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DCI Simms & Professor Fennimore #3
Truth Will Out
A mother and daughter are snatched on their way home from the cinema. The crime bears a number of chilling similarities to a cold case Prof. Nick Fennimore was involved in. Then Nick begins receiving taunting messages – is he being targeted by the kidnapper?
Meanwhile, a photograph emailed from Paris could bring Fennimore closer to discovering the fate of his daughter Suzie, now missing for six years. He seeks help from his old friend, DCI Kate Simms, recently returned from the US. But Kate is soon blocked from the investigation... The mother and childs' lives hang in the balance as Fennimore and Simms try to break through police bureaucracy to identify their abductor.
Meanwhile, a photograph emailed from Paris could bring Fennimore closer to discovering the fate of his daughter Suzie, now missing for six years. He seeks help from his old friend, DCI Kate Simms, recently returned from the US. But Kate is soon blocked from the investigation... The mother and childs' lives hang in the balance as Fennimore and Simms try to break through police bureaucracy to identify their abductor.
432 pages, Paperback
First published November 3, 2016
About the author
A.D. Garrett
3 books95 followersAD Garrett is the pseudonym for prize-winning novelist Margaret Murphy.
Margaret Murphy has published nine internationally acclaimed psychological thrillers under her own name – both stand-alone and police series. She is Writing Fellow and Reading Round Lector for the Royal Literary Fund, a past Chair of the Crime Writers Association (CWA), and founder of Murder Squad. A CWA Short Story Dagger winner, she has also been shortlisted for the First Blood critics’ award for crime fiction as well as the CWA Dagger in the Library.
In 2013, writing as A.D. Garrett, Margaret began a new forensic series, featuring Professor Nick Fennimore and DCI Kate Simms. Everyone Lies, which Ann Cleeves rated ‘thriller writing at its best’, was a bestseller, and both Everyone Lies and the sequel, Believe No One, garnered starred reviews from Publishers’ Weekly. Jeffery Deaver commented, ‘A.D. Garrett has done for Manchester what The Wire did for Baltimore. And Simms and Fennimore are complex, compelling, and just plain marvellous.’ Truth Will Out, the third in the series, is now available in all formats.
Website: www.adgarrett.com
Twitter: @ADGarrett1
Margaret will launch a new series in March 2018 as Ashley Dyer. Written in consultation with Forensics expert, Helen Pepper, this series went to multiple auctions across Europe and the United States, and will be a lead title for Blanvalet, Germany in 2018.
Website: www.ashley-dyer.com
Twitter: @ashleydyer2017
Margaret Murphy has published nine internationally acclaimed psychological thrillers under her own name – both stand-alone and police series. She is Writing Fellow and Reading Round Lector for the Royal Literary Fund, a past Chair of the Crime Writers Association (CWA), and founder of Murder Squad. A CWA Short Story Dagger winner, she has also been shortlisted for the First Blood critics’ award for crime fiction as well as the CWA Dagger in the Library.
In 2013, writing as A.D. Garrett, Margaret began a new forensic series, featuring Professor Nick Fennimore and DCI Kate Simms. Everyone Lies, which Ann Cleeves rated ‘thriller writing at its best’, was a bestseller, and both Everyone Lies and the sequel, Believe No One, garnered starred reviews from Publishers’ Weekly. Jeffery Deaver commented, ‘A.D. Garrett has done for Manchester what The Wire did for Baltimore. And Simms and Fennimore are complex, compelling, and just plain marvellous.’ Truth Will Out, the third in the series, is now available in all formats.
Website: www.adgarrett.com
Twitter: @ADGarrett1
Margaret will launch a new series in March 2018 as Ashley Dyer. Written in consultation with Forensics expert, Helen Pepper, this series went to multiple auctions across Europe and the United States, and will be a lead title for Blanvalet, Germany in 2018.
Website: www.ashley-dyer.com
Twitter: @ashleydyer2017
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
November 9, 2016
*Thank you to Netgalley & Little, Brown for my ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review*
Aberdeen based Nick Fennimore is a well respected Forensics Professor. After giving a lecture on the kidnapping and murder of Gail Hammond, a miscarriage of justice case that he helped overturn, he discovers that a member of the audience has posted the lecture online. This lecture brings something of a backlash, but worse still, he starts receiving emails from a serial killer taunting his capabilities.
A recent kidnapping of a mother and her daughter appear to carry all the hallmarks of the case that Nick has been lecturing about.
At the same time, he is approached by a journalist asking him to look into a case where a man was charged with the murder of a prostitute, and is now serving a prison sentence. The journalist believes the man is innocent. Nick decides to take these cases on and is teamed with his old friend DCI Kate Simms. Running alongside all of this is the case of Nick's missing daughter Suzie. She was abducted along with her mother, 6 years previously. Her mother was later found murdered, but there was no news of Suzie. He has reason though to believe that Suzie is still alive and living in Paris.
If you think all of this sounds complicated, then you'd be right, but was it difficult to follow? Not at all. It was a really compelling story that took many twists along the way, with plenty of shocks thrown into the mix. Given the many avenues it had to follow, the whole thing tied up really well. A riveting read.
Aberdeen based Nick Fennimore is a well respected Forensics Professor. After giving a lecture on the kidnapping and murder of Gail Hammond, a miscarriage of justice case that he helped overturn, he discovers that a member of the audience has posted the lecture online. This lecture brings something of a backlash, but worse still, he starts receiving emails from a serial killer taunting his capabilities.
A recent kidnapping of a mother and her daughter appear to carry all the hallmarks of the case that Nick has been lecturing about.
At the same time, he is approached by a journalist asking him to look into a case where a man was charged with the murder of a prostitute, and is now serving a prison sentence. The journalist believes the man is innocent. Nick decides to take these cases on and is teamed with his old friend DCI Kate Simms. Running alongside all of this is the case of Nick's missing daughter Suzie. She was abducted along with her mother, 6 years previously. Her mother was later found murdered, but there was no news of Suzie. He has reason though to believe that Suzie is still alive and living in Paris.
If you think all of this sounds complicated, then you'd be right, but was it difficult to follow? Not at all. It was a really compelling story that took many twists along the way, with plenty of shocks thrown into the mix. Given the many avenues it had to follow, the whole thing tied up really well. A riveting read.
October 13, 2016
This is the third in a terrific series that I have read from the beginning. This one is a heart racing thriller with several convoluted plotlines including Nick's desperate ongoing search for his daughter, Suzie, after his wife was murdered. Nick Fennimore is a genius Forensics professor and consultant based in Aberdeen who finds a public lecture he gives, on a miscarriage of justice he helped to address, posted online by a member of the audience. This brings him a ton of unwanted attention and some disturbing and taunting mail from a serial killer. Nick continues to pursue leads from a photograph taken in Paris that might be of Suzie. DCI Kate Simms has returned to the UK after a US placement only to find herself experiencing family problems and a fear that her husband is having an affair. Despite the knocks to her career that she experienced in helping Nick previously, she cannot stop herself getting involved in the various cases that Nick is at the centre of. Nick's mysterious PhD student, Josh Brown, has his cover blown.
Julie Myers and her daughter, Lauren, are abducted by a killer in their car, which seem to be connected to the murder of Nick's wife and the missing Suzie. An ambitious reporter, Carl Lazko, persuades a extremely reluctant Nick to look into the case of Graham Mitchell who has been convicted of the murder of prostitute Kelli Rees. Kate finds herself appointed to report back on Nick and his involvement in the Julie Myers case by Chief Constable Enderby but excluded from the investigating team despite still being on leave. It does not take long before Kate finds herself being suspended after compromising herself by helping Nick. Nick gets Josh involved in pursuing leads in Essex on the Graham Mitchell case. In a twisted trail where there are a number of red herrings, the connections begin to emerge. Murders and heartbreaking tragedy ensue. There is a thrilling and tense finale in Paris with Kate and Nick trying to find Suzie.
This is a complex and intricately plotted story that is compelling and full of suspense. The characters are well developed and you really do care for them. This is a outstanding series that takes us to the heart of forensics and its role in solving crimes. I hope the series does not end here, I think there is plenty of mileage left for Nick and Kate. Cannot recommend this series enough. Brilliant read. Thanks to Little, Brown for an ARC.
Julie Myers and her daughter, Lauren, are abducted by a killer in their car, which seem to be connected to the murder of Nick's wife and the missing Suzie. An ambitious reporter, Carl Lazko, persuades a extremely reluctant Nick to look into the case of Graham Mitchell who has been convicted of the murder of prostitute Kelli Rees. Kate finds herself appointed to report back on Nick and his involvement in the Julie Myers case by Chief Constable Enderby but excluded from the investigating team despite still being on leave. It does not take long before Kate finds herself being suspended after compromising herself by helping Nick. Nick gets Josh involved in pursuing leads in Essex on the Graham Mitchell case. In a twisted trail where there are a number of red herrings, the connections begin to emerge. Murders and heartbreaking tragedy ensue. There is a thrilling and tense finale in Paris with Kate and Nick trying to find Suzie.
This is a complex and intricately plotted story that is compelling and full of suspense. The characters are well developed and you really do care for them. This is a outstanding series that takes us to the heart of forensics and its role in solving crimes. I hope the series does not end here, I think there is plenty of mileage left for Nick and Kate. Cannot recommend this series enough. Brilliant read. Thanks to Little, Brown for an ARC.
March 29, 2018
Third book in the series, but wait, don't let that put you off as there was enough background in this book that means you won't float wondering what you've missed and not so much information that you feel there is no need to go back on this series, go back on it, its a must series if this book is anything to go by.
Put in an emotive plot, characters that bounce off of each other while the investigation is taking place and forensic evidence, justice and you have a great book.
Thoroughly enjoyed it.
My thanks to Little, Brown Book Group UK for my copy via Net Galley
November 18, 2016
Truth Will Out is my first read from this author but it won’t be my last, really top notch crime fiction with two excellent main protagonists and a beautifully addictive flow. No problem going into the series at this point either, the background information is there without spoiling things if you want to read the previous books.
In this instalment a mother and daughter are kidnapped and Fennimore is dragged into the case, although there is an attempt to keep him and Simms on the outskirts these two seem to be the type that don’t really follow the rules (making for some great plot developments) so they dig in deep. Meanwhile Fennimore is looking at another possible miscarriage of justice, so sets the scene for a twisty fascinating tale that you’ll read fast. Because you have to know don’t you know…
There were various things that really made this great for me – I love books with a forensic twist, the pairing of our main duo is classically great reading. The author brings a strong emotional core to the writing that means you get totally immersed into the world and engage with the characters on a human level. A large dose of authenticity in the detail and a truly gripping story added into the mix and hey we are good to go.
Overall excellent. This is why I love crime fiction.
Highly Recommended for crime fans.
In this instalment a mother and daughter are kidnapped and Fennimore is dragged into the case, although there is an attempt to keep him and Simms on the outskirts these two seem to be the type that don’t really follow the rules (making for some great plot developments) so they dig in deep. Meanwhile Fennimore is looking at another possible miscarriage of justice, so sets the scene for a twisty fascinating tale that you’ll read fast. Because you have to know don’t you know…
There were various things that really made this great for me – I love books with a forensic twist, the pairing of our main duo is classically great reading. The author brings a strong emotional core to the writing that means you get totally immersed into the world and engage with the characters on a human level. A large dose of authenticity in the detail and a truly gripping story added into the mix and hey we are good to go.
Overall excellent. This is why I love crime fiction.
Highly Recommended for crime fans.
October 2, 2016
I would like to thank NetGalley and Little Brown Book/Corsair publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest and open review.
The kidnapping of a mother and child has similarities to a crime Nick Fennimore has been lecturing about. He teams up with his old friend DI Kate Simms to look into the case.
This is an excellent crime thriller. One thing I particularly liked were the quotes at the beginning of some chapters. This one stayed with me, "Believe no-one, doubt everything and remember, everyone lies".
I didn't realise, until the end, that this was the third book in the series. It read perfectly as a stand-alone thriller. However, as I enjoyed it so much, I'll be reading the first 2.
If you want a book that will grab you at page one and not let go until the final page then this is one for you.
September 23, 2016
Fantastic book. Unable to comment until book due for release.
Ty to A D Garrett and Little Brown Group for a copy of the book in return for a review.
Ty to A D Garrett and Little Brown Group for a copy of the book in return for a review.
November 9, 2016
Giving public lecture on a recent miscarriage of justice that he had worked to have overturned, when the lecture is videoed and streamed online Professor Nick Fennimore puts himself clearly back in the public eye. Trolled on the internet and with hundreds of letters arriving per day, the last thing that he needs now is a visit from an old adversary, journalist Carl Lazko. Seeking Fennimore’s assistance to review another potential miscarriage of justice case, that of convicted killer Graham Mitchell. Reticent at first, Fennimore’s interest is piqued when he spots some inconsistencies in the evidence and reluctantly he agrees to work with the journalist to try and find the truth. Whether or not this exonerates Mitchell is yet to be seen.
Meanwhile, in Manchester a mother and daughter are abducted while on their way home from an afternoon at the cinema. For some reason it appears that the perpetrator is fixated on Fennimore, sending him taunting letters with evidence that link this latest abduction to the disappearance of his wife and daughter some years before. Fennimore contacts an old friend for help, DCI Kate Simms, the woman he was meeting with on the day his wife disappeared. She isn’t assigned to the case but is tasked by the top brass to keep an eye on Fennimore and report back on anything he does. Torn between a loyalty to the force and her feelings for Fennimore, Simms puts her career at risk helping Fennimore in investigations outside of official channels.
Someone wants this case to be personal. Someone wants to prevent Fennimore from discovering the truth, but which truth. With Fennimore already distracted by his ongoing search for his missing daughter, a photograph taken in Paris of a young girl who could well be his daughter adds to his confusion. With his mind elsewhere, can he concentrate long enough to find the truth? When the mother is found dead Fennimore and Simms know that time is running out to find the little girl. And as the investigations into Mitchell’s shaky conviction lead Fennimore and his PhD student Josh back to Fennimore’s old turf of Essex, will their investigations put them all in danger?
‘Truth Will Out’ by A.D. Garrett is the third book in the Fennimore and Simms story and what a book it is. Fans of the series will not be disappointed.
From the very first chapter, when some ominous stranger watches as Fennimore delivers his public lecture, you know that this particular lecture is going to have repercussions. But even though I kind of knew what the mystery observers probable motives were, I wasn’t expecting the effects to be so far reaching.
The scenes between Julia Myers and her daughter Lauren are so well written that you can feel every moment of frustration from a mother coping with a child suffering ADHD. Julia’s regrets at having let Lauren have her ‘yellow peril’ sweets are so consuming and distracting that the scenes in which they are abducted are all the more stark and disturbing in comparison. The interactions between the pair and their abductor are powerful and the sense of fear and threat and, ultimately, resignation felt by Julia emanate from the page.
With the mother/daughter abduction dominating my conscious reading state, the miscarriage of justice investigation that Fennimore undertakes for Lazko almost seemed like a side story and yet it is anything but. This in itself becomes a complex weave of open story threads, bring to a head the tension which exists between Fennimore and his mentee, Josh. We learn more of Josh’s past and with the discovery comes a new source of jeopardy for all involved in the investigation. Far from feeling far-fetched, it fits the story perfectly, adding to the mystery and the misdirection that comes as a result.
This is a well-paced story, moving between Fennimore’s investigations into the Mitchell case and his missing daughter, and Simms' intervention in the open Myers case. Interwoven are scenes told from first Julia’s and then Lauren's point of view, taking us into the minds of two of a sadistic killer’s innocent victims. The clear understanding of and passion for forensics shines through in the writing as Garrett makes accessible what could be a very difficult subject, without insulting intelligence, stretching belief ala CSI style or over complicating matters with too detailed descriptions. And Fennimore’s simple reliance upon and interest only in fact certainly rings true to the way the character is written. While there is a hint of the simmering relationship between the two main protagonists, Simms and Fennimore, they spend little actual time together in the story, most of their interactions occurring by phone or via the wonder of skype. And yet the ending will give the true fans hope that there the still unfinished business between them may see a favourable conclusion. There is certainly scope for more development of the characters, in spite of a major story thread reaching a conclusion.
If you haven’t read they first two books (which I confess I hadn’t) then there is enough back story for the characters to give you a good sense of place and the journey they had been on up until now. That said, while there will no doubt be a certain element of spoilers to the first two stories, I don’t think this would stop me from going back and reading them. If anything, this has piqued my interest as I liked the character of Fennimore and I want to know the full story behind his history, not the abridged version I have read so far. I don’t know that there was enough of Simms in the story for me to truly engage with the character, but I did get a sense of her fierce loyalty to Fennimore and that in itself made her an intriguing character.
If you like a fast-paced story, with a very strong forensic, fact based theme that takes you away from the straight forward police investigation route, and with very intense, enthralling characterisation and plot, then absolutely give this a go. I became so engrossed in this story that when I finally got the time to sit down properly and read I didn’t get up again until I was done.
A thoroughly satisfied 5 stars.
I reviewed an advance reader copy provided by NetGalley and Publishers Little Brown Book Group.
Meanwhile, in Manchester a mother and daughter are abducted while on their way home from an afternoon at the cinema. For some reason it appears that the perpetrator is fixated on Fennimore, sending him taunting letters with evidence that link this latest abduction to the disappearance of his wife and daughter some years before. Fennimore contacts an old friend for help, DCI Kate Simms, the woman he was meeting with on the day his wife disappeared. She isn’t assigned to the case but is tasked by the top brass to keep an eye on Fennimore and report back on anything he does. Torn between a loyalty to the force and her feelings for Fennimore, Simms puts her career at risk helping Fennimore in investigations outside of official channels.
Someone wants this case to be personal. Someone wants to prevent Fennimore from discovering the truth, but which truth. With Fennimore already distracted by his ongoing search for his missing daughter, a photograph taken in Paris of a young girl who could well be his daughter adds to his confusion. With his mind elsewhere, can he concentrate long enough to find the truth? When the mother is found dead Fennimore and Simms know that time is running out to find the little girl. And as the investigations into Mitchell’s shaky conviction lead Fennimore and his PhD student Josh back to Fennimore’s old turf of Essex, will their investigations put them all in danger?
‘Truth Will Out’ by A.D. Garrett is the third book in the Fennimore and Simms story and what a book it is. Fans of the series will not be disappointed.
From the very first chapter, when some ominous stranger watches as Fennimore delivers his public lecture, you know that this particular lecture is going to have repercussions. But even though I kind of knew what the mystery observers probable motives were, I wasn’t expecting the effects to be so far reaching.
The scenes between Julia Myers and her daughter Lauren are so well written that you can feel every moment of frustration from a mother coping with a child suffering ADHD. Julia’s regrets at having let Lauren have her ‘yellow peril’ sweets are so consuming and distracting that the scenes in which they are abducted are all the more stark and disturbing in comparison. The interactions between the pair and their abductor are powerful and the sense of fear and threat and, ultimately, resignation felt by Julia emanate from the page.
With the mother/daughter abduction dominating my conscious reading state, the miscarriage of justice investigation that Fennimore undertakes for Lazko almost seemed like a side story and yet it is anything but. This in itself becomes a complex weave of open story threads, bring to a head the tension which exists between Fennimore and his mentee, Josh. We learn more of Josh’s past and with the discovery comes a new source of jeopardy for all involved in the investigation. Far from feeling far-fetched, it fits the story perfectly, adding to the mystery and the misdirection that comes as a result.
This is a well-paced story, moving between Fennimore’s investigations into the Mitchell case and his missing daughter, and Simms' intervention in the open Myers case. Interwoven are scenes told from first Julia’s and then Lauren's point of view, taking us into the minds of two of a sadistic killer’s innocent victims. The clear understanding of and passion for forensics shines through in the writing as Garrett makes accessible what could be a very difficult subject, without insulting intelligence, stretching belief ala CSI style or over complicating matters with too detailed descriptions. And Fennimore’s simple reliance upon and interest only in fact certainly rings true to the way the character is written. While there is a hint of the simmering relationship between the two main protagonists, Simms and Fennimore, they spend little actual time together in the story, most of their interactions occurring by phone or via the wonder of skype. And yet the ending will give the true fans hope that there the still unfinished business between them may see a favourable conclusion. There is certainly scope for more development of the characters, in spite of a major story thread reaching a conclusion.
If you haven’t read they first two books (which I confess I hadn’t) then there is enough back story for the characters to give you a good sense of place and the journey they had been on up until now. That said, while there will no doubt be a certain element of spoilers to the first two stories, I don’t think this would stop me from going back and reading them. If anything, this has piqued my interest as I liked the character of Fennimore and I want to know the full story behind his history, not the abridged version I have read so far. I don’t know that there was enough of Simms in the story for me to truly engage with the character, but I did get a sense of her fierce loyalty to Fennimore and that in itself made her an intriguing character.
If you like a fast-paced story, with a very strong forensic, fact based theme that takes you away from the straight forward police investigation route, and with very intense, enthralling characterisation and plot, then absolutely give this a go. I became so engrossed in this story that when I finally got the time to sit down properly and read I didn’t get up again until I was done.
A thoroughly satisfied 5 stars.
I reviewed an advance reader copy provided by NetGalley and Publishers Little Brown Book Group.
November 4, 2016
This is the third in the DCI Simms and Professor Fennimore series and it’s an absolute corker of a read, which is really bizarre if you look back at it and realise that DCI Simms isn’t actually investigating any crime, she’s on the sidelines. This is an unusual tactic for a cop in a series, but the book holds so much to keep your attention and the characters are so well fleshed out and their actions so believable that you don’t notice or rather, don’t care that it doesn’t follow usual crime fiction conventions of cop finding crime and then going on to detect crime. It has a very real feel of policing politics as Kate Simms is kept away from the investigation and as she tries to keep her nose edged in.
There are some massive shocks in store in this book. I certainly wasn’t expecting them. And a lot of character emotion to go along with them and that’s something that I love about a book, the character’s and if I can connect to them and if I feel a need to follow their story and with this series and this book, I do. It had me turning the pages and not wanting to put it down. Fennimore is dogged in his determination to follow his beliefs and Simms, though she understands this, often becomes frustrated with him and this strong but difficult relationship plays out really well on the pages.
A great series and recommended for anyone who loves character-driven series crime with great stories.
With thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my copy.
There are some massive shocks in store in this book. I certainly wasn’t expecting them. And a lot of character emotion to go along with them and that’s something that I love about a book, the character’s and if I can connect to them and if I feel a need to follow their story and with this series and this book, I do. It had me turning the pages and not wanting to put it down. Fennimore is dogged in his determination to follow his beliefs and Simms, though she understands this, often becomes frustrated with him and this strong but difficult relationship plays out really well on the pages.
A great series and recommended for anyone who loves character-driven series crime with great stories.
With thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my copy.
December 7, 2016
another great, fast paced, sometimes gruelling read with Simms and Fennimore; this one ties up some lose ends for Nick and explains some of the backstory from before the three books in this series. A standalone novel but the other two are also great if you like being chronological
December 8, 2017
read for bookgroup so no review until after bookgroup meeting.....
November 2, 2016
This was the first AD Garrett book I have read and I have just realised that I already have the first in the series on my kindle - I really must look at my backlog of TBR books!!! #TooManyBooks #SoLittleTime - but I can tell you it won't be my last!
The plot focuses on Prof Nick Fennimore's ongoing hunt for his missing daughter and his relationship with DCI Kate Simms who has just returned from the USA where it would appear she had been trying to salvage her career and boost her reputation following some trouble she and Nick had been involved in previously (I really do need to read the rest of the books to fulfill my desire to know what is going on!!!) Meanwhile a mum and her daughter have been kidnapped on the way home from the cinema and Nick is persuaded to investigate a miscarriage of justice by a journalist that he appears to hold in contempt. The three plots flow seamlessly together and provide a rollercoaster ride for readers as they piece together the pieces of the jigsaw...meanwhile the lives of the two kidnap victims hang in the balance and you run a gauntlet of emotions as you read this book. Throw in some gangland connections and Nick's student, Josh, being placed in mortal danger and your heart will be pounding as you work your way through it!
I loved Nick and Kate together and they fascinated me - have they? Will they? Should they? I certainly wanted them to - there is a real connection between the two of them (yet another reason to read the other books!) The Truth Will Out, isn't all happy endings for all the characters, there are deaths along they way - but hey I'm not telling who - read the book and find out! Despite only meeting characters in this book, I still felt my heartstrings being tugged at here!
The plotlines took us from Aberdeen to Manchester to Essex to Paris - wow I certainly felt that I was travelling along with the characters, great place descriptions led to a real sense of place for the reader.
I thought that this was a fast-moving book, with a good solid plot underlying the book and it certainly had my heart racing as I read. That last part of the book though - OMG my heart was seriously in my mouth - I kept reading at the pace of my heartbeat and had to go back a few times to re-read. There were lots of twists and turns throughout the book that keep you guessing throughout. A real compelling read all round!
I'd recommend this book - I did read it without reading the first two in the series and it worked for me - but I think to get a real feel for the characters, Nick's past and the relationship between him and Kate then it would be best to read the first two - which I am off to do very shortly!
The plot focuses on Prof Nick Fennimore's ongoing hunt for his missing daughter and his relationship with DCI Kate Simms who has just returned from the USA where it would appear she had been trying to salvage her career and boost her reputation following some trouble she and Nick had been involved in previously (I really do need to read the rest of the books to fulfill my desire to know what is going on!!!) Meanwhile a mum and her daughter have been kidnapped on the way home from the cinema and Nick is persuaded to investigate a miscarriage of justice by a journalist that he appears to hold in contempt. The three plots flow seamlessly together and provide a rollercoaster ride for readers as they piece together the pieces of the jigsaw...meanwhile the lives of the two kidnap victims hang in the balance and you run a gauntlet of emotions as you read this book. Throw in some gangland connections and Nick's student, Josh, being placed in mortal danger and your heart will be pounding as you work your way through it!
I loved Nick and Kate together and they fascinated me - have they? Will they? Should they? I certainly wanted them to - there is a real connection between the two of them (yet another reason to read the other books!) The Truth Will Out, isn't all happy endings for all the characters, there are deaths along they way - but hey I'm not telling who - read the book and find out! Despite only meeting characters in this book, I still felt my heartstrings being tugged at here!
The plotlines took us from Aberdeen to Manchester to Essex to Paris - wow I certainly felt that I was travelling along with the characters, great place descriptions led to a real sense of place for the reader.
I thought that this was a fast-moving book, with a good solid plot underlying the book and it certainly had my heart racing as I read. That last part of the book though - OMG my heart was seriously in my mouth - I kept reading at the pace of my heartbeat and had to go back a few times to re-read. There were lots of twists and turns throughout the book that keep you guessing throughout. A real compelling read all round!
I'd recommend this book - I did read it without reading the first two in the series and it worked for me - but I think to get a real feel for the characters, Nick's past and the relationship between him and Kate then it would be best to read the first two - which I am off to do very shortly!
November 11, 2016
I would like to thank NetGalley and Little Brown Book/Corsair publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this which I voluntarily reviewed.
The kidnapping of a mother and child has similarities to a crime Nick Fennimore has been lecturing about. He teams up with his old friend DI Kate Simms to look into the case.
This is an excellent crime thriller. One thing I particularly liked were the quotes at the beginning of some chapters. This one stayed with me, "Believe no-one, doubt everything and remember, everyone lies".
I didn't realise, until the end, that this was the third book in the series. It read perfectly as a stand-alone thriller. However, as I enjoyed it so much, I'll be reading the first 2.
If you want a book that will grab you at page one and not let go until the final page then this is one for you.
The kidnapping of a mother and child has similarities to a crime Nick Fennimore has been lecturing about. He teams up with his old friend DI Kate Simms to look into the case.
This is an excellent crime thriller. One thing I particularly liked were the quotes at the beginning of some chapters. This one stayed with me, "Believe no-one, doubt everything and remember, everyone lies".
I didn't realise, until the end, that this was the third book in the series. It read perfectly as a stand-alone thriller. However, as I enjoyed it so much, I'll be reading the first 2.
If you want a book that will grab you at page one and not let go until the final page then this is one for you.
November 1, 2016
this is a superb book which I was pleased to be offered an ARC of from Netgalley. It is the latest in the excellent series featuring the policewoman Kate Simms and the university professor Nick Fennimore, whose relationship has been explained in earlier novels. Not only is the principal crime fascinating and excitingly narrated but the sub-plot of what happened to Nick's daughter, the search for whom has obsessed him for some time, is equally intriguing. A cracking read!
November 3, 2016
Fantastic read, really enjoyed this book. The first one that I have read from this author.
Well paced, the knowledge of the locations is well researched as well as the subject content e.g the collection of forensic evidence etc.
Would recommend if you are a fan of this genre.
Well paced, the knowledge of the locations is well researched as well as the subject content e.g the collection of forensic evidence etc.
Would recommend if you are a fan of this genre.
January 8, 2017
Follow Professor Nick Fennimore in this crime thriller that runs on the concept of how wrongly interpreted evidence can mislead a police investigation.
I found Truth Will Out to be a refreshing change from the usual crime thriller where forensic evidence is simply gathered and it all clearly points to one person who is then convicted of the crime.
I liked the format and structure of this novel. Each chapter started with a thinking point related to forensics. The story starts off giving the reader scenarios of how forensic evidence can clearly point in one direction but can lead to a Miscarriage of Justice and an innocent person convicted. So the seeds of doubt are firmly set in the reader’s mind as one crime after another takes place and you wonder whether the police are being mislead by the evidence they have found.
I enjoyed reading Truth Will Out and it was lovely having another direction to consider all through this novel, as new items of evidence were discovered. We get quite used to criminals in novels doing things to simply cover their tracks but to leave behind evidence to mislead the police investigations made the plots in this novel very involved and a joy to read.
What was nice about Truth Will Out is that it was not a single crime but a series of different crimes. Therefore you felt as though you were living in Professor Nick Fennimore’s shoes. And what a great journey you had in Nick’s shoes, I learned quite a lot about forensics and how evidence can put people on the wrong tracks. This does not only relate to criminal investigations by police officers but also to employees in all industries as their employers gather tons of evidence throughout their working day. For years now I have warned new coach drivers that from the moment they walk into their depots, they are compiling evidence that will be stored and could be used against them. The dashboard cameras have seen many drivers sacked and we now call these “dash cams” the more fitting “sack cams”. As A. D. Garrett states in his novel “every contact leaves a trace”.
I liked how the forensic science behind obtaining evidence was explained in this novel. I found it both educating and entertaining. For years now I have wondered how laboratory technicians have analysed those dodgy stains and through the commentary of Professor Nick Fennimore I now understand about the acid phosphatase test and the Teesside Protocol.
Truth Will Out gave me a very full and positive reading experience. Between reading sessions my head was buzzing. There was more than one plot and the whole story was very complex. The level of detail was high and the content was very rich. At the end I thought “WOW!” and the whole experience was quite exhausting as this novel covered an awful lot of ground.
I found Truth Will Out to be far, far better than your average crime thriller. I feel it added so much more to the game in a crowded market. I can find nothing wrong with this novel, so it gets the top score of 5 stars from me. I have not read an A. D. Garrett novel before and although Truth Will Out is his third Professor Nick Fennimore novel, it can so easily be read as a standalone. I am now interested in reading the previous 2 novels or any later novels in the series. This is because of the sheer quality of his content and writing. So I will be using a fresh pair of latex gloves from my bag, not to put fuel oil into my Volvo coach but to enjoy another investigation with Nick.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher Little Brown Book Group UK for giving me a copy of this book on the understanding that I provide an honest review.
I found Truth Will Out to be a refreshing change from the usual crime thriller where forensic evidence is simply gathered and it all clearly points to one person who is then convicted of the crime.
I liked the format and structure of this novel. Each chapter started with a thinking point related to forensics. The story starts off giving the reader scenarios of how forensic evidence can clearly point in one direction but can lead to a Miscarriage of Justice and an innocent person convicted. So the seeds of doubt are firmly set in the reader’s mind as one crime after another takes place and you wonder whether the police are being mislead by the evidence they have found.
I enjoyed reading Truth Will Out and it was lovely having another direction to consider all through this novel, as new items of evidence were discovered. We get quite used to criminals in novels doing things to simply cover their tracks but to leave behind evidence to mislead the police investigations made the plots in this novel very involved and a joy to read.
What was nice about Truth Will Out is that it was not a single crime but a series of different crimes. Therefore you felt as though you were living in Professor Nick Fennimore’s shoes. And what a great journey you had in Nick’s shoes, I learned quite a lot about forensics and how evidence can put people on the wrong tracks. This does not only relate to criminal investigations by police officers but also to employees in all industries as their employers gather tons of evidence throughout their working day. For years now I have warned new coach drivers that from the moment they walk into their depots, they are compiling evidence that will be stored and could be used against them. The dashboard cameras have seen many drivers sacked and we now call these “dash cams” the more fitting “sack cams”. As A. D. Garrett states in his novel “every contact leaves a trace”.
I liked how the forensic science behind obtaining evidence was explained in this novel. I found it both educating and entertaining. For years now I have wondered how laboratory technicians have analysed those dodgy stains and through the commentary of Professor Nick Fennimore I now understand about the acid phosphatase test and the Teesside Protocol.
Truth Will Out gave me a very full and positive reading experience. Between reading sessions my head was buzzing. There was more than one plot and the whole story was very complex. The level of detail was high and the content was very rich. At the end I thought “WOW!” and the whole experience was quite exhausting as this novel covered an awful lot of ground.
I found Truth Will Out to be far, far better than your average crime thriller. I feel it added so much more to the game in a crowded market. I can find nothing wrong with this novel, so it gets the top score of 5 stars from me. I have not read an A. D. Garrett novel before and although Truth Will Out is his third Professor Nick Fennimore novel, it can so easily be read as a standalone. I am now interested in reading the previous 2 novels or any later novels in the series. This is because of the sheer quality of his content and writing. So I will be using a fresh pair of latex gloves from my bag, not to put fuel oil into my Volvo coach but to enjoy another investigation with Nick.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher Little Brown Book Group UK for giving me a copy of this book on the understanding that I provide an honest review.
May 12, 2017
Truth will Out has one of the greatest starts to a novel that I have ever read. In Chapter 2 joint hero, Professor Nick Fennimore plays a modern Wittgenstein as he first proves a murder’s guilt and then, using the same evidence, proves the man’s innocence. All the time unaware that the real murderer is in the audience, something that starts a cat and mouse game between the two men, with a child’s life depending on Fennimore coming out on top. A superb book which is a joint collaboration between two eminent ladies: one a past chair of the Crime Writers Association and the other a senior lecturer in Policing. While this book is a very enjoyable read, I sensed that perhaps the ladies were overly polite to each other because I sensed that the overall structure of the story needed a little tweaking.
John McAllister, writer and avid reader. @John_Armagh
John McAllister, writer and avid reader. @John_Armagh
January 3, 2023
Good read...had to keep reading, almost couldn't put it down type book. Didn't want to read any gory details so was a bit hesitant to read some parts however it wasn't like that.
A mother and daughter are snatched on their way home from the cinema. The crime bears a number of chilling similarities to a cold case Prof. Nick Fennimore was involved in. Then Nick begins receiving taunting messages – is he being targeted by the kidnapper?
Meanwhile, a photograph emailed from Paris could bring Fennimore closer to discovering the fate of his daughter Suzie, now missing for six years. He seeks help from his old friend, DCI Kate Simms, recently returned from the US. But Kate is soon blocked from the investigation... The mother and childs' lives hang in the balance as Fennimore and Simms try to break through police bureaucracy to identify their abductor.
A mother and daughter are snatched on their way home from the cinema. The crime bears a number of chilling similarities to a cold case Prof. Nick Fennimore was involved in. Then Nick begins receiving taunting messages – is he being targeted by the kidnapper?
Meanwhile, a photograph emailed from Paris could bring Fennimore closer to discovering the fate of his daughter Suzie, now missing for six years. He seeks help from his old friend, DCI Kate Simms, recently returned from the US. But Kate is soon blocked from the investigation... The mother and childs' lives hang in the balance as Fennimore and Simms try to break through police bureaucracy to identify their abductor.
December 4, 2017
I have just finished this. It may have been a comfort that all the Police Procedural detail was accurate to an almost infinite degree but what I needed - because I am convalescing from flu – was a rattling good read. And this is exactly what I got. Several really strong plotlines, intriguing characters, question marks to hook you at the end of every phase - a rich brew. If I had a criticism, it would have been that there were some of the plotlines which were omitted from the final tidy-up. However, I realised 'Truth will out' is one of a series (not clear from the Corsair edition I was reading) so I look forward to catching up with these unanswered questions another time.
April 18, 2024
This book ups the notch from book 2 and brings down the level of frightening intensity of book 1.
There are car + vehicle chase.
Suspense soft and terrible
Tragedy
One of my fave characters...I find it hard to forgive.
Idk...I see no other books so no one is coming back I guess
Written well. Always with the suspense
Shock to the heart.
I don't feel so well after reading this book.
There are car + vehicle chase.
Suspense soft and terrible
Tragedy
One of my fave characters...I find it hard to forgive.
Idk...I see no other books so no one is coming back I guess
Written well. Always with the suspense
Shock to the heart.
I don't feel so well after reading this book.
October 23, 2024
Good ending to the trilogy
Finally and ending we were waiting for, I guessed early on that one character wouldn't make it, it's brutal also makes sense.
The ending leaves a sense of hope and brings the whole thing together so nicely
Finally and ending we were waiting for, I guessed early on that one character wouldn't make it, it's brutal also makes sense.
The ending leaves a sense of hope and brings the whole thing together so nicely
June 4, 2017
Bittersweet, I hope there will be more Fennimore & Simms. The pace is fast and strong.The characters feel very real and balance the forensic details for a wonderful thriller.
October 3, 2017
Really enjoyed this book. The 3rd in the Simms n Fennimore series. What a brilliant ending!
July 12, 2019
LOVED THIS BOOK!! I kept second guessing everything and the ending tied it together very well!! Lots of exciting and emotional events! There better be a 4th book for this series!!
April 18, 2021
Intriguing police procedural with overlapping plot lines.
March 16, 2022
Really enjoyed this it certainly keeps you thinking and turning the pages
September 24, 2022
More 2.5.
July 25, 2021
Really enjoyed the book. Interesting approach to DNA evidence and mistakes based on wrong analysis .Good read.
March 12, 2017
I thoroughly enjoyed this fast paced thriller. This is the second in the series that I have read. There are strands within the story from one book to the next but can easily be read as standalone. Fennimore and Simms make a formidable team . A good mixture of personal issues along with the story thread of a kidnapped mother and daughter whose disappearance would seem to form a link back to Fennimore's misssing daughter and dead wife. Fennimore is then sent a photograph taken in Paris of his daughter with an older man. Is she still alive? A rollercoaster of a ride through this book.
November 4, 2016
This is the first book that I’ve read by this author and it is the third in the Fennimore – Simms series. This however did not detract from my enjoyment of this book at all!
The back story of each of the protagonists, Fennimore and Simms, is explained in the book, so perhaps not a great idea to read this first if you’re planning to read the whole series and are thoroughly offended by the slightest hint of a spoiler.
Once I started reading this, I was very quickly drawn into the story. The book opens with Professor Fennimore, a forensic science professor based in Aberdeen lecturing a group of students about a miscarriage of justice case that he managed to overturn.
This was the hook that drew me into the rest of the book and from that point on I was well and truly gripped.
The forensic attention to detail in this well written book has been very thoroughly researched and is spot on and up to date. Quite an eye opener for some readers I would imagine and certainly made me stop and think for a while.
The narrative races along several different paths, some connected to each other, others not. Professor Fennimore is drawn into the investigation of an abducted and still missing mother and daughter in Manchester by anonymous messages from someone suggesting a link between the case and the disappearance of his own wife and child a few hearts ago. His wife had been found murdered and his daughter was still missing. He is also sent a photo of a young girl who resembles his daughter on a Paris street, so he begins his own covert operation around the location where the photo was taken.
By co-incidence, and this could annoy some readers who might think this is taking liberties (but hey this is fiction) his old friend and colleague on several previous cases DCI Helen Simms, now with the Greater Manchester police, is part of the team investigating the disappearance of the mother and child. So once more they are working together, but Fennimore only in a strictly unofficial capacity and much to the annoyance of Simms’ superior officer Enderby.
I wasn’t altogether happy with the back story of one of the perpetrators (yes there are quite a few baddies in this story) and thought that his motives and story might have been further expanded upon, but then there was a lot to fit in this action packed book.
There are quite a few surprises and events I didn’t see coming and some were shocking, sad and I didn’t want them to happen but they did and I just need to get over it. It’s fiction and as in real life stuff happens (just trying to console myself *sniff*)
Altogether the book was an enjoyable, fast moving thriller of a read that I looked forward to returning to read and I would definitely read more from this author.
Thank you to the publishers Little Brown Book Group UK and NetGalley for my pre-publication ARC
The back story of each of the protagonists, Fennimore and Simms, is explained in the book, so perhaps not a great idea to read this first if you’re planning to read the whole series and are thoroughly offended by the slightest hint of a spoiler.
Once I started reading this, I was very quickly drawn into the story. The book opens with Professor Fennimore, a forensic science professor based in Aberdeen lecturing a group of students about a miscarriage of justice case that he managed to overturn.
This was the hook that drew me into the rest of the book and from that point on I was well and truly gripped.
The forensic attention to detail in this well written book has been very thoroughly researched and is spot on and up to date. Quite an eye opener for some readers I would imagine and certainly made me stop and think for a while.
The narrative races along several different paths, some connected to each other, others not. Professor Fennimore is drawn into the investigation of an abducted and still missing mother and daughter in Manchester by anonymous messages from someone suggesting a link between the case and the disappearance of his own wife and child a few hearts ago. His wife had been found murdered and his daughter was still missing. He is also sent a photo of a young girl who resembles his daughter on a Paris street, so he begins his own covert operation around the location where the photo was taken.
By co-incidence, and this could annoy some readers who might think this is taking liberties (but hey this is fiction) his old friend and colleague on several previous cases DCI Helen Simms, now with the Greater Manchester police, is part of the team investigating the disappearance of the mother and child. So once more they are working together, but Fennimore only in a strictly unofficial capacity and much to the annoyance of Simms’ superior officer Enderby.
I wasn’t altogether happy with the back story of one of the perpetrators (yes there are quite a few baddies in this story) and thought that his motives and story might have been further expanded upon, but then there was a lot to fit in this action packed book.
There are quite a few surprises and events I didn’t see coming and some were shocking, sad and I didn’t want them to happen but they did and I just need to get over it. It’s fiction and as in real life stuff happens (just trying to console myself *sniff*)
Altogether the book was an enjoyable, fast moving thriller of a read that I looked forward to returning to read and I would definitely read more from this author.
Thank you to the publishers Little Brown Book Group UK and NetGalley for my pre-publication ARC
October 20, 2016
I Would like to thank Netgalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for an advance copy of Truth Will Out, the third novel in the Fennimore and Simms.
The novel opens with Professor Nick Fennimore giving a public lecture on his home turf, Robert Gordon's, Aberdeen, about a miscarriage of justice in the death of Gail Hammond which he was able to overturn using forensics. This encourages a journalist he has a history with to ask him to look into another potential case. Initially unwilling as he is obsessed with a photograph sent to him purporting to be his daughter Suzy who disappeared 6 years previously, he agrees when his friend, DCI Kate Simms of Greater Manchester Police, encourages him to get involved to distract him from the Suzy situation. While this is going on the Manchester police are hunting for a mother and daughter kidnapped from their car. Kate is not involved in the investigation but is seconded to babysit Nick who has received communication from the killer and is seeing parallels with the disappearance of his own wife and daughter. There are some other subplots while all this going on.
I must admit that I wasn't overly impressed with the first novel in the series, Everyone Lies, which I found a bit obvious and formulaic so I skipped the second. I didn't make the connection to it when I picked Truth Will Out, but I'm glad I've read it as it is a much better read.
The plot is extremely busy with something happening on every page (or so it seems) so it certainly holds your attention. How it all ties together will probably stretch your credulity but getting there is a good read. There is a big twist at the end which came as a surprise.
The forensics are done in an interesting and informative way which seems natural- there is none of the mind-numbing, eye glazing explanations which spoil many other books and lead me to skip them.
My jury is still out on the characters. Nick Fennimore, while undoubtedly gifted in his field, is a single minded obsessive who lets nothing get in the way of his goals whether it is the law, procedure or his friends' well being and careers. I find him hard to like and wonder at the loyalty he inspires in those closest to him. Kate Simms is not so developed as a character and is hard to fathom. She repeatedly puts her career in jeopardy to help Nick and yet he does nothing to help her out.
Truth Will Out is a high octane, entertaining read which will keep you glued to the pages.
The novel opens with Professor Nick Fennimore giving a public lecture on his home turf, Robert Gordon's, Aberdeen, about a miscarriage of justice in the death of Gail Hammond which he was able to overturn using forensics. This encourages a journalist he has a history with to ask him to look into another potential case. Initially unwilling as he is obsessed with a photograph sent to him purporting to be his daughter Suzy who disappeared 6 years previously, he agrees when his friend, DCI Kate Simms of Greater Manchester Police, encourages him to get involved to distract him from the Suzy situation. While this is going on the Manchester police are hunting for a mother and daughter kidnapped from their car. Kate is not involved in the investigation but is seconded to babysit Nick who has received communication from the killer and is seeing parallels with the disappearance of his own wife and daughter. There are some other subplots while all this going on.
I must admit that I wasn't overly impressed with the first novel in the series, Everyone Lies, which I found a bit obvious and formulaic so I skipped the second. I didn't make the connection to it when I picked Truth Will Out, but I'm glad I've read it as it is a much better read.
The plot is extremely busy with something happening on every page (or so it seems) so it certainly holds your attention. How it all ties together will probably stretch your credulity but getting there is a good read. There is a big twist at the end which came as a surprise.
The forensics are done in an interesting and informative way which seems natural- there is none of the mind-numbing, eye glazing explanations which spoil many other books and lead me to skip them.
My jury is still out on the characters. Nick Fennimore, while undoubtedly gifted in his field, is a single minded obsessive who lets nothing get in the way of his goals whether it is the law, procedure or his friends' well being and careers. I find him hard to like and wonder at the loyalty he inspires in those closest to him. Kate Simms is not so developed as a character and is hard to fathom. She repeatedly puts her career in jeopardy to help Nick and yet he does nothing to help her out.
Truth Will Out is a high octane, entertaining read which will keep you glued to the pages.
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