The Snapchat A twisted killer comes to the attention of DI Gus McGuire and his team when a teenager receives a Snapchat image of his murdered friend.
The Killer As the killer becomes bolder, using social media to publicise the murders, Gus fears there may be more than one murderer targeting young people.
The Stalker Meanwhile, Gus comes under threat from a stalker who is not afraid to get up close and personal.
Can Gus protect his loved ones and catch the killer before another Snap is received?
Born in Scotland, Made in Bradford sums up Liz Mistry’s life. Liz uses her experiences of living and working in the inner city to flavour her writing. Her gritty crime fiction police procedural novels set in Bradford embrace the city she describes as ‘Warm, Rich and Fearless’ whilst exploring the darkness that lurks beneath. Struggling with severe clinical depression and anxiety for a large number of years, Liz often includes mental health themes in her writing. Being a debut novelist in her fifties was something Liz had only dreamed of and she counts herself lucky, whilst pinching herself regularly to make sure it’s all real. One of the nicest things about being a published author is chatting with and responding to readers’ feedback and Liz regularly does events at local libraries, universities, literature festivals and open mics. She also teaches creative writing too.
Ooh what a wonderfully dark and tangled web of a story Unseen Evil is!
This is such a current read with lots going off in it, yet at a pace that was easy to keep up with. I loved the short chapters as it was definitely a case of, just one more and then the next thing I knew, I’d manage to squeeze quite a few more in.
The author has the reader on the edge of their seat all the way through this novel. I couldn’t relax for one minute as with every page turned it compelled me to keep on turning them as I was so invested in this story as well as the characters. A few of the younger ones I was really drawn to. I think deep down a few of them are good kids, just in the wrong crowd with circumstances working against them. I think it does make you think more about why some young adults turn to crime and that sometimes we are quick to judge.
Gus having his own stalker really complicates things. Not only is he having to work a hard case, his personal life takes a bit of a beating also. The poor guy really needs a break but then where would the fun in that be? He is a great character though and a genuinely nice guy that the reader really routes for.
Unseen Evil is another thrilling and gripping read in the series. The story line was rather unique making it stand out in it’s own right within the genre. The author takes the reader right into the heart of Bradford and whilst it might not show the best side of it, there is a real meaning of community and a sense of family within it. A cracker of a novel that crime readers are going to love.
I’m truly ashamed to say this is my first Gus McGuire and first Liz Mistry read. I’ve had Unquiet Souls for nearly two years and I’ve not read a word of it!! And there are other Gus McGuire books buried on my kindle too! 🙈🙈 And what’s more she’s a local author to me, with her books based over it Bradford, just two junctions along the M62…
This investigation Gus faces is close to home with the brutal murder of a teenager from a local school where he knows too many individuals…and then there is his stalker sending him rather creepy letters which escalate in nature at an alarming rate!
I loved the way the chapters jumped between characters, some more obvious than others. The stories intertwining and chapters left with a mini cliffhanger ready to be picked up on the return to that character. The chapters headed up by Zodiac, Leo and Pisces were the most sinister. Knowing these were the perpetrators of the horrific yet very publicised murders chilled me but also made me think. Who was this twisted trio?!
Unseen Evil, even though is the sixth in the series, can definitely be read as a stand-alone. The author gives enough of the back stories for the characters to satisfy me but me being me wants to know the whole picture so I’ll be heading back to the beginning and starting from Unquiet Souls. I read Unseen Evil in a couple of days desperate to know who the Zodiac Gang was and whether Gus would find out who was his stalker.
So did I enjoy meeting DI Gus McGuire? Did he live up to the seriously positive reviews I’d seen? Hell yes!!! I loved Gus!! He’s a fab character with an equally fab supporting cast. I am seriously kicking myself for not introducing myself before! Liz Mistry, you have a Gus convert and a new fan! I’ll be heading back to Bradford literary speaking before long!
Oh wow, I feel like the team have been broken and mended with sticky tape as I began reading and by the time I got to the end, I felt like somethings can never be like they once were. This is a cracking team that has faced more than their fair share of knocks, trust with some of them still needs building back up but they never have time to fully recover. Snapchat is a favourite with the younger generations but when a young lad receives a picture of his dead friend he at first thinks it is a prank. Unfortunately, it isn’t. This is the beginning of a horrific string of vicious murders of teenagers, all caught in pictures and posted on social media. You soon find out that there is a tight group involved all with nic-names so impossible to know who they are. The one thing that is obvious is they are still at school. I love that Liz Mistry tackles real-life problems head-on. From bullying and peer pressure to relationships and standing your ground. There are shocking discoveries and families and friends are left torn to shreds. Gus is under terrific pressure both in his personal life and his work life, which overlap continually in this story. This is an emotionally draining and a wickedly brilliant read with modern life taking its pound of flesh. Highly recommended.
A very difficult book to review without giving away spoilers. When you've read a good book you want to talk about it. You want to discuss the characters, the plot, the ending and the things you enjoyed.
Unseen Evil is my first DI Gus novel but I had no trouble at all reading it as a standalone. The characters are well drawn and back story weaved in quietly to allow you to get a view of the history of both Gus, Alice and his team. All slightly flawed--but thoroughly enjoyable. The kind of team you would want to be a part of.
Having worked with teens the story is terrifyingly real as it touches on the struggles, manipulations and fear of a group of young people who want to be liked, loved, fit in and accepted. The emotional and mental brutality of bullying between social classes. Some of the subject matter may be offensive to some, but if you live in the real world you know it exists and it's heartbreaking.
The characters are cleverly woven in a way that leads to a shocking conclusion you won't see coming. I could easily rate this as a psychological thriller, crime thriller and mystery. Mini books within a book as you follow Zodiac, Leo and Pieces. Zaraq and Jo Jo. Karim and Trixie Belle. Gus and Patti and how easy it is to manipulate and destroy lives with social media.
I read this book on Kindle Unlimited and highly recommend it to those who enjoy a complex read as there are many characters and stories to follow. You won't be disappointed.
This is another cracking novel in the Gus Maguire series. This one features killers who send snapchat images of their victim's. I enjoyed this novel immensely I feel like you get to know the characters thoroughly and it's a pleasure to spend time with them, the crimes are always intriguing and leave you thinking even after you've finished reading. Finally Bradford feels like more than just the setting for these novels, it's almost like another character, it's shown in all its true nature by a fabulous author. 5* from me
This is the sixth book in the very popular series featuring DI Gus McGuire and his team of detectives based in Bradford. The story opens in the Zodiac Club run by a character of the same name in a derelict building, aided by willing helpers Leo and Pisces. They have drawn up a list of people they want revenge on for one thing or another and are steadily working their way through the names. From the off it is clear that at least some of them are at school, the very school that Gus's girlfriend Patti Copley is the headmistress of, and so are some of their victims. After so much trouble there in the recent past this is all that they need, especially when one boy committed suicide. At the same time Gus has been receiving unsigned letters that are starting to become threatening and demonstrate that someone has been watching him and those close to him. Whilst this is a worry to him, more of a concern is his goddaughter Zarqa, eldest child of his best mate Mo and wife Naila. Since she recently discovered that Mo is not her biological dad she has been difficult and looks set to go off the rails. The action gets going almost straightaway when a boy receives a Snapchat image of his friend pretending to have been murdered. Only a few hours later it becomes clear the photo was genuine, and Gus and his team, including old faces Compo and Taffy, investigate. As the case proceeds it starts to look like there may be more than one killer responsible and they are using social media to share gruesome images of the crime. Interviews at the school indicate a number of teenagers who all seem to have things to hide but still it is hard for the detectives to believe that this level of evil could be done by a child. There are lots of strands to this story and a number of chapters are told by various characters involved which gives away some clues as to their deeds and identities which the police are not aware of. All the way through the club members are referred to by pseudonyms until the very end when they are unmasked by the author. I had a good idea who one was but the other two took me completely by surprise. Not being able to guess did not detract from my enjoyment of the story in any way as all is explained at the end, and it was great to be picking up the clues, following the twists and wondering just exactly who had done what. The streets of Bradford really come alive in these books, although I would hope that not as many teenagers are all drinking and smoking weed like the ones in the story, nor I hope are they as devious. What is very accurately portrayed is the attachment to their phones by nearly all kids these days, something which would almost require a surgical procedure to remove them. Also very realistic is the incredible speed at which items posted on social media are shared and reposted, and the fact that virtually nothing, good or bad, can remain private for very long. This book has a very current feel and is a brilliant addition to the series.
I absolutely love Liz Mistry's Gus McGuire series, when ever I see a new book, it's a must read for me!
Another tough case for Gus McGuire and his team, with a tech savvy killer who uses social media to broadcast the kills of their teenage victims and a stalker that is getting a little too personal for Gus’ liking.
Unseen Evil is gritty and hard hitting police procedural that really gets to grips with modern policing in an era where everything is broadcast on social media for anyone to see.
What makes Liz’s books so compelling is the fact the characters seem so real. The teenagers sound and act like real teenagers. All of her characters are realistically flawed. I do have to say I have a soft spot for Gus, even though he can be a bit selfish bugger sometimes.
I will say I sort of guessed who the mastermind behind the crimes was fairly early on but it didn’t spoil my enjoyment of the novel at all.
Unseen Evil is such a binge worthy novel that once I picked it up I just didn’t want to put it down!
Set in Bradford, DI McGuire and his team are investigating a possible murder after a teenager is sent a Snapchat picture showing a image of his friend, who he at first thinks is a prank, but it soon becomes all too real.
Someone has a list of people they want to take their revenge on……who is next? Can Gus and the team find out who is, or are responsible and stop them before anyone else dies?
Gus also has his own problems…..a stalker, who is sending threatening letters and seems to be watching him.
There are a few stories all taking place at the same time, which lends a feeling of reality and really helps build the characters and the world around them.
There’s murder, stalking and the perils of the ever present social media in our lives. A very clever and topical psychological thriller.
Thank you to Sarah at Book On The Bright Side for the opportunity to participate in this blog tour and for the promotional materials and a free copy of the ebook. This is my honest, unbiased review.
Not as good as the others in the series, many because the author was writing from too many perspectives and it was confusing. I do love the characters though.
I almost turned down the opportunity to read Unseen Evil; as the sixth book in the DI Gus McGuire series, I was a little concerned that I'd missed too much already. However, I've read so many glowing reviews of the previous novels and in the end, curiosity won out! I'm so glad I did give in to temptation because I loved this gripping book and can most definitely be added to the ever-growing list of Gus fans. My enthusiasm should be evidence enough that Unseen Evil can be enjoyed as a standalone. Enough of the characters' back stories are included to satisfy newcomers without rehashing previous events for established readers. That said, there were still a few mentions of things which had happened in the past that I don't fully understand. This isn't meant as a criticism - on the contrary, I thought it was very clever as now I really want to go back and read the previous novels! Unseen Evil sees Gus' happiness with Patti threatened by a stalker who seems to becoming increasingly obsessed with him. He's been receiving letters for months but when the latest arrives hand-delivered to his home, he starts to feel more concerned. Meanwhile, a mysterious and rather sinister group of teenagers - Pisces, Leo and their manipulative leader, Zodiac have a list of names and a taste for revenge. The two sub-plots run alongside each other, both absolutely chilling as they each follow twisty storylines which examine how vulnerable people can be in these days of technological advances and ever more invasive social media use. Most of us will probably have some experience of both the positive and negative side of online platforms but the potential power of the internet to be used as a medium for evil is explored to terrifying effect here. Even Gus isn't immune to as he discovers just how quickly information can be spread and how difficult it is to take down. Even more disturbing, however, is when a teenager receives a late night Snapchat which he initially thinks is just a sick joke - until his friend's body is discovered. It soon appears that there may be a serial or spree killer targeting young people and horrifyingly they are using social media to draw attention to their twisted game. The book cleverly switches between third and first person as chapters are written from the perspective of a number of characters. I thought this was really well done and was particularly impressed with the way Liz Mistry captures the voices of the teenage characters. The identity of Zodiac's gang remains a mystery for most of the novel but each character is still distinctly brought to life. The chapters which feature Gus and his team are no less compelling and I soon became completely invested in their lives. I loved seeing how supportive they are to one another, proving that family isn't always about blood ties. As much as I liked Gus, I must admit that Compo became a particular favourite, especially at the moments where his empathetic nature comes to the forefront. It wouldn't be fair to write this review without mentioning its setting. Although Unseen Evil is a novel about the darker side of life in Bradford, there's an affectionate warmth to the descriptions of this vibrant, multicultural city. Of course there are tensions but Liz Mistry's love for her home town shines through the pages without ever becoming sentimental. Her authentic writing is truly a highlight throughout, whether in capturing a true picture of Bradford or in her exploration of issues which affect teens and young people, particularly regarding online and real life bullying, social pressures and mental health. The gritty, cleverly constructed storyline and the fascinating, diverse cast of characters ensured that Unseen Evil is a treat from start to finish. I read the book in a day and immediately added the DI Gus McGuire series to my must-read list. Highly recommended.
This is the first in the series I’ve read, so I started with a bit of trepidation that I might be missing out or lose some bits from previous books , but that wasn’t the case, it was great to read, even for a new reader of the series like myself, whilst there is of course references to past cases, nothing was given away that will stop me from now going back to book 1 and starting out ( I have the other 5 on my kindle amongst the ever-growing to be read pile as there has always been an intention to read this author).
In the scorching heat of the summer, a teenager is found dead, with a knife protruding from his neck, his phone near by, the last use was a snap chat photo sent to his best friend showing his death.
Di Gus McGuire and his team, my favourite being ‘Compo’ work the investigation.
With more murders turning up, the killer is become more confident, taunting the police with social media to display their prey to the world.
At the same time, Gus has to deal with a stalker, sending him hand delivered letters containing worrying threats.
The book switches between first person, while the killers talk, and back to third person when Gus is at work, this is clever and a style I liked.
Whilst I picked up on who I presumed to be the perpetrator early on, this by no means took away from a twisty, gripping thriller. I was never 100 % sure until the finale. This is a cracking mystery that will keep you guessing.
What I also like is the descriptive portrayal of multicultural Bradford and the grasp of the teenage culture and also the language they use, it’s actually how they talk!
With quite a few storylines running through the book, there is plenty going on to keep you reading, but it never becomes confused, this is superb writing and storytelling.
A premise that is frighteningly possible, highlighting the dangers of social media and also the society we live in. This is a very current thriller, and Liz Mistry, captures all these elements expertly.
I have read some excellent thrillers lately, and this sits firmly among them.
In contrast to book five in this series when the Beast from the East took hold of the country and had me shivering just thinking about it, book six sees a scorching mini heatwave and it's not just the sun that's raising the temperature. DI Gus Mcguire is very hot under the collar for more reasons than one and things don't look like they are going to cool down any time soon. He recieves mysterious letters from an unknown source, the content hardly threatening, but when one is hand delivered on a Sunday and the messages start to get too personal he decides to take the matter further, the security on his house a top priority! In the meantime a teenager walking his neighbours dog discovers the body of a school aquaintence who has been stabbed in the neck. Head of the school, Patti who is in a close relationship with the DI wants to help Gus and his team with the investigation in any way she can. But this investigation will test their fondness for each other to the limits....can it survive? Meanwhile Mo ( best friend to Gus) and his wife Naila are having problems of their own when their eldest daughter, Zarqa goes AWOL after discovering a family secret from the past. Zarqa is Gus's goddaughter, but can he/should he help with something so personal? Things start looking brighter on the return of Alice who has been on long term sick leave from the force. Everyone is elated, but has she come back too soon?..... This book has a very clever and creative story line with plenty of twists and turns that you never expect. With shocking detail, heartpounding moments and unforgetable characters that had me emotionally gripped I just couldn't put it down. It had me ingtiguied and kept me guessing throughout. A stunning read and exceptional series.
I like a pacey thriller that engages me and holds my attention, egging me on to keep turning the pages long after lights-out time. Any D.I. Gus McGuire book by Liz Mistry does this and more. I find myself so drawn into the story and the lives of the characters, that even before picking up the latest book, I ask myself, ‘I wonder if Alice is going to turn up’, or – thinking about Gus’s ex – ‘what is the bitch going to get up to this time?‘ Having said that, Unseen Evil has touched me in new ways. Perhaps because it involves teenagers, perhaps because it has a new character I can connect with on a deep level. Seldom does a book move me to tears, especially not a gritty thriller, but if there ever was a character to steal Gus’s thunder, it’s Jo Jo, a kid from a rough housing estate in Bradford. I hope Liz Mistry brings Jo Jo back in other books, he’s a keeper. But this book is not just about Jo Jo. It’s about teenagers who are murdered, a killer who uses Snapchat to draw attention to these murders, and a stalker, who obsessively and ruthlessly tracks Gus himself. I’ve always been suspicious of social media, and Unseen Evil has only confirmed my worst nightmares. Liz Mistry manages to tap into the depths of evil in a way that takes your breath away. Unseen Evil reads well as a standalone, but I’d wager that you will want to go back and read all the other D.I. Gus McGuire books.
I love Gus. He is a no nonsense type of bloke that you would always want on your side. He is DI Gus McGuire and his father is the local pathologist so they cross paths and a few more things beside. A teenager receives a picture on snapchat and thinks it is a prank. Less than twenty four hours later he learns that his friend really did have a knife in his neck and will no longer be sending him such messages. Gus is having his own issues. Someone is hand delivering letter and making threats. They are astute enough to avoid any cctv and appear to know not only him but his girlfriend and are taking pictures via a drone. Ooohhhhh!! This is one of those books that to begin with you are not sure which character is talking as we are only given the pseudonym. You very quickly know that that character is the evil in the title and possibly still a child as they mention school. The powers of social media can do much good but can also as we know spread rumours and complete falce hoods. A group of young people thinking that through this media they have power and are invincible. Oh the innocence and inexperience of youth. A very well thought out plot and a clever one. A brilliant highly entertaining read 5*
I’ve jumped in the deep end with the D.I. Gus McGuire series, having not yet read the 5 previous books. This didn’t take anything away from the story and not once did I get lost, but I will be rectifying my reading error.
I’ve just left my local library with the first 2 books in the series and the others have been requested!
First off, WOOHOO, Bradford author! I love the fact that Liz is from my home town, who knew we had so many fab authors from our little corner.
This story line had me gripped, though I was pretty tempted to delete the teens Snapchat app! Isn’t it strange that the mere mention of something my children, friends and even myself use on a daily basis can effect me the way this story line did, very well done… though my teen might not agree!
It’s dark, gripping, twisted and had my heart pounding on more than one occasion. I found myself so obsessed with finding out where Liz was taking us that I found myself picking up the book whenever I got a spare minute or five. A brilliant read with characters that felt real and believable.
I have to admit I’m a little bit in love with DI Gus McGuire, and was very excited to read about his latest case.
The plot is very up to date and feels very real, and has plenty of twists. Social media and it’s use by teenagers is very much at the heart of this book and Gus’s job takes him back to the school where his girlfriend is headmistress, which doesn’t do his love life much good. And then there are further complications in his personal life in the form of his sister and his ex-wife.
Liz Mistry writes really believable characters. As I said, I really love Gus, but his family and his team are also wonderful. My favourite new character in this book is Jo Jo. I really felt for him and wonder if we might meet him again in the future?
But once again the star of the book is the city of Bradford. I love reading about places I know and even if you’ve never been there Liz describes it so brilliantly that you can even smell the place!
I loved this sixth book of DI Gus McGuire and his Team! He and Alice are the best "partners" in a book series that I've been reading lately. And I love Compo also. And the BEST part of this book are: Gus don't fell for his sister's blackmail, man I would hate if he acepted the guilty nonsense that his sister, ex and parents put upon on him, this is just toxic. And ther plot is just very great and well developeted. For the half on I already knew who the killers were, but that don't make the end less enjoable for me. I like so much this part: "He was fed up with being expected to do what everyone else wanted. For once, he was going to be sure that whatever he decided, it was right for him."
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Children are being murdered - why? What has Zarqa been getting herself involved in since finding out that Mo isn’t her Dad and that he had murdered him? Can Mo and Naila deal with her terrible attitude towards them both? Why are Gaby and Katie constantly ringing Gus, what do they want from him? Fantastic storylines throughout in this latest instalment in the series. It’s great to see Compo and Taffys characters coming out more in this story. I have enjoyed having the whole team back together again. Much deserved 5 stars.
The dangers of social media and peer pressure. This is another absorbing addition from one of my favourite authors. It was great to read more about Gus’s team and is another rollercoaster of emotions for the main character. I cannot speak highly enough of Liz’s books, this is another excellent addition to this series but can also be read alone(would recommend them all as they are so good). The characters and the descriptive details of areas where this book is set ensures you will be gripped. Love a good murder mystery and trying to work out “whodunnit” then look no further.
The sixth book in Gus McGuire series and another brilliant read. This book kept me up into the early hours of the morning but then I couldn't sleep for thinking about it. I just had to know the identities of Zodiac, Leo and Pisces . a secret group choosing who will be next on their list to murder. Social media, Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat featured heavily in Unseen Evil, which was quite alarming, yet proved to be a fitting title for the book. As for Gus's private life, his privacy is seriously invaded. I'm looking forward to book 7 in this series A definite 5 star read for me.
Unseen Evil by I've just finished this book and wanted to write my review before the buzz died down. The author sets her main character Gus McGuire many challenges and it makes him so interesting. And, for me, she got the voice of the antagonist spot on. I found the writing style and content contemporary with plenty of pace. A very definite 5 stars for this excellent thriller. Now I'll have to catch up with the rest of the series.
Fab book. This is the 6th in the series & it just gets better. The depth of the characters and the storylines that Liz Mistry comes up with. Just great. You can read alone but if you do you’ll want more. So read them all, you won’t be disappointed I promise!
I’ve jumped in the deep end with the D.I. Gus McGuire series, having not yet read the 5 previous books. This didn’t take anything away from the story and not once did I get lost, but I will be rectifying my reading error. I’ve just left my local library with the first 2 books in the series and the others have been requested! First off, WOOHOO, Bradford author! I love the fact that Liz is from my home town, who knew we had so many fab authors from our little corner. This story line had me gripped, though I was pretty tempted to delete the teens Snapchat app! Isn’t it strange that the mere mention of something my children, friends and even myself use on a daily basis can effect me the way this story line did, very well done… though my teen might not agree! It’s dark, gripping, twisted and had my heart pounding on more than one occasion. I found myself so obsessed with finding out where Liz was taking us that I found myself picking up the book whenever I got a spare minute or five. A brilliant read with characters that felt real and believable. Highly recommend.
What a fantastic book! My first one by Liz Mistry and it won't be my last. So many twists, turns, and detours! I never figured it out until the end! Unbelievably clever and it kept my attention all the way to the end. Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant.
This book is definitely an enigma wrapped in a conundrum wrapped in another enigma. If all of her books are like this then she's just made herself a fan for life.
Loved it. Absolutely loved it. My mind is absolutely blown over that ending. The characters are fantastic, absolutely relatable and the terror you feel for those kids is completely palpable.
I highly recommend this book. I cannot wait for the next book!
This final D.I. Gus McGuire novel ties up some loose ends from the previous books while still keeping the reader engaged with a brand new case. I loved following the detectives as they joined the dots on catching ‘The Snapchat Killer’ & enjoy the complexities of Gus’ home life. However, my only niggle this time was with some of the chapters being written in the first person by different teenage characters. I found it a bit testing when the narrative was unclear who was venting their thoughts. Otherwise a good finish to a superb series.