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Every mother’s worst nightmare
It was only for a couple of minutes, while dropping Noah off at nursery. Little did Melanie realise that leaving her sleeping son in the car would end up being the biggest regret of her life.
A teenage challenge turns sour
For teenager Woody, stealing cars with his new friend helps alleviate the tedium of a life of poverty and boredom. This isn’t what he wants to do with his life but for now, he feels accepted. Except on this occasion, his actions have consequences that could change his life forever. Is it too late to turn his life around?
How far would you go to save those you love?
While DI Paton is on the case of the missing child, he is quickly drawn into a web of deception that hits dangerously close to home. He soon finds himself torn in two, not knowing which way to save his career or his family? Will he be able to crack the case before he himself cracks?
It was only for a couple of minutes, while dropping Noah off at nursery. Little did Melanie realise that leaving her sleeping son in the car would end up being the biggest regret of her life.
A teenage challenge turns sour
For teenager Woody, stealing cars with his new friend helps alleviate the tedium of a life of poverty and boredom. This isn’t what he wants to do with his life but for now, he feels accepted. Except on this occasion, his actions have consequences that could change his life forever. Is it too late to turn his life around?
How far would you go to save those you love?
While DI Paton is on the case of the missing child, he is quickly drawn into a web of deception that hits dangerously close to home. He soon finds himself torn in two, not knowing which way to save his career or his family? Will he be able to crack the case before he himself cracks?
407 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 29, 2022
15 people want to read
About the author
Kerena Swan
8 books43 followersKerena Swan trained as a social worker and worked for Social Services for over 25 years. For the past 17 years she has owned and managed an ‘outstanding’ rated agency for children with disabilities. Following serious illnesses, she decided to fulfil her long-held ambition of writing a book and getting it published. ‘Dying to See You’, published by Bloodhound Books, was her debut novel.
After many years of writing professionally in the course of her work, Kerena discovered the exhilaration and deep joy of writing fiction and can be found at all hours in front of her computer. Her fifth novel and book #2 of the DI Paton series published by Hobeck Books, 'Driven' is now available.
Kerena lives with her family, dog and cat in a small village in Bedfordshire, UK and her books are mostly set in the surrounding areas.
Drawing on her extensive knowledge and experience of the problematic world of social work and social studies, Kerena delves deeply into her characters' psyches to understand their motivations and behaviours and add meaning and depth to her stories.
If you would like to hear more about new releases, read Kerena's blogs and download free short-stories - the prequel to Dying to See You, and the prequel to Blood Loss, DI Paton book #1 - then visit www.kerenaswan.com and join her mailing list
After many years of writing professionally in the course of her work, Kerena discovered the exhilaration and deep joy of writing fiction and can be found at all hours in front of her computer. Her fifth novel and book #2 of the DI Paton series published by Hobeck Books, 'Driven' is now available.
Kerena lives with her family, dog and cat in a small village in Bedfordshire, UK and her books are mostly set in the surrounding areas.
Drawing on her extensive knowledge and experience of the problematic world of social work and social studies, Kerena delves deeply into her characters' psyches to understand their motivations and behaviours and add meaning and depth to her stories.
If you would like to hear more about new releases, read Kerena's blogs and download free short-stories - the prequel to Dying to See You, and the prequel to Blood Loss, DI Paton book #1 - then visit www.kerenaswan.com and join her mailing list
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
November 1, 2022
Review of Driven (D.I. Paton Investigates #2) by Kerena Swan.
It's my first time discovering Kerena Swan's work, and I'm hooked! Driven is the second book in the D.I.Paton Investigates series. I was quickly captivated by the brilliant plot. Driven works very well as a stand-alone, but I am eager to read Blood Loss, the first novel in the series.
Synopsis:
D.I. Paton is called to investigate the disappearance of a child. Noah, age 2, was asleep in the back seat when his mom's car was stolen. Despite Paton's experience as a seasoned detective, the danger of the case hits close to home. He quickly finds himself torn between saving his career and saving his family. Will Paton be able to find Noah and solve the case before his personal life collapses?
This is a fantastic thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat. There is plenty of action to keep your attention and the descriptions of the characters are vivid. For anyone who enjoys a page-turner, Driven is a terrific choice.
Driven (D.I. Paton Investigates#2) is available on November 29th. As a participant in Rachel's Random Resources Blog Tour, my review will be released November 30th.
This outstanding book was shared with me by Kerena Swan and Rachel's Random Resources. I appreciate your kindness.
#Driven #RachelsRandomResources #KerenaSwan
It's my first time discovering Kerena Swan's work, and I'm hooked! Driven is the second book in the D.I.Paton Investigates series. I was quickly captivated by the brilliant plot. Driven works very well as a stand-alone, but I am eager to read Blood Loss, the first novel in the series.
Synopsis:
D.I. Paton is called to investigate the disappearance of a child. Noah, age 2, was asleep in the back seat when his mom's car was stolen. Despite Paton's experience as a seasoned detective, the danger of the case hits close to home. He quickly finds himself torn between saving his career and saving his family. Will Paton be able to find Noah and solve the case before his personal life collapses?
This is a fantastic thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat. There is plenty of action to keep your attention and the descriptions of the characters are vivid. For anyone who enjoys a page-turner, Driven is a terrific choice.
Driven (D.I. Paton Investigates#2) is available on November 29th. As a participant in Rachel's Random Resources Blog Tour, my review will be released November 30th.
This outstanding book was shared with me by Kerena Swan and Rachel's Random Resources. I appreciate your kindness.
#Driven #RachelsRandomResources #KerenaSwan
November 14, 2022
I really liked the synopsis for this book, it suggests that there are three stories wrapped in the cover. There is also more to this than the synopsis suggests, so I had better be careful what I mention!
This is the 2nd book in the series and it is the first one I have read. I did get the feeling that there is more to be garnered from reading the first book, but Driven does work well as a stand-alone.
DI Paton is struggling with balancing his home life and his work life. This does lead him to make the odd mistake, but when it involves the kidnapping of a child there can be no mistakes.
There is also the part that involves the teenager, Woody, now I know what he did was awful but I have to say I had a bit of a soft spot for him as I learnt more about him.
From discovering a child has been kidnapped to the story as it ended was a fabulous journey that was full of tension, suspicion and more than a few shocks and twists along the way.
The story flowed at a wonderful pace and because of the various characters and the different subplots, it kept me eagerly turning the pages. This is one of those stories that you don't want the author to swap between the characters because you need to know what happens to them. Obviously, this is the format of the story and it is a great way of keeping me reading it means I start to suspect and usually get various things wrong. There were some wonderful routes that the author took and these did surprise me.
It is a book where you may think about a character one way only to find that there is a history that has shaped them. Stereotyping people is a great way of setting the reader up to get their suspicions and observations wrong. The storyline is tense and it is actually quite dangerous and not necessarily for the most obvious of reasons.
I really enjoyed this one and I do like the little teaser that the author has left for the next book. This is a series I can definitely see myself carrying on with, I do like Paton's sidekick or left-in-command!
For a police procedural with a twist, I really enjoyed this one. One for crime and mystery fans and also one I would definitely recommend.
This is the 2nd book in the series and it is the first one I have read. I did get the feeling that there is more to be garnered from reading the first book, but Driven does work well as a stand-alone.
DI Paton is struggling with balancing his home life and his work life. This does lead him to make the odd mistake, but when it involves the kidnapping of a child there can be no mistakes.
There is also the part that involves the teenager, Woody, now I know what he did was awful but I have to say I had a bit of a soft spot for him as I learnt more about him.
From discovering a child has been kidnapped to the story as it ended was a fabulous journey that was full of tension, suspicion and more than a few shocks and twists along the way.
The story flowed at a wonderful pace and because of the various characters and the different subplots, it kept me eagerly turning the pages. This is one of those stories that you don't want the author to swap between the characters because you need to know what happens to them. Obviously, this is the format of the story and it is a great way of keeping me reading it means I start to suspect and usually get various things wrong. There were some wonderful routes that the author took and these did surprise me.
It is a book where you may think about a character one way only to find that there is a history that has shaped them. Stereotyping people is a great way of setting the reader up to get their suspicions and observations wrong. The storyline is tense and it is actually quite dangerous and not necessarily for the most obvious of reasons.
I really enjoyed this one and I do like the little teaser that the author has left for the next book. This is a series I can definitely see myself carrying on with, I do like Paton's sidekick or left-in-command!
For a police procedural with a twist, I really enjoyed this one. One for crime and mystery fans and also one I would definitely recommend.
December 30, 2023
Having read and enjoyed this author's previous novels, I was in no doubt as to whether I would relish "Driven". I was in no way disappointed.
The protagonist in this police procedural is a caring man who is conflicted by his work/life responsibilities. Paton has a very challenging home life with a wife who suffers from depression and a teenage son with Downs' Syndrome. He is a very authentic character who is less than perfect, though he continually strives to be better.
The characterization was so well rendered that I found myself feeling quite sympathetic towards the characters, even a few of the criminals!
The investigations were time sensitive, giving the novel a sense of suspenseful urgency.
"Driven" is a fine novel and a worthy successor to "Blood Loss". This police procedural series has a likeable protagonist, whom you want to follow in further novels.
The book spoke to themes of parenting, poverty, criminal gangs, and familial responsibility.
The plot was rendered in a real and compelling way that made the book hard to put down.
Recommended to all police procedural fans!
The protagonist in this police procedural is a caring man who is conflicted by his work/life responsibilities. Paton has a very challenging home life with a wife who suffers from depression and a teenage son with Downs' Syndrome. He is a very authentic character who is less than perfect, though he continually strives to be better.
The characterization was so well rendered that I found myself feeling quite sympathetic towards the characters, even a few of the criminals!
The investigations were time sensitive, giving the novel a sense of suspenseful urgency.
"Driven" is a fine novel and a worthy successor to "Blood Loss". This police procedural series has a likeable protagonist, whom you want to follow in further novels.
The book spoke to themes of parenting, poverty, criminal gangs, and familial responsibility.
The plot was rendered in a real and compelling way that made the book hard to put down.
Recommended to all police procedural fans!
November 26, 2022
How lovely to see the return of DI Paton and his son Tommy in this second installment of this exciting series. It has been so long since I read the first book I had to go back and refresh my memory and I'd mentioned in my review then that I looked forward to seeing more of Paton's son Tommy so it was lovely to see him so involved this time round.
Tommy is a delightful and endearing character who has Down's Sydnrome but he doesn't let that hold him back. He is keen to become a policeman just like his dad and he watches crime dramas and cop downs relentlessly as well as playing memory games that help him retain an eye for clues should he ever need to help his dad catch the baddies. It is also refreshing to see a detective that isn't stereo-typically divorced, bad-tempered and verging on alcoholism to get through the day. Instead, Paton is a devoted husband and father trying his best to juggle his responsibilities as both as well as maintaining a successful career as a detective. His home life can sometimes get in the way of his investigations but he is lucky to have an understanding boss who gives him a little leeway in that area...as long as it doesn't encroach too much that it affects him doing his job effectively.
In this story, Paton finds himself solely responsible for Tommy while his wife Wendy is away in Weymouth caring for her mother who has had a fall. Unfortunately, Tommy's school has also closed due to an asbestos discovery leaving Paton with the conundrum of what to do with his son whilst he's at work. This leads him to make a decision which he will come to regret but at the time he felt he had little choice.
Paton is investigating a series of car thefts which lead him to a wrecking yard he felt sure was somehow involved. But then he is tasked with another stolen car, this time with a two year old toddler inside, he is made SIO and the clock is ticking to find the missing child...and quick! Because little Louie has epilepsy and if he is not given his medication or the correct diet, the next seizure he has could prove fatal.
When teenagers Woody and Roach gleefully speed away in the stolen Ford Fiesta they had no idea a toddler was asleep in the back seat. Their first indication was hearing a little voice pipe up "Where's mummy?" Understandably the child became quickly distressed and began screaming his lungs out which then lead to him being quickly dumped and left on a grassy verge outside a field gateway, alone and in the cold. Will he be found before dark? And before it's too late?
Paton's investigations lead him a merry chase before even coming close to the real culprits, and not before trouble strikes closer to home. It seems threats are made and he has unwittingly put his family in danger. Then when Tommy finds a kitten in his shed and, keeping his find a secret, decides to keep it and feed it, a covert trip to the shops has him accidentally involved in the case. But Tommy isn't daft...he knows what he must remember to catch the baddies.
I thoroughly enjoyed revisiting DI Paton and Tommy once again and I do hope this is not the end of their escapades. They make a fine team, albeit a unique one. This story did have a little more procedural involved than I remembered from the first one but I could be wrong. However, I do like the fact that it is not solely procedural which can be humdrum and samey after a while. I love how we get to hear all the voices of those directly involved - Woody, Roach, Mabel, Paton, Tommy and even little Louie. It is no way confusing as each chapter is clearly titled whose narrative as well as the time and how much of it has passed since Louie went missing. It is a poignant story in parts which will have you sympathising in part with some of those involved. I found myself feeling for both Woody and Mabel, despite their involvement, though I really did develop something of a soft spot for Woody.
The story unfolds seamlessly switching from narrative to narrative without a beat as the pace picks up with the tension palpable. There's no real mystery as we know and see who does what from the start but it's the unknown of what could happen that ramps up the tension a notch or two.
I was a little surprised at the turn the story took at the end. I was not expecting that...but I hope it is just a little teaser that is setting the tone for the next book. Because I would love to see more of Paton and his left-in-command!
Overall, a thoroughly enjoyable crime thriller that is a procedural with a twist.
I would like to thank #KerenaSwan, #Netgalley, #HobeckBooks and #RachelsRandomResources for an ARC of #Driven in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
Tommy is a delightful and endearing character who has Down's Sydnrome but he doesn't let that hold him back. He is keen to become a policeman just like his dad and he watches crime dramas and cop downs relentlessly as well as playing memory games that help him retain an eye for clues should he ever need to help his dad catch the baddies. It is also refreshing to see a detective that isn't stereo-typically divorced, bad-tempered and verging on alcoholism to get through the day. Instead, Paton is a devoted husband and father trying his best to juggle his responsibilities as both as well as maintaining a successful career as a detective. His home life can sometimes get in the way of his investigations but he is lucky to have an understanding boss who gives him a little leeway in that area...as long as it doesn't encroach too much that it affects him doing his job effectively.
In this story, Paton finds himself solely responsible for Tommy while his wife Wendy is away in Weymouth caring for her mother who has had a fall. Unfortunately, Tommy's school has also closed due to an asbestos discovery leaving Paton with the conundrum of what to do with his son whilst he's at work. This leads him to make a decision which he will come to regret but at the time he felt he had little choice.
Paton is investigating a series of car thefts which lead him to a wrecking yard he felt sure was somehow involved. But then he is tasked with another stolen car, this time with a two year old toddler inside, he is made SIO and the clock is ticking to find the missing child...and quick! Because little Louie has epilepsy and if he is not given his medication or the correct diet, the next seizure he has could prove fatal.
When teenagers Woody and Roach gleefully speed away in the stolen Ford Fiesta they had no idea a toddler was asleep in the back seat. Their first indication was hearing a little voice pipe up "Where's mummy?" Understandably the child became quickly distressed and began screaming his lungs out which then lead to him being quickly dumped and left on a grassy verge outside a field gateway, alone and in the cold. Will he be found before dark? And before it's too late?
Paton's investigations lead him a merry chase before even coming close to the real culprits, and not before trouble strikes closer to home. It seems threats are made and he has unwittingly put his family in danger. Then when Tommy finds a kitten in his shed and, keeping his find a secret, decides to keep it and feed it, a covert trip to the shops has him accidentally involved in the case. But Tommy isn't daft...he knows what he must remember to catch the baddies.
I thoroughly enjoyed revisiting DI Paton and Tommy once again and I do hope this is not the end of their escapades. They make a fine team, albeit a unique one. This story did have a little more procedural involved than I remembered from the first one but I could be wrong. However, I do like the fact that it is not solely procedural which can be humdrum and samey after a while. I love how we get to hear all the voices of those directly involved - Woody, Roach, Mabel, Paton, Tommy and even little Louie. It is no way confusing as each chapter is clearly titled whose narrative as well as the time and how much of it has passed since Louie went missing. It is a poignant story in parts which will have you sympathising in part with some of those involved. I found myself feeling for both Woody and Mabel, despite their involvement, though I really did develop something of a soft spot for Woody.
The story unfolds seamlessly switching from narrative to narrative without a beat as the pace picks up with the tension palpable. There's no real mystery as we know and see who does what from the start but it's the unknown of what could happen that ramps up the tension a notch or two.
I was a little surprised at the turn the story took at the end. I was not expecting that...but I hope it is just a little teaser that is setting the tone for the next book. Because I would love to see more of Paton and his left-in-command!
Overall, a thoroughly enjoyable crime thriller that is a procedural with a twist.
I would like to thank #KerenaSwan, #Netgalley, #HobeckBooks and #RachelsRandomResources for an ARC of #Driven in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
December 8, 2022
The book starts with a mother, Melanie making a stupid error, not exactly thoughtless because she does actively make a decision but one to prove costly. Little Louie is asleep in the back of the car when she drops off Noah at nursery, she’ll only be gone a few seconds, so she decides not to disturb him, only her to get caught up in a conversation she is too polite to abruptly end. Its more than enough time for a couple of scallies to steal the car with Louie still inside. This immediately captures the reader, a stupid thing to do but then when we think about it most of us are guilty of actively making stupid choices in life, perhaps not to this magnitude but we are all human. The story that develops from this point that has humanity at its core and explores our attitudes to family, children and disability.
The plot centres on a criminal gang that steals cars, to order or to break up for parts, who accidently kidnap little Louie and how they deal with this ‘little’ problem. Poor Louie passes from one captor to another as we follow what happens to him on one strand whilst another follows the actions of the gang. Separate investigations headed by DI Paton then follow each these strands, although they are unable to see they are connected, and later a further complication develops as Paton’s son Tommy is drawn into it too.
It is the strength of the characterisation that is the glue that holds everything together. DI Paton is the traditional troubled cop, the twist is his troubles are not of his making. That he must cope with his demanding job is given, but he also has to cope with the fragile state of his wife’s mental health and her desire for another child, whilst trying to juggle overseeing their son Tommy, who has Downs Syndrome.
It is Tommy who is the pick of the characters and lifts the story. He is clearly the product of love and affection from the author, who has a fully formed personality of his own; we see his love of animals, his child like sense of fun and naivety, his different perspective of the world and that sense of taking risks (mirroring Melanie) even though he knows he shouldn’t. Tommy is a fun character, and we can share his joy and laugh with him rather than at him. His effect on the criminal gang will raise a chuckle, the set piece he inadvertently creates (even if you spot it before) will have you guffawing. A brilliantly sensitive portrayal of a young man with disabilities which should be applauded, and I look forward to reading about him again.
Poor Mabel Grimshaw is old, lonely, and depressed, missing the one thing she cannot have, a child. She finds Louie all alone and helps he and in a parallel with Tommy who finds a kitten in the shed at home, love takes over common sense. Again, as the reader finds out about Mabel one ends up feeling some sympathy as she ends up paying a price, unless you happen to have a heart of stone.
Woody is typical of the type of young lad who moves to a new area and tries to fit in with a new group. A desire to be ‘one of the boys’ sees him drawn into crime, it’s a wheeze for a little while but finding Louie in the car brings the reality of his situation home to him. He has been brought up well and can tell right from wrong but now he is part of the gang though it is hard to escape its clutches as we see him trying to find his road to redemption.
The story comes to a satisfying conclusion with a bit of a feel-good factor to it, not a fairy tale happy ever after but a future for them in which their actions can make things better than they have been. There is also a tantalising hook to the next book in the series which will guarantee loyal readers.
Driven is a psychological drama that makes a deep but sensitive examination of human desire for children, family of loss and longing.
The plot centres on a criminal gang that steals cars, to order or to break up for parts, who accidently kidnap little Louie and how they deal with this ‘little’ problem. Poor Louie passes from one captor to another as we follow what happens to him on one strand whilst another follows the actions of the gang. Separate investigations headed by DI Paton then follow each these strands, although they are unable to see they are connected, and later a further complication develops as Paton’s son Tommy is drawn into it too.
It is the strength of the characterisation that is the glue that holds everything together. DI Paton is the traditional troubled cop, the twist is his troubles are not of his making. That he must cope with his demanding job is given, but he also has to cope with the fragile state of his wife’s mental health and her desire for another child, whilst trying to juggle overseeing their son Tommy, who has Downs Syndrome.
It is Tommy who is the pick of the characters and lifts the story. He is clearly the product of love and affection from the author, who has a fully formed personality of his own; we see his love of animals, his child like sense of fun and naivety, his different perspective of the world and that sense of taking risks (mirroring Melanie) even though he knows he shouldn’t. Tommy is a fun character, and we can share his joy and laugh with him rather than at him. His effect on the criminal gang will raise a chuckle, the set piece he inadvertently creates (even if you spot it before) will have you guffawing. A brilliantly sensitive portrayal of a young man with disabilities which should be applauded, and I look forward to reading about him again.
Poor Mabel Grimshaw is old, lonely, and depressed, missing the one thing she cannot have, a child. She finds Louie all alone and helps he and in a parallel with Tommy who finds a kitten in the shed at home, love takes over common sense. Again, as the reader finds out about Mabel one ends up feeling some sympathy as she ends up paying a price, unless you happen to have a heart of stone.
Woody is typical of the type of young lad who moves to a new area and tries to fit in with a new group. A desire to be ‘one of the boys’ sees him drawn into crime, it’s a wheeze for a little while but finding Louie in the car brings the reality of his situation home to him. He has been brought up well and can tell right from wrong but now he is part of the gang though it is hard to escape its clutches as we see him trying to find his road to redemption.
The story comes to a satisfying conclusion with a bit of a feel-good factor to it, not a fairy tale happy ever after but a future for them in which their actions can make things better than they have been. There is also a tantalising hook to the next book in the series which will guarantee loyal readers.
Driven is a psychological drama that makes a deep but sensitive examination of human desire for children, family of loss and longing.
November 24, 2022
Book 2 in the DI Paton Series and I’m really enjoying the books. I remember writing in my review of the last book that I loved the relationship between Paton and his son Tommy and hopes to see more of Tommy in the next book. Well my wish was granted. Thank you. Tommy is a wonderful character, he has Down syndrome but that’s not going to stop him, Tommy wants to be a policeman like his Dad. This is a lovely story, verging on cosy, not quite - but there aren’t many graphic scenes. Alongside the main story there are a few other story threads, most of which have a connection to the main case, and all of which are resolved seamlessly.
Briefly, Paton is responsible Tommy whilst his wife is away looking after her mother following a fall. He is currently investigating stolen cars and has also been made SIO on a missing child case. Trying to balance looking after Tommy and work is difficult and he makes a few mistakes. Meanwhile 2 year old Noah is still missing but the clues are mounting up…
It is interesting to see how Paton makes a decision between family and work, to be honest I was a bit shocked at one of the decisions he made. This is a proper police procedural in that the reader knows what is happening with Tommy, Noah and Paton throughout and we get to see how the police react to events and progress the case. A very enjoyable read with a good plot line and I loved the shock ending and look forward to the next in series.
Briefly, Paton is responsible Tommy whilst his wife is away looking after her mother following a fall. He is currently investigating stolen cars and has also been made SIO on a missing child case. Trying to balance looking after Tommy and work is difficult and he makes a few mistakes. Meanwhile 2 year old Noah is still missing but the clues are mounting up…
It is interesting to see how Paton makes a decision between family and work, to be honest I was a bit shocked at one of the decisions he made. This is a proper police procedural in that the reader knows what is happening with Tommy, Noah and Paton throughout and we get to see how the police react to events and progress the case. A very enjoyable read with a good plot line and I loved the shock ending and look forward to the next in series.
November 3, 2022
A car is stolen by two young boys who are stealing to order. When driving the car away they get rather a surprise when there is a voice from the back seat- a small child. They quickly dump him by a field gateway and take the car to the scrapyard. DI Patton has his own issues- his wife is away dealing with her elderly mother and Tommy his son has his own problems which means he can't be left alone. When DI Patton is made SIO on the case, Tommy finds a kitten- something he has always wanted but to feed it he unwittingly becomes involved in the case.
Oh wow! Another stunner of a read by Kerena. One I didn't want to put down and kept reading “ just one more chapter” to me, the sign of a good book. It's an excellent plot with various twists and turns and that welcome human kindness element that gives the main characters depth. A brilliant read I can’t recommend highly enough. Very much looking forward to the next one.
For more reviews please follow me on Twitter@nickisbookblog
December 6, 2022
This was brilliant! From start to finish I was hooked, when two teenagers steal a car they get more than they bargained for when they discover a child in the back seat! In a panic they abandon him in a field and carry on taking the car to their destination. One of the boys is wracked with guilt about leaving the wee guy out in the cold that he goes back to look for him but cant find him.
DI Paton is a down to earth guy with real family struggles and that is was made me warm to him, his wife is away looking after her sick mother whilst he is working a case and juggling the unexpected closure of his sons school. And when gets switched to the missing child case he soon discovers there is more threads connections a web together that sees his son get in danger. DI Paton faces the dilemma of putting his career before his family or risk his family in doing so.
I don't want to spoil this but I was such a great story set not far from me, which made it even better!
5 stars!
DI Paton is a down to earth guy with real family struggles and that is was made me warm to him, his wife is away looking after her sick mother whilst he is working a case and juggling the unexpected closure of his sons school. And when gets switched to the missing child case he soon discovers there is more threads connections a web together that sees his son get in danger. DI Paton faces the dilemma of putting his career before his family or risk his family in doing so.
I don't want to spoil this but I was such a great story set not far from me, which made it even better!
5 stars!
December 3, 2022
'Driven' is the second book in the series featuring Detective Inspector Paton. I had the distinct pleasure of reading and reviewing the first book in the series called 'Blood Loss', which was released last year. When I heard that Kerena was due to release the second book in the series called 'Driven', I knew that I had to grab a copy as soon as I possibly could and then hibernate until I had finished reading it. Well ladies and gents, the wait is over because 'Driven' was released on 29th November 2022. It's a cracking addition to the DI Paton series. I thoroughly enjoyed reading 'Driven' but more about that in a bit.
This was one of those books that grabbed me and drew me in from the start. As soon as I started reading the book developed a hold over me and it was a hold that I wasn't willing to break. I found it nigh on impossible to put the book down. My Kindle wasn't exactly glued to my hands but it might as well have been because it travelled everywhere with me. I couldn't bear to miss a single second of the story. It didn't take me long to warm to DI Paton and I loved his son Tommy, who has Downs Syndrome. It was as if I had reunited with old friends. I developed my own theories as to what was going to happen and so I had to keep reading to see if I was on the right track or if I had wandered off in the opposite direction. The more of the book that I read, the more I wanted to read and the quicker the pages seemed to turn. All too quickly I reached the end of 'Driven' and I had to say goodbye to Paton, his team and of course to Tommy. I found 'Driven' to be a gripping, tense and dramatic read, which certainly kept me guessing and which kept me on the edge of my seat throughout.
'Driven' is superbly written but I have come to expect nothing else from Kerena Swan. She certainly knows how to grab the reader's attention and draw them into what proves to be one hell of a story. For me, the story hit the ground running and maintained a fairly fast pace throughout. Reading 'Driven' felt like being on an times scary and unpredictable rollercoaster ride with several twists and turns along the way. Kerena clearly cares about her character and this is evident in the very vivid and realistic way in which she describes them. She makes her characters seem just as real as you and I. I love the way in which Kerena makes the reader feel as though they are part of the story and at the heart of the action.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading 'Driven' and I would definitely recommend this book to other readers. I thought that the first book in the DI Paton series was good but 'Driven' is even better. I will certainly be reading more of Kerena's work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
This was one of those books that grabbed me and drew me in from the start. As soon as I started reading the book developed a hold over me and it was a hold that I wasn't willing to break. I found it nigh on impossible to put the book down. My Kindle wasn't exactly glued to my hands but it might as well have been because it travelled everywhere with me. I couldn't bear to miss a single second of the story. It didn't take me long to warm to DI Paton and I loved his son Tommy, who has Downs Syndrome. It was as if I had reunited with old friends. I developed my own theories as to what was going to happen and so I had to keep reading to see if I was on the right track or if I had wandered off in the opposite direction. The more of the book that I read, the more I wanted to read and the quicker the pages seemed to turn. All too quickly I reached the end of 'Driven' and I had to say goodbye to Paton, his team and of course to Tommy. I found 'Driven' to be a gripping, tense and dramatic read, which certainly kept me guessing and which kept me on the edge of my seat throughout.
'Driven' is superbly written but I have come to expect nothing else from Kerena Swan. She certainly knows how to grab the reader's attention and draw them into what proves to be one hell of a story. For me, the story hit the ground running and maintained a fairly fast pace throughout. Reading 'Driven' felt like being on an times scary and unpredictable rollercoaster ride with several twists and turns along the way. Kerena clearly cares about her character and this is evident in the very vivid and realistic way in which she describes them. She makes her characters seem just as real as you and I. I love the way in which Kerena makes the reader feel as though they are part of the story and at the heart of the action.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading 'Driven' and I would definitely recommend this book to other readers. I thought that the first book in the DI Paton series was good but 'Driven' is even better. I will certainly be reading more of Kerena's work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
November 30, 2022
Originally reviewed for Chick Lit Central (www.chicklitcentral.com)
Once I started reading Driven, I couldn’t stop! From the get go, I’d become instantly hooked after discovering that Melanie’s son, Louie, had been kidnapped. Every decision that is made elicited some type of emotional response from me: fear. Hope. Dread. Anger. I wasn’t entirely sure how Louie’s story would progress, and was pretty amazed and later, shocked at what comes from his situation. I could understand the emotions that fed into everything, but at the same time, as a mother, I couldn’t even fathom not making the right choice when it comes to someone else’s child.
Woody embodied much of what I can remember from my teenage youth. There were many of us who didn’t always make the best choices, and while the same can be said about Woody, at the heart of him is goodness. Unfortunately, he’s made some pretty bad choices and much of it is tied to Louie’s wellbeing. There were plenty of moments where I’d cheer Woody on when he was oh so close to finding out the truth about his grandfather’s neighbor, but then something would get thrown into the mix and derail him. It was a really great way to add even more suspense to a situation that left the reader questioning next steps. What is in store and coming for Woody and the other characters?!?
I loved, LOVED Tommy. Paton’s son really was one of the best characters in this story. I loved his interactions with his dad, with his babysitter–even the stray cat he managed to find in his dad’s shed were really great endearing moments that made me instantly like him. It’s obvious that when push comes to shove, the “baddies” are really no match for his quick thinking and the years of training he’s gleaned from his father. On that thread, the same endearing qualities could be found in Paton, too. He’s doing his absolute best to fix the wrongs he’s been tasked to repair, while also trying to hold his family together, too. It was interesting to walk along with him as he works on figuring out the various clues in order to solve not one, but multiple cases!
This is my first venture into the DI Patton Investigates series, but it won’t be my last. I appreciate a good crime mystery novel, and Driven had it all and then some! A seriously good, riveting, five-star experience!
Once I started reading Driven, I couldn’t stop! From the get go, I’d become instantly hooked after discovering that Melanie’s son, Louie, had been kidnapped. Every decision that is made elicited some type of emotional response from me: fear. Hope. Dread. Anger. I wasn’t entirely sure how Louie’s story would progress, and was pretty amazed and later, shocked at what comes from his situation. I could understand the emotions that fed into everything, but at the same time, as a mother, I couldn’t even fathom not making the right choice when it comes to someone else’s child.
Woody embodied much of what I can remember from my teenage youth. There were many of us who didn’t always make the best choices, and while the same can be said about Woody, at the heart of him is goodness. Unfortunately, he’s made some pretty bad choices and much of it is tied to Louie’s wellbeing. There were plenty of moments where I’d cheer Woody on when he was oh so close to finding out the truth about his grandfather’s neighbor, but then something would get thrown into the mix and derail him. It was a really great way to add even more suspense to a situation that left the reader questioning next steps. What is in store and coming for Woody and the other characters?!?
I loved, LOVED Tommy. Paton’s son really was one of the best characters in this story. I loved his interactions with his dad, with his babysitter–even the stray cat he managed to find in his dad’s shed were really great endearing moments that made me instantly like him. It’s obvious that when push comes to shove, the “baddies” are really no match for his quick thinking and the years of training he’s gleaned from his father. On that thread, the same endearing qualities could be found in Paton, too. He’s doing his absolute best to fix the wrongs he’s been tasked to repair, while also trying to hold his family together, too. It was interesting to walk along with him as he works on figuring out the various clues in order to solve not one, but multiple cases!
This is my first venture into the DI Patton Investigates series, but it won’t be my last. I appreciate a good crime mystery novel, and Driven had it all and then some! A seriously good, riveting, five-star experience!
December 4, 2022
I chose to read this book after receiving a free copy. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.
Driven starts with two teens, Roach and Woody, stealing a car with 2-year-old Louie sleeping in the backseat. They have no idea Louie is there until they are out of town. To Woody’s horror, Roach stops the car in the middle of nowhere and leaves Louie on the side of the road!
This is the first case that DI Paton gets to take the lead on. He’s sure is ready but is now the right time with his wife out of town and his son’s school closed for the week? As he takes on more and more, he (and I) wonders if he’s going to make it through this stressful time.
The characters are well developed, and I couldn’t help but feel sorry for most of them. I already addressed DI Paton. Louie’s parents are, of course, beside themselves with worry, and his mom feels enormous guilt because she’d left her keys in the car. Woody isn’t a bad person but gets in with the wrong crowd and wants out. Those are just examples of the poor characters I felt bad for.
It was difficult to put Driven down at times. I had to find out what happened to Louie and then to DI Paton’s son, Tommy. There are some twists along the way that kept me turning the pages. This is definitely a book you’ll want to read if you enjoy suspenseful detective mysteries. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.
Driven starts with two teens, Roach and Woody, stealing a car with 2-year-old Louie sleeping in the backseat. They have no idea Louie is there until they are out of town. To Woody’s horror, Roach stops the car in the middle of nowhere and leaves Louie on the side of the road!
This is the first case that DI Paton gets to take the lead on. He’s sure is ready but is now the right time with his wife out of town and his son’s school closed for the week? As he takes on more and more, he (and I) wonders if he’s going to make it through this stressful time.
The characters are well developed, and I couldn’t help but feel sorry for most of them. I already addressed DI Paton. Louie’s parents are, of course, beside themselves with worry, and his mom feels enormous guilt because she’d left her keys in the car. Woody isn’t a bad person but gets in with the wrong crowd and wants out. Those are just examples of the poor characters I felt bad for.
It was difficult to put Driven down at times. I had to find out what happened to Louie and then to DI Paton’s son, Tommy. There are some twists along the way that kept me turning the pages. This is definitely a book you’ll want to read if you enjoy suspenseful detective mysteries. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.
December 3, 2022
I was hooked to this from the start and was unable to put it down another series too add to my ever growing list. Melanie leaves her sleeping son in the car while dropping her other son off at nursery but it could have devestating consequences. Woody and his friends alleviate boredom by joy riding but it is not what Woody wants to do with his life. DI Payton is on the case of a missing child but he is soon drawn into something that hits too close to home. An enthralling plot that keeps the reader engrossed throughout. I loved how the chapters were told from different characters points and it kept me engaged. I felt fear, excitement, hope, anger, joy and more during this breathtaking book. If you're after a gripping book that you can't put down then this is it!
December 6, 2022
Well here I am meeting up with DI Paton again after the first in the series, Blood Loss. Don’t worry if you haven’t read that one yet; this can be read as a standalone.
Two year old Noah is asleep in his mum’s car when it was stolen. Paton is in charge of the case but, despite his experience, he takes his eye off the ball a couple of times due to his personal life encroaching on his professional one.
Yes, a police procedural but I loved that we saw more of Paton the family man too. A solid, pacy plot & I’m ready for book 3.
Two year old Noah is asleep in his mum’s car when it was stolen. Paton is in charge of the case but, despite his experience, he takes his eye off the ball a couple of times due to his personal life encroaching on his professional one.
Yes, a police procedural but I loved that we saw more of Paton the family man too. A solid, pacy plot & I’m ready for book 3.
December 3, 2022
I was fortunate to receive a space on the blog tour from Boldwood Books for this book.
This is the second in the series, but I didn't feel it affected my enjoyment of the novel. I liked the parallel with the police inspector's life. I also enjoyed how the author portrays well how things are rarely black and white, particularly in the case of Mabel.
My favourite quote:
"Fiestas are bread and butter. Soon we'll get ourselves some proper jam."
This is the second in the series, but I didn't feel it affected my enjoyment of the novel. I liked the parallel with the police inspector's life. I also enjoyed how the author portrays well how things are rarely black and white, particularly in the case of Mabel.
My favourite quote:
"Fiestas are bread and butter. Soon we'll get ourselves some proper jam."
November 28, 2022
My review is based on an advance copy that I received from the publisher Hobeck Books.
The second book in the DI Paton series set in Scotland!! It starts with a car being stolen!! The story is told through different characters. This story has plenty of twists and turns that kept me gripped to the book. I will be recommending this to my friends.
The second book in the DI Paton series set in Scotland!! It starts with a car being stolen!! The story is told through different characters. This story has plenty of twists and turns that kept me gripped to the book. I will be recommending this to my friends.
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