Thursday, August 22, 2019

Review - Dead Inside

Title:   Dead Inside
Author:  Noelle Holten
Series:  DC Maggie Jamieson #1
Genre:   Mystery/Thrillers
Publisher:  Killer Reads
Format:  Kindle ARC
No. of Pages:   293
Date of Publication:  May 31, 2019
My Rating:  5 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

When three domestic abuse offenders are found beaten to death, DC Maggie Jamieson knows she is facing her toughest case yet.

The police suspect that Probation Officer Lucy Sherwood – who is connected to all three victims – is hiding a dark secret. Then a fourth domestic abuser is brutally murdered. And he is Lucy’s husband.

Now the finger of suspicion points at Lucy and the police are running out of time. Can Maggie and her team solve the murders before another person dies? And is Lucy really a cold-blooded killer?

MY THOUGHTS:

It is with bated breath that I attempt to write this review. As I was reading the pages of this book I felt like I was experiencing what I was reading, although nothing in this book has ever happened to me. However, for some reason, I was amazingly affected by Dead Inside. How an author, a debut author at that, could pen words that could tear my soul apart is one I am honored to read. I did have to take a break from reading for several hours. To say that this touched a cord with me is an understatement.

I find this book by Noelle Holten to have two primary characters. For starters, it is the first book in the DC Maggie Jamieson series, so she is the first. In addition, there is Lucy Sherwood, a probation officer who proved to be the catalyst for the story.

Lucy works with violent domestic abusers with hopes of keeping them in line and away from their former victims. She deals with some very rough men on a professional basis. However, it is what is happening in her private life that is a deep, dark and well-kept secret. Her marriage is not what it seems, so Lucy is forced to have two personas, and manages to live this life for quite a long time.

With regard to Maggie, she has begun a new job in a newly formed unit. After dealing with a gruesome murder case, working with domestic situations might be a bit easier for her to deal with. However, as she immediately begins her first case, it is that of a man violently murdered. In short order, other murders occur, and Maggie and her team have a difficult battle on their hands finding the killer before yet another person dies. 

Meanwhile, things are happening with Lucy - and her awful husband Patrick - that begin to shed light on some awful scenarios. As mentioned, Lucy's home life was a secret. None of her colleagues were aware of the horrors she was experiencing. Ultimately, Lucy is faced with a murder charge. Has her job, and her personal life become too much? Has she finally cracked?

As mentioned, this story was intense. It was dark, haunting and heartbreaking. The fact remains that women experience the horrors of domestic violence each and every day. I applaud Ms. Holten for writing such an effective story. As the book ends, readers are left eagerly anticipating the next book.

Many thanks to Harper Impulse, Killer Reads and to NetGalley for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

My name is Noelle and I am in my 40’s. I am an avid reader and by that I mean I am never without a book! I am now an ex- Senior Probation Officer having left in July 2017 following 17+ years to try something new and exciting in the Bookish World with THE BEST digital publisher out there right now! WOOHOO!

By night I read all things crime!! My fascination for books started at a young age and I truly feel withdrawal symptoms if I am unable to read for a few days hence the name #crimebookjunkie! I am interested in many genres, my faves being Grit Lit, psychological thrillers and all things murder. I also LOVE  Police Procedurals and legal/action thrillers. I tend to keep away from Chick Lit and Erotica…however, if forced at gun point I may give just about anything a read. I tend to review on Goodreads, Amazon UK and .com, Netgalley, and share reviews on Twitter/My CBJ facebook page, Facebook via Crime Fiction Addict, Crime Book Club, Book Connectors and other various book clubs I am a member of. I have been fortunate enough to be put on a few Publishers reviewing lists.

Oh..and I was obsessed with my chocolate Lab Buster (who sadly passed away May 21st 2018) and gorgeous Tabby cat Pebbles, who sadly passed away in Oct 2015 (RIP Pebs x). I previously had the pleasure of guest reviewing on the former site www.bestcrimebooks.co.uk now known as  BCBandMore as the lovely Kat had kindly taken me under her wing whilst my site was under construction. I miss reviewing for her…but thrilled she gave me that nudge! 😉

Here are some pics of my other two obsessions.  Meet Buster (my gorgeous, big nosed, loveable 11 year old chocolate lab -RIP #BusterBear 21/5/18) & Pebbles (aka “Pebs” the slightly psychotic 17 year old princess tabby RIP 25/10/2015)



6 comments:

  1. Oh Robin!!! thank you so much for this amazing review and for being a part of the blog tour! xx

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  2. I've seen this book all over Twitter, I actually follow the author. It sounds fantastic, thanks for sharing your review.
    Gemma @ Gemma's Book Nook

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  3. I"m always amazed to stumble upon a first time author of this magnitude - excellent review, Robin!

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  4. Great review Robin this book looks and sounds absolutely fantastic and right up my alley as well. I am really glad you fully enjoyed reading this book and thank you so much for sharing your awesome post.

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  5. Great review, I will have to get around to reading it sometime.

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