Item: Dead Wrong
Rating: 4
Author: Yvonne

I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

45174405. SY475 - Blog Tour: Dead Wrong by Noelle Holton

Dead Wrong by Noelle Holton
Series: DC Maggie Jamieson
Published by One More Chapter on 14th March 2020
Genres: Mysteries & Detective Stories
Format: ARC, eBook
Source: NetGalley, Publisher
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads
four stars - Blog Tour: Dead Wrong by Noelle Holton

four stars - Blog Tour: Dead Wrong by Noelle Holton

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

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

Three missing women running out of time…

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

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

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

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

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

Dead wrong is a white-knuckle ride of epic proportions. Noelle Holton is a master weaver of societal and conscientious topics that will leave an imprint etched upon the brain which will leave us stagnated into constantly thinking about the story. It’s a story that opens up that never-ending conundrum of why people act and behave in the way that they do. It’s a rash that can never be satisfied, unfortunately it’s these types of moral questions that make the world go round and Noelle Holton makes it spin all that faster.

The second instalment in the DC Maggie Jamieson series, which can be read as a standalone but if you are able to, you should read Dead Inside. Both books are so raw and gritty and will give you the full immersive experience of Noelle’s writing. Maggie is a character that we all wish was us. Strong, competent and an extraordinaire at daily ass kicking’s in her job. Maggie is dealing with some prickly work colleagues but the undefinable will to do justice is her driving force. It’s truly admirable. I imagine second guessing is loud voice trying to make itself heard, but Maggie pushes it further back and is confident in her ability to do the best job possible.

In Dead Wrong we are centred around the story of Bill Raven. Previously convicted serial killer who quite obviously hungers for the limelight. He brags about his revolting exploits during confession. I can only imagine just how damaging that would potentially be for the families involved. Its an exceptional examination of how serial killers or psychopaths behave. Their absolute disregard of how to treat others in a socially acceptable society, how they have such utter disregard for other human beings’ feelings and it highlights just how dangerous they are to society. Things are about to go crap to the fan when Bill Raven decides to appeal his sentence citing a psychotic break and being under the influence of illicit substances. Was it an unlawful imprisonment or is he crazier than everyone thought? What implications is this going to have for DC Maggie Jamieson’s career?

Maggie ends up being vilified in the media for putting an innocent man behind bars…well why wouldn’t she? No bodies have been recovered and at best it seems like the investigation only coughed up circumstantial evidence. It did remind of a scene from silence of the lambs. He is a dead ringer for Hannibal lector with his creepy demeanour and leering attitude. Maggie is working against the clock to determine who the killer is. Noelle Holton pushes us down the rabbit hole, we try to grab a hold of something but nothing tangible manifests itself. We just have to keep pushing forward, grasping those clues and getting through the maze that is Dead Wrong.

Dead Wrong is bleeding in authenticity. It’s raw, gritty and utterly compulsive. It developed a life of its own, reached out and grabbed me by the throat – it didn’t let go until the very last page.

Thanks to Sarah @ Books On The Bright Side for my spot on the blog tour.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

unnamed 1024x1024 - Blog Tour: Dead Wrong by Noelle Holton

Noelle Holten is an award-winning blogger at www.crimebookjunkie.co.uk. She is the PR & Social Media Manager for Bookouture, a leading digital publisher in the UK, and was a regular reviewer on the Two Crime Writers and a Microphone podcast. Noelle worked as a Senior Probation Officer for eighteen years, covering a variety of cases including those involving serious domestic abuse. She has three Hons BA’s – Philosophy, Sociology (Crime & Deviance) and Community Justice – and a Masters in Criminology. Noelle’s hobbies include reading, attending as many book festivals as she can afford and sharing the booklove via her blog.
Dead Inside is her debut novel with One More Chapter/Harper Collins UK and the start of a new series featuring DC Maggie Jamieson.

Connect with Noelle on Social Media here:
Twitter: (@nholten40) https://twitter.com/nholten40
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/noelleholtenauthor/
Blog FB page: https://www.facebook.com/crimebookjunkie/
Instagram: @crimebookjunkie
Website: https://www.crimebookjunkie.co.uk
Bookbub Author page : https://bit.ly/2LkT4LB

I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

avenge the dead di frank farrell book 3 by jackie baldwin - Blog Tour: Avenge The Dead (Frank Farrell #3) by Jackie Baldwin

Avenge the Dead (DI Frank Farrell, Book 3) by Jackie Baldwin
Published by One More Chapter on February 28, 2020
ISBN: 9780008383909
Genres: Fiction, Crime, Mystery & Detective, Police Procedural, Christian, Suspense, Action & Adventure, Literary, General, Thrillers
Pages: 410
Format: ARC, eBook
Source: Publisher
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads

four stars - Blog Tour: Avenge The Dead (Frank Farrell #3) by Jackie Baldwin

Sometimes murder is the only way to get even...
The gripping new Scottish crime thriller that you won’t be able to put down. Perfect for fans of L J Ross and Val McDermid.
Four friends with dark secrets. One killer out for revenge.
DI Frank Farrell and DS McLeod are tasked with investigating the brutal murder of a defence solicitor’s wife in Dumfries.
It’s been over a year since they left the town after an investigation robbed them of a dear friend. But now they’re back and must find a way to move on.
When the son of another defence solicitor is murdered, a strange tattoo etched on his body, the case takes them into darker, more disturbing territory.
It leads them back into the past – to a horrific fire in a cottage that took a woman’s life, to four friends harbouring dark secrets – and finally to a killer waiting patiently for revenge.
Praise for Avenge the Dead
‘Expertly plotted, I was completely engrossed in the investigation and the lives of the characters, there were twists and turns all the way through keeping me on the edge of my seat... definitely a “just one more chapter” kind of read!’ Sharon Bairden, Chapter in My Life
‘Brutal and gritty in parts whilst sensitive and emotional in others, this book had me turning the pages well into the night’ Alison, NetGalley
‘This was another riveting foray into the world of DI Frank Farrell! From the first chapter, I could not put this novel down, staying up late to finish just to see what would come next’ Krystal, NetGalley

Avenge The Dead is an exquisite case study on how the past never truly can stay buried. Life in the spotlight can have dire consequences. The invisible bands that hold together relationships and families can violently tear with no means to be repaired. The story paints a vivid picture of how an action change the landscape of one’s life forever. This gritty police procedural ticked all the boxes. Jackie Baldwin gently coaxed me down an unsuspecting path before setting her trap – I aimlessly walked straight into it and she wasn’t sorry a bit! I greedily lapped it up like there were no tomorrow.

DS Mhairi MacLeod and DI Frank Farrell are pulled in to assist with the murder of a very prominent solicitor in Dumfries. Are things as straightforward as they seem? The husband has an alibi, but it seems weak. Is it always the spouse that’s to blame or is there darker avenues at play?

The investigation has many hurdles, none so prominent as the obvious turmoil that DI Frank Farrell is suffering from. He’s a mess. Can he really be trusted to lead an investigation appropriately and to completion? Drinks a problem. Bottling up his emotions has become a problem. it’s obvious that something needs to be done. This humanity and realistic reaction to trauma was especially well done. Although I wanted him to get better, the depths of my feeling for the situation was one of empathy.

Avenge The Dead tackles some particularly difficult topics. We are fed the idea that the murdered wife was less than faithful to her solicitor husband. An affair with another solicitor. Is it possible that either her husband or her lover could have murdered her? Is she keeping any other secrets in her closet or is the husband? The author led us on a merry trail of betrayal, secrets and brutality. The clue finding was an adventure and I was more than ready. Buckled up and ready to go.

We are catapulted into the fire alongside our detectives once again when it comes to light that another murder has been committed. This time, a son of another solicitor. I know what you’re thinking…what’s the connection between the solicitors? Buy the book to find out, I promise you won’t be disappointed. Some of my estimations were way off the mark, its actually laughable just how wrong I was. The author skilfully pulled the wool over my eyes, I was blind to it. The pace was like a bullet…swift, complete and without mercy.

Avenge The dead is seeping in the need for justice. Clear your schedule because you won’t rest until that last page has been digested. Jackie Baldwin discusses dark themes with compelling authority.

Thanks to Emma@ Damppebbles for my place on the blog tour.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jackie 02 by Kim Ayres 683x1024 - Blog Tour: Avenge The Dead (Frank Farrell #3) by Jackie Baldwin

Jackie Baldwin is a Scottish crime writer. Her debut crime novel, Dead Man’s Prayer, was published by Killer Reads on 2^nd September 2016. The second in the series, Perfect Dead was published on 15^th June 2018. For most of her working life, she has been a solicitor specialising in Family and Criminal Law. She later retrained as a hypnotherapist. Married with a grown family, she recently moved from Dumfries to East Lothian.

Social Media:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JackieMBaldwin1

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JackieBaldwinAuthor/

Website: http://jackiebaldwin.co.uk/

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An Avenge the Dead Prize Bundle featuring all three books in the DI Frank Farrell series signed by the author plus extra treats!

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