Dead Secret (Maggie Jamieson thriller, Book 4)

DC Jamieson has her hands full. She meets Probation Officer Lucy Sherwood again when a domestic violence survivor is once again in need of help. Another case ... a man has been murdered and he's found with a multitude of black dots inked on his chest. And then her DCI goes missing. This one is full of action ... twists and turns around every corner. It's a well-plotted police procedural with surprise after surprise. There are suspects roaming everywhere .. some more evil than others. As the book blurb says ... Every family may hide secrets, but not every family buries them. Although 4th in the series, this is easily read as a stand-alone, however, I do recommend reading in order. DC Jamieson is a unique character to follow. Many thanks to the author / Harper Collins UK / One More Chapter / Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

Dead Secret by Noelle Holten DC Maggie Jamieson #4 Ruthless murder of a young man is the introduction to a story that is dark, grim, and filled with horror. Who murdered the young man? Where has DCI Hastings and his family disappeared to and are they in danger? Who is the young, battered woman that appears at the shelter to traumatized to speak? Are these individuals related or separate cases and how will Maggie and the team figure out what is what? What I liked: * That the book is able to stand alone if you have not read previous books in the series. I missed books one and three and was fine. * Maggie: dedicated, professional, focused, good sister, loving daughter, keeps part of herself hidden, team player, might be warming up to a potential love interest, intriguing. * Andy: Maggie’s brother, lives with her, seems to be a good guy, helpful, humorous, there for her. * Julie: journalist, aggressive, intent, eager, interested in Maggie, tenacious. * Maggie’s colleagues: Nathan, Rutherford, Kat, Bethany, Medical Examiner (I think) * The dynamics and discussion on the job. * Lucy Sherwood and the people in her sphere: Vicki & Mark * The police procedural aspects of the story * The twists and turns and surprises * That the cases were concluded by the end of the book and the lead into book five was indicated. * The plot and writing * All of it except… What I didn’t like: * What I was meant not to like – the killer – definitely needs to be incarcerated forever! Did I like this book? Yes Would I read more in the series? Yes Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins – One More Chapter for the ARC – this is my honest review. 4-5 Stars

Ooh, ‘Dead Secret’ had me on the edge of my seat! My tension levels rose, the pages flashed by and I don’t know where time went when I was reading. I also really enjoyed the Lucy strand of the story which brought so much intrigue to the table. DC Maggie Jameson is a likeable central character and I particularly enjoyed the small romance element that crept in through this book. The conflicts involved just added to the drama. As for the crimes, they were suitably gruesome making for a fantastic investigation and when a certain person (no spoilers) came under suspicion, I was like, OMG! Loved it, and I’d thoroughly recommend ‘Dead Secret’ to everyone who enjoys a police procedural. It’s a must read. Noelle has knocked it out of the park with this one!