Dead Wrong

DC Maggie Jamieson #2

by Noelle Holten

The serial killer is behind bars. But the murders are just beginning…

DC Maggie Jamieson's past comes back to haunt her in this dark and gripping serial killer thriller.

Three missing women running out of time…

They were abducted years ago. Notorious serial killer Bill Raven admitted to killing them and was sentenced to life.

The case was closed – at least DC Maggie Jamieson thought it was…

But now one of them has been found, dismembered and dumped in a bin bag in town.

Forensics reveal that she died just two days ago, when Raven was behind bars, so Maggie has a second killer to find.

Because even if the other missing women are still alive, one thing’s for certain: they don’t have long left to live…

Genres: Crime, Mystery, Fiction, Thriller, Procedural, Mystery Thriller, Detective

427 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 14, 2020

About the author

Noelle Holten is an award-winning blogger at www.crimebookjunkie.co.uk. She is the PR & Social Media Manager for Bookouture, a leading digital publisher in the UK, and worked as a Senior Probation Officer for eighteen years, covering a variety of risk cases as well as working in a multi agency setting. She has three Hons BA's - Philosophy, Sociology (Crime & Deviance) and Community Justice - and a Masters in Criminology. Noelle's hobbies include reading, attending as many book festivals as she can afford and sharing the booklove via her blog.

Dead Inside - her debut novel with One More Chapter/Harper Collins UK is an international kindle bestseller and the start of a new series featuring DC Maggie Jamieson.

Connect with Noelle on Social Media here:
Twitter: (@nholten40) https://twitter.com/nholten40
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/noelleholten...
Blog FB page: https://www.facebook.com/crimebookjun...
Instagram: @author_noelleholten

Reviews

[Angela Marsons · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adored this book and used it as my reward for my own chapter count. Only problem was that when I wasn’t reading it I was thinking about it and wanted to just gobble it up and devour it. I love the character of Maggie and am beyond intrigued by Raven and found their joint chapters captivating. The cat and mouse psychology between the two characters is totally intriguing. The story moved along at breakneck speed culminating in a tense, taut ending that prompted me to message the author and ask when I could get my hands on the next book in the series. Highly recommended and an easy 5 stars from me.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, Maggie Jamieson is back in the follow up to ‘Dead Inside’ with this the 2nd book in the series, this book can be read as a stand alone but I think if can be it is good to have read ‘Dead Inside’ as it is a continuation of that book

This book is more of a police procedural than a ‘inside look’ at the probation service and focuses on Maggie as the main character but has the same amount of thriller and suspense in the story

Its a mystery solving story and Maggie will not give up on her intuition and her ‘whoever she pleases or offends doesn’t bother her’ attitude again reigns supreme throughout and I like her for that

I enjoyed her brother being in the story and it showed a different side to Maggie in her interactions with him

The ending is a ‘proper’ Oooooooooo twist and did surprise me, will say no more!!

A good follow up and look forward to Book 3

8/10
4 Stars

[8stitches 9lives · Rating 4 out of 5]

Noelle Holten is back with a bang with Dead Wrong, the second in the Maggie Jamieson thriller series and feels like it's been a long time coming or maybe I'm just impatient. It is not necessary to have read the series opener prior to picking this up unless you feel so inclined as all pertinent information to help you get on a level playing field with those who did read it is helpfully provided by the author. The story centres around convicted serial killer Bill Raven who simply couldn't keep his mouth shut once he started bragging about his disgusting, brutal exploits during an impromptu confession. He is now appealing against his sentence and citing unlawful imprisonment and that the reason his confession shouldn't have been taken seriously was because he was under the influence of drugs at the time and had also been experiencing a psychotic break. So with his confession retracted, no bodies and only circumstantial evidence Maggie was crucified in the press for putting an innocent man behind bars.

A new investigation is started and Maggie is placed at the helm once again as her superiors trust her instinct that she has been right all along. Then with precision timing, the dismembered bodies of the murdered women reveal themselves one by one but the presumed perpetrator, Bill, was still in prison when one of the times of death was deemed as being only two days ago. Is this an elaborate ruse meant to free Bill or was someone else responsible all along? This is a riveting, intense and twisty thriller and the plot is well written, exciting, action-packed and dramatic from the word go. It's difficult to put down and I must admit I devoured it in a single sitting. The short chapters keep you turning the pages long into the night and the conclusion shocked me to my core. I wasn't sure Ms Holten could surpass her debut but boy was I wrong; the best kind of wrong! You could even say that I was ”Dead Wrong”. Highly recommended. Many thanks to One More Chapter for an ARC.

[Berit☀️✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gritty and dark police procedural. Noelle Holten has crafted another addictive and compelling tale. This is the second book in this series, but it can absolutely be read as a standalone; the focus is on Maggie a police detective rather than Lucy a probation officer. Serial killer Bill Raven is behind bars convicted of killing three women. But now he is retracting his confession. And when a body of one of his victims shows up and forensics show that she was killed only two days ago things start to go sideways. How could he have killed this girl when he was in jail? DI Maggie Jamison is beside herself, how could she have possibly got this so wrong? What follows is a fast paced twisted tale of cat and mouse.

Maggie Jamison is an interesting character and we did get a little glimpse into her personal life. But I have to admit I am looking forward to getting to know her better throughout the series. Bill Raven is the perfect disturbed and deranged killer that you do not want to have unleashed on the public. The short chapters kept this story moving at the perfect pace. The mystery was clever and well constructed, definitely kept me guessing. The ending made me gasp and want more! Another stellar edition to what looks like is going to be an excellent crime thriller series.

*** Big thank you to One More Chapter for my gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ***

[Mandy White (mandylovestoread) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maggie Jameson returns in Dead Wrong, the second book in this police procedural series. Another cracking read that will keep you up late reading. It is dark and gritty and at times gruesome. Maggie and her team are all interesting characters with so much more to learn about them all. And after that ending I am desperate to read book 3.

Maggie has returned to her team after a secondment to the domestic abuse team. Fresh body parts are being found all over town , from victim s that went missing years earlier. And the man who was convicted of their murders is behind bars, put there by Maggie. She is determined to find out who he is working with and stop them. Bill Raven is a nasty nasty man and really pushes Maggie to her limits.

Thanks to Harper Impulse, Killer Reads, One More Chapter and NetGalley for my advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved my first encounter with DC Maggie Jamieson in Dead Inside, the first book in the series, so was great to be back again in this stand alone thriller which is the next in the series.

The case that Maggie is working on is certainly quite a complex one. It has her questioning herself as to whether she has put the wrong man behind bars. Bill Raven is a horrible character who reminded me of Hannibal Lector. He enjoys playing with Maggie’s mind and I have to say she is much more restrained than me as I wanted to grab hold of him a number of times and throttle some sense into him.

It really becomes a race against time for Maggie to find the killer. The pace and tension mounting throughout. There is also another thread that we see come into the story that definitely piqued my interest. This just added to an already gripping read that had me pounding away at my Kindle to turn the pages quickly so I could see how it was all going to end.

Dead Wrong is a superb second novel that I loved even more than the first. Which having loved the first also, is a big achievement in my mind. Detective series’ are definitely a firm favourite for me and this author adds her own take to it by letting the reader see a different side, making it fresh and stand out from the crowd. I just have to mention that ending! O…M…G did it send me hurtling off my seat. Needless to say, I need book three, like now. Right now!

My thanks to One More Chapter and NetGalley for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.

[Robin Loves Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Rating 4.5 Stars

Maggie Jamieson is back in the second book of a thrilling series. This time she is ensconced in the domestic abuse team and her current case is a doozy. She has a dual battle on her hands. Locate a brutal killer and determine the deep and ugly truth by being forced to consult with a killer who is in prison, Bill Raven. Yes, completely disturbing as Raven has zero remorse for the despicable crimes he committed.

While being focused on one murder, that of a woman Raven is responsible for killing, Maggie is forced to dig much deeper. Not only is Raven is appealing the courts in order to go free, there is clear and disturbing evidence that leads Maggie and her team to wonder if he has an accomplice. Can they put a stop to these gruesome murders and will the courts do their due diligence and keep this unrepentant and dangerous man behind bars?

I met Maggie in the first book of this series, Dead Inside. Maggie's past was incredibly horrid but she rose above the ashes and has made tremendous advances as she deals with unspeakable horrors, yet always showing remarkable resilience. Dead Wrong takes readers further with Maggie's growth and strength. Noelle Holten did a fabulous job for her sophomore book. I was riveted from start to finish in this one-sitting read and am eager for the next book in the series.

Many thanks to Harper Impulse and Killer Reads and to NetGalley for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion.

[The Cats’ Mother · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dead Wrong is technically a sequel to last year’s Dead Inside, by well known crime fiction blogger and former probation officer Noelle Holten, but despite being set in the same world, and featuring some of the same characters, it is actually quite a different kind of story with an alternative heroine. It could easily be read as a stand-alone, although you would then be partially spoiled if you went back to the first book. This one is a much more typical police procedural, lacking the originality and dark emotion of Dead Inside, to which I had awarded five stars, and suffers by comparison.

DC Maggie Jamieson is a junior member of Stafford’s Homicide team, although you would not know it from the way she behaves. Two years earlier, she arrested a serial killer called Bill Raven, who was convicted based on his confession despite the lack of any bodies. Now severed limbs have been found belonging to his named victims but forensic evidence proves they died recently, so Raven cannot have committed the crime and has launched an appeal to be released, and the press are quick to attack Maggie for putting a supposedly innocent man in prison. Convinced of his guilt, Maggie, with the help of her friend and potential love interest psychologist Kate Moloney, must find the new killer before he can be released.

So, starting with the good, Holten writes very well, with atmospheric descriptions of creepy crime scenes and easy to follow sequences. The plot wasn’t too predictable - I didn’t guess who the guilty party would be, and I was certainly reeled in to keep reading to find out how it would turn out.
I was forewarned in other reviews of a cliff-hanger ending, which I normally dislike, but this was more of a hook right at the end to lead you into the next book - which is fine with me as it was actually heavily foreshadowed.

Unfortunately, I did have several issues with this book. First the implausibility of a DC being left to investigate such a major investigation, and then carry the can when it goes wrong - when you read this much crime fiction you can get the impression that every police force is investigating serial killers all the time, but they are in fact rare and I don’t believe that such a lowly ranked officer would’ve been the public face of the team. (I have no direct knowledge of the English police system, but have read enough to feel I have a reasonable sense of normal procedure. Admittedly some CF series have their DI as the person on the ground doing all the interviews which is not believable either.)

The pace was slowed down by frequent repetition as Maggie goes round in circles repeatedly visiting and then winding up Raven. The scenes featuring the victims also all seemed to be the same. Then chunks of time would be missed out - Maggie gets dressed up and goes out to a bar, but we don’t see any of this - no it’s not relevant to the plot but would’ve been more interesting to see her outside of work than reading about her drinking wine at home...

There’s a whole minor sub-plot about Maggie’s missing cat which goes nowhere and served only to raise my anxiety and make me lose all sympathy for her: I know I’m a more obsessive cat mother than normal, but for someone who claims to be fond of her pet, she does nothing but put up a few posters and then seems to forget all about him. Minor spoiler, he reappears, without explanation weeks later, with hints that Raven was somehow involved, and rather than being overjoyed, her reaction is sort of “ho-hum, oh there you are”... Not a way to endear a character to me (and a higher than average proportion of serious readers seem to like cats - just saying.)

I actually did like that Holten doesn’t make a big deal of Maggie’s bisexuality as it is unimportant to her role and seems normal that she would conceal it from her colleagues. The tension in the developing relationship with Kate felt realistic and not there for titillation. On the other hand, her brother is a shadowy background character who is not well developed - maybe he will be more prominent in the next book - and some of the other supporting characters are also paper thin, like poor PC Bethany who does all the grunt work and we don’t even know what she looks like. I would rather hear less about every single bloomin’ coffee that Maggie drinks, and have more descriptions of her colleagues’ looks, backgrounds, quirks and personalities!

Finally, a minor irritation was the overuse of police titles, and inconsistencies in how they are referred to: a couple of times early on to establish who’s who is fine, but Nathan is referred to as DS Nathan Wright repeatedly well into the book and Maggie’s boss changes from Abigail to DI Rutherford and back. In dialogue it seems right that rank be referred to as this is how they would refer to each other - unlike the American tendency to just use surnames - but you don’t need to patronise us by constantly reminding us who’s who. Conversely, several times there were acronyms for departments used without explanation that we are supposed to just guess at.

For all these criticisms, it’s not a bad book and these problems are readily fixable and, from all the 4 and 5 star reviews here, clearly not issues for other readers. I’m definitely keen to continue the series and find out what happens next (I’m pretty sure it’s not going to be what it looks like!) 3.5 rounded down.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc which allowed me to give an honest review. Dead Wrong is published on March 14th.

[Dash fan · Rating 5 out of 5]

5☆ A Twisty, Gripping, Dark, Engrossing Crime Thriller. A Must Read!

Dead Wrong is the second book in this Twisty and dark crime thriller, that I couldn't put down!
I have had the pleasure of reading the first book, but you can read this one as a standalone without any issues.

DS Maggie Jamieson has been called back again to work a tense and complicated case, that she had previously worked on. But this time brings a whole new twist to the case!

You see two years ago her team put twisted psychopath and serial killer Bill Raven, ‘The Chopper’, behind bars.
The remains of his victims were never found but he named them.

So why is it that the body parts of one of his victims 2years ago has just appeared in a rubbish bin.
Raven couldn't possibly of done the murder as the death was as recent as 2 days prior and Raven was still in prison!

So what the hell is going on?
Could it be that Bill Raven was wrongly convicted or is there a copycat killer or something worse?

Once again Noelle Holten has written an absolute gem of a crime thriller.
It's twisty, fast paced, gripping, dark, gritty, a race against the clock, cat and mouse thriller that had me on tender hooks.
The police procedural was brilliantly plotted.
The plot had me gripped and intrigued as to what on earth was going on. Exactly how I love my crime thrillers to be, keep me guessing and on my toes!
It was good to revisit the characters and watch them develop and grow in strength.

It's hard to believe this is just Noelle Holten second novel and she's already becoming one of my favourite Authors.
So if you haven't yet read Holten's books..... then what are you waiting for?
Pick up a copy of Dead Wrong, You won't be disappointed!

Thank you to Sarah at Book On The Bright Side for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.



My Review is also on my Blog Website :-

https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2020/0...

[Nicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two years have passed since twisted psychopath Bill Raven had been convicted for the kidnap and murder of three women. Despite the lack of any bodies, the CPS had been happy with the evidence that the police had gathered plus Raven had confessed to the crimes. Only now, his conviction has been thrown into doubt after the discovery of some severed limbs that have been forensically linked to one of his victims. This new evidence gives Raven the opportunity to launch an appeal against his conviction and as each day passes it begins to look increasingly likely that he may be set free. Suddenly DS Maggie Jamieson finds herself thrust into the media spotlight and her competence to do her job being called into question. Did she help to convict an innocent man? But then why would someone confess to crimes that he didn't commit?

With DCI Hastings on the warpath and putting DI Rutherford under constant pressure for results, Maggie and the team find themselves in a deadly game of cat and mouse with more than one cunning killer. It's obvious that someone has been holding the women captive for the last two years but the longer it takes the team to find the killer, the less chance they have of finding any of the victims alive.

This gripping thriller is voiced from the perspectives of Maggie, DR Kate Moloney, DI Rutherford and Bill Raven. DC Maggie Jamieson is a very likeable, complex character, she can also be very stubborn and always stands behind her convictions despite the doubts of others. I loved the realistic interactions between Maggie and her brother Andy and her struggles with her feelings for Kate. As well as dealing with the pressures of the case, Maggie also had to deal with her colleague Nathan's promotion to acting DS. Would his promotion have a detrimental effect on their close working relationship? I had no idea how DI Rutherford dragged herself into work every morning what with the the police being vilified by the press, the case resembling a endless maze with lots of dead ends and no exit signs and a stubborn DC who was constantly coming up with theories and connections that no one else on the team including DI Rutherford were seeing. Kate was also having to deal with her own personal dilemma, she had a stalker who kept sending her mysterious notes and then upped the anti by sending her a parcel. I was a bag of nerves whilst she was opening that parcel due to a thread that was running through the main story. Narcissistic Bill Raven was a seriously unlikable character who made my skin crawl every time he made an appearance. I really really wanted Maggie to get an opportunity to wipe the self satisfied, smug look off his gloating face. Some characters that we were introduced to in the previous book Dead Inside also made an appearance in this book including Mark, Lucy and Sarah Hardy.

Dead Wrong is a extremely well written, intricately plotted, addictive thriller that draws the reader into the characters fictional world and has you frantically turning the pages. It is difficult to believe that this is only Noelle Holten's second book,her writing is so slick and smart and she is obviously a very talented author. There was some very unexpected twists and turns and as for that ending, I nearly dropped my kindle in shock and ended up sitting in my comfy chair for at least ten minutes doing a very bad impersonation of OMG cat. I mean....talk about mind blowing. I can't wait for book 3 in this brilliant series. Very very highly recommended

[Nila (digitalcreativepages) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holly Smokes!! Author Noelle Holten has done it again, given us another detailed thriller, a police procedural through and through.

DC Maggie Jamieson was back, this time with chopped body parts of a woman whom Bill Raven, The Chopper, had already claimed as his kill and was in prison for. Now he made an appeal to the courts to be set free, and Maggie's instincts told her that there was something more at play. Who would win?

My second book by this author, and I was blown away by the massive research and detailing she took on. Her careful etching of the main character Maggie had me looking at her with new eyes. There was confidence and determination along with tinges of vulnerability that made me respect her.

On the other end of the spectrum Chopper was as perverted as he could be. I loved the intelligence with which he'd planned the whole game. Yes, it was a game to him with Maggie as his focus. I actually wanted him in the next book too. I felt the author had just explored the tip of his evilness.

I was in absolute awe of the team around Maggie, they were the best support she could ask for. A special mention to DI Rutherford, DS Nathan, and Bethany. Every clue was painstakingly looked at and deciphered. But I had to admit, it was Maggie's instincts and her keen eye that saved the day.

The to and fro between the good and evil, the way Raven played Maggie during interrogation, the race against time to find other women that he'd supposedly abducted and killed had me flicking through the pages through the night up to 4am. And the ending line of the book tore me to pieces. That I did not expect. A massive twist. Kudos!!

Bring greedy, I wanted more of the malice of Bill Raven, I wanted things to get personal between him and Maggie, I wanted more of the thrill. I have this strange feeling that I'd see all that in book 3. Bring it on. I'm so ready...

[Gary · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second book in the DC Maggie Jamieson series by author Noelle Holten. I am enjoying this series even if I have managed to read them out of order, hasn’t spoilt it for me though.

DC Maggie Jamieson is forced into facing her past by reopening the case against serial killer Bill Raven. Raven confessed to the murders and all the evidence pointed towards him, but when one of the bodies is discovered while he is in prison, his conviction is put in doubt. Maggie is left wondering whether Bill Raven had an accomplice or is everything she believed a lie.

This is an excellent police procedural series with some great gritty characters. Lots of back stories and relationships to add to the very good plots. I thought this was an enjoyable read but the good news is the books get even better.

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second in a crime thriller series featuring DC Maggie Jamieson. This installment has her returned to Stafford Police Station after a secondment in the Domestic Abuse and Homicide Team (DEAD INSIDE - BOOK #1) that ended the career of the criminal known as The Chopper -- Bill Raven -- who was convicted and now serving life in prison. Back with the team at the Major and Organized Crime Department, she finds that Raven has suddenly claimed his innocence in the death and dismemberment cases and may now be released. In addition, she's being accused of coercing testimony. Of course she's livid as she knows she had him dead to rights, but his solicitor has filed an appeal. Before that can get off the ground, a bag of body parts is found in a bin and the female is identified as Lorraine Rugman, the woman Bill Raven had claimed killing in what he is now calling a confession drug from him during a drug induced psychosis. Soon, two other body bags are found and, with Raven behind bars, some think that he may be innocent after all. But not Maggie Jamieson who is convinced that he's involved despite forensics showing that the women found were recently killed. So who is killing these women two years after Raven initially claimed he'd done it? It can't be Raven as he's been locked up, coming off heroin, and getting treatment from the prison psychologist. Now, it's up to Maggie and the rest of the team to find the real killer and tie Raven to the crimes. NO SPOILERS.

This was straight-forward police procedural and the narrative moves between different points of view as the case is worked. I didn't find myself becoming particularly attached or interested in any of them as all are fairly one-dimensional. A disconnect occurs because, although Maggie is a DC, it seems like she leads the others around almost taking charge of the case and everyone just lets her. There is very little about anyone's personal lives in the story, but Maggie's bisexuality is mentioned as almost an aside with nothing ever coming of any romance within. The DI allows Maggie a lot of leeway and eventually the case is solved and it's proved that Maggie was right about her theories of course and not much of a surprise. It all ends rather quickly without much explanation of the relationship between Raven and the killer. I'm over him so I hope we're done with all that and can move on to something more interesting hinted at by the cliffhanger ending. All in all, there was just nothing much new here to separate this from the standard detective series so I truly hope that, in future books, Maggie becomes more three-dimensional. I will definitely want to read #3 to see.

Thank you to NetGalley and One More Chapter (HarperCollins Publishers) for this e-book ARC to read and review.

[Donna Maguire · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

This is the second book in the DC Maggie Jamieson series and I thought it was great!

I really enjoyed the first book, but this one for me was even better and I loved the plot line! It was fast paced and there was plenty going on in each chapter to keep me engrossed, and engaged with the story. It was gritty where it needed to be and that helped add to the story, it is very well written.

I loved the Raven and I thought he was well developed and a fabulous character – he is one of those people you should really dislike but he holds your attention - I loved the interaction between him and Maggie as she is working with her team to try and crack the case.

I do think that this would read absolutely fine as a stand-alone, but it is a continuation from the previous book if you did want to read them in order.

It is 4.5 stars from me for this one, rounded up to 5 stars for Goodreads and Amazon – after how the book ended I can’t wait for the next in the series now!! Very highly recommended and a thrilling read!

[Caroline Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another brilliant instalment in the DC Maggie Jamieson series. This book was such a treat to read, and I became thoroughly engrossed in the characters, who were so real that they leapt off the page. Maggie is a very real, likeable character which makes you root for her all the more when she is dealing with characters such as Bill Raven, who confessed to a string of crimes. But was he the person responsible? Read on to find out. A gripping, unputdownable read.

[Robyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dead Wrong is the second book in the DC Maggie Jamieson series by the hugely talented author Noelle Holten. While I loved the first book in the series, Dead Inside, nothing prepared me for the newest release and I am completely mind-blown! This is not a book you want to start reading at night. Trust me on this. I made that mistake starting well after midnight and let's just say I was still up past 5am drinking cup after cup of coffee and could no longer tell if my heart was racing more from the caffeine or the story!

Everyone by now knows how much I love a good serial killer story and Bill Raven, know as “The Chopper,” was a manipulating and cunning serial killer already behind bars for the past two years after confessing to the murder of three women. Only, none of the bodies were ever found, until now. How can the bodies of the missing women be turning up now when the killer is already caught. Could Bill Raven be telling the truth and he is not the serial killer he once claimed to be? Now that Raven is appealing his sentence, it is up to Maggie to solve the case once and for all, but this time, her job is also hanging on the line. Did she put the wrong man behind bars?

I just totally adore Maggie Jamieson! She is determined, smart, courageous and pushes past barriers in order to get the truth. She is a strong female lead and important member of her team. She is dead set on proving Bill Raven is the culprit even though all of the evidence is pointing elsewhere. She often goes head to head with her DCI in her quest to get to the truth. During the course of the investigation, we get to really delve more into Maggie’s personal and family life. Maggie is bisexual and is catching strong feelings for her friend, Dr Kate Moloney who is lending her expertise to the team and it was really nice seeing their scenes together.

Noelle Holten really delves deep into criminal procedure and forensics. Forensics is actually one of my favorite topics in the criminal justice system and I watch a lot of shows like CSI and Criminal Minds. I just love seeing how evidence can tie together in finding an offender. It just totally fascinates me and to be honest if it wasn’t for my weak stomach (damn you stomach!) I probably would have gone into the field of forensics. But, at the sight of one drop of blood and I am running for the hills like a lunatic. So, for now I will live vicariously through the clevely detailed plots Noelle Holten has created.

There is one last thing I would like to say about Dead Wrong and a message to Noelle Holten. How could you! How could you leave me hanging with THAT ending. OMG! Like, I don’t think I can wait for the third book. I am drooling over here for more and I need it now. Reading a Noelle Holten book is like drugs and I need my next fix! GAH

Needless to say, if you haven’t figured it out yet. Dead Wrong is a definite top 5 for my 2020 reading year. A million trillion gazillion stars. I would add more but is there really anything that comes after a gazillion?! Run. Buy. This. Book. Now!

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dead Wrong is the second book in the DI Maggie Jamieson series, and I have read the first which I loved so, I was looking forward to reading this.
DCI Maggie Jamieson is back with her old team at Markston Police station after working with the Domestic Violence unit. When Serial killer Bill Raven is trying to appeal his sentence and roam free. But his victim’s body parts are being found dumped in black bags. DCI Jamieson wonders if Raven has an accomplice and goes all out to find out who his partner in crime is but, also to stop Raven going free and to stop any other bodies turning up.
This is another amazing instalment in the series with the quality of the writing and the research put into this book. This story has great characters with Maggie and her team and the creepy character of Bill Raven that makes you cringe when he talks about the murders. The book also keep you guessing right up to the end and what a cliff hanger? I will now have to in anticipation until the next book in this great series. Can’t wait.

[Joanne Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Noelle Holten what have you done to me!! How could you do that?! Dead Wrong kept me on my toes throughout with some very dark and disturbing scenes plus the mother of all cliffhangers which had me screaming “NOOOOOOOO!!!!” as soon I had had read that final sentence. I mean, no sooner had I finished book two in this series then I wanted book three in my hands IMMEDIATELY!! And that’s the sign of a GREAT series!

We are back with DC Maggie Jamieson in Staffordshire where she is called upon to solve a murder. Nothing unusual in that for a police officer you might say but wait until you realise that the dead woman is Lorraine Rugman, the victim of a serial killer already behind bars for that murder! This means that he couldn’t have committed the crime that he’s been put away for and it’s up to Maggie and her team to work out what the hell is going on! It also becomes a race against time to find the other women he was accused of murdering before they really ARE killed!

It was lovely to see the team back together again, even (and especially!) the lovely Doctor Kate, and this mix of characters works really well here. We find out more about Maggie and her personal life as an aside to the main focus so I discovered that I like her even more than I thought I did! She’s certainly a determined and strong minded woman but I felt I understood her a little more this time and that there’s a softer side she keeps well hidden from her colleagues at work. But it’s the vile villains who steal the show here and I can’t believe I didn’t work out who was at the centre of this intriguing plot until the big reveal hit me in the face. Be warned though that, if you’re a little squeamish, there are some quite graphic descriptions of the crimes committed but gory definitely fits the plot here!

Dead Wrong has a well written, gripping and compelling storyline from start to finish. I loved it and I can see that Noelle has used her background and knowledge to create a believable main character who’s fast becoming a real favourite, not just for me but for crime fans worldwide. Highly recommended by me!

[Bridget · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dead Wrong is Noelle Holten's follow up to her gripping début novel, Dead Inside and heralds the return of DC Maggie Jamieson. This second instalment is every bit as tense and exciting as the first. I was completely hooked by the brilliant plot and the characters – from the very likeable lead, to her terrifyingly creepy nemesis, who gave me the heebie-jeebies.

As I zipped through the pages in my haste to reach the end of the line, I marvelled at the to and fro between the good and evil. I was in awe of the support shown by Maggie's team, especially DI Rutherford, DS Nathan Wright, and PC Bethany Lambert and the ways in which each and every clue were painstakingly examined and deciphered, although it was Maggie with her instincts and her keen eye that eventually came up with the goods.

With an astonishing denouement to an excellently plotted story, I am now waiting with (im)patience to see what Noelle Holten has in store for us crime readers and DC Maggie Jamieson, next!

I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel, at my request, from One More Chapter via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

[Peggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book to feature DC Maggie Jamieson and what a read.A tense page turner, full of misdirection and a deadly game of cat and mouse. There is tension and suspense on every page. Maggie is dogged, thinks outside the box and always goes with her gut. As for the cliff hanger so cruel. I can't wait to read book three as some one has unfinished business with Maggie and now it is personal. An easy five stars and highly recommended.

[The Book Review Café · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been impatiently awaiting Dead Wrong, the second book in the DC Maggie Jamieson series, it seems like forever since I read Dead Inside by author Noelle Holten. The author knows how to draw the reader in from the off, even more so when you realise one of Raven’s victims is named after you! I would forgive you for thinking this could sway my review, but you would be dead wrong! (See what I did there?). Personally I think Dead Wrong is even better than the first book in the series, it’s what I would describe as a ‘heart-pounding, page-turner with a dark, gritty heart’.

Raven, admitted he killed three women and is serving a life sentence for his crimes, but fast forward to present time and body parts of his said victims start turning up, so he must be innocent right? And Raven makes an appeal to the courts to be set free, so begins a nightmare for DC Maggie Jamieson’s, as she attempts to solve the case once and for all. There’s nothing I enjoy more than a crime thriller that features a chilling but intriguing serial killer, and Raven is one such character, he lacks remorse, he’s callous, a master of manipulation, and a pathological liar. The heart of the plot focuses on Raven toying with Maggie, is he lying? Or is he mentally ill? Was he coerced by Maggie, admitting to crimes he didn’t commit? So many questions, but for those of us who love playing the amateur detective, it’s the perfect crime read to get those brain cells working.

Hallelujah! DC Maggie Jamieson isn’t your standard stereotype you often find in a crime thriller, she’s not an alcoholic, nor is her character bogged down by personal problems or a shady past which makes a refreshing change. That doesn’t mean Maggie lacks depth, on the contrary her character is continuing to develop, she’s relentless in her pursuit for the truth, committed, and has literally no personal life, I’m sure there are a lot of DC’s who can relate to that! It’s obvious the author has an incredible insight into the justice system and the way different agencies work together, which adds an authentic feel to the plot, I find some crime thrillers lack this vital ingredient, mostly because authors have relied heavily on research, rather than personal experiences.

Dismembered victims turning up in pieces made for a gristly read, but these scenes are paramount to the plot, and add a profound sense of tension to the overall plot. Like any good crime thriller there are many read herrings, and well-plotted twists, and that ending! Let’s just say it will leave readers desperate for the next book in the series. Noelle Holten’s writing goes from strength to strength, her writings bold and confident, she has a vivid imagination, her plots are exciting and gripping. If ever there was someone who was born to write crime thrillers, it’s this author. Highly recommended to anyone who loves a crime thriller.

Aall my reviews can be found at http://thebookreviewcafe.com

[Book Addict Shaun · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the things I love most about reading is finding one of those books that immediately hooks me in. That consumes me as I read. One of those books that when I’m not reading it, I can’t stop thinking about the story, and I have so many scenarios running around in my mind when I have reluctantly had to put my Kindle down and resume everyday life. Dead Wrong is that book. In terms of pure addictiveness and brilliantly twisty storytelling, this is one of the best crime novels I have read in the past six months.

Noelle Holten has always been one of my favourite people when she has her blogging hat on over at Crime Book Junkie, not only as I used her website as a go-to source for must-read crime, but because she’s one of the biggest supporters of other bloggers out there. When I found out she was releasing a crime novel I couldn’t have been more excited. Dead Inside was that book and, the 3 star rating aside, I actually really enjoyed it. That’s the problem when you don’t review every book you read, a 3 star rating can mean different things to different people. Dead Inside was a solid start to what I knew would become a favourite series of mine and has a main character in Maggie Jamieson that I was immediately endeared to. Noelle also has a fantastic writing style and the short chapters I always love in crime fiction that always mean I just can’t stop reading after one more chapter. And so Dead Wrong confirms everything I knew when I finished Dead Inside, that this was going to become a must-read series for me.

Dead Wrong is a truly first class crime novel with one of my favourite antagonists I have read about for such a long time. Noelle has created a truly memorable character with Bill Raven, a man behind bars for murders that he confessed to committing. The only problem being, the women he is supposed to have killed have been showing up mutilated, forensic evidence showing they were killed while Bill was incarcerated. Maggie knows there’s more to the story, and is adamant that Bill Raven is still responsible despite being in prison. I often find it lazy and maybe a little insulting to compare authors but here the biggest compliment I can give Noelle is to say that Bill Raven is a character that could have came from the mind of Chris Carter, and anyone who has read one of his crime novels will know the sort of evil he writes about in his stories. Not only does Bill manage to get under Maggie’s skin, so too did he get under mine. The scenes where he is interviewed in prison had my blood boiling. How Maggie (mostly) kept her cool was beyond me. I don’t want to say too much about this character except he really is a fantastic creation and where Noelle took his story, and his backstory too made for an engrossing and perfect storyline for a crime novel.

Maggie is a wonderful creation, a brilliant character who I can’t wait to read about again. It’s hard to fully enjoy a book if you can’t love the main character and Maggie is a character I like a lot. I particularly like how she isn’t like any other fictional detective I have read about before which is so refreshing in this genre. I enjoyed reading about her personal life as much as I did her work life and I especially enjoyed the friendship between her and psychologist Kate Maloney. Theirs was an intriguing relationship not just personally but also professionally as they both work together to solve this case. It’s a good yin and yang to have Maggie looking at this procedurally and evidentially, whereas Kate looks at the psychological elements. This helps the reader to look at the case, and Bill Raven’s character, from many different angles. The psychological element I felt was really well done and was one of the standout parts of this entire book.

There’s a real mix of characters in the story and I enjoyed reading about each and every one of them. I especially liked Nathan and would love to see him have a larger role next time and to perhaps learn more about him. Kate Maloney was also an intriguing character to read about, and what stood out to me was her excellent ability to profile people for her job, but her struggle to work out her own personal life when some strange happenings begin occurring to her. The characters are not just what made me enjoy this story so much but the procedural element was also brilliantly done as well. Not bogged down too much with the boring stuff we know crime writers have to gloss over but actually what felt to me like a believable investigation; Maggie wanting to push ahead and get answers at any cost, and her superiors having to reel her in and make sure she doesn’t jeopardise the case. One other thing I liked as well was seeing some of the characters from previous stories, I hope that continues with the next one. In terms of the last third of the story and the ending itself, all I can say is bravo. An absolutely astonishing denouement to an excellently plotted story. I couldn’t take my eyes off my Kindle from around the 70% mark as I just had to finish the story. I didn’t quite finish it open-mouthed but I have to say I wasn’t far off. What an ending.

To summarise this essay dedicated to my love for Dead Wrong, I will say again that it is one of the best crime novels I have read in the past six months. Noelle Holten was a born crime writer and this book really is testament to that statement. I believe she is a name us crime fans will be seeing on the front cover of many more books and I for one cannot wait. One of my favourite things about being a blogger is seeing people that I ‘know’ do well. I quote know because while I don’t know Noelle personally she has been a huge supporter of my blog over the years and just generally been an all-round amazing person. When my mental health makes me retreat into my cocoon, it is the likes of Noelle and all of the other wonderful people in the blogging world that I miss. So it’s fantastic to see her having this success and I believe Dead Wrong will be well-received by all who read it. It truly is a first-rate crime novel and if I was to say it will be in my Top 5 Books of the Year, I think come December I’ll be able to prove myself dead right.

[Lainy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Time taken to read - 1 day

Pages -

Publisher - One More Chapter

Source - Review copy


Blurb from Goodreads


The serial killer is behind bars. But the murders are just beginning…

DC Maggie Jamieson's past comes back to haunt her in this dark and gripping serial killer thriller.

Three missing women running out of time…

They were abducted years ago. Notorious serial killer Bill Raven admitted to killing them and was sentenced to life.

The case was closed – at least DC Maggie Jamieson thought it was…

But now one of them has been found, dismembered and dumped in a bin bag in town.

Forensics reveal that she died just two days ago, when Raven was behind bars, so Maggie has a second killer to find.

Because even if the other missing women are still alive, one thing’s for certain: they don’t have long left to live…




My Review


This is book two in the DC Maggie Jamieson series, you can absolutely get away with reading this as a standalone however the first book is pretty awesome so go read it if you haven't already. Maggie is back with her team and absolutely raging. The notorious serial killer, Bill Raven, that Maggie and squad put away a few years back is now rearing his ugly head. Behind bars for the murder of at least three women, he confessed in graphic detail what he did to them. Now, a body has been found of his first named victim and they only died very recently, with Raven in jail he couldn't be the killer. Appealing his sentence and now his mental health condition is medicated and controlled Raven wants out and is happy to "help" the police. Maggie KNOWS he is guilty but can she convince her team.

Ooft poor Maggie, so book one made no mention of this bad guy so you can absolutely start with this book, we learn of Raven and his crimes through Maggie and the team going over past history. The guy is clever, manipulative and the higher up in the force want Maggie to tread carefully because if they have convicted an innocent guy - the press are having a field day and the real bad guy needs to be caught.

The book has a fair few dimensions, mental health, friendships, sexuality, family, addictions, murder and is hugely centred around police investigation. If you like police procedural you will love this as it goes in depth but flings you extras with relationships and the personal life of Maggie, friendships, who she is as a person, her family and her wee furbaby - Scrappy the cat, who doesn't love a cat!

I couldn't see where the book was going to go, how was the story going to round, answer my questions and most importantly solve the case. Kept guessing from the first few chapters and teased along to pretty much the very end. Holten needs to be penning book three already, I need to know what is coming next for these characters, 4/5 for me this time.

[Rachel Gilbey · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a dark and twisted mind Noelle Holten must have, in order to have come up with a villain such as Bill Raven. He messes with people's minds and the way he had the public and police stumped was sheer evil genius.

After all it's not often you get someone in prison convicted of murder, only for the bodies to show up two years later, and looking freshly killed. Which is enough to stump most!

I would love to know how an author even remotely thinks up such dastardly plot lines, let alone how they weave them together such as in this case, that keep you gripped from page to page, eager to know more about everything.

I had absolutely no clue how it would all come together, let alone how on earth DC Maggie Jamieson and her team were ever going to be able to solve it.

I found Maggie's growing friendship with Kate Moloney, a profiler who has terrific insights into any case she is working on, to be a lovely touch. I loved getting to know Kate and found her fascinating.

This is the second book in the Maggie Jamieson series, and can easily be read as a standalone. However having read the first book, I enjoyed getting to know some of the recurring characters a little bit deeper, something I'm sure that will continue as the series progresses.

As someone who can find the specific live action killings of victims in these sorts of books at times incredibly gruesome, I was very happy to be spared that... and just had the descriptions of dismembered body parts appearing.. ok that still made me fill slightly ill, but in a different way.

A truly remarkable police procedural that had me scratching my head in disbelief, eager to read each and every short chapter as fast as I could and that I actually couldn't put down for the last third! I can't believe this is only the author's second book. She clearly is a criminal mastermind... (well fictional crimes only I hope!).

Thank you to One More Chapter and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

[Natalie M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent murder-mystery heavy on characters and mind games.

This is the second book in the series, however, it is completely different from the first, and despite missing a good read it would not be necessary for this novel. The first focuses on the probation system and character Lucy Sherwood who makes a brief cameo appearance in this novel.

DC Maggie Jamieson is front and centre of this book as she investigates crimes related to the dismembered and dumped body parts appearing across town. Forensics, police procedures and the psychology of serial killers is foremost in this read. Dr Kate Moloney and Maggie's brother are both back in great supporting roles; as is psychological tension delivered between convicted killer Bill Raven and DC Jamieson.

The totally unexpected twist at the end will have me first in line for Book #3!

[Kelly Van Damme · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although Dead Wrong is the second book in a series featuring a DC, it’s much more of a police procedural that its predecessor. The spotlight is on Maggie from the start and for the entire story, and I was glad to find out a little more about her, not only professionally but also personally. I am hoping for one particular storyline concerning Maggie’s private life to evolve in a particular way, and I have a bad feeling about another private matter, I now realise I’ve given this quite some thought, so yeah it’s safe to say I have become rather invested in these characters and especially considering the cliffhanger Dead Wrong ends with, I know I won’t be able to wait until October to read on. Here’s hoping that Dead Perfect won’t end in the same evil way as Dead Wrong!

Dead Wrong picks up where Dead Inside left off. You know I’ll advise you to read this series in order, but I do think you could follow the events in Dead Wrong without having read what came before. (Why would you, though? 😉) Body parts are left for the police to find and it doesn’t take them long to verify that these parts belong in fact to women who were supposedly killed years ago by a serial killer who is now proclaiming his innocence. As forensics show that the murders were indeed committed much more recently, it could be that said serial killer is telling the truth… Or he could be trying to pull the wool over everyone’s eyes, with some outside help…

One thing’s for sure: Maggie and her team have got their work cut out for them and it makes for a compelling and entertaining read! Dead Wrong is fast-paced yet well-rounded and the short chapters propel not only the story forward, but also me as a reader. I started reading it at night, just trying it on for size and before I knew it I was like twelve chapters in!

If police procedurals are your thing, you can’t go wrong with Dead Wrong!

[Julie Lacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read from Noelle Holten.
I loved Dead Inside and this one is even better.
DC Maggie Jamieson was involved in putting away Bill Raven for murder but he’s put in an appeal and there’s a chance he may be innocent.
Maggie is adamant he’s guilty but when the body parts of one of the women he’s accused of murdering turn up he’s using it to his advantage. The forensics show she was killed days ago rather than years, which is how long Raven has been inside, so who is responsible?
Maggie’s boss initially warns her off pursuing the link to Raven but later comes round to her way of thinking.
This is a gripping crime thriller that is very cleverly written. And as for the ending......
I look forward to reading the next book in this series as I really need to know what happens next!
Thanks to Harper Impulse and Killer Reads and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

[BookJunkie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in the series and yet again the author has knocked the ball right out of the park.

‘So, are you dangerous?’ I mean come on, if this first line isn’t enough to hook you then I don’t know what you want.

So, obviously I was hooked from the beginning, this book was filled with anxiety and the need to read just one more chapter.

The characters were incredibly well written and I loved the chemistry between Maggie and Kate – I just wish they would get together already.

As much as I love their chemistry and I love the character Maggie plays I just don’t seem to connect with her as much as I would like too, there is something about her that just gets to me.

However, that being said it does not make the book anything other than fabulous. The author has a fantastic writing style and knows just how to give you the OMG moment.

[Skyesmum · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, even with all the craziness going on with the virus.
I like Maggie's character and the occasional banter with her Sergeant Nathan, they do drink lots of coffee!
The baddie was a dark soul and I feel that we will hear a lot more from him which I look forward to.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another excellent addition to this series! Maggie is determined to prove the man in prison deserves to be there and should not be released! I was sad about the ending but it does tell me there is another book in the series planned! Yippee!