Making of a Murderer: A DCI Matilda Darke short story

By Michael Wood

‘DCI Matilda Darke is the perfect heroine’ Elly Griffiths

‘Matilda Darke is an excellent character’ BA Paris

A MISSING TEENAGER

When Sharon Mackintosh allows her teenage daughter to pick up a friend late one evening, she doesn’t expect to find the police on her doorstep the next morning. The body of a young woman has been found in the boot of a car and the police think it’s her daughter.

AN ABANDONED CAR

DCI Matilda Darke and her team are called in to investigate the murder. The body has been left in such a peaceful way, she could almost be sleeping, except for the trauma to the back of her head.

A CRIME OF PASSION

With the body of one teenager in the morgue and a second missing, Matilda’s on borrowed time. But when new information comes to light about the identity of the missing teenager, her investigation takes a dark turn back to the past…

Praise for Michael Wood:

‘Dark and twisted’⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘This book had me gripped and reading through the night’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘This is one of the darkest books I’ve read for a very long time, but Michael in his usual way handles it brilliantly’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘My new favourite author’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Utterly fantastic’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Fast-paced’⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Bleak and chilling… highly recommended’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Format: E-book
Release Date: 01 Jul 2023
Pages: None
ISBN: 978-0-00-846067-9
Michael Wood is a freelance journalist and proofreader living in Sheffield. As a journalist he has covered many crime stories throughout Sheffield, gaining first-hand knowledge of police procedure. He also reviews books for CrimeSquad, a website dedicated to crime fiction.

Praise for Michael Wood: -

”'A tense, nail-biting story with a truly twisted ending” - Katerina Diamond

“An established master of the serial killer novel takes us on another dangerous journey through the streets of Sheffield. Watch out for those twists - you won't see them coming!” Stephen Booth -

”'A gritty and atmospheric thriller with more twists and turns than a hangman's knot. I loved it” - Matt Hilton

”'Solid storytelling and great unravelling of plot. Michael Wood ups the pace as the noose tightens” - Rachel Sargeant

”'Taut, twisting and sharp as a blade, The Hangman’s Hold wrong-footed me at every, devious turn” - Chris Whitaker

”'Wood hit the ground running with For Reasons Unknown, first in the DCI Matilda Darke series. In the fourth instalment, The Hangman's Hold, he picks up the pace again with a twisting plot that races to a nail-biting finish” - Chris Simms

”'Bites into you like the rough twine of a hangman’s noose and refuses to let go. Tautly plotted, brilliantly realised, this is further proof that Michael Wood is only going to get better and better. The Hangman’s Hold is going to be big…” - Neil Broadfoot

Praise for Michael Wood: -

”'You can count on Michael Wood to deliver a deliciously twisted and intriguing plot, leading to a surprise ending by a likeable and very real protagonist, Matilda Darke” - Yrsa Sigurdardottir

”'She is the perfect heroine” - Elly Griffiths

”'A pitch-black concept, tightly delivered and played at exhilarating pace” - Paul Finch

”'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

”'A beautifully written book with a dark heart and a secret that impacts on generations” - Sarah Ward