Review: THE ENGINE HOUSE, Rhys Dylan

• 
  This edition read as an e-book on Kindle (Amazon)
  
• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09P3S8FH7
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Wyrmwood Books (January 6, 2022)
• Print length ‏ : ‎ 360 pages
• A Black Beacons Murder Mystery (DCI Evan Warlow Crime Thriller Book 1)

Synopsis (publisher)

You can bury the bodies, but you can’t hide the truth.

When a landslip on Pembrokeshire’s stunning coastal path reveals the harrowing remains of two bodies, ex-DCI Evan Warlow’s quiet-one man and his dog-retirement is shattered. As the original investigator for the two missing persons eight years before, Evan is recalled to help with what is now a murder inquiry.

But as the killer scrambles to cover up the truth, the body count rises.

Working with a new young team, Warlow peels away the layers to reveal the dark and rotten heart that beats beneath the chocolate box tranquillity of an area renowned for its quiet beauty.

But does he still have what it takes to root out the monstrous truth before all hell lets loose?

The Engine House is the gripping debut crime thriller set in the heart of wild Wales from author Rhys Dylan. A # 1 Amazon bestseller in three countries.

My Take

I'm always on the look out for new-to-me authors and this series came recommended by a couple of reading friends. There are already 13 books in the series, and I'll certainly be reading the next one.

Ex-DCI Evan Warlow has retired and there is a level of mystery about why he has taken early retirement. He was known as a very committed detective but it cost his marriage. Now a cold case that was one of the last he was involved in has resurfaced with the discovery of a couple of skeletons in a cave on the cliffs. Thy are identified as those of a couple who disappeared while out walking, who lived in a cottage on the cliffs. Who better than Warlow who had worked so hard on the case, to become involved again.

Warlow had vowed to give up police work, but he finds he can't refuse the offer.

Well written, interesting characters, an engaging plot, a bit of Welsh history, and some modern issues.   

My rating: 4.6

About the author

Rhys Dylan lives on the edge of the Black mountains of Wales with his wife and a dog who doesn't like the rain. Though he has written books for children and adults under different pen names in other genres, the Black Beacons Murder Mystery series sees him return to crime and his love of Celtic noir and dark humour. He hopes readers will find a brief escape from a very troubled world inside the stories. He does not expect to get rich as an author, but as someone once famously said, money can't buy you love, but it can get you some great chocolate digestives.