“A GRUESOME MURDER

Twenty years ago, a young girl vanished from a quiet street in Northumberland. When her body was found in an attic close to her home, the whole neighbourhood was shocked.

A DEVASTATING SECRET

For her entire life, Dawn Shephard has never known her father. But when news breaks that a murderer is about to be released from prison, her mother has no choice but to reveal his identity.

THE ORIGINS OF EVIL

As Dawn digs into her father’s history, she lands on a chilling connection. And the closer she gets to the truth, the more dangerous it becomes. Just how far will she go to discover if a killer’s blood runs through her veins?”

Hello and welcome to damppebbles. Today I am delighted to share my review of Vengeance is Mine by Michael Wood. Vengeance is Mine was published by One More Chapter on 4th July 2024 and is available in paperback, audio and digital formats. I chose to read a free eARC of Vengeance is Mine but that has in no way influenced my review.

If you’re a regular visitor to the blog then you may be aware that Michael Wood is one of my favourite authors. I love the author’s DCI Matilda Darke series, although I am ashamed to admit that I have fallen a little behind. Book twelve, Last One Left Alive, is waiting patiently for me on my Kindle and I hope to get around to it over the summer months (particularly as book thirteen is waiting in the wings for publication in the Autumn!). Michael Wood has recently started a new series featuring Dr Olivia Winter, which is definitely worth checking out, and is in the process of building a strong collection of standalone novels. One of which I will be featuring today, Vengeance is Mine.

Vengeance is Mine was first published in June/July 2024. Again, if you’ve been following the blog for any length of time you will perhaps be aware that I took an unplanned blogging hiatus last year following shoulder surgery. So in actual fact, I read this book last year. I’m slowly working through a backlog of reviews from that time so please forgive me if this review is slightly shorter than my usual ramblings.

Dawn Shepherd has always believed that she was the product of a one-night stand, having grown up in a single parent family. So imagine her shock and dismay when her mother confesses who her father actually is — infamous local killer Dominic Griffiths. After many years behind bars Dominic is about to be released which is the catalyst for Rita’s devastating confession. Completely shocked by her mother’s revelation, Dawn begins to dig into her father’s past.

Vengeance is Mine is a dark, suspenseful and intriguing crime thriller. Alongside Dawn, the reader also begins to question Dominic’s guilt. Is his imprisonment a miscarriage of justice, or did Dominic really kill thirteen-year-old Stephanie? I thoroughly enjoyed the way the author toys with the reader in this book. As I approached the end of the novel, I had made my decision on his guilt, so whilst the ending didn’t come as a huge surprise, I was impressed with the author’s delivery. The characters are all interesting and helped move the story along. The plot is engaging and immersive, always moving forwards. The twists and turns are handled expertly but I would expect nothing less from this author. All in all, a very enjoyable, tense and twisty read. I’m looking forward to reading more from this author in the very near future. Recommended.

I chose to read and review a free eARC of Vengeance is Mine. The above review is my own unbiased opinion.

Vengeance is Mine by Michael Wood was published in the UK by One More Chapter on 4th July 2024 and is available in paperback, audio and digital formats (please note, the following links are affiliate links which means I receive a small percentage of the purchase price at no extra cost to you): | amazon.co.uk | Waterstones | bookshop.org | Goodreads | damppebbles bookshop.org shop | damppebbles amazon.co.uk shop | damppebbles amazon.com shop |

Michael Wood is a freelance journalist and proofreader living in Newcastle. As a journalist he covered many crime stories throughout Sheffield, gaining first-hand knowledge of police procedure. He also reviews books for CrimeSquad, a website dedicated to crime fiction.