DI Kelly Porter knows some people will risk everything to get ahead. But when the truth comes out deadly prices are paid…
After a scandal forces DI Kelly Porter out of the Met, she returns to her home turf in the Lake District. Crimes in the Cumbrian constabulary tend to be of the minor sort, but Kelly begins work on a cold case that shocked the local community – the abduction and brutal … abduction and brutal murder of ten-year-old Lottie Davies.
Meanwhile, Kelly is also investigating two seemingly straightforward crimes: a case involving an illegal immigrant, and a robbery following the death of local businessman Colin Day. But evidence comes to light that reveals a web of criminal activity beyond anything Kelly imagined. Behind the veneer of sleepy, touristy towns lies a dark and dangerous underworld. As Kelly threatens to expose those with much to lose, she risks paying the ultimate price to get to the truth…
Don’t miss this taut and gripping debut from a crime writer to watch. Perfect for fans of Carol Wyer, Patricia Gibney and Angela Marsons.
What readers are saying about Dark Game
‘The investigations come to a dangerous conclusion. Be prepared to be taken on a journey’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘DI Kelly Porter, a modern day kickass superhero lady!’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Definitely following this author for future work! I’m REALLY looking forward to seeing more of DI Kelly Porter!’ Book Lover Reviews
‘A dark and gritty fast paced thriller with a twisty turny, interwoven plot that had me excited to reach the climax’ Gemma’s Book Nook
‘It grabbed me from the first word… I absolutely loved Kelly’s character! … I loved everything about this book and was genuinely disappointed to have finished it. I would highly recommend this one!’ Stardust Book Reviews
‘The story is frighteningly realistic; the crimes, as they take place are described brilliantly… the next one can’t come soon enough.’ Nigel Adams Book Worm
‘Will keep you up all night… This is a must-read book.’ Karen’s World
‘What an exceptional story… It’s gripping and definitely a page-turner… I was completely hooked and struggled to put the book down.’ Book Lover Reviews
‘What a fantastic read! I loved this book, the characters were interesting and likeable and I can’t wait for book 2! The plot was exciting and full of emotion and twists, it was just a really great book that I thoroughly enjoyed.’ NetGalley reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘I could not put it down and it’s a refreshing change to have a police female lead who is positive but normal! A new role model in the making’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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Dark Game is about DI Kelly Porter a thirty-six year old woman who left home ten years ago to work the MET in London. After a scandalous incident she returned to her hometown of the Lake District in the UK. She wasn’t too disappointed to leave given the amount of dead bodies she saw in London.
Kelly is the new detective inspector with Cumbria Constabulary in a quiet isolated provincial pod. The town is small with limited resources. A small town meant a slower pace with limited crime. All though an outsider, Kelly brings with her ten years of experience working at the MET. The team respected her for doing time on a force in one of the UK’s major cities. She will be on her own most of the time but she does have two other detectives she can rely on.
Kelly is juggling three investigative cases. The reader is aware of everything taking place. There is no detective work to be had by the reader. In fact, most everything Kelly figures out the reader is already aware of. This process removed any thrill, any suspense, and any mystery leaving a straight forward investigation.
Kelly followed investigative procedures, yet it didn’t seem plausible. Some of the line of questioning didn’t sound like what true detectives say. I think Kelly revealed too much with the people she questioned.
The story takes place in the UK. I’m unfamiliar with the locations mentioned in this story so that causes a disadvantage when reading.
The story is comprised of detective field work as well as scenes from the individuals running a people-trafficking operation. This is a character driven story with a variety of working parts. It’s an easy read, however all the intricate parts of the story makes it difficult to keep track of.
Rachel Lynch is a British author who writes in her native language. Usually I have no hindrances when reading the work of a British writer, however this book included far more British slang than I’m familiar with.
Rachel is known for her crime series. There are eight books in this series. Each book includes lead DI Kelly Porter. I’m not interested in pursuing any further in this series.
I’ve only just begun yet I’m ready to quit. It’s not the compelling story I was hoping for. The writing style is dry. While I enjoy a good dark taboo story this one didn’t hit its mark. Even with a few shocking revelations I still couldn’t find it within myself to connect with the story or characters. I felt unattached the entire time. It was a slow progressing story. I could’ve done without Kelly’s personal life it wasn’t revenant to her character nor did it progress the story.
There are a few graphic sex scenes and some gory violence scenes.
I was more interested in the investigative side not the inner workings of the criminals. Reading about them was off putting. I skimmed this book early on.
Great read!
Enjoyed it, a little formulaic but an enjoyable formula.
DNF at 50%. 2.5 stars
When the plot shoves two immigrants into a ring to fight each other against their wills, that was it for me. Strangulations, beatings, rapes, prostitution. The violence goes on and on. Yes, it’s well written. And the various points of view are easy to follow, but the female main character just doesn’t offer enough. Occasionally, the author throws in a family conflict (with the caricature sister from hell), but otherwise every law officer (even the DI in the next community) gets along swimmingly with a woman being in charge. Not good enough to demand another two hours of my life to finish.
I’m so glad I discovered Rachel Lynch’s detective Kelly Porter series. It’s set in the Lake District in the north of England. I’ve visited the area and love recalling the landmarks mentioned in the stories. Do yourself a favour and pick up the entire gritty series. You won’t regret it!
After a scandal forces DI Kelly Porter out of the Met, she returns to her home in the Lake District. Crimes in the Cumbrian constabulary tend to be of the minor sort, but Kelly begins work on a cold case that shocked the local community – the abduction and brutal murder of ten-year-old Lottie Davies.
Meanwhile, Kelly is also investigating two seemingly straightforward crimes: a case involving an illegal immigrant, and a robbery following the death of local businessman Colin Day. But evidence comes to light that reveals a web of criminal activity beyond anything Kelly imagined involving people trafficking, the sex trade, money laundering and quite an array of unsavoury characters.
This is the first of a new series & a very good series opener. I look forward to reading more. I love a good thriller & this ticked all the boxes for me, a gritty storyline & plenty of suspense plus an engaging main character.
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
I really wanted to like this, I really did but I just struggled with it! The writing was amazing and I had no problem with that and I really enjoyed the plot. Saying that the book had multiple plot points going off and sometimes it was hard to keep up to which case they were talking about. I really didn’t get to know much about Kelly either. Not as much as I wanted to know. It was a good thriller and such a great story if the plot lines were slightly more clear. I enjoyed it but I just wish there was a way to tell the cases apart from each other.
Dark Game by author Rachel Lynch is an intensely written crime thriller set in the Lake District of Cumbria. DI Kelly Porter is caught up with investigating the abduction and brutal death of little Lottie Davis. But there are also paths of underlying crime which all leads back to Colon Day, a respected businessman who died of a heart attack while at a local hotel.
I would have liked to have learned more about the main character, Kelly before the intertwined plots of the savage crimes became so prominent.
I won’t post spoilers, but this book will enlighten the reader about how widespread the use of young women by the criminal element which preys on the illegal immigrants and underprivileged. Once the teenaged girls and young women are trapped into a life of servitude by mobsters and sex traders, they are used and then killed when their bodies can not withstand the abuse any longer. Not only the women but men who owe debts which can not be repaid are made to fight until death for the sport of others.
There are some scenes in the book which were very brutal and explicit. Personally, I don’t usually choose to read books with so much graphic violence. But the skill of the authors’ writing is very good! **Adult /Violent Content**