meat on my bones, with a lot more twists and turns, but overall, it was a good read.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with this free ARC, of which I am leaving this review voluntarily.

3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Shauntelle (shauntellereads) · Rating 3 out of 5]

A new crime procedural featuring Detective Hedley Sharpe. I did enjoy the fast pace at which this book moved. I wasn't sure if I could believe Chloe or not. At times, she appeared as a victim, and other times she seemed to be the antagonist.

I enjoyed the fast pace of the story, and the backstory provided on Chloe. That helped us get to know her better. I did find that there was a lack of backstory provided on her husband, Simon. I would've liked to know more about what caused him to lead the life he did. I didn't find myself eagerly turning the pages, but i was interested enough to want to know what was going to happen at the end.

There weren't many twists and turns, but the plot held my interest. I'm sure that was due to the fast pace of the story. I'm not sure why, but I found myself feeling bad for Chloe by the end of the book. I have read a LOT of crime thrillers lately, and this one missed the mark for me. I was not a fan of Hedley and his tone or tactics. The dialogue between him and his partner read juvenile to me. The ending provided the perfect segue for book 2 in the series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Joffe Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Lesley Williamson · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was disappointing in both plot and narrative. The relationship between the two detectives was not particularly believable and it was almost as if the characters were being used to explain coercive control by men. However, even that wasn't done particularly well!
The characterisation wasn't particularly effective as I cared about none of the characters or what happened to them.

Everything in the novel felt rushed, as if the author was including all she could in the quickest amount of time. I also didn't feel that there was a twist at the end although I felt there was a really good one that was possible - which I had hoped for.
Overall, a really disappointing novel which didn't deliver what it promised.

[June · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book 1 of the DS Hedley Sharpe Mysteries.
This captured me from the very start and kept my interest right to the final twist ending.
It's a gripping, well written plot and storyline with strong characters and plenty of twists.
It does keep you guessing as you read, and I did have an inkling as to who but not the why or how or who was telling the truth.
I look forward to the next book in the series.
My thanks to Joffe books for the advanced copy. This is my honest and unbiased review.

[Frances Vivienne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an Enjoyable Read.

Such an enjoyable read by Helen Durrant, I loved it.
The storyline had so much going on, you foget the time and keep reading to find out what is going to happen next. It didn't slow down until all was discovered right at the end.
The characters were well placed, with Superintendent Hedley Sharpe, and his off sider, Stuart...or " laddie", as he calls him never seeing eye to eye, until the end..or does stuart?
A Recommended read. Frances.

[Siobhan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a solid police procedural by Helen Durrant. I really like the main character Hedley and can't wait to see how this series develops. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Monique · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️ 3.5 stars ⭐️

[Dee (readaholic_dee) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first in a new series and I think I need to read another one for me to get to grips with the characters. I absolutely adore all of the authors other series, especially DI Greco and Calladine & Bayliss, I think I have been spoilt by these fantastic reads!

The story in itself is a good read, love the twists and the beginning of the book was excellent. It was just something about the characters, not too keen on the Sharpe/Stuart relationship and Chloe was just too wishy for me, although I loved Brenda.

I did enjoy the book as a whole and am hoping the characters grow on me when I read the next one as I most definitely will.

[Krys · Rating 2 out of 5]

For the first novel in a brand new series, this one really missed the mark for me (and I am a big fan of this author and most of her other books). Don't get me wrong, the premise was a solid one, it was the characters that I felt were sorely lacking.

First we have Hedley, an overweight DS who trusts his gut and comes across as brash to those around him (including his own work colleagues). He also keeps a bottle of whiskey in his desk drawer and has been known on occasion to indulge in a "little splash" in his coffee now and then; in the middle of the workday.

By contrast, his partner Stuart is the complete opposite. This one comes across as very naive and at times, downright gullible. We not only see him repeatedly duped by other characters, but he even tries to admonish Hedley on more than one occasion, either for his "treatment" of potential victims, or for continuing to investigate even though "everything is cut and dry."

Considering these two will, I assume, be the leading characters in future novels I am hoping there is some deeper character development to come because right now, I find very little to recommend either of them. The fact that Hedley has a tragic background (his wife was murdered) is something that I strongly feel needs to be explored in the future. Even if his gut instinct was right, and the person responsible for her murder is now dead, I still want to know what exactly led up to her murder since it wasn't mentioned in this story. I would also like to see Hedley in the immediate aftermath of this loss as maybe that would better explain some of his behaviors now.

Now that I've discussed our two prominent leads and what I perceive as their shortcomings, let me talk about the other characters featured in this novel. The major villains just either didn't seem like villains or were so over the top that you had to roll your eyes. Let's begin with Rawlins, Simon and Murray. All three are supposed to be "major players" in the criminal syndicate, yet (unless you count Simon bullying his wife) we never see them actually doing anything that would earn them that sort of heavy reputation. And for all that Murray is supposed to be a crime lord, his solicitor sure gives up pretty fast.

And then there are the women of this novel. Selina comes across by far as being the most blood-thirsty of the bunch, while Chloe comes across as just... off .... throughout the entire book. We know she's suffered a loss. We know her home life is not as she presents it. But there is still something missing about her character that makes me even want to sympathize with her, much less root for her. We know from the jump she's hiding something, we just don't know what that something is. And don't get me started on Brenda, who I am sure was meant to mean well, but just came across as one of those nosy neighbors that no one wants to deal with.

All of that said, it is because I enjoy this author more often than not, I will be giving book number two in this series a shot before I decide whether or not to continue on with it or wait for her to come up with something new.

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this that review are 100% my own.

[Alyson Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

We first meet Det Supt Hedley Sharpe and his DI, Stuart Vasey from the Major Crime Division in Ardwick, Manchester, at court where the defendant Dean Rawlins, facing a double murder charge, has done a runner. He’s also believed to be involved in a 2 million pound diamond theft and Hedley himself believes Rawlins was behind the death of his wife Emily. Now a year on, Rawlins’ body is discovered in the cellar of one of his own properties, drugged and shot about a year since. Unfortunately a very fresh corpse is also discovered next door. When a baby is reported missing at Rawlins’ former home, Hedley and Stuart take an immediate interest but soon discover the mother, Chloe Todd, has never got over the still birth of the baby and is confused. The detectives have very different views of the woman, whose husband Simon worked with Rawlins. Hedley thinks she is a clever little liar but Stuart believes she’s an innocent victim of a coercive and very strange marriage. Throw into the mix Rawlins’ vicious ex-wife Selina, the woman who bullied Chloe at school and who is determined to get her hands on both the house and the diamonds, and we have the baffling start to a great new series. Just what is the clearly manipulative Chloe plotting and what secrets from the past is she desperate to hide? What will happen when the very unlikable Chloe goes head-to-head with a great, if somewhat cliched, lead detective? And where does their prime suspect fit into all of this?
Hedley and Stuart remind me very much of a latter-day Dalziel and Pascoe, the older gruff no-nonsense senior detective with a softer sided junior sidekick, and the pair work well together, despite having conflicting views on the case. The first part of the story is quite confusing as the reader sees very different sides to Chloe’s character and it’s hard to work out exactly what is going on. However the suspense really racks up as the investigation unfolds in a story featuring a great team of detectives full of twists and surprises. It’s well written and highly engrossing, and held my attention throughout as the pages flew past. I’m looking forward to more as the series develops.

[Elaine Tomasso · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would like to thank Netgalley and Joffe Books for an advance copy of Dig Two Graves, the first novel to feature Detective Superintendent Hedley Sharpe of Greater Manchester Police.

Chloe Todd’s baby goes missing so a neighbour calls the police. This attracts Hedley’s attention, due to the address, but he doesn’t have much time to devote to what turned out to be a false alarm as he is investigating a skeleton with a gunshot wound. Then another dead body is found close to the first one. His attention turns back to Chloe when he finds links between her and the skeleton.

I enjoyed Dig Two Graves, which has an interesting plot, full of twists and turns. It is told as much from Chloe’s point of view as Hedley’s and that, I think, was a bit of a mistake as it telegraphs too much of the plot when put together with Hedley’s conjectures.

I think Hedley will become a great protagonist as the series progresses. He’s a bit of a cliché, older, overweight and short tempered with an extremely poor diet (who wants to live forever when they’re enjoying the present?), but he’s also extremely clear sighted and easily able to wade his way through all the lies and stories he is told. I like his no nonsense approach.

Chloe Todd is a different kettle of fish. She is obviously lying and plotting so the only question is what and why. She’s very manipulative and extremely unlikeable, so who cares what she’s up to, but the reader doesn’t have a choice, spending fifty percent of the novel with her.

The novel is a bit of a dual with Hedley convinced Chloe is scheming and lying to him and she doing her best to convince him that she is a victim with an uncaring husband. It is interesting to watch them duke it out and gradually find out her plans, although, personally, I would have preferred more of the procedural and less of the psychological as I don’t think the latter worked too well. There wasn’t enough real emotion or narcissism in it to thrill or even connect with the reader.

Dig Two Graves is a mixed bag with both good and not so good points. 3.5*

[Chantelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: Dig Two Graves by Helen H. Durrant: A Gripping Journey into the Depths of Crime

Helen H. Durrant's "Dig Two Graves" is a riveting thriller that will leave you on the edge of your seat from the first page to the last. With its masterfully crafted plot, engaging characters, and unexpected twists, this novel is a must-read for any fan of the crime genre.

From the very beginning, Durrant captivates her readers with a compelling storyline that unfolds at a breakneck pace. The intricate web of deceit and betrayal that she weaves keeps you guessing until the very end, constantly questioning the motives of each character and the truth behind their actions.

One of the most impressive aspects of "Dig Two Graves" is Durrant's ability to create characters that feel incredibly real and complex. From the flawed protagonist struggling to come to terms with his past, to the enigmatic antagonist whose motives remain shrouded in mystery, each character is fully fleshed out and utterly compelling.

Moreover, Durrant's prose is both eloquent and evocative, drawing you into the world of the novel and immersing you in its atmosphere of tension and suspense. Her vivid descriptions paint a vivid picture of the gritty streets and dark alleyways of the city, serving as the perfect backdrop for the unfolding drama.

But perhaps the greatest strength of "Dig Two Graves" lies in its ability to keep you guessing until the very end. Just when you think you have it all figured out, Durrant throws another curveball your way, leaving you racing to turn the pages and uncover the truth.

In conclusion, "Dig Two Graves" is a tour de force of the crime genre, showcasing Helen H. Durrant's talent for crafting gripping narratives and unforgettable characters. Whether you're a longtime fan of the genre or simply looking for a thrilling read, this novel is sure to keep you hooked until the very last page. Highly recommended.

[Judith Cranswick · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘Dig Two Graves’ is the first in a new series of books by the prolific Police Procedural author Helen Durrant. It features Superintendent Headly Sharpe – an irascible, curmudgeonly individual rapidly approaching retirement. His cynical take on life is often at odds with those of his more sympathetic sidekick DI Stuart Vasey. Despite their different approaches the two men work well together.

A dead body with a single shot to the head is found in a cellar beneath an empty shop. Sharpe and his DI are called to investigate the crime scene. The body had lain there for over a year. A second body is found in the cellar next door on the following day also shot in the head although this murder is recent, and the victim identified as that of a local homeless man known as Cowboy. The first victim is eventually identified as Dean Rawlins a gangster who Headly Sharpe believes was responsible for murdering his wife but has managed to evade justice despite all police attempts.

The pace of this novel is fast and furious. Every chapter raises yet another question, and the picture becomes more and more complicated as the investigation proceeds. Further down the line, it becomes clear that things are not quite what they seem. Everyone appears to have their own agenda. Can their stories be believed? What is it that they are keeping secret?

Although the reader is compelled to keep reading by the breakneck action, Hellen Durrant’s characters are skilfully defined by their dialogue. In less experienced hands, Superintendent Headly Sharpe might well be a difficult character to like but I found myself drawn to this outwardly difficult man from the beginning because I had absolute faith in his ability to find his way through the web of confusion and uncover the truth.

I loved this book – one of the best I’ve read in recent months – and I have no hesitation in recommending it.

[Gary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book in a brand new series featuring Superintendent Hedley Sharpe. I have read most of this authors books who manages to write so many successful series all of which I enjoy. This looks like it will be no different as it was a quick enjoyable read with some interesting new characters. I enjoyed the first half of the book more and thought that it failed to hold my interest throughout. I still enjoyed it and would rate it at 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

Chloe Todd believes her baby daughter is sleeping peacefully in her pram in the back garden until she moves her blanket to check on her. Chloe’s neighbour calls the police but it appears all is not as it appears. The following day Superintendent Hedley Sharpe is called to a murder scene in the city centre where a body is discovered in a cellar beneath an empty shop. A single shot to the head to the victim who has been dead at least a year.

A day later a second body is found in the cellar next door. Once again a single bullet wound in the head, but this time the victim was killed recently. Headley Sharpe suspects the crimes are linked and it is not long before he discovers a connection to Chloe Todd who was spoken to a few days ago. As Hedley investigates he uncovers a series of dark secrets that make this case a lot more extraordinary.

I would like to thank both Netgalley and Joffe Books for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

[Louise Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hedley Sharpe Mysteries, Book 1

Day 1. Chloe Todd believes her baby daughter is sleeping peacefully in her pram in the back garden. She lifts away the blanket to check on her - and gasps in shock. Chloe's neighbour calls the police. But all as not as it seems.

Day 2. Superintendent Hedley Sharpe is called to a murder scene in the city centre. A body is discovered in a cellar beneath an empty shop. A single shot to the head. The victim had been dead at least a year.

Day 3. A second body is found in the cellar next door. Again, a single bullet wound in the head. But this time the body is fresh.

This is the first book in a brand-new series that features Superintendent Hedley Sharpe. Two men have been found within two days of each other, their bodies discovered in separate cellars, each had a bullet to the head. The first body had been dead for a year, the second was fresh. The characters are a mixed bunch of likeable and unlikeable, but they have all been well-developed. There are enough twists and red herrings to keep us guessing. I'm looking forward to reading the second book in this series.

Published 14th March

I would like to thank #NetGalley #JoffeBooks and the author #HelenHDurrant for my ARC of #DigTwoGraves in exchange for an honest review.

[Puri · Rating 2 out of 5]

Two bodies are found in neighboring cellars within days of each other, both shot to death. Could they be tied to an unsolved diamond robbery that happened a year earlier? Detective Superintendent Hedley Sharpe teams up with his partner, DI Stuart Vasey, to try to uncover the truth.

This one just wasn’t for me. There was a lot of potential there for the characters but they didn’t feel fully fleshed out enough to get invested and root for the good guys or to buy into the villains and how dangerous and scary they were supposed to be. The story also felt almost superficial. We’re told most of the facts, but aren’t shown much of the investigation. It almost felt like the outline of a good story that just needed more details to develop it.

On a more positive note, it was a good premise and there were a lot of twists. I did want to know what happened to the two people who were found dead. I wanted to find out what the twists were, where the diamonds were, and what Chloe’s role was in the story. As the first book in the series there was the start of a decent foundation there. Hopefully, the author can build on that in the next books in the series.

Thanks NetGally and Joffe Books for this advanced copy.

[Sue Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dig two graves by Helen H Durrant.
DS Hedley Sharpe Book 1.
Chloe Todd believes her baby daughter is sleeping peacefully in her pram in the back garden. She lifts away the blanket to check on her — and gasps in shock. Chloe’s neighbour calls the police. But all is not as it seems . . .Day 2. Superintendent Hedley Sharpe is called to a murder scene in the city centre. A body is discovered in a cellar beneath an empty shop. A single shot to the head. The victim has been dead at least a year.Day 3. A second body is found in the cellar next door. Again a single bullet wound in the head. But this time the body is fresh.Hedley Sharpe doesn’t believe in coincidence. The two murders must be linked. Then he uncovers a connection to young mother Chloe Todd — and the case takes an extraordinary twist. Hedley’s investigations will unearth a series of dark secrets. Secrets that reach back into his own troubled past.
This was a really good read. Great story and plot. A great start to a new series. I did like Stuart. Hedley I didn't like so much. I did sort of guessed what happened I was half right and half wrong. Twisty and gripping. The ending did surprise me. My jaw dropped. I'm looking forward to the next book. 4*.

[loopyloulaura · Rating 4 out of 5]

A dead body with a bullet in the the head, unidentifiable as it hasn't been found for a year. A fresh corpse in the adjacent room. Is one of them a missing gangster who disappeared after a diamond heist?
Dig Two Graves is the first book in a new series of police procedural/crime thrillers featuring Detective Superintendent Hedley Sharpe.
Chloe is unhappily married to a bully with dealings with Dean Rawlins and together the men stole diamonds. She is devastated after the stillbirth of her daughter and now she has been uprooted to a new house. She is also being threatened by Dean's ex. How much more can she take?
Hedley Sharpe is a great new detective. He is overweight, middle aged, sarcastic, cynical. There is pain in his past due to the murder of his wife. He is tenacious and is determined to bring gangster Dean Rawlins to justice although he won't be too disappointed if someone else disposes of him first.
Hedley barely seems to appear in the first part of the book but, as more bodies are discovered, the police investigation becomes more prominent. The pace of the plot races along and the writing style is quite dialogue driven.
Dig Two Graves is an enjoyable start to a new series and I look forward to catching up with Hedley soon.

[Misfits farm · Rating 5 out of 5]

A body is found having been shot, however the person has been dead a good long while. What makes it interesting is that he is found to be a known felon and those around him are just as dangerous. Hedley wants to find who did this as this could lead to a whole lot more. Chloe hates her controlling husband however maybe she knows more than she lets on? When her baby disappears her new neighbour calls it in and Hedley begins to join up the dots. Chloe’s husband is one of the known associates of the dead man. Could he have killed him, what was going on and why?

I love Helen’s books. There’s just something magical about them. A great cast of characters and Hedley is already growing on me, I'm just hoping with his health issues he can last the course. He’s a down to earth character who calls a spade a shovel and gets on with things, rank be damned! A gripping story with lots of twists and one I thoroughly enjoyed. A clever, excellent, engrossing police procedural. Can’t wait for the next one.

For more reviews please follow me on Twitter or Threads @nickisbookblog

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[Books 'n' All Promotions]

This is the first book in a brilliant new series by the bestselling Helen H Durrant.

It is a brilliant story that grabs the reader at the very beginning and doesn't let go all the way to the end. There are numerous red herrings along the way. A victim that has Hedley and his partner, Stuart at logger heads. Stuart thinks Chloe is a victim of abuse by a controlling husband Hedley is not convinced she is a victim of any sort. Who is right?

When a body in a cellar is eventually identified it soon becomes clear that Hedley and his team have a tangled web of lies, deceit, jealousy and revenge to sort through. Will they get to the truth?

It was interesting to meet new characters I didn't take to Hedley at first but he grew on me and I think he and Stuart make an effective combination. All the characters are very realistic and fit the plot perfectly.

As with all Helen's books this is an adrenaline pumping read that I absolutely loved. A very cleverly thought out plot with interesting characters and enough twists and turns to keep my attention. Very much looking forward to the next in this series.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Chloe Todd discovers her three month old baby is missing from her carriage, she runs screaming from the house and her neighbor calls the police. Her husband Simon, a controlling bully, says there is no baby, the baby had died and Chloe, shocked by the death was on medication. Case closed, perhaps? Then a body is found in a cellar, lying there since he was killed a year earlier. A day later, the body of a homeless man was found in that same cellar. How are these three cases related?

DS Hedley Sharpe and DI Stuart Vasey realize that these crimes may be linked to a major diamond theft a year earlier. After another killing, Sharpe is sure that he knows who the murderer(s) are but can’t yet prove it. Nothing is as it seems is this complicated criminal enterprise.

Helen Durrant is a master of the police procedural. DIG TWO GRAVES is the first in a new series featuring DS Hedley Sharpe. He’s an anti-hero with a stubborn attitude, a foul mouth, and an unhealthy appetite paired with an unhealthy body. I cant wait to see what comes next! 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Joffe Books and Helen H. Durrant for this ARC.

[Kazz Mossman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I saw this advertised on Facebook by Joffe Books. I fancied a crime story and it was in Kindle Unlimited, too. I also noticed it was a brand new book, released less than a month ago.

Although this is the first book of what will be a series, it made several references to a previous murder case and how they dealt with the gang featured in this book before. It left me feeling that I’d missed something.

Dig Two Graves was an entertaining whodunit detective story although I guessed who it was early on. I loved how it was set in Manchester and in places I knew.

The detective team investigated two murders which are discovered at the start of the story. There were other murders along the way so it seemed an odd name for the title.

The main character was Detective Superintendent Hedley Sharpe, who led the case. I didn’t find him very likeable. His side kick didn’t make much of an impression either. Although I quite enjoyed the story, it’s doubtful I will read the next book.

Overall, the plot is good and it will keep you turning the pages. Crime fans will enjoy it and I particularly liked that everything is fully explained at the end.

[Pat Simpson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book in the series featuring DS Hedley Sharpe. We learn that Hedley is a widower, whose wife was murdered a few years ago and he has always suspected a man called Rawlings, a known criminal, was responsible for her death. A year previously Rawlings was due in court but disappeared and everyone thought he has fled the country but Hedley and his team are called out when his body turns up in a disused building. He had been drugged and shot. But the diamonds he was supposed to have stolen are still missing. It is obvious that he has been dead for some time but another body of a homeless man is found nearby but he has only recently been killed. We then meet Chloe and her controlling husband Simon, Hedley soon finds a connection between them and Rawlings. Then when Simon is murdered Chloe becomes the main suspect. But there are so many twists and turns to solve that leaves Hedley frustrated. I must admit I didn’t like any of the characters but look forward to the next book in the series.
Thanks to Netgalley and a Joffe books for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Kirsty (BookBlogger) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dig Two Graves by Helen H. Durrant

Blurb

Chloe Todd believes her baby daughter is sleeping peacefully in her pram in the back garden. She lifts away the blanket to check on her — and gasps in shock. Chloe’s neighbour calls the police. But all is not as it seems . . .Day 2. Superintendent Hedley Sharpe is called to a murder scene in the city centre. A body is discovered in a cellar beneath an empty shop. A single shot to the head. The victim has been dead at least a year. Day 3. A second body is found in the cellar next door. Again a single bullet wound in the head. But this time the body is fresh. Hedley Sharpe doesn’t believe in coincidence. The two murders must be linked. Then he uncovers a connection to young mother Chloe Todd — and the case takes an extraordinary twist. Hedley’s investigations will unearth a series of dark secrets. Secrets that reach back into his own troubled past.

My Opinion

This is the first book in a new series and my first book by Helen H. Durrant. I listened to this book as an audiobook in two short sittings. Helen has written an interesting book with a fast plot – this was a quick, gripping read.

Rating 4/5

[Cidney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hedley Sharpe is leading the investigation into not 1 but 2 dead bodies in a cellar, one of them is a very bad man who stole a lot of diamonds but obviously did not get to enjoy them. His partner in crime, a control freak, has just married Chloe and her baby was found dead in her pram just a few weeks old. Or was she? Then her husband Todd forgot his first name now, had moved them into the house of the dead jewellery robber and sends the message he is running the business now. Was it Simon? No matter, I didn't like him anyway! He does not tell Chloe about his work or where he is but spends all his time belittling her. Chloe seems a poor forlorn young girl, but all is not as it seems.

I really liked this book just didn't like Sharpe's bit mindless subordinate whose name thankfully escapes me, he has clearly fallen for the charms of young Chloe who seems able to turn on the waterworks and "oh look at poor me" pouting attitude, that man shouldn't be a police officer if he falls for this stuff. The plot moves along fairly quickly and Hedley wasn't too bad a bloke, at least he can spot a lying dud one a mile off!

[Colleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simon and Chloe have just moved into a new home. Simon leaves for work leaving strict orders not to unpack anything without his permission. Chloe finds her backbone and opens a box that has baby clothes in it from the baby she lost after being stillborn. She stakes the pram out to the back and lifts the blanket and starts screaming her baby is missing. The police are called to investigate.

Hedley Sharpe is called to a murder scene. A body is found with a single shot to the head. They believe the victim has been dead for about a year.

A second body is found with a single bullet wound to the head, but it appears to be more recent.

Hedley Sharpe believes the two bodies are connected but can't figure out how Chloe is involved.

This was a fast-moving story. I have always enjoyed books by Helen H Durrant, but this one leaves me a little cold. Hedley isn't as interesting as some of the other characters in other series.

I received an ARC from NetGalley for an unbiased review.