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DI Nikki Galena #10
Darkness on the Fens
A serial killer on a poisonous mission pushes Nikki and her team to their breaking point
Revellers are flocking into Greenborough for the yearly Dark Greenborough Festival, a three-day event celebrating local folklore, superstition and the darker side of life.
What the public doesn’t know is that there has been a warning sent to the police, saying that Greenborough will be a very dangerous place this year. The anonymous letter ends with the Latin phrase, Mors certa, hora incerta: Death is certain, the hour uncertain.
DI Nikki Galena and her team soon discover this is no hoax, as people start dying from what appears to be alcoholic poisoning. Things rapidly escalate, and as the deaths get more horrific, Nikki realises they have a serial killer in their midst.
A nightmare hunt for a killer during their busiest time of the year.
Revellers are flocking into Greenborough for the yearly Dark Greenborough Festival, a three-day event celebrating local folklore, superstition and the darker side of life.
What the public doesn’t know is that there has been a warning sent to the police, saying that Greenborough will be a very dangerous place this year. The anonymous letter ends with the Latin phrase, Mors certa, hora incerta: Death is certain, the hour uncertain.
DI Nikki Galena and her team soon discover this is no hoax, as people start dying from what appears to be alcoholic poisoning. Things rapidly escalate, and as the deaths get more horrific, Nikki realises they have a serial killer in their midst.
A nightmare hunt for a killer during their busiest time of the year.
344 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 12, 2019
3746 people are currently reading
801 people want to read
About the author
Joy Ellis
60 books2,426 followersJoy Ellis grew up in Kent but moved to London when she won an apprenticeship with the prestigious Mayfair florist, Constance Spry Ltd. Having run her own flower shop in Weybridge for many years, Ellis then worked as a bookseller until a trip to the Greek island of Skyros, where she took part in a writer's workshop with Sue Townsend, encouraged her to write her own books. Joy soon after moved to the Lincolnshire Fens, where she has spent many of years living among the countryside accompanied by her partner, Jacqueline, and her variety of springer spaniels. After many years of writing, Jasper Joffe, from Joffe Books, discovered Joy's work and approached her with the offer of becoming her new publisher. This new relationship introduced Joy's work to the fascinating world of ebooks and audible listening. Since their partnership, Joy's success has grown further than she could have ever imagined. She has recently celebrated her 10th UK No.1 book on the Amazon 'Best Sellers' chart, with her 9th instalment in the Jackman & Evans series, Solace House. Joy boasts a staggering estimated total over 3.4 million copies sold worldwide, and became a short-listed nominee at the British Book Awards, 2021.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 323 reviews
July 25, 2019
Gee I enjoy this series, it has everything you could want in a police procedural. This is the tenth installment of the Nikki Galena series, and the Dark Greenborough Festival is in town. All sorts of weirdos abound during this festival, dressing up is the norm and there's a plethora of spooky tours and goings on to choose from. So Nikki and her sidekicks have their work cut out for them when people start dying from some bootlegged alcohol.
Unfortunately this is only the start of the trouble. Things escalate, more people die and Nikki, Joseph and the team are under all sorts of pressure to catch a killer who is causing havoc with the festival.
There's just so much I like about this series. I love the characters and their ongoing developing stories. The often spooky fenland setting really sets the scene, though this book is mainly set in the town. The crimes themselves are always interesting reads, often leaving you guessing until late in the book. I really do recommend this series to all lovers of crime fiction.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Unfortunately this is only the start of the trouble. Things escalate, more people die and Nikki, Joseph and the team are under all sorts of pressure to catch a killer who is causing havoc with the festival.
There's just so much I like about this series. I love the characters and their ongoing developing stories. The often spooky fenland setting really sets the scene, though this book is mainly set in the town. The crimes themselves are always interesting reads, often leaving you guessing until late in the book. I really do recommend this series to all lovers of crime fiction.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 25, 2024
Dark Greenborough.
DI Nikki Galena and Joseph Easter and their team are going to have a long weekend together.
They are trying to find a new killer that they have named The Coachman. An evil man who is trying to imitate a killer from the past who uses a special kind of brutality to kill innocent people.
While Greenborough is celebrating Dark Greenborough, a Halloween event that is lasting the whole weekend, the evil killer, The Coachman, uses the festivities to create his crimes and cover them up.
Joy Ellis uses thirty three chapters to write this story and the chapters are fun and fast and move along quickly throughout the book.
Like a great mystery, the book travels many directions to tease you along the way. I found myself thinking of who the killer is many times and I was constantly wrong. This is one of the best reasons I think this is a great mystery; being suspenseful.
The story gets five fabulous stars. 💫💫💫💫💫
DI Nikki Galena and Joseph Easter and their team are going to have a long weekend together.
They are trying to find a new killer that they have named The Coachman. An evil man who is trying to imitate a killer from the past who uses a special kind of brutality to kill innocent people.
While Greenborough is celebrating Dark Greenborough, a Halloween event that is lasting the whole weekend, the evil killer, The Coachman, uses the festivities to create his crimes and cover them up.
Joy Ellis uses thirty three chapters to write this story and the chapters are fun and fast and move along quickly throughout the book.
Like a great mystery, the book travels many directions to tease you along the way. I found myself thinking of who the killer is many times and I was constantly wrong. This is one of the best reasons I think this is a great mystery; being suspenseful.
The story gets five fabulous stars. 💫💫💫💫💫
June 7, 2020
During these weird times, I’m looking for small ways to treat myself. So, I decided an order of back to back Nikki Galena was called for. I do love her and her gang. This time, the town of Greenborough is celebrating the Dark Greenborough festival, a weekend of ghosts, historical houses and pub visits. But it’s not all merrymaking, as the police get a letter warning that the town will be a very dangerous place. And then folks start dropping from what appears to be alcohol poisoning.
The crimes here are extremely heinous and it takes more than the normal toll on the gang, especially Joseph. We witness a lot of soul searching and anxiety in the team. As always, Ellis just makes her characters seem so real.
Ellis also always spins a good yarn and I am always struggling to determine the who in the whodunit.
And now, I’m at a loss. Having read book 11 out of order, I’m stuck waiting for Joy Ellis to spin her magic again.
This series makes for a wonderful listening experience, thanks to the wonderful Henrietta Meire.
The crimes here are extremely heinous and it takes more than the normal toll on the gang, especially Joseph. We witness a lot of soul searching and anxiety in the team. As always, Ellis just makes her characters seem so real.
Ellis also always spins a good yarn and I am always struggling to determine the who in the whodunit.
And now, I’m at a loss. Having read book 11 out of order, I’m stuck waiting for Joy Ellis to spin her magic again.
This series makes for a wonderful listening experience, thanks to the wonderful Henrietta Meire.
September 8, 2024
In this tenth book in the series we visit the annual Dark Greenborough Festival which is always spooky with people dressing up as vampires and others visiting all the supposedly haunted houses. All good fun, but this year a real killer is on the loose.
People start dying in truly horrible ways and D.I.Nikki Galena and her team have no idea who is doing it or why. This case pushes many of the team to the edge, especially Joseph. The sense of urgency to discover the killer is emphasised by the way the author moves rapidly from one person's point of view to another. Many people are involved in the search and they are all needed because this killer is not easy to spot.
Ten books in and I can still count on this author to give a me a great read. And still so many books to go!!!
People start dying in truly horrible ways and D.I.Nikki Galena and her team have no idea who is doing it or why. This case pushes many of the team to the edge, especially Joseph. The sense of urgency to discover the killer is emphasised by the way the author moves rapidly from one person's point of view to another. Many people are involved in the search and they are all needed because this killer is not easy to spot.
Ten books in and I can still count on this author to give a me a great read. And still so many books to go!!!
July 10, 2019
First of all I must thank Net Galley, and Joffe Books for an ARC of this novel. In exchange for an honest review.
This was a new author and a new series for me. I think this probably accounted for the fact that initially I was struggling a bit and the pace a little slow at first. This was probably due to the fact this is book 10 in the series and I was having to get myself acquainted with well established, developed characters. A bit like joining a new team at work, where everyone else has been together for a long time.
Having said that, I enjoyed reading this book, the killer was unexpected, the murders intriguing and different. The pace definitely picked up after the initial section.
I will be reading more of this series and looking at other series by this author.
This was a new author and a new series for me. I think this probably accounted for the fact that initially I was struggling a bit and the pace a little slow at first. This was probably due to the fact this is book 10 in the series and I was having to get myself acquainted with well established, developed characters. A bit like joining a new team at work, where everyone else has been together for a long time.
Having said that, I enjoyed reading this book, the killer was unexpected, the murders intriguing and different. The pace definitely picked up after the initial section.
I will be reading more of this series and looking at other series by this author.
October 4, 2024
The Dark Greenborough Festival was almost on them when DI Nikki Galena and the team received a written warning, telling of a danger that would infiltrate the Festival this year. When people began dying, seemingly from a bad batch of artificial vodka, they weren't to know that much, much worse was to come. Poisonings in many forms followed - they had a sick, demented serial killer in their midst. Could the force find and stop this maniac before the end of the Festival, and more horrific deaths?
Darkness on the Fens is the 10th in the DI Nikki Galena series by Joy Ellis and once again, it was a fast paced, electric thriller with torment directed at the team trying to stop a killer. There was a tremendous amount of pressure on Nikki and her fellow officers, and as is the norm, they all worked well together. But Joseph was worrying Nikki... Highly recommended.
Darkness on the Fens is the 10th in the DI Nikki Galena series by Joy Ellis and once again, it was a fast paced, electric thriller with torment directed at the team trying to stop a killer. There was a tremendous amount of pressure on Nikki and her fellow officers, and as is the norm, they all worked well together. But Joseph was worrying Nikki... Highly recommended.
July 13, 2019
DI Nikki Galena #10
It's the dark Greenborough Festival. A warning letter had been sent to the police, warning them that there will be deaths. Is it a hoax? Nikki and her team are soon on the hunt for a sadistic serial killer.
People are being killed by drinking alcohol that has been tampered with poisonous snake venom and deadly gases. DI Nikki Galena have their work cut out trying to solve there horrendous murders. It's action packed, fast paced gripping read. This is a really good police procedural that has well developed characters. This series gets better with each book. I did not know where the story was taking me. My favourite of the series so far.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Joffe Books and the author Joy Ellis for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
It's the dark Greenborough Festival. A warning letter had been sent to the police, warning them that there will be deaths. Is it a hoax? Nikki and her team are soon on the hunt for a sadistic serial killer.
People are being killed by drinking alcohol that has been tampered with poisonous snake venom and deadly gases. DI Nikki Galena have their work cut out trying to solve there horrendous murders. It's action packed, fast paced gripping read. This is a really good police procedural that has well developed characters. This series gets better with each book. I did not know where the story was taking me. My favourite of the series so far.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Joffe Books and the author Joy Ellis for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 16, 2019
The Dark Greenborough Festival is the most important event of the year. Costumes, eating, drinking, ghost walks, superstitions, this festival has a little something for not only the locals. but the flocks of tourists, as well.
A letter is sent to the police, promising death. Nikki and her team are prepared for just about anything ... until the body count rises.
There's been 4 deaths from what they think is alcoholic poisoning ... as in someone is poisoning the drinks or the bottles of alcohol that are available. There's no rhyme nor reason to these deaths, nothing that connects them, no clues.
If that's not bad enough, even more deaths occur ... each one killed differently, and more horrendous than the previous murder.
Who is doing this ...and why? Why these particular victims?
Nikki and her team have their hands full. Routine maintaining of peace during this weekend is hard enough, but throw in a mix of petty crimes, looking for a serial killer, keeping the public ignorant of what's happening ... and this is a recipe for disaster.
Although 10th in this series, it is easily read as a stand alone. I highly recommend starting at the beginning. Nikki is a great character. Female, ferocious, and as tenacious as a bulldog. She has her issues, but nothing gets in the way of her job. DS Joseph Easter is a member of her team ... and her partner in life. He's an ex-soldier, still has moments of PTSD, and always has Nikki's back. I really enjoy how they relate to each other at work ..and at play.
As usual with small villages, the residents are, in turn, quirky, secretive except when they aren't, and on the whole, lends not only credibility to the story, but some humor as well. There are plenty of suspects and twists and turns that lead to an incredible ending.
Many thanks to the author / Joffe Books / Books n All Book Promotions / Netgalley. I received a digital copy of this crime fiction at no charge and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
February 9, 2022
Yayyyyy! I finally made it through a novel length book. I was beginning to despair that it was a novelette/short story year with my damn misfunctioning brain!
But good old Nikki and Joseph pulled me through with all the drama accompanying the hunt for the despicable Coachman. This book feels like we are on the cusp of big changes for Nikki, Joseph and her intrepid team.
But good old Nikki and Joseph pulled me through with all the drama accompanying the hunt for the despicable Coachman. This book feels like we are on the cusp of big changes for Nikki, Joseph and her intrepid team.
January 6, 2023
Well written but a completely ridiculous reason/ ending. Plus Iam getting a tad tired of the romances being at first sight by both parties.
(Nikki -Joseph/ Niall-Tam / Car-Ben-and now Vinnie and Sheila)
I also find myself skipping paragraph as Joy works to add in all the backstory of 9 previous books. It is overdone. 6 or 7 times we hear of how Nikki and Joseph can’t be together out of work or they will be separated at work, destroy the team.
(Nikki -Joseph/ Niall-Tam / Car-Ben-and now Vinnie and Sheila)
I also find myself skipping paragraph as Joy works to add in all the backstory of 9 previous books. It is overdone. 6 or 7 times we hear of how Nikki and Joseph can’t be together out of work or they will be separated at work, destroy the team.
August 14, 2025
*A Poisonous Tale*
This is the tenth book in the fifteen-book series, ‘Detective Nikki Galena Mysteries’. In this instalment, DI Nikki Galena and her team are pushed beyond their limits as they hunt for a serial killer who uses poison as their chosen method of killing. However, the killer has cleverly timed their murders to coincide with the annual Dark Greenborough Festival, a three-day event where spookiest costumes are displayed, and people generally enjoy themselves. This event provides the killer with the perfect opportunity to hide in plain sight.
The police receive a anonymous letter that ends with the killer’s chilling message: “Mors certa, hora incerta: Death is certain, the hour uncertain.”
The most challenging aspect of the case is the killer’s use of a variety of deadly poisons, predominantly plant-based, and their clever diversion tactics to mislead the police. Now, the team not only has to protect and supervise the festival but also race against time to stop a murderer who is exceptionally adept at hiding in the shadows.
This is the tenth book in the fifteen-book series, ‘Detective Nikki Galena Mysteries’. In this instalment, DI Nikki Galena and her team are pushed beyond their limits as they hunt for a serial killer who uses poison as their chosen method of killing. However, the killer has cleverly timed their murders to coincide with the annual Dark Greenborough Festival, a three-day event where spookiest costumes are displayed, and people generally enjoy themselves. This event provides the killer with the perfect opportunity to hide in plain sight.
The police receive a anonymous letter that ends with the killer’s chilling message: “Mors certa, hora incerta: Death is certain, the hour uncertain.”
The most challenging aspect of the case is the killer’s use of a variety of deadly poisons, predominantly plant-based, and their clever diversion tactics to mislead the police. Now, the team not only has to protect and supervise the festival but also race against time to stop a murderer who is exceptionally adept at hiding in the shadows.
February 2, 2023
Book ten in the Nikki Galena series, a catalogue of unpleasant deaths during the local festival: probably not as good as some of the previous books. Seems to be an awful lot of death in Greensborough, wouldn't want to live there!
November 19, 2025
Dark Greenborough Festival is in full swing, and Nikki and her team are on the lookout for a murderer who has adopted horrifying and excruciating Victorian poisoning methods to kill his victims. Innocent people are dying in terrible pain, and the festival is the perfect place for the villain that they call The Coachman to hide. Can the team stop him before he kills again? Another excellent British police procedural from Joy Ellis.
July 17, 2019
Another gripping pageturner
Ahhh book 10. Settling down to read a Nikki Galena book is like having a catch up with a dear friend.
The character is sheer brilliance, feisty, caring, resourceful and unique. I have read all this series (well I have read every book Joy Ellis has written) and thought I knew all there was to know about Nikki but while reading this I realised the character still has plenty more to give.
Her partner, Joseph Easton, is the perfect balance to Nikki. He is calm, rational and sensitive. But, like with Nikki, there is more to learn about his character. Emotionally damaged by his military past Joseph sometimes has difficulty holding it all together. His determination to protect the people he loves has no boundaries.
Then there is the story, Dark Greenborough! The title of this book is probably the most perfect title I have seen in a long time, Darkness on the Fens, it is that alright. Someone is committing heinous murders. Victims are suffering agonising deaths and nobody can help just stand there and watch the suffering. On its own this would be bad enough but it is Dark Greenborough weekend and the area is full of strangers dressed as evil characters from the past. The perfect cover for a murderer. Nikki and her team are up against it even with the help of Morgan and Connor the clues are very elusive. Can this maniac be stopped?
This is a fast-paced, adrenaline pumping read. Joy Ellis at her very best. I started turning the pages and couldn't stop savouring every page and wondering what will happen next all the way to the explosive ending. WOW! The best Joy Ellis book yet. Yes I know I always say that but it is always true this author gets better book by book and I hope she has plenty more to give.
5 Golden stars from me.
Ahhh book 10. Settling down to read a Nikki Galena book is like having a catch up with a dear friend.
The character is sheer brilliance, feisty, caring, resourceful and unique. I have read all this series (well I have read every book Joy Ellis has written) and thought I knew all there was to know about Nikki but while reading this I realised the character still has plenty more to give.
Her partner, Joseph Easton, is the perfect balance to Nikki. He is calm, rational and sensitive. But, like with Nikki, there is more to learn about his character. Emotionally damaged by his military past Joseph sometimes has difficulty holding it all together. His determination to protect the people he loves has no boundaries.
Then there is the story, Dark Greenborough! The title of this book is probably the most perfect title I have seen in a long time, Darkness on the Fens, it is that alright. Someone is committing heinous murders. Victims are suffering agonising deaths and nobody can help just stand there and watch the suffering. On its own this would be bad enough but it is Dark Greenborough weekend and the area is full of strangers dressed as evil characters from the past. The perfect cover for a murderer. Nikki and her team are up against it even with the help of Morgan and Connor the clues are very elusive. Can this maniac be stopped?
This is a fast-paced, adrenaline pumping read. Joy Ellis at her very best. I started turning the pages and couldn't stop savouring every page and wondering what will happen next all the way to the explosive ending. WOW! The best Joy Ellis book yet. Yes I know I always say that but it is always true this author gets better book by book and I hope she has plenty more to give.
5 Golden stars from me.
January 8, 2023
Utterly far-fetched story, and add to that, the behaviour of Joseph is very much out of character. Overall not a great book. Interesting idea, good background events, but the main story, no, not great.
October 18, 2025
4.5*
In this tenth instalment in Joy Ellis's series featuring D.I. Nikki Galena and her Lincolnshire based team, murder and mayhem descend on (fictional) Greenborough during the annual Dark Greenborough festival. The team are stretched to their limits, first by a series of poisonings caused by tainted alcohol, then by a number of gruesome murders that appear to be linked to a neglected historical series of crimes.
As with previous instalments, I enjoyed Darkness on the Fens via the audiobook edition, narrated by Henrietta Meire.
In this tenth instalment in Joy Ellis's series featuring D.I. Nikki Galena and her Lincolnshire based team, murder and mayhem descend on (fictional) Greenborough during the annual Dark Greenborough festival. The team are stretched to their limits, first by a series of poisonings caused by tainted alcohol, then by a number of gruesome murders that appear to be linked to a neglected historical series of crimes.
As with previous instalments, I enjoyed Darkness on the Fens via the audiobook edition, narrated by Henrietta Meire.
July 11, 2019
I would like to thank Netgalley and Joffe Books for an advance copy of Darkness on the Fens, the tenth novel to feature DI Nikki Galena and DS Joseph Easter of the Fenland police.
Greenborough is gearing up for the annual three day hallowe’en type festival, Greenborough Dark when a senior police officer receives an anonymous letter hinting at danger during the festival. This soon comes true with four separate deaths from alcohol poisoning but this is only the beginning because then the killer gets serious.
I thoroughly enjoyed Darkness on the Fens which is a high octane, action packed novel with never a dull moment. It is told from various points of view and as they are mostly on the investigative side this works well in giving the reader a wider view on events and, as the team are struggling for a motive, there are no distracting hints on it from the killer, allowing the reader to guess along with the team. It’s an interesting if highly improbable solution, but who cares as the novel is all about the journey to that point and I found that absorbing and entertaining.
All the usual characters are involved from the detectives to Nikki’s mum, Eve and her former military friends but the novel really centres on Joe Easter and some uncharacteristic behaviour. It’s unconvincing but raises some interesting points about PTSD.
Darkness on the Fens is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending.
Greenborough is gearing up for the annual three day hallowe’en type festival, Greenborough Dark when a senior police officer receives an anonymous letter hinting at danger during the festival. This soon comes true with four separate deaths from alcohol poisoning but this is only the beginning because then the killer gets serious.
I thoroughly enjoyed Darkness on the Fens which is a high octane, action packed novel with never a dull moment. It is told from various points of view and as they are mostly on the investigative side this works well in giving the reader a wider view on events and, as the team are struggling for a motive, there are no distracting hints on it from the killer, allowing the reader to guess along with the team. It’s an interesting if highly improbable solution, but who cares as the novel is all about the journey to that point and I found that absorbing and entertaining.
All the usual characters are involved from the detectives to Nikki’s mum, Eve and her former military friends but the novel really centres on Joe Easter and some uncharacteristic behaviour. It’s unconvincing but raises some interesting points about PTSD.
Darkness on the Fens is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending.
July 14, 2019
Thank you NetGalley and Joffe Books for this arc.
I've read and enjoyed several of the previous Nikki Galena books and happily settled in for this one. It was another solid and satisfying read for me. Usually by the time a 10th book of a series comes along, the characters and/or story line can be a little stale. Not so with this one.
It started a little slow but soon picked up the pace and maintained it throughout. It was nice catching up with the old familiar characters (many) and meeting some new ones (none of which felt like mere plot devices, they were all well developed and integral to the story). I appreciated the balance between the police actions and the various character's personal lives as well. I especially appreciated the author's deft hand when referring to previous books and characters. Enough was revealed for folks like me (that seem to have swiss cheese for brains some days) to remind me, but not so much as to overwhelm the current story.
There were a couple or three unanswered questions remaining at the end. While my curiosity is up, I'm not too disappointed as I look forward to having them answered in future books!
I've read and enjoyed several of the previous Nikki Galena books and happily settled in for this one. It was another solid and satisfying read for me. Usually by the time a 10th book of a series comes along, the characters and/or story line can be a little stale. Not so with this one.
It started a little slow but soon picked up the pace and maintained it throughout. It was nice catching up with the old familiar characters (many) and meeting some new ones (none of which felt like mere plot devices, they were all well developed and integral to the story). I appreciated the balance between the police actions and the various character's personal lives as well. I especially appreciated the author's deft hand when referring to previous books and characters. Enough was revealed for folks like me (that seem to have swiss cheese for brains some days) to remind me, but not so much as to overwhelm the current story.
There were a couple or three unanswered questions remaining at the end. While my curiosity is up, I'm not too disappointed as I look forward to having them answered in future books!
July 4, 2019
I got this as a arc e book for my ipad from net galley. I enjoyed reading it. It had a good story to it. It is my first book read by this author. I hope to read more books by this author.
October 15, 2021
3.5 stars.
I guess when you have a crazy killer on the loose, it's always going to be hard to predict what he's going to do next. The festival depicted in the book seems very much like a days-long version of Halloween and personally I don't see the attraction of ghoulish entertainment. I also feel the tension between Joseph and Nikki was too easily resolved at the end there. But overall, another solid instalment.
I guess when you have a crazy killer on the loose, it's always going to be hard to predict what he's going to do next. The festival depicted in the book seems very much like a days-long version of Halloween and personally I don't see the attraction of ghoulish entertainment. I also feel the tension between Joseph and Nikki was too easily resolved at the end there. But overall, another solid instalment.
July 9, 2019
Whenever Joffe Books send me a Joy Ellis novel to read and review, especially one of the Nikki Galena series, I know I am in for a treat. She is so good at creating believable characters that work so well together as a team, that it always makes the reader feel at home and part of what is going on. This one, a particularly haunting and creepy story, is no exception. The story takes place, as always in Nikki’s home patch, and we delve into the traditional annual festival of Dark Greenborough, a ghostly Halloween celebration of the spookier side of life. As festivities begin we see many of the usual characters deciding which of the tours and activities they want to take part in, but things take a grizzly down turn when bodies start turning up. As the number of deaths continue to increase and poisons and toxins appear to be the cause, everyone wants to track down and stop the murderer who they have labelled The Coachman. Even Nikki’s mother, Eve, and her team of friends become involved in trying to find out who is responsible before he kills again.
Needless to say, eventually after a thrilling race to the end, the killer is caught, but along the way Nikki has many concerns about her Sergeant, Joseph Easter, who seems to be acting very much out of character. This is something she needs to rectify before it brings an end to their otherwise happy relationship. Eventually, as always, the ending of the story ties up quite a few lose ends and the novel finishes on a happy note leaving us wanting more from this brilliant author.
Needless to say, eventually after a thrilling race to the end, the killer is caught, but along the way Nikki has many concerns about her Sergeant, Joseph Easter, who seems to be acting very much out of character. This is something she needs to rectify before it brings an end to their otherwise happy relationship. Eventually, as always, the ending of the story ties up quite a few lose ends and the novel finishes on a happy note leaving us wanting more from this brilliant author.
July 5, 2019
What should be a great festival long weekend in the town of Greenborough, find the police stretched to their limits with a series of random deaths, that initially appear to have been caused from a bad batch of illegal alcohol, only to discover that with each one, the modus operandi changes and becomes increasingly malicious.
DI Nikki Galena finds herself pushed to the edge both physically and emotionally trying to keep her team focused, along with keeping an eye on her mother and friends who want to help out and her partner Joseph (both in work and out) who appears to be having difficult time adhering to the law.
I can't believe that we are on book 10 already and as before, the story line is a good strong one and I didn't figure out the killer either - which makes it even better!
Thanks to Joffe Books for the ARC to review.
DI Nikki Galena finds herself pushed to the edge both physically and emotionally trying to keep her team focused, along with keeping an eye on her mother and friends who want to help out and her partner Joseph (both in work and out) who appears to be having difficult time adhering to the law.
I can't believe that we are on book 10 already and as before, the story line is a good strong one and I didn't figure out the killer either - which makes it even better!
Thanks to Joffe Books for the ARC to review.
July 17, 2019
The Assistant Chief Constable receives a letter just before the Dark Greenborough Festival saying that the festival will be a dangerous place that year. Then several deaths occur which at first appear to be caused by bootleg alcohol but it is then discovered that the alcohol had been chemically enhanced. Further deaths occur - each by poison and each more gruesome and painful than the previous one. DI Nikki Galena and her team struggle to find a motive for the killings let alone a viable suspect.
This book had me gripped from start to finish. Absolutely love the Nikki Galena series and I like how Joy Ellis, the author, references characters, like Rowan Jackman, from her other series of books.
Thanks to Joffe Books and Joy Ellis for the ARC of this book in return for an honest review.
This book had me gripped from start to finish. Absolutely love the Nikki Galena series and I like how Joy Ellis, the author, references characters, like Rowan Jackman, from her other series of books.
Thanks to Joffe Books and Joy Ellis for the ARC of this book in return for an honest review.
September 2, 2019
I really couldn't get into this book. The lead in was promising - a "dark festival", unexplained deaths... each more grisly than the last. It all sounded intriguing. But unfortunately that early promise wasn't borne out, and for me this was no page turner.
In my opinion it was the characters that let the whole thing down. I didn't find them interesting in any way, and the involvement of Nikki's mother in the proceedings just didn't ring true.
The ending was also very disappointing - a very lame excuse for a serial killer!
Not for me I'm afraid.
In my opinion it was the characters that let the whole thing down. I didn't find them interesting in any way, and the involvement of Nikki's mother in the proceedings just didn't ring true.
The ending was also very disappointing - a very lame excuse for a serial killer!
Not for me I'm afraid.
February 26, 2023
I’ve been listening to this book for the past few days. Another good read in the series. The characters have become familiar. The mystery of the person killing by unusual poisons was intriguing. The tension between Nikki and Joseph was believable. I did think the resolution of their situation was melodramatic.
April 11, 2020
A good mystery although not quite as captivating as the previous books in the series.
July 13, 2023
I can't get enough of Joy Ellis this was another wonderful addition to the series
October 10, 2024
Darkness on the Fens by Joy Ellis is the 10th book in the D.I. Nikki Galena series. A killer is poisoning revellers at the Dark Greenborough Festival after sending a warning to the police. A thrilling, fast-paced police procedural. The best part is catching up with all the regular characters and we see an engagement in this book. I love that Eve and her friends help out and we learn a little more of Dave. A superb, captivating mystery in this highly addictive series.
April 29, 2020
so sad have now read all the books and waiting and keeping fingers crossed that more will follow
July 15, 2020
3.5 stars
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