I would like to thank Netgalley and Quercus Books for an advance copy of Wrong Way Home, the fourth novel to feature DI Grace Fisher of Essex Police. This is the first book by Ms Grey I've read, but I will quickly rectify that oversight! Well written and enthralling until the very end. Recommended.

I was interested in the premise - especially the roles of the journalist and podcaster - but this book never came alive for me. It was too weighed down with exposition at the expense of characterisation and read like a baggy first draft - for example the role of relational DNA is explained three times in the opening chapters. DNF

This was ok. I struggled with it as I didn't like the podcast entries, for me they detracted from the story.

Great storyline with good strong characters. Very well written. I would recommend this book to anyone.

Hi Karen,
My Next review is:-

“Wrong Way Home:Sunday Times Crime Book Of The Month”, written by Isabelle Grey and published in hardcover by Quercus on 17 May 2018. 384 pages ISBN-13: 978-1786486479
The same night a local hero saved two people from the burning Marineland resort in Southend, a young woman was raped and murdered minutes from the scene of the fire, the culmination of a series of brutal rapes in the town. The killer was never found.
Twenty-five years on, new DNA techniques have blown the cold case open. DI Grace Fisher relishes the prospect of finally catching the culprit, but when the evidence doesn't point to one clear suspect, she must reconstruct the original investigation. Any suggestion that the Essex force was less than thorough at the time could alienate her colleagues and destroy her chances of reaching the truth.
Grace finds her investigation shadowed by a young true-crime pod-caster backed by veteran crime reporter Ivo Sweatman. As pressure mounts she cannot afford to be distracted. She knows that a cold-blooded killer is slowly being backed into a corner, and a cornered predator is often the most dangerous of all...

The author has a very clear idea of how the book should be constructed and all of her books so far have been written around different themes and she reminds me of the Peter Diamond books of Peter Lovesey which are similar police procedurals but all are written in a different manner and there is no formulaic pattern as in some series. Grey emulates Lovesey style in that way and the books are so much better plotted as a consequence..

The author is a television screen writer with over thirty-five episodes of Midsomer Murders, Casualty, Rosemary And Thyme, The Bill and Wycliffe to her credit. Isabelle's previous novels include two psychological thrillers and the first book in the so far four book DI Grace Fisher series, "Good Girl's Don't Die". She grew up in Manchester and now lives in north London.
This was one of those rare books that once are started are unbelievably difficult to put down until one reaches the very dramatic conclusion. Strongly recommended

Best wishes,

Terry
(To be published on eurocrime.co.uk in due course)

Great novel. This was the first book by Isabelle that I’ve read, but I’ve now purchased the special girls and will look out for more of her work.

I’m a fan of this series mainly because of it’s main protagonist, Grace Fisher, who is beautifully authentic and reliably flawed.
This story was also highly addictive, a mystery with a huge dose of family drama and Grace will have her work cut out for her untangling a web of deceit that goes back years…
What I love most about these is the beautiful plotting that keeps things unexpected, the exploration of relationships and the wonderfully immersive settings. The popular podcast theme is back here too and very well done, as one character, Freddie, tries to make a name for himself.
Overall this was highly readable as ever and a really really great story told wonderfully well.
Recommended. This one and as a series.

Wrong Way Home is a nail biting, edge of your seat thriller that is action packed. It is about a 25 yr old murder case that may finally be solved thanks to advancements with DNA.
The storyline was well thought out and easy to follow. I had to devour this book in one sitting. Will definitely be reading more from this author.
Thankyou to NetGalley, the publishers and Isabelle Grey for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book.

When I read that this was set in Southend in Essex, my birthplace, I was intrigued. Indeed, many Essex place names are mentioned which was pleasing as I could picture the settings to some degree.

The novel is about a cold case that has been reopened 25 years later by a female police officer who takes the lead in the novel: the rape and murder of a young woman in a Southend park the same night as a big fire on the sea front. The story covers the subsequent investigation as a fairly straightforward police procedural.

I did enjoy this and read it quickly, but I'll admit I thought it was going somewhere more exciting than where it did end up. I liked the characters and there were some clever details, but I just wanted some more twists for it to be truly satisfying.

I would recommend this to those who like contemporary crime novels, especially those focused on police processes and those with a female protagonist.

This was an enthralling book which I enjoyed reading. The story gripped me from the start.I like DI Fisher and the crime reporter Ivo Sweatman who have helped each other in the past although some meetings they have tried to have in places where they wouldn't bump into colleagues. This was a roller coaster of a ride opening doors on a 25 year old unsolved murder and bringing other things into the open and questions being asked. A brilliant book in many ways, just love this series.
Thank you Net galley for a chance to read an advance copy

I have read and enjoyed the previous books in this series and Wrong Way Home was no different.

The book is about a cold case review that is far from straightforward and produces some twists and turns.

Whilst I had worked out the various endings reasonably early on this was only a minor distraction from the story which was well written.

I am looking forward to reading more books in this series in the future

Isabelle Grey is an author I’ve heard lots about but have never read, though why I have no idea! I absolutely loved Wrong Way Home. It’s a fantastic, fast paced and twisty read that I absolutely raced through, finding it very hard to put down.

The book involves investigating a cold case and describes new police investigation techniques which I found really fascinating! I especially enjoyed learning more about how new DNA technology can help to solve cases as I haven’t read much about that.

Grace was my favourite character in the book. I loved her determination and drive to try and solve the murder, despite some opposition from other officers. She is a cop with a conscience as she really cares about the outcome of the case and how it affects the others that are involved.

The case seems to move forward at quite a fast pace. There are always new developments happening, just when I though I understood who had done it there was another twist and the story went off in a different direction which definetly kept me on my toes! This was one of those books that I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough and wanted to try and snatch a few seconds to read more at any possibility. I couldn’t stop thinking about the book when I wasn’t reading it, trying to figure out how it was going to end.

This is the first book by Isabelle Grey that I have read and it definitely won’t e the last. I am excited to read more from her in the future and have already bought the other books in this series to read.

Huge thanks to Anne Cater and Quercus books for my copy of the book and for inviting me onto the blog tour.

If you are looking for a new, gripping crime series you should definitely try this series.

I was absolutely delighted to be asked to take part in the blog tour celebrating publication of Wrong Way Home, thank you Anne Cater. I've long been a fan of this author and I rate this series amongst my favourite of the contemporary crime series.

In this, the fourth book in the DI Grace Fisher series, our likeable protagonist has a breakthrough using familial DNA to hunt for the man who raped and killed a girl twenty-five years ago.

Heather Bower was just nineteen years old when she visited Southend for a night out with her friends and on a night that should have been full of fun, she became separated from the group and was found dead in a park the following morning.

Freddie Craig is an aspiring journalist who has always felt a link to the fire on Southend Pier the same night that Heather died. The fire was started by two teenagers who dropped a cigarette in a boarded up building. Fortunately for them taxi driver Larry Nixon was on the scene and pulled the boys to safety so becoming something of a local hero. As the fire raged Freddie’s mother gave birth to him. Freddie is inspired by the death of Heather to make a series of podcasts about the murder and his links to my favourite fictional journalist, Ivo Sweatman. Ivo and Grace have a history of being mutually supportive but she is fully aware that this must not become common knowledge. The excerpts from Freddie’s podcasts veer from factual to wacky and then downright disturbing and made for an interesting perspective and an unusual one keeping the story bang up to date.

As the DNA profile links to a woman, Deborah Shillingford, who was arrested for drink driving, Grace now has her family members to investigate to the DNA left all those years before and she sets to work with her partner Sergeant Blake Langley. Grace and Blake have history which has caused a bit of an undercurrent but they are both professional as they interview Deborah and learn that she has two brothers and a father still alive. At the same time they have to inform Heather’s mother advising that this lead may not lead to an arrest but hopeful that the knowledge that they are still seeking justice for Heather will be of some comfort.
This is a multi-layered crime fiction novel of the highest standard. Isabelle Grey has plotted superbly, and so even though all the characters are fully rounded the story is undoubtedly led by a series of events in the present that threaten to derail the investigation. That’s not to say there is just action there are moments to pause and wonder at the bonds within a family as various tit-bits are revealed. The plot is held up by spot on timing; this is a book that gives the reader time to consider the evidence and stick a stake in the ground before it is blown away by a new piece of information.

Reading Wrong Way Home I remembered quite why I enjoy this series so much. DI Grace Fisher is my idea of the perfect protagonist, a determined woman and yet, she behaves like a woman and it is so refreshing to see a woman who can cry at a wedding and then walk away to review evidence before leading her team to find a killer, and she does it with style.

I'd like to thank the publishers Quercus for allowing me to read a copy of Wrong Way Home and to Anne Cater for the invite to the blog tour and those thanks extend to the author for such a brilliant, plausible novel that had me enthralled by all its twists and turns. As always this review is unbiased and freely given.

First Published UK: 17 May 2018
Publisher: Quercus
No of Pages: 384
Genre: Crime Fiction – Series
Amazon UK
Amazon US

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Isabelle Grey is a television screenwriter whose credits include Jimmy McGovern's BAFTA award-winning Accused: Tina's Story as well as over thirty-five episodes of Midsomer Murders, Casualty, Rosemary and Thyme, The Bill and Wycliffe. She has also written non-fiction and been a magazine editor and freelance journalist. Isabelle's previous novels include two psychological thrillers, The Bad Mother and Out Of Sight as well as the first two books in the DI Grace Fisher series, Good Girls Don't Die, Shot Through the Heart and The Special Girls. Isabelle grew up in Manchester and now lives in north London.
Twitter @IsabelleGrey
Website: www.isabellegrey.wordpress.com
Previous books by Isabelle Grey
Out of Sight
The Bad Mother
Good Girls Don't Die - Grace Fisher #1
Shot Through The Heart - Grace Fisher #2
The Special Girls - Grace Fisher #3

There are still some stops left on the blog tour so make sure you check them out!
yet, she behaves like a woman and it is so refreshing to see a woman who can cry at a wedding and then walk away to review evidence before leading her team to find a killer, and she does it with style.
I'd like to thank the publishers Quercus for allowing me to read a copy of Wrong Way Home and to Anne Cater for the invite to the blog tour and those thanks extend to the author for such a brilliant, plausible novel that had me enthralled by all its twists and turns. As always this review is unbiased and freely given.
First Published UK: 17 May 2018
Publisher: Quercus
No of Pages: 384
Genre: Crime Fiction – Series
Amazon UK
Amazon US

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Isabelle Grey is a television screenwriter whose credits include Jimmy McGovern's BAFTA award-winning Accused: Tina's Story as well as over thirty-five episodes of Midsomer Murders, Casualty, Rosemary and Thyme, The Bill and Wycliffe. She has also written non-fiction and been a magazine editor and freelance journalist. Isabelle's previous novels include two psychological thrillers, The Bad Mother and Out Of Sight as well as the first two books in the DI Grace Fisher series, Good Girls Don't Die, Shot Through the Heart and The Special Girls. Isabelle grew up in Manchester and now lives in north London.
Twitter @IsabelleGrey
Website: www.isabellegrey.wordpress.com
Previous books by Isabelle Grey
Out of Sight
The Bad Mother
Good Girls Don't Die - Grace Fisher #1
Shot Through The Heart - Grace Fisher #2
The Special Girls - Grace Fisher #3

There are still some stops left on the blog tour so make sure you check them out!

Interesting storyline. Wasn't sure who the perpetrator was until towards the end. The use of DNA made for an interesting storyline but I found the flashes to the podcasts a bit annoying until their place in the story was revealed

With thanks to Netgalley and Quercus for this ARC in exchange for an open and honest review.

I love the DI Grace Fisher series and was excited to read the fourth book in this series.

Grace was thrilled when she was allowed to investigate the murder of Heather Bowyer. In 1992 Heather was on a night out with friends in Southend. One minute Heather was walkingwith her friends to the train station the next minute she was gone. She was later found dead after being viciously raped. However the murder of Heather was over shadowed by the fire at the Marineland resort which destroyed the building. The two teenage boys who accidently started the fire with a cigarette were saved by the quick thinking of taxi driver Larry Nixon.

In the present day Deborah Shillingford was arrested for drink driving. After her DNA was taken there was a familial link found to the Heather Bowyer case. Deborah had two brothers Reece and Larry and her father Owen was still alive.

Grace and her ex lover Sergeant Blake Langley went to see Reece for a DNA test, The Nixon children had not seen each other for years after the death of their mother Theresa. Reece was reluctant to speak to Grace but provided a DNA swab. Hours later Grace was shocked to find that Reece and his wife had died in a house fire, before the fire Reece rang Larry to confess he killed Heather. Larry rushed to Reece's house to speak to him but found the house on fire. Larry tried to save his brother as he did in 1992 but his brother and sister in law were already dead.

Although the case of Heather Bowyer had been solved she found it hard to believe Larry was not involved. Then Grace and her team discover a number of rapes from the same period, the criminal took one stiletto from each victim like in Heather's case. Grace decides to arrest Larry and the case quickly unravels.

Meanwhile unemployed journalist turned true crime blogger Freddie Craig is also looking into the murder of Heather. Freddie was born on the same night of the murder of Heather and the Marineland fire. He has always felt an infinity to the cases and decides to investigate himself. As Freddie's blog Tales of the Fire becomes popular he feels he has to up the anti and get into the mind of the killer. After interviewing a friend of Heather on his blog he was found murdered.

Wow, this was another excellent read from Isabelle Grey. Wrong Way Home was fast paced, the story was very twisty turny with many different strands to unravel. I was little annoyed with Grace because she obviously cared about Blake. However the relationship broke down because she was reluctant to tell him about journalist Ivo Sweatman who occasionally helped her in investigations. I was glad to read about cynical ex Fleet Street hack Ivo who still feels he has atone for his sins. I was most intrigued about by blogger Freddie who I think may of had a dark side himself.

I recommend this book and I look forward to book 5.

Loved the book. Loved the character of DI Fisher. Reads well as a stand alone but must admit to buying the other three in the series when I finished this. Looking forward to the next. Highly recommend.

Another harrowing, complex case faces Grace and her team in what is an intriguing series. Probably not ideal as a stand-alone novel but a series definitely worth reading.

This is a stunning addition to Isabelle Grey's Essex based DI Grace Fisher series. Improvements in DNA analysis has Grace Fisher reopen a chilling cold case from 1992, the rape and murder of 19 year old Heather Bowyer, after Deborah Shillingford's DNA analysis after her arrest suggested that the perpetrator is a close family member. Grace has no idea that this case will open a real can of worms, as the past refuses to stay buried with a number of present day murders, bringing with it grave dangers. Another interested party, the strange and obsessive true crime blogger, Freddie Craig, has been inspired to focus on the Heather Bowyer case because he was born in the same year as her murder and the Southend on Sea Marineland fire in which two people were heroically rescued at the same time. Tabloid journalist, Ivo Sweatman, started out as a naive and enthusiastic crime reporter around the same time, getting close to the now dead, corrupt DI Jupp who regarded the local area as his own personal fiefdom, running informants, fitting people up and reaping personal financial gains from criminal enterprises. The narrative gives the perspectives of Grace, Freddie and Ivo.

Grace and DS Blake Langley look at Deborah's brothers, planning to take DNA from Reece and Larry Nixon. However, Reece and his wife, Kirsty, burn to death in a arson attack on their home, with Larry relating that his brother was responsible and confessed to him, not wanting to face up to the repercussions of Heather's murder. Grace wants to delve deeper, unwilling to accept at face value the eminently believable account given by Larry. She wishes to pursue a number of rapes around the same period of time, where like Heather, one shoe was taken from the victim, she is convinced that the same perpetrator was behind all the cases. Her investigation reveals the deeply misogynistic attitudes of the police under DI Jupp, none of the women were taken seriously, and indeed were assumed to be asking for it. Grace's instincts tell her who she thinks is guilty, but it all happened a long time ago, will she able to secure the evidence to prove it? The case moves in unexpected directions as it appears many women disappeared in the area over the years, has someone been killing them with impunity, shielded by the police?

Isabelle Grey's crime series just gets better and better, her plotting is superb, and the tension and suspense was so high that I could not bear to stop reading until I had finished. Grace is a flawed but dogged character, willing to get help wherever she can get it, including sources that would threaten her professional career. Her personal life is a wreck, she desperately misses her relationship with Blake, thinking she has missed her chance when she suspects he is involved with the newest team member, DC Carolyn Bromfield. Her sister, Alison, thinks Grace should think of another career in the future, as the horrors of the job take their toll, but I cannot see Grace being anything other than a cop, it is what her life revolves around, and she is so good at it. A brilliant and entertaining read which I recommend highly to crime fiction aficionados! Many thanks to Quercus for an ARC.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Quercus Books for an advance copy of Wrong Way Home, the fourth novel to feature DI Grace Fisher of Essex Police Major Crime.

Grace has been investigating the unsolved rape and murder of Heather Bowyer in 1992 and now, thanks to new forensic techniques, she has identified familial DNA which she hopes will lead to the perpetrator. Coincidentally, aspiring journalist Freddie Craig is also looking into Heather's case and enlists the help of Fleet Street journalist Ivo Sweatman.

I thoroughly enjoyed Wrong Way Home which is a multi-stranded read that turns the procedural norms upside down. It starts with a narrow suspect field, two brothers, and widens in scope to encompass more and more crimes as the novel progresses. It held me engrossed from start to finish so I read it in one sitting, desperate to know what was coming next. It is one of the best books I have read this year and I read a lot.

The novel is told from Grace's point of view, interspersed with excerpts from Freddie's podcast and Ivo's take on events. This works well as it doesn't lose sight of the narrative thread and offers a wider perspective and different interpretations of the "facts". I really enjoy a good police procedural and this is an excellent example, showing not just the difficulty in pressing charges but the costs, politics and egos involved in a major investigation. It makes for fascinating reading. Ivo and Freddie's involvement gives the reader the other side of the coin showing the pressure on journalists in these social media times, again it's fascinating and informative.

At its heart, however, the novel is a very good read with a strong plot. There are surprises along the way but mostly it has a momentum that pulls the reader along for the ride. It builds on a strong start and keeps going in the same vein to reach a satisfying conclusion.

Ms Grey does not ignore the personal either with both Grace and Ivo having to do some soul searching and re-assessment. They are both very honest in this and it just adds to the interest and enjoyment.

The Wrong Way Home is a very complete novel which covers many bases so I have no hesitation in recommending it as an excellent read.

DI Grace Fisher is one of my favorite fictional detectives and with this story, Isabelle once again shows the reader the human side of policing. I loved the podcast element which rang completely true and lent the story an up to the minute feel. Highly recommended.