Unbound Ties

DI Gus McGuire #7

by Liz Mistry

When the past unravels, all that’s left is death.

Lavender’s blue, dilly dilly,
When DI Gus McGuire is called out to the murder of a pregnant woman, the crime scene tells him that this killer is not only taunting them … he’s also just getting started.

Lavender’s green,
With ritualistic precision, the killer has placed a series of clues beneath the victim’s feet. Gus soon realises that these clues link back to his mother’s past as a child in foster care in Scotland.

When I am king, dilly dilly,
Troubled by his mum’s secrets, Gus is in a dark place. Side-lined from the main investigation, Gus works another murder, not realising that the two are linked and that the killer is closer than he realises … Dangerously close.

You shall be queen.
Then the killer begins to target people near to Gus. Angry and determined Gus races to unravel the past and catch this sadist before the loss is too much for him to bear.

Genres: Crime, Thriller, Suspense, Mystery

353 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 20, 2020

About the author

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.

Reviews

[Julie Lacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read in the Gus McGuire series.
Gus and Alice are called to a crime scene where a pregnant woman is found hanging dead in her house. It’s not straightforward though as there’s items around the body including a rhyme and a drawing.
Gus then discovers that his mum has been sent similar drawings in the post and it seems they are linked.
More bodies turn up with the same items nearby and Gus and the team realise they’ve got a seriously twisted killer on their hands.
Gus is taken off the case as SIO due to the link with his mum, so Alice steps up. However Gus is asked to investigate another murder and the team end up working together.
We also have some chapters set in a psychiatric hospital with Rory and Jimmy and whilst it seemed strange at first, it soon makes sense.
Gus’ mum Corinne is very involved in this case and we learn about her past and the difficulties she’s faced.
This is a gripping crime thriller that comes together really well, building up to a great ending.
Gus also gets some surprising news in this book too.
A great read that can be read as a stand alone, but I highly recommend the series.
Thanks to Liz Mistry for sending me a copy to read.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can I just start by saying how flipping fantastic the series featuring Detective Inspector Gus McGuire really is!! I haven’t quite caught up with all the books in the series just yet but I keep pace with the new releases and when I get a minute I read one of the earlier books. I read the synopsis for ‘Unbound Ties’ and I just literally could not wait to start reading. So without further ado, I grabbed my copy of the paperback, grabbed a cup of tea and settled down to start reading. Oh wowsers, ‘Unbound Ties’ is another corker of a read and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it but more about that in a bit.
It didn’t take me long to get into ‘Unbound Ties’. In fact I saw the cover, saw who wrote it and I just knew that I had to read the book as soon as I possibly could. I settled down to start reading and that was it I was away. Safe to say that nothing else was done for the rest of the day because I couldn’t have put the book down even if I had wanted to. No I don’t mean that the book was glued to my hand although it might as well have been because it travelled everywhere. I had taken a shine to Gus again and I had to keep turning those pages to discover just how ‘personal’ this case was going to be for him and whether or not he would make it to the end of the story in one piece. I was also intrigued by the crimes as featured in this story and I had to keep reading to find out more about the perpetrator and their motivation for committing such awful crimes. The pages turned increasingly quickly as my desperation to find out what happened just grew and grew. At one point the pages were turning that quickly that it was as if they were turning themselves and the page numbers became a blur. I soon got to the end of ‘Unbound Ties’ and I had to say farewell to DI McGuire and his team.
‘Unbound Ties’ is absolutely brilliantly written but then I have come to expect nothing less from the super talented Liz Mistry. I like her writing style and the way she makes the reader feel as though they are at the centre of the action. That’s how I felt at any rate. I love the way in which Liz grabs your attention and entices you into the story. Once she has your attention she will not let you have it back until after you have read the very last word on the very last page. Not that I would have wanted it back. I love the way in which the level of tension in the story seemed to become more intense at times and I felt like chewing my nails on more than one occasion. I found ‘Unbound Ties’ to be a tense, dramatic and compelling read. I think that the book is extremely tightly plotted with more twists and turns than you would find on a ‘Snakes & Ladders’ board. I was gripped by the story from start to finish and I was on the edge of my seat throughout.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘Unbound Ties’ and I would definitely recommend this book to other readers. I will definitely be reading more of Liz’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.

[Elaine - Splashes Into Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author is a queen of crime fiction and police procedural stories and this is a fantastic addition to the DI Gus McGuire series but still works well as a standalone - it just makes me want to read the earlier books in the series!

When a pregnant woman is discovered murdered in her own home, deliberately posed and with a variety of ritualistic features and clues it is an indication that this won't be the only victim. It is the trigger for an investigation by the team initially led by DI Gus McGuire. Through the story you get to know all the members of the team, their quirks, relationships, families, secrets and so much more. Gus is a brilliant character - complete with his own personal dilemmas and, as the story progresses, disturbed to find out secrets from his mother's past, secrets which have a direct link to the murders . . . .

This is not only an investigation racing to identify the perpetrator before there are more victims but also an unfolding family drama centring around Gus. It is a complex story from the past and present, like diverse pieces from a jigsaw where each piece is a clue but it is only when they are correctly put together that the whole picture emerges. Can the team put the pieces together in time to save other potential victims? It is a race to uncover the truth that kept me totally enthralled and turning the pages. I have absolutely no hesitation in highly recommending this fascinating, dark, crime thriller to anyone who enjoys this genre or is looking for an intriguing mystery to read.

Many thanks to Rachel's Random Resources for my copy of this book which I have voluntarily read and honestly reviewed.

[Felicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read dozens of books and watched as many television shows and movies where police officers and detectives have personal connections to horrific cases their departments are investigating.

Unbound Ties wins the prize for the most connections! Eat your heart out, Kevin Bacon!

When a young pregnant woman is found hanging at the top of the stairs in her home, the ritualistic scene displayed at her feet not only rule out suicide but also fills DI Angus McGuire with dread that the killer is just beginning. And he’s right. There will be more murders. Some will follow the pattern and some won’t. But with each death, Gus and his team are sure there’s a connection they’re missing. However, he’s gobsmacked when he learns the killer… and the murders could be directly connected to his mother’s childhood.

This was such a good read told from multiple points of view… and one of them belongs to the killer. An arrogant piece of work, he enjoys choosing victims and planning the murders as much as he does taking lives. He also enjoys taunting the police, knowing they won’t catch him before his endgame.

Though the methodical killer stumps Gus’ team at first, they dig in their heels, determined to close the case before he strikes again. When Gus is removed as lead investigator because he’s too close to the case, there are a few stumbles, but first Alice and later Nancy take the lead and Gus might even learn a thing or two from them.

He is a moody manimal! Of course, after everything Gus has been through in his adult years alone, moody is not a condemnation. He has a loving relationship with his parents but too many lies and secrets over the years have left Gus wondering whom he can trust, and the last lie guts him.

Several themes run through Unbound Ties, but for me, it was racism that stood out. Not because it was loud and preachy, accusatory, or timely, but more so because it wasn’t. While the thirty-five-year-old mixed-race Gus had his share of discrimination growing up, he never considered what his mother went through. But his mother also never talked about it. Born to a woman who didn’t want her, blamed her for her desolate life, and abused her mentally and physically, half Jamaican Corrine Cameron didn’t fare any better when she was thrust into the foster care system. Gus has to reconcile the strong, professional woman who raised him and his sister with the child scapegoated and traumatized simply because of her dark skin and the ignorance of others.

Infidelity, betrayal, mental health, and the coronavirus pandemic are also key themes, but also not in-your-face. Liz Mistry does an excellent job of weaving them not just through the story but through the lives of its characters and how they were affected as they worked together to catch a serial killer.

I have a knack for jumping into a series anywhere except the beginning, and in this case, it was book seven… of a seven-book series. Only me, right? But I LIKE these characters with all their quirks… and unwavering support of each other even when they don’t agree, so I’ve added six books to my already towering TBR. Make sure you add this one to yours.

Enjoy!

[Karen Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unbound Ties is the seventh book in Liz Mistry's DI Gus Maguire series; last year I joined the growing band of Gus fans when I read the sixth book, Unseen Evil and as with that novel, I can confidently state that new readers can join the series at this point - although obviously those who have followed the books from the beginning will benefit from their deeper familiarity with the characters and their histories.
The story is told from multiple viewpoints and while the investigation featuring Gus and his team is written in the third person, the other accounts are in the first person. Each voice is distinct from the other and though this is a complex, puzzling novel, the intricate plotting never becomes too hard to follow. The seemingly ritualistic murder of a young woman immediately rings alarm bells in Gus's head and he surmises that it is likely to be the first in a series of deaths at the hands of a twisted serial killer. The passages written from the killer's perspective confirm just how proficient he is, and without going too much into his chilling modus operandi, it is soon obvious that the team are going to constantly be a few steps behind this ruthless murderer.
It also quickly becomes apparent that the murders are somehow linked to Gus - or more correctly to his mother, Corinne. The revelations here bring great personal anguish to Gus who is devastated to discover his parents have been hiding secrets from him. He reacts angrily but his emotional turmoil doesn't prevent him from wanting to protect them, particularly his mum whose tragic early history allows for a stark but compassionate exploration of historical racism and the ignorant and cruel treatment of black and mixed-race children by their peers - and even more dreadfully by those who should have been there to protect and nurture them.
Gus's personal involvement means he has to be removed from the case so his friend and housemate, DS Alice Cooper is put in charge and her promotion causes some awkward moments for the close-knit team who struggle with the change in the chain of command and Alice's frustration is entirely understandable. When new murders seemingly unconnected to the ritual killer investigation appear to be too closely linked to the personnel working the case to be merely coincidence, she and Gus have to figure out the best way to proceed in the face of a rapidly rising body count. The emotional impact on them all is evident and while this story is very much centred on Gus, his colleagues are clearly also deeply affected by what happens here.
While most of the action takes place in Bradford, there are scenes set in Scotland too and the parts of the novel told from the perspective of two initially unidentified characters are absolutely intriguing. The two men obviously have profoundly troubled backgrounds and are both damaged, apparently dangerous individuals. However, just what they know and how they are connected to the case back in Bradford - and to Gus himself - isn't revealed until late in the book when the awful truth causes the tension to rise even more as it becomes a race against time to apprehend the killer before he strikes again.
The title of the book is perfect as family ties are such an important element of the cleverly worked plot, which is complemented throughout by the warm, empathetic character development, and the personal and professional shocks lead to a fitting, albeit rather poignant conclusion. With its effortless marrying of past events to present actions and the sensitive examination of a number of topics, including abuse, racism and white privilege, Unbound Ties is a riveting rollercoaster of a read from start to finish.

[Alyson Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the seventh book in the excellent series featuring Bradford's DI Gus McGuire and his team of detectives which includes DS Alice Cooper, DCs Taffy and Compo, and at present DCI Nancy Chalmers is acting DCS after the demise of their former boss in the last book. Gus and the team are called out to the murder of a pregnant woman in a terraced house. It looks almost ritualistic with items laid out beneath her. The husband is not a suspect and the type of crime screams out that fact that this may be the first of many. A strange link to his mother’s past throws Gus off to the sidelines but it isn’t long before he has a home intruder murder of his own to investigate, that of someone close to the police. Life is never dull for DI Gus McGuire and this story is no exception. He and his family have been through some rough times lately and now a buried secret from his mother’s life is coming back at them with a vengeance. Except that it can’t actually be who they think it is since he is firmly locked up. There appears to be someone who knows all about the past and is bringing it back in shovelfuls. As the story progresses the reader is treated to a narrative by the killer, a sort of “fly on the wall” commentary, as he goes about his business of murder and seeking out his victims with evident patience and pleasure. Who is the Man In Black, who is he trying to punish and why? It becomes clear as the tally increases that detectives are facing a very clever killer who plans meticulously and is working towards a master end game, confident he will not be caught before the final denouement. There are also accounts by individuals inside Bellbrax Psychiatric Facility but who are they? It was intriguing trying to work out what was real and what was a product of their illnesses, and I suspect the author was scarily accurate in their presentation. 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 what was coming next. There is real hatred in these murders. Will the baffled detectives and profiler join the dots and work out the clues which will lead them to the killer in time or will he get the ultimate revenge he seeks? And do they realise they are all in the firing line? There are lot of references to events and cases that have taken place in previous books so be aware if you haven’t read them all yet (and why not, I ask??) you may get a bit of a spoiler. I really would suggest reading these stories in order to get the very best from a brilliant series. The tension creeps up all the way through in a book I simply could not pull myself away from as it crashes towards a devastating and life changing ending. I am agog to know what happens next!! 5*

[Misfits farm · Rating 5 out of 5]

DI Gus McGuire is back on the case… only this time he isn't, not really. There has been a murder where drawing amongst other things were found by the hanging body. A short while later he discovers his mother has been anonymously sent similar pictures and she thinks she knows whom they are from. When there are more murders and getting rather close to home, Gus is off the case and Alice is the new SIO. Chilling alternating chapters take us to Scotland where someone is incarcerated, someone who knows that bad things must be happening and who by. This is book seven in the DI Gus McGuire series but does happily stand alone. I like Gus, he’s one of those real characters and someone you would want on your side. A sense of humour and a realism that shows superb writing (as ever) by Liz. A brilliant plot line with turns along the way to keep the grey matter active and keep the pages turning ever faster. A surprise and a smile. I very much look forward to the next instalment

[Dee Groocock · Rating 5 out of 5]

When DI Gus McGuire and Alice attend the scene of pregnant woman hanging in her home, they find items including drawings beneath her that appear to be ritualistic

It soon becomes apparent that Gus’ Mum has been receiving drawings through the post. Gus is having trouble understanding why his parents are keeping things hidden from him and he is taken off the case due to the link with his Mum so Alice takes over. While Gus is working on another case, it isn’t long before they realise that the cases are connected.

This is a gripping and troubling read which has been handled sensitively and well by the author. There are a few storylines going on which are all concluded by the end of the book so no cliffhangers.
Gus certainly has a hard time of it in this book and doesn’t know where to turn as he feels there are too many secrets being kept in his family. You can feel his torment in the writing. It’s great to have the team back together again. A brilliant crime thriller that will leave you wanting more.

[Jane Hunt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a compelling noir crime read which explores contemporary and historical issues through the characters' experience. A balance of police procedural, family drama and psychological suspense the story is intricate and intriguing.

The investigation team are diverse and full of authentic characteristics. DI Gus McGuire is an excellent lead detective he is driven and effective. There is a personal connection for DI McGuire in this story which forces him away from the front line initially to face painful family secrets.

The crimes committed in this story are grisly, and the antagonist intelligent, but lacking in humanity. Told from multi viewpoints they immerse the reader in the characters' actions and emotions.

This story reads as a standalone for new readers of the series with enough character details to make them understandable and the team dynamics apparent.

Unbound Ties is a deep and haunting noir crime story which resonates.

I received a copy of this book from the author in return for an honest review.

[Jasmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unbound Ties is a standalone novel in the DI Gus McGuire series, and while I haven't read any of the previous books, I have to say I might just have to do that at some point. I enjoyed the cast of characters in this book, and I think it would be interesting to go back and see what other cases they've tackled.
In Unbound Ties, Gus is investigating the murder of a pregnant woman. Seemingly ritualistic, Gus and his team are determined to figure out the murder before the killer strikes again. Unfortunately for Gus and his team, things aren't that cut and dry...or easy. Soon, the past will catch up with Gus, and by then, it just might be too late.
I wasn't sure what to expect when I went into this book, but boy, it's a doozy. It's dark. It's brutal. It's a tense, taut thriller that will keep you on the edge, barely breathing as you follow along with Gus and his team, trying to make sense of it all. It's definitely an intense read.
If you're looking for a thriller that will spike your adrenaline and give you a rush as you read it, check out Unbound Ties.
4.5 stars!

[Sylvia Cleverley · Rating 5 out of 5]

They just get better and better

I've read all this series of books and loved every one and this latest one is the best yet. I've read Unbound Ties in record time, it's brilliant, I love the connection between all the characters and can't wait for the next one.

[Julie Simon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read and loved every book in this series, I just don’t know where to start with this one. An absolute cracker of a book, everything and more you could ever want. By far the best so far and I can’t wait for the next one.

[Sandra Leivesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This latest book in Liz Mistry's DI The McGuire series is a cracker. This time the team are investigating the murders of pregnant women which all seem to link back to Gus's mum, the lovely Corrine. This case is very personal to Gus. He is also reunited with a face from the past. As well as Bradford, this book is also set in Liz's native Scotland.

The book hooks you in right from the start and the murders are very macabre. The pace is unrelenting and had me right on the edge of my seat. I read the book in two sessions, determined not to go to sleep until I'd finished. All the way through I was trying to work out who the killer was, but didn't guess correctly until very close to the end. I was saddened by the racism suffered by Corrine when she was just a child, and shed a couple of tears.

This is the first book I have read which is set during the current pandemic. There are only a few references and it made it feel real and current and I feel Liz was right to include them.

I love everything that Liz Mistry writes but have a soft spot for Gus, and the ending was a shock, making me eager to know what is in store for him in the future!




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[Sangeeta Mistry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow amazing

This was such an amazing read. Had me guessing right the way through . Thanks Liz. Keeping us wanting more.

[Livia · Rating 5 out of 5]

When DI Gus McGuire is called to a crime scene at a house he finds a woman hanged..The dead woman Miranda Brookes was pregnant ..the killer has left some items on the floor beside her..Gus feels in his gut there is something very wrong here and calls out Professor Carlton ,a Psychologist and Criminal Profiler, along with his own father the best Pathologist in Bradford. But when Gus finds a link between the killer and his mother..this is too close to home..As Gus is taken off the case and given another ..it soon becomes clear both cases are intertwined. And that sometimes the past has a tendency to walk into the present to turn over the future ..A killer is escalating..As Gus finds out more about a past life the story flows from the past to present day..present time ..Will the killer be stopped? What is their endgame ? The seventh book in the series is set between Scotland and Bradford..I thought this story gave a deeper insight into Gus McGuire..Another great read by Liz Mistry in a Stunning series ...

[Alison Taylor-Muhl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unbound Ties is the seventh Gus McGuire book, and having read them all, I have seen Liz’s writing go from strength to strength - her ability to create very believable characters and an intense atmosphere are everything I want from a book.

In this latest book, I felt that my fondness of Gus was waning a little. I accept that his personal life is all over - all the time, but I did feel that at times, his behaviour was extremely childish and irritating. Thank goodness for Alice - one of my favourite characters, as always, she is down to earth and real - it was great to see Alice step up as SIO.

This is the first book I have read that touches on the C-19 pandemic, but it does it in a subtle way. What is not done in a subtle way is address racism, parts of the book are hard to read, but I wholeheartedly agree we need to shed light on racism and the impact it has.

A well-deserved 5 stars from me, this book is dark and intense; I simply couldn’t put it down and am eager to see what’s next for Gus and the team.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review:
Unbound Ties by Liz Mistry is SO. GOOD. I am obsessed with this book. I read this as a standalone which worked well, but now I just want to read the rest of the series. You know, because I definitely need six more books in my TBR!
Gus McGuire and his team are fabulous. They’ve had six books to grow, but I think they are still growing, which is always nice to see for someone stepping this late into a series. They are easy to root for and empathize with.
I enjoyed the seamless movement between past and present. The writing is fantastic. I was kept on my toes from page one to the end. Awesome.
Highly recommended!!
Rating:
5/5☆
*I received a free copy of this book from Rachel’s Random Resources in exchange for an honest review on the blog tour. All opinions are my own and unbiased

[Fee (Ebook Addicts) · Rating 5 out of 5]

*edit to add review*

How have I only just discovered this series!? Unbound Ties is book 7 in the DI Gus McGuire series, and my first read by Liz Mistry, and whilst I have not read the previous books this was an easy introduction and easy read as a stand alone.

I just loved this book! From the very beginning to the last page I was hooked, from the gruesome ritualistic murders of pregnant woman to Gus finding out secrets from his parents past this was definitely a page turner!

Gus is moved from the murder case when it becomes clear that his mother has been receiving similar drawings that were left  at the crime scene, but when one of the CSI team is murdered Gus is assigned to that and soon both teams discover that both are connected!

This was a great crime thriller, and one that I could not stop reading, there was just no safe place to stop as I had to know who was behind it all. I wish I had read the other books in the series as if they are anything like this one then I just know they are are going to be bloody brilliant!

5 stars

[Rebecca Charlesworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow this is my first outing with Gus and his team and it will not be my last (I’m heading to book one to see where it all started) this is part of a series but can be read easily on its own, it touches on enough background history that you don’t feel you’ve missed anything. Right where to start, i found this to be a really well written storyline, it has something going on all the time and leaves you anticipating what will happen next. A great team of characters that you kind of bond with straight away they all have their own quirks and isms but it’s what makes them work in my opinion. I’m not going too much into the storyline as I feel that’s the job of the blurb but I will say a very enjoyable read if you like gritty police procedurals, murder, high body counts and a race against time in trying to stop a killer then this is definitely for you.

[Caroline Wakelin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Literary Crime At Its Best

If you haven't read any of Liz Mistry's novels yet, what are you waiting for?
This is the best yet of the novels featuring DI Gus McGuire. A series of seemingly inexplicable crimes linked to a main character with so many twists and turns to keep even the most avid reader of crime fiction guessing! One of the strengths of the author's is her ability to make you really care about the characters. Finishing the novel is a little like having to say goodbye to friends you won't see again for a long time.
If you've read other books by this author you'll need no encouragement to read this one. If you haven't start with the first one and enjoy the journey with Gus, but be prepared to lose sleep as you will not want to put them down!

[Chris Nolan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great story, really exciting and a powerful addition to a wonderful series. However, a frustrating number of issues of grammar, spelling and particularly punctuation make it a four star novel.

[Ruth Matheson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t know why I have never read this series before - it must just have passed me by however I now have a back catelogue to catch up on based on this novel which is book 7! Featuring DI Gus McGuire and his team, we find him attending a hanging/murder but when pictures are found to be linked to ones sent to his mum, then he has to be replaced. The story flicks between past and present but not that you really know as Liz Mistry deftly pulls all of the threads neatly together to a great climax. The story is great paced and I kept wanting and needing to read the next chapter as it became almost addictive. I would highly recommend this book.
Thanks to Liz for the ARC to review and all opinions are my own ones.

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unbound Ties by Liz Mistry is a worthy addition to the Gus McGuire series and is book 7. I have loved them all but this one is the best I think so far. We learn more about his Mum in this book too. Gus tears his hair out as he finds out all the secrets she has kept from earlier in her life, but he is so like his Mum in that respect. You want to give them all a big hug. I love the way the characters have developed through the series – a great lot of characters. Covid is mentioned in passing but it didn’t play a big part in the story, it was just there and fitted in well. A gripping and tense storyline. I loved it and highly recommend it.

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant read once again, the series just gets better and better. A young woman is found hanging but it's not a straight forward suicide or maybe not even a suicide at all. Gus is the officer in charge of the enquiry but will he have to hand over the case when he realises something is amiss close to home. Something in his mother's past that she is reluctant to share. Highly recommended, it kept me glued to my kindle with the ironing pilling up and the meals uncooked.

[Susan Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here we are book 7 in this fantastic series. The success of this series is not just the brilliant character of DI Gus McGuire , but also the cast of characters who work along side him and his family. The investigation begins with a murdered pregnant woman. Clues are left and links are discovered .
There are revelations from the childhood of Corrine, Gus's Mum. This is one of the best books in the series., but I cannot wait to read the next instalment.

[Annemie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely brilliant!

[Craig Gillan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent book in the series. Gus and co are brilliant as always and a cracking storyline

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved, loved, LOVED this book. This series is one of my all time favourites and Liz Mistry has wrote a belter of a book here. I loved it from beginning to end and it was one of those reads that when I got to the end I thought how can my next read ever live up to this one? I have always loved Gus McGuire and the team he works alongside. They are characters you can’t help but like, love, root for and empathise with. Gus and his team investigate murder(s) and find a link to a family member. He has to hand the investigation to his colleague and watch from the sidelines. The book moved from past to present so easily and Gus has to face up to an unexpected reminder from his past. The story had several threads running which all race to a thrilling conclusion with all loose ends tied up nicely. I really like the authors writing style and am always drawn in right from the start with her books. For me, this is the best book yet in the series and deserves more than 5 stars. Really looking forward to the next one. 😀

[K Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gus is back

So happy to see another book in the series featuring Gus McGuire, not that I don't love your other books. I think this book has surpassed any of your other books which I didn't think was possible. You're characters are so life like and all so different in their own way. I have loved being on the unpredictable ride with Gus's team . I do do hope there is more to come. If I could give more stars I would.

[Carole Gourlay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has to be, without a doubt, the best yet.

The murders, the deceit within the family, it’s a wonder Gus is still sane. I think it was the secrets within his family that hurt him the most, the betrayal of those whom he loved most. He doesn’t seem to do very well with his nearest and dearest.

Saying that, the crimes are awful and the killer seems to be so far ahead of them, nothing is going to stop him. He’s playing with the murder team, leaving nursery rhymes and clues. When Gus is removed from his original case, it’s not long before another murder he’s working on is tied together, and it’s a race against time before the final crescendo.

This book I feel gives more insight into the family and what’s happened in the past, and I felt it was so sad for Corrine.

I’m hoping Liz is going to write another Gus book soon, love the characters, even Alice and her choice of men!!!