Dancers in the Wind by Anne Coates

Feb 16, 2017 Miriam Smith rated it it was amazing

Shelves: urbane

"Dancers In The Wind" written by Anne Coates is a brilliant British crime thriller that I found utterly absorbing.
Anne has a fabulous way of drawing you into the book and not letting you go, her hooks were well and truly caught on me!
Set in 1993 and London's seedy world of prostitution, prostitutes are going missing and being found brutally murdered. I couldn't help having sympathy with the sex workers even though they didn't want to be labelled victims and my motherly concern for 'Princess'/C ...more

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Mar 26, 2017 Linda Strong rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: netgalley-2017, read-in-2017

Hannah Weybridge is a single mom and a freelance journalist. On commission to write an article concerning the seamier side of town, she meets a very young prostitute, Princess. She also meets DI Tom Jordan, who is investigating the brutal beating deaths of three sex workers whose bodies were discovered days or weeks after they went missing.

There's an attraction between Hannah and Jordan, but her compassion is all for Princess, especially as she hers her background. Princess is one of those peopl ...more

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Oct 11, 2016 Christine rated it it was amazing

I have a very soft spot for crime dramas set in our recent past. Dancers in the Wind brings the world of 1990s Kings Cross prostitution and corruption to the forefront. I read it over the course of a morning and was totally and utterly gripped!

It is the story of a journalist seeking answers in a corrupt and dangerous environment. Hannah is a freelance journalist, who is pretty desperate for work. She finds herself covering a story featuring Princess, a young working girl in King’s Cross. At the I have a very soft spot for crime dramas set in our recent past. Dancers in the Wind brings the world of 1990s Kings Cross prostitution and corruption to the forefront. I read it over the course of a morning and was totally and utterly gripped!

It is the story of a journalist seeking answers in a corrupt and dangerous environment. Hannah is a freelance journalist, who is pretty desperate for work. She finds herself covering a story featuring Princess, a young working girl in King’s Cross. At the same time, prostitutes in Kings Cross are being murdered. There is a media blackout regarding the deaths. Tom Jordan is the new police inspector in the vice squad, that Hannah connects with and interviews for her story. Jordan is being tough on crime, trying to clean up a seedy area of the city and reduce the level of prostitution. When Princess finds herself in danger, she contacts Hannah again and this sets off a chain of events. Who would want to kill Princess? How far up does the corruption go? Is Tom Jordan to be trusted? Has helping Princess put Hannah in danger?

Anne Coates captures the spirit of the 1990s brilliantly. I was instantly catapulted back there, into the days before we became glued to our mobile phones. The setting is the dark, sad world of street prostitution. If anything I was reminded slightly of Lynda La Plante’s gritty Prime Suspect, set in the same time frame. This is something very alluring about dark subject matter covered this competently. I could believe in it all.

We have two strong protagonists in Hannah and Princess. A woman fighting to survive as a journalist and mother, in a tough world, in Hannah. Princess is the product of neglect and multiple sexual abuse, by those who should have cared for her. We see the contrast between the love and stability Hannah gives her child and the sad desperate upbringing of Princess.

This is the kind of book that can easily be read in one sitting. This does not detract from the seriousness and brutality, at times, of the subject matter. Coates gives us humanity and depth, in the back story of Princess. Princess is by no means a caricature; but a girl who has been through some horrific moments in life and survived. I truly hope that we get to catch up with Hannah again. Recommended. ...more

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Jul 15, 2017 Lynn Mccarthy rated it it was amazing

Shelves: reviewed-for-netgalley

Freelance journalist Hannah Weybridge is working on a feature to coincide with the release of a television documentary featuring young prostitute, Princess and new copper on block, DI Tom Jordan.
Set in 1993 and London's seedy world of prostitution, prostitutes are going missing and being found brutally murdered.
On her doorstep Hannah finds the badly beaten body of Princess, she’s barely alive. Against her better judgement Hannah gives the girl shelter and cleans her up. But what has Princess bro ...more

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Oct 05, 2016 Jen rated it really liked it

Detective Inspector Tom Jordan has a mission – to clean up the streets around Kings Cross, dealing with the prostitutes, vagrants, users and dealers one at a time. As successful as his undercover patrol teams had been, someone else seems to be helping a few of the prostitutes on their way by less natural means. Three women murdered in different and yet no less brutal ways. With a current media blackout in place, Jordan is looking for the one piece of evidence which could give him an insight into Detective Inspector Tom Jordan has a mission – to clean up the streets around Kings Cross, dealing with the prostitutes, vagrants, users and dealers one at a time. As successful as his undercover patrol teams had been, someone else seems to be helping a few of the prostitutes on their way by less natural means. Three women murdered in different and yet no less brutal ways. With a current media blackout in place, Jordan is looking for the one piece of evidence which could give him an insight into who is perpetrating these crimes, before any more young women fall prey to this vicious killer.

Hannah Weybridge is a freelance journalist, contacted by a national paper to write an article on prostitution around Kings Cross to run alongside a TV documentary about to be broadcast. As part of her article, she is introduced to young prostitute Princess, a girl whose tragic story is so typical of many women on the streets. Tough and yet frank talking, Princess gets under Hannah’s skin a little, making her determined to try and paint a more sympathetic picture of a girl whose life could have been so different if someone had only cared enough to help her. And the other side of her article - making the case for the police who are tackling the sin on the streets – is none other than the enigmatic DI Jordan.

When Princess turns up on Hannah’s doorstep, badly beaten and close to death, Hannah is drawn into a dark and violent world which she has no place being in. Because Princess has a secret, one she is too scared to share with Hannah or the police, especially Tom Jordan. Much smarter and more observant than people give her credit for, Princess has been keeping journals, and something within them may be just the clue that Jordan needs to find a killer.

Torn between helping Princess and keeping herself and her baby daughter safe, Hannah is uncertain where to turn. Princess is adamant that the police are not involved, fearing corruption on the inside. When Jordan contacts Hannah to see if she has heard from Princess who has been missing from the streets for days, she begins to wonder whether his involvement with the prostitutes is as altruistic as he would have her believe. Just why is he so keen to find Princess? And, as Princess disappears again and potential witnesses start to turn up dead, just how much danger is Hannah really in?

‘Dancers In The Wind’ is a great debut thriller from author Anne Coates. Taking the point of view of journalist Hannah rather than particularly from the police perspective it gives the story a different slant. Hannah is somewhere between a journalist, keen to expose the true story no matter what, and a mother, wanting to protect her daughter Elizabeth and yet feeling maternally towards Princess, knowing how easily her life could have been changed by a little love and care.

The premise of the story is not entirely new – prostitutes being murdered is sadly something all too believable, particularly in the time period this story is set, the early 1990’s. But the where, how and why is a little different. I won’t go into it too much here, but needless to say the people involved have a lot to lose. In some respects, this is an angle of the story I would have liked to have seen explored further, but it is perhaps good that it wasn’t. The nature of the deaths and Princess’s attack were particularly grizzly and too much detail would have spoilt the narrative. This book already has a few elements which are unsavoury, childhood abuse and neglect for one, but none are dealt with gratuitously.

The characters of Hannah and DI Jordan were both very well rounded. Hannah in particular was a very likeable character and I’m glad to see she is the focus of this series as her natural tendency to protect those around her is endearing, and yet her journalistic instincts push her to want to find the truth, no matter how dangerous it may be. She is not a natural investigative journalist, this comes across in the way Coates builds her character, but she is an idealistic one and her struggle between doing what is right and what is safe is written beautifully. As for Jordan, I wasn’t quite sure what to make of him. I kind of liked him, but I kind of didn’t trust him fully either. He was clearly intent on finding the truth, had a clear, if somewhat domineering attraction to Hannah, and yet was hiding something, holding back. Just what his level of involvement was in the crimes is not revealed until the end, and Coates does a great job of creating just enough doubt to keep you guessing to the end.

The story relies a lot on the relationship between Hannah and Princess as opposed to the police investigation, a relationship which is more of tolerance than trust. Princess is never truly open and honest with Hannah and Hannah has her own reasons for holding back from trusting Princess. And when Hannah’s private world and Princess collide, it leads to a whole new element of doubt and danger for Hannah. And it is perhaps this part which I would have liked to have seen explored further. The ending, whilst still keeping you on edge wondering how Hannah will get out of it, did seem a little too easy.

That said, I still thoroughly enjoyed the story. It was a pacey read, many of the chapters quite short to drive the story onwards. The plot was intriguing and the author drew me right in and kept me engaged with a good strong narrative. The setting, the seedier side of London, pre euro tunnel and pre mass mobile phone, worked well and I think with Hannah we have a character who has a lot of scope for future novels. I can’t wait to read the next one.

A very satisfied 4 stars.

My thanks to NetGalley and publishers Urbane Publications for the copy of ‘Dancers In The Wind’ by Anne Coates in exchange for my review. ...more

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Oct 01, 2016 Emma rated it really liked it

This is a very enjoyable novel which I devoured in the space of 24 hours. No scrap that, it was more like 7 hours which for me, is super speed reading. I couldn’t put it down. Once I became immersed in Hannah and Caroline’s tale, I was hooked! Before starting this book I wasn’t sure what to expect. The cover suggested murder and violence but the title…didn’t! I now know why the book is called Dancers in the Wind and I feel a little silly. It all fits perfectly!

Freelance journalist Hannah Weybrid This is a very enjoyable novel which I devoured in the space of 24 hours. No scrap that, it was more like 7 hours which for me, is super speed reading. I couldn’t put it down. Once I became immersed in Hannah and Caroline’s tale, I was hooked! Before starting this book I wasn’t sure what to expect. The cover suggested murder and violence but the title…didn’t! I now know why the book is called Dancers in the Wind and I feel a little silly. It all fits perfectly!

Freelance journalist Hannah Weybridge is working on a feature to coincide with the release of a television documentary featuring young prostitute, Princess and new copper on block, DI Tom Jordan. The interview with Princess opens Hannah’s eyes and she hears things about life on the streets that she would prefer not to. With DI Jordan it’s clear to see the sparks fly but Hannah is far too professional to make anything of it. And DI Jordan has enough on his plate trying to solve the murder of a local prostitute. When the body of a second girl is found Tom is suddenly aware that the first murder was not the work of an overly frisky punter but something much more sinister.

Hannah meanwhile is getting on with her life, having forgotten all about the prostitute and the cop; she has a six month old daughter to care for and being a single mum she needs the phone to ring with more work. But instead of the phone ringing, the doorbell rings late one night. On her doorstep Hannah finds the badly beaten body of Princess, she’s barely alive. Against her better judgement Hannah gives the girl shelter and cleans her up. But what has Princess brought to Hannah’s door? Are Hannah and her baby daughter safe? And will those responsible be held to account for their actions, or are they beyond the reach of the law…?

One of the things that stood out for me in this book is the fact that the main protagonist is a journalist rather than a detective or PI. She’s not really an investigative reporter either, she’s just a normal mum trying to do the best for her baby daughter. That appealed to me and I found it refreshing (surely I’m not growing tired of my grumpy, addiction riddled cops…am I?). Granted, DI Tom Jordan does feature quite heavily but he is by no means the star of the show. This story belongs to Hannah and Princess (AKA Caroline).

It’s a gritty read and in some places quite shocking. My attention was held from the opening chapters to the very end. Once I’d finished the book I felt quite bereft and wanted more (there is a sequel on the way – no pressure, Anne Coates!).

This is another read where you suspect pretty much every character at one point or another. I always enjoy books which use that formula as I’m always keen to hone my detective skills.

Would I recommend this book? I most certainly would. Brilliant characters with heaps of mystery to keep you guessing. A thoroughly enjoyable and absorbing read.

Four and a half stars out of five.

Many thanks to Liz Barnsley, Urbane Publications, NetGalley and Anne Coates for providing me with a copy of Dancers in the Wind in exchange for honest review. ...more

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Aug 30, 2016 Dawn rated it liked it

This is a dark suspense, not quite a thriller, but an oddly quick read with so many chapters. This is about an author who writes freelance doing a human interest piece about prostitutes, one in particular who has had a terrible life who seems to have had everything stacked against her. Even as she is doing this piece she can see those around her using her. The author, Hannah, has just had a child of her own and she feels compassion for this girl.

At the same time someone is killing prostitutes a ...more

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Mar 16, 2017 Love rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Anne Coates ‘Dancers in the Wind’ is one of those books that is quite difficult to categorise. Yes, there is a cop and yes, there is a murder enquiry but it is not your run of the mill crime thriller. Neither is it your average investigative mystery despite the freelance journalist and tabloid hacks.
It is, in fact, a cleverly written, nicely paced and utterly believable story. Set in London in the recent past, there is a familiarity to the setting; that sense of place almost a character in its o ...more

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Oct 21, 2016 Sue Gale rated it it was amazing

A book you will not want to put down I was glued to the pages from first word until the last;a tale told from an unusual angle it pulls you into the essence of it as you live the events unfolding in front of your eyes.

The characters are sympathetically drawn and we care about what is happening to them which is to me the sign of a good Author.The many and varied strands of the narrative are all followed until they reach their conclusions and we are left with no unanswered questions.

I look forward ...more

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May 13, 2017 Clair rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2017-reads

Set in the early 1990’s (lots of conversations on landlines rather than mobiles and photocopying rather than email!) Dancers in the Wind introduces us to Hannah Weybridge; a journalist who has recently returned to working for The News on a freelance basis following the birth of her daughter. One of her first freelance assignments is an interview with a prostitute who touts for business around Kings Cross. Hannah’s interview is to coincide with a documentary that Princess will also feature in.

Tom ...more

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Mar 08, 2017 Abby Slater- Fairbrother rated it it was amazing

This novel opens in the 1990’s with freelance journalist Hannah Weybridge, wring a piece to accompany a documentary on the red light district at Kings Cross Station in central London. The novel has a heavy theme of vice and the women involved suffering. Anne Coates met with and interviewed sex workers in the research for her novel and it shows in her writing. Not only did she portray them accurately without stereotypes, she also clearly listened to them when they spoke of their lives. Journalist This novel opens in the 1990’s with freelance journalist Hannah Weybridge, wring a piece to accompany a documentary on the red light district at Kings Cross Station in central London. The novel has a heavy theme of vice and the women involved suffering. Anne Coates met with and interviewed sex workers in the research for her novel and it shows in her writing. Not only did she portray them accurately without stereotypes, she also clearly listened to them when they spoke of their lives. Journalist Hannah is a strong independent savvy single mother, one whom I instantly loved! She is well written and works brilliantly as the series lead character.
As the story develops we meet Police inspector Tom Jordan, who having recently taken over the Kings Cross patch to police is feeling the strain. We also meet Mike Laurel an opinionated photographer working for the tabloids. Finally, we meet the character of Princess an experienced working girl at just 19 years of age. However, there seems more to Princess than meets the eye and Hannah can clearly sense her vulnerability.
Princess is later violently attacked and through a twist of events, finds herself at Hannah’s door in the early hours of the morning, having taken a severe beating & been left for dead.
Hannah whilst remaining the clever, cut throat and untrusting journalist I absolutely love. Has a moral compass and a heart of good and agrees to take her in and get her some medical help.
A mother/daughter relationship develops between the two and we start to see Princes in a new light, we see her through Hannah’s eyes. Slowly but surely Hannah gains Princesses trust and we learn her story. It becomes evident that there are two sides to her, Princess the streetwise sex worker whom navigates the world of vice, knowing that casual sex & violence go hand in hand. Also Caroline the abused, brutalised, exploited victim, who after a childhood marred by rape, drug use and poor parenting never stood a chance and became Princess as a sense of survival.
The book gives in-depth scenes of life on London’s streets. The derelict buildings where the trade is plied, the various characters who frequent the streets hookers, pimps and punters! Caroline carries the physical scars of the life on her body and the emotional ones on her soul. She is extremely well written and you really hope she finds some way to pull herself out and form the family she both desperately needs and wants.
When the bodies of murdered prostitutes begin to turn up. It’s clear someone is stalking and killing the working girls of kings Cross. Fearing for Caroline’s safety and seeing the media blackout, Hannah becomes investigating journalist to help catch the killer. Hannah begins by interviewing those surrounded by Caroline while keeping Caroline hidden at her house. She meets the winos, dealers, prostitutes, project workers and pimps to no avail. With sometime away from the streets Princess quickly evolves back to Caroline and we see the pure vulnerability confined within her. There is a reflective chapter which details how she became how she is. It is an intense piece of writing and incredibly moving.
How do you solve a murder when your only allies are a hooker and a copper, you don’t trust?
Feeling torn between the two and desperate for answers Hannah must find a way!
...more

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Apr 16, 2017 Jo rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 2017

Dancers in the Wind is a highly innovative and compelling novel from Anne Coats. This book is a mixture of crime thriller slash investigative journalism, with even a dash of romance, that is both gritty and realistic. I loved it.

The novel is set in 1993, and we firstly meet Hannah Weybridge, a freelance journalist and single mother to a young baby, as she is on her way to Kings Cross to interview Princess, a young prostitute, for a national magazine. While interviewing her, she begins to learn o Dancers in the Wind is a highly innovative and compelling novel from Anne Coats. This book is a mixture of crime thriller slash investigative journalism, with even a dash of romance, that is both gritty and realistic. I loved it.

The novel is set in 1993, and we firstly meet Hannah Weybridge, a freelance journalist and single mother to a young baby, as she is on her way to Kings Cross to interview Princess, a young prostitute, for a national magazine. While interviewing her, she begins to learn of what reality is really like for Princess and for the other women working on the street, and has her eyes well a truly opened. Something changes within Hannah, and her life is soon to be entwined with Princess's and the seedier side of life on the London streets.

Hannah is an incredibly likeable character. She is a mother, and I instantly warned to this nurturing side of her nature. Her maternal instinct most definitely kicked in when she met Princess. However, she also has a steely side, a perceptiveness about her and a determination to find the truth, no matter the cost, in her quest to find out who is responsible for the recent murders of several prostitutes within the Kings Cross area.

Princess for me was the most interesting character, barely a woman, her life had been ruined from a very young age. The way in which her descriptions of life on the street were described to me as a reader, were very well written, they appeared very much as fact, and it was apparent to me that the author had done much research upon the subject.

What completely gripped me and made me gasp for breath, was when Princess is brutally attacked and left for dead by one of her punters. In her hour of need she turns to Hannah, literally turning up on her doorstep in the middle of the night, bloodied and broken. The description of Princess in this state, and of how Hannah cares for her, had me in tears.

We also meet DI Tom Jordan, a police Inspector for the vice squad. He is interviewed by Hannah with regards to his role in the vice squad for her article, but just as Princess becomes part of her life, so does Tom. Here is a man who is handsome but guarded. He seems genuine, in how he treats Hannah and in what he says about keeping the prostitutes safe on the street, but can Hannah trust him? This is the big question in this book, issues of trust when linked to authority. While reading I very quickly made my mind up about him, although I was kept in the dark until the very end. What I also loved was the chemistry between them on the page. For me, they made the perfect couple.

This book is not an easy read, but then it is not meant to be, it is a book about raising awareness of these vulnerable women, that they are someone's daughter, someone's mother. They are humanised, they are made to count, their lives matter. This is a crime thriller, but one that asks many questions about how these vulnerable women are treated by society and those who are in a position of power to protect them.

I highly recommend Dancers in the Wind, it is a deeply moving book, and I am very much looking forward to book two in the series which is to be published soon. ...more

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Sep 22, 2016 Cindy rated it really liked it

Recommends it for: crime mystery thriller

Shelves: free-for-review

Where do you run if you don’t know who you’re running from?

*Thank you to Urbane Publications for a free copy of this book in return for my honest review*

This is the kind of book that I really wished I could have switched off all my responsibilities and then just read, read and read from cover to cover! I do love a good whodunnit!

Firstly, we meet the tight-lipped Detective Inspector Tom Jordan and he is not having a very good day. Another dead body has been found. Another prostitute.

Then we meet ...more

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Oct 01, 2016 Tracey Walsh rated it it was amazing

Challenges preconceptions you never even knew you were nurturing.

"Freelance journalist and single mother Hannah Weybridge is commissioned by a national newspaper to write an investigative article on the notorious red light district in Kings Cross. There she meets prostitute Princess, and police inspector in the vice squad, Tom Jordan. When Princess later arrives on her doorstep beaten up so badly she is barely recognisable, Hannah has to make some tough decisions and is drawn ever deeper into th ...more

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May 03, 2017 Sarah rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Hannah Weybridge is a journalist and a single mother who is trying to get her writing career off the ground. She isn’t having much luck in getting her work published and is having to rely on what her journalism work brings in. Through her job she gets to meet Princess/Caroline who then turns up unannounced at Hannah’s house putting them all at risk.

Princess, being a prostitute, has lead quite a dark and disturbing life for one so young. She is only nineteen but having been what she has been thro ...more

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Aug 28, 2016 Maranda rated it it was amazing

Shelves: netgalley

Cops, Journalists, Prostitutes, and Evil residing in high places. Coates delves into the life of a single mom doing free-lance journalism. A cop that seems to care but has a hidden vibe projected. A prostitute with a unfortunate past finds herself in a close to death encounter. Bleeding, clutching her simple pink bag Princess collapses on the porch step of Hannah who had interviewed her for a magazine article. Tom our police detective is working to put the pieces together to solve deaths of thre ...more

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Sep 28, 2016 Annette rated it it was amazing

This book captured my imagination right from the first chapter. Hannah a freelance journalist and new mum to Elizabeth has her life turned upside down after interviewing a young prostitute who later turns up on her door step near to death after being brutally beaten. Princess the name the prostitute uses for her clients is terrified that Hannah will call the police and have her taken to hospital. Hanna is so afraid for the girls life that she calls a doctor friend for help and he manages to patc ...more

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Oct 25, 2016 Alison Gray rated it really liked it

Hannah – a single mother and journalist – has an exclusive interview with a prostitute called Princess. At the same time, local DI Tom Jordan is investigating the murder of two prostitutes. Then Princess turns up on Hannah’s doorstep seriously injured. What does Hannah do? Hannah treads a path balancing her needs, the needs of her baby and the needs of Princess. The local DI is attractive and Hannah feels herself lean towards him. However, after her interview with Princess she is aware that all ...more

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Sep 09, 2016 Monica Craig rated it it was amazing

Let me just start with omg! I honestly read this in one day I could not put the book down!

It starts with Hannah a journalist and single parent to a little baby girl who takes up a job interviewing about the underworld of prostitution. She meets a prostitute and although the young girls attitude disgusts her she feels sorry for her and how rough her upbringing had been.

Once the interview is over she carries on with her life until one night the girl shows up at her door near death.... The twists a ...more

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Oct 02, 2016 Martha Brindley rated it really liked it

This book is full of suspense and is well written. Hannah, the lead character, is a single mum and a free lance journalist working on interviewing a prostitute. It is quite harrowing to read at times but I would recommend this book. It will challenge your preconceptions of journalists, prostitutes and the police. Many thanks to Net Galley, I enjoyed the read.

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Sep 04, 2019 Zoé-lee O'farrell rated it it was amazing

Shelves: read-in-2019

I was not sure what I was going to get when I picked this book up, I was not expecting short snappy chapters that kept me hooked throughout the book nor was I expecting to have read over half the book in one sitting. I feel like this book blew me away in such an unexpected way.

I never quite knew who was good, who was bad and who was in the middle. I was kept completely on my toes which is something I find so thrilling. The answers were so obvious and in your face when you look back but with Coat I was not sure what I was going to get when I picked this book up, I was not expecting short snappy chapters that kept me hooked throughout the book nor was I expecting to have read over half the book in one sitting. I feel like this book blew me away in such an unexpected way.

I never quite knew who was good, who was bad and who was in the middle. I was kept completely on my toes which is something I find so thrilling. The answers were so obvious and in your face when you look back but with Coates writing, she deflects the obvious and leads you down another train of thought instead. I suspected everyone, I mean who gained from killings.

I grew to love Caroline aka Princess, she is such a naive little girl, living completely in the wrong world. Hannah tries to take her under her wing, but she struggles as she does not want to tarnish her baby girl in this dark seedy world. And where the hell does the handsome DI Tom Jordan fit into it all, especially when his missing ring turns up in the hands in the last person you expect it too.

I found this a thrilling ride, taken into a dark world with the pimps, trade and the ladies of the night and contrasting this to Hannah’s home life of an innocent gorgeous baby girl, shielding her in every way you can imagine, especially when it is a life or death situation. The relationship between Hannah and Princess takes the centre stage, both keeping secrets from each other but both wanting to trust the other, it was bittersweet.

There was one thread of the storyline I did not expect to happen and I found that I got a bit choked up. I did not foresee this event happening, and I think that even though it makes complete sense for it to happen, I am angry that it was allowed to happen. That the actions of people all around lead this to a heartbreaking and catastrophic showdown.

The scary thing with this story, it shows you how far corruption can run up the ladder, corrupt cops, politicians, well-respected men in power…corrupt doesn’t that ring true! How far the cover-ups go, how to quiet the press, how to intimidate everyone into keeping quiet.

Coates has written such a dark, gritty, brutal British thriller. It is absorbing tale of the underworld, one that rings oh so true in this day. You find yourself caring about the characters, shouting at the book and questioning the motive of everyone you are surrounded by. The characters are realistic and fleshed out and the story spans over a couple of months, throwing in extra punches to how everything escalates so quickly.

I loved this book so much I have already got the second book burning a hole on my Kindle. This is one that should be on everyone’s to-read list because there is a book that should not be missed. ...more

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Oct 02, 2016 Stephanie rated it really liked it

I was slightly dubious when starting Dancers in the Wind. The last few books I had read had all been at times difficult to read. But even though the storyline concerning prostitutes was gritty it was a quick and easy read.
Hannah is shocked when Princess turns up at her home in a life threatening condition. After providing medical assistance she reluctantly gives her a home, despite reservations. She has a young daughter and is worried about being in danger. But she agrees that she can stay and s ...more

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Apr 21, 2017 Gina Kirkham rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Dancers in the Wind is the perfect crime thriller. Set in London’s King’s Cross in the early 90's it grips you from the very first pages with the the murder of a local prostitute. This is not a solitary act but the latest in a series of gruesome killings.
The story follows Hannah Weybridge, a freelance journalist who is drawn into the subsequent police investigation after writing a feature on the areas red light district. She is sucked into a life that is poles apart from her own and in the proc ...more

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Oct 19, 2016 Allyson rated it really liked it

Shelves: arc-and-first-reads

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book.

I liked this book. I wasn't sure when I started it, what I thought about the main characters, Hannah, Princess and Tom, and at the end I had finally decided that I liked them all, either way, I was spell bound and kept reading. I sympathized with Princess, how many young girls find themselves in the same place every day, her hard edges were just the way she was, the way she had to be. Hannah, against her own better judgement tried to do w ...more

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Dec 15, 2017 mark rated it it was amazing

'Character revealed under pressure'

“Dancers in the Wind” is a page-turner if ever there was one. Written in an effortlessly readable style, combining great clarity and economy of language with a pitch-perfect ear for dialogue and feel for characterisation; as well as an utterly convincing depiction of 1990s London; in particular the area around Kings Cross, before it was ‘regenerated’.

Hannah Weybridge is a journalist and single mum, with a career somewhat in the doldrums, trying to do her best b 'Character revealed under pressure'

“Dancers in the Wind” is a page-turner if ever there was one. Written in an effortlessly readable style, combining great clarity and economy of language with a pitch-perfect ear for dialogue and feel for characterisation; as well as an utterly convincing depiction of 1990s London; in particular the area around Kings Cross, before it was ‘regenerated’.

Hannah Weybridge is a journalist and single mum, with a career somewhat in the doldrums, trying to do her best by her infant daughter. As the result of a feature article she is assigned, she finds herself unwittingly pulled into a dark and dangerous world of prostitution, pimps, potentially bent policemen, and something far worse – a shadowy and murderous elite group of sexual deviants, who believe they can kill prostitutes with impunity.

But exactly how far up the pyramid of power does this nefarious group extend, and is Inspector Tom Jordan, investigating a growing tally of murdered women, really on the side of justice and truth? Should Hannah trust him, or is her growing attraction to him clouding her judgement?

Into Hannah’s largely regulated life lands Princess (a.k.a. Caroline), a young prostitute who has been badly beaten, and is in search of sanctuary. But exactly who is she running from? Hannah reluctantly takes her in, thereby putting both her own safety, and that of her daughter, at risk.

Some really masterful plotting in this novel keeps you on tenterhooks pretty much all the way through, and in the last third of the book the tension is mercilessly ratcheted up for both Hannah and the reader. I did not want to read this book as quickly as I did, as generally, the more I enjoy a book the more I eke it out – but you are simply compelled to find out what will happen next, and holding off is not an option. There is a scene, near the very end, that will have you silently (or not) screaming: “No – this can’t be happening!”

Anne Coates clearly knows what she is doing as a thriller writer. She is very skillful indeed at drawing the reader in and not letting them go. Hannah, Princess, and Tom, are all vividly drawn characters: nuanced, often wrestling with internal contradictions, as most of us humans tend to. The minor characters of the novel are deftly conveyed, as individuals, yet are also recognisable as types – certainly, none are ciphers.

Seeing that Anne Coates is also a journalist, everything about Hannah’s day-to-day life as a freelance has the ring of truth. The world of prostitution is explored in depth, and from many angles. The exploration is neither condemnatory nor facile, rather it allows the reader to consider the moral complexity, and appreciate the inherent dangers, of such an occupation.

We accompany Hannah on her journey into a demi-monde few of us know much about first-hand, and as more and more pressure is placed on Hannah, to do the right thing (if that may even be discerned), to be braver than she thought she could ever be, her essential character is revealed under that very pressure. This makes for an exhilarating and emotionally-involving reading experience. The same may also be said of Princess’s journey within the novel, although we see less of this from her direct perspective.

Perfectly paced, instantly engaging, and with central characters that you truly care about, and relate to, “Dancers in the Wind” is surely the ideal read for lovers of thrillers and crime fiction, who also happen to be fans of high-quality writing. ...more

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Sep 06, 2019 Jacob Collins rated it really liked it

I came to the Hannah Weybridge series a little late when I read the third novel in the series, Songs of Innocence last year. I really wish I’d started from the beginning, so I’m glad that I’ve now had the chance to go back to the start with Dancers in the Wind.

Set in the early 1990s, in Anne Coates’ first novel, the police are trying to track down a brutal killer who has so far murdered three prostitutes in the Kings Cross area. At the same time, freelance journalist, Hannah Weybridge is asked t I came to the Hannah Weybridge series a little late when I read the third novel in the series, Songs of Innocence last year. I really wish I’d started from the beginning, so I’m glad that I’ve now had the chance to go back to the start with Dancers in the Wind.

Set in the early 1990s, in Anne Coates’ first novel, the police are trying to track down a brutal killer who has so far murdered three prostitutes in the Kings Cross area. At the same time, freelance journalist, Hannah Weybridge is asked to write an article on prostitution in the area, and she partially becomes involved in the investigation. As part of her research, Hannah speaks to a young woman who goes by the name of Princess. But as Hannah continues to pursue her research, she becomes unwittingly pulled into a dark and dangerous world. Soon she can’t predict if she’ll survive.

There is an edgy feeling to the plot, and Anne Coates has created a sinister atmosphere as Hannah is pulled further and further into this dangerous world. When Hannah first meets Detective Inspector Tom Jordan, who is leading the investigation into the killings, I wasn’t sure if I should trust him. I did feel scared for Hannah as she appeared to grow closer to him, and I began to wonder just how this was going to end for them both.

One of the most intriguing aspects of the plot was Hannah’s relationship with Princess in the wake of their interview. A short while after they first speak to each other, Princess turns up on Hannah’s doorstep after being severely beaten and pleads with Hannah for help. Of course, Hannah is completely unsure of what to do, and at first, she is reluctant to help Princess, fearing for her and her daughter’s safety. At this moment, I wanted to know what it was that Princess had got herself mixed up in and who she was so scared of. Would this have any implications for Hannah and her daughter?

We don’t hear a lot about the police investigation, only when Hannah is in the company of Tom Jordan, but I liked the feel this gave the book. Hannah is in the realms of the unknown here. This is a far more terrifying prospect for her as she doesn’t fully understand what she is dealing with. If she had been working for the police, she would know what leads they were following and if they would have anyone in the frame for the murders.

Dancers in the Wind is a strong debut by Anne Coates. The short chapters made it a pacey read, and there was always that hook that kept me reading on. The storyline is engaging, and it leads to a satisfactory ending with perhaps room for further exploration in the future. I will be making sure I read the second book in the series soon. ...more

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Sep 12, 2019 Laura rated it really liked it

Book reviews on www.snazzybooks.com

Dancers in the Wind is a gripping, surprising and, at times, shocking crime novel. Set in London, it sets itself apart from many other new releases as it's set in the early 1990s. There are so many elements to a present-day crime novel that I realise I've got used to and sometimes don't even notice - new tecnology, advances in DNA testing and other scientific developments, even the different attitudes towards certain groups of people by the general public. I r Book reviews on www.snazzybooks.com

Dancers in the Wind is a gripping, surprising and, at times, shocking crime novel. Set in London, it sets itself apart from many other new releases as it's set in the early 1990s. There are so many elements to a present-day crime novel that I realise I've got used to and sometimes don't even notice - new tecnology, advances in DNA testing and other scientific developments, even the different attitudes towards certain groups of people by the general public. I really liked that this novel offered that change which sets it apart from the rest.

Dancers in the Wind features some great characters. Journalist Hannah is immensely likable, and I found myself rooting for her throughout; she wants above all to keep her baby daughter Elizabeth safe, but always struggles to resist the pull of a story - both for the investigative quality and also the payment! She is a single mother AND a journalist, after all. Plus it makes a nice change to have the detective (in this case, we mainly see the investigation from the perspective of DI Tom Jordan) play a supporting part, with the main protagonist someone outside of the police force - it adds a different element to the novel. Caroline is another great character. A prostitute who works the street of King's Cross, she can be manipulative and fickle at times, but I felt really sorry for her for a lot of the story as her tough life pulls on the heartstrings.

The storyline is really shocking at times, and some parts provoked strong feelings in me, and a range of emotions at that - ranging from sadness and shock to disgust and anger. There are some truly horrible characters and many more who are questionable in whether they knew what was going on, blurring the lines between good and bad. Other characters seem to be likable, but Anne Coates manages to inject an element of uncertainty into many of them, so that as the reader we're unsure who can really be trusted... even the police! This made the book even more interesting.

I'd definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a crime read that's a little different - and one which takes the reader back to the days before mobile phones, social media and the cutting edge crime-scene technology that we rely on today! I hugely enjoyed it and can't wait for book 2.

Many thanks to Urbane Books and Love Books Tours for providing a copy of this book on which I chose to write an honest and unbiased review. ...more

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Sep 02, 2019 Jane Hunt rated it really liked it

Shelves: sept-19-blog, arc-read-and-reviewed

A fast-paced police procedural, with a twist.

Journalist, Hannah Weybridge, is also a single mum, freelance now, she works mainly for magazines, but work is hard to find, when you not in the centre of things. The chance to write a news article is too good to pass up, even if it means leaving the world of free make-up samples and glamour behind.

Tom Jordan is the Senior Investigating Officer(SIO) in a murder investigation. The victims are all young street workers, and they are connected.

Princess, ...more

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Sep 07, 2019 Ashleyjayne rated it it was amazing

I really enjoyed Dancers In the wing by Anne Coates, which I found surprising considering its very rare I read thrillers but I have to say I was pleasantly and happily shocked at how much I enjoyed this book. when I seen the blog tour and read the blurb I was instantly intrigued and wanted it and I'm so happy I got to read it.dancers in the wind is a British crime thriller that I was instantly drawn into, Anne Coates literally drew me in from the get go and didn't let go till the very end, she t ...more

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Sep 03, 2019 Jessica Belmont rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 5-star-reads-2019, tours-arcs, favorites-of-2019

Dancers in the Wind is a British crime thriller that grabbed me from the beginning and wouldn’t let me go until the very last word. It’s set in 1993, and London’s world of Dancers in the Wind is a British crime thriller that grabbed me from the beginning and wouldn’t let me go until the very last word.

It’s set in 1993, and London’s world of prostitution was vividly seen through Anne Coates words. Prostitutes going missing and winding up dead – a scary, but often realistic issue that is really a ...more

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