Cut to the Bone

Roz Watkins has become an auto-buy author for me. When I read her debut novel, The Devil’s Dice, I knew her character, DI Meg Dalton, was one I was going to want to keep coming back to. The latest book, Cut to the Bone, is another brilliant addition to this series which keeps getting better and better.What I really like about Roz’s work, is that there is always the touch of the supernatural, which gives her books a very chilling atmosphere. And the story of the Pale Child in this book sent shivers up my spine as I was reading it. It made me want to find out more about what was really going on here and if there was any truth in the claims, or if it was just people’s imagination.The character at the centre of Meg’s new investigation is Violet, a teenage vlogger who has gone missing. Violet has become the poster child for the meat industry. She posts videos of herself, semi-naked, while cooking with meat and has gained a large following and fan base on social media. Two storms are gathering around her disappearance. Animal rights activists are angry at Violet for how she has behaved, and some are saying she got what she deserved. Then there are Violet’s fans. They accuse the activists of having something to do with her disappearance as she was a supporter of the meat industry. Meg finds herself at the centre of this storm as she comes under fire from both sides. Soon she starts receiving threats.This turns into a really difficult investigation for Meg and her team. They have to get to know the real Violet while angry voices shout at them from all directions. As they investigate further, they begin to find out that she isn’t quite the person who she portrayed herself to be.When I first learnt about who Violet was, I didn’t have a lot of sympathy for her, but I grew to like her as the book progressed. I wanted Meg and her team to find the answers to her disappearance, but I kept thinking that their efforts would be undermined, by the two groups at war with each other. This is what makes the book a very tense read. Also, I worried about Meg’s safety as well, as she comes under intense scrutiny.It’s quite a gruesome book. Some parts may make some readers uncomfortable, particularly the sections relating to the meat industry, but it does make for a very gripping read. I love Roz Watkins writing, and I love Meg’s character. There is some tension between her and her colleague, DS Jai Sanghera, who is going through a rough patch in his relationship with his girlfriend.I love this series, and I can’t wait to read what Roz Watkins comes up for DI Meg Dalton and her team next.

It's great to delve back into DI Meg Dalton's world! I feel like this is the best book in the series so far. It's very funny and I identify with Meg and her familiar struggles so much. It's also incredibly dark and twisty.It's hard to describe the story without giving too much away. We start with a missing girl and develop into vigilante groups and family mysteries. There's a powerful discussion around meat eating too.But then, it all develops into so much more. There are mysteries that spread out amongst the entire village, and the repurcussions reflect the intense description of a strange and unsettling place.I was wowed by this book.

I was looking forward to the third outing of DI Meg Dalton so much that I pre-ordered it twice! I raced through and read it over a weekend. If you like sophisticated, page turning, crime thrillers with an interesting protagonist with a supporting cast that get more complex with each book and enjoy twists and turns then this is for you.

Having read and really enjoyed the first two in this series I was really looking forward to the next bookIt’s outstanding!!! Please read this ladies work do start with book 1 you will not be disappointed

I raced through this as it was such a thrill, but am now re-reading to savour the excellent writing. I’m not usually into crime thrillers, but DI Meg Dalton books are so much more. Intelligent and timely, this novel matches the tension and complexity of Roz Watkin’s previous novels. I want more from her now. NOW. COME ON!