Secrets of the Dead by Carol Wyer #bookreview

 

 

 

About Secrets of the Dead

 

Colourful, plastic boats were scattered in puddles on the floor. In the bathtub lay Linda Upton, fully-clothed, lips a shade of blue, and bloodshot eyes wide open.

When a young mother is found drowned in the bath, clutching a receipt saying ‘all debts paid’, Detective Robyn Carter knows it’s just the beginning of a harrowing case. She recognises the signs of a serial killer, and when a second victim with a receipt is found, her worst fears are confirmed.

With the local press whipping the public into a frenzy, Robyn is under pressure to solve the crime yesterday. But her team can’t find a link between the two bodies, and the cracks are starting to show.

Just when her leads have dried up, Robyn discovers an unsettling clue she thinks could unlock the case. But as she chases across the plush carpets and manicured lawns of the wealthy elite, honing in on the killer’s shocking motive, one of her own is put in terrible danger.

Can Robyn stop the most twisted killer of her career before it’s too late?

 

My review of Secrets of the Dead

Secrets of the Dead is the second installment in the Detective Robyn Carter series. I read the first novel, Little Girl Lost, late last year and really enjoyed it. I was therefore really looking forward to reading Secrets of the Dead and this novel didn't disappoint. This is an engaging, psychological crime thriller with many interesting characters and one twisted killer.

The story begins when the manager of a hotel spa is found dead in the sauna room. His body is burned beyond all recognition and his cause of death is believed to be that of a heart attack and an unfortunate accident. The case is closed, but when Robyn meets a woman who knew the deceased man, and who believes that his death was no accident, then Robyn also begins to have doubts and starts her own mini investigation. What follows is a series of gruesome murders, all with 'debts paid' notes left at the scene. But, what connects the murders and who is responsible?

Robyn is a woman with a tragic past, a woman who lost her partner and unborn baby and who lives with this buried pain and guilt. Her past is what shapes her into the strong and determined woman that we see on the page. She is fiercely independent and will fight for justice and what she believes is the 'right thing' mo matter what the consequences. It is Robyn who fuels these novels. I found myself drawn to her, wondering what she was thinking and what her next move would be. It is so refreshing to read about a strong woman, in a professional role, who is also vulnerable. Robyn answers to no one but herself, and I love her for it.

I must also mention Robyn's cousin Ross, the private detective, as he is also one of my other favourite characters. In a way, he is the complete opposite of Robyn. He is happily married, wears his heart on his sleeve and is happy to play the bumbling fool to get a job done. I don't know why but he does remind me a little of Lieutenant Columbo. I really do have a soft spot for Ross, and without his help, and his wife's, Robyn would have a more difficult time in solving the case.

The plot for Secrets of the Dead is a complicated one, but one that is also easy to follow. We read differing viewpoints,  as well as those from the unknown murderer, that help to shape the plot and give meaning to what is happening and why. There are a lot of murders in this book, all poignant, but one in particular I found unsettling. This is where the young mother is found dead in her bathtub, surrounded by plastic boats. I had to take a little time out after reading that scene, before I could carry on.

The question I kept asking myself was why this person was doing what they did? The answer truly surprised me in its plausibility and I realised I had completely misunderstood the motive. I really was shocked by the ending, but in a good way. This is what makes the novel truly remarkable, nothing is as simple as it seems.

Secrets of the Dead is a gripping, imaginative and compelling read for those who love psychological crime thrillers. I enjoyed this book immensely and look forward to reading the next case that Robyn Carter will solve.

With thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the Advanced Reader Copy 

Secrets of the Dead is published by Bookouture on May 30 and is available to order from Amazon here. 

About the author

Carol E. Wyer is an award-winning author whose humorous books take a light-hearted look at getting older and encourage others to age disgracefully. More recently she has chosen to write for the "dark side" and embarked on a series of thrillers, starting with the gripping best-seller, Little Girl Lost.
Her book Grumpy Old Menopause won The People's Book Prize Award for non-fiction 2015.
Carol has been interviewed on numerous radio shows discussing 'Irritable Male Syndrome' and 'Ageing Disgracefully' and on BBC Breakfast television. She has had articles published in national magazines 'Woman's Weekly' featured in 'Take A Break', 'Choice', 'Yours' and 'Woman's Own' magazines and writes regularly for The Huffington Post.
Carol is a signed author with Bookouture and Delancey Press.

To learn more about Carol, go to www.carolewyer.co.uk or follow Carol on Twitter: @carolewyer. Carol blogs at www.facing50withhumour.com and www.grumpyoldmenopause.com






 

Little Girl Lost by Carol Wyer

About Little Girl Lost

Her breath rose and fell in fearful gasps but it was too late. She could already see what she dreaded most. The back seat was empty.Her little girl was gone.

Abigail lives the perfect life with her doting husband and adorable baby Izzy. But someone knows a secret about Abigail and they want the truth to be told.

When Izzy is snatched from a carpark, it becomes a case for Detective Robyn Carter. Someone has been sending threatening messages to Abigail from an anonymous number. What is Abigail hiding?

Robyn’s instincts tell her there’s a connection between Izzy’s abduction and two murders she is investigating. But the last time she acted on impulse her fiancé was killed. To break this case and earn her place back on the force, she must learn to trust herself again – and fast. Robyn is on the hunt for a ruthless serial killer. And unless she gets to the twisted individual in time a little girl will die …

Gripping, fast-paced and nail-bitingly tense, this serial killer thriller will chill you to the bone. Perfect for fans of Angela Marsons, Rachel Abbott and Karin Slaughter.

My Review of Little Girl Lost

     

Little Girl Lost is a detective story/fast paced thriller. We begin by reading about Alice, a little girl, who is only eight-years-old,  who lives in a big house with her mother, step dad Paul, and step siblings, Natasha and Lucas. We learn that her mother is engaged to Paul, a big movie actor and that Alice feels rejected and shunned due to this new relationship, as her mother seems to have no time to spend with her.  Her only true friend would seem to be that of her toy rabbit, Mr Big Ears. The prologue deals with a life changing event for Alice, that sets the tone and pace for the entire story. It deals with a sexual assault, upon Alice, and I did find this upsetting to read, as it was fairly graphic in its depiction. I will admit that I nearly gave up reading, but I wanted to give the book a chance, and I am so very glad that I did. This is by far the most graphic and disturbing part of the book, in my opinion at least.

I do feel that the subject matter of the book may not be to everyone's taste, as the novel is centred around child sexual abuse, and is greatly disturbing. But, I do feel that the author tackles this subject with great empathy, sensitivity and knowledge upon the subject. The events that take place are given context, they are not simply there as a 'shock factor', as they are integral to the plot.

So, Little Girl Lost is the first book in the Detective Inspector Robyn Carter series, and I found this character hugely compelling and likeable. Having suffered her own losses in life, she busies herself in her work and is dedicated and passionate.

We are also introduced to Abigail Thorne, and her husband Jackson, who have a little girl, Izzy. It is later on in the novel that they are then introduced to Robyn, as Izzy goes missing. At this point Robyn is investigating the disappearance of Lucas and is convinced that his case is linked to that of several murders that have taken place.

This novel took me a while to get into because of the varying points of view. We read Robyn's thoughts, as well as those of Abigail's and then of Alice, both past and present. However, once I was around a quarter of the way through, I quickly settled into the pace and way of storytelling and found the plot completely captivating. I was gripped until the very end, not knowing who was telling the truth and how all of these separate events were connected. It really is a very clever story.

Little Girl Lost, is a tough read, there is no denying this, simply because of the subject matter. It did however, keep me guessing and thoroughly entertained. I  look forward to reading the second novel in the Detective Inspector Robyn Carter series.

With thanks to the publisher, Bookouture and NetGalley who provided me with an Advanced Reader Copy.

Little Girl Lost is available to buy from Amazon here.

About the author

Carol E. Wyer is an award-winning author whose humorous books take a light-hearted look at getting older and encourage others to age disgracefully. More recently she has chosen to write for the "dark side" and embarked on a series of thrillers, starting with the gripping best-seller, Little Girl Lost.

Her book Grumpy Old Menopause won The People's Book Prize Award for non-fiction 2015.

Carol has been interviewed on numerous radio shows discussing 'Irritable Male Syndrome' and 'Ageing Disgracefully' and on BBC Breakfast television. She has had articles published in national magazines 'Woman's Weekly' featured in 'Take A Break', 'Choice', 'Yours' and 'Woman's Own' magazines and writes regularly for The Huffington Post.

Carol is a signed author with Bookouture and Delancey Press.

To learn more about Carol, go to www.carolewyer.co.uk or follow Carol on Twitter: @carolewyer. Carol blogs at www.facing50withhumour.com and www.grumpyoldmenopause.com