Blood Loss

D.I. Paton investigates #1

by Kerena Swan

Sarah
With one eye on the rear view mirror and the other on the road ahead, Sarah is desperate to get as far away from the remote Scottish cabin as she can without attracting attention. But being inconspicuous isn’t easy with a black eye and clothes soaked in blood…

… and now the fuel tank is empty.

DI Paton
When a body is discovered in a remote cabin in Scotland, DI Paton feels a pang of guilt as he wonders if this is the career break he has been waiting for. But the victim is unidentifiable and the killer has left few clues.

Jenna
With the death of her father and her mother’s failing health, Jenna accepts her future plans must change but nothing can prepare her for the trauma yet to come.

Fleeing south to rebuild her life Sarah uncovers long-hidden family secrets. Determined to get back what she believes is rightfully hers, Sarah thinks her future looks brighter. But Paton is still pursuing her…

… and he’s getting closer.

Kerena Swan’s brilliant novel explores how honest mistakes and human frailty can have terrifying and long-reaching consequences. It’s a tale of family ties and loyalty, revenge and redemption that you won’t want to put down.

Genres: Mystery, Crime

382 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 23, 2021

About the author

Kerena Swan trained as a social worker and worked for Social Services for over 25 years. For the past 17 years she has owned and managed an ‘outstanding’ rated agency for children with disabilities. Following serious illnesses, she decided to fulfil her long-held ambition of writing a book and getting it published. ‘Dying to See You’, published by Bloodhound Books, was her debut novel.
After many years of writing professionally in the course of her work, Kerena discovered the exhilaration and deep joy of writing fiction and can be found at all hours in front of her computer. Her fifth novel and book #2 of the DI Paton series published by Hobeck Books, 'Driven' is now available.
Kerena lives with her family, dog and cat in a small village in Bedfordshire, UK and her books are mostly set in the surrounding areas.
Drawing on her extensive knowledge and experience of the problematic world of social work and social studies, Kerena delves deeply into her characters' psyches to understand their motivations and behaviours and add meaning and depth to her stories.
If you would like to hear more about new releases, read Kerena's blogs and download free short-stories - the prequel to Dying to See You, and the prequel to Blood Loss, DI Paton book #1 - then visit www.kerenaswan.com and join her mailing list

Reviews

[Fictionophile · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read and enjoyed this author's previous novels "Scared to Breathe",  and "Who's There?", and the D.I. Paton series prequel "Here She Lies", I was in no doubt as to whether I would relish "Blood Loss". I was in no way disappointed.

The protagonist in this police procedural is a caring man who has yet to show his 'mettle' to his new coworkers. He is a very authentic character who is less than perfect, though he continually strives to be better.

I'll admit that while reading the first chapters of the book I couldn't for the life of me figure out how Jenna's character fit into the overall narrative. What could she have to do with the murder in Perthshire, Scotland?  The crime occurred in February, and Jenna's story is set the following June. However, the author cleverly weaves Jenna into the mix, while illuminating just how damaged Sarah's psyche really is.

"Blood Loss" is a fine novel with which to begin a police procedural series. With a likeable protagonist, the book makes you want to follow him in further novels. The murderer's motive would be considered to be somewhat implausible to some, but this murderer had a very damaged mind and a childhood bereft of affection and approval.

The book spoke to themes of loveless childhoods, nature vs. nurture, the effect of rejection on the psyche, and the protagonist's struggle with his home/work balance. It also portrays a realistic look at the dogged persistence required in criminal investigation. In real life criminals are not found right away as depicted on television, and the job of the detectives involved is often fraught with frustrations.

At around the 75% mark, there was a plot twist that I didn't anticipate (though perhaps I should have?)

The plot was intricately rendered. Kudos to Kerena Swan who kept the varied timelines and characters straight.

Recommended to all police procedural fans!

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blood Loss by Kerena Swan has this creepy atmosphere, that never really let’s up. It is absolutely intriguing, and I love books that give me that feeling of needing to keep reading.

We start off with a bang, as we witness a murder and and the story breaks off in two different directions. We follow Sarah, who is fleeing the scene and Jenna, who is leading a very different life. At first, they don’t seem connected, but when I learned what was going on, it blew my mind. Kerena Swan‘s ability to weave an intricate plot like this, is fantastic!

I like DI Paton. I feel like he is invested in his career, but also empathetic. I enjoyed watching his character growth while he sorted this murder out.

Great story, great characters …what more could you need? Highly recommended!

*I received a free copy of this book from Rachel’s Random Resources to review honestly on the blog tour. All opinions are my own and unbiased.*

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been a fan of Kerena’s work for a little while now. When I read the synopsis for ‘Blood Loss’, it certainly sounded like the sort of crime thriller that I particularly enjoy. Well it was certainly one hell of a read and then some. I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘Blood Loss’ but more about that in a bit.
I liked the character of D.I Paton and warmed to him from the start. He is a career police officer, who is facing challenges at work and challenges at home. Paton is married and has a son, who has got Down’s Syndrome. Paton’s wife suffers quite badly with depression so Paton does as much as he can with his son and in the home to take the pressure off her. Paton tries to keep his home life and his work life separate but at times he does end up devoting more time to his home life than his bosses would like. I felt for him. Paton faces challenges at work too as he and his team try to determine who is the killer and what their motivation might be.
Oh my word, ‘Blood Loss’ was one hell of a start to what I am sure will be a fantastic series. I was drawn into the story from the very start. I found that I just couldn’t put the book down for any length of time. My Kindle wasn’t exactly glued to my hand but it might as well have been because it travelled everywhere with me. I just couldn’t bear to miss a single second of the story. Plus I had taken to Paton and his family so well that I just had to keep reading to see how the story panned out for them. I couldn’t turn the pages quickly enough as I worked my through the story. I soon got to the end of the book. I found ‘Blood Loss’ to be an unputdownable page turner of a read, which kept me guessing and kept me on the edge of my seat.
‘Blood Loss’ is superbly written. Kerena certainly knows how to grab your attention from the start and draw you into what proves to be a compelling story. For me, the story in ‘Blood Loss’ hits the ground running and maintains a fast pace throughout. Reading ‘Blood Loss’ felt like being on a scary and unpredictable rollercoaster ride with several twists and turns along the way. I felt as though I was part of the story, which is all down to Kerena’s very vivid and realistic storytelling.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘Blood Loss’ and I would definitely recommend this book to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of Kerena’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.

[Grace J Reviewerlady · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mind-boggling and utterly confusing - what a fab introduction to a new series!

Sarah is driving south as quickly as she can while being as unobtrusive as possible; with blood soaked clothes and a black eye, she doesn't want to draw attention to herself. DI Paton has been waiting for an opportunity to prove himself and the discovery of a body in a remote Scottish cabin may just be that chance. But with no identity on the victim, it's not going to be straightforward. Jenna is dealing with the fact that her mother's health is failing; having already lost her father she knows that she has to be there for her mum no matter what is ahead. As Sarah puts distance between herself and the crime, she is unaware that Paton is not only following - but closing in.

As I've mentioned before I don't re-read a synopsis prior to beginning a book; in this case I don't think it would have done me much good but for more than half of this I had absolutely no idea what was going on! With the chapters flying back and forward in time and the story moving from one character to another, I was really flummoxed and not entirely sure I was enjoying myself. However, once I got a grip on things I began to get into it and make some sense out of who was who and what was going on, it all began to add up. It's a very cleverly planned novel, but I don't like feeling out of the loop. A great introduction to DI Paton who, like all the best coppers, has a rather trying personal life to fit in around his job and I can see this will be a series to watch out for. Taking into account the whole experience from beginning to end, I'm happy to give this one four stars.

[Susan Hampson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story begins with the frenzied killing of a man, and the fleeing of the woman that just murdered him. There is no remorse for what she has done, as she believes that it is all his fault. She feels that she has covered her tracks well when she has gotten away, but only time will tell.


The story breaks into two strands, one following the life of Sarah, whose name often changes throughout the story and Jenna, who leads a very different life to Sarah. It isn’t long before you find out where the story is going, and it never loses the creepy edge from the first page. It is a story that makes you put yourself into each of the two women’s lives and wonder just what you would do.

Once the murdered man is discovered the story takes on a new pace with DI Paton in a race against time to catch the mysterious woman that fled the scene. I liked this character from the start. It is a couple of weeks since the man died, and no-one has yet reported him missing. The trail is quickly getting colder, but he feels this could be the big case he needs to give him a push up the ladder that he is after.


It is a brilliant storyline with excellent characters that keep those pages turning until the breath-taking conclusion. My arms broke out in goose-bumps! Wow!


I wish to thank the publisher for an e-copy of this book which I have reviewed honestly.

[Lynda · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first in a new series which follows on from a novella called Here She Lies, which I read first. The series will follow DI Paton and his son Tommy, although in this book Tommy featured very little. I love the relationship between Tommy and his Dad it tugs on the heartstrings and envelops you in a warm hug.

Briefly, DI Paton is searching for a murderer after a man is found stabbed to death in a holiday let. His companion, a woman who seems to have disappeared, is the main suspect. Meanwhile, we are following the stories of Jenna and Sarah; two women who are leading very different lives but who are about to become inextricably linked...

A great storyline, although the dates are a little difficult to follow as they change by character. There are a few red herrings that I didn’t pick up on. Loved the ending and again I didn’t guess how this would end. It’s very well written and a good 4* read. I look forward to the next book and hope to see more of Tommy. Recommended

[Alyson Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

This excellent first story in a new series is told from three perspectives. We first read about Sarah, fleeing from a holiday cabin in Perthshire after stabbing her married lover Robert who has lied to her about leaving his wife. She thought they had a future together. Scared that the police will trace her, she decides to avoid her rented home in Manchester and instead takes refuge at her mother’s house in Milton Keynes. In her favour is the fact that she has been living under an assumed name since the truth came out about her father who is still in prison, convicted of murdering the man he believed her mother had a long standing affair with. Sarah is hoping that she is actually the other man’s daughter and organizes a DNA test to prove it. However the results are shocking to say the least.
Meanwhile DI Dave Paton and DC Cheryl Campbell are called to the scene of Robert’s murder. Dave is a lovely man, coping with a depressed wife and a Down’s syndrome teenage son. He really wants to be the SIO to prove his worth to his bosses. The investigation makes slow progress but eventually gives up an identity for the man and shows the likelihood that he was cheating on his wife. All they need to do now is find the person who was there with him.
And then there is Jenna who is still living with her mother after the death of her father. Vegan, a horse owner and not as academically gifted as her older sister Lucy, her big goal is to save enough to travel the world and help animal charities. The two sisters are quite different and often argue. When their mother’s health takes a serious turn for the worse, she needs to put her plans on hold but little does she know what shocks are heading her way.
As the book alternates between February onwards for Sarah and Paton’s stories while Jenna’s begins with June, no one could foresee the explosive and heartbreaking collision course that is rapidly approaching all three of them.
The characters are well described and easy to imagine. I could sympathise with Jenna and her desire to do good rather than be bound up in the cost of everything like her sister. Sarah is harder to like, as she seems to have no guilt about Robert nor her subsequent actions, although maybe her upbringing played a big part in how she has turned out. Dave Paton I really liked, particularly his struggle to keep everyone happy and his very human flaws, like his squeamishness with blood, as he doggedly pursues the leads around the country in search of the killer. And of course Tommy – who couldn’t love Tommy? The descriptions of Merlin and his behaviour are absolutely bang on, something which always pleases me as a horse owner and I loved the final chapters. Highly recommended and I am already looking forward to book 2. 5*

[StinaStaffymum · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm thrilled to be taking part in the #BlogTour for Kerena Swan's newest domestic noir/crime fiction BLOOD LOSS.

Following on from the novella "Here She Lies" that initially introduced DI Dave Paton and his lovable son Tommy, the good detective returns in what promises to be an exciting new series. Despite the novella preceding it, BLOOD LOSS is the first in the series and can be read as a standalone. I haven't read the standalone nor knew of its existence till now and I did feel as if I'd missed anything.

The story begins with an explosive start as Sarah flees the scene of a frenzied murder in which she killed her lover, Robert Nash. She feels no real remorse for what she's done apart from the fact that he drove her to it, believing it to be all his fault. As if she has the starring role in a crime drama she now finds herself in, Sarah avoids the nearest junctions to the motorway, service centres and as many roads with CCTV and ANPR that could track her journey from Perthshire in Scotland to Milton Keynes where she ends up.

Believing she has covered her tracks well, Sarah ditches the life she had in Manchester prior to all this...leaving the identity she took there before settling back where she grew up in Milton Keynes as Sarah Butcher, daughter of convicted murderer John Butcher. Finding her mother in her usual drunken state, Sarah resents the life she was given with these two people as parents. Her abusive father had long accused her mother of an affair with the man he killed with one punch for which he now sits in prison for. Maybe he even suspected that she wasn't his daughter. Convinced that the man she grew up with as her father is not her biological father, Sarah decides to do a DNA test to prove or disprove this fact once and for all.

But nothing will prepare Sarah for the results she so eagerly awaits that will change the course of her life forever.

When holiday makers arrive at their rental cottage on the River Tay in Perthshire, they didn't expect to find a man stabbed to death amidst a bloodied mess. DI Paton is tasked with investigating the death which is clearly a murder but soon finds himself meeting dead ends. Not helped by the fact that the man in whose name the cottage had been booked doesn't seem to exist therefore no trace of him can be found. The more he studies the scene, the more Paton is sure that this is a love tryst gone wrong. He looks at the major airports, CCTV, car rentals and even taxi services in his attempts to locate the man...all to no avail. When he is at last identified by his wife reporting him missing in Leeds, Paton is relieved to know the name of the man for whom they are searching to be able to trace his movements...and hopefully his companion. He is excited when they discover a silver car picking up the man traced to a hotel in Paisley. And then nothing.

And then the team catch a break when the same make and model of silver car is seen entering the motorway and heading south towards Manchester. Hot on the trail, Paton heads to Manchester to find out more about Robert Nash's visits to the area and if he had acquired a mistress whilst there. Is this the break they've been looking for? Little does he know that this is only the beginning.

Jenna Winterbourne has lived a charmed life in Bow Brickhill, the more affluent area of Milton Keynes, in a converted barn her parents purchased and converted themselves as their dream home. At 24, she is the youngest of two daughters with her older sister Lucy six years her senior. Despite her privileged life, Jenna stands out from the norm with her peasant style clothing and dread-locked hair, a bone of contention with her more conservative and responsible sister. She holds down two jobs working in a bar at nights and babysitting for twins during the day whilst dreaming of travelling the world and saving the planet. A staunch vegan, Jenna is resolute in her principles regarding animals even to the point of purchasing a very expensive vegan-friendly saddle for riding her horse in her bid to eliminate the use of animal products, including leather. Lucy accuses her of wasting her life away instead of making something worthwhile of herself but Jenna knows that she has never been academic whilst Lucy has thrived on lists and numbers and everything that gives her the air of respectability and responsibility. The two sisters couldn't be more different.

When their mother Fiona suddenly becomes ill, the sisters should be working together but are instead fighting with one another. It takes their cleaner Grace to come to their mother's aid and nursing her before the sisters even know their mother is ill. At first the sisters think it's just their mother missing their father who had died just six months before...but nothing will prepare them for the shock they are about to be delivered that will rock their world from its foundations.

When the story began I wasn't sure where it was going to lead but it isn't long before the direction is clear, with even more "ah-ha!" moments to come, though it never loses its creepy edge throughout. With each page devoured, I became more and more intrigued as backstories emerge and things became intense for all involved. I sympathised with both Sarah and Jenna in their respective lives where each feels a little on the outer and yet their behaviour and attitudes also made me dislike them at times. Though it was Lucy I detested for much of the book. She was positively horrible, rude and selfish. No wonder Jenna felt like she didn't belong with her sister constantly snapping and snarling at her.

The story unfolds through the eyes of Sarah, Jenna and DI Paton and their respective narratives. Though the timeline would have been better identified through the month and year instead of "the previous February" and "the following September". This could make it a little confusing and it would have been best identified as "February 2019" and "September 2019" given as it was the same year and later identified as actually being 2019. Despite this, I found the format easy enough to read as we move between Sarah and Jenna's lives and DI Paton's investigation. As the story progresses, we discover how their lives inextricably intertwine in an intriguing tale with a clever and satisfactory end.

I especially love that it wasn't all police procedural bogging the reader down with only the investigation to tell the tale. I love how the main feature was Sarah closely followed by Jenna with DI Paton's investigation rounding off the story.

A brilliant read from start to finish, BLOOD LOSS is addictive and compelling in every way with engaging characters, likeable or not, that keep those pages turning until the breathtaking conclusion. I loved the final chapters which I thought to be an excellent touch with the final word even a little creepy.

I thoroughly enjoyed BLOOD LOSS and look forward to further adventures with DI Paton and his son Tommy.

I would like to thank #KerenaSwan, #RachelsRandomResources and #BloodhoundBooks for an ARC of #BloodLoss in exchange for an honest review.

This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.

[Eclectic Review · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is a very complex hunt for a murderer told from three people's points of view. One is trying to find their place in life. One is trying to balance a job and home life. And one is a murderer.

At first, I was a bit confused when I started this book with the jumping timeline, but as I started getting to know the characters and finally figuring out how they were connected, I couldn't put it down. 

DI Paton desperately wants to make a name for himself at his job, but his home life makes it a challenge with a wife with mental health issues and a teenage son with Down's Syndrome, not to mention his queasiness at crime scenes.  However, when a murder case comes to his town, he becomes the lead investigator through happenstance and meticulously tracks down a cold-blooded killer.  

It's hard not to give away the story so I will just say that the author does a great job developing the characters and delving into their psyches. One feels sorry for the antagonist's background as well as astonished at how that person selfishly and bizarrely deals with things that don't go their way. As for the other protagonist, they are naive at first but suddenly grow up very quickly due to tragic and dangerous circumstances.

I recommend this provocative mystery with intriguing characters and a great start to a series.

Thank you to Ms. Swan for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.

[Felicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blood Loss is a page-turner from the beginning, and the suspense never eases up.

Sarah is running, trying to get away from something. Her fear leaps off the page! She’s bruised, battered, and covered in blood, and someone is dead.

Jenna wants to run, but in a different way for a different reason. Having recently lost her father, Jenna has a mother who isn’t dealing well with the loss and a controlling sister. All she wants to do is travel the world and take care of animals, but her low-paying jobs and disapproving, unsupportive family keep her dreams out of reach.

DI Dave Paton is a capable investigator with aspirations of rising in rank. With a wife plagued by depression and a teenage son with Downs Syndrome, Paton’s familial obligations hinder him from focusing on his career. He’s not bitter, though he wishes his bosses would take notice and acknowledge the good work he does do.

Paton will get his wish though, as he sorts out a murder with an unidentified victim. Lives will collide as a murderer tries to hide and long-buried secrets come to light in this well-written read of suspense and mystery.

Enjoy!

[Meg Barber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kerena Swan is wonderful at keeping you guessing. And at covering 'issues' with the lightest of touches. She had me wondering how I would have reacted if I had suspected something similar. The story jumps about in time, and I did find that disconcerting at first, but the time frame is well signed and I settled to following what was going on and why. Two stories run together until they merge. I was completely absorbed until the end. If you want a thoroughly enjoyable read, then this is for you.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first book by Kerena Swan but it won’t be my last. This was a very interesting book and a slightly different take on the standard police procedural. I did start to wonder at the beginning of the book how Jenna fitted in with anything and couldn’t fathom the timeline but I’m glad I stuck with it as when it all slots into place it’s really quite clever. Very good twist about 3/4 of the way in. Very enjoyable read

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I adored this read!

I loved this read and it made me wanting to put the clues together as I was reading.
This book hooked me from the beginning when Sarah committed a murder all the way to Sarah being in jail. Figuring out how all three characters came together was the best part of the read!

[Isabella Slattery · Rating 4 out of 5]

loved how this story builds up to a crescendo through an intricate clever weaving of characters you really get in to and all the twists and turns! I have only rated it 4 stars instead of 5 as typically crime mystery is not really my genre however it really was a good read, the end was a surprise and it kept you trying to guess leading up to it! will look forward to reading others in the series!

[Deb Emerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read. Gripping from the start and plot excellent. Can’t wait to read the next one in the series. I love the books written by this author and she makes all her main characters so believable.

[Jeannie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite an engrossing read. Other than the slightly laboured backgrounds of the stereotypical 'good family V the 'bad", -although it explained the motive, I enjoyed this - and will keep an eye out for Book 2.

[ChillwithabookAWARD With · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blood Loss by Kerena Swan has received a Chill with a Book PREMIER Award
www.chillwithabook.com

[Joseph - Relax And Read Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I read the intriguing blurb of 'Blood Loss', I knew that I would enjoy this chilling book and I was right as I was drawn into the story right from the frenetic first chapter.

Sarah has just murdered a man in a desolate cabin in the woods, and covered in blood, she is desperate to get away from the scene as fast as she can before she's spotted by someone. Who was this man? Why did she kill him?

Desperate to be in charge of a case, DI Paton is alerted about the discovery of the body in the cabin. He hopes that this will be the case that finally puts him in the limelight at the station. He wants to catch the killer as quickly as possible and prove his worth with his colleagues, boss and his son Tommy. Paton is a very interesting, likeable character with worries of his own concerning his family unit.

Jenny is a young lady who loves dreadlocks, horses and travelling. She has recently lost her father and her mother's health is sadly also gradually deteriorating. She and her sister, Lucy, are always bickering about something or other. Strange things start to happen to Jenny. It seems as though someone is trying to harm her. But who and why? What does Jenny have to do with the main plot of the book, that is, Sarah and the murder? When the author finally revealed the connection, it was completely unexpected and the plot took on a completely different dimension.

'Blood Loss' is the first in a new series but it can be read as a standalone. It follows on from a novella called 'Here She Lies' which doesn't necessarily have to be read first. I read the novella before I started this and I enjoyed it too.

I found 'Blood Loss' very engrossing throughout. The plot is pacy, all characters and dialogue are realistic and the writing crisp and fresh. The story is told from the povs of Sarah, DI Paton and Jenny. This is not just a crime fiction like any other, yes we have a murder and a detective investigating, but this book is so much more. You could say that the main character in this book is actually the murderer, not DI Paton. The author expands on her life, and more importantly about her past. I couldn't decide whether I hated the murderer or empathised with her more because of the bad hand she has been dealt in life.

One thing I didn't like in this book is the chapter headings. I wouldn't recommend the author to title chapters in future books as 'The previous February' or 'The following June' and so on because it proved rather confusing and daunting to follow and understand the timelines. I would have preferred just the month and year.

Other than that I really enjoyed this chilling page-turner and I highly recommend it. It's a brilliant, thrilling start to a fabulous new series. This was a new author to me and now I'll certainly be on the lookout for the next in the series. With huge thanks to Hobeck Books for sending me a copy of this book to read and review.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a completely new author for me and I was intrigued as to where the story would go. The chapters alternately follow the story of three characters – Sarah, Jenna and DI Paton. Sarah is fleeing the remote Scottish cabin where she had been staying. She’s covered in blood and has suffered injuries herself. Obviously, something terrible has happened and as Sarah heads south, you are fed little bits of her story. Jenna lives in Milton Keynes. Her mother’s health is getting worse, and so is Jenna’s relationship with her sister. DI Paton is sent to investigate the case of a body which has been found in a cabin in Scotland. His home life is troubled and he’s finding it difficult to manage work and home. He does however think this is the case he’s been waiting for and he’s determined to track down the killer.

I enjoyed this book and liked the way the chapters separated the different characters’ perspectives. It is told over different timeframes also, but this is clearly done with chapter headings so you know whose story and when in the timeline it is! DI Paton was a great character and I really connected with him. He has responsibilities at home with a son with learning difficulties and a wife with mental health issues and this does impact on his work. He is however tenacious and determined, despite few clues to go on, to solve the case. I initially found it difficult to work out why Jenna was in the story, but as it moves on this becomes obvious. I also liked Jenna’s character and sympathised with her throughout. Sarah however, was a difficult character to work out! One minute I found myself siding with her, and then the next I wondered what the hell she was doing! The whole story is cleverly told, holding vital parts of the story back until it was the right time to reveal them, twisting and turning throughout!

I’m assuming this will be the first book in the series for DI Paton, and I’m looking forward to future books involving him. I’d love to hear more about his home life and see where that storyline goes, as he doesn’t seem particularly happy with things as they are. It was obvious that all three storylines within this book were going to connect at some point, but I have to admit I didn’t expect how it was done and certainly didn’t guess it! This was a completely original read and one, which if I’m honest, sent shivers down my spine! It was very dark and unsettling at times and it had me hooked from the beginning! Would definitely recommend.

[Ann-Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite the explosive start the characters in the book didn’t gel with me but I kept reading and, as I did so, became more and more intrigued as the back stories emerged and the story got spookier! I found my sympathies swinging between Sarah and Jenna as the story progressed, the lives they had lived, their experiences, their attitudes and their thoughts alternately making me feel sorry for them and disliking them equally. How their lives gradually intertwine is a very intriguing tale with a surprising ending. The character I least liked was the detective, DI Paton – for me, he didn’t seem to have much personality but I did like the way his investigation developed – following all leads thoroughly however long it took, despite being constrained by budgets and finally getting a bit of luck from human error. Definitely worth reading.

Thanks to the publisher for a review copy.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

This follows on from the novella Here She Lies, and is set to be a new series featuring DI Paton but it reads well as a standalone.

A body is found in a remote Scottish holiday let and DI Paton diligently follows the main suspect; a woman who has apparently disappeared. Alongside this storyline, there is Jenna and Sarah whose lives are completely separate and yet, inevitably, intertwined.

I enjoyed this book. The format was a little tricky to follow in places, as each chapter is a different character and timeline, but it all comes together satisfactorily at the end. An end which I didn’t see coming. Recommended.

[Caroline Venables · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book certainly hits the ground running and pulls you straight into the story.

A brutal murder and then a killer’s attempt to avoid detection. A gripping story but what does that have to do with Jenna and her sister? Both caring for their mum they struggle with their relationship.

I really enjoyed this book, written from different perspectives I initially wondered how the characters were linked, but the author cleverly links all the storylines.

This is a great start for DI Paton and I hope to read more in his series.

Highly recommended.

[Graham Rolph · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great introduction to D I Paton I can't wait for book two. As a fan of Kerena's books she gets better and better. I've stated before that in my opinion she is in the same league as Ian Rankin and L J Ross. what more can I say read and enjoy all her books.

[Kelly Simpson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book. Love a good detective series. I couldn't put the book down I had to keep reading to find out who the murderer was. Loved all the plot twist and turns along the way.