The Woman in theWoods pulses with a sinister energy that keeps you reading on. A proper nailbiter’ Mel McGrath The New Forest feels like a world in itself – separated from the rest of the world and the atmosphere and sense of foreboding and mystery are built up with Pearse care and attention. The woman who lives in the woods, who is suspected of many things was a great central character. The 1960s setting built up walls and expectations of a strained and troubled time. There is so much that happens in this installment of the series my desire to condense events kind of boggles the mind. So, to avoid any spoilers, this review will concentrate on one minor subplot and an overall summery in this, what may be the best book in the series so far.

No different with The Woman in the Woods which had the after effect just a little while ago of me rummaging through the toy box to throw far far away anything that might ring in the night – but that’s neither here nor there except to my children. The point is this is, as usual, beautifully creepy as well as being beautifully written and every time I go into one of these I think it can’t possibly up the ante or make me more desperate for the next than I always am and every time I am wrong. I don't know how Lesley manages to keep writing these brilliant stories every year but I am so glad she does. She never fails to disappoint me, She creates the most amazing characters, you cannot help but be completely entranced by this wonderful new story which I did not want to end.It's Moxie Castin, the lawyer with a heart of gold and a soft spot for the Star of David, which plays such an important role in this story. But, then I see her again. I see her pale, white face. Watching me. Taunting me. And then the notes begin to appear. I know who you really are…..........and I know what you did. It follows their lives for the next few years where they try to grow up and figure out their futures but unfortunately both face some terrible experiences that will either make or break them. The 16th Charlie Parker novel, “THE WOMAN IN THE WOODS”, went on sale in Ireland at the beginning of February 2018, and will be available in the UK on April 5, 2018 then in the United States, sometime in June 2018. Themes expanded, emotions played upon, nightmares almost guaranteed or at the very least an odd look over your shoulder because you’ll be sure there is someone there, several reasons why the Charlie Parker series continues on as fresh and new as it ever was, because every time you think you’ve got a handle on it everything changes.

What sets these Charlie Parker thrillers apart from many other detective stories is the touch of the supernatural. In this latest in the series, a tree falls in the woods in Maine revealing the shallowly-buried remains of a young woman. Buried with her are a placenta and umbilical cord, so it appears she died in childbirth. But did her baby survive? Is it buried elsewhere? The story is set in the early 1960s, but you’d never have guessed. The attitudes and dialogue were more Victorian than mid-twentieth century. Atmospheric, creepy and oh-so-compulsive, The Woman in the Woods is a chilling triumph' Fiona Cummins, author of When I Was Ten Ok that’s quite enough of that – this may be a long running series but it is just as exciting, just as riveting, I’m not even sure what I’m saying – I mean more of course not just as – it gets better and better and changes the game every time.

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Not the simplest of assignments, but Charlie could use something to occupy his mind, as Angel lies fighting for his life in a hospital bed, and Louis contemplates losing not only his lover, but the last shreds of his humanity. Charlie Parker continues to be a man who is troubled yet surviving. He has never gotten over the loss of his wife and daughter who were viciously murdered. He also has a daughter named Sam who lives with her Mother. Parker still loves Sam's mother but knows being with them puts them both in danger and this further adds to his angst and heartache. Charlie Parker is a private investigator who is often hired to solve cases which no one else can solve. He is often assisted by Louis and Angel but in this book, Angel is in the hospital. He has cancer and is awaiting surgery. Louis helps when he can but also needs to be with Angel both before and after his surgery.

Read as much and as widely as you can! You’ll soak up the art of writing – spelling, grammar, sentence structure – without feeling as if you’ve been studying. Author Pet Corner! Ceasar, Hera, and Peg!Creepy, dark and all the chills! This book will make you question everything and everyone. Hall really knows how to drag the reader into the darkness. Fantastic!’ Lauren North, author of Safe at Home Before I conclude this review, I thought I’d say something about the woman in the wood – easily my favourite character! That’s all you’re getting on that! I would absolutely live in a haunted house – I think I already do! There are lots of strange noises in our home, and we often feel that someone is watching us on the upstairs landing. If they manage to open, you’ll be obliged to support them. They’ll be very unhappy otherwise. You know how fond they are of you and Angel.”