A stunning new crime thriller from #1 best-selling author Joy Ellis with a totally shocking conclusion. Discover the author everyone’s talking about.ONE TERRIBLE CASE ALWAYS HAUNTED DETECTIVE MATT BALLARD. NOW MANY YEARS LATER, THE KILLER SEEMS TO BE BACK. AND THIS TIME HE’S AFTER MATT.When Matt Ballard was starting out his career, three boys were murdered in the same area, the remote and bleak … murdered in the same area, the remote and bleak Gibbet Fen. When the main suspect was killed in a hit-and-run, the killings stopped. But Matt was not satisfied that the real murderer had been caught.
Over 25 years later, Matt gets a photo in an unmarked envelope. It’s of the Gibbet Fen crime scene. And the picture was taken before the murder took place.
More photos arrive, relating to the historic murders, as well as intimate pictures of Matt’s very secret private life.
A KILLER WHO WILL STOP AT NOTHING TO DESTROY A DETECTIVE.
Then another murder happens, with some of the hallmarks of the old case. Has the killer returned or is this just a sick copycat determined to ruin Matt’s life and reputation? Everyone around Matt is in danger as the killer plays mind games with the detective.
In an absolutely breathtaking conclusion, Matt and his team race against time to stop a vicious killer who knows no limits.
WHAT READERS ARE SAYING ABOUT BEWARE THE PAST
“I think I forgot to breathe every now and then while I was reading and really begrudged having to put the book down.” Barbara
“A simply brilliant book, so many twists and turns, I had no idea what to expect at any time.” Janet
“The suspense starts on Page 1 and continues through the twists and turns until the very surprising ending.” Linda Strong
“OMG, this book was fantastic I absolutely loved it. I was gripped from the first page but as the tension and suspense mounted throughout the book it just got better and better and that ending, well just WOW!” Dawn Jones
“Gripping from beginning to end.” Olga
“Without doubt Joy Ellis’ best yet, this from someone who has read all of the Ellis novels.” Ron
“Full of suspense, many clues and leads that only lead to dead-ends. Interesting characters with a past and buried secrets.” Missmesmerized
The Setting
England’s rural fenland is a strange place, with its never-ending fields, winding tracks, and long straight droves (the old livestock routes) that lead to nowhere. The lonely lanes are flanked either side by deep drainage ditches and are, for a good part of the year, filled with tall, whispering reeds. Closer to the Wash, high seabanks form a barrier between river and marsh, and the richly fertile soil of the drained land. But when the mists come down, as they so often do, perspective is destroyed and all sense of direction lost, and then the fens become a rather frightening place of mystery and danger. Somewhere that you do not want to be at night.
Perfect for fans of Rachel Abbott, Robert Bryndza, Mel Sherratt, Angela Marsons, Colin Dexter, or Ruth Rendell.
ALSO BY JOY ELLIS
DETECTIVE MATT BALLARD
Book 1: BEWARE THE PAST
Book 2: FIVE BLOODY HEARTS
THE NIKKI GALENA SERIES
Book 1: CRIME ON THE FENS
Book 2: SHADOW OVER THE FENS
Book 3: HUNTED ON THE FENS
Book 4: KILLER ON THE FENS
Book 5: STALKER ON THE FENS
Book 6: CAPTIVE ON THE FENS
Book 7: BURIED ON THE FENS
Book 8: THIEVES ON THE FENS
Book 9: FIRE ON THE FENS
JACKMAN & EVANS
Book 1: THE MURDERER’S SON
Book 2: THEIR LOST DAUGHTERS
Book 3: THE FOURTH FRIEND
Book 4: THE GUILTY ONES
Book 5: THE STOLEN BOYS
more
I like a story where it gets personal – and it doesn’t get more personal than someone threatening to destroy you and everything you believe in. The bleak fenland setting added to the atmosphere of fear and tension to create a well-written, intricately plotted revenge thriller that kept me turning the pages.
The killer seems to know everything about DCI Matt Ballard, whose life and grip on reality are brutally dismantled in a carefully orchestrated way, leading to an exciting climax with a neat twist. It all stems back to the murder of three boys early in the detective’s career. While the main suspect died, Ballard was never convinced of his guilt.
Is the real killer back to haunt Ballard?
The author’s direct style keeps the pace moving along as the suspense and tension are piled on with one setback after another until Ballard is left reeling and almost broken, outwitted at every turn by a clever and ruthless adversary.
Like many revenge thrillers, the villain seems to have endless time, resources and technological expertise. At times it seemed almost too easy for the killer to run rings around Ballard, which meant I had to suspend disbelief to some extent. It might also explain why I struggled to engage with the detective at times. He seemed to be pushed around too easily, often with little resistance.
Maybe there was just too much going on.
To be fair, the author explained every last detail and left no loose ends, including the identity of the original killer, revealing her mastery over the complex and intricate plot.
This is the first novel I’ve read by the author and it won’t be the last. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a tautly written thriller with an intricate plot.
I found the book to be a little slow to start, mainly to familiarize myself to British police hiarchy and a few slang phrases, but it is so worth it to go to the end. Truly mind-bending, intense and you’ll never guess the ending.
Well done with good plot twist!
This is one of the best books I have ever read. Very interesting from page one. The story is very well crafted with surprises all throughout including the last page.
Based in England, so characters are very British. Very strange crimes. This could be a movie.
This was a fantastic book, am looking forward to reading more from Joy Ellis.
Another excellent book by Joy Ellis!
I don’t know when I ever read a better detective story. Brilliant! A joy to reread.
A sad look at child abuse, but a must read.
Great Read! Should be ten stars!
Unrelentingly suspenseful. The author managed to provide all the clues but also woven together in such a way to keep you guessing. There were surprises even after you think everything has been revealed.
A real page-turning chiller. I loved this book. I’m sure I’ll read more from Joy Ellis.
Was slow in the beginning. Twisted ending
This was an excellent read. Definitely a page turner with some big twists I did not see coming. A fun thriller of a ride!
Great book!
I love, Love Joy Ellis. New author for me. Her writing style engages you, her descriptions of towns, scenery and people bring you there. Her story telling is amazing.
She is an author that I will probably read everything she has written. Buy her books and lose yourself in the story.
It is a British crime story, kind of slow going. But also a very well written story. You keep guessing till the end and that comes with a real twist. Highly recommend it.
Thoroughly enjoyed this book and was not expecting the end.
a good beach read
Loved this book
Fast moving, original book with a great ending!