I am in love. It’s that simple. There are a small number of reviewers whose opinion I completely trust. They only have to mention an author or their books and I’m signing into Amazon! Mike Craven’s books fall into that category. I’ve had the first book in the series, Born in a Burial Gown on the TBR for a while now and have been desperate to read it. So when the opportunity to feature on the Body Breaker blog tour arose, I jumped at the chance.

I absolutely fell in love with DI Avison Fluke. But it wasn’t just our leading man, it was every member of his team as well. For me, as an avid crime reader, someone who tends to read a lot of police procedurals, this book really grabbed my attention. That was partly due to a cracking plot and partly due to probably the best investigative team I’ve had the pleasure of reading about. Not since Mark Billingham’s Tom Thorne have I been this excited and, let’s be honest here, this smitten with a detective.

Something else that was a little different; even though this is the second book in the series (there are 2.5 by the way, two full novels and a novella) I didn’t feel as though I was missing out by not having read the first book. I find you tend to be left wondering about certain occurrences, things happen and you’re not sure if it relates to something from earlier in the series, almost like you’re always missing…something. I didn’t feel that at all whilst reading Body Breaker. It’s the best ‘part of a series standalone’ I’ve read! Saying that, I will be doing all I can to squeeze Born in a Burial Gown into my reading schedule very very soon.

DI Fluke and his second in command, DS Towler are both ex-military. And despite not serving together, these boys have a strong history together. As well as the type of friendship where the other would happily die to save his mate. I loved their relationship as not only was it hilarious in places it brought a warmth to the story. Each character is unique, each character had their moment to prove their worth to the investigation and I loved it.

What starts out as the discovery of a severed hand on a golf course turns into so much more. This book took me places I didn’t expect, gave me reading material that was quite different to my normal choices and kept me gripped from the very start to the very end. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough but I also wanted the story to last much longer than its 320 pages!

Would I recommend this book? I most definitely would. I’m excited to have discovered Avison Fluke and his team. The author is currently working on a new series and I desperately hope this isn’t the last we’ll see of Fluke for a while (although I am very much looking forward to meeting Washington Poe!). It’s a thrilling, heart pounding novel which gave me much more than I initially expected.

Five out of five stars.

I chose to read and review an eARC of Body Breaker. The above review is my own unbiased opinion.

Book 2 in the series is even better than the first. The book starts at speed and the pace was relentless with loads of twists and turns, leaving me on the edge of my seat.

The characterisation in the book is just fantastic, especially the wonderful friendship of Fluke and Towler. It was interesting to hear a little more about Fluke's time in the army in Northern Ireland during the Troubles.

I really, really hope that Mike Craven will continue this series. Pretty please.

Sophomore Letdown
Review of the Constable paperback edition (2020) of the 2017 original

I was quite impressed with the first outing of M.W. Craven's Avison Fluke series [b:Born in a Burial Gown|49863919|Born in a Burial Gown (Avison Fluke)|M.W. Craven|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1570475224l/49863919._SX50_SY75_.jpg|44966283] (2016) especially due to its level of detail in the forensic investigation and with the diversity of the investigative team who each contributed unique quirky talents to the effort.

This second outing was unfortunately a letdown esp. due to less of the teamwork from the original. Fluke himself becomes rather unlikeable due to faulty or inappropriate decisions and judgment. In the end there are quite a few plot threads that are unresolved. Craven himself must have become dissatisfied and abandoned Fluke and turned instead to the Washington Poe series which seems to be an ongoing concern.

3.5 rounded up. Enjoyed it but Avison’s character is a bit out there and can get annoying.

Thought the previous one was slightly better but nevertheless this is still a cracking read. No loose ends regarding police procedural and lots of clarification and information along the way. Nothing was missed. Hope there will be a third book as I need to know what happens next.

Another spectacular book by MW Craven. Loved this one more than born in a burial gown. Brilliant writing, storyline and twists. Avison isn't quite Poe but he's still a great character.