#ADGIFTED book given in return for a blog post, and all thoughts and opinions are my own. I love murder mysteries so I opt for that genre mostly.

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The Ash Lake Murders

MEET DETECTIVE ALICE ROSSI IN THIS BRILLIANT NEW CRIME SERIES.

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A brand-new mystery from #1 bestselling author Helen H. Durrant that will have you gripped from start to explosive finish.

A female serial killer with a deadly agenda. The detective who must stop her. Luxury holiday lodges in the stunning Peak District. The game begins . . .

Callum is lured to an isolated boathouse by an attractive older woman. When she gets him alone, she knocks him out with a single blow. As he wakes up, her voice comes out of the darkness, “You’re a sprat to catch a mackerel.”

Surrounded by hills and lakes, Still Waters is home to a close-knit community of wealthy retirees. It’s an unlikely setting for violence. The police don’t take Callum’s disappearance seriously: he’s 24-years-old, after all. But Callum’s mother, a Still Waters resident, knows that something is very wrong.

Then a body is discovered floating in the lake. Head bashed in. But it’s not Callum.

And someone tweets: Come out to play one last time, Alice. Still Waters run deep. #MadHatter.

That’s when DCI Alice Rossi is called in. She’s back.

IT’S A CAT-AND-MOUSE GAME BETWEEN AN OBSESSED KILLER AND A DETERMINED DETECTIVE IN THIS GRIPPING MYSTERY FULL OF STUNNING TWISTS.

Perfect for fans of Angela Marsons, Rachel McLean, Joy Ellis, J.D. Kirk, Rachel Abbott, Elly Griffiths, J.M. Dalgliesh, Steph Broadribb or Patricia Gibney.

READERS LOVE HELEN H. DURRANT:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Another first-class read from Helen H. Durrant.” Iain

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “A satisfying and enjoyable read.” Carol S.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Wow . . . this will keep you on the edge of your seat. Brilliant story from this author.” Booklover Bev

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Loved it. Read it in one sitting.” Aileen G.

THE DETECTIVE
DCI Alice Rossi of Greater Manchester’s Serious Crime Squad has served with the police for the past twenty-nine years. Since the death of her husband, Paul, six years ago, she has lived alone in a large, three-storey Edwardian terrace on the outskirts of Manchester. Her grown-up son lives in Edinburgh with his family. Alice is about to retire — but she’s not looking forward to it. Since her husband died, work has been her mainstay, not because she misses Paul — he was a bad man — but because it keeps her dark thoughts at bay.

ALSO BY HELEN H. DURRANT
DETECTIVE ALICE ROSSI
Book 1: THE ASH LAKE MURDERS

DETECTIVE RACHEL KING
Book 1: NEXT VICTIM
Book 2: TWO VICTIMS
Book 3: WRONG VICTIM
Book 4: FORGOTTEN VICTIM
Book 5: LAST VICTIM

THE CALLADINE & BAYLISS MYSTERY SERIES
Book 1: DEAD WRONG
Book 2: DEAD SILENT
Book 3: DEAD LIST
Book 4: DEAD LOST
Book 5: DEAD & BURIED
Book 6: DEAD NASTY
Book 7: DEAD JEALOUS
Book 8: DEAD BAD
Book 9: DEAD GUILTY
Book 10: DEAD WICKED
Book 11: DEAD SORRY

THE DCI GRECO BOOKS
Book 1: DARK MURDER
Book 2: DARK HOUSES
Book 3: DARK TRADE
Book 4: DARK ANGEL

MATT BRINDLE
Book 1: HIS THIRD VICTIM
Book 2: THE OTHER VICTIM

DETECTIVES LENNOX & WILDE
Book 1: THE GUILTY MAN
Book 2: THE FACELESS MAN

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Author Bio Helen sets her books in the area she has lived in for many years. The towns and villages that sit in the shelter of the Pennine hills. This is an area between two counties, Lancashire and Yorkshire, and between the city and the hills. It offers a rich mix of the industrial and the countryside and all the character therein.

Helen always planned to write crime novels. But until she retired from full-time work in a local further education college, it had to go on the back burner. Once she did retire – there was no excuse. She now writes full-time. Retirement proper will have to wait!

Currently there are ten books in the ‘Calladine & Bayliss’ series available – Dead Wrong, Dead Silent, Dead List, Dead Lost, Dead & Buried, Dead Nasty, Dead Jealous, Dead Bad, Dead Guilty and the latest – Dead Wicked.

There is also a box set of the first three books.

Also available are four books in the ‘DI Greco’ series – Dark Murder, Dark Houses, Dark Trade, and the latest – Dark Angel.

The four DI Greco books are available as a box set at a bargain price.

There are two books in the DI Matt Brindle series – His Third Victim and The Other Victim.

The DCI Rachel King series has four books – Next Victim , Two Victims, Wrong Victim and Forgotten Victim.

There are currently two books in the Lennox & Wilde series, The Guilty Man, The Faceless Man.

The entire Calladine & Bayliss series are also available as a boxset.

My Review It isn’t often you find a book to read about a female serial killer, so it felt like a refreshing change for that alone, and that it’s set in the Peak District. And if anyone reads my blog knows, I walk around the Peaks every week, so it feels eerily familiar, and added to the spooky, thriller aspect to the book.

She is ruthless and calculating and it’s so intriguing to try and work out the connection, nothing is given away too early. This kept me on the edge of my actual seat. Nail biter as they say.

These sunny days and long road trips have helped me have some extra reading time to myself. What better way to enjoy a book with the sea lapping softly while to bask in the sunshine! Happy days

Traditionally a MTB place, we are off to hunt waterfalls that Mr Moon has seen on his Biking days. I’ve never been here so it’s all new for me.

We had the first part of the day back on Barmouth beach, having our breakfast porridge pot, and first coffee looking out to sea. It was heavenly and much warmer than the previous day.

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After feeling like I’d had too much sun, as I do have a sun allergy. We headed to the woods, a perfect place to get some shade, though it was cooling off as it was 2pm. We planned a small walk and have our pot noodles near the river.

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We finished around tea time, and it was time to get off home. Feeling good we were driving in the golden hour we felt we had no cares in the world. Until the A458 and there was a fire in the middle of the road, so that caused a huge 40min detour. But home by 9pm we were exhausted but thrilled to have had such a lovely adventure.

We studied weather apps, we mapped out places to go, and weighed up pros and cons of each place, and settled on Barmouth!! To the beach it is…

So alarm clock set, we are off on a road trip. Packed enough stuff for breakfast, dinner and hope to eat tea out, you have to eat fish and chips at the beach!!

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I had #Wytchwood beer, a new beach shelter and a lovely book to keep me occupied while Mr Moon went paddle boarding.

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We managed to get fish and chips for us both, and sneak back to the beach to watch the sun go down and leave us with a dramatic colourful sky. It felt so glorious to bask, and relax in the sunshine, to watch people, dogs and children all enjoy the simplest pleasures in life. Shattered we find a place to sleep, and I fell asleep so quickly. More adventures for another day to come.

After such a busy week with hospitals and lots of early mornings, we ditched the idea of a big walk, as it requires a lot of planning and driving. So sun shining we head out for just down the road from us.

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Straight away we spot the deers having some lunch, and feeling at ease. We drive slowly to admire them, and then off to park up and go for an amble.

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Lots of landscape changes being made for wildlife, and lots of bushcraft huts that the kids have made over the years.

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The river is crystal clear and the skies are blue, what a beautiful spring day, that shows us the Equinox is nearly here (Sunday 20th March) and tonight is a full moon. It’s been great to get out and clear the cobwebs away.

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We stop for donuts and cider and get catching to the local Robin. We met a lovely couple and got chatting, so nice to come across young couples that are full of beans for the place. It is a stunning place.

We finish off our day with a trip to the chippie, for a mixed meat kebab chips and salad. It’s so big we only buy 1 to share, yet have a plate full each which we never finish, so save it for the next day, so technically we get 4 meals out of 1 Kebab.

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We managed to get a walk in before this hectic week staying in for hospital appointments, and what an epic walk it was!!

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The only non rainy day we snatched it while we could, so it’s 9 days after the previous walk, so hoping the Right hip behaves, but we made sure that it had no Stiles and not much elevation.

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We wandered off our track hunting out a stone, and we got more than we bargained for. Discussing adders and how we never see them, Mr Moon only nearly stood on one!!

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And then luckily we didn’t disturb him too much and proceeded to run into a herd of Deer. Thank goodness the wind was blowing towards us, so we managed to see them well.

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We sat and ate cheese and onion sandwiches, drank a beer and thoroughly loved seeing the views and people walking, we even caught a glimpse of a fighter jet, certainly heard it first!! This has to be one of the best walks ever!!

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Managed to see small waterfalls, I was sad I hadn’t brought my crystals to cleanse, but we didn’t expect water on this route. We ended the day with Mr Moon taking a photo for a couple, as he’s a good one like that.

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Even though the Hand Surgeon appointment was cancelled, I still have a full week of hospitals, and doctors. First we have Physiotherapy at Cannock Hospital, to check on progress and discuss anything else. Then it’s Smear test day on Wednesday and Thursday I’m back to Cannock Hospital for Occupational therapy.

Which will mean staying in this week and potently no big walk. So instead it’s a bone cleaning week. ie pop them into some biological washing powder for a good amount of time, before scrubbing with a wire brush.

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Our most recent finds, Sheep and Fox skull

On a local small walk we found some feathers as well, so need to clean them up ready for our Steampunk hat. They will look perfect.

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And we also picked up a lot of broken glass and ropes from either climbers or bivvy set ups, and took them away to bin, and fluff up the ground to make sure the tiny glad shards were buried. We’ve recently been collecting rubbish from walks when we can.

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We also found hints of secret local witches which makes my heart sing. Spotted some pentagrams over the water.

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A week all about family, We’ve had another funeral, and while absolutely heart wrenching, it does bring the family together and it’s lovely to see them. Though we all wish under better circumstances.

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Husband ( my uncle) now follows Wife (my auntie who’s funeral was a few months ago) together again. Hoping they are happy to be reunited. ❤️❤️ They will be greatly missed, and remembered by us all.

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While there we poured over old photos, and remembering times gone by, marvelling at holding a very old calender! And see all those familiar traits passed down from family member to family member, and each generation.

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Avoiding going out much due to storms, storm dudley and storm eunice. Rain like there’s no hope of it stopping, and wind that sounds scary. Let’s hope it soon goes and we get some dry days, they are certainly needed.

This walk mentioned here was done a week or so ago. Been resting ever since.

Sometimes things don’t go to plan, and you just never know how or when. We had an epic new place to have a walk around, the weather was good, and I was excited.

But as I was preparing my coat and bag in the car, I hurt my hand merely twisting the wrist, and I burst into tears. My god this hand it getting hard to live with. This hand was already in a compression glove and splint to protect it, yet I still managed to hurt it.

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Village is pretty though, and the location meant there was public toilets too. Bonus.

Getting myself together and forcing the tears away, we set off. Pretty lovely amble at first, until I sank in some mud, thank heavens for boots!

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Moody skies and cold winds but the location is beautiful. Fields were super waterlogged and easy to sink or skate on.

We managed to get to the main destination, but it came with a cost of the hip swelling up quite a lot. Clearly it didn’t like this retrain and the challenges I was putting it through. I took more pain relief and grateful I could sit down and properly rest it.

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We rested and fuelled up on cheese sandwiches and coffee to warm us up. Glorious views.

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After getting to our main part, it was all downhill and through countless more fields, but we stumbled upon a new situation, one that we always have at the back of our minds, Stiles. If you’re lucky you get gates, or tiny passing places, or a well built stile. However I reached one that made me cry, I was terrified of it, it felt too high, too hard, and too unsteady. I was convinced I was going to fall, and we had to shove the leg over. And it meant one hip needed to internally rotate, so I could get a toe hold while bringing other leg over. Now if you have a hip replacement you may know this is a huge No No. I had to trust my 3yr old hip replacement to do this, and it felt boggy, thankfully I got over but the whole experience tipped me over the emotional edge.

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Internally rotating hip is not a good idea for hip replacement patients as you run the risk of dislocation.

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Knowing we could have many many Stiles, and me already in a state with a swollen hip and emotional nervous wreck, we stopped to have coffee and eat more sandwiches while Mr Moon reassessed the route and changed it for a road instead. We ended the walk much earlier than planned, but I was grateful. It was definitely the right call.

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As soon as we got home it was pizza and relaxing, with hot water bottles and ibuprofen gel for the swollen hip.

Winter brings rain and rain brings mud, as well as icy winds. But we don’t let it deter us, and to keep our spirits high we head on out to the glorious Peak District.

Pains aside as they are happening with or without movement, it’s best to keep this leg moving as best as we can.

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We head to the magickal kingdom of #LudsChurch we’ve been before, you can read about the history of this place Here

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Quite sheltered from the chilly winds here, and you forget how cold the day actually is. But following the church it’s time to head out on the moor land which is open, bonus for views, but very very open to winds.

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Views for miles, you can see so much, more so when the clouds lift. Too scared to stand on the rocks, I let Mr Moon do the honours and marvel at how glorious it is.

Hips and Lower back took a big hit in this walk, due to tensing up a lot over the muddy sections. Really felt it in the hip flexors, and back. I’m glad I’ve now got some back stretches to try, and see if they will help in the long run. So rewarded ourselves with hot water bottles once home!!

I have recently learnt of another family member that has recently passed, and it’s fair to say it’s taking an emotional toll on both me and my Mr Moon. While the loss was expected, doesn’t make it necessarily easier.

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This time it’s my Uncle, the husband to my auntie who we lost very recently. So following this news I knew I needed to get out of the house and breathe in some fresh air, and feel the energies of nature, and it’s Imbolc what better time to focus on death, rebirth and life.

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When it was cold and windy the energies here felt bleak and stark, and we called it Quarry Cleaves from Stonewylde (Check out the Stonewylde series by my late friend Kit Berry (sadly passed in October ) Here

As we felt the bite of the wind, a glimmer of sun shone out and we were blessed with a rainbow, something I never expected.

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Faint but just about there, and it touched my soul and made us feel happier.

Walking is so good for meditation, your sole focus is one foot in front of the other, so it helps you be present in that moment. And when the weather is so changeable you get to really feel alive. Sounds crazy I know, but there is something life affirming to feel a bitter chill, or the glow of sunshine, and even the hydration of rain on your face. I guess it’s feeling lucky to be able to feel these things.

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The area is steeped in history, we’ve been here before, but we revisited the lead mines, found old caves and pump houses. It’s nice to explore and learn history. We stopped to speak to an old gentleman, who was talking about how lucky we are to have this beautiful countryside, and he’s absolutely right!! I’m forever grateful for the hills, the fields, and rivers. It was nice to talk to him.

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It was an amazing day and so good for the soul, But I wish I had a different body, and pain levels though. My back was absolutely crippled, and my 3yr old hip replacement decided to throw up a lot of groin pain too.