I get really thirsty reading about Slonský, all that great czech beer he drinks. "I'll explain all that on the way,lad; he said to Navrátil. The way, sir? To where? To a place where my brain can be lubricated and tuned to perfection. Oh- we're going to a bar. Correct. I need to do some of my best thinking. Probably about two litres' worth, I'd say." I had saved this book to be read on my birthday since I wanted something really good and this was the last one I had in the series. I have already read the next one out this year and now I sadly have to wait for the seventh book. If you like good mysteries and witty writing you should really try this series. I seldom laugh so much while reading.

Josef Slonský has just been named Captain of Prague’s Criminal Police division and his first case since his promotion is a heartbreaking one. A young girl is found dead in the river and it appears she was also a victim of abuse long before her death. Slonský’s team is short-handed, and in addition to the murder case, Slonský also has to do whatever it takes to keep a hard-nosed micromanager from becoming his new boss.

Once again Slonský uses unorthodox ways to staff and run his team. He has always seen himself as a loner, but his direct reports Navratil and Peiperova, as well as the desk sergeant Mucha and the journalist Valentin like and respect him. I love seeing this group work together, whether it’s to solve a crime or to keep things running the way Slonský wants it in the department. The murder case which is the focus of this book is sad for even the most experienced police detective to handle and the team is determined to get answers. The case is interesting and has a few twists and turns to keep you guessing. From the way the case starts, the reader knows the ending won’t be happy, but I like the way things are resolved.

I have enjoyed all of the prior books in this series, but the author does a great job of gradually introducing new readers to the main characters in the first couple of chapters. We get to meet a new character in this book, Navratil’s mother. She is not what I expected and I found her delightful and look forward to seeing more of her in future books. I love the characters, setting, and humor in this book and the entire series. This has become one of my favorite series and “A Second Death” is my favorite installment so far. I like the changes that Slonský had made to his team and am intrigued and a little anxious about the cliffhanger presented at the end of the book. I loved this book and can’t wait for the next one.

I received this book from NetGalley through the courtesy of Sapere Books. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.

‘She’s a missing person we never found.’

The body of a young girl is found on the banks of the River Vlatava. But no-one has reported her missing. Fortunately, newly promoted Captain Josef Slonský is on the case, and he won’t let staff shortages get in the way of solving this case. Kristýna Peiperová may be on a one-year assignment elsewhere in the police force, but Slonský is able to negotiate for her to (temporarily at least) rejoin him and (her fiancé) Jan Navrátil to work on the case.

In the meantime, there are internal police matters to deal with and Slonský has some domestic issues as well. Clearly the life of a Czech policeman never runs smoothly. Slonský is resourceful, and Peiperová and Navrátil have become used to the way he works: frequent stops for pastries and coffee or beer and sausages are required.

But what happened to the young girl? DNA matches lead them to an old, cold case. Finding out the identity of the girl leads the team into a dark, unsettling mystery. And while Slonský and the team try to solve the girl’s grim case, their various domestic situations provide some lighter (mostly) relief. Slonský, in his usual ingenious way, manages to recruit a new member for his team and solve a few administrative ‘problems’ as well. Is there nothing that Slonský can’t achieve once he puts his mind to it? Well, he may not yet have worked out his relationship with his (ex) wife, Vera.

This is the fifth entry into the Josef Slonský series, and it is every bit as good as the previous four. Yes, you could read this as a standalone, but I strongly recommend reading the novels in order. While the case being investigated is independent of the earlier books, the characters continue to develop, and the backstory is important.

Highly recommended. I hope there will be further instalments.

Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Sapere Books for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

Captain Josef Slonsky and his team investigate when the body of a young female is discovered by two hikers on the banks of the River Vltava.
Another enjoyable well-written mystery in this series with its delightful characters

I've always thought of this superb series as one of the most underrated in the genre and so far Brack has backed that up with every gripping instalment, with A Second Death marking the fifth adventure newly promoted Captain Josef Slonsky takes us, lucky readers, on. For the avoidance of doubt, each instalment can easily be read independently of one another without issue. The potent and highly engaging mix of compelling plot, black humour, delightful writing and not forgetting the inimitable, tenacious Slonsky — who has become one of my favourite protagonists of late — all make this a special and thoroughly enjoyable set of books.

I didn't realise quite how much I had missed this unique series but was rapidly reminded just how much of a sophisticated and rare gem it is. Once more we are introduced to the beautiful, atmospheric Prague metropolis as Slonsky embarks on his toughest case yet. On banks of the River Vittava, the body of a young girl washes up. She has been brutally murdered and shows disturbing signs of long-term sexual abuse. Czech police are not only shocked to the core but are baffled by the fact that she has no identification and that no youngster has been reported missing. Can his team, with him at the helm, identify and collar this predator and take him off the streets before another girl becomes the prey?

Throughout the story, there are plenty of twists and turns, peaks and troughs and the pacing is pretty spot on too. Humour has always helped to achieve a balance between the light and dark in these novels but it is particularly necessary with the brutal, sickening crime involving children here. I urge anyone interested in well-crafted, multifaceted crime fiction to give this book and/or series a go. Another highly entertaining and immersive police procedural, and whilst I didn't love it quite as much as its predecessors it's still executed to a very high standard. Roll on the next one! Many thanks to Sapere Books for an ARC.