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DI Sara Ramsey #21

The Games People Play

Two days ago, Adam Pearce mysteriously vanished without a trace. Shockingly, his lifeless body was later discovered suspended from a tree in a local beauty spot.

As DI Sara Ramsey investigates Adam’s life, a chilling twist unfolds when another body is recovered from the River Wye. Could there be a connection between these two perplexing crimes?

With the prime suspect within their grasp, Sara finds herself thrown into turmoil as the life of one of her own team members hangs in the balance.

Disturbingly, the body count continues to rise despite the suspect behind bars, awaiting trial. How is this possible?

Immersed in a complex case, Sara and her team find themselves pushed to their limits by a cunning killer, determined to outsmart them at every turn.

222 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 19, 2023

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About the author

M.A. Comley

173 books818 followers
New York Times, USA Today, Amazon Top 20 bestselling author, iBooks top 5 bestselling and #2 bestselling author on Barnes and Noble. Over one million copies sold world wide. I am a British author who moved to France in 2002, and that's when I turned my hobby into a career.

When I'm not writing crime novels I'm either reading them or going on long walks with my rescue Labrador, Dex.

I hope you enjoy reading my books, especially the Justice series, Cruel Justice, Impeding Justice, Final Justice, Foul Justice, Guaranteed Justice, Ultimate Justice, Virtual Justice, Hostile Justice, Tortured Justice, Rough Justice, Dubious Justice, Calculated Justice, Twisted Justice, Prime Justice. There are several novellas and short stories in the series too.

My other successful series are: The DI Sally Parker thriller series, which includes WRONG PLACE, NO HIDING PLACE and COLD CASE

The Hero series, TORN APART, END RESULT, IN PLAIN SIGHT and DOUBLE JEOPARDY(published by Bloodhound Books)

I have three books in the Intention series, Sole Intention, Grave Intention and Devious Intention.

I've also written a couple of standalone novels - EVIL IN DISGUISE and FOREVER WATCHING YOU.

As well as co-authoring The Caller with Tara Lyons.

And Clever Deception, Tragic Deception and Sinful Deception co-authored by fellow NY Times bestselling author Linda S Prather.

If you'd like to keep up to date with new releases you can find me on Facebook by following this link http://smarturl.it/sps7jh or sign up for my newsletter http://www.hyperurl.co/su1xnt

If you fancy a lighter read, why not try one of my romances: A Time to Heal, and A Time for Change--Based on a TRUE story. I also have a selection of short stories and novelettes available which I know you'll enjoy.

You can find out more about me at the following blogs.

http://melcomley.blogspot.com

http://melcomleyromances.blogspot.com

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Community Reviews

5 stars
309 (64%)
4 stars
127 (26%)
3 stars
32 (6%)
2 stars
8 (1%)
1 star
3 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
431 reviews6 followers
October 22, 2023
DI Sara Ramsey is feeling relaxed and revitalised after her break away in the beautiful Lake District. When the call comes in to attend a crime scene at Belmont County Park , she and DS Carla Jameson race to the scene, where they find a young man who had been found by a jogger hanging from a tree..For Sara the scene feels off from the start , and when the Pathologist, Lorraine tells them she believes the man was murdered..Sara has no idea what a Twisting case this will be ..As more murders follow ..and they have a suspect in their sights..Sara is devastated when one of their own is raced to hospital, and wanders if they will survive..It's when a tip off comes through that the case really takes hold ..What a Heartpounding read ...
Profile Image for BrummieGirl.
323 reviews
October 25, 2023
I’ll start by mentioning the dedication at the beginning. It is so moving!

‘The Games People Play’ is yet another cracker in the DI Sara Ramsey series. The book begins with a bang of a crime as we are introduced to Adam. This opening gave me the chills and it certainly isn’t for the faint-hearted. Then the investigation starts and we have injuries and all sorts to keep the reader on their toes. It certainly kept me on my toes with some tense scenes.

Once again, I felt at home with the team and I enjoyed another fast-paced gripping thriller!
Profile Image for Kath.
3,278 reviews
October 17, 2023
Wowsers! Book 21 - yes 21! Where has all the time gone...? and every single book that has gone before has been a doozy. And yes, I realise it's a marathon if you haven't, but you have read all the rest before starting this one - haven't you?
So... Sara has only just got back from her refreshing holiday when she is called to the scene of the discovery of an unidentified male body. With nothing to go on initially, they hit the missing persons reports and identify a few possible matches. Sara and Carla duly pay the families of the missing men a visit and are successful on their third appointment. It appears that the man was abducted after going to the gym a few days ago. With the body identified, their investigation can now get going but it isn't long until another body turns up. That of a woman this time. Sara and Carla then visit the woman's ex-boyfriend but tragedy strikes before they can question him...
And that's all I'm saying as it gets a bit hard to go on without spoiling things. It's also quite hard to find new things to say about this author and her series. All of them, she's quite prolific in case you hadn't noticed!
I have a few things I need to make a good book a great read and this author ticks Every Single Box.
Good story with good characters, both series and episode, big or small part. Pacing which matches the narrative, also allowing the reader time to breathe - especially important herein which you will find out for yourself. And, finally, to complete the trifecta - no superfluous waffle or passing to distract.
And then, as an additional, she also usually provides a little extra with some really great humour and cracking banter. Important when you think of the crimes that are so often graphic and heinous.
But don't take my word for it.. If you already read this author and/or her series then what are you doing reading reviews. Dive straight in, do not pass go! If you haven't then I really would recommend you pick a series and start from book one. It's that easy!
Profile Image for Sarah.
3,042 reviews236 followers
September 15, 2023
Sara is back with her second in command, Clara, and the rest of the team. Having just come back from a much needed break, Sara isn’t exactly raring to go and is hoping to ease herself back into the job but as usual, life has a different plan.

I sometimes feel Sara is a bit hard on Clara who has worked with her for a while now. She has had some issues but overall she is good at her job and her and Sara work well together. Whilst she is still learning, she does come up with some pretty good ideas of her own. This case definitely pushes the team to their limits and it’s good seeing them all come together when it counts and having each others backs. Would really love to see Clara blossom more as think she has earned it and she has had a good teacher in Sara.

The case is anything but straight forward with even the reader being kept in the dark as to why these murders are happening. I enjoyed this as it kept me on my toes as I never quite knew what to expect next and I had all sorts of ideas running through my head but failed to guess incorrectly.

The Games People Play is a story that certainly messes with your head with a breath-taking twist you won’t see coming. I had to push my jaw shut as I was so gobsmacked and was in a dilemma of whether I should go back and check I had read it right or carry on to see what happened next. Even twenty-one books into the series and the author can still take me by surprise and has me desperate for the next in the series. Heart-stoppingly good!

My thanks to the author for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
Profile Image for Rachel Gilbey.
3,502 reviews582 followers
September 27, 2023
I ran out of words probably at least 10 books ago in this series, to describe just how much I love every single book of it, and I'm still out of words, at least original ones.

But M. A. Comley has totally nailed another gripping story that I literally couldn't put down, especially after one incident that was rather worrying.

And the crimes, so hard to work out what was going on, let alone a motive, other than the realisation that there are some very sick and twisted people out there, and even more so in the minds of certain authors!

Once again I'm in awe of DI Sara's team, and their abilities, and there are some new dynamics at play, which I'm keen to see more of.

I couldn't get enough of this story, I was ignoring work in order to keep reading, as I had to know what would happen next.

I'm also in awe of this author who has not only hooked me in for an amazing 21 books of this series so far, but also the whole of the 19 book Justice series and some of her other books. That is a lot of very different stories and crimes to have read so far from the mind of one author, and I'm always keen to see what will be written next, as I'm a mahoosive fan.

Thank you to the author for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily,
Profile Image for Donna Maguire.
5,825 reviews128 followers
January 18, 2024
https://donnasbookblog.wordpress.com/...

I really love this series and this book is a great addition to it!

I loved the mix of different characters in the book and the interactions between them, I love how you can try to get inside the head of the people responsible in the books in the series and this was no different. There are definitely some sick and twisted people in this series and I feel for the residents of Hereford!

It was very well written, had an additive style for me and it was one that I knew I was going to stay up late to finish after I had started it

It was a gripping read and certainly one that didn’t disappoint. There was a bit of personal turmoil in this one too which gave the book an added edge and focus, even more so to catch the person/people responsible for what happens – not giving away any spoilers here!

It is 5 stars from me for this one – very highly recommended!
Profile Image for Su Biela.
77 reviews1 follower
October 21, 2023
The Games People Play

After a relaxing holiday in the lake district DO Sara Ramsey is thrown straight into the deep end when she,along with her partner D'S Carla Jameson,get called out to a murder. With an unknown victim, who has been tortured before being hanged, it's up to Sara and Carla to find who he is and inform his family. When another two more victims are found in close succession they struggle to find a motive. Did they know each other? Was the connection that they'd all recently renovated their homes? When, during the pursuit of one possible suspect Carla odd badly injured, Sara has to pick a new partner to help solve the crimes.
Another great novel by MA Comley. Her writing always goes into real depth and brings our all the personalities, even the not so nice ones
222 reviews7 followers
October 1, 2023
This has got to be one of the best books I’ve read for a long time & can’t quite believe that we’re already at book 21.
Horrific crime scenes that DI Sara Ramsey & her team are desperately trying to find the answers to. Just as they thought they had it all sewn up & the killer locked up, another murder happens & this time her partner Carla is seriously injured in the fallout.
I read this fabulous book into the wee small hours, with my nerves on edge & hoping that her partner would pull through.
This author always delivers the goods with new plots that will keep you on the edge of your seat, or scared to death in your bed !!!
Profile Image for Terry.
1,183 reviews36 followers
October 16, 2023
Ooof. This one’s a heavy one for the cracking team of Sara & Clara.
Refreshed from her break soon becomes back in the deep with this case. They are called out by Lorraine after a body is found in a tree. No ID no way to know him.
The ladies are on it and so is their fab team.
As always MA Comley is on the ball and just leads you away with her characters. Excellent
Profile Image for Shirley Cooper.
19 reviews
April 16, 2024
Awesome ending!!!

Another great investigative report from your book. I love the happy ending. Rather happy Carla was in great spirits when Sara and Barry last visited. I know she is anxious to get back with everyone at the station. M A you are such a great author. Anxious to read their next investigation.
Profile Image for Diane.
140 reviews
September 25, 2023
This book takes us in a different direction as something awful happens to one of the team. I like the way the team comes together to take care of one of their own. They also come together and work well to solve the crime. Thank you to MA Comley for always taking care of her readers!
Profile Image for mois reads .
537 reviews1 follower
November 7, 2023
Amazing

Another book by this author that has me in tears .I loved it was definitely 5 star read mels books are one of a kind its like being on a Rollercoaster 🎢 you want to get off but then you don't loved it
Profile Image for Steve  .
267 reviews5 followers
November 5, 2023
Great story as ever. Notably for being the first book I havent hated Carlas attitude lol
Profile Image for C CRANKSHAW.
22 reviews
November 8, 2023
Brilliant book, loved it. Love all Mels books. Good pace. Can’t wait for the next in any of her
different series, all excellent reads.
Profile Image for Dee Groocock.
1,555 reviews61 followers
September 20, 2023
Sara is back from her holiday in the Lake District, Carla has taken the lead while she has been away & is ready for her own holiday!

Sara’s not back long when her and Carla receive a call from Lorraine to attend a scene. When they get there, they find out a man was found hanging from a tree - murder not suicide.

With no I.D on the man, this is going to be a tough case to crack. It’s not long before more bodies are discovered and the team have to solve some complexing murders.

A good story from the author and this one did turn my stomach a bit.

Sara and Carla have a great working relationship as well as a good friendship. I like the banter they have together, as well as their seriousness when dealing with a case. Sara is compassionate and works hard for the families of those who have died, you can feel how much she cares.

I always enjoy the books this author writes. They always have my attention, great characters and plots, every single time.
95 reviews1 follower
October 19, 2023
People are being abducted in broad daylight, whilst others are simply vanishing! A perplexing case for Sara and her team to try and solve as there are little clues and no apparent motive. An utterly heart stopping moment when an arrest is attempted but do they have their man? Another fantastic storyline by this author, no idea how she comes up with these plots but so glad she does.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews