These promotions will be applied to this item:
Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. For details, please see the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions.
Your Memberships and Subscriptions

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet or computer – no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
For Reasons Unknown: An absolutely gripping crime thriller that keeps you guessing until the last page (DCI Matilda Darke Thriller, Book 1) Kindle Edition
Two murders. Twenty years. Now the killer is back for more…
DCI Matilda Darke has returned to work after a nine month absence. A shadow of her former self, she is tasked with re-opening a cold case: the terrifyingly brutal murders of Miranda and Stefan Harkness. The only witness was their eleven-year-old son, Jonathan, who was too deeply traumatized to speak a word.
Then a dead body is discovered, and the investigation leads back to Matilda's case. Suddenly the past and present converge, and it seems a killer may have come back for more…
A darkly compelling debut crime novel, this is the start of a brilliant series, perfect for fans of Louise Penny and Val McDermid.
Praise for Michael Wood:
‘Crackling dialogue, dark wit and an exciting ending’ Mark Edwards
‘DCI Matilda Darke is going places’ James Oswald
‘I really enjoyed getting to know DCI Matilda Darke’ Robert Bryndza
‘A beautifully written book with a dark heart and a secret that impacts on generations’ Sarah Ward
‘A skilfully crafted and compelling debut that hooks from the off and will keep you guessing until the final page’ M.R. Hall
‘Gripping, sad and unexpected’ Alex Marwood
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherOne More Chapter
- Publication date1 Oct. 2015
- File size1.6 MB
Shop this series
See full series- Kindle Price:£9.97By clicking on the above button, you agree to Amazon's Kindle Store Terms of UseSold by: Amazon Media EU S.à r.l.
- Kindle Price:£38.90By clicking on the above button, you agree to Amazon's Kindle Store Terms of UseSold by: Amazon Media EU S.à r.l.
- Kindle Price:£43.38By clicking on the above button, you agree to Amazon's Kindle Store Terms of UseSold by: Amazon Media EU S.à r.l.
Shop this series
This option includes 3 books.
This option includes 5 books.
This option includes 10 books.
This option includes 12 books.
Popular titles by this author
From the Publisher


![]()
For Reasons Unknown (book 1)
|
![]()
Outside Looking In (book 2)
|
![]()
A Room Full of Killers (book 3)
|
![]()
The Hangman's Hold (book 4)
|
![]()
The Murder House (book 5)
|
![]()
Stolen Children (book 6)
|
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Customer Reviews |
4.4 out of 5 stars 5,297
|
4.4 out of 5 stars 5,681
|
4.5 out of 5 stars 3,707
|
4.6 out of 5 stars 3,629
|
4.6 out of 5 stars 2,857
|
4.6 out of 5 stars 3,648
|
Price | £2.99£2.99 | £1.99£1.99 | £4.99£4.99 | £2.99£2.99 | £3.99£3.99 | £4.99£4.99 |
no data | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data |
![]()
Time is Running Out (book 7)
|
![]()
Survivor's Guilt (book 8)
|
![]()
The Lost Children (book 9)
|
![]()
Silent Victim (book 10)
|
![]()
Below Ground (book 11)
|
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Customer Reviews |
4.4 out of 5 stars 2,857
|
4.6 out of 5 stars 2,362
|
4.7 out of 5 stars 2,392
|
4.6 out of 5 stars 2,221
|
4.6 out of 5 stars 2,236
|
Price | £3.99£3.99 | £3.99£3.99 | £3.99£3.99 | £4.99£4.99 | £3.49£3.49 |
no data | no data | no data | no data | no data |
Product description
Review
Praise for OUTSIDE LOOKING IN:
‘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
Praise for FOR REASONS UNKNOWN:
‘A beautifully written book with a dark heart and a secret that impacts on generations’ Sarah Ward
‘A skilfully crafted and compelling debut that hooks from the off and will keep you guessing until the final page. I can’t wait for Michael Wood’s next one’ M.R. Hall
‘Gripping, sad and unexpected – this is a terrific debut. Wood writes with the confidence and flair of an old hand’ Alex Marwood
‘A strong debut with an intriguing mystery at its heart. The first thing that strikes me is how well he writes female characters. The novel is packed full of strong women’ Ben Cheetham
‘An appealing – and refreshingly human – lead character is swept along in this ingeniously plotted, fast paced debut’ Chris Simms
'This explosive novel is already making a bang – with reviewers comparing Michael’s work to that of his heroes Val McDermid and James Oswald' Sheffield Star
About the Author
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.
Product details
- ASIN : B010L6L3NK
- Publisher : One More Chapter
- Accessibility : Learn more
- Publication date : 1 Oct. 2015
- Language : English
- File size : 1.6 MB
- Screen Reader : Supported
- Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
- X-Ray : Enabled
- Word Wise : Enabled
- Print length : 336 pages
- ISBN-13 : 978-0008158668
- Page Flip : Enabled
- Book 1 of 13 : DCI Matilda Darke
- Best Sellers Rank: 32,754 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- 226 in Hard-Boiled Mystery
- 514 in Hard-Boiled Mysteries
- 728 in Women Sleuths (Books)
- Customer reviews:
About the author

Hello, welcome to my Amazon author page. I am Michael Wood, author of the bestselling crime fiction series featuring DCI Matilda Darke and the new psychological thriller series featuring Dr Olivia Winter. As of 2024 there are twelve books in the Matilda Darke series and one Olivia Winter, with more planned for next year. I'm also the author of three standalone psychological thrillers The Seventh Victim, Vengeance Is Mine and Chapter One (currently and Audible Original). I am constantly scribbling away and have many other projects up the sleeves of my duffel coat. When I'm not writing, I'm usually moaning about having little sleep and talking about my favourite biscuit on social media. Look me up on Facebook (MichaelWoodBooks), Twitter (@MichaelHWood) and Instagram (MichaelWoodBooks). I'm a massive fan of reading crime fiction as I like to keep an eye on the competition and wondering if I can steal any of their ideas, give the characters a Sheffield accent, and pass them off as my own original creation. Happy reading.
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings, help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyses reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find this crime thriller to be a brilliant opening novel with an unforgettable plot that picks up pace towards the end, featuring well-rounded characters and believable dialogue. The book keeps readers enthralled throughout with addictive subplots and maintains a well-paced rhythm, with some finishing it in just four days. Customers appreciate how the story hooks them from the start, with one review noting it grabs readers in the pit of their stomach.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Select to learn more
Customers find the book highly readable, describing it as a brilliant opening novel that makes reading a pleasure.
"...The whole book was fantastic and I was left speechless after finishing it, in fact I could have done with a lie down as the story reached its climax..." Read more
"...I found her a very likeable and believable character and was rooting for her from the outset...." Read more
"...choice-the gritty northern city is obviously well known and loved by the author and added a darkness to the crime scenes...." Read more
"Michael Wood has certainly made his mark as an outstanding new author, with this his first novel...." Read more
Customers praise the plot of this crime thriller, describing it as a well-written murder mystery with sufficient twists that keep the story interesting. The narrative picks up pace towards the end, making it an engaging read.
"For Reasons Unknown is the dark compelling debut from Michael Wood, I knew I had to bump this one up my to be read pile after reading such glowing..." Read more
"...confident and shows a secure ability to entrap the reader in a thrilling murder story. I am eager to read on and spend more time with Matilda Darke." Read more
"...This is a fabulous book that, in a world full of crime books, really stands out...." Read more
"...This is a belting story that grabs you in the pit of your stomach, then grabs you again with every new chapter...." Read more
Customers appreciate the character development in the book, noting the well-rounded and intriguing personalities, with one customer highlighting how the heroine is portrayed as a normal person.
"...The characterisation is spot on Maltilda is the far from perfect heroine, she has panic attacks, she drinks to much whilst trying to block out..." Read more
"...Wood is extremely good at giving a clear description of each character. They are easy to visualise and all vivid and realistic...." Read more
"...Mainly though, I loved the way the characters were so well described and layered that their personalities really shone through...." Read more
"...There are a lot of characters in the book, but the emphasis is put on the key people so you can easily keep your eye on the ball, no having to skip..." Read more
Customers praise the writing quality of the book, finding it easy to read with believable dialogue, and one customer specifically notes the author's effective use of descriptive language.
"...Jonathan is also very well depicted, and at times I felt his heartache and confusion...." Read more
"...She has some brilliant lines and some of her thoughts are really unsettling and sent shivers down my spine! What exactly is her role in everything?..." Read more
"...This is a fabulous book that, in a world full of crime books, really stands out...." Read more
"...He writes with such skill and passion that you care for or despise the characters immensely...." Read more
Customers find the book highly engaging, keeping them enthralled throughout with its addictive subplots and suspenseful narrative.
"...relationship cleverly adds another layer of tension and suspense to the novel. For me, he was a character you could love to hate!..." Read more
"...story that grabs you in the pit of your stomach, then grabs you again with every new chapter...." Read more
"...I did note a couple of descriptions that appealed to me and I liked all the intrigue...." Read more
"...is a well written, terrific page turner of a story that kept me enthralled throughout...." Read more
Customers find the book gripping, with one mentioning it grabs them in the pit of their stomach, while another notes the characters feel believable.
"...This is a belting story that grabs you in the pit of your stomach, then grabs you again with every new chapter...." Read more
"...On the positive side, it has a gripping opening; a double murder witnessed by the victims' 11 and 15 year old sons; the 11 year old is so..." Read more
"...I found the story clever (without being pretentiously complex), gripping, fast paced (without cutting corners) and incredibly hard to put down...." Read more
"...Relatively gripping, as each piece of evidence falls into place. Flawed characters with depth. This is a worthy read." Read more
Customers appreciate the pacing of the book, with several mentioning they finished it within 4 days, and one noting that the story draws readers in quickly.
"...Unknown has to be the best crime book I've read this year the pace is relentless with so many twists and turns along the way I found myself holding..." Read more
"...the story clever (without being pretentiously complex), gripping, fast paced (without cutting corners) and incredibly hard to put down...." Read more
"...I really enjoyed the pace of this story, and I found myself reading at every opportunity..." Read more
"...The books feature a great team of characters that develop as each page is read and there are lots of very addictive sub plots...." Read more
Customers find the book engaging, noting it hooks them from the first page. One customer mentions the strong connection to Jonathan Harkness.
"...and I have to say (in addition to Matilda) I felt a strong connection to Jonathan Harkness...." Read more
"...The author had me right from the very first chapter. I was well and truly hooked and stayed up late so I could finish it in one day as I could not..." Read more
"Absolutely love the Matilda Darke series, they hook you right in so you can't put them down! Looking forward to reading more!" Read more
"More twists than a tornado. Thoroughly engrossing and keeps you guessing right till the end. Highly recommended...." Read more
Top reviews from United Kingdom
There was a problem filtering reviews. Please reload the page.
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 13 December 2015For Reasons Unknown is the dark compelling debut from Michael Wood, I knew I had to bump this one up my to be read pile after reading such glowing reviews on social media. So with some trepidation I decided to go for it, would I find this book over hyped? would I be left feeling deflated after reading such promising reviews? All these questions ran through my head as I began the first chapter. I'm an avid reader of the Crime Thriller Genre and every now and then I come across one that gets me really excited and For Reasons Unknown done just that! It's hard to believe this is Michael Wood's debut, the story is well constructed and flows easily, so from the first page I was hooked!
The characterisation is spot on Maltilda is the far from perfect heroine, she has panic attacks, she drinks to much whilst trying to block out mistakes she made in an unsolved case of a missing child, but yet she is credible and likeable foibles and all. The volatile relationship between Maltida and Ben Hales Acting DCI is also an interesting one,as resentment builds between the pair, the reader can almost feel the tension between them, which adds credibility to the whole story. Jonathan is also very well depicted, and at times I felt his heartache and confusion. In fact all the characters are well constructed and likeable but at the same time believable.
For Reasons Unknown has to be the best crime book I've read this year the pace is relentless with so many twists and turns along the way I found myself holding my breath at times! I could add many more cliches and they would all be true including I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. The whole book was fantastic and I was left speechless after finishing it, in fact I could have done with a lie down as the story reached its climax my heart was racing, It really was that good. Michael Wood has wrote a well crafted book that will keep readers enthralled to the very last page. I'm sure Michael will become a big name in the crime book genre, and I for one will be buying his next book without hesitation.
If I could I would rate this book higher
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 19 May 2016Two murders. Twenty years. Now the killer is back for more…
Twenty years ago, 11 year old Jonathan Harkness witnesses the brutal, cold blooded murder of his parents, Miranda and Stefan, which rendered him catatonic. There were multiple leads and suspects as the couple were wealthy and powerful. Stefan was engaged in a controversial cancer research programme involving animal testing so they were not unused to death threats and had many enemies. With too many lines of inquiry and no real evidence, the case remained unsolved. Twenty years later Jonathan remains a shadow; a frail, fearful, thin young man still traumatised from his childhood experience.
Chapter One brings us back to modern day and we meet the fantastic DCI Matilda Darke. After a nine month absence, Matilda returns to work to find she is no longer head of MIT but instead given the Harkness case to solve; their family house is about to be demolished and it seems timely that the case is reviewed for a final time. She is immediately frustrated by this, seeing the fact she has been given a cold case quite insulting and annoyed that it appears she will have to prove herself all over again. We discover she has had time off for depression following the death of victim during her previous investigation, but more dramatically, she has also recently lost her husband. Matilda is an intriguing character as she is struggling with her own issues of grief and guilt. She is flawed which makes her more interesting and more appealing. I found her a very likeable and believable character and was rooting for her from the outset.
Jonathan is an equally well drawn character. He is clearly unable to "break free from that night when he had stood in the doorway of his parent's bedroom and seen the nightmare unfold before him." He has "grown up in the shadows". He looks like a "strong gust of wind would snap him in half". He trusts no one and his whole emotional development has been stunted by his parents and what happened - but "even when his parents were alive he didn't accept their love." Jonathan surrounds himself with crime fiction as he tries to leave his own troubles behind him and "dream of detectives rather than the horror that haunts his real life". He returns to watch the demolition of his family home, hoping for a chance to put the ghosts to rest, but really this proves only to be the beginning of a new nightmare. Is Jonathan as innocent and as weak as he appears? Is his crippling social awkwardness hiding the potential for psychopathic behaviour or is he really just a tragic victim who deserves our pity and sympathy? Wood ensures you are never truly sure until the final few pages!
Further twists and layers are added to the story. Jonathan has a brother, Matthew, who went missing for three days after the murder of his parents. As the story continues we learn more about Matthew and how he was always able to "get away with murder" being the favoured son of his parents. The description that "to their faces, he had the smile of an angel but behind their backs his halo slipped and the smile changed to a lethal sneer" is unnerving and menacing. What was his real involvement? Why are he and Jonathan estranged? Where is he now? Will he and Jonathan be reunited through the demolition of their family home? Can Matilda track down Matthew to answer her questions about the murder 20 years ago when he was 15?
And then another murder takes place. Whoever killed the Harkness couple is clearly determined that the case should remain unsolved.
DCI Ben Hales, Acting Head of MIT, is a great character. Ambitious, greedy, jealous of Matilda and married to the daughter of the Chief Constable he is desperate for promotion; bitter that his calculated (and unhappy) marriage has not opened any doors for him. The tension between him and Matilda is palpable and their strained relationship cleverly adds another layer of tension and suspense to the novel. For me, he was a character you could love to hate! How far is he prepared to go to undermine Matilda? What lengths will he go to make an arrest and solve the crime before her? How ethical is he and can he be trusted not to abuse his position?
My other favourite character was Jonathan's neighbour, Maun Barrington. She is creepy! Lonely and hiding her own dark past, she has developed an obsession with Jonathan and is clearly deluded about their relationship. She is so quietly threatening and menacing. She reminded me of Annie Wilkes in Stephen King's "Misery". She has some brilliant lines and some of her thoughts are really unsettling and sent shivers down my spine! What exactly is her role in everything? What is she really capable of harming Jonathan with her increasingly psychopathic behaviour? Is she merely harmless or does her secret past present her as another possible suspect?
Wood is extremely good at giving a clear description of each character. They are easy to visualise and all vivid and realistic. He is also very good at creating intrigue with each character. For example, Matilda suffers from panic attacks and it is a while before the reason for these is revealed but her vulnerability suggests guilt, a buried past, an internal struggle which begs more questions from the reader. Conversations like "I'll screw up again.....I killed a child" also litter the pages with clues and suspense. Her back story has been meticulously worked out and Wood is able to reveal some of it in a controlled manner, adding further depth to the plot and indicating this could be the beginning of a successful series. Flawed but determined female detective leads are ever popular in crime fiction and in TV dramas at the moment and Matilda easily deserves recognition alongside these canny, shrewd women.
This book was a really enjoyable read. I was caught up in the story instantly. I liked that each key character could be a suspect - each has a motive, each has a past. I was definitely kept guessing as I raced towards the ending. The title "For Reason's Unknown" is a perfect choice as it really summarises the crux of the novel.
It is hard to accept that "For Reasons Unknown" is a debut novel. Wood's writing is accomplished, polished, confident and shows a secure ability to entrap the reader in a thrilling murder story. I am eager to read on and spend more time with Matilda Darke.
Top reviews from other countries
- PamReviewed in Australia on 28 November 2017
5.0 out of 5 stars A great read.
This is the first in a series (I guess) about a high profile Chief Detective Inspector who is recovering from the trauma of losing her much loved husband to brain cancer whilst trying to continue to carry on at work - ultimately not solving a big case and landing in a world of depression. She is now in this book recovering and back at the job. It is a good read, some places are a little thin, but overall it is a good yarn well told - with loads of empathy and in places, raw emotion.
I was surprised to find the author was a man - as the manner of writing was such that I believed only a woman could understand the feelings of a woman and express them so well.
A great read. Highly recommended tor crime mystery buffs.
- higgypeeReviewed in France on 22 March 2016
1.0 out of 5 stars No idea
I have no idea why anyone would give this book more than 1 star. It is poorly written, and has more plot holes than an emmental cheese. It needed a good editor and someone to question the motives and characterisations. I won't add a spoiler just in case someone wishes to read this, but suffice to say that it didn't take more than a couple of chapters before the murderer was obvious and the only lingering doubt was due to the aforementioned plot holes. For example, the knife used to stab the victims goes down a plot hole in Sheffield and miraculously arrives in Newcastle.
- Christine TerrellReviewed in the United States on 11 June 2016
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic debut thriller!
Wow, I have just stumbled upon another well-hidden little gem! Where have you been hiding, Mr. Wood? This novel adds to my growing pile of terrific debut thrillers and new authors to watch that I have been fortunate enough to discover over the last year. I just loved this book!
For Reasons Unknown is a compelling police procedural marinated with a very heavy dose of character development. The protagonist, DCI Matilda Darke, has been hit hard with a double whammy of a work disaster and a family tragedy several months previous. As the story opens, she is struggling mightily to regain her confidence and resume her career as head of the Murder Investigation Team. She is assigned a 20-year-old double murder cold case with which to ease back in, but the case takes some unanticipated turns, evolving into a very active situation. Jonathan Harkness, another major character, is the only witness to the double murder of his parents when he was 11 years old. He was rendered mute for 18 months by this trauma and has blocked out most of what happened. Mr. Wood does a great job getting us inside not only Matilda’s head, but Jonathan’s as well, giving us a great vantage points from which to observe the investigation play out. Matilda is also dealing with a hostile colleague, Ben Hales, who has been Acting DCI and head of the Murder unit while Matilda is working her way back; we also get his viewpoint of the situation as well as that of Maun Barrington, Jonathan’s neighbor. Other characters to enjoy include Matilda’s engaging best friend (Dr. Adele Kean), Matilda’s likeable colleagues (especially DS Sian Mills and DC Rory Fleming), and Jonathan’s boss (Stephen Egan).
As far as the plot goes, it provides a knock-your-socks-off page-turning experience with many unputdownable moments. Though I had an “intermittent inkling” of who the baddie was, I couldn’t really piece it together and the many twists and turns occurring all the way through to the last chapter had me changing my mind multiple times. I hated the book to end!
Over the last year and a half I have discovered some wonderful newer thriller writers, most notably Angela Marsons, Cody McFadyen, Robert Bryndza, Stacy Green, Tom Bale, Owen Mullen and Matt Brolly. I am adding Michael Wood to this list. I liken him most to Ms. Marsons and Mr. Bryndza. If you like these writers, do yourself a favor and grab For Reasons Unknown. I was so impressed I just bought the newly released second book in the Matilda Darke series, Outside Looking In, and immediately put it on my “Top 5” shelf. Kudos, Mr. Wood, for a most auspicious debut novel!!
- Kindle CustomerReviewed in India on 2 November 2018
2.0 out of 5 stars Okay but unsatisfying
Others may enjoy the book so the only defence I can give for giving it a 2-star rating is that I didn't believe the solution. It didn't seem probable. The characters and their actions and reactions just kept getting harder and harder to believe and towards the end I just started feeling like I was peeping into another world that's exactly like Earth but where the humans are just that tiny bit different. Too many characters have a screw loose.
- Jackie RocheReviewed in Spain on 2 April 2016
5.0 out of 5 stars A Riveting Debut
I would never have guessed that this was Michael Wood's first novel. The writing is that of an established author.
It's got everything a thriller should have - a brilliant plot, great, believable characters and the ability to hold your attention until the very last page.
I loved this so much I immediately pre-ordered book 2 in the series.
A new author to add to my favourite authors list.