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Megan Rhys #1
Frozen
Forensic psychologist Megan Rhys has been asked to advise the police on the murders of two young prostitutes. Seemingly, the women are victims of two killers working together. But there is something wrong with the information the police are giving her. Someone is trying to manipulate her. Or are her own prejudices coloring her judgment? As the killings add up, Megan is being pushed harder and harder toward one solution--and someone is getting into her house. Is the killer closer than she realizes? Is a member of her own family betraying her?
240 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 2003
47 people are currently reading
304 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
April 14, 2016
It was really good until the reveal of the murderer. Ugh, I hate it when they tie it up so perfectly. Not realistic at all. Otherwise, it wasn't terrible read. I don't know why authors decide to go down this path of generic storyline when there is an opportunity to make something great and outstanding.
Will I continue with this series? No, because the very last page was an utter joke of an ending. Should you read this book? If you like generic crime fiction with a pretentious female main character.
2**
/I read this book for the Genrethon readathon, spanning from 10-April until 17-April.
Will I continue with this series? No, because the very last page was an utter joke of an ending. Should you read this book? If you like generic crime fiction with a pretentious female main character.
2**
/I read this book for the Genrethon readathon, spanning from 10-April until 17-April.
November 17, 2022
Confederate loving policeman living in Birmingham UK
I was unable to get further than 5% of the book. The policeman office was described as having a confederate flag in his office made me feel physically sick, particularly when the author described him as 'too nice to be a policeman.'
The flag stands for slavery and white supremacy, not something that the UK is known for. Birmingham being one of the most multi cultural cities there is.
I cannot bring myself to read anything by an author who appears to think this is an OK thing to write about in a positive light
I was unable to get further than 5% of the book. The policeman office was described as having a confederate flag in his office made me feel physically sick, particularly when the author described him as 'too nice to be a policeman.'
The flag stands for slavery and white supremacy, not something that the UK is known for. Birmingham being one of the most multi cultural cities there is.
I cannot bring myself to read anything by an author who appears to think this is an OK thing to write about in a positive light
June 4, 2012
A good read. Not extraordinarily good but interesting enough to make you finish it, which is enough. I kept guessing who the perp was. Most of the times I was not right but the revelation was not shocking. Recommend it to readers who like traditional mysteries combined with suspence.
June 11, 2018
I like Mysteries, however I did not like this one. Dead prostitutes, crooked cops, confused forensic information. I thought it a waste of time
September 19, 2018
Cleverly plotted to keep you guessing
This is a well written, plot driven page turner that keeps you guessing. Although it is the first Megan Rhys novel, her previous work as a profiler for the police, including a case with Detective Superintendent Leverton, is described in sufficient detail to give both characters back stories, which I found quite a sophisticated touch. As for the cases in hand, virtually all you need to solve the case is there but is obscured by red herrings.
All this is 5 star material, but very occasionally, there were some jarring moments: a blatant inconsistency with ages; Megan driving - to the police station of all places - with a hangover; a character to be questioned being given so much information that it might have influenced her answers. In addition, somehow I didn't feel the characterisation was in the same league as the plotting: even at the end of the novel I found that I didn't really know any of the characters, not even Megan. Admittedly, she did have some issues to sort out, so perhaps, if she starts to find herself in subsequent novels, she will become a more rounded, credible character. I shall read on to find out!
This is a well written, plot driven page turner that keeps you guessing. Although it is the first Megan Rhys novel, her previous work as a profiler for the police, including a case with Detective Superintendent Leverton, is described in sufficient detail to give both characters back stories, which I found quite a sophisticated touch. As for the cases in hand, virtually all you need to solve the case is there but is obscured by red herrings.
All this is 5 star material, but very occasionally, there were some jarring moments: a blatant inconsistency with ages; Megan driving - to the police station of all places - with a hangover; a character to be questioned being given so much information that it might have influenced her answers. In addition, somehow I didn't feel the characterisation was in the same league as the plotting: even at the end of the novel I found that I didn't really know any of the characters, not even Megan. Admittedly, she did have some issues to sort out, so perhaps, if she starts to find herself in subsequent novels, she will become a more rounded, credible character. I shall read on to find out!
September 25, 2024
brilliant
I enjoyed the easy flowing style of this author .. atmospheric , creepy moments with danger lurking in dark corners .. horrific murders leaving me feeling very unsafe .. who done it .. who to trust .. Megan be very careful who you let into your home .. great series .. give it a try ..
I enjoyed the easy flowing style of this author .. atmospheric , creepy moments with danger lurking in dark corners .. horrific murders leaving me feeling very unsafe .. who done it .. who to trust .. Megan be very careful who you let into your home .. great series .. give it a try ..
November 10, 2017
While I quite enjoyed this it didn't grip me but I think that's mainly because I found myself getting muddled with parts of the story & characters - maybe it was just a lack of concentration on my part!
A good read but nothing outstanding to mark it out from the crowd.
A good read but nothing outstanding to mark it out from the crowd.
April 3, 2018
Nice paced mystery thriller. The author drops the reader straight in, with very little preamble. Loved all the different clues and how they all tied in together. Look forward to reading more by this author. Also intrigued by HONNO publishers and their note at the end. Will look them up.
October 16, 2019
Thought this would absorb me on a plane journey....read it on my Kindle but so disjointed that I felt there were pages missing....perhaps the series improves but the excess of background information makes it feel like at least three books should have gone before... Abrupt unbelievable ending...
August 4, 2023
Good Story Just not Easy
Good Story and storytelling with characters who are relatable and interesting.... I found the storyline a bit difficult to track and stay interested in but in the end , I am glad I did...
Off to #2 now!!!
Good Story and storytelling with characters who are relatable and interesting.... I found the storyline a bit difficult to track and stay interested in but in the end , I am glad I did...
Off to #2 now!!!
August 6, 2019
Only a little over 200 pages but enough for the big surprise ending
March 11, 2021
Page turner
A great crime thriller. The end is very exciting, had to continue reading. Will look out for others in the series.
A great crime thriller. The end is very exciting, had to continue reading. Will look out for others in the series.
March 31, 2008
I stumbled across this author by accident. Actually, I started out reading Strange Blood and realized that I was reading the second book first. So the next day I went back to the 'brary and found that we actually had the first book as well! This is (I'm pretty sure) the first book in the Dr. Megan Rhys series, and if it's not the first then it at least comes before Strange Blood.
This is a standard crime novel/mystery/whodunit. Dr. Rhys is a behavioral psychologist and teacher and sometimes helps the police by profiling. The main difference between this crime novel and the other crime schlock I read is that it takes place in England. This meant I had to learn some new vocabulary. Even though the police are mostly the same as here, and everything's really the same, it's just called different things sometimes. For the first couple of chapters I had to look up a few words. But it wasn't like I didn't know what she was talkng about. I used my context clues. Like when she used the word punter. I knew she wasn't talking about an american football player. I could tell it was their word for john (like a dude with a hooker). Also, I could tell who the SOCOs were (the equivalent to our CSI or whatever you want to call the forensic team), I just didn't know what the letters SOCO stood for. Cos I kept thinking of Southern Comfort. So, across the pond SOCO stands for Scene Of Crime Officer. Although they aren't actually officers like a police officer. They are civilians who work the crime scene like over here.
S'anyway, aside from a few new vocab words the book read just like a regular whodunit. It was good. I didn't know whodunit until the end. I kept guessing, and I did guess that guy, but then there were other guys, and I guessed them too and had forgotten all about him.
Basically the story is there's prostitutes being killed. I know right? England with it's Jack the Ripper thing. And Dr. Rhys helps out. And of course, the killer comes after her. Because that's what killers do in books they go after the smart girl. It was the same in Cornwell's Scarpetta series.
This is a standard crime novel/mystery/whodunit. Dr. Rhys is a behavioral psychologist and teacher and sometimes helps the police by profiling. The main difference between this crime novel and the other crime schlock I read is that it takes place in England. This meant I had to learn some new vocabulary. Even though the police are mostly the same as here, and everything's really the same, it's just called different things sometimes. For the first couple of chapters I had to look up a few words. But it wasn't like I didn't know what she was talkng about. I used my context clues. Like when she used the word punter. I knew she wasn't talking about an american football player. I could tell it was their word for john (like a dude with a hooker). Also, I could tell who the SOCOs were (the equivalent to our CSI or whatever you want to call the forensic team), I just didn't know what the letters SOCO stood for. Cos I kept thinking of Southern Comfort. So, across the pond SOCO stands for Scene Of Crime Officer. Although they aren't actually officers like a police officer. They are civilians who work the crime scene like over here.
S'anyway, aside from a few new vocab words the book read just like a regular whodunit. It was good. I didn't know whodunit until the end. I kept guessing, and I did guess that guy, but then there were other guys, and I guessed them too and had forgotten all about him.
Basically the story is there's prostitutes being killed. I know right? England with it's Jack the Ripper thing. And Dr. Rhys helps out. And of course, the killer comes after her. Because that's what killers do in books they go after the smart girl. It was the same in Cornwell's Scarpetta series.
February 13, 2015
With all the lackluster reviews, I wasn't sure how much I'd like this book. It turned out to be a really good book. I honestly wasn't thinking the murders were who they were. I did tho on the other hand knew quite well who wasn't the murders. That part was pretty predictable. It was a pretty quick read. I finished it in one day. I would have finished it sooner if I wasn't constantly interrupted. It was well worth the read. I'm happy that I accidentally stumbled upon it in the library. I hear the author has written 2 other books following the same character. I'll be getting my hands on them as well
April 13, 2012
Megan Rhys has been asked to help with two murders of prostitutes. She is getting conflicting information and feedback from the police and she's trying to quit smoking. A first novel from Lindsay Ashford. Lots of red herrings and enough to keep you interested until the shocking conclusion
Want to read
August 15, 200802/19/08 rec via bookmooch
March 6, 2015
I picked this book at random at the library. Interesting read.
August 4, 2009
Megan #1
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews