Two Evils: A DI Charlotte Savage Novel

Mark Sennen's books rarely disappoint and in Two Evils he has taken his DI Savage series to a deeper more thrilling level. Always characterised by dark and sinister criminals and acts of brutal crime book #5 takes evil to a darker shade still.The opening Chapter is not just chilling and dark it is a deep abyss devoid of light. It sets the mystery up perfectly and strikes you that the motivation is not just revenge but the retribution of the gods.The novel is a crime thriller set in Devon where this series is based and this location makes for a unique and interesting dimension to the police investigations and the wider team required to assist in searches and rescues. This is brought home in this book when two young boys disappear; the topography adds to risk and difficulty of mounting a search.Meanwhile a second line of investigation opens up when a salesman goes missing and Charlotte is blindsided when she is taken off leading the hunt for the missing boys and re-assigned to a cold case review of a care home where some years ago two other lads vanished one night and abuse is thought to have taken place.That the author manages these complicate plot threads without losing the reader is due to his skill and story management. As you read deeper into the book you long for Jason Hobbs safety along with the police teams searching for him. You hope they will find him in time; you also worry for DI Savage and her continuing journey of saving others where she couldn't protect her own daughter and you dispair where you think the police are dragging their feet and not joining the dots.The sea, the tides and the deserted countryside all add to the mystery and tension in the novel. We are taken on this wonderful journey meeting the darker aspects of humankind, the horrific and broken thought processes that can bring evil and death to the most innocent of children. The abuse and violence isn't overly graphic or gratuitous but it food for thought and doesn't always stem from people you'd expect it. Religious zeal can bring harsh judgement but political management can also create criminal responses.The book finally asks the question. How do we respond to a situation that demands we act but we are encouraged or obliged to do nothing? Where is the guilt? Which is the lesser of the two evils for us personally? Does the same guilt lie with the perpetrator as the observer who doesn't tell?I love a book that tells a meaningful story and leaves me thinking long after the final page is read. I am sure those who haven't picked up a Mark Sennen book will also feel the same satisfaction.

I was not disappointed by this book. For me a newly discovered author - this is my third read. Mark takes you every step of the way, odd times the story plot can be difficult to follow, not enough to spoil the story though. The factual, psychological and emotional aspects covered with balance. A good investigative team needs a mix match of personalities, but all with the same goal. DI Savage easily balances information and leads her team fairly. A brilliant book.

Love the DI Savage books. I really enjoy the way the character is developing and I like the way the other characters are too. They all gel really well.Covering a well trodden ground of historical child abuse it makes for uncomfortable reading at timesThere were two irritations with this book which is why only 4 stars not 5. POSSIBLE SPOILER!1. Tide tables- they exist- this bit didn't ring true2. DID- If you have mental health issues you are not automatically a killer- I am a bit concerned about books recently always making the killer have mental health issues- maybe I'm being over sensitive. I appreciate that in a work of fiction things shouldn't be taken too seriously.Overall a good read and I'm looking forward to more

I have read nearly all of this series and this book is by far the most violent. I really did not like the violence towards children and felt it went too far. The descriptions were quite disgusting and I will not be reading any more of Charlotte Savage. Mark, please realize that you can write a good book/murder thriller without feeling you have to go to the depths of depravity. I really felt uncomfortable reading this and have not finished reading it. Nor will I.

Mark Sennen's book Two Evils is a very dark tale at times quite harrowing.It paints a very dark picture of Sexual/Sado abuse. I did not enjoy the story as much as I could have because, it reminds one of recent happenings in high places from London to the north of the Dales which, as in this tale has not and it would seem will not be cleanly resolved. The story kept getting bogged down with unhelpful police leaders and conflicting police forces. A miasma which left me feeling somewhat gloomy. A gritty up to date tale waiting for a strong reaction. Good attempt well implied.

Mark Sennen's a great writer have loved all of his books. This book was more comlex than the others but after only a few pages it had me gripped as usual. I can see his books being made into a TV series, it would be great. I suppose I am a little biased as I was born and grew up in beautiful Devon, now living just over the border in Cornwall. As the books are based mainly in Devon I know all the areas he writes about. Hope Mark keeps up the good work, can't wait for the next one.

This book tries to be clever, but it's not too difficult to work out what's going on, although the flashbacks and first person monologues did get a bit confusing. It's the usual case of knowing who the killer is by virtue of there being no other plausible suspects introduced.Savage was a likeable enough protagonist though and generally seemed to know what she was doing.

Another enjoyable story written by Mark Sennen featuring the now familiar character D I Charotte Savage. Two Evils held my attention throughout, never really wanted to put the book down. Hope to read many more novels featuring the Charlotte Savage team. Excellent read, recommend you read the series in order written to get the best from it !