With thanks to the publisher who sent me an ARC to review.
First of all thank you to Abby for the invite to join the tour, I'm delighted to be sharing my review for Dead Lands by Lloyd Otis today. Let's take a little look at the description for the book...
Dead Lands is a thrilling crime story set in the 1970s. When a woman's body is found a special team is called in to investigate and prime suspect Alexander Troy is arrested for the murder. Desperate to remain a free man, Troy protests his innocence, but refuses to use his alibi. Trying to protect the woman he loves becomes a dangerous game - questions are asked and suspicions deepen. When the prime suspect completes a daring escape from custody, DI Breck and DS Kearns begin the hunt. Breck wants out of the force while Kearns has her own agenda and seeks revenge. Breck has his suspicions and she wants to keep it from him, and a right-wing march provides an explosive backdrop to their hunt for Troy. Dead Lands is the thrilling debut of award winning short story writer Lloyd Otis, and intelligently covers issues of race, discrimination and violence in a changing 70s landscape.
Release date 12th October 2017.
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It's safe to say I was intrigued by the description for Dead Lands I have been really enjoying my crime and thriller stories recently. So I was especially looking forward to picking this book up. There are lots of themes covered in this story and to be honest they are pretty relevant in the here and now just as they were in the 1970's. Although I think the 70's time period works so well within this story making things just that little bit more interesting with a different feel along with a slight edge too.
The writing is engaging and really sets the scene making me even more invested in the story and the characters. I thought that the way all the facts slowly but surely came together was paced very well. Giving the reader information but with new revelations a more deeper and intricate story. I'll never make a good detective but it's books like these that keep me hooked on at least attempting to solve the crime. Even if on occasion (okay most of the time) I can be way off the mark. There are moments of tension along with the all important twists and turns giving a well balanced and more rounded storyline.
The characters in this book have their flaws which as long as they are well written does not bother me in the slightest. I personally find them to be that little bit more engaging and true to life. This is certainly the case with Dead Lands as I enjoyed the character development it just felt very natural and because of this made me feel for the characters and take an interest in them even more.
There are plenty of secrets and lies hiding within the pages ready to jump out at the reader. I was kept intrigued and entertained throughout, a great debut!
With thanks to Abby for the invite to join the tour and Urbane Publications for my copy. This is my honest and unbiased opinion.
Lloyd was born in London and attained a BA (Hons) in Media and Communication. After gaining several years of valuable experience within the finance and digital sectors, he completed a course in journalism. Lloyd has interviewed a host of bestselling authors, such as Mark Billingham, Hugh Howey, Kerry Hudson, and Lawrence Block. Two of his short stories were selected for publication in the ‘Out of My Window’ anthology, and he currently works as an Editor.
Authors links:
Twitter: @LloydOtisWriter
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LloydOtisWriter
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