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DI Ridpath #11
What the Dark Whispers (DI Ridpath 11): A gripping crime thriller from the ebook bestseller
A web of lies. A confusion of secrets. A maze of murder.
In a quiet Manchester suburb, a man sets himself on fire in a petrol station. Nearby, a fourteen-year-old girl murders her mother in cold blood.
At the Coroner's Officer, Detective Inspector Ridpath is called in to investigate both of these baffling deaths. Is one a suicide and the other an unexplained murder? Or does something more sinister link the two seemingly unconnected tragedies? As Ridpath delves deeper, he must confront the darkness lurking in the most unexpected places, where even innocent facades can hide the darkest of truths. Can he prevent more deaths?
An unputdownable and suspenseful crime thriller from the bestselling author, perfect for fans of Mark Billingham and Trevor Wood.
2025 M J Lee (P) 2025 DK Audio
Dan Bottomley is a narrator that brings the story to life with his passionate and expressive voice. He has worked on over 40 audiobooks with his main categories being crime thrillers and children's fiction where he has worked on the much loved The Polar Bear Explorers' Club series by Alex Bell. When he is not narrating Dan is showing up on your gameplay in Baldur's Gate III and Original Sin II as voice actor.
M J Lee has worked as a university researcher in history, a social worker with Vietnamese refugees, and as the creative director of an advertising agency. He has spent 25 years of his life working outside the north of England, in London, Hong Kong, Taipei, Singapore, Bangkok and Shanghai.
In a quiet Manchester suburb, a man sets himself on fire in a petrol station. Nearby, a fourteen-year-old girl murders her mother in cold blood.
At the Coroner's Officer, Detective Inspector Ridpath is called in to investigate both of these baffling deaths. Is one a suicide and the other an unexplained murder? Or does something more sinister link the two seemingly unconnected tragedies? As Ridpath delves deeper, he must confront the darkness lurking in the most unexpected places, where even innocent facades can hide the darkest of truths. Can he prevent more deaths?
An unputdownable and suspenseful crime thriller from the bestselling author, perfect for fans of Mark Billingham and Trevor Wood.
2025 M J Lee (P) 2025 DK Audio
Dan Bottomley is a narrator that brings the story to life with his passionate and expressive voice. He has worked on over 40 audiobooks with his main categories being crime thrillers and children's fiction where he has worked on the much loved The Polar Bear Explorers' Club series by Alex Bell. When he is not narrating Dan is showing up on your gameplay in Baldur's Gate III and Original Sin II as voice actor.
M J Lee has worked as a university researcher in history, a social worker with Vietnamese refugees, and as the creative director of an advertising agency. He has spent 25 years of his life working outside the north of England, in London, Hong Kong, Taipei, Singapore, Bangkok and Shanghai.
Audible Audio
Published November 18, 2025
33 people are currently reading
38 people want to read
About the author
M.J. Lee
46 books447 followersMartin has spent most of his adult life writing in one form or another.
He has spent 25 years of his life working outside the North of England. In London, Hong Kong, Taipei, Singapore, Bangkok and Shanghai.
He writes three series; the Danilov books set in 1930s Shanghai. The genealogical mysteries of Jayne Sinclair and the contemporary crime cases of DI Ridpath set in Manchester.
When he's not writing, he splits his time between the UK and Asia, taking pleasure in playing with his daughter, practicing downhill ironing, single-handedly solving the problem of the French wine lake and wishing he were George Clooney.
He has spent 25 years of his life working outside the North of England. In London, Hong Kong, Taipei, Singapore, Bangkok and Shanghai.
He writes three series; the Danilov books set in 1930s Shanghai. The genealogical mysteries of Jayne Sinclair and the contemporary crime cases of DI Ridpath set in Manchester.
When he's not writing, he splits his time between the UK and Asia, taking pleasure in playing with his daughter, practicing downhill ironing, single-handedly solving the problem of the French wine lake and wishing he were George Clooney.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 18, 2025
Probably one of the best in the series. Loved every twist and turn that unfolded.
January 18, 2026
Again Ridpath doesn't disappoint. Excellent as always
February 22, 2026
Detective Inspector Ridpath, still working as the Coroner’s Officer, finds himself investigating a set of particularly puzzling deaths. Just why would a man set himself on fire in a petrol station and why would a fourteen-year-old girl kill her mother? When a link is made between these seemingly unconnected deaths, Ridpath must try to figure out what has made these people do what they have done while trying to stop others experiencing the same fate.
Book eleven in the Ridpath series and each one is as good as the last. While this could be read as a standalone, there are some elements of What the Dark Whispers that link back to previous books and could serve as a spoiler should you go back and read the rest of the series.
Ridpath has dealt with some disturbing cases over the cause of his career, but this may be one of the most disturbing yet. M J Lee has managed to link together a series of horrific crimes, creating a motive that really makes the reader think about justice and the reason people feel compelled to do what they do.
While Ridpath’s homelife isn’t as prevalent in What the Dark Whispers, we still see him struggling with his daughter and the aftermath of previous events, not realising how close she is is becoming to his current case. I liked how these plots linked together, creating incredibly tense moments.
This is still one of my favourite series and I look forward to book twelve!
Book eleven in the Ridpath series and each one is as good as the last. While this could be read as a standalone, there are some elements of What the Dark Whispers that link back to previous books and could serve as a spoiler should you go back and read the rest of the series.
Ridpath has dealt with some disturbing cases over the cause of his career, but this may be one of the most disturbing yet. M J Lee has managed to link together a series of horrific crimes, creating a motive that really makes the reader think about justice and the reason people feel compelled to do what they do.
While Ridpath’s homelife isn’t as prevalent in What the Dark Whispers, we still see him struggling with his daughter and the aftermath of previous events, not realising how close she is is becoming to his current case. I liked how these plots linked together, creating incredibly tense moments.
This is still one of my favourite series and I look forward to book twelve!
February 23, 2026
great book
I love this series of books. The story lines are always good and the characters have a reality that is easy to relate to.
I love this series of books. The story lines are always good and the characters have a reality that is easy to relate to.
January 24, 2026
Good read
Th8s was fast moving, with a high body count. A few tense moments along tye way. However, why does ever deceive have to have trauma? It makes me concerned for the real peelers.
Th8s was fast moving, with a high body count. A few tense moments along tye way. However, why does ever deceive have to have trauma? It makes me concerned for the real peelers.
July 28, 2025
What can I say. It was an absolutely brilliant read. I literally couldn’t put it down. I read this book in 2 days. These are my favourite series of books. M. J. Lee, as a unique talent for telling and relaying a story. I wish someone would turn these into a TV series. 5 stars from me. Can’t wait for Ridpath book 12.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews