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Next to Die
Bobbi caught a glimpse of the car, saw the blood splashed across the front seats, and felt the nausea rise up. It should have been her who was working last night, not Harriet. It should have been her.
When a social worker is brutally murdered, Detectives Mike Nelson and Lena Overton are straight on the scene. But with a long list of potential suspects, can they work out who’s next before the killer strikes again?
It’s Lake Haven’s first murder in eighteen years, and the community is terrified – especially Bobbi, who was not only supposed to be on duty that night, but also has the same long dark hair as Harriet and drives the same blue car. Now Bobbi lives in constant fear that the murderer will be back for her…
When Mike and Lena make a link to a missing-persons case and uncover a wide-spread grudge against social services, they know they’re close to uncovering the killer – but can they connect the last few dots and stop him before he takes another victim?
When a social worker is brutally murdered, Detectives Mike Nelson and Lena Overton are straight on the scene. But with a long list of potential suspects, can they work out who’s next before the killer strikes again?
It’s Lake Haven’s first murder in eighteen years, and the community is terrified – especially Bobbi, who was not only supposed to be on duty that night, but also has the same long dark hair as Harriet and drives the same blue car. Now Bobbi lives in constant fear that the murderer will be back for her…
When Mike and Lena make a link to a missing-persons case and uncover a wide-spread grudge against social services, they know they’re close to uncovering the killer – but can they connect the last few dots and stop him before he takes another victim?
344 pages, Paperback
First published February 13, 2018
About the author
T.J. Brearton
43 books401 followersTimothy James Brearton lives in the Adirondack Mountains with his wife and three children. He's loved thrillers and police stories for most of his life. HABIT follows broken cop Brendan Healy down the rabbit hole of a human trafficking conspiracy. DEAD GONE delivers Florida cop Tom Lange into a criminal underworld and THE KILLING TIME introduces FBI agent Shannon Ames, a country girl in the big city.
http://tjbrearton.net/about
http://tjbrearton.net/about
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
February 16, 2018
4 Who done it? Stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟
This is the sixth book in the North County series..... in general I do not like picking up books in the middle of a series, however this book did work as a standalone.... The only thing I probably missed out on is the connection with the characters.... not sure if Mike and Lena are in previous books (I’ll need to check out the blurbs of the previous books).....
The book starts out with the murder of a woman who works for child protective services..... is it connected to a previous murder of a woman in the same line of work? Is it a case of mistaken identity? Is it her son? This book definitely did not have a shortage of suspects..... i’d have to say the author did a really good job of keeping things complicated, but simple..... The book went in a lot of different directions, yet I was never lost or confused.... additionally I found the ending very plausible and satisfying... even though I didn’t necessarily see it coming....
Where the book fell just a little short for me was with the characters.... I would’ve liked even more backstory when it came to Mike and Lena.... now this could be because this is the sixth book and I missed that in the previous books.... so that’s really on me.... I do have to say though as a plot driven police procedural (not always my favorite) this book definitely held my attention.....
Recommend to all fans of police procedurals with a very strong plot...
*** thank you so much to the publisher and Net Galley for a copy of this book ***
This is the sixth book in the North County series..... in general I do not like picking up books in the middle of a series, however this book did work as a standalone.... The only thing I probably missed out on is the connection with the characters.... not sure if Mike and Lena are in previous books (I’ll need to check out the blurbs of the previous books).....
The book starts out with the murder of a woman who works for child protective services..... is it connected to a previous murder of a woman in the same line of work? Is it a case of mistaken identity? Is it her son? This book definitely did not have a shortage of suspects..... i’d have to say the author did a really good job of keeping things complicated, but simple..... The book went in a lot of different directions, yet I was never lost or confused.... additionally I found the ending very plausible and satisfying... even though I didn’t necessarily see it coming....
Where the book fell just a little short for me was with the characters.... I would’ve liked even more backstory when it came to Mike and Lena.... now this could be because this is the sixth book and I missed that in the previous books.... so that’s really on me.... I do have to say though as a plot driven police procedural (not always my favorite) this book definitely held my attention.....
Recommend to all fans of police procedurals with a very strong plot...
*** thank you so much to the publisher and Net Galley for a copy of this book ***
February 16, 2018
4☆ A Fab race against time Crime Thriller!
Next to Die is enthralling, Gripping, cat and mouse chase to find the killer.
I have to say this is one of the best openings to a book I've read in ages!.
A brutal murder.
The victim slashed all over, blood splurting everywhere as she sat in her car. No chance of escaping!
Does she know the killer?
How did they get in the car?
Is there a connection?
We meet Detective Lena Overton and
Detective Inspector Mike Nelson.
They are investigating Harriet's murder.
Harriet worked for the DSS as a social worker.
There are several suspects.
Bobbi also works at the DSS with Harriet. There is one connection they both have similar cars and similar appearance. The only difference is Harriet was due to retire and Bobbi is much younger.
Mistaken identity? A possibility!
Mike was a great detective. Not only was he firm but he also had a softer side. He was passionate about his job and it showed the way he viewed evidence and suspects.
He was quick thinking. Once Mike gets an inkling he chomps at the bit to get stuck in.
After the initial shock of the gruesome murder. The story slows down somewhat.
It's not to say it loses momentum or intrigue it just allows the reader to process information. I felt like I was privalaged to information.
One thing we do learn is that on top of the list of suspects, a former DSS employee went missing a while ago and was never found. Is this a coincidence or are the cases linked?
What we do know is none of the evidence links.
Is the killer getting braver?
A race against time to stop the killer before he strikes again!!
Throughout the book you get a chance to delve into the killers mind.
The more information was leaked the more I looked for clues. The more I didn't have a clue.
Next to Die has plenty of lil twists to keep you guessing. It's not the fastest paced book but I did enjoy that as I got to process information.
I really liked the characters. Each one was perfectly placed
I think Brearton done a Fab job at making the police procedures real. You could see there was alot of research and thought put into the detective side.
Overall a Fab crime thriller that kept me on my toes, engaged and enthralled.
Definitely recommend this book.
Thank you to Bookouture for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
My Review is also on my blog website:
https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2018/0...
Next to Die is enthralling, Gripping, cat and mouse chase to find the killer.
I have to say this is one of the best openings to a book I've read in ages!.
A brutal murder.
The victim slashed all over, blood splurting everywhere as she sat in her car. No chance of escaping!
Does she know the killer?
How did they get in the car?
Is there a connection?
We meet Detective Lena Overton and
Detective Inspector Mike Nelson.
They are investigating Harriet's murder.
Harriet worked for the DSS as a social worker.
There are several suspects.
Bobbi also works at the DSS with Harriet. There is one connection they both have similar cars and similar appearance. The only difference is Harriet was due to retire and Bobbi is much younger.
Mistaken identity? A possibility!
Mike was a great detective. Not only was he firm but he also had a softer side. He was passionate about his job and it showed the way he viewed evidence and suspects.
He was quick thinking. Once Mike gets an inkling he chomps at the bit to get stuck in.
After the initial shock of the gruesome murder. The story slows down somewhat.
It's not to say it loses momentum or intrigue it just allows the reader to process information. I felt like I was privalaged to information.
One thing we do learn is that on top of the list of suspects, a former DSS employee went missing a while ago and was never found. Is this a coincidence or are the cases linked?
What we do know is none of the evidence links.
Is the killer getting braver?
A race against time to stop the killer before he strikes again!!
Throughout the book you get a chance to delve into the killers mind.
The more information was leaked the more I looked for clues. The more I didn't have a clue.
Next to Die has plenty of lil twists to keep you guessing. It's not the fastest paced book but I did enjoy that as I got to process information.
I really liked the characters. Each one was perfectly placed
I think Brearton done a Fab job at making the police procedures real. You could see there was alot of research and thought put into the detective side.
Overall a Fab crime thriller that kept me on my toes, engaged and enthralled.
Definitely recommend this book.
Thank you to Bookouture for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
My Review is also on my blog website:
https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2018/0...
February 21, 2018
I hadn’t realized that this was part of a series until I read another review. Don’t worry. It doesn’t make an iota of difference. It works fine as a stand alone.
This is a decent police procedural, although nothing special. It’s got a good premise. A social worker, who’s filling in for someone else, dies. Was she the intended target or the woman who should have been on call? And there’s another social worker that went missing ten months ago. Are the cases connected? Brearton does well keeping the reader confused. There are several suspects but none of them work for all the different scenarios the two detectives are considering.
I didn’t get a real sense of the two detectives. Yes, we get their backstories and there’s definitely interaction and sparks between them. But I just didn’t get the sense of them as three dimensional, full bodied individuals. I had a much better sense of Bobbi, a caseworker and someone involved in the case.
Unfortunately, there are also important parts of the narrative that just didn’t work for me. Things that required big leaps of faith.
So, final judgement, just ok. I can’t say I would seek out the prior books or any to follow.
My thanks to netgalley and Bookouture for a copy of. this book.
This is a decent police procedural, although nothing special. It’s got a good premise. A social worker, who’s filling in for someone else, dies. Was she the intended target or the woman who should have been on call? And there’s another social worker that went missing ten months ago. Are the cases connected? Brearton does well keeping the reader confused. There are several suspects but none of them work for all the different scenarios the two detectives are considering.
I didn’t get a real sense of the two detectives. Yes, we get their backstories and there’s definitely interaction and sparks between them. But I just didn’t get the sense of them as three dimensional, full bodied individuals. I had a much better sense of Bobbi, a caseworker and someone involved in the case.
Unfortunately, there are also important parts of the narrative that just didn’t work for me. Things that required big leaps of faith.
So, final judgement, just ok. I can’t say I would seek out the prior books or any to follow.
My thanks to netgalley and Bookouture for a copy of. this book.
February 14, 2018
When a social worker is brutally murdered, Detectives Mike Nelson and Lena Overton are straight on the scene. There is a long list of potential suspects, will they work out who's next before the killer strikes again? It's Lake Haven's first murder in eighteen years and the community is terrified- especially Bobbi, who was not only supposed to be on duty that night, but also has the same long dark hair as Harriet and drives the same blue car. Now Bobbi lives in constant fear that the murderer will be back for her.
We get both the personal lives that merge into the professional ones. The story is told mainly by Mike and Bobbi's point of view. We also get some of the killers thoughts. There are plenty of twists and turns in this well written book. This book is part of a series but can be read as a standalone. I look forward to reading the next book in this series.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Bookouture and the author T. J. Brearton for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
We get both the personal lives that merge into the professional ones. The story is told mainly by Mike and Bobbi's point of view. We also get some of the killers thoughts. There are plenty of twists and turns in this well written book. This book is part of a series but can be read as a standalone. I look forward to reading the next book in this series.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Bookouture and the author T. J. Brearton for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 11, 2018
4.5 Stars
Detectives Mike Nelson and Lena Overton are called to investigate the brutal slashing murder of a social services worker. She wasn't scheduled to work that night .... she was covering for someone else. Bobbi thinks it should have been her. Their cars are almost identical and except for the difference in age, Bobbi resembles the murdered woman.
Working with children in dysfunctional homes, there are plenty of suspects .... mostly parents outraged that someone should make the decision to remove their children from their homes.
During the course of their investigation, they find that another social worker disappeared a year ago and has never been seen or heard from since. Is this connected to their current case?
And then another social services worker goes missing.....
When Mike and Lena uncover a wide-spread grudge against social services, they know they’re close to uncovering the killer – but can they connect the last few dots and stop him before he takes another victim?
As has been the case with other books by this author, this is a well written crime thriller. There are suspects galore, many with reason to distrust the system that should have helped them, with motives that the detectives will have to sift through. Twists and turns along the way kept this reader intrigued and was hard put to wait to see what happened next.
The characters are finely drawn, with personal lives intruding on professional ones. I would love to see more of the backstory of both detectives. They bring a little relief from the somber business of murder and I enjoyed how they interacted with each other.
Many thanks to the author / Bookouture / Netgalley for the advanced copy of this action packed novel. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
Detectives Mike Nelson and Lena Overton are called to investigate the brutal slashing murder of a social services worker. She wasn't scheduled to work that night .... she was covering for someone else. Bobbi thinks it should have been her. Their cars are almost identical and except for the difference in age, Bobbi resembles the murdered woman.
Working with children in dysfunctional homes, there are plenty of suspects .... mostly parents outraged that someone should make the decision to remove their children from their homes.
During the course of their investigation, they find that another social worker disappeared a year ago and has never been seen or heard from since. Is this connected to their current case?
And then another social services worker goes missing.....
When Mike and Lena uncover a wide-spread grudge against social services, they know they’re close to uncovering the killer – but can they connect the last few dots and stop him before he takes another victim?
As has been the case with other books by this author, this is a well written crime thriller. There are suspects galore, many with reason to distrust the system that should have helped them, with motives that the detectives will have to sift through. Twists and turns along the way kept this reader intrigued and was hard put to wait to see what happened next.
The characters are finely drawn, with personal lives intruding on professional ones. I would love to see more of the backstory of both detectives. They bring a little relief from the somber business of murder and I enjoyed how they interacted with each other.
Many thanks to the author / Bookouture / Netgalley for the advanced copy of this action packed novel. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
February 3, 2018
Next to Die is book 6 in the North Country series... of a series I am not familiar with but I have read a few books by this author. This can be read as a stand alone story..
After working late one night a case worker is killed in her car in the car park. The opening chapter of this book is pretty full on and graphic. It comes to light that the victim was covering at work for Bobbi who was off sick...and looks like and drives a similar car to the dead woman. Is Bobbi going to be next?
This book is a page turner but I found there to be so many characters and I had trouble keeping track of them. Maybe if I had read the previous books this wouldn't have been an issue. It is a great story that gets you in.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for a copy of this book to read in exchange for my honest opinions
After working late one night a case worker is killed in her car in the car park. The opening chapter of this book is pretty full on and graphic. It comes to light that the victim was covering at work for Bobbi who was off sick...and looks like and drives a similar car to the dead woman. Is Bobbi going to be next?
This book is a page turner but I found there to be so many characters and I had trouble keeping track of them. Maybe if I had read the previous books this wouldn't have been an issue. It is a great story that gets you in.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for a copy of this book to read in exchange for my honest opinions
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February 15, 2018Is someone targeting case workers from the Department of Social Services?
Setting -- Lake Haven in the Adirondacks. A DSS worker is stabbed to death in her car outside the office after hours one night. Harriet Fogarty wasn't scheduled to be working that evening, so perhaps Bobbi Noelle, who was meant to be on duty but was home sick, was the intended victim? Things in the small town heat up pretty quickly as Detectives Mike Nelson from the New York State Police and Detective Lena Overton with the Lake Haven Police start to work the case.
But there is a lot more going on in Lake Haven. Suspects are identified and the investigation painstakingly plods along as more questions are raised than answers can be found. There are parallel plots and it is all quite complex. Red herrings abound, but most astute readers will figure out where this is going though it takes a long while to get there. There are so many characters that sometimes the names all became a jumble and they were all very superficially constructed. The main character of Bobbi narrates part of the story as it alternates between her and Detective Mike. There's also a romantic element for both of those two (not with each other) that really didn't add anything to the forward movement of the plot.
This works find as a standalone though I've read others in the series. I enjoyed it but it seemed like it took a lot of pages to get to the denouement and the final showdown when all was revealed. I'll definitely read more by this author.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book ARC to read and review.
Setting -- Lake Haven in the Adirondacks. A DSS worker is stabbed to death in her car outside the office after hours one night. Harriet Fogarty wasn't scheduled to be working that evening, so perhaps Bobbi Noelle, who was meant to be on duty but was home sick, was the intended victim? Things in the small town heat up pretty quickly as Detectives Mike Nelson from the New York State Police and Detective Lena Overton with the Lake Haven Police start to work the case.
But there is a lot more going on in Lake Haven. Suspects are identified and the investigation painstakingly plods along as more questions are raised than answers can be found. There are parallel plots and it is all quite complex. Red herrings abound, but most astute readers will figure out where this is going though it takes a long while to get there. There are so many characters that sometimes the names all became a jumble and they were all very superficially constructed. The main character of Bobbi narrates part of the story as it alternates between her and Detective Mike. There's also a romantic element for both of those two (not with each other) that really didn't add anything to the forward movement of the plot.
This works find as a standalone though I've read others in the series. I enjoyed it but it seemed like it took a lot of pages to get to the denouement and the final showdown when all was revealed. I'll definitely read more by this author.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book ARC to read and review.
March 16, 2019
NEXT TO DIE is book 6 in the North Country Crime Thriller Series, by T. J. Brearton, but can easily be read as a standalone story.
Bobbi caught a glimpse of the car, saw the blood splashed across the front seats, and felt the nausea rise up. It should have been her who was working last night, not Harriet. It should have been her.
Bobbi and Harriet resemble each other with their long black hair and both drives the same blue car.
Detectives Mike Nelson and Lena Overton were called to the crime scene of a social worker who had been viciously murdered. This is the first murder at Lake Haven in eighteen years, and community is on edge.
Bobbi, was supposed to be on duty that night, and now is in fear that the murderer will be back for her.
But Mike and Lena soon make the discovery of a link to a missing-persons case and uncover a resentment against social services. It is a race against time to solve the puzzle and apprehend the killer… before he takes another victim.
A well written crime thriller with ample twists and turns to keep the reader engaged.
Many thanks to the author, Bookouture via Netgalley for my digital copy.
Bobbi caught a glimpse of the car, saw the blood splashed across the front seats, and felt the nausea rise up. It should have been her who was working last night, not Harriet. It should have been her.
Bobbi and Harriet resemble each other with their long black hair and both drives the same blue car.
Detectives Mike Nelson and Lena Overton were called to the crime scene of a social worker who had been viciously murdered. This is the first murder at Lake Haven in eighteen years, and community is on edge.
Bobbi, was supposed to be on duty that night, and now is in fear that the murderer will be back for her.
But Mike and Lena soon make the discovery of a link to a missing-persons case and uncover a resentment against social services. It is a race against time to solve the puzzle and apprehend the killer… before he takes another victim.
A well written crime thriller with ample twists and turns to keep the reader engaged.
Many thanks to the author, Bookouture via Netgalley for my digital copy.
February 12, 2018
When a social worker is found brutally murdered in her car, investigators have a long list of suspects and questions. Why would anyone want Harriet dead? Does it have to do with her job? Is there another reason someone wanted her out of the way? Or was it a case of mistaken identity and did the wrong person die? The murder has left the small town of Lake Haven reeling as nothing like this has happened in almost two decades.
Well now, if you’re looking for something that will have you guessing until the end, then this is it. I had no idea where this tale was going at all. Dead ends, twists, red herrings … I mean, never mind investigators having a long list of suspects. I had NO suspects whatsoever! Not even the tiniest clue! If I’d been a detective, they would have asked for my badge and probably wondered how I made it through the detective exams in the first place. Luckily Detectives Nelson and Overton are on the case, on the hunt for a killer before get a chance to strike again.
I can’t say I warmed all too much to the various characters but the plot was so utterly gripping that I didn’t care. Not having a particular character to root for didn’t ruin my enjoyment of this thrilling story at all. Just goes to show that your dislike of characters isn’t always the be all and end all of a book. When a plot is as compelling as this one, you’ll keep reading regardless. Lesson learned.
Not only is this a murder investigation but Next To Die also highlights a topic I never really gave much thought. How much danger do social workers put themselves in on a daily basis to keep children safe? Thought-provoking for sure and I always love it when a story makes me learn something new or makes me think.
This is another fantastic, thrilling and suspenseful book by T.J. Brearton. Personally, I feel it’s his best one yet and I look forward to whatever is next.
Well now, if you’re looking for something that will have you guessing until the end, then this is it. I had no idea where this tale was going at all. Dead ends, twists, red herrings … I mean, never mind investigators having a long list of suspects. I had NO suspects whatsoever! Not even the tiniest clue! If I’d been a detective, they would have asked for my badge and probably wondered how I made it through the detective exams in the first place. Luckily Detectives Nelson and Overton are on the case, on the hunt for a killer before get a chance to strike again.
I can’t say I warmed all too much to the various characters but the plot was so utterly gripping that I didn’t care. Not having a particular character to root for didn’t ruin my enjoyment of this thrilling story at all. Just goes to show that your dislike of characters isn’t always the be all and end all of a book. When a plot is as compelling as this one, you’ll keep reading regardless. Lesson learned.
Not only is this a murder investigation but Next To Die also highlights a topic I never really gave much thought. How much danger do social workers put themselves in on a daily basis to keep children safe? Thought-provoking for sure and I always love it when a story makes me learn something new or makes me think.
This is another fantastic, thrilling and suspenseful book by T.J. Brearton. Personally, I feel it’s his best one yet and I look forward to whatever is next.
February 7, 2018
I was intrigued by the synopsis of this story and decided to give it a go. I wasn’t disappointed.
Bobbi Noelle is devastated when her co-worker Harriet is murdered. She’s terrified as she believes that she was meant to be the target.
Detectives Mike Nelson and Leva Overton need to find the killer before he strikes again. They’ve got their hands full as there’s quite a few suspects.
I found this to be a well thought out and well written story. I’ll definitely be reading more from this author.
Bobbi Noelle is devastated when her co-worker Harriet is murdered. She’s terrified as she believes that she was meant to be the target.
Detectives Mike Nelson and Leva Overton need to find the killer before he strikes again. They’ve got their hands full as there’s quite a few suspects.
I found this to be a well thought out and well written story. I’ll definitely be reading more from this author.
January 29, 2018
Another book by this author, Dead Gone, I read a while back and liked it a lot. So when I got the chance to read an advance copy of this one (thank you, Bookouture and NetGalley), of course I jumped at the chance. It's No. 6 in the author's North Country series and I haven't read any of the others - but not to worry; it stands alone just fine.
At the heart of this one is finding what may be a serial killer before he (or she) strikes again. Early on, a child services worker in Lake Haven, New York, is found dead in her car in the agency parking lot - the victim of an unusually brutal knife attack. No evidence was left behind, but co-worker Bobbi Noelle has reason to suspect that she may have been the killer's real target (they look somewhat alike, drive similar cars and the victim had been covering for Bobbi the night she was murdered). Local and state police detectives Mike Nelson and Lena Overton begin an investigation that includes Harriet's no-good estranged brother and Bobbi's ex-boyfriend Jamie, but with almost no clues to work with and a ton of different characters (which, BTW, made it a little hard for me to keep track as well), identifying the culprit seems hopeless.
The chase gains some legs when Mike and Lena learn of another caseworker who went missing, but the trail of that decade-old case has long gone cold. Maybe, just maybe, the killer has a "thing" for social services workers; but in any event, time is of the essence. Will they find the killer in time, or will Bobbi be the [ahem!] next to die?
Nope. No way will you get the answer from me. Good story, good writing, good book worth reading.
At the heart of this one is finding what may be a serial killer before he (or she) strikes again. Early on, a child services worker in Lake Haven, New York, is found dead in her car in the agency parking lot - the victim of an unusually brutal knife attack. No evidence was left behind, but co-worker Bobbi Noelle has reason to suspect that she may have been the killer's real target (they look somewhat alike, drive similar cars and the victim had been covering for Bobbi the night she was murdered). Local and state police detectives Mike Nelson and Lena Overton begin an investigation that includes Harriet's no-good estranged brother and Bobbi's ex-boyfriend Jamie, but with almost no clues to work with and a ton of different characters (which, BTW, made it a little hard for me to keep track as well), identifying the culprit seems hopeless.
The chase gains some legs when Mike and Lena learn of another caseworker who went missing, but the trail of that decade-old case has long gone cold. Maybe, just maybe, the killer has a "thing" for social services workers; but in any event, time is of the essence. Will they find the killer in time, or will Bobbi be the [ahem!] next to die?
Nope. No way will you get the answer from me. Good story, good writing, good book worth reading.
February 3, 2018
I must start by saying why have I not heard of this author before now? I AM GUTTED! What a brilliant author and story, I feel like I have missed out massively now on his previous stories but never mind, I will catch up. A new favourite author to look forward too.
Anyway, woah! What a brilliant opening to this story even if it is a little dark and full on. It just pulls the reader straight in and then you’re trapped till you’ve finished, sorry. I found it a fast paced, easy read but some chapters were a bit too long for my liking. But it is a bloody brilliant story with an action packed, explosive ending that will make your jaw drop. I awarded a well deserved four stars.
A cleverly written story and plot! I did not expect the outcome at all, a true shocker. This story has made me realise how cr*p I would actually be at solving cases! I would highly recommend Next To Die to you all!
Anyway, woah! What a brilliant opening to this story even if it is a little dark and full on. It just pulls the reader straight in and then you’re trapped till you’ve finished, sorry. I found it a fast paced, easy read but some chapters were a bit too long for my liking. But it is a bloody brilliant story with an action packed, explosive ending that will make your jaw drop. I awarded a well deserved four stars.
A cleverly written story and plot! I did not expect the outcome at all, a true shocker. This story has made me realise how cr*p I would actually be at solving cases! I would highly recommend Next To Die to you all!
February 23, 2018
The slaughter of a child protective services case worker in the office parking lot shocks a tranquil upstate NY town. Another case worker (Bobbi) with a creepy ex goes on high alert, thinking the intended victim was actually herself. A police investigation uncovers shady characters everywhere, even the victim's brother.
Along the way, two investigators find one another, Bobbi struggles with commitment issues, and a connection is made to a previous case worker's murder.
Who's next? What's the beef against these case workers, and will the investigation catch up with the killer in time to save a life?
Truth told, the reader might not care very much. The story is interesting enough, but fairly easy to put down and forget for a while. Disclaimer: I hadn't read a single book in the series until this one. It's likely that readers familiar with series characters will be suitably impressed with and absorbed by Next to Die. For the rest of us, though -- not likely.
My rating is 3 1/2 stars, and I'm happy to check out the next book in the series, should Brearton write one.
Along the way, two investigators find one another, Bobbi struggles with commitment issues, and a connection is made to a previous case worker's murder.
Who's next? What's the beef against these case workers, and will the investigation catch up with the killer in time to save a life?
Truth told, the reader might not care very much. The story is interesting enough, but fairly easy to put down and forget for a while. Disclaimer: I hadn't read a single book in the series until this one. It's likely that readers familiar with series characters will be suitably impressed with and absorbed by Next to Die. For the rest of us, though -- not likely.
My rating is 3 1/2 stars, and I'm happy to check out the next book in the series, should Brearton write one.
February 17, 2018
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I am a fan of this author and have read quite a few of his books now and I have to say that they have all been really enjoyable reads - so as soon as I saw that this book, his latest was being released I knew it was one that I would want to read!
I thought that Mike Nelson and Lena Overton were great characters and I loved the relationship that they had, it really helped carry the plot forward. I enjoyed the pace, plot and writing style and I thought that they all worked really well together to make the book one I would defiantly be recommending.
Four stars from me - it is another great book from this author!
I am a fan of this author and have read quite a few of his books now and I have to say that they have all been really enjoyable reads - so as soon as I saw that this book, his latest was being released I knew it was one that I would want to read!
I thought that Mike Nelson and Lena Overton were great characters and I loved the relationship that they had, it really helped carry the plot forward. I enjoyed the pace, plot and writing style and I thought that they all worked really well together to make the book one I would defiantly be recommending.
Four stars from me - it is another great book from this author!
February 14, 2018
One word - amazing! This book is superbly crafted, page turning perfection from the nail biting start to the gripping finish. I love this author and his books just keep getting better and better with every one. I thought this book was flawless - still thinking about the characters. This story will stay with me for a long time. The author takes crime writing to a new level. Brilliant and very highly recommended.
November 7, 2025
Wow! Riveting!
This is a sit on the edge of your chair story. I couldn't put this hook down until I found out who did it. The plot and characters were excellent. In drew you in until you felt like you were there with the characters. Great read.
This is a sit on the edge of your chair story. I couldn't put this hook down until I found out who did it. The plot and characters were excellent. In drew you in until you felt like you were there with the characters. Great read.
February 16, 2018
All reviews can be found on my blog at https://thewritinggarnet.wordpress.com
How intriguing is this book title! Of course every reader will be wondering who is the next one to die and why. I mean, I wondered that AND who was the first one to die. How could I not?
To begin with, me and T.J.Brearton's novel weren't exactly BFF's as, despite the chilling start, I couldn't help but feel a bit deflated at the lack of pace. However, once the book had reached the halfway point, I found myself drawn into the complex and secretive storyline like there's no tomorrow. Yes, 'Next To Die' and I may have gotten off on the wrong foot, but boy did we have a firework finish!
There's been a murder. The first murder Lake Haven had seen in eighteen years - is anyone safe? The social work community are scared out of their wits, wondering if anyone else from their line of work will be targeted, but, if they are - WHY?! Who are they? Why did they choose to kill a social worker and leave the body in full view of colleagues? Something extremely fishy is going on - thank goodness for Mike Nelson and Lena Overton....I think.
I think I may have giggled at the unlikely pairing of the two detectives as they really are chalk and cheese! One of them seems to enjoy passing the buck and leaving the hard graft to the other one, yet one of them seems to be working at 60MPH and moving nowhere. Lena Overton was my favourite! Her confident and hard-nosed persona made for fine reading, yet she still came across as such a relatable and likeable character. Mike Nelson however, well, I'm still on the fence with that one!!
Overall, I really did enjoy reading 'Next To Die', the storyline kept on shocking me with every page I turned, delivering the gritty situations with such ease and unexpectedness. I am very glad I preserved with this book as it ended up ticking a lot of my boxes.
Unexpectedly thrilling, 'Next To Die' kept me on my toes until the very end.
How intriguing is this book title! Of course every reader will be wondering who is the next one to die and why. I mean, I wondered that AND who was the first one to die. How could I not?
To begin with, me and T.J.Brearton's novel weren't exactly BFF's as, despite the chilling start, I couldn't help but feel a bit deflated at the lack of pace. However, once the book had reached the halfway point, I found myself drawn into the complex and secretive storyline like there's no tomorrow. Yes, 'Next To Die' and I may have gotten off on the wrong foot, but boy did we have a firework finish!
There's been a murder. The first murder Lake Haven had seen in eighteen years - is anyone safe? The social work community are scared out of their wits, wondering if anyone else from their line of work will be targeted, but, if they are - WHY?! Who are they? Why did they choose to kill a social worker and leave the body in full view of colleagues? Something extremely fishy is going on - thank goodness for Mike Nelson and Lena Overton....I think.
I think I may have giggled at the unlikely pairing of the two detectives as they really are chalk and cheese! One of them seems to enjoy passing the buck and leaving the hard graft to the other one, yet one of them seems to be working at 60MPH and moving nowhere. Lena Overton was my favourite! Her confident and hard-nosed persona made for fine reading, yet she still came across as such a relatable and likeable character. Mike Nelson however, well, I'm still on the fence with that one!!
Overall, I really did enjoy reading 'Next To Die', the storyline kept on shocking me with every page I turned, delivering the gritty situations with such ease and unexpectedness. I am very glad I preserved with this book as it ended up ticking a lot of my boxes.
Unexpectedly thrilling, 'Next To Die' kept me on my toes until the very end.
February 21, 2018
This was a good story about two detectives who are investigating the murder of a Social Sevices worker. With very little to work with they must figure out if this victim was picked out purposely for either work or personal reasons or could this be a case of mistaken identity. I found this story to move a little slower than I would have liked but it was a good read. I thank Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
May 7, 2018
This is the sixth book in the series, although it can be read as a stand alone.l gave it 4 stars . I will definitely be reading more from this author.
February 10, 2018
*** Find this review and others on my blog! ***
Thank you to Net Galley and Bookouture for providing me with an e-ARC copy! All opinions in this review are my own and are honest.
[True-rating is actually 2.5 stars!]
This book is book 6 in the North Country series however it can be read as standalone, as can all the other books in this series.
The premise of this book was very interesting; when someone one who works at the same place as Bobbi and looks slightly like Bobbi and drive the same car as Bobbi is murdered Bobbi starts to question if it should have been her that was killed instead? And if so, does that meant that the murderer will be coming after her next?
The problem I had was with the characters. First off there was Bobbi, the case worker mentioned above and one of the POV we see in this story. I would have thought that if she seriously thought that the killer was after her or that her ex Jamie had somehow found her, then why the hell didn’t she take more precautions or be wary? Then we’ve got Mike (who was the second POV) and Lena who are the two main detectives in this case and I really felt like I was missing something here. They had a relationship that seemed to develop out of no-where and he developed feelings but there was no proper backstory for this romance. I’m fine with having a secondary plot but it needs to be developed and not have things just happen out of no-where.
This took me ages to get into and I really struggled and didn’t find that it picked up until around 60%. The story just didn’t seem to flow properly when it first started. The woman that was killed was called Harriet but apparently her nickname was Rita and they started calling her this without much explanation to begin with and I was so confused. There were a lot of characters who were introduced and it difficult to keep track of who was who and who the suspects were and where the investigation was going.
I can’t speak to the series but perhaps I didn’t enjoy this as much as I had hoped. After reading quite a few crime thriller book, I just felt this one was very below par. I’ve read the other books in this series so can only comment on this book.
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Thank you to Net Galley and Bookouture for providing me with an e-ARC copy! All opinions in this review are my own and are honest.
[True-rating is actually 2.5 stars!]
This book is book 6 in the North Country series however it can be read as standalone, as can all the other books in this series.
The premise of this book was very interesting; when someone one who works at the same place as Bobbi and looks slightly like Bobbi and drive the same car as Bobbi is murdered Bobbi starts to question if it should have been her that was killed instead? And if so, does that meant that the murderer will be coming after her next?
The problem I had was with the characters. First off there was Bobbi, the case worker mentioned above and one of the POV we see in this story. I would have thought that if she seriously thought that the killer was after her or that her ex Jamie had somehow found her, then why the hell didn’t she take more precautions or be wary? Then we’ve got Mike (who was the second POV) and Lena who are the two main detectives in this case and I really felt like I was missing something here. They had a relationship that seemed to develop out of no-where and he developed feelings but there was no proper backstory for this romance. I’m fine with having a secondary plot but it needs to be developed and not have things just happen out of no-where.
This took me ages to get into and I really struggled and didn’t find that it picked up until around 60%. The story just didn’t seem to flow properly when it first started. The woman that was killed was called Harriet but apparently her nickname was Rita and they started calling her this without much explanation to begin with and I was so confused. There were a lot of characters who were introduced and it difficult to keep track of who was who and who the suspects were and where the investigation was going.
I can’t speak to the series but perhaps I didn’t enjoy this as much as I had hoped. After reading quite a few crime thriller book, I just felt this one was very below par. I’ve read the other books in this series so can only comment on this book.
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March 17, 2018
I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley.
Set in Lake Haven, this US based novel raises many issues with themes such as abuse, trust, fear, secrets, the past and a search for justice – to name just a few of the things that will engross you in this novel!
A quiet town in New York state becomes unravelled when the first murder in eighteen years throws the residents and has the local police teaming up with NY State Police on the hunt for a killer. I thought the plot and narrative in this page-turning read was extremely well developed and authentic. The procedural side of things was believable without being over-the-top manual style and clearly the author did some research in this area. I felt this story was more plot driven than character driven and even though I love my characters, I was so intrigued by the storyline, it all just worked extremely well!
The main protagonist: Roberta Noelle (or Bobbi) works in the Child Protection Services and when her colleague ends up dead, she fears that she was the original target. You see, Bobbi has a past and a few secrets of her own and when more bodies are uncovered…you begin to fear for Bobbi too! 😱 I loved her character, she was clever, down to earth and even a bit overly-anxious. Totally likeable and realistic given the circumstances she finds herself in!
For me, Lena & Mike stole the show in this novel. Lena works for Laken Haven police while Mike is a NY state trooper. We see their relationship develop throughout the novel and although they are polar opposites…TOTALLY….they just somehow worked so well together and it was easy to see how they paired. Don’t be fooled though, this is not a romatic suspense novel …I just loved this aspect of the story- Lena being so sassy and roguish almost to Mike’s “by the book” personality! Perfect!!
There are many more characters that feed into developing this storyline, including the killer – I have to say, my detective skills were on fire as I sussed it well before the reveal. Saying that, I was still not 100% sure, and raced through the pages to see if I was correct!
The question is, would I recommend this book? Hell yeah! If you like intense, criminal focussed police procedurals that have you turning yourself into an amateur sleuth, this badboy is right up your street. Not complicated, just a down-right cleverly written story that really kept me guessing! BOOM! 👊🏻
Set in Lake Haven, this US based novel raises many issues with themes such as abuse, trust, fear, secrets, the past and a search for justice – to name just a few of the things that will engross you in this novel!
A quiet town in New York state becomes unravelled when the first murder in eighteen years throws the residents and has the local police teaming up with NY State Police on the hunt for a killer. I thought the plot and narrative in this page-turning read was extremely well developed and authentic. The procedural side of things was believable without being over-the-top manual style and clearly the author did some research in this area. I felt this story was more plot driven than character driven and even though I love my characters, I was so intrigued by the storyline, it all just worked extremely well!
The main protagonist: Roberta Noelle (or Bobbi) works in the Child Protection Services and when her colleague ends up dead, she fears that she was the original target. You see, Bobbi has a past and a few secrets of her own and when more bodies are uncovered…you begin to fear for Bobbi too! 😱 I loved her character, she was clever, down to earth and even a bit overly-anxious. Totally likeable and realistic given the circumstances she finds herself in!
For me, Lena & Mike stole the show in this novel. Lena works for Laken Haven police while Mike is a NY state trooper. We see their relationship develop throughout the novel and although they are polar opposites…TOTALLY….they just somehow worked so well together and it was easy to see how they paired. Don’t be fooled though, this is not a romatic suspense novel …I just loved this aspect of the story- Lena being so sassy and roguish almost to Mike’s “by the book” personality! Perfect!!
There are many more characters that feed into developing this storyline, including the killer – I have to say, my detective skills were on fire as I sussed it well before the reveal. Saying that, I was still not 100% sure, and raced through the pages to see if I was correct!
The question is, would I recommend this book? Hell yeah! If you like intense, criminal focussed police procedurals that have you turning yourself into an amateur sleuth, this badboy is right up your street. Not complicated, just a down-right cleverly written story that really kept me guessing! BOOM! 👊🏻
April 18, 2018
next to die by tj Brearton.
Harriet fogarty a social worker is dead. why?
Detective Mike Nelson and Lena Overton are on the case.
Roberta Noelle should have been in the office instead of Harriet.
was it a case of mistaken identity? but of so who is after Roberta known as Bobbi?
a very enjoyable read. I liked the story and the characters. apart from the bady. What a twister of a read. didn't see that coming. 5*.
Harriet fogarty a social worker is dead. why?
Detective Mike Nelson and Lena Overton are on the case.
Roberta Noelle should have been in the office instead of Harriet.
was it a case of mistaken identity? but of so who is after Roberta known as Bobbi?
a very enjoyable read. I liked the story and the characters. apart from the bady. What a twister of a read. didn't see that coming. 5*.
February 16, 2018
TJ. Brearton has written another phenomenal book in the North Country Series, number six titled Next To Die, I’ve read a couple of Brearton’s books but not a full series, I’m certainly going to look into more. Next To Die can easily be read as a standalone, there is plenty of back story to pick up and understand the inner workings of Detective Mike Nelson and his cohort Lena Overton.
Imagine a career that you settle into that no matter what you accomplish an enemy is made of you, that’s what Bobbi encounters in daily life as a social worker. A counterpart of Bobbi’s is brutally murdered and the police have the unenviable task of trawling through the past cases, trying to piece together the scenario which lead to Harriet’s death. Is it a case of mistaken identity as Bobbi was off sick and Harriet was covering for her, or is there more to it and is Bobbi next.
I quite liked Bobbi as a character I warmed to her easily, she is a bit apprehensive but also an open book when it comes to her mannerism, the anxiety she exudes is due to a past relationship but she has tried to put it behind her and carry on with her life. This has given her the strength to look to initiate a new relationship, but is her past catching up with her, is she being stalked.
Oh for the love of god Nelson needs a shake, hahaha…….. he can’t see what’s in front of his eyes, maybe he is blinded by his indecisions. I’m not going to say any more about it!
The characters even though there are quite a few are all portrayed in a way that you can easily digest which ones you will take a shine to and who you think deserves to receive the reception that befouls them. I certainly had my favourites.
Brearton opens a wormhole to a sequence of events which surrounds the social services in real life and in the narrative of Next To Die. The research pertaining to Next To Die is obvious in the way he perceives the situations a social worker can find themselves embroiled in, a lot of red tape and hoops to jump.
Next To Die is one story inside another, I tried as hard as I might to uncover the perpetuator in this police procedural, I failed, but I’m not the best detective out there, so Brearton lead me a merry dance that I was happy to participate in.
Thanks to TJ. Brearton for an amazing and unmissable police procedural in Next To Die, where I was given the chance to read an advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest opinion. Thanks also to Bookouture and Noelle Holten for putting up with the mad ramblings of a book blogger.
Imagine a career that you settle into that no matter what you accomplish an enemy is made of you, that’s what Bobbi encounters in daily life as a social worker. A counterpart of Bobbi’s is brutally murdered and the police have the unenviable task of trawling through the past cases, trying to piece together the scenario which lead to Harriet’s death. Is it a case of mistaken identity as Bobbi was off sick and Harriet was covering for her, or is there more to it and is Bobbi next.
I quite liked Bobbi as a character I warmed to her easily, she is a bit apprehensive but also an open book when it comes to her mannerism, the anxiety she exudes is due to a past relationship but she has tried to put it behind her and carry on with her life. This has given her the strength to look to initiate a new relationship, but is her past catching up with her, is she being stalked.
Oh for the love of god Nelson needs a shake, hahaha…….. he can’t see what’s in front of his eyes, maybe he is blinded by his indecisions. I’m not going to say any more about it!
The characters even though there are quite a few are all portrayed in a way that you can easily digest which ones you will take a shine to and who you think deserves to receive the reception that befouls them. I certainly had my favourites.
Brearton opens a wormhole to a sequence of events which surrounds the social services in real life and in the narrative of Next To Die. The research pertaining to Next To Die is obvious in the way he perceives the situations a social worker can find themselves embroiled in, a lot of red tape and hoops to jump.
Next To Die is one story inside another, I tried as hard as I might to uncover the perpetuator in this police procedural, I failed, but I’m not the best detective out there, so Brearton lead me a merry dance that I was happy to participate in.
Thanks to TJ. Brearton for an amazing and unmissable police procedural in Next To Die, where I was given the chance to read an advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest opinion. Thanks also to Bookouture and Noelle Holten for putting up with the mad ramblings of a book blogger.
March 7, 2018
Okay, I guess I'm done with reading detective stories and thrillers to boot, as, how it turns out, in each story of the kind that I come across everything boils down to the description of an excruciatingly boring case-solving process.
It took me about a month to read this "gripping page-turner" as some people here have claimed it to be, and I think that's a bad thing for a mystery story. The only reason I didn't DNF it was my feeling obliged to be done with it and to write "an honest review," which is a part of the deal.
There are TOO many characters to keep track of, each and one of them a faceless blur without a personality. All right, I haven't read other books in the series, but the book is still stuffed with characters that have no purpose except for being here as a distracting factor for the reader, for serving as the background to hide a real murderer. And that's ridiculous as I doubt anyone would remember the person who was the killer or would still care to figure out "whodunit" thing.
There were only two moments when the story grabbed my attention: when Bobbi thought there was someone in her house and the scene where she confronts the murderer, and it happens on page ~ 260 out of 286, all the rest being a damned snoozefest.
To be honest, I've no idea why such stories get written in the first place. I'm not trying to be mean or something, but seriously, what on earth can be considered slightly interesting in such books? Meticulous description of the police routine? Explanations through blatant dialogue? Cardboard cut outs of characters? Seriously, WHAT?
This book is frustratingly bland.
At the end the author says this story is about relationships. Well, I'm speechless. The book that is riddled with one-dimensional characters is about relationships. All right, there ARE relationships, but they don't even seem real in the first place since they are relationships between characters the reader isn't likely to give half a shit about.
I'm deeply disappointed. Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the chance to read the book, I guess. I'm really sorry the review is dripping with poison, but I just don't like being bored to that extent while reading fiction.
It took me about a month to read this "gripping page-turner" as some people here have claimed it to be, and I think that's a bad thing for a mystery story. The only reason I didn't DNF it was my feeling obliged to be done with it and to write "an honest review," which is a part of the deal.
There are TOO many characters to keep track of, each and one of them a faceless blur without a personality. All right, I haven't read other books in the series, but the book is still stuffed with characters that have no purpose except for being here as a distracting factor for the reader, for serving as the background to hide a real murderer. And that's ridiculous as I doubt anyone would remember the person who was the killer or would still care to figure out "whodunit" thing.
There were only two moments when the story grabbed my attention: when Bobbi thought there was someone in her house and the scene where she confronts the murderer, and it happens on page ~ 260 out of 286, all the rest being a damned snoozefest.
To be honest, I've no idea why such stories get written in the first place. I'm not trying to be mean or something, but seriously, what on earth can be considered slightly interesting in such books? Meticulous description of the police routine? Explanations through blatant dialogue? Cardboard cut outs of characters? Seriously, WHAT?
This book is frustratingly bland.
At the end the author says this story is about relationships. Well, I'm speechless. The book that is riddled with one-dimensional characters is about relationships. All right, there ARE relationships, but they don't even seem real in the first place since they are relationships between characters the reader isn't likely to give half a shit about.
I'm deeply disappointed. Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the chance to read the book, I guess. I'm really sorry the review is dripping with poison, but I just don't like being bored to that extent while reading fiction.
January 28, 2018
I would like to thank Netgalley and Bookouture for an advance copy of Next to Die, a stand alone thriller set in upstate New York.
When Child Services case worker Harriet Fogarty is stabbed to death in her car in front of the office Detectives Mike Nelson and Lena Overton are on the case. They wonder if it has something to do with her work or if, perhaps, it's a case of mistaken identity as Rita was covering for Bobbi Noelle who bears a superficial resemblance to her and drives the same colour of car.
I enjoyed Next to Die which has a twisty plot and almost a surfeit of suspects. It is told mainly from Mike and Bobbi's points of view with the occasional injection of the unnamed killer's thoughts. I must admit that the latter did nothing for me and I don't feel they added much to the read as all they confirm is that his thought processes are less than normal. I didn't find it convincing and even less so by the end of the novel.
Apart from this the novel is a good read. The mechanics of the investigation as Mike and Lena toss around ideas as they try to develop a motive and suspect are the backbone of the novel. It is interesting to see that, in the end, it is gut feel rather than forensics that set them on the right course. It's a bit old fashioned but none the worse for that. Bobbi, on the other hand, is having a hard time as the killer fixates on her. Mr Brearton does a good job of her uneasiness and tension.
Next to Die is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending.
When Child Services case worker Harriet Fogarty is stabbed to death in her car in front of the office Detectives Mike Nelson and Lena Overton are on the case. They wonder if it has something to do with her work or if, perhaps, it's a case of mistaken identity as Rita was covering for Bobbi Noelle who bears a superficial resemblance to her and drives the same colour of car.
I enjoyed Next to Die which has a twisty plot and almost a surfeit of suspects. It is told mainly from Mike and Bobbi's points of view with the occasional injection of the unnamed killer's thoughts. I must admit that the latter did nothing for me and I don't feel they added much to the read as all they confirm is that his thought processes are less than normal. I didn't find it convincing and even less so by the end of the novel.
Apart from this the novel is a good read. The mechanics of the investigation as Mike and Lena toss around ideas as they try to develop a motive and suspect are the backbone of the novel. It is interesting to see that, in the end, it is gut feel rather than forensics that set them on the right course. It's a bit old fashioned but none the worse for that. Bobbi, on the other hand, is having a hard time as the killer fixates on her. Mr Brearton does a good job of her uneasiness and tension.
Next to Die is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending.
March 29, 2025
I absolutely loved this book. I’ve been a fan of this author for some time now and his books always deliver, this one is no exception. The very first chapter sets the scene. It is absolutely terrifying. It’s an interesting story about relationships and career choices, and the underlying psychology that accompanies them. Bobbi works for the Child Protection Services; she does an excellent job at protecting children from harm and abuse. The last thing she expected is to find out that her friend and work colleague has been murdered, and it could be because of her job, and worse still she is worried that she was the original target. The plot is quite complicated with so many characters and facets that it takes a lot of concentration to work out what is going on. There are many twists, sub-plots and surprises. However, this just proves how skilled the author is at keeping his readers engaged. The characters are well written, some of them are personable and some are downright unpleasant, but the two detectives are a great team and work well together with a great deal of dedication. They are determined to identify and catch the killer, and along the way they manage to uncover a drugs business of huge proportions. The final chapters are fast paced, frantic and intense and kept me on the edge of my seat. I felt that the ending was a good resolution of the story, although it left me wanting more of Mike Nelson and Lena Overton.
February 14, 2018
This was a bit of a slow burner for me.
It starts off with a shocking murder but while all the investigations I found myself losing interest a bit as there seemed too many lines of enquiry.
One query raised is that the victim was covering at the DSS for Bobbi who was off sick and looks like and drives a similar car to the dead woman so the question is, is Bobbi going to be next?
The Police provide extra protection for Bobbi and her colleagues when they visit families but they’re struggling to find who is responsible for the gruesome murder.
I guess I felt their pain when trying to work out who did it but the final few chapters pushed it up a gear, and I liked the ending.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for giving me the opportunity to read this book.
It starts off with a shocking murder but while all the investigations I found myself losing interest a bit as there seemed too many lines of enquiry.
One query raised is that the victim was covering at the DSS for Bobbi who was off sick and looks like and drives a similar car to the dead woman so the question is, is Bobbi going to be next?
The Police provide extra protection for Bobbi and her colleagues when they visit families but they’re struggling to find who is responsible for the gruesome murder.
I guess I felt their pain when trying to work out who did it but the final few chapters pushed it up a gear, and I liked the ending.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for giving me the opportunity to read this book.
February 21, 2018
this is the first book i’ve read by this author and i’ve discovered it is the 6th book in the series. i don’t usually read american based police procedural books but have to say this was a nice change.
harriet fogarty, a case worker/social worker for child protection services, is viciously attacked and murdered in her car after working a late shift covering for her sick colleague, bobbi noelle. both women drive similar cars and look similar in appearance. was this a case of mistaken identity and if so, is bobby’s life still at risk?
the story grips you immediately and i have to say gives no clue as to the culprit until right at the end keeping the reader guessing as to how and why the crime was committed.
many thanks to netgalley and the publishers for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
harriet fogarty, a case worker/social worker for child protection services, is viciously attacked and murdered in her car after working a late shift covering for her sick colleague, bobbi noelle. both women drive similar cars and look similar in appearance. was this a case of mistaken identity and if so, is bobby’s life still at risk?
the story grips you immediately and i have to say gives no clue as to the culprit until right at the end keeping the reader guessing as to how and why the crime was committed.
many thanks to netgalley and the publishers for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
July 1, 2018
Too many red herring if you ask me. And why oh why when two people became partner, romance have to get involve? Why cant they just be partner? The premise was great, a social worker was murdered. But she was on duty because her friend was not well. So was the intended victim really her or the one she replaced. So now, it's not just the victim needed to be investigated but also the 'maybe' victim. Maybe I wanted a fast pace story. Maybe it was me. Maybe when something was under a thriller section, I was expecting it to thrill me.
March 7, 2018
3.5 stars. I didn't realise this book was part of a series but it didn't make any difference to my enjoyment of the book and it worked realy well as a stand alone. It was a good solid typical police prodedural thriller which I enjoyed. Good few twists and turns throughout which kept the reader guessing. It didn't blow my mind but was still enjoyable.
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