What do you think?
Rate this book
DI Greco #2
Dark Houses
THE STUNNING NEW CRIME MYSTERY FEATURING D.I. GRECO BY BEST-SELLING AUTHOR HELEN H. DURRANT
A young woman is found brutally murdered in an empty house
Detective Stephen Greco and his team must piece together her life as quickly as possible. Within twenty-four hours there is another horrific murder using the same method. The detectives realise that the victims are random but the locations are not. The killer is more concerned with finding the right house - somewhere he won't be disturbed as he pursues his evil plan.
When a man walks into the station and confesses, it looks like the case is closed. But Greco's not convinced and soon he'll be fighting to save the woman who's most important to him in a stunningly tense and emotional conclusion.
If you like Angela Marsons, Rachel Abbott, Mel Sherratt, Ruth Rendell, or Mark Billingham you will be gripped by this exciting new crime fiction writer.
AVAILABLE NOW: DARK MURDER, book one featuring D.I. Greco A woman is found dead by a canal . . . why have her eyes have been viciously poked out? Detective Stephen Greco has just started a new job at Oldston CID and now he faces a series of murders with seemingly no connection but the brutal disfigurement of the victims.
AND DISCOVER THE MASSIVE BEST-SELLING CALLADINE & BAYLISS MYSTERY SERIES . . . 100,000 books sold!
DEAD WRONG, book one featuring Detectives Bayliss and Calladine is available now! A bag of severed fingers is found in the playground by a rough housing estate.
DEAD SILENT book two in the series. A body is found in a car crash, but the victim was already dead . . . Police partners D.I. Calladine and D.S. Ruth Bayliss race against time to catch a vicious serial killer.
DEAD LIST book three An unlikely killer with a bucket list of victims . . . This book is the first to introduce D.I Greco
DEAD LOST book four An abandoned cotton mill holds horrific secrets. Police partners, D.I. Calladine and D.S. Ruth Bayliss face one of their toughest challenges yet.
A young woman is found brutally murdered in an empty house
Detective Stephen Greco and his team must piece together her life as quickly as possible. Within twenty-four hours there is another horrific murder using the same method. The detectives realise that the victims are random but the locations are not. The killer is more concerned with finding the right house - somewhere he won't be disturbed as he pursues his evil plan.
When a man walks into the station and confesses, it looks like the case is closed. But Greco's not convinced and soon he'll be fighting to save the woman who's most important to him in a stunningly tense and emotional conclusion.
If you like Angela Marsons, Rachel Abbott, Mel Sherratt, Ruth Rendell, or Mark Billingham you will be gripped by this exciting new crime fiction writer.
AVAILABLE NOW: DARK MURDER, book one featuring D.I. Greco A woman is found dead by a canal . . . why have her eyes have been viciously poked out? Detective Stephen Greco has just started a new job at Oldston CID and now he faces a series of murders with seemingly no connection but the brutal disfigurement of the victims.
AND DISCOVER THE MASSIVE BEST-SELLING CALLADINE & BAYLISS MYSTERY SERIES . . . 100,000 books sold!
DEAD WRONG, book one featuring Detectives Bayliss and Calladine is available now! A bag of severed fingers is found in the playground by a rough housing estate.
DEAD SILENT book two in the series. A body is found in a car crash, but the victim was already dead . . . Police partners D.I. Calladine and D.S. Ruth Bayliss race against time to catch a vicious serial killer.
DEAD LIST book three An unlikely killer with a bucket list of victims . . . This book is the first to introduce D.I Greco
DEAD LOST book four An abandoned cotton mill holds horrific secrets. Police partners, D.I. Calladine and D.S. Ruth Bayliss face one of their toughest challenges yet.
218 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2016
1017 people are currently reading
431 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 146 reviews
April 6, 2016
DARK HOUSES by Helen H Durrant, is book 2 in the D. I. Greco series. I have read all of her books including Book 1 of this series called DARK MURDER. This is a mystery, a police procedural novel, that is easy to read, but still with some twists and surprises to keep the reader happy.
The series is set in the fictional industrial northern English town of Oldston.
The novels opens with the killer, setting up a mentally ill person, Neville Dakin, to take the fall for his crimes. Then a young twenty year old woman, Jessie Weston, is found murdered in an empty house.
Then Detective Stephen Greco and his team are assigned to the case. Not even twenty-four hours later, and another killing…by the same method. Random killings? But the locations? A possible serial killer?
D. I. Greco and his team work this case hard. He is determined to solve this case and find the killer, but then a man comes into the police station and confesses…go figure! But Greco is not so sure.
I like how the characters are all coming together, as the novels evolve, and even Greco is friendly with, Grace Harper, from his team.
I would like to thank Netgalley and Joffe Books for an advance copy of Dark Houses.
The series is set in the fictional industrial northern English town of Oldston.
The novels opens with the killer, setting up a mentally ill person, Neville Dakin, to take the fall for his crimes. Then a young twenty year old woman, Jessie Weston, is found murdered in an empty house.
Then Detective Stephen Greco and his team are assigned to the case. Not even twenty-four hours later, and another killing…by the same method. Random killings? But the locations? A possible serial killer?
D. I. Greco and his team work this case hard. He is determined to solve this case and find the killer, but then a man comes into the police station and confesses…go figure! But Greco is not so sure.
I like how the characters are all coming together, as the novels evolve, and even Greco is friendly with, Grace Harper, from his team.
I would like to thank Netgalley and Joffe Books for an advance copy of Dark Houses.
July 7, 2020
This is the second book in the DI Stephen Greco Series by author Helen Durrant.
This is another police procedural series by this author and features the interesting Detective Stephen Greco. It strikes me that this character needs to grow on you just like he does in the novels with regards to his colleagues. He suffers from OCD and can appear to be grumpy and unapproachable. DC Grace Harper sees the attraction of Greco and her advances are largely ignored by him as he still can't let go of the memory of his ex-wife.
Detective Stephen Greco is called on to investigate the brutal murder of a young woman found in an empty house, Within twenty-four hours there is another horrific murder using the same method. Although the victims are not linked the locations are, with the killer more focused on finding the right house to pursue his deadly plan. Hopes are raised when a man confesses to the crimes but Greco is far from convinced.
I really enjoyed the first novel in this series but was a little disappointed with this one although it was still enjoyable. There are plenty of signs that this series will improve in future books as the characters develop and their back stories are told.
This is another police procedural series by this author and features the interesting Detective Stephen Greco. It strikes me that this character needs to grow on you just like he does in the novels with regards to his colleagues. He suffers from OCD and can appear to be grumpy and unapproachable. DC Grace Harper sees the attraction of Greco and her advances are largely ignored by him as he still can't let go of the memory of his ex-wife.
Detective Stephen Greco is called on to investigate the brutal murder of a young woman found in an empty house, Within twenty-four hours there is another horrific murder using the same method. Although the victims are not linked the locations are, with the killer more focused on finding the right house to pursue his deadly plan. Hopes are raised when a man confesses to the crimes but Greco is far from convinced.
I really enjoyed the first novel in this series but was a little disappointed with this one although it was still enjoyable. There are plenty of signs that this series will improve in future books as the characters develop and their back stories are told.
December 10, 2018
I have a list of authors whose books I can pick up to read knowing that I have a few hours of gripping, adrenaline pumping entertainment in store and Helen Durrant is pretty high up that list. So when I was in danger of losing my reading mojo I went in search of her back list and downloaded Dark Houses. Yes, okay I hold my hands up I meant to download the first in the series which is Dark Murder but no matter they work perfectly as stand alone.
In an empty house the body of a pretty girl is discovered. Rape, torture the victim had horrific injuries and Greco has his work cut out. The killer is forensically aware so there is no evidence it is on a low income estate so everyone 'seen nothing, heard nothing' Add into the mix a schizophrenic young man and things are starting to get really complicated.
Greco is trying to rebuild his relationship with his ex wife while working his way through his OCD issues and is feeling a little insecure. Speedy is disillusioned with life and work and Grace has a crush on Greco. Can the team clear their heads enough to pick up and run with the tiny bits of clues that are available before more young women die?
There are many twists and turns as the reader is taken on a roller coaster ride full of edge-of-your-seat suspense all the way to an ending that is mind blowing.
Another absolutely fantastic read from a very talented author.
5 stars from me
In an empty house the body of a pretty girl is discovered. Rape, torture the victim had horrific injuries and Greco has his work cut out. The killer is forensically aware so there is no evidence it is on a low income estate so everyone 'seen nothing, heard nothing' Add into the mix a schizophrenic young man and things are starting to get really complicated.
Greco is trying to rebuild his relationship with his ex wife while working his way through his OCD issues and is feeling a little insecure. Speedy is disillusioned with life and work and Grace has a crush on Greco. Can the team clear their heads enough to pick up and run with the tiny bits of clues that are available before more young women die?
There are many twists and turns as the reader is taken on a roller coaster ride full of edge-of-your-seat suspense all the way to an ending that is mind blowing.
Another absolutely fantastic read from a very talented author.
5 stars from me
August 10, 2016
First, I would like to express my thanks to Joffe Books / NetGalley who provided a digital copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
Helen H. Durrant is sure to be a new and rising star in the English thriller market. Dark Houses is the second installment in the D.I. Stephen Greco series. Durrant is uncannily similar to Angela Marsons and Sharon Bolton. Durrant does fine, yet interesting writing in Dark Houses.
D.I. Greco is having some complications in his life, both at home and at work. His wife Suzy and he are now divorced, and this is not at all to his liking. The same cannot be said for Suzy. She is enjoying her new-found freedom and has even began to see someone much to Greco’s dismay.
Then, there is work. Oh, my, it is slowly coming together as a cohesive, functional unit that will get results, but somedays this seems to be so far away. Each person in the unit is their own person with their own quirks. Grace is always there for Stephen as a strong character, but at times, it seems that they are a “Radar” away from being M.A.S.H. Yet, they must step up and solve a serial case very quickly. They have a nasty serial killer out there.
Someone is taking young women at random and taking them to empty houses that are for sale and chosen ahead of time. Two women are killed in a most gruesome fashion. What is the motive - lust and the need to kill? It is a very perplexing case for D.I. Greco and his squad. Then, of all things, a man comes into the station and confesses to the case. What?
The man does not fit into the complete picture as being the serial killer. He does not seem capable of committing these crimes. However, he not only knows details that have not been released to the press, but he cites his reasons for doing some of these gruesome acts. What are Greco and his people missing? They soon find out and it is devastating.
Helen H. Durrant has written a fine thriller in Dark Houses. I really enjoyed this book and believe that anybody that likes thrillers, serial killers, police procedurals, or psychological thrillers will enjoy reading Dark Houses. Although, this is the second book in the series, it works fine as a stand-alone. However, I will definitely want to read the other two books in the series. 4-stars.
Helen H. Durrant is sure to be a new and rising star in the English thriller market. Dark Houses is the second installment in the D.I. Stephen Greco series. Durrant is uncannily similar to Angela Marsons and Sharon Bolton. Durrant does fine, yet interesting writing in Dark Houses.
D.I. Greco is having some complications in his life, both at home and at work. His wife Suzy and he are now divorced, and this is not at all to his liking. The same cannot be said for Suzy. She is enjoying her new-found freedom and has even began to see someone much to Greco’s dismay.
Then, there is work. Oh, my, it is slowly coming together as a cohesive, functional unit that will get results, but somedays this seems to be so far away. Each person in the unit is their own person with their own quirks. Grace is always there for Stephen as a strong character, but at times, it seems that they are a “Radar” away from being M.A.S.H. Yet, they must step up and solve a serial case very quickly. They have a nasty serial killer out there.
Someone is taking young women at random and taking them to empty houses that are for sale and chosen ahead of time. Two women are killed in a most gruesome fashion. What is the motive - lust and the need to kill? It is a very perplexing case for D.I. Greco and his squad. Then, of all things, a man comes into the station and confesses to the case. What?
The man does not fit into the complete picture as being the serial killer. He does not seem capable of committing these crimes. However, he not only knows details that have not been released to the press, but he cites his reasons for doing some of these gruesome acts. What are Greco and his people missing? They soon find out and it is devastating.
Helen H. Durrant has written a fine thriller in Dark Houses. I really enjoyed this book and believe that anybody that likes thrillers, serial killers, police procedurals, or psychological thrillers will enjoy reading Dark Houses. Although, this is the second book in the series, it works fine as a stand-alone. However, I will definitely want to read the other two books in the series. 4-stars.
July 7, 2016
Copy courtesy of NetGalley
When a book's title says: "a gripping detective thriller", I generally read the novel just to scoff at the author's presumption. However, this book was definitely gripping and thrilling!!!!
Even an old detective-novel, thriller, investigative genius like myself was confounded and kept guessing. The underlying character development blew up and became fully integrated with the main storyline.
If you want a classic who-dunnit, which is entertaining and a quick read -- add this to your to-read shelf!
When a book's title says: "a gripping detective thriller", I generally read the novel just to scoff at the author's presumption. However, this book was definitely gripping and thrilling!!!!
Even an old detective-novel, thriller, investigative genius like myself was confounded and kept guessing. The underlying character development blew up and became fully integrated with the main storyline.
If you want a classic who-dunnit, which is entertaining and a quick read -- add this to your to-read shelf!
November 9, 2018
Best one I've read by this author so far. Great plot and developments.
April 30, 2016
Really enjoyed this, was great to see the character stories develop alongside the police case storyline. The police case was as gruesome as I've grown accustomed to and kept me guessing as to who was pulling the strings. I look forward to future books in the series.
April 23, 2016
Thank you NetGalley for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Detective Stephen Greco leads a team as they find the body of a young woman brutally raped and murdered in an empty house. Before long another body has turned up under similar circumstances and they realise they have a serial killer on their hands.
We soon discover that whoever is behind these crimes has manipulated a young man with schizophrenia into helping him commit these acts and use him to cover his own tracks.
What we have here is a typical detective crime thriller, with the main protagonist an excellent if somewhat flawed cop, slightly OCD and with the predictable and slightly cliched marital troubles. The story however does hold some intrigue and is interesting for the most part.
The book itself is a little over 200 pages and herein lies my main problem with it. While I've read books of similar length to this in the past and never had a problem with them, this book just feels too short and the story a little rushed. Character development is on the thin side and subject matter can jump from one theme to another in a paragraph. A theme is brought up and given a paragraph or two, where you felt it deserved at least a chapter to explore.
The writing can feel a little clunky and cliched at times also, and a little predictable. The ending is also signalled( unintentionally I guess) well before you complete the book.
Having said all that I did enjoy the book overall. There's the guts of a really good book here and given another 100 pages or so would have made it a much better novel in my opinion. While I enjoyed it, it's probably instantly forgettable. Despite the heavy and disturbing subject matter I found it very light reading.
Detective Stephen Greco leads a team as they find the body of a young woman brutally raped and murdered in an empty house. Before long another body has turned up under similar circumstances and they realise they have a serial killer on their hands.
We soon discover that whoever is behind these crimes has manipulated a young man with schizophrenia into helping him commit these acts and use him to cover his own tracks.
What we have here is a typical detective crime thriller, with the main protagonist an excellent if somewhat flawed cop, slightly OCD and with the predictable and slightly cliched marital troubles. The story however does hold some intrigue and is interesting for the most part.
The book itself is a little over 200 pages and herein lies my main problem with it. While I've read books of similar length to this in the past and never had a problem with them, this book just feels too short and the story a little rushed. Character development is on the thin side and subject matter can jump from one theme to another in a paragraph. A theme is brought up and given a paragraph or two, where you felt it deserved at least a chapter to explore.
The writing can feel a little clunky and cliched at times also, and a little predictable. The ending is also signalled( unintentionally I guess) well before you complete the book.
Having said all that I did enjoy the book overall. There's the guts of a really good book here and given another 100 pages or so would have made it a much better novel in my opinion. While I enjoyed it, it's probably instantly forgettable. Despite the heavy and disturbing subject matter I found it very light reading.
April 7, 2016
Second in this particular series, it does well as a stand-alone. There are a few little things touched on from the first book, but nothing that will leave the reader wondering.
Stephen Greco is back with his team and still trying to get them co-ordinated and working as a real team. One of them seems to be totally disconnected from being in law enforcement and is still trying to decide what he wants to be when he grows up.
Two young women have been abducted and brutally raped, tortured and murdered. Both their bodies were found in empty houses that have been listed as 'For Sale'.
So far, there have been no clues, no evidence of the killer. And then a young man walks in and confesses that he's done something bad. But is he telling the truth?
On this same day, Greco's ex-wife goes missing .... and this changes the whole game. It becomes very personal for Greco and his team is going to have to pull together to put the human monster behind bars.
Excellent crime thriller. The story premise is well structured with fascinating characters. Helen Durrant is fast moving up my favorite authors list. Greco is a great serial character. He's a bit flawed ... he likes everything just so and has a touch of OCD. His personal life consists of his ex-wife who he is now living with trying to make things right. It's when he finds that she's seeing someone on the side that he begins to lose it.
Many thanks to the author / Joffe Books / NetGalley who provided a digital copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
Stephen Greco is back with his team and still trying to get them co-ordinated and working as a real team. One of them seems to be totally disconnected from being in law enforcement and is still trying to decide what he wants to be when he grows up.
Two young women have been abducted and brutally raped, tortured and murdered. Both their bodies were found in empty houses that have been listed as 'For Sale'.
So far, there have been no clues, no evidence of the killer. And then a young man walks in and confesses that he's done something bad. But is he telling the truth?
On this same day, Greco's ex-wife goes missing .... and this changes the whole game. It becomes very personal for Greco and his team is going to have to pull together to put the human monster behind bars.
Excellent crime thriller. The story premise is well structured with fascinating characters. Helen Durrant is fast moving up my favorite authors list. Greco is a great serial character. He's a bit flawed ... he likes everything just so and has a touch of OCD. His personal life consists of his ex-wife who he is now living with trying to make things right. It's when he finds that she's seeing someone on the side that he begins to lose it.
Many thanks to the author / Joffe Books / NetGalley who provided a digital copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
April 16, 2016
I've read all of Durrant's previous books, and this is a fine addition to the collection. It is the second in the Stephen Greco series. It carries on from Dark Murder.
Greco is not a people person, but he has opened up to Grace, his DC. There is new trouble in his relationship with his ex-wife, with whom he is reconciling. Greco's team has been a mishmash, but they all step up with this case while Greco breaks down.
The case is gruesome with no leads. Forensics eventually gathers some evidence, and the pieces are put together by the team.
This is a fast, easy read. Once again, I'm curious where the author will take her characters in the next book.
Greco is not a people person, but he has opened up to Grace, his DC. There is new trouble in his relationship with his ex-wife, with whom he is reconciling. Greco's team has been a mishmash, but they all step up with this case while Greco breaks down.
The case is gruesome with no leads. Forensics eventually gathers some evidence, and the pieces are put together by the team.
This is a fast, easy read. Once again, I'm curious where the author will take her characters in the next book.
April 28, 2016
A bizarre murderer is about, detective Greco has to find out who it is and why?
A good fast paced book, I'll look forward to more. It has a solid centre about the police team, then the murder & the hunt around it.
Really enjoyed this
A good fast paced book, I'll look forward to more. It has a solid centre about the police team, then the murder & the hunt around it.
Really enjoyed this
November 17, 2020
Detective Greco & his team have to find a killer who has left a brutally murdered young woman in an empty house – the killer seems to be smart and not leaving behind any clue, as to how he is choosing his victims. As the team is working on finding the killer’s whereabouts another body is found within 24hrs!
Eventually the team learns that victims are being chosen at random, but there’s one common element and that is the location – the killer is very careful about choosing the right house where he wont be disturbed as he proceeds to kill!
We also learn that the killer is making use of another person who might already be following the killer’s orders as he is hearing voices!
Amidst all this Greco is going through issues at home with his wife, who seems to have decided to leave Greco for another man – a major twist comes up during the end of the book and the book ended in a fast paced manner after that!
Thanks to netgalley for the ARC
Eventually the team learns that victims are being chosen at random, but there’s one common element and that is the location – the killer is very careful about choosing the right house where he wont be disturbed as he proceeds to kill!
We also learn that the killer is making use of another person who might already be following the killer’s orders as he is hearing voices!
Amidst all this Greco is going through issues at home with his wife, who seems to have decided to leave Greco for another man – a major twist comes up during the end of the book and the book ended in a fast paced manner after that!
Thanks to netgalley for the ARC
September 2, 2017
I would like to thank NetGalley, Joffe Books, and Helen H. Durrant for an advanced copy of Dark Houses for an honest review.
The second book in the D.I. Greco series Dark Houses is an edge of your seat page turner. A killer who sets up a mentally ill fall guy. Two murders within 24 hours, and a team that has yet to become the cohesive force they can be. As Greco's team works together to find a serial killer we learn a bit more about the characters and what makes them who they are. I definitely recommend Dark Houses.
The second book in the D.I. Greco series Dark Houses is an edge of your seat page turner. A killer who sets up a mentally ill fall guy. Two murders within 24 hours, and a team that has yet to become the cohesive force they can be. As Greco's team works together to find a serial killer we learn a bit more about the characters and what makes them who they are. I definitely recommend Dark Houses.
April 12, 2017
Great read ! Edge of the seat page turner!!!
May 2, 2017
In all honesty I am absolutely kicking myself. The reason for my self flagellation is that I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I’m disappointed that I haven’t read it sooner. This is a good, solid police procedural which drew me in from start to finish. I haven’t read a novel by Helen H Durrant before but I can guarantee I will be more from this author in the future.
I loved Detective Stephen Greco. He’s my sort of protagonist. He suffers from OCD and although this didn’t play a particularly big part in the story-line, it did make me like him even more (I like my detectives to be grumpy and damaged, in other words I like them to be human). I also enjoyed the relationship between Greco and DC Grace Harper. DC Harper is rather taken with our hero but he only has eyes for his very recent ex-wife. The other characters in the novel were all interesting, particularly DS Jed Quickenden known to friends and colleagues as ‘Speedy’. His growing despair towards the job really pulled me into the story.
Now I like my murder scenes to be a little on the gory side and Helen H Durrant has done me proud in Dark Houses. This is the first book in a while where I’ve winced at the description of the scene. And as there are several victims, there are several gory descriptions which, of course, I loved.
The plot really pulls you in and before long you’ve read half of the book without realising it. There is one particularly big twist which I didn’t see coming and had to re-read several times to make sure it had sunk in. I loved the way it completely changed how I felt about the characters. Brilliant, suspenseful writing.
Would I recommend this book? I would. I think it can be read as a standalone but I would have preferred to read the first in the series (this is book two) before Dark Houses. That’s how I always feel though, always best to start at the beginning. I loved the characters in this book and I hope to catch up with them again soon. A great police procedural which kept me coming back for more.
Four out of five stars.
I chose to read and review an ARC of Dark Houses. The above review is my own unbiased opinion.
I loved Detective Stephen Greco. He’s my sort of protagonist. He suffers from OCD and although this didn’t play a particularly big part in the story-line, it did make me like him even more (I like my detectives to be grumpy and damaged, in other words I like them to be human). I also enjoyed the relationship between Greco and DC Grace Harper. DC Harper is rather taken with our hero but he only has eyes for his very recent ex-wife. The other characters in the novel were all interesting, particularly DS Jed Quickenden known to friends and colleagues as ‘Speedy’. His growing despair towards the job really pulled me into the story.
Now I like my murder scenes to be a little on the gory side and Helen H Durrant has done me proud in Dark Houses. This is the first book in a while where I’ve winced at the description of the scene. And as there are several victims, there are several gory descriptions which, of course, I loved.
The plot really pulls you in and before long you’ve read half of the book without realising it. There is one particularly big twist which I didn’t see coming and had to re-read several times to make sure it had sunk in. I loved the way it completely changed how I felt about the characters. Brilliant, suspenseful writing.
Would I recommend this book? I would. I think it can be read as a standalone but I would have preferred to read the first in the series (this is book two) before Dark Houses. That’s how I always feel though, always best to start at the beginning. I loved the characters in this book and I hope to catch up with them again soon. A great police procedural which kept me coming back for more.
Four out of five stars.
I chose to read and review an ARC of Dark Houses. The above review is my own unbiased opinion.
Read
April 4, 2017Fantastic love her novels cant wait for the next instalment
May 9, 2016
This is the second book in the "DI Grecco" series which is a spin off the Ms. Durrants "Dead" or "Calladine and Bayliss" series. It worked well as a stand alone book, but I do recommend Dark Murder (the first book) as it was a really good read. Thanks to the author, Net Galley and Joffe books for providing me with an ARC in exchange for a honest review.
Dark Houses provides another great plot for DI Grecco and his team. Dark Houses was a really good title choice for this plot as well. The story pulled me in and I had a difficult time putting the book down. The book starts out quickly with a gruesome murder of a young woman with more murders to come. The murders are gruesome but Ms. Durrant gives just enough to let you know what occurred without excessive detail that you don't need (or may not want). She focuses on the detective work and the clues which is what I enjoy about her stories. In this story we see the unknown real murderer setting up a young man with mental health issues as the murderer. Grecco and his team are faced with trying to determine who the real killer is before another murder occurs.
I'm a fan of DI Grecco, his personal problems and all. I think it's great that Ms. Durrant has pulled us into a team of misfits and makes the group dynamics work. Being vested in in Grecco, I really felt for him in this book as the plot intensified his personal problems. I liked that his team really stepped up when he needed them to.
Dark Houses provides another great plot for DI Grecco and his team. Dark Houses was a really good title choice for this plot as well. The story pulled me in and I had a difficult time putting the book down. The book starts out quickly with a gruesome murder of a young woman with more murders to come. The murders are gruesome but Ms. Durrant gives just enough to let you know what occurred without excessive detail that you don't need (or may not want). She focuses on the detective work and the clues which is what I enjoy about her stories. In this story we see the unknown real murderer setting up a young man with mental health issues as the murderer. Grecco and his team are faced with trying to determine who the real killer is before another murder occurs.
I'm a fan of DI Grecco, his personal problems and all. I think it's great that Ms. Durrant has pulled us into a team of misfits and makes the group dynamics work. Being vested in in Grecco, I really felt for him in this book as the plot intensified his personal problems. I liked that his team really stepped up when he needed them to.
June 17, 2017
https://spookyshouseofbooks.blogspot....
what I thought of it:
5 stars all the way
I actually received a copy of it form NetGalley in a change for my honest opinion and what can I say I loved it, its the first time I ever picked up a book by this author and I'm so glad that I did, not one did it let me down, it kept me hooked and pulled into the story , loved the characters and its also a first time I've ever read a book where one of the characters has OCD. There's so much I loved about this book : its full of surprise, suspenseful, fast past and the characters are well developed, can't wait to start to pick up this series.
what I thought of it:
5 stars all the way
I actually received a copy of it form NetGalley in a change for my honest opinion and what can I say I loved it, its the first time I ever picked up a book by this author and I'm so glad that I did, not one did it let me down, it kept me hooked and pulled into the story , loved the characters and its also a first time I've ever read a book where one of the characters has OCD. There's so much I loved about this book : its full of surprise, suspenseful, fast past and the characters are well developed, can't wait to start to pick up this series.
April 13, 2016
I have read several of Helen Durrant's books and have enjoyed all of them. Each can be read as a stand alone novel and still be enjoyed. DI Stephen Greco is trying to get his team to work together as a team when women's bodies start to turn up in "For Sale" houses. There are no clues and then a man walks into the police station and confesses. When DI Greco's wife goes missing it turns personal. Another great read by Helen Durrant. I would like to thank the Publisher and Net Galley for the chance to read this ARC.
April 28, 2016
Thank you to Netgalley for a chance to review.
What a fantastic book, it could read well as a stand alone, but is the second in the Grecco series.
The book centres around gruesome murders of teens, which is well written, and described.
The nature of the book is to keep you guessing, which it certainly did, without dragging out the plot.
Look forward to reading the next instalment.
What a fantastic book, it could read well as a stand alone, but is the second in the Grecco series.
The book centres around gruesome murders of teens, which is well written, and described.
The nature of the book is to keep you guessing, which it certainly did, without dragging out the plot.
Look forward to reading the next instalment.
April 11, 2016
I read this book in a day, another great crime thriller featuring D.I. Greco and his team. I love the way Helen brings the characters to life with background information especially about Greco's OCD which he battles on a daily basis. Thank you for the ARC, I can't wait for the next in the series.
April 22, 2016
Easy to read, conversational style, fast paced book. Murder by a man with schizophrenia - was it really A.N. Other or not....
April 30, 2016
3.5 stars
July 16, 2016
Helens books just keep on getting better and better. A gruesome book. I couldn't put it down. I received a copy of this book courtesy of Netgalley
March 10, 2022
The Invisible man.
Greco is still having problems with his OCD, but trying to get control of his obsessive hand washing - the most constant of his problems, until Suzy his ex wife comes back into his life.
She says she wants to try again, but he is a tad wary. She pushed for the divorce and it nearly wrecked him, now she is being ultra friendly with 'benefits'.
Steven being the traditionalist, wants them to remarry and live in one property - her house, his flat or get somewhere new together. She is in no hurry and this unsettles him more.
At work the team are up to their necks in a particular nasty serial murder case.
Young women are being killed in a particularly gruesome manner. They are drugged taken to empty houses, where he lights a fire in the grate, heats a poker and burns their hearts out.
A local man, with mental health illness is coming to the forefront of the investigation, but is he capable of the planning, research along with murder and rape.
Grace continues to be supportive, when he allows her to get within arms reach.
But no support or compassion will prepare any of them for what is too come.
Greco is still having problems with his OCD, but trying to get control of his obsessive hand washing - the most constant of his problems, until Suzy his ex wife comes back into his life.
She says she wants to try again, but he is a tad wary. She pushed for the divorce and it nearly wrecked him, now she is being ultra friendly with 'benefits'.
Steven being the traditionalist, wants them to remarry and live in one property - her house, his flat or get somewhere new together. She is in no hurry and this unsettles him more.
At work the team are up to their necks in a particular nasty serial murder case.
Young women are being killed in a particularly gruesome manner. They are drugged taken to empty houses, where he lights a fire in the grate, heats a poker and burns their hearts out.
A local man, with mental health illness is coming to the forefront of the investigation, but is he capable of the planning, research along with murder and rape.
Grace continues to be supportive, when he allows her to get within arms reach.
But no support or compassion will prepare any of them for what is too come.
January 22, 2024
( Format : Audiobook )
"Do as I tell you."
Dark Houses is the second in the D.i.Greco series and, whilst fine as a stand alone, is definitely enhanced by know!edge of the characters in book one as both the reader and Stephen Greco get to know the police team and the area into which he located after the divorce from Susie, his wife. The characters and their changes play at least as great a part as the crime plots themselves.The
Pressure is on the still developing team when the mutilated body of a young girl is found in an empty house. Then another. And no clues. The tension increases further as Greco himself feels under personal pressure. The excellent dialogue in the book combined with the fine performance by Nicholas Camm increases the despondency felt by the team although much is then spoiled by the u even so d level throughout the book. Please sort this out, editorial staff: it really effects badly the overall enjoyment.
Looking forward to.another in this police procedural series which really feels it has a basis in truth (even if the gruesome death rate in the area is somewhat high).
"Do as I tell you."
Dark Houses is the second in the D.i.Greco series and, whilst fine as a stand alone, is definitely enhanced by know!edge of the characters in book one as both the reader and Stephen Greco get to know the police team and the area into which he located after the divorce from Susie, his wife. The characters and their changes play at least as great a part as the crime plots themselves.The
Pressure is on the still developing team when the mutilated body of a young girl is found in an empty house. Then another. And no clues. The tension increases further as Greco himself feels under personal pressure. The excellent dialogue in the book combined with the fine performance by Nicholas Camm increases the despondency felt by the team although much is then spoiled by the u even so d level throughout the book. Please sort this out, editorial staff: it really effects badly the overall enjoyment.
Looking forward to.another in this police procedural series which really feels it has a basis in truth (even if the gruesome death rate in the area is somewhat high).
December 20, 2019
A quick read even if you need the glossary
This fast paced thriller keeps you involved through many twists and turns as DI (I think) Greco faces a tough case. It’s a mass murderer whose victims are almost random so it’s particularly hard to find evidence. It’s almost impossible to tear yourself away from this addictive story. That’s the more remarkable because it’s written using maybe too much local color and lots of northern English slang. I’ve read the first book in the series and I remembered that the nick is the police station but it’s hard to keep the abbreviations of the character’s’ positions straight. A DI is a detective inspector and that’s above a DS a detective sergeant, but I think mr. Greco is something else with 3 letters. I’m sure the slang is authentic but I’m also glad the author provided a glossary. We are clearly divided by a common language. I have not visited the Uk but I’m now realizing that making myself understood to the locals might be much harder than you’d think considering they are speaking the same language I am!
This fast paced thriller keeps you involved through many twists and turns as DI (I think) Greco faces a tough case. It’s a mass murderer whose victims are almost random so it’s particularly hard to find evidence. It’s almost impossible to tear yourself away from this addictive story. That’s the more remarkable because it’s written using maybe too much local color and lots of northern English slang. I’ve read the first book in the series and I remembered that the nick is the police station but it’s hard to keep the abbreviations of the character’s’ positions straight. A DI is a detective inspector and that’s above a DS a detective sergeant, but I think mr. Greco is something else with 3 letters. I’m sure the slang is authentic but I’m also glad the author provided a glossary. We are clearly divided by a common language. I have not visited the Uk but I’m now realizing that making myself understood to the locals might be much harder than you’d think considering they are speaking the same language I am!
July 4, 2023
DI Greco and the team are slowly starting to gel and they’ll need their top game to tackle a killer who is torturing and murdering women in empt houses. But is the mentally unstable man who confesses the sole perpetrator or is someone else the pulling strings? Meanwhile, Greco and his ex-wife’s reconciliation hits a huge speed bump. Phew, well-written and fast-paced. I have to say I haven’t really warmed to the characters but I’m enjoying the cases a lot. Greco’s life is definitely bleak both professionally and personally. Greco is never a happy man but he’s at his most purposeful when he’s in the midst of a case. It’s not exactly a surprise that those around him feel ignored or weighed down by his broodiness whether at work or at home. UK actor Nicholas Camm narrates well (currently free on the Audible Plus catalogue).
June 27, 2019
Another audio book for me and I really enjoyed this one.
When two girls are raped, tortured and murdered the only thing connecting them is where they were killed. In houses that were empty and up for sale.
When a man hands himself into the police they think it's an open and shut case. Only the man has schizophrenia and he surely can't be the killer, has the killer has made sure he has covered all his tracks and must be forensicly trained has there is not one single trace of DNA.
This audio book didn't seem to last that long but that could be because was engrossed by it. My first time reading this author and it definitely won't be the last. 4/5 stars
When two girls are raped, tortured and murdered the only thing connecting them is where they were killed. In houses that were empty and up for sale.
When a man hands himself into the police they think it's an open and shut case. Only the man has schizophrenia and he surely can't be the killer, has the killer has made sure he has covered all his tracks and must be forensicly trained has there is not one single trace of DNA.
This audio book didn't seem to last that long but that could be because was engrossed by it. My first time reading this author and it definitely won't be the last. 4/5 stars
April 10, 2021
This is the second in the DI Greco series. I don't enjoy this series quite as much as the Calladine and Bayliss books, but Stephen Greco is beginning to grow on me, and in this book he has to deal with a killer who is snatching women and taking them to empty houses to torture and kill. He also has problems in his personal life.
This is a fairly gruesome twisty turny thriller. It's a well written, fast paced read which I listened to in one sitting. It does read ok as a standalone, but I would recommend reading the first in the series, Dark Murder (and of course the Calladine and Bayliss books!)
The book is well narrated by Nicholas Camm.
This is a fairly gruesome twisty turny thriller. It's a well written, fast paced read which I listened to in one sitting. It does read ok as a standalone, but I would recommend reading the first in the series, Dark Murder (and of course the Calladine and Bayliss books!)
The book is well narrated by Nicholas Camm.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 146 reviews