Can’t-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted at Wishful Endings, to spotlight and discuss the books we’re excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they’re books that have yet to be released. It’s based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine.
This week’s Can’t-Wait offering – Cruel as the Grave – Book 22 of DCI Bill Slider mysteries by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles – release date 2nd February
#crime #police procedural murder mystery
BLURB: Fitness trainer Erik Lingoss is found dead in his west London flat, his head smashed by one of his own dumbbells. His heartlessly-dumped girlfriend, blood on her clothes and hands, is the prime suspect. She had means, opportunity, and motive.
But is the case as clear-cut as it seems? Handsome Erik Lingoss had clients in high places; and he seemed to engender powerful emotions. If it was a crime of passion, there was plenty of that to go round: love strong as death, jealousy cruel as the grave.
Who did he let in to his flat that evening? Where is his missing mobile phone? Why is seven hundred pounds in cash stuffed under his pillow? The deeper Slider and his team dig, the clearer it becomes there’s far more to this case than meets the eye.
No… I haven’t read the previous 21 books, and probably won’t get around to doing so, either. But I have read Old Bones, Shadow Play and Headlong, the last three books, and enjoyed the experience sufficiently so it was a no-brainer to request this arc the minute I saw it was available. Harrod-Eagles is a mistress of the twisty plot and I’ve grown to really like dear Bill, who has an unexpectedly happy family life and a good solid team around him. Anyone else about to tuck into this offering?
Brainfluff 
I don’t really read much of this genre but I have to admit I love the idea of Bill having a happy home life and solid team. I get very tired of the “dark secret of their past” side plot of these books sometimes given that the dark secret usually shouldn’t have been a secret at all or they needed therapy.
x The Captain
Lol… exactly so, Cap! And Bill’s repartee with his team, particularly with Atherton, his number two, is often very funny… So despite the murder mystery element, which is always given sufficient respect and heft – there is always a lighter tone running through these books, which I really appreciate, especially these days!
This sounds like a good one. And I’m thinking after 22 books the author must be very a very skilled writer!
She really is – she’s been writing since forever and has an immense backlist. But her books tend to be expensive, which is why I’m always grateful to be able to get hold the arcs:))
Sounds like a great murder mystery! Wonder who did it. 🧐
It will be fun to find out, I guarantee it!
The blurb sounds so interesting! Adding this on my TBR 😍 it’s been a long time since I dived into one of these murder mystery books and this seems like something I’ll definitely love!
I hope you get a chance to track down this one, if you are a fan of well written murder mysteries, this one should provide a really good read:))
I’ve never heard of that author or that series, but it looks good, I just added it to my TBR 🙂
I hope you get a chance to sample her writing – I’d love to hear your thoughts on this series:)).
Mistress of the twisty plot you say? You have me intrigued! It’s good to know you don’t necessarily have to start at the beginning to enjoy this series (especially given how many books there are!). I will have to give it a try. I hope you enjoy Cruel as the Grave.
Yes, it’s always useful to know when you can jump into a series without finding yourself adrift. I hope you get a chance to try out her writing – and thank you, I’m looking forward to reading this one during the week:)).
That’s quite the long series. A new author for me to explore:)
I hope you get the chance, Laura:)).
Yikes! Sounds like a good twisty whodunit!
Thank you, Greg – just what I need as an escape, right now…
Now that looks intriguing! Glad you don’t have to read all the books before to understand it either, I find mystery series are usually considerate like that 😀
Yes, I think you’re right, Mogsy. Murder mystery series generally do have ongoing backstories for their investigators, but as each mystery has to be wrapped up within a book, they are easier to crash. Or dip in and out of…
I’m always amazed that some series are so long – book 22? Hope it’s a strong one.
I’ve now read it, Barb – and yes, it’s a gem. I really like this series:)).
Wow, No.22. That’s impressive – and you’re just jumping right in – much respect. Hope you love it.
Lynn 😀
To be fair, I have read numbers 19, 20 and 21… And loved them:)).
Ahh. Sorry. I hadn’t picked up that bit. 😁
No worries:)). After all, I jumped into the series cold at Book 19 – I think I deserve some kudos for that act of reckless courage:))).
OH hello, this is a new series to me and this blurb intrigues me.
I know! That was one of the reasons why it caught my attention, too…
It must be a good series if they are up to book 22. I hope you enjoy this one Sarah.
Oh yes – she is such a good writer. Though I haven’t read all the 22 books – but I’ve had a lot of fun reading the last 3…