The Patient Man

Although this is the sixth book in the series it can definitely be read as a standalone novel. The opening chapter accelerates the quickening of your pulse and even if you are new to the series you get a quick introduction to characters and the setting. The atmospheric setting, the Fenlands of Lincolnshire, adds to the beauty of this novel creating tension with its eerie vastness. Joy Ellis is clearly very familiar with the area and this is portrayed throughout the book. What a perfect setting for a killer to hide.

This police procedural was a delight to read with the multiple crimes that were taking place and the threat of danger everywhere, it was a real page-turner. Although, there was a lot going on with several different stories running parallel, it was extremely well balanced, completely comprehensible and everything came skillfully together. There was a steady pace throughout with shocking revelations that appeared with little warning. My hand was gripped tightly whilst holding the book and if I had been watching this on a screen I know I would have jumped at every twist and turn. Highly entertaining although not for the faint-hearted.

I adored the characters, from the police team to the Lorimer family. Here you had a real mix of personalities, each with their own flaws or insecurities and yet with the exception of Alistair Ashcroft, all were extremely likeable and relatable. My fear for the team's safety whilst trying to hunt down Ashcroft was immense, added to that, the threat of an unknown sniper on the loose made this quite the psychological thriller I was hoping for. Action-packed and gripping, it is no surprise why this has been selected for The British Book Awards 2021.