Don’t Let Him In by Howard Linskey

Today it’s back to Mandie who is sharing her thoughts on Don’t Let Him In by Howard Linskey. We both saw the author on a panel at Newcastle Noir last year and, being intrigued by the story, Mandie picked herself up a copy of the book. I took a look at it last year and you can find my thoughts right here. Here’s what the book is all about:

About the Book

Eriston is a small town.

It’s the kind of place where everyone knows your name – and your secrets.

Rebecca hasn’t been back in years, but she grew up in the shadow of the dark local legend. There have always been deaths in Eriston – more than can easily be explained. People dying in their houses, behind locked doors.

Her father, Sean had always warned her of the dangers. Don’t let him in.

When Rebecca returns, she discovers that her father wasn’t willing to let the legend lie. He was on the verge of uncovering the town’s darkest truth.

He thought he was on the trail of a killer.

Sean knew too much. Now he’s dead.
And Rebecca could be next…

Mandie’s Thoughts

Howard Linskey is an author I have head of quite regularly, but it was not until I attended Newcastle Noir last year and heard him speak with other authors that I purchased Don’t Let Him In. I am now in the why have I not read any of his work sooner mode and know that I have just increased my must be purchased and read pile.

Rebecca has returned to her hometown of Eriston following the death of her father Sean. Once the editor of the local newspaper he had been digging into the deaths of a couple of local girls that he believed the wrong person had been convicted of committing. Not completely convinced that her father’s death was an accident, she begins to dig into his death and that of the murders that he was so obsessed with.

During her investigations she also has to confront her own past in the form of her former boyfriend Alan and her first ever employer Jack. Both men support Rebecca in her pursuits, but it is local policeman Duncan who she teams up with to find out more. He has his own theories on what really happened, but he is frustrated by the attitudes of senior officers in the force and makes no bones about making those feelings known and is never too happy when Rebecca appears to question his theories. With it looking more and more like the first investigation was not very thorough there are certainly a few people that come to light who have good reason for not wanting the case to be reopened and that includes the detective in charge of the case and you will be left wondering for quite some time who the real killer is and if Rebecca is safe at all.

With chapters clearly written in the voice of the true killer who seems to be stalking both Rebecca and another as yet unknown victim you can understand why even a reporter like Rebecca would be second guessing every creak and groan in the house owned by her father. Added to this is its location, on a hill and with the adjoining houses all empty, but like we all do she often gives herself a talking to in order to overcome her concerns. It’s the details like this that make Rebecca seem real and someone that you can relate to quite easily. This book certainly knows how to play on your fears that’s for sure and I am glad that when I am home alone I have 3 very large dogs with me at all times.

About the Author

Howard Linskey is a best-selling author of crime and historical fiction published in seven countries. His debut novel ‘The Drop’ was voted one of the Top Five Thrillers of the Year by the Times newspaper and ‘The Damage’ was voted one of its top summer reads. His David Blake series was optioned for TV by Harry Potter producer, David Barron.

Howard writes a series of north-east set, crime fiction novels for Penguin Random House featuring investigative journalists Tom Carney and Helen Norton, as well as Detective Sergeant Ian Bradshaw.

His historical novels are set in WW2. ‘Hunting the Hangman’ tells the story of the assassination of Nazi general and architect of the Holocaust, Reinhard Heydrich in Prague in 1942. ‘Ungentlemanly Warfare’ follows SOE agent Harry Walsh into occupied France.

Originally from the north east of England, Howard now lives in Herts with his wife Alison and daughter Erin.