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For Reasons Unknown: An absolutely gripping crime thriller that keeps you guessing until the last page (DCI Matilda Darke Thriller) (Book 1) Paperback – February 28, 2017

by Michael Wood (Author)
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 5,004 ratings
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Two murders. Twenty years. Now the killer is back for more…

DCI Matilda Darke has returned to work after a nine month absence. A shadow of her former self, she is tasked with re-opening a cold case: the terrifyingly brutal murders of Miranda and Stefan Harkness. The only witness was their eleven-year-old son, Jonathan, who was too deeply traumatized to speak a word.

Then a dead body is discovered, and the investigation leads back to Matilda's case. Suddenly the past and present converge, and it seems a killer may have come back for more…

A darkly compelling debut crime novel, this is the start of a brilliant series, perfect for fans of Louise Penny and Val McDermid.

Praise for Michael Wood:

‘Crackling dialogue, dark wit and an exciting ending’ Mark Edwards

‘DCI Matilda Darke is going places’ James Oswald

‘I really enjoyed getting to know DCI Matilda Darke’ Robert Bryndza

‘A beautifully written book with a dark heart and a secret that impacts on generations’ Sarah Ward

‘A skilfully crafted and compelling debut that hooks from the off and will keep you guessing until the final page’ M.R. Hall

‘Gripping, sad and unexpected’ Alex Marwood

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Previous page
  1. Book 1 of 12
    DCI Matilda Darke
  2. Print length
    334 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    One More Chapter
  5. Publication date
    February 28, 2017
  6. Dimensions
    5.08 x 0.83 x 7.8 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    0008158673
  8. ISBN-13
    978-0008158675
  9. See all details
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The Amazon Book Review
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Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for OUTSIDE LOOKING IN:

‘Crackling dialogue, dark wit and an exciting ending. Recommended if you liked Happy Valley’ Mark Edwards

‘DCI Matilda Darke is going places’ James Oswald

‘A compelling, addictive read, it’s hard to put down. I really enjoyed getting to know DCI Matilda Darke. She's strong character with real depth’ Robert Bryndza, bestselling author of THE GIRL IN THE ICE

Praise for FOR REASONS UNKNOWN:

‘A beautifully written book with a dark heart and a secret that impacts on generations’ Sarah Ward

‘A skilfully crafted and compelling debut that hooks from the off and will keep you guessing until the final page. I can’t wait for Michael Wood’s next one’ M.R. Hall

‘Gripping, sad and unexpected – this is a terrific debut. Wood writes with the confidence and flair of an old hand’ Alex Marwood

‘A strong debut with an intriguing mystery at its heart. The first thing that strikes me is how well he writes female characters. The novel is packed full of strong women’ Ben Cheetham

‘An appealing – and refreshingly human – lead character is swept along in this ingeniously plotted, fast paced debut’ Chris Simms

'This explosive novel is already making a bang – with reviewers comparing Michael’s work to that of his heroes Val McDermid and James Oswald' Sheffield Star

Book Description

An absolutely gripping crime thriller that keeps you guessing until the last page

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ One More Chapter; Digital original edition (February 28, 2017)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 334 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0008158673
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0008158675
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 8.1 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.08 x 0.83 x 7.8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 5,004 ratings

About the author

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Michael Wood

Michael Wood

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Hello, welcome to my Amazon author page. I am Michael Wood, author of the bestselling crime fiction series featuring DCI Matilda Darke and the new psychological thriller series featuring Dr Olivia Winter. As of 2024 there are twelve books in the Matilda Darke series and one Olivia Winter, with more planned for next year. I'm also the author of three standalone psychological thrillers The Seventh Victim, Vengeance Is Mine and Chapter One (currently and Audible Original). I am constantly scribbling away and have many other projects up the sleeves of my duffel coat. When I'm not writing, I'm usually moaning about having little sleep and talking about my favourite biscuit on social media. Look me up on Facebook (MichaelWoodBooks), Twitter (@MichaelHWood) and Instagram (MichaelWoodBooks). I'm a massive fan of reading crime fiction as I like to keep an eye on the competition and wondering if I can steal any of their ideas, give the characters a Sheffield accent, and pass them off as my own original creation. Happy reading.

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
4.2 out of 5
5,004 global ratings
Top notch police procedural mystery set in Sheffield.
5 Stars
Top notch police procedural mystery set in Sheffield.
It has been a while since I've been so immersed in a book. I love a well executed police procedural and this one was stellar. The seemingly impossible murder mystery, the damaged protagonists, the workplace rivalry, and the excellent characterization all served to make this a top notch crime novel.I will definitely be reading ALL of the novels in this series. Highly recommended!
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Top reviews from the United States

Christine Terrell
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic debut thriller!
Reviewed in the United States on June 11, 2016
Verified Purchase
Wow, I have just stumbled upon another well-hidden little gem! Where have you been hiding, Mr. Wood? This novel adds to my growing pile of terrific debut thrillers and new authors to watch that I have been fortunate enough to discover over the last year. I just loved this book!

For Reasons Unknown is a compelling police procedural marinated with a very heavy dose of character development. The protagonist, DCI Matilda Darke, has been hit hard with a double whammy of a work disaster and a family tragedy several months previous. As the story opens, she is struggling mightily to regain her confidence and resume her career as head of the Murder Investigation Team. She is assigned a 20-year-old double murder cold case with which to ease back in, but the case takes some unanticipated turns, evolving into a very active situation. Jonathan Harkness, another major character, is the only witness to the double murder of his parents when he was 11 years old. He was rendered mute for 18 months by this trauma and has blocked out most of what happened. Mr. Wood does a great job getting us inside not only Matilda’s head, but Jonathan’s as well, giving us a great vantage points from which to observe the investigation play out. Matilda is also dealing with a hostile colleague, Ben Hales, who has been Acting DCI and head of the Murder unit while Matilda is working her way back; we also get his viewpoint of the situation as well as that of Maun Barrington, Jonathan’s neighbor. Other characters to enjoy include Matilda’s engaging best friend (Dr. Adele Kean), Matilda’s likeable colleagues (especially DS Sian Mills and DC Rory Fleming), and Jonathan’s boss (Stephen Egan).

As far as the plot goes, it provides a knock-your-socks-off page-turning experience with many unputdownable moments. Though I had an “intermittent inkling” of who the baddie was, I couldn’t really piece it together and the many twists and turns occurring all the way through to the last chapter had me changing my mind multiple times. I hated the book to end!

Over the last year and a half I have discovered some wonderful newer thriller writers, most notably Angela Marsons, Cody McFadyen, Robert Bryndza, Stacy Green, Tom Bale, Owen Mullen and Matt Brolly. I am adding Michael Wood to this list. I liken him most to Ms. Marsons and Mr. Bryndza. If you like these writers, do yourself a favor and grab For Reasons Unknown. I was so impressed I just bought the newly released second book in the Matilda Darke series, Outside Looking In, and immediately put it on my “Top 5” shelf. Kudos, Mr. Wood, for a most auspicious debut novel!!
4 people found this helpful
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Joann R. Greene
4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyed This Book - will read more.
Reviewed in the United States on March 13, 2017
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I've never heard of Michael Wood's books and read a pretty good review on Goodreads so I downloaded the first one in his Matilda Drake series. I was quite taken by this book and downloaded the next two in this series after reading this book. DCI Drake has been on a nine month leave after the death of her husband and a kidnapping gone wrong so upon returning to work is given a 20 year old cold case to solve. I believe it is a debut novel but it is a winner. I could so feel for what Matilda is going through and I also liked her colleagues. Everything was well thought out and I found it to be a page turner. I didn't have the ending figured out.
If his other books in this series are of the same caliber as this one, I'll have a new author to follow. Yeh! On to book number two in this series. A solid 4.
7 people found this helpful
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Judy in CA
3.0 out of 5 stars Not an absolutely gripping crime thriller
Reviewed in the United States on March 17, 2022
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My first time reading Michael Wood. Story line was good. I did not like the main detective. The police officers who supported her were good. Unusual for me to figure out "who did it" so early in the book.
What the brother of the killer did was a surprise. I will try another book in this series to see if the main police person gets better.
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Tripower53
5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely a stunner!
Reviewed in the United States on September 11, 2017
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5 stars

Eleven-year old Jonathan Harkness witnessed, or at least heard, the horrifying murders of his parents Miranda and Stefan. The case remains unsolved.

Twenty years later, DCI Matilda Drake returns to work after a nine-month layoff. She is stunned when her ACC Val Masterson asks her to look into a cold case - the Harkness killings. DC Rory Fleming is assigned to assist her.

Acting DCI Ben Hales is furious and doesn’t want to see Matilda back in her old job. He thinks the job is his.

When Matilda and Rory go to the demolition of the old Harkness home, they find Jonathan there. They speak to him and Matilda’s heart goes out to him. Alone and isolated by choice, Jonathan is happy with his job and his books. He warily befriends an elderly neighbor lady.

Then a body is found. The man has been badly beaten and left for dead. He was missing two toes. The case is assigned to Hales. He plans to solve it by lunch. However, when talking to Jonathan, Matilda learns that his brother Matthew lost two toes to frostbite when he was a teenager. Matilda makes the connection and goes to speak to Styles. A car registered to Matthew Harkness was seen in a nearby pub parking lot. Hales comes unglued when he is ordered to work with Matilda on the case.

Hales goes alone and arrests Jonathan for the death of his brother. He secretly interviews him and harassing him Jonathan breaks down. Matilda gets wind of it and rushes to the station. They confront one-another and another officer calls ACC Masterson, their boss, to referee.

Later, Hales goes berserk and completely loses it. Matilda gets an odd feeling and is suspicious. The denouement is revealing, although not altogether surprising. I, like Matilda, had my suspicions.

This book is extremely well written and plotted. It had me absolutely riveted. I liked Matilda in spite of her problems and really appreciate the way she finally worked out her problems and the positive manner in which she got along with her team. I spent the whole of Sunday reading this novel and barely left my desk. The suspense started out immediately and continued throughout the book. It reached its peak at the end when all is revealed. It is a surprise that this book is a debut, and I will most certainly read more of Michael Wood’s novels!!
6 people found this helpful
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lindaluane
4.0 out of 5 stars DCI Matilda Darke
Reviewed in the United States on February 6, 2020
Verified Purchase
Great novel - will continue the series :)
DCI Matilda Darke is a flawed character - who happens to be very good at her job
In this, first novel, she is returning to work after an extended leave due to the loss of her husband and an error in a case that resulted in the kidnappers disappearing with a 7 year old child
She is assigned a cold case - to help her get back in the swing of things - and to see if she is really ready to return to her job as DCI. The acting DCI, Ben, does NOT want her returning - he wants her position
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Top reviews from other countries

Eager Reader
5.0 out of 5 stars A 'what next' story.
Reviewed in Canada on May 28, 2023
Verified Purchase
Excellent story, characters you can get attached to and enough twists to keep you thinking. As a crime writer myself (nine titles), I like to learn from others what works, this story certainly does.
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gericrox7
5.0 out of 5 stars Page Turner
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 9, 2024
Verified Purchase
I could not put this book down. It had hold off me from the start to the end. Exciting captivating all the way through, can't wait to start the next in the series.
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Kindle Customer
2.0 out of 5 stars Okay but unsatisfying
Reviewed in India on November 2, 2018
Verified Purchase
Others may enjoy the book so the only defence I can give for giving it a 2-star rating is that I didn't believe the solution. It didn't seem probable. The characters and their actions and reactions just kept getting harder and harder to believe and towards the end I just started feeling like I was peeping into another world that's exactly like Earth but where the humans are just that tiny bit different. Too many characters have a screw loose.
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Pam
5.0 out of 5 stars A great read.
Reviewed in Australia on November 28, 2017
Verified Purchase
This is the first in a series (I guess) about a high profile Chief Detective Inspector who is recovering from the trauma of losing her much loved husband to brain cancer whilst trying to continue to carry on at work - ultimately not solving a big case and landing in a world of depression. She is now in this book recovering and back at the job. It is a good read, some places are a little thin, but overall it is a good yarn well told - with loads of empathy and in places, raw emotion.
I was surprised to find the author was a man - as the manner of writing was such that I believed only a woman could understand the feelings of a woman and express them so well.
A great read. Highly recommended tor crime mystery buffs.
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Jackie Roche
5.0 out of 5 stars A Riveting Debut
Reviewed in Spain on April 2, 2016
Verified Purchase
I would never have guessed that this was Michael Wood's first novel. The writing is that of an established author.
It's got everything a thriller should have - a brilliant plot, great, believable characters and the ability to hold your attention until the very last page.
I loved this so much I immediately pre-ordered book 2 in the series.
A new author to add to my favourite authors list.
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