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DI Kelly Porter #2
Deep Fear
DI Kelly Porter is back. But will this new case push her beyond her limits?
On a peaceful summer's morning in the Lake District, a woman's body is discovered outside a church. She's been murdered and a brutal, symbolic act performed on her corpse. DI Kelly Porter is in charge of the team investigating the crime, and is determined to bring the killer to justice. But as more deaths occur it is clear this is the work of a disturbed, dangerous and determined individual. Can Kelly put the puzzle pieces together before the danger comes closer to home?
On a peaceful summer's morning in the Lake District, a woman's body is discovered outside a church. She's been murdered and a brutal, symbolic act performed on her corpse. DI Kelly Porter is in charge of the team investigating the crime, and is determined to bring the killer to justice. But as more deaths occur it is clear this is the work of a disturbed, dangerous and determined individual. Can Kelly put the puzzle pieces together before the danger comes closer to home?
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 14, 2018
1020 people are currently reading
934 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Lynch
38books384followersRachel Lynch grew up in Cumbria and the lakes and fells are never far away from her. London pulled her away to teach History and marry an Army Officer, whom she followed around the globe for thirteen years.
A change of career after children led to personal training and sports therapy, but writing was always the overwhelming force driving the future. The human capacity for compassion as well as its descent into the brutal and murky world of crime are fundamental to her work.
A change of career after children led to personal training and sports therapy, but writing was always the overwhelming force driving the future. The human capacity for compassion as well as its descent into the brutal and murky world of crime are fundamental to her work.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 216 reviews
May 21, 2018
Book Reviewed by Stacey on
Rachel Lynch returns with her second book in the DI Kelly Porter series set in the Lake District.
This time Detective Inspector Kelly Porter is on the case of a serial killer who is murdering people because of bad things that they have done in their lives. He is also placing their bodies in different areas of the Lake District with certain parts missing and a note inside each body quoting lines of poetry.
The first victim is found in a graveyard by an elderly gentleman visiting his wife’s grave. Moira Tate’s naked body is found in a precarious position with rolled-up money placed inside of her and the tops of her fingers cut off. She had come to the are to visit her sick mother who was at the local hospital.
It’s up to Kelly and her team, including newcomer DC Shawcross to work out the clues and catch their killer before he/she strikes again, but with little to go on, this is going to be a tough case to crack, and one that feels too close to home!
I absolutely loved book one, Dark Game, so much so that I read it through the night, unable to put it down, so I couldn’t wait to get started on this book. DI Kelly Porter is one tough cookie. She won’t let anything or anyone stand in her way to get the job completed and catch her suspects.
I love how the books are set in the Lake District, one of the most beautiful parts of the UK, and Ms. Lynch brings the area to life with her descriptions, making the whole book atmospheric.
However, whilst I loved the plot surrounding the murders and the ritual placing of the bodies and the investigation into them, I thought there was a little bit too much about DI Kelly herself and her family situation. Her sick mother, a sister she detests. Whilst both were touched on in the first book, they kind of took over a few of the chapters in this one. I ended up glossing over some of the sections just to get back to the case at hand.
I enjoyed the build-up of the case, the plot twists as you wonder which suspect is the real culprit and the joy of the chase as the pieces are all put together and the puzzle comes to a close, this is what makes a great thriller.
The book is still engaging though and has a great plot, I just wasn’t as gripped to the story as much as I was with the first book, which was a real shame. I’m hoping that book three, which I will certainly read, is as good as the first.
Rachel Lynch returns with her second book in the DI Kelly Porter series set in the Lake District.
This time Detective Inspector Kelly Porter is on the case of a serial killer who is murdering people because of bad things that they have done in their lives. He is also placing their bodies in different areas of the Lake District with certain parts missing and a note inside each body quoting lines of poetry.
The first victim is found in a graveyard by an elderly gentleman visiting his wife’s grave. Moira Tate’s naked body is found in a precarious position with rolled-up money placed inside of her and the tops of her fingers cut off. She had come to the are to visit her sick mother who was at the local hospital.
It’s up to Kelly and her team, including newcomer DC Shawcross to work out the clues and catch their killer before he/she strikes again, but with little to go on, this is going to be a tough case to crack, and one that feels too close to home!
I absolutely loved book one, Dark Game, so much so that I read it through the night, unable to put it down, so I couldn’t wait to get started on this book. DI Kelly Porter is one tough cookie. She won’t let anything or anyone stand in her way to get the job completed and catch her suspects.
I love how the books are set in the Lake District, one of the most beautiful parts of the UK, and Ms. Lynch brings the area to life with her descriptions, making the whole book atmospheric.
However, whilst I loved the plot surrounding the murders and the ritual placing of the bodies and the investigation into them, I thought there was a little bit too much about DI Kelly herself and her family situation. Her sick mother, a sister she detests. Whilst both were touched on in the first book, they kind of took over a few of the chapters in this one. I ended up glossing over some of the sections just to get back to the case at hand.
I enjoyed the build-up of the case, the plot twists as you wonder which suspect is the real culprit and the joy of the chase as the pieces are all put together and the puzzle comes to a close, this is what makes a great thriller.
The book is still engaging though and has a great plot, I just wasn’t as gripped to the story as much as I was with the first book, which was a real shame. I’m hoping that book three, which I will certainly read, is as good as the first.
February 9, 2022
I give 5 stars for the concept and police procedural.
Unfortunately this book is not flawless and it is definitely not as good as the first one, “Dark Game�.
There was something about the writing that did not seem right. Some sentences felt as if created through a “cut and paste� process.
“His hair had begun to be kissed by salt and pepper…� sounds too poetic (and not very original) between so many gory details.
There were many references to brand names and I hope that the author got a good deal for the advertisement, but it really added nothing to the story.
Also, the author spent too much time on describing the settings (Lake District, famous scenic region and national park in the administrative county of Cumbria, England) and on the main character’s personal life (although understandable). This book could be shorter if more objective.
It seems that this edition needed some editing, as there are a few mistakes that can annoy some readers, but nothing so outrageous, although I did try to ignore “puss� when clearly she meant “pus� (chapters 42 & 54), unless I’m mistaken.
The book ends on a cliffhanger, so now I feel forced to read the next book, which has been sitting on my shelves since its release.
It’s really not bad, but I did miss the thrilling (or even shocking) moments.
I think that the main problem is that I did not feel engaged.
Unfortunately this book is not flawless and it is definitely not as good as the first one, “Dark Game�.
There was something about the writing that did not seem right. Some sentences felt as if created through a “cut and paste� process.
“His hair had begun to be kissed by salt and pepper…� sounds too poetic (and not very original) between so many gory details.
There were many references to brand names and I hope that the author got a good deal for the advertisement, but it really added nothing to the story.
Also, the author spent too much time on describing the settings (Lake District, famous scenic region and national park in the administrative county of Cumbria, England) and on the main character’s personal life (although understandable). This book could be shorter if more objective.
It seems that this edition needed some editing, as there are a few mistakes that can annoy some readers, but nothing so outrageous, although I did try to ignore “puss� when clearly she meant “pus� (chapters 42 & 54), unless I’m mistaken.
The book ends on a cliffhanger, so now I feel forced to read the next book, which has been sitting on my shelves since its release.
It’s really not bad, but I did miss the thrilling (or even shocking) moments.
I think that the main problem is that I did not feel engaged.
April 3, 2019
This is the 2nd book in the Kelly Porter series by author Rachel Lynch. Detective Inspector Kelly Porter is based in the Lake District after moving from London following the break up with her ex.
A murdered woman's body is found outside a church and a brutal, symbolic act performed on her corpse. DI Kelly Porter is put in charge of the team investigating the crime and tasked to find the killer. More deaths follow and it becomes obvious that this is the work of a seriously disturbed killer.
Is the killer punishing these victims for their past mistakes? In each case there is a piece of the victim missing and a note left inside the body with a stanza.
I have already read and enjoyed the first book in this series and quickly lined up books 2 to 5 in the series such was it's appeal. Money well spent.
A murdered woman's body is found outside a church and a brutal, symbolic act performed on her corpse. DI Kelly Porter is put in charge of the team investigating the crime and tasked to find the killer. More deaths follow and it becomes obvious that this is the work of a seriously disturbed killer.
Is the killer punishing these victims for their past mistakes? In each case there is a piece of the victim missing and a note left inside the body with a stanza.
I have already read and enjoyed the first book in this series and quickly lined up books 2 to 5 in the series such was it's appeal. Money well spent.
May 3, 2018
Deep Fear is the second book in the DI Kelly Porter series. The story starts when an elderly man walking his dog, discovers the naked and brutal mutilated body of Moira Tate in the church grave yard. DI Kelly Porter leads the investigation. At first they think that it’s a robbery gone wrong but, she still wearing her jewellery. After trying to discover more clues to what happened to her, other bodies turn up. So we that knowledge and Kelly’s experience with the Met Police Kelly knows that she has a serial killer on her hands. They nickname the killer ‘The teacher�, as with their bodies the killer leaves excerpts of poetry sewn into their bodies.
The story also concludes about Kelly and her sister Nikki and her relationship with their mother. Nikki blurts out over the phone that her mother has Cancer and the way DI Kelly has to juggle her life with that outburst and the complexity of the case.
I read the first in the book in this series (Dark game) which I really enjoyed and I didn’t think it could get any better but Deep fear is just as good. I have good feeling about Rachel Lynch I think she is an author to watch, she will go far. From the very first page this story gripped me. I thought the plot was very well planned out and researched and we got to know more of each character. I liked the descriptions of the lake district it made me want to go there. More please. I can’t wait for book three.
Thank you Netgalley and Canelo for a copy of this book.
The story also concludes about Kelly and her sister Nikki and her relationship with their mother. Nikki blurts out over the phone that her mother has Cancer and the way DI Kelly has to juggle her life with that outburst and the complexity of the case.
I read the first in the book in this series (Dark game) which I really enjoyed and I didn’t think it could get any better but Deep fear is just as good. I have good feeling about Rachel Lynch I think she is an author to watch, she will go far. From the very first page this story gripped me. I thought the plot was very well planned out and researched and we got to know more of each character. I liked the descriptions of the lake district it made me want to go there. More please. I can’t wait for book three.
Thank you Netgalley and Canelo for a copy of this book.
December 27, 2023
Oh my! While I wasn't so sure about DI Kelly Porter after book one, she's definitely captured my attention now. As the DI struggles with her mother's cancer diagnosis and tries to stop fighting her sister on everything, Porter and her team have a new case and there definitely isn't a shortage of suspects. A thrilling read from beginning to end!
August 30, 2021
2.5/5
Bu seride beni rahatsız eden, saçma ilerlediğini düşündüğüm yerler oluyor. Kelly Porter da kesinlikle favori dedektiflerimden biri olmayacak.
Bu seride beni rahatsız eden, saçma ilerlediğini düşündüğüm yerler oluyor. Kelly Porter da kesinlikle favori dedektiflerimden biri olmayacak.
October 4, 2021
Cinayetin sebeplerini, arka plandaki olayları biraz daha açıklasaydı keşke. 300 sayfa kitap yazıp son 10 sayfada her şeyi çözmeye çalışmak, sıkıştırılmış paket gibi koşa koşa açıklama yapmak neden acaba? İlk kitabın da sonu böyleydi ama orada en azından sebepler daha tatmin edici bir açıklamayla verilmişti. Bunda resmen yarım kalmış duygusuyla kapadım kitabı🙄🙄
Bir de çevirmene sormak istiyorum; devrik cümle kullanmadan cümle kurabiliyor musunuz? Devrik cümlelere çok takılmam, hatta farkında olmadan ben de kullanırım. Ama yani bütün kitap kocaman bir devrik cümleymiş gibiydi. Çeviriyi beynimde düzelte düzelte okumaktan yoruldum. Normal kalıplı olacak yeri bile özellikle devrik cümle haline getirmiş gibi saçma bir çeviriydi😒😒
Bir de çevirmene sormak istiyorum; devrik cümle kullanmadan cümle kurabiliyor musunuz? Devrik cümlelere çok takılmam, hatta farkında olmadan ben de kullanırım. Ama yani bütün kitap kocaman bir devrik cümleymiş gibiydi. Çeviriyi beynimde düzelte düzelte okumaktan yoruldum. Normal kalıplı olacak yeri bile özellikle devrik cümle haline getirmiş gibi saçma bir çeviriydi😒😒
November 16, 2018
We meet up again with DI Kelly Porter as she is tasked with a murder investigation. A well-to-do, middle-aged woman is found dead in a churchyard. Naked, mutilated, and staged, it is clear that the woman is the victim of homicide. Mere days later, Kelly lands another murder investigation. This time the victim is a young, poor, and drug addicted teenager. She was left in a remote area of the Lakes in Aira Force.
Certain aspects of the cases link them incontrovertibly. Kelly, her newly qualified DC Rob Shawcross, and the rest of the ‘team� have their work cut out�
A poem has been left in the body of both slain women. A poem by the Lakeland poets, famous for their knowledge of the Lake District. (William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Percy Bysshe Shelley, and Robert Southey). Because of the literary link, journalists have coined the murderer “The Teacher�.
On the home front, Kelly is still living with her ailing mother. A situation she is finally remedying by her purchase of a riverfront house in Pooley Bridge. Her mother’s failing health does nothing to cure the antagonistic relationship between Kelly and her sister, Nikki.
Two cases become four and the pressure is on Kelly Porter to produce results. Not only are her higher-ups pressuring her, the press is having a field day, and the lucrative tourist trade in the beautiful Lake District is suffering as a result of the murders.
Then, Kelly’s sister, Nikki goes missing�
MY THOUGHTS
“Deep Fear� is the second novel in the D.I. Kelly Porter police procedural mystery series. The first in the series, “Dark Game� was a solid 5-star read for me and the second novel in the series maintains the quality. There is nothing quite so satisfying to me as reading a British police procedural crime thriller. When it has an engaging protagonist, a Lake District setting, and a compelling and well rendered plot, then it is for me, reading bliss.
The thing I like most about this series is that Rachel Lynch has found that perfect balance between the protagonist’s personal life and the murder investigation. Just the right amount of attention to each makes for compelling reading. The police procedural aspects of the story were very realistic as they displayed how tedious some of the work is and how results are not instantaneous like they are on television crime drama. I also enjoyed the relationships between Kelly and her team, between Kelly and the pathologist, and between Kelly and her boyfriend, Johnny.
Rest assured that I will be reading every installment in the DI Kelly Porter series. A must-read for those who enjoy well-written, grittily realistic crime novels. Highly recommended!
I received a digital ARC of this novel, FREE at my request, from the publisher Canelo via NetGalley. In return I have written this candid review.
Certain aspects of the cases link them incontrovertibly. Kelly, her newly qualified DC Rob Shawcross, and the rest of the ‘team� have their work cut out�
A poem has been left in the body of both slain women. A poem by the Lakeland poets, famous for their knowledge of the Lake District. (William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Percy Bysshe Shelley, and Robert Southey). Because of the literary link, journalists have coined the murderer “The Teacher�.
On the home front, Kelly is still living with her ailing mother. A situation she is finally remedying by her purchase of a riverfront house in Pooley Bridge. Her mother’s failing health does nothing to cure the antagonistic relationship between Kelly and her sister, Nikki.
Two cases become four and the pressure is on Kelly Porter to produce results. Not only are her higher-ups pressuring her, the press is having a field day, and the lucrative tourist trade in the beautiful Lake District is suffering as a result of the murders.
Then, Kelly’s sister, Nikki goes missing�
MY THOUGHTS
“Deep Fear� is the second novel in the D.I. Kelly Porter police procedural mystery series. The first in the series, “Dark Game� was a solid 5-star read for me and the second novel in the series maintains the quality. There is nothing quite so satisfying to me as reading a British police procedural crime thriller. When it has an engaging protagonist, a Lake District setting, and a compelling and well rendered plot, then it is for me, reading bliss.
The thing I like most about this series is that Rachel Lynch has found that perfect balance between the protagonist’s personal life and the murder investigation. Just the right amount of attention to each makes for compelling reading. The police procedural aspects of the story were very realistic as they displayed how tedious some of the work is and how results are not instantaneous like they are on television crime drama. I also enjoyed the relationships between Kelly and her team, between Kelly and the pathologist, and between Kelly and her boyfriend, Johnny.
Rest assured that I will be reading every installment in the DI Kelly Porter series. A must-read for those who enjoy well-written, grittily realistic crime novels. Highly recommended!
I received a digital ARC of this novel, FREE at my request, from the publisher Canelo via NetGalley. In return I have written this candid review.
April 17, 2018
I would like to thank Netgalley and Canelo for an advance copy of Deep Fear, the second novel set in the Lake District to feature DI Kelly Porter.
When Moira Tate's naked body is found in a country graveyard the ritual aspects of the murder make DI Kelly Porter suspect that there is a potential serial killer in the area. This is confirmed as more bodies are discovered.
I thoroughly enjoyed Deep Fear which is the straightforward hunt for a serial killer. Obviously the hunt is anything but simple with few forensics and a puzzling motive so straightforward refers to the purpose of the novel, a hunt with few distractions or sidesteps. I like this kind of novel with an almost limitless cast of suspects which gets slowly whittled down as more information becomes available. I also like a novel, like this one, with a well concealed perpetrator and this one is a real puzzle as I was clueless until the reveal. It makes for an absorbing read as the reader tries to work out what is going on an why. It makes a pleasant change nowadays to be able to live the investigation with the police without any extra information.
Kelly Porter is a good protagonist, smart, capable and intuitive. To make her more than just a cardboard cutout Ms Lynch has given her a troubled relationship with her sister and her mother cancer. I find all this strife wearing but her sister, Nikki, is not particularly likeable although there are hints that there is more to her story than simple disagreeability.
Deep Fear is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending.
When Moira Tate's naked body is found in a country graveyard the ritual aspects of the murder make DI Kelly Porter suspect that there is a potential serial killer in the area. This is confirmed as more bodies are discovered.
I thoroughly enjoyed Deep Fear which is the straightforward hunt for a serial killer. Obviously the hunt is anything but simple with few forensics and a puzzling motive so straightforward refers to the purpose of the novel, a hunt with few distractions or sidesteps. I like this kind of novel with an almost limitless cast of suspects which gets slowly whittled down as more information becomes available. I also like a novel, like this one, with a well concealed perpetrator and this one is a real puzzle as I was clueless until the reveal. It makes for an absorbing read as the reader tries to work out what is going on an why. It makes a pleasant change nowadays to be able to live the investigation with the police without any extra information.
Kelly Porter is a good protagonist, smart, capable and intuitive. To make her more than just a cardboard cutout Ms Lynch has given her a troubled relationship with her sister and her mother cancer. I find all this strife wearing but her sister, Nikki, is not particularly likeable although there are hints that there is more to her story than simple disagreeability.
Deep Fear is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending.
Read
May 11, 2018Action packed and utterly gripping police procedural.
"And much it grieved my heart to think, what man has made of man."
In this second thriller featuring Detective Inspector Kelly Porter of the Cumbria Constabulary, a serial killer uses The Lake District in the United Kingdom as a dumping ground. This is not the typical psychopath but a fiendishly clever tormentor who leaves handwritten poems with the bodies and is thought to be engaged in "punishing" the victims. The victimology indicates that each of the dead women was held to account for some kind of sin. No spoilers! Can the detectives find the killer and save the last victim in time? The "Teacher" might have outsmarted them all!
The gang is all here and it was great to "see" Kelly's team back in action in pursuit of this heinous criminal mastermind. I could not put this book down and was fascinated by all the detail of the investigation and by the locale described. Having never been to the area of the Lakes or Lakeland, I had to Google it and spent some time looking at the images of that beautiful mountainous scenery. (It's now on my list of places that I must see in my lifetime). I love it when the setting becomes an essential part of a narrative, and this place certainly does.
Kelly Porter is a great character -- complex and interesting, multidimensional and smart. She can be tough but she also has good insight into herself and others and can show a compassionate side. I like the interaction between the team members and always love finding out more about them as the series develops. Can't wait to read the next book!
Thank you to NetGalley and Canelo for the e-book ARC to read and review.
"And much it grieved my heart to think, what man has made of man."
In this second thriller featuring Detective Inspector Kelly Porter of the Cumbria Constabulary, a serial killer uses The Lake District in the United Kingdom as a dumping ground. This is not the typical psychopath but a fiendishly clever tormentor who leaves handwritten poems with the bodies and is thought to be engaged in "punishing" the victims. The victimology indicates that each of the dead women was held to account for some kind of sin. No spoilers! Can the detectives find the killer and save the last victim in time? The "Teacher" might have outsmarted them all!
The gang is all here and it was great to "see" Kelly's team back in action in pursuit of this heinous criminal mastermind. I could not put this book down and was fascinated by all the detail of the investigation and by the locale described. Having never been to the area of the Lakes or Lakeland, I had to Google it and spent some time looking at the images of that beautiful mountainous scenery. (It's now on my list of places that I must see in my lifetime). I love it when the setting becomes an essential part of a narrative, and this place certainly does.
Kelly Porter is a great character -- complex and interesting, multidimensional and smart. She can be tough but she also has good insight into herself and others and can show a compassionate side. I like the interaction between the team members and always love finding out more about them as the series develops. Can't wait to read the next book!
Thank you to NetGalley and Canelo for the e-book ARC to read and review.
August 30, 2018
4.5 stars.
This second book in the series was a most intriguing mystery. A naked woman's body is discovered in a church graveyard. She has been brutally murdered and mutilated. The posing of the body and at the presence of a snippet of poetry give lead detectives reason to think there are ritual aspects to this killing. DI Kelly Porter's team start to investigate but before any progress is made another body is found. This time a young drug addict who has also been sexually abused. The first victim was a well-to-do mature woman. The two victims have nothing in common but another verse of poetry says otherwise.
As the deaths stack up Kelly begins to see that these killings seem to be a form of punishment. Each of the victims is being punished for something the killer thinks they did wrong. The leads are murky but seem to all point to a link to a hospital. One that Kelly knows well. Her mother has been in and out of this one quite a lot lately. Things get pretty tense for Kelly towards the end as events take a more personal turn and she could find herself in the killers crosshairs.
There was great pacing in this book. By the time we got to the denouement the tension was sky high. The cast of characters is solid and developing nicely. This is turning into a most enjoyable series.
This second book in the series was a most intriguing mystery. A naked woman's body is discovered in a church graveyard. She has been brutally murdered and mutilated. The posing of the body and at the presence of a snippet of poetry give lead detectives reason to think there are ritual aspects to this killing. DI Kelly Porter's team start to investigate but before any progress is made another body is found. This time a young drug addict who has also been sexually abused. The first victim was a well-to-do mature woman. The two victims have nothing in common but another verse of poetry says otherwise.
As the deaths stack up Kelly begins to see that these killings seem to be a form of punishment. Each of the victims is being punished for something the killer thinks they did wrong. The leads are murky but seem to all point to a link to a hospital. One that Kelly knows well. Her mother has been in and out of this one quite a lot lately. Things get pretty tense for Kelly towards the end as events take a more personal turn and she could find herself in the killers crosshairs.
There was great pacing in this book. By the time we got to the denouement the tension was sky high. The cast of characters is solid and developing nicely. This is turning into a most enjoyable series.
December 1, 2019
I was disappointed with this book and was glad to finish it. It was slow and at times I felt the author was writing for the Tourist board to increase visitors to the Lake District !
April 27, 2018
4 stars
DI Kelly Porter late of the Met responds to a call of a dead body in a grave yard outside a church. The woman appears to be in her fifties, is naked and brutalized. She is still wearing expensive jewelry, so it is not a case of robbery. Kelly fears they may have a serial killer on their hands, as the killer didn’t get this expert without leaving a trail of bodies somewhere. Later killings bear out her suspicions.
Kelly is almost hyperactive in her work; she jiggles, can’t seem to sit still and talks fast. She is also dealing with her mother’s terminal illness and a sister who blames her for everything. Just as her police officer father was.
This book traces the detailed and painstaking police investigation into the killer who becomes known as “The Teacher.� He is elusive and very good at his “work.� He thinks that he is ridding society of the undesirables; making the world a better place, as it were.
The victim is finally identified as Moira Tate. As more bodies are discovered, the tension in the story picks up. The reader is kept guessing as to the identity of the murderer. When they are finally identified, it comes as a surprise � at least to me it was.
I like Rachel Lynch as an author. Her books are well written and plotted. The suspense begins immediately with the discovery of Moira Tate by an elderly man out walking his dog. It continues throughout the story and reaches a crescendo at the denouement. I liked DI Kelly Porter, except for her non-stop action. There was sufficient information given about her background so as to flesh her out, but not so much that it intruded on the story. In fact, it added a degree of richness to the tale. This novel is filled with colorful well-drawn characters. Very well done, Ms. Lynch.
I want to thank NetGalley and Canelo for forwarding to me a copy of this great book to read, enjoy and review.
DI Kelly Porter late of the Met responds to a call of a dead body in a grave yard outside a church. The woman appears to be in her fifties, is naked and brutalized. She is still wearing expensive jewelry, so it is not a case of robbery. Kelly fears they may have a serial killer on their hands, as the killer didn’t get this expert without leaving a trail of bodies somewhere. Later killings bear out her suspicions.
Kelly is almost hyperactive in her work; she jiggles, can’t seem to sit still and talks fast. She is also dealing with her mother’s terminal illness and a sister who blames her for everything. Just as her police officer father was.
This book traces the detailed and painstaking police investigation into the killer who becomes known as “The Teacher.� He is elusive and very good at his “work.� He thinks that he is ridding society of the undesirables; making the world a better place, as it were.
The victim is finally identified as Moira Tate. As more bodies are discovered, the tension in the story picks up. The reader is kept guessing as to the identity of the murderer. When they are finally identified, it comes as a surprise � at least to me it was.
I like Rachel Lynch as an author. Her books are well written and plotted. The suspense begins immediately with the discovery of Moira Tate by an elderly man out walking his dog. It continues throughout the story and reaches a crescendo at the denouement. I liked DI Kelly Porter, except for her non-stop action. There was sufficient information given about her background so as to flesh her out, but not so much that it intruded on the story. In fact, it added a degree of richness to the tale. This novel is filled with colorful well-drawn characters. Very well done, Ms. Lynch.
I want to thank NetGalley and Canelo for forwarding to me a copy of this great book to read, enjoy and review.
October 25, 2020
Deep Fear
The second book in the Detective Kelly Porter series, and it was equally as fantastic as the first.
This series is rapidly becoming a huge favourite of mine, despite only having just read book 2 .
Rachel Lynch is also very high on the list of great authors for me too. In both books I have read so far, I have been drawn in immediately from the first page. Her easy style of writing makes it a pleasure to read.
Mixed with likable characters, great plot and beautiful settings, I can't wait to devour the rest of this series.
The second book in the Detective Kelly Porter series, and it was equally as fantastic as the first.
This series is rapidly becoming a huge favourite of mine, despite only having just read book 2 .
Rachel Lynch is also very high on the list of great authors for me too. In both books I have read so far, I have been drawn in immediately from the first page. Her easy style of writing makes it a pleasure to read.
Mixed with likable characters, great plot and beautiful settings, I can't wait to devour the rest of this series.
February 6, 2025
Deep Fear is a second book in a DI Kelly Porter series and it's as good as the first one.
Kelly Porter and her team are back investigating a gruesome murder with Lake District providing yet again beautiful if not foreboding background.
We get to learn more about Kelly and her family. I really enjoy seeing how the private life affects and shapes Porter.
This series is quickly becoming my new favourite and I can't wait to read book number three.
Kelly Porter and her team are back investigating a gruesome murder with Lake District providing yet again beautiful if not foreboding background.
We get to learn more about Kelly and her family. I really enjoy seeing how the private life affects and shapes Porter.
This series is quickly becoming my new favourite and I can't wait to read book number three.
June 10, 2019
You May Wish To Skip the Epilogue
This is the second book in the Kelly Porter series, and although I skipped the first book, I didn’t have problems reading “Deep Fear.� I especially enjoyed the picturesque setting of the Lakes District. The primary characters are likable, except for the ones readers are not meant to empathize with. Most police procedurals have family drama, but the protagonist was overly-involved in many unsisterly, melodramatic interactions.
This is probably a Kindle formatting problem, not author’s errors. My reading was interrupted by lack of white space that should separate paragraphs/sections when third person POVs switch. I had to stop and re-read to dispel confusion or to confirm head-hopping.
As I read further into the book, I had to be content with following DI Kelly Porter’s investigation, because the author is miserly with clues until after the 60% Kindle mark. Once past that point, although information was withheld, I could tick boxes on an early list of possible culprits.
At story’s end, I had several unanswered questions, because several secondary threads are left hanging. If you like totally stand-alone books, skip the epilogue which ends in a cliffhanger leading to the next book.
Copy editor needed for punctuation and spelling errors.
Please note that “pus”—and not “puss”—is the cloudy fluid oozing from wounds, cuts in the skin, acne pimples, etc infected by bacteria or fungi.
This is the second book in the Kelly Porter series, and although I skipped the first book, I didn’t have problems reading “Deep Fear.� I especially enjoyed the picturesque setting of the Lakes District. The primary characters are likable, except for the ones readers are not meant to empathize with. Most police procedurals have family drama, but the protagonist was overly-involved in many unsisterly, melodramatic interactions.
This is probably a Kindle formatting problem, not author’s errors. My reading was interrupted by lack of white space that should separate paragraphs/sections when third person POVs switch. I had to stop and re-read to dispel confusion or to confirm head-hopping.
As I read further into the book, I had to be content with following DI Kelly Porter’s investigation, because the author is miserly with clues until after the 60% Kindle mark. Once past that point, although information was withheld, I could tick boxes on an early list of possible culprits.
At story’s end, I had several unanswered questions, because several secondary threads are left hanging. If you like totally stand-alone books, skip the epilogue which ends in a cliffhanger leading to the next book.
Copy editor needed for punctuation and spelling errors.
Please note that “pus”—and not “puss”—is the cloudy fluid oozing from wounds, cuts in the skin, acne pimples, etc infected by bacteria or fungi.
July 30, 2018
Despite the serial killer, this book really made me want to visit the Lake District, it sounds absolutely beautiful.
I was thrown a bit by this book, I kind of assumed the story would continue somewhat with what happened in the last book, it seemed like that wasn't quite finished. And like the last book, I have unanswered questions. Not major loose ends, but it feels a little unfinished (like the person of interest who disappeared along with their entire family, what happened?).
Time has passed since the events of "Dark Game" and now someone is violently killing women and leaving them in scenic spots. The killer reveal was a nice twist, I didn't see that coming. Kelly is on the case, and I thought the author did a little better with giving more information/personality to the other officers, it made it a little easier to keep track of who was who.
On the personal front, Kelly's life is fairly messy: on/off boyfriend, mom with cancer, unable to get along with her sister. I'm interested to see how the sister dynamic has changed in the next book. Hopefully there will be more books to come in this series.
I was thrown a bit by this book, I kind of assumed the story would continue somewhat with what happened in the last book, it seemed like that wasn't quite finished. And like the last book, I have unanswered questions. Not major loose ends, but it feels a little unfinished (like the person of interest who disappeared along with their entire family, what happened?).
Time has passed since the events of "Dark Game" and now someone is violently killing women and leaving them in scenic spots. The killer reveal was a nice twist, I didn't see that coming. Kelly is on the case, and I thought the author did a little better with giving more information/personality to the other officers, it made it a little easier to keep track of who was who.
On the personal front, Kelly's life is fairly messy: on/off boyfriend, mom with cancer, unable to get along with her sister. I'm interested to see how the sister dynamic has changed in the next book. Hopefully there will be more books to come in this series.
February 2, 2023
I’d like to thank Canelo for sending me an e-arc of this book. I read the first book and I really enjoyed Dark Game.
It was interesting to see how the detective process is done and I enjoyed how they worked as a team and how they distributed tasks between each other. These books kind of remind me of Criminal Minds. I loved how the characters that appeared blending nicely into the story.
I loved reading about Kelly and her family but also how the family was blending into the plot and how some things crossed over between her case and her family.
I really liked that what happened in Dark Game you can still see the effects that happened in this story and I really liked that.
The book is very slow but informative, it’s a slow-burning story. I didn’t guess who was the killer was it came as a total shock and surprise. The story is so gripping and tense, it’s really good! The ending of this book really makes you want to read the next one. (Which of course I will be. This will also teach me to read ARCs on time).
It was interesting to see how the detective process is done and I enjoyed how they worked as a team and how they distributed tasks between each other. These books kind of remind me of Criminal Minds. I loved how the characters that appeared blending nicely into the story.
I loved reading about Kelly and her family but also how the family was blending into the plot and how some things crossed over between her case and her family.
I really liked that what happened in Dark Game you can still see the effects that happened in this story and I really liked that.
The book is very slow but informative, it’s a slow-burning story. I didn’t guess who was the killer was it came as a total shock and surprise. The story is so gripping and tense, it’s really good! The ending of this book really makes you want to read the next one. (Which of course I will be. This will also teach me to read ARCs on time).
June 10, 2023
Having DNF'd the first of this set, I was a bit unsure of reading this one. However, people said the set improved from book 2 onwards - and it certainly does. There's less messing about with Kelly's family for a start, which allows the case to be centre-stage. Kelly Porter is also a much better written character this time.
However, like a lot of books I've read lately, whoever proof-read it certainly didn't pay much attention towards the end. On pg 191, Brian Wicks suddenly changes his name to Brian Carter. Pg 370 is even worse as "Kelly lay still on the bed" is followed up a few lines later with " "D.I Porter." Kelly managed to rasp. She crawled to the bed." As stupid as those are, the crowning glory for the lack of editing has to go to pg 350 which gives us this - "The house was in darkness, without natural light. They were shut away behind blinds or electric light." Total nonsense.
In general, this is a good read marred by lazy editing. Hopefully, this trend will not continue with book 3.
However, like a lot of books I've read lately, whoever proof-read it certainly didn't pay much attention towards the end. On pg 191, Brian Wicks suddenly changes his name to Brian Carter. Pg 370 is even worse as "Kelly lay still on the bed" is followed up a few lines later with " "D.I Porter." Kelly managed to rasp. She crawled to the bed." As stupid as those are, the crowning glory for the lack of editing has to go to pg 350 which gives us this - "The house was in darkness, without natural light. They were shut away behind blinds or electric light." Total nonsense.
In general, this is a good read marred by lazy editing. Hopefully, this trend will not continue with book 3.
April 16, 2025
I'm willing to give these books the benefit of the doubt, for one more instalment*, however if isn't a vast step up in quality, I won't be continuing beyond it.
I found the poetry element interesting, but that's about it. As with the last book, this is okay.
Note, 16/04/25: I was recently reminded of this series, and have no intention of returning to it.
I found the poetry element interesting, but that's about it. As with the last book, this is okay.
Note, 16/04/25: I was recently reminded of this series, and have no intention of returning to it.
August 16, 2023
Another tale of how DI Kelly Porter is the only person who owns a personality/life/backstory worth mentioning. The most entertaining part was the acknowledgements, including how the publishers have a meticulous attention to detail...which may be true if you exclude all the instances of characters having the wrong names, teleporting within a room, and various other errors that didn't stick out enough for a mention.
April 5, 2025
Deep Fear is book two in the DI Kelly Porter series by Rachel Lynch. One summer day in the Lake District, Detective Inspector Kelly Porter caught a case of the death of a woman discovered outside a local church. At first, there seemed to be no reason why the woman was killed until another body was found, and Detective Inspector Kelly Porter realised she had a dangerous serial murderer on her patch. Can Detective Inspector Kelly Porter find the murderer before more people die? The readers of Deep Fear will continue to follow Detective Inspector Kelly Porter to discover what happens.
Deep Fear is another fantastic book by Rachel Lynch and an excellent addition to the DI Kelly Porter series. I love how Rachel Lynch incorporated the twist in the story of this book. I love Rachel Lynch's writing style, which always ensures I engage with her books' plot and characters, and Deep Fear keeps up the tradition. I love the way Rachel Lynch portrays her characters and their interaction with each other throughout this book. Deep Fear is well-written and researched by Rachel Lynch. I like Rachel Lynch's description of Deep Fear's settings, which allowed me to imagine being part of the book's plot.
I recommend this book.
Deep Fear is another fantastic book by Rachel Lynch and an excellent addition to the DI Kelly Porter series. I love how Rachel Lynch incorporated the twist in the story of this book. I love Rachel Lynch's writing style, which always ensures I engage with her books' plot and characters, and Deep Fear keeps up the tradition. I love the way Rachel Lynch portrays her characters and their interaction with each other throughout this book. Deep Fear is well-written and researched by Rachel Lynch. I like Rachel Lynch's description of Deep Fear's settings, which allowed me to imagine being part of the book's plot.
I recommend this book.
September 27, 2020
Excruciating, incompetent, illiterate.
In the acknowledgement, the author thanks the publishing team for their “meticulous attention to detail� � perhaps that refers to the printing process as it certainly doesn’t apply to the content. Which is dreadfully written � the author is ignorant of punctuation, grammar and syntax, style consistency, uses words wrongly, and often writes inexplicable sentences. There are too many examples to quote but some of the funnier ones:
One of the characters wonders what the Romans� “ancestors� would make of the landscape now! And “Carleton Manor was still notorious for gangs and the police, …�.
The author should also let us in on which property conveyancing firm she uses: within a fortnight of viewing a property she announces that “I completed on a house today�.
She may have done a deal with Apple as every person in the book uses an i-product: no androids in this region!
The plot deserves one star. But this is not a professionally written and published novel: the Canelo website says that “Canelo has a unique way of working with authors� which involves relying on royalty percentages. If an author has written a professionally marketable book they will get publication from a proper publisher. My lesson from my wasted purchase price is never to buy another Canelo publication.
In the acknowledgement, the author thanks the publishing team for their “meticulous attention to detail� � perhaps that refers to the printing process as it certainly doesn’t apply to the content. Which is dreadfully written � the author is ignorant of punctuation, grammar and syntax, style consistency, uses words wrongly, and often writes inexplicable sentences. There are too many examples to quote but some of the funnier ones:
One of the characters wonders what the Romans� “ancestors� would make of the landscape now! And “Carleton Manor was still notorious for gangs and the police, …�.
The author should also let us in on which property conveyancing firm she uses: within a fortnight of viewing a property she announces that “I completed on a house today�.
She may have done a deal with Apple as every person in the book uses an i-product: no androids in this region!
The plot deserves one star. But this is not a professionally written and published novel: the Canelo website says that “Canelo has a unique way of working with authors� which involves relying on royalty percentages. If an author has written a professionally marketable book they will get publication from a proper publisher. My lesson from my wasted purchase price is never to buy another Canelo publication.
September 12, 2022
Oh dear oh dear.
The high hopes I had for this series have plummeted. This was dire. 2 stars because it kept me turning the page and was eminently readable... but the characters and plot are woeful.
This is the Kelly Porter 'serial killer' book. It feels like Lynch thought she'd better try one as doesn't every copper worth their salt persue a serial killer at some stage? The trouble is Lynch has no idea about a cohesive plot or a believable motive.
It starts with a grisly murder that is quite intriguing. Others are also murdered... but what is the connection. Don't bother to try and work it out as it's complete bollocks. Kelly's sister is involved. Her mother is ill. Her boyfriend a name on a page and her team still just names. There the one who is keen. The one who is clever. The one who is a kid and there is one who smokes. If it's mentioned once that this character comes into the briefing wafting her fag-smell with her it's mentioned a thousand times. I'm vehemently anti-smoking, but even I got bored. Lynch clearly has a problem.
If anyone can explain to me how this plot comes together in any way,s hape of form, please tell me, as the culprit, the motive and quite how the clues tied in, I have no idea.
The high hopes I had for this series have plummeted. This was dire. 2 stars because it kept me turning the page and was eminently readable... but the characters and plot are woeful.
This is the Kelly Porter 'serial killer' book. It feels like Lynch thought she'd better try one as doesn't every copper worth their salt persue a serial killer at some stage? The trouble is Lynch has no idea about a cohesive plot or a believable motive.
It starts with a grisly murder that is quite intriguing. Others are also murdered... but what is the connection. Don't bother to try and work it out as it's complete bollocks. Kelly's sister is involved. Her mother is ill. Her boyfriend a name on a page and her team still just names. There the one who is keen. The one who is clever. The one who is a kid and there is one who smokes. If it's mentioned once that this character comes into the briefing wafting her fag-smell with her it's mentioned a thousand times. I'm vehemently anti-smoking, but even I got bored. Lynch clearly has a problem.
If anyone can explain to me how this plot comes together in any way,s hape of form, please tell me, as the culprit, the motive and quite how the clues tied in, I have no idea.
May 29, 2018
I really enjoyed the first book featuring Kelly Porter so I was delighted to get hold of the next book in the series. It is always with a bit of apprehension that I start reading the second in series, but I needn't have worried. This is every bit as good as the first- if not slightly better.
As Summer approaches the Lake District is hoaching with tourists. A woman's body is found in an old churchyard. Her body has been mutilated and the lines of a poem are found on(or should that be in?) her body. As the body count rises Kelly & her team struggle to work out who the killer (nicknamed The Teacher) will strike next. The Tourist Board are furious! They had encouraged interest in the 'Lakes Poets'- they didn't want them to be associated with dead bodies!Time is running out for Kelly when the Teacher strikes those close to her.
This is a fast moving police procedural. It is easy to feel at home with Kelly and her team. They are interesting rounded characters. The plot keeps the reader on their toes- as usual I didn't guess 'whodunnit'!!
Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for this great five star read- can't wait till next one!
As Summer approaches the Lake District is hoaching with tourists. A woman's body is found in an old churchyard. Her body has been mutilated and the lines of a poem are found on(or should that be in?) her body. As the body count rises Kelly & her team struggle to work out who the killer (nicknamed The Teacher) will strike next. The Tourist Board are furious! They had encouraged interest in the 'Lakes Poets'- they didn't want them to be associated with dead bodies!Time is running out for Kelly when the Teacher strikes those close to her.
This is a fast moving police procedural. It is easy to feel at home with Kelly and her team. They are interesting rounded characters. The plot keeps the reader on their toes- as usual I didn't guess 'whodunnit'!!
Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for this great five star read- can't wait till next one!
June 9, 2018
A very worthy follow-up to Dark Game, the 1st Detective Kelly Porter novel.
This book is a 'police procedural plus', and follows Kelly Porter and her team as they try to track down a serial killer in Cumbria. As with the first book, both the beautiful scenery of the Lake District and Kelly's family / personal life play a large part in the narrative. Again, there is no holding back on the descriptions of death and mutilation of the victims, who have each had a hand-written poetry quote shoved inside their dead or dying body. The identity of the perpetrator came as a surprise, although with hindsight (and the kindle search facility!) there was at least one minor clue that I didn't spot earlier on.
There is a lot more I'd like to say but really can't without giving too much away! You'll just have to read it for yourself.
This book is a 'police procedural plus', and follows Kelly Porter and her team as they try to track down a serial killer in Cumbria. As with the first book, both the beautiful scenery of the Lake District and Kelly's family / personal life play a large part in the narrative. Again, there is no holding back on the descriptions of death and mutilation of the victims, who have each had a hand-written poetry quote shoved inside their dead or dying body. The identity of the perpetrator came as a surprise, although with hindsight (and the kindle search facility!) there was at least one minor clue that I didn't spot earlier on.
There is a lot more I'd like to say but really can't without giving too much away! You'll just have to read it for yourself.
May 21, 2018
I really enjoyed the first book in this series featuring DI Kelly Porter and found this even better. I love the Lake District setting as I have visited there many times so can picture the places described.
A naked and mutilated body of a woman is found in a graveyard. Whilst Kelly is involved with this murder, more bodies turn up. So there is a serial killer about who she nicknames ‘the teacher� as he leaves verses of poetry on the bodies. We also see more of Kelly’s relationship with her sister Nikki and her mum, who has cancer.
This is a book you won’t want to put down, so many suspects and twists and turns with an unexpected ending, Thanks to NetGalley and Canelo for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.
A naked and mutilated body of a woman is found in a graveyard. Whilst Kelly is involved with this murder, more bodies turn up. So there is a serial killer about who she nicknames ‘the teacher� as he leaves verses of poetry on the bodies. We also see more of Kelly’s relationship with her sister Nikki and her mum, who has cancer.
This is a book you won’t want to put down, so many suspects and twists and turns with an unexpected ending, Thanks to NetGalley and Canelo for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.
April 22, 2018
I wonder if anyone can read these books without being left with the desire to visit the Lake District? In this second outing for DI Kelly Porter she is leading the hunt for a serial killer with an unusual MO. Her personal life has its challenges too and you definitely feel the push and pull of her work life balance. I won’t say too much about the killer but I definitely didn’t work it out. I trust that Detective Porter (as she repeatedly refers to herself) will be back for another instalment as there is definitely unfinished business here.
My thanks to Canelo for the copy of Deep Fear received via NetGalley.
My thanks to Canelo for the copy of Deep Fear received via NetGalley.
April 20, 2018
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. Thanks NetGalley
A really good book. Well written with interesting characters and a gripping storyline. Looking forward to reading the next one in the series
The only thing I found odd is that the lead character refers to herself as Detective Porter not Detective Inspector Porter as in every other police procedural I have read.
A really good book. Well written with interesting characters and a gripping storyline. Looking forward to reading the next one in the series
The only thing I found odd is that the lead character refers to herself as Detective Porter not Detective Inspector Porter as in every other police procedural I have read.
November 15, 2019
Probably should not have read this one immediately after finishing Dead End but as I discovered I had read book 3 before book 2 in the series I did. Found it very macabre and not really 'entertaining'. Will give this author and murder genre a break for a while.
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