Deadly Friendship

D.I. Denis Hamilton #3

by Tara Lyons

A fast-paced and gripping crime thriller

Who can you really trust?

Detective Inspector Denis Hamilton is dragged into a gruesome murder investigation, while on annual leave in Lake Windermere. A handwritten note, with a woman’s name, is found inside the corpse.

When a direct link to London is identified, Hamilton must race against the clock to make the connection before the body count rises. 

Meanwhile, four friends with strained relationships, are reunited. What past event do they want to keep buried and is there something linking them to the murders?

Then, when a person from Hamilton's past returns, he must ask himself: how well do we really know our friends?

London’s murder investigations team returns in this third novel from the bestselling author of In the Shadows and No Safe Home.

Genres: Mystery, Crime

238 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 23, 2017

About the author

Tara is a crime and psychological suspense author from London. Her debut novel, In the Shadows, was published in March 2016. Later that same year, Tara signed with Bloodhound Books and published three more books in the DI Hamilton series.

Tara then crossed over from series to standalone and has written two psychological suspense thrillers, The Paramedic’s Daughter and The Perfect Stranger.

She has also written a festive murder mystery novella, A Christmas Crime, and created and produced a charity anthology - Written in the Stars - in memory of her daughter, who passed away in 2020. The anthology is a unique collection of short stories from bestselling authors Angela Marsons, Rob Sinclair, Joy Ellis, Louise Beech, and many more. All net profits from the anthology are in aid of Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity and The Butterfly AVM Charity.

When she’s not writing, Tara keeps busy with her publishing career and her active family life.

Follow her writing journey via Instagram and TikTok: @Taralyonsauthor

Reviews

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

All of my reviews can be found on www.novelgossip.com

4.5/5

This is the third book in a series but can easily be read as a standalone, I jumped in at book two, No Safe Home and really liked Denis Hamilton, the lead character. Once again, Lyons captured my attention with the premise, I love the idea of a group of friends with secrets and lies. It opens with a chilling and attention grabbing prologue, a woman is murdered and it's told from the POV of the killer and it totally chilled me right to my core.

Hamilton and his team are back on the case and I'm really loving each and every one of them. Rocky first appeared in the last book and I predicted I would like him and I was definitely right. Dixon is another new member and I like the little bit that was revealed about her and am eager to learn more about her in the future. There's an emerging storyline following Fraser that has piqued my interest and I'm curious to see where Lyons takes it. As you can see, there is a great cast of characters and Lyons does a fantastic job of giving more detail and backstory on them in each installment.

The plot focuses on a group of six friends from college who are as thick as thieves, until one of them disappears. Two years later, one of them is murdered and Hamilton is actually on a weekend getaway when the victims body is found in the water while him and his family are trying to enjoy an outing. The remaining five friends were all shady individuals with ties to a past event that isn't revealed until much later, but I was constantly kept on my toes as I tried to figure out which one, if any was the killer.

This was another great read in a solid series, and it may be my new favorite thus far. It was a quick, fast paced read with plenty of thrills and excitement and I'm so eager to see what happens in book four!

Quick side note, I won a competition a few months back where I got the opportunity to choose a characters name in the book! Naturally, I chose myself (haha) and Tara was kind enough to ask me if any particular type of character would bother me. I told her no, she could kill me, make me the killer, I was up for anything. So being completely in the dark, I was pleasantly surprised to find she made Amy Sullivan a pathologist, how cool is that?!? She even made her American, that made me laugh and was such a sweet touch. Huge thanks to Tara, it was unreal seeing my name in the pages of such a great book!

[Linda Strong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Detective Inspector Denis Hamilton is on vacation with his family when they come across a dead body in the lake. The biggest surprise is that inside the corpse a note is found with a woman's name... the name of a woman that disappeared 2 years ago.

When the investigation takes off, they find that this latest murder has ties with the missing woman. They and 4 other friends were all together the day the girl went missing. The remaining friends have a secret .. one they want to keep buried.

Someone knows their secret and is willing to commit more murders to get the truth.

As third in this series, this can easily be read as a stand alone.

DEADLY FRIENDSHIP has a little bit of everything... an intriguing plot line that will keep you guessing, characters that are so well-written they could be your neighbors and/or friends, love, hate, envy, jealousy, trust issues.

I love a good crime thriller and this one certainly checks all my boxes. I look forward to seeing more of DI Hamilton and his team.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deadly Friendship is the 3rd DI Denis Hamilton series by Tara Lyons and it's safe to say these books are getting better and better!

When we meet Hamilton in Deadly Friendship, he is on holidays with his family at Lake Windermere. The last thing he is expecting while out on a boat trip is to come across a dead body, but that's exactly what happens.

Immediately, he switches to work mode, not least because a note with a woman's name has been found written on a piece of paper in the mouth of the deceased. This discovery means Hamilton has to work quickly and diligently to connect the dots in this unusual case.

Parallel to this, the reader is introduced to a circle of friends who are drawn back to get her after relative estrangement. What has brought them back together, and how does it have a bearing on Hamilton's case? Something is not quite right in their group, and it's only a matter of time before a long forgotten past secret threatens their lives.

I really enjoy books that are character-drive and that's what I found with this one. The more I read about Denis Hamilton and his team, the more I find myself caught up in their lives. Add to this a strong plot and I'm sold.

Tara Lyons has written another brilliant book in Deadly Friendship. It is packed to the brim with secrets and lies, a great cast of characters and a truly compulsive story, I started and finished this one within 24 hours, I just couldn't put it down.

[Jules · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deadly Friendship is another cracking crime thriller by Tara Lyons.

As many of you who read my reviews will know, I’m not a huge crime fiction fan at all. In fact I usually actively avoid it, but I can’t help looking forward to reading books by this author. Her strength is in her ability to create great characters, which manage to keep me interested even during the police procedural parts of the storyline. In fact, I actually care about the characters who are doing the investigating, which is so unlike me. So keep doing what you’re doing, Tara Lyons, as I think you might have a fan for life.

I don’t want to spoil the story by saying too much about the plot, but I will say it did keep me guessing throughout, while also encouraging me to make the conscious decision never to use Botox in my lifetime. Yuck! It also reminded me not to assume things. As my grandma always used to say “Assume makes an ass out of you and me”, bless her.

I also had a bit of a giggle at the mention of MMMBop, by Hanson. They’re one of my guilty pleasures, and I actually have a few (eek) of their albums. Perhaps this is the best place to end my review, before I dig an even deeper hole for myself.

If you enjoy crime thrillers and police procedural novels, then I highly recommend Deadly Friendship, as well as the previous books in this series, which are In the Shadows (I’m singing The Rasmus song again) and No Safe Home. I would say all can be read as standalone novels, but why would you want to do that when you can read all three.

[Joanne Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been looking forward to this book as I have loved Tara’s last two books but this one has got to be my most favourite one so far!

I do love Denis Hamilton and feel I get to know more about him every time me meet him. I do think though that Deadly Friendship can be read as a standalone novel as all the information you need about Denis and his background is there for you to catch up on. Saying that, if you haven’t read anything by Tara Lyons before…WHY NOT? I’m sure after reading and enjoying Deadly Friendship you will want to read Tara’s other books both of which I highly recommend.

I loved the start of this addictive thriller and how DI Hamilton is thrown into his newest case right from the start when he actually finds a body in the water whilst on holiday with his wife and mother (love this lady!! I aspire to emulate her humour and zest for life!) When the body is retrieved there is a note stuffed in its mouth and I found myself getting all goosebumpy when Hamilton says “Who the hell is Donna Moran?” Such a brilliant clue to help Hamilton begin to chase leads in this fabulously twisted tale of friendships taken to the extreme. This is one group of friends you will be glad YOU didn’t meet at university!!

Tara has a distinctive modern voice and writing style that grabs your attention from the start, entangling you in her story. At times it feels like she is a friend narrating a creepy tale over a gossipy coffee and that’s what I love about Tara-her distinctive way of cranking up the tension!

This is definitely my favourite of her books so far and I love the way Denis Hamilton is developing. I’m happy to call myself a fan of both Denis AND Tara and look forward to more dark and twisty chills and thrills from them both in the near future!

[Shell Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Those of you that follow me will know that I am a big fan of DI Hamilton and couldn't wait to get stuck into the third instalment Deadly Friendship. Unfortunately for me life has got in the way and I haven't had chance to share my thoughts with you until now.

Has always the story starts off with a bang Tara certainly knows how to grab the reader from the Prologue.and what a prologue it is told from the killer's point of view….OMG I love it.

Moving on to chapter one DI Hamilton is enjoying a break at lake Windermere. He is soon dragged into a murder investigation when he comes across a murder scene and a handwritten note with a woman's name on it found inside a corpse! Meanwhile, four friends with strained relationships, are reunited. What past event do they want to keep buried and is there something linking them to the murders?

Although this is part of a series it can easily be read has a standalone with plenty of background information. DI Hamilton is a likeable realistic character with a brilliant sense of humor in fact there is nothing not to like about him. Having read the previous two novels I feel like I am really getting to know him now.

Tara’s writing skills have come on leaps and bounds and this is shown throughout the story. She has certainly found her writing style. I love the descriptions of the setting making me feel right there in the story.

Deadly Friendship will have you guessing until the end with plenty of twists and turns.

I highly recommend it giving it 4 stars with No safe Home still being a firm favourite of mine. Looking forward to the next book now.

[Caz C Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even on holiday in the Lake District, Detective Inspector Denis Hamilton cannot escape crime when during a boat trip on Lake Windermere a murdered body is found

| Introduction |

A woman is doomed to die when she finds out her friend’s darkest secret. Whilst she exhales her last breath, the killer says “I was your friend. I was your lover.”

Is it fate following DI Hamilton to his holiday residence in Cumbria? He cannot understand why the local police are not securing the crime scene, but when the victim is examined, it seems there is a paper with a name in his mouth: Donna Moran. Who is Donna Moran and why is she connected to this murdered man? He knows he should focus on enjoying his holiday, but he would not be Denis Hamilton if he did not call his team in London to ask for information.

| Storyline |

Detective Sergeant Kerry Fraser plunges into the life of the victim, the late Warren Speed, a London based reality TV star. However, DI Hamilton is more interested in Donna Moran, the name on the note, who must somehow be connected to the victim. Two years ago, Donna, a student at Brunel University, spent a weekend with her friends in the Lake District, exactly where Warren’s corpse was found. Donna went missing since and her case was investigated by the London Met so DI Hamilton feels this suffices to take over the investigation into Warren’s murder. Time to get the rest of the team up to date: his partner, DS Lewis Clarke, and the two new members DS Yasmine Dixon and Detective Constable Robbie O’Connor – also known as Rocky. DI Hamilton finds it important to get to know the people he works with to build a strong, reliable team whose members can depend on one another. That is why he has told them about the tragic suicide of his daughter, due to being cyber bullied.

Something is up with one of the team members but apart from the pervading sense of menace, we are not sure what. Meanwhile, the investigation focusses on Donna Wilson, why she went missing and what could have happened. As you would expect, DI Hamilton empathises with Donna’s mother and promises he will do all he can. But time is running out, the trace to Donna’s whereabouts (be she dead or alive) is now stone cold and all they have are the other members of the group of friends from two years ago: Felicity, Warren’s fiancée, Holly, Calvin and Todd. The group of friends, tied by events from the past, have no idea why Warren would go back to the place they were two years ago. Would Warren’s secretary know and where is she, by the way? As the plot thickens and DI Hamilton is nowhere near finding Donna, we are inside the murderer’s head and listen to the observations. The murderer is desperate to know what happened to Donna and as the killer’s gruesome method becomes apparent, we fear more murders will take place …

| My Thoughts |

I love the DI Hamilton series and I love Denis Hamilton, who he is and how he motivates his team – Tara Lyons has created a strong and yet vulnerable character. Deadly Friendship is a detective novel with that perfect combination I love: an intricate plot, a perception of the murderer’s motivation adding to the creepiness of the thriller, and an insight into the personal lives of the police team. Tara Lyons has so well described the scenes that you can easily picture Rocky’s infectious enthusiasm, Hamilton’s fears and regrets, just to name a few things. The author has stepped up with this third instalment and kept me guessing throughout. I think it is admirable that Tara Lyons does not shy away from social problems but instead, addresses them in her crime thrillers. I very much enjoyed reading Deadly Friendship, it was a pleasure to reconnect with DI Hamilton and his team in this fast-paced thriller that keeps you guessing until the shocking ending!

Read the review on my website:https://www.bitsaboutbooks.net/deadly...

[Susan Hampson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well what should have been a welcome family break for DI Denis Hamilton, his wife and mother at Lake Windermere, turns into a ‘bus man’s’ holiday for him when a dead body makes a sudden appearance. He is soon taking notes, names of people there and securing the area as best he can. Someone in the crowd is non too happy though, they were not expecting a London DI to be one of the first on the scene with all his knowledge and skills, instead of the local police that weren’t use to dealing with murder scenes.
When the name of a woman is found on a slip of paper inside the victims mouth, her name is soon tracked down to be a missing person from two years ago. She had disappeared from this area with no trace of whether she was alive or dead. The case is soon linked back to London. DI Hamilton wastes no time in asking to take the case over and gathers his team, well DS Lewis Clarke and two newbies, to find out what link there could be between both cases.
Oh boy I so felt for his wife and mother as there are some jobs that you are never really off duty from. Just love DI Hamilton, he is just so cool, totally organised and focused but a man who has known tragedy in his own life. While others concentrate on the recent death of victim, DI Hamilton sets too, to find out more about the ‘missing woman’ and her connection to the dead man.
Tara Lyons has brought yet another cracking story to the table. There is nothing that I like better than being in the dark mind of the murderer. The control they show to the world while inside they are raging and festering. I had not got a clue who the killer was in the story until the end. There was so much going on, so many twists in this group that threw me. The cat is well and truly set amongst the pigeons, if they all have to die then so be it! The clock is ticking for another victim and another.
At 216 pages it makes a cracking well compacted pacey story from the start to finish. This could be read as a stand alone but it is number three in the DI Hamilton series. The core characters are becoming more solid with each of the books, just love finding out more about them all as time goes on.

[Ashley Gillan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing. I read it as a standalone and had no problems connecting with the characters or story.

This book combines present-day murders with a mystery from the past, which collide when members of a group of college friends begin to die. Most of the action takes place in the present, but the author does a great job of drawing you into the mystery, wondering what happened as well as what's going on now.

I did not see the ending coming. It's really very brilliantly done and it's creepy as heck. The villain in this story is very scary and is drawn perfectly by the author.

I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be looking for others in this series. DI Hamilton and his team are really interesting and draw the reader into the series. I'd like to see more of them.

Highly recommended

[Alan Cotterell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Almost 5 stars

Very good story well worth reading. Different ethnic characters to most detective serie. Works well . I lost track of who was who part way through, probably me rather than the way it wss written. I am looking forward to reading the first 2 books and any future episodes. I downloaded the first book this morning.

[Sue Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deadly Friendship by Tara Lyons.
Dennis Hamilton is on a weekend break with his wife and mother. They are on a boat going across lake windermere when there are shocked gasps from the other passengers. As they near the dock he sees a hand tied to the gate. A dead body. Tied to a missing person on a patch in London. Will he catch the murderer?
An absolutely fantastic read with brilliant characters. I was hooked from page one. Trying to guess who it was. I was stumped and shocked by who it was. Can't wait for next part. 5*.

[M.A. Comley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third book in the DI Hamilton series. The other books in the series I gave five stars to and although I really enjoyed this book, I felt there was just something missing but I can't put my finger on what.

It begins in beautiful Cumbria with a victim of a murder, during the post-mortem the pathologist finds a note in the woman's mouth which leads to a mystery from the past concerning a group of college friends.

Who can you really trust?

Tara's characterisation is faultless as usual. A great mystery all the same.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read and reviewed both of the previous books in this series and absolutely loved them. If you would like a quick refresher then please click here for my In the Shadows review (book #1) and here for my No Safe Home review (book #2). So there was a significant amount of expectation and pressure in starting the third book in the series. And I wasn’t disappointed.

I have a real soft spot for DI Denis Hamilton. The more we discover about this character, the more I like him. He is different to my usual damaged detectives but that doesn’t mean that tragedy hasn’t touched his life. There is a heartbreaking back story there but it is fully explained if you are new to this series. I also enjoyed the way in which DI Hamilton was immediately thrown into the investigation despite being on holiday in the Lake District with his wife and mother. Hamilton is a dedicated member of the force and a little bit of R&R won’t get in the way of an intriguing case.

The members of his team once again shone through, each one individual and with their own foibles. I was desperate to know more about DS Kerry Fraser after the last book and Lyons has given a sneak preview into her home life which I hope will be expanded on in the next book. DS Yasmine Dixon is a new addition to the team and I found myself feeling surprising cagey towards her. I can’t quite explain why that is but I hope to warm to her over time (although at one point I thought she was one of the poor red jersey wearing ensigns in Star Trek! If you’re a tragic nerd like me then you may get what I mean, lol).

I really enjoyed the plot of this book; it felt more ‘my thing’ than a number of other police procedurals I have read of late. By that I mean there is a rather twisted serial killer out to exact revenge on a tight-knit group of friends.

One thing I will say about this author’s books is that she knows how to write a cracking prologue. I can clearly remember the early scenes set by the author in No Safe Home and I must have read that book over six months ago now. Once again, Tara Lyons gave me chills with her dramatic opening scene and I flipping loved it!

Would I recommend this book? I would but, as always with a series, try to start with the first book. You won’t lose anything by diving straight in with book three (it works well as a standalone) but it really adds to the reading experience, and they’re brilliant books! Tara Lyons gets better with each book which makes Deadly Friendship my favourite of the series, so far.

Five out of five stars.

I chose to read and review an eARC of Deadly Friendship. The above review is my own unbiased opinion.

[Books 'n' All Promotions · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars
This is book 3 in the DI Denis Hamilton series and although the books work very well as stand alone the characters have developed during the previous books so readers’ may find it advantageous to have read the previous books.
Denis and his wife are on holiday when they become entangled in a murder case. Denis being Denis has to get involved and when investigations throw up a link to a missing person case on his home turf he fights for full control of the cases.
This book sees the newer members of the team come more into the limelight and their individual skills become more apparent as their characters develop and we learn more about their personal lives.
The team is made up of very realistic characters who all work together very well and help each other in every way which is what I envisage a team of detectives to be like. I was very impressed with the way Denis encouraged them to go with their instincts with very good results.
The story is very complex and involves many strands intertwining with issues a many to sort out. Jealousy, infatuation, sexuality, bullying and many more emotional issues come in to play in this fast paced story that keeps the reader hanging on until the very end which is a complete shocker.
Absolutely brilliant book and I thank Bloodhound Books for the opportunity to read an advance copy.

Merged review:

My Rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars

This is book 3 in the DI Denis Hamilton series and although the books work very well as stand alone the characters have developed during the previous books so readers' may find it advantageous to have read the previous books.

Denis and his wife are on holiday when they become entangled in a murder case. Denis being Denis has to get involved and when investigations throw up a link to a missing person case on his home turf he fights for full control of the cases.

This books sees the newer members of the team come more into the limelight and their individual skills become more apparent as their characters develop and we learn more about their personal lives.

The team is made up of very realistic characters who all work together very well and help each other in every way which is what I envisage a team of detectives to be like. I was very impressed with the way Denis encouraged them to go with their instincts with very good results.

The story is very complex and involves many strands intertwining with issues a many to sort out. Jealousy, infatuation, sexuality, bullying and many more emotional issues come in to play in this fast paced story that keeps the reader hanging on until the very end which is a complete shocker.

Absolutely brilliant book and I thank Bloodhound Books for the opportunity to read an advance copy.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Does a policeman ever switch off and behave like a normal human being?? It would appear Denis Hamilton doesn’t even when he’s on holiday with his wife and mother in the Lakes. He just can’t help himself, getting involved in a murder case that’s well out of his stomping ground.

I do love Ms Lyons’ writing style. I find the stories totally capture me and I’m transported right into the thick of the action, interviewing suspects, walking crime scenes! I was totally addicted to Deadly Friendship, desperate to know what happened to Disappearing Donna and who was killing off the university friends one by one!

Despite this being the third in the Denis Hamilton series, you really don’t need to have read the previous novels – you can jump straight in and enjoy this one for what it is, a dark twisty turny crime thriller that’ll keep you guessing!

I loved the flash backs to the university days – yes I was the one who loved the cheesy nights at the local nightclubs. The student lifestyle was bang on in the reminiscing though I was not a fan of snakebite! I was more a cider girl back then!

I really did not see the ending coming – I was led right up the proverbial garden path with my suspect list!! A sign of an excellent crime novel!

Big thanks to Bloodhound Books for my copy of Deadly Friendship.

[Mark Tilbury · Rating 5 out of 5]

DI Hamilton is back in this, the third book in the series. After a traumatic event in his family, and whilst getting to know new members of his team, Hamilton is thrown into a new investigation whilst on a break in the Lake District.

If you like getting your teeth into criminal investigations and working through the truth and lies told to you by the characters, then this is the book for you. Tara has done another great job of gathering together a great cast of characters and leading me down a number of blind alleys, before reaching a conclusion I didn't see coming.

The group of friends who seem to be hiding something from police are a mixed bag of personalities who didn't really make me feel any sympathy for them because of how they treat each other. Hamilton's team work well together and I especially liked Rocky who is new and trying to be accepted by Hamilton.

Another great addition to this series, and I look forward to the next!

[Kelly (purplebookstand) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deadly Friendship

I'm ashamed to say that although this is the third book in the DI Hamilton series, it's my first encounter with the series and it read great as a standalone. I do plan on reading the first two though on the back of this one, it was brilliant!

I really enjoyed the storyline and the characters were strong, interesting and realistic. I loved this book, it was a proper page turner that I easily became absorbed in, and really can't wait to read the first two...or number four!!! Five stars from purplebookstand!

[Donna Maguire · Rating 5 out of 5]

https://donnasbookblog.wordpress.com/...

I have read all three books in this series and loved them all (I gave each of the books five stars).  For me they were excellent at the outset and Tara has managed to maintain that high standard through in to this third book – that is not easy to do and doesn’t always happen!

I thought that this book was very, very good, I didn’t want to put it down and I did the classic, just one more chapter until before I know it I was over 80% through and well, when you are that far in you might as well just finish it!  DI Denis Hamilton is a great character and lead, the relationship that he has with his team is spot on – I love how he gets his teeth in to a case (a bit like a dog with a bone) and the determination that he shows to get the cases resolved make the books very hard to put down!  Loved it!!

Merged review:

https://donnasbookblog.wordpress.com/...

I have read all three books in this series and loved them all (I gave each of the books five stars).  For me they were excellent at the outset and Tara has managed to maintain that high standard through in to this third book – that is not easy to do and doesn’t always happen!

I thought that this book was very, very good, I didn’t want to put it down and I did the classic, just one more chapter until before I know it I was over 80% through and well, when you are that far in you might as well just finish it!  DI Denis Hamilton is a great character and lead, the relationship that he has with his team is spot on – I love how he gets his teeth in to a case (a bit like a dog with a bone) and the determination that he shows to get the cases resolved make the books very hard to put down!  Loved it!!

[Best Crime Books & More · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed book 2 featuring Denis Hamilton and was thrilled to get my hands on an early review copy of book 3. DI Hamilton is on holiday with his wife Elizabeth when lo and behold he stumbles across a murder scene. Denis being the type of man he is, decides to give the local police a helping hand. As his holiday quickly turns to a distant memory it becomes clear than Denis wants this case for himself and his team. Lucklily his boss pulls some strings and before you know it their wish is granted.

The dead man was a relatively well known celebrity Warren Speed. The discovery of his body uncovers the dissapearance of a close friend of his in the same spot some a couple of years prior to his body being found. That gives the team two angles to work with. It was lovely to see the return of Hamilton's team all of whom are quickly becoming integrated in my mind as one unit. Rocky, Fraser and Clarke return along with the newest member Dixon. The interaction between the team was what made this book for me, and the storyline a close second. Now I know that sounds strange but for me it's crucial that your become involved with all the characters and this third book in the series encompasses all that I want from a book like this.

Although the main storyline focuses on the what starts with the death of Warren Speed, I also liked the sub plots that appear and it keeps the book fresh and interesting. Hamilton is a character I am quickly becoming quite attached to and I love how close the team are and they all have their place firmly in this series in my mind.

[Teresa Nikolic · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book in the DI Hamilton series but can easily be read as a standalone.

This one brings Denis to the Lake District where he is visiting his mum, when the river boat they are travelling on makes a gruesome discovery; a body hanging in the lake. During examination forensics find a note inside the mouth of the corpse bearing a woman's name, who is she and what is the link between the two?

When DI Hamilton discovers there is more to this case than meets the eye, he realises he needs to act fast before more lives are taken.

It took me a while to read Deadly Friendship but that was only because real life got in the way, every time I managed to pick up my kindle I was sucked headfirst into this story and felt like I was living the nightmare myself. The twist, when it came, made my jaw literally drop and I sat there for ages just staring at the words on the page in disbelief, I was gobsmacked.

Tara Lyons has fast become an extremely credible crime thriller author and all three books in this series are amazing. I was blown away by her first two books and didn't think they could get any better but I was wrong, this lady is definitely one to watch!

I loved this latest instalment in the series and hope to see more of DI Hamilton and his team. I will post my review on Goodreads now and on Amazon on publication day. A very worthy 5 stars.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

With this being the third installment in the D.I. Denis Hamilton series, I was a little worried that I wouldn't be able to completely keep up with the characters. Well, DEADLY FRIENDSHIP by Tara Lyons can definitely be read as a standalone novel. It was a great crime read that had the past and present collide in the middle of an investigation.

Detective Inspector Denis Hamilton gets involved in a another gruesome murder investigation with on his annual vacation to Lake Windermere. Upon his arrival, there is a body found chained to the dock where he his landing - a handwritten note is found inside the corpse. When they find a direct link between this woman and London, Hamilton is in a race against the clock to find the concrete connection before more bodies turn up!

As this is occurring, we meet four friends that are reunited, despite their strained relationships, because of events from their past. Are they somehow linked to these murders? Denis Hamilton begins to question everyone and who he can really trust in this investigation which culminates into a page turning thriller! I can't go into too much more detail, wouldn't want to spoil everything for you.

Lyons does an incredible job with these characters. Even though this is my first book in the D.I. Denis Hamilton series, I didn't feel lost in the characters - him or his team. The pacing of this novel kept me turning the pages and I read this in only a couple sittings (within the same day). I am definitely going to be getting books 1 and 2 to see what investigations that I have missed.

This can definitely be read as a standalone - Lyons' writing is great and it leaves you wanting more. I can't wait for the next installment.

I give this 4.5/5 stars! (rounded up for rating)

A big thanks to Bloodhound Books for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion and for including me on their blog tour!

[Marion · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deadly Friendship is the third book in the D.I. Hamilton series, which is a new one to me. Although I read it as a standalone I found it worked very well.
A body is found tied to a boat house gate on Lake Windermere. D.I. Hamilton is on a short break with his wife visiting his mother who lives in the Lake District. Having just been on a boat trip he is present at the discovery. A hand written note, bearing a woman's name, is found in the mouth of the corpse.
The local force don't appear to be very efficient and Hamilton feels he needs to be involved although he is due to return to London. He determines to discover who the named woman is and what is her involvement with the murdered man.
This book moves along at a rapid pace with many twists and turns, links to an old missing persons case and more killings.
The characters are interesting and the story is expertly told. I certainly didn't guess the outcome.
I really enjoyed the book and will certainly be making sure to read the first two books in this series so I'm fully up to date with all the characters before the fourth book is published.
Thanks to Bloodhound books for this arc, a definite 5stars from me.

[Kath Middleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

DI Hamilton is on a holiday weekend in the Lake District but he can’t escape work. He’s there when a body is discovered. This leads to the reopening of a case from the Met, his own area, and he investigates a group of friends, who all seem to be covering something up.

As one of the characters says, some friendships can be toxic. We have two narrators here, one of whom is the killer. Felicity is one of the first of this group that we meet and she’s not a sympathetic character. Some of the others aren’t nice people either, so we’re spoilt for choice as to who we finger for the murderer! The pace is nicely judged and the ending a surprise, but not an incredible stretch of a surprise. It’s the third in a series but I’ve not read the others and it stands alone very well. I also really enjoyed having a DI who wasn’t a maverick, breaking the rules to get to the results – a likable and believable character. Altogether, a great read.

[Julie Lacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book especially how it started in Ambleside and then moved back to London.
Hamilton witnesses a murder while on a weekend break and finds it has a link to a missing persons
case in London.
Loved how the author brings aspects of all the different characters out and I really felt connected with Hamilton and his team.
This is a great 'who-dunnit' and I was kept guessing the whole way through.
This is the first I've read of this series and plan to read the other two books now.
Thanks to Bloodhound Books for sending me this book to read and review.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a wonderful followup to the previous two DI Hamilton books. This author has hit a stride in her writing and has come up with some likable characters that you'll want to follow in this series. Like the other books before, there are similar twists and turns as Hamilton and his team tear into the suspects, taking apart each one of their alibis until they are left with the truth. And you'll be fascinated by the story that's woven throughout the pages of this book. If you liked the other two books, you'll want to pick this one up too!

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

All I can say is, WOW, this series just gets better and better. I was on the edge of my seat throughout, lots of twists and turns and I never seen that ending coming. A brilliantly written book and can't wait for the next.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good book in the series. This based partly up in the beautiful Lake District. Murders taking place seem to be linked to a disappearance that happened years previously. I'm really enjoying the characters in this series and look forward to the next book

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series seems to get better with each book . An amazing story and brilliant characters that are fast becoming like family . I look forward to the next book in this series

[Sean · Rating 5 out of 5]

review to come with blogtour

[Between The Pages (Gemma M) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Secrets always lead to trouble…
Deadly Friendship is book three in the DI Hamilton series and I am loving this series. This story had me intrigued and hooked just from the prologue. It is safe to say that I devoured this book! I enjoyed every minute of this book and it was lovely to be back with DI Hamilton and his team. Deadly Friendship does read well as a standalone but if you’re like me you’ll probably want to read the series in order anyway. This story is easy to read, written brilliantly and fast paced. I couldn’t put it down. It held my attention till the very last page. I did not figure out the plot at all and did not expect the outcome. WOW. I would highly recommend this story to you all if you haven’t read it already. This series is one to keep your eye on. Brilliant. A well deserved five stars from me, I can’t wait to see what lies ahead for Hamilton and his team in this series