Dead Lucky: one of the most chilling crime thriller books of the year! (DCI Michael Lambert crime series, Book 2)

Dead Lucky is book 2 in the DCI Michael Lambert series by new British author Matt Brolly. I awarded 4.5 stars to book 1 (Dead Eyed), and Dead Lucky is even better!Dead Lucky is a well-constructed police procedural with great characters and fabulous plot. Basically we are looking at a strange series of murders carried out with the same MO. The victims are seemingly disconnected, but are they? There appears to be no motive, but is there? It’s up to DCI Michael Lambert to unravel this web of killings before any more innocents are hurt. Lambert has been through the wringer. He was driving the car when his young daughter was killed in a fatal motor vehicle accident a couple of years previous, and the stress of her death is tearing his marriage apart. Lambert is also left with PTSD in the form of odd hallucinatory blackouts.Lambert is partnered with DS Matilda Kennedy and directly supervised by Chief Superintendent Glenn Tillman, the latter familiar to readers from Dead Eyed. This is a strong core of cast members. Other interesting characters include beyond-his-prime nationally known journalist Eustace Sackville, obnoxious DC Walker, and driven DS Harrogate. I found all these players to be well drawn.The plot is taken up a notch from the plot in book 1, and it is written in a way to make readers think. It was fun eavesdropping on Lambert’s inner thoughts as he continually plays through the evidence. The tension is palpable. Twists and turns abound. The pace is fast until we reach the last 20% of the book where it accelerates to breakneck speed. The last few chapters are truly riveting! The end is pretty spectacular, but came too fast for me. It was like slamming on the brakes at 120 miles per hour. I thought, “Hey, I’m not done with these people yet. Please come back!” Don’t get me wrong--the ending is actually very fitting; I just wasn’t ready to leave these characters. I am hoping there is a Michael Lambert #3 in the works and that several of these folks are brought back.I loved that we learn more about the characters who are back from book one. I imagine Mr. Brolly will continue to develop them as he (hopefully) writes new installments. For this reason, though the plot is stand alone, I strongly suggest those wanting to read Dead Lucky start with book 1, Dead Eyed, which is a darn fine novel in its own right.In summary, Dead Lucky is a highly entertaining, thrilling, and cerebral read with excellent characterization. I recommend it without reservation to all thriller fans. Mr. Brolly has definitely earned a spot on my radar. Bring on book 3 please!

DI Michael Lambert is newly back on the job after a family tragedy. His daughter has died, he is estranged from his wife, and he is being tested as to whether he can cope with being back. In no time, he is tasked with dealing with a crime in which a man is forced to see the death, a slow death, of his wife. More identical crimes follow, but with no apparent motive, Lambert is vainly searching for the identity of the killer, dubbed "the Watcher" by the press. There are periods of high tension in this novel and some pretty graphic, horrific crime scenes; they do not feel gratuitous, however, as they are necessary to the unfolding of the story. Part of the book is given to the day to day procedural aspect of any case and seemingly routine investigation. I was puzzled by the introduction of Lambert's narcolepsy-type illness as I didn't think it added to the story line or was in any way necessary. There are some really exciting moments in this book, and the ending, while perhaps over the top, was quite a page turner. I am set to move on to the third book in the series.

The author’s writing is first class, completely draws you in to the story.

A good read. Storyline with moving elements that hold interest.

I thoroughly enjoyed this second novel from Matt Brolly. Finished it in about three sessions as it was such a thriller and fast paced that I had a hard time putting it down to go to work. As with many a good writer, he left me wanting the next story to come along ASAP. A lot of strings were left dangling. I am interested to see how he develops them.

Entertaining. Good book to pass the time.

A sharp focus on children’s homes, police corruption and a long-held deadly grudge, erupting in a spate of dreadful homicides.The overall tone is quite grim compared to the author’s later works.

Well written follow up novel. Good character development and plot.

This is the second book in the series ( I haven’t finished it yet! ) but so far a great read with a gripping story line which keeps twisting and turning.

Lambert continues to chase the bad guy. I enjoyed the way the answers came together towards the end of the story. A great read from Matt Brolly. Great storyline.

I enjoyed another Matt Brolly book on my kindle. He writes a good psychological thriller and holds the readers interest

could not finish boring

I really enjoyed Dead Lucky and am reading the next one. However, I was surprised at the number of typing mistakes and I am already noticing the same. Better proof reading required.