Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

I'm working my way through my back list of books and I decided to pick These Little Lies because frankly the cover drew me in.

These Little Lies is the first in the DI Siv Drummond series. Siv is still grieving after the sudden death of her husband, so she moves back to Berminster, a place where she spent some of her childhood. The first day in her new job, she ends up with not one but two bodies, with a picture of a young girl laid on top of one of the victims. It's up to Siv and her team to get to the bottom of who killed these two people and who the mysterious little girl is.

These Little Lies is a complex police procedural. It's told mostly through Siv's point of view, but there were snippets from the other members of her team and some of the suspects that gave more depth to the story.

I felt for Siv with everything that she's been through not just with her husband but with her estranged family too. I also liked the members of her team, DS Ali Carlin and DC Hill. They each were well developed with their own backstories and problems, which was nice to read as most of these side characters don't get as much development.

A lot of the story felt like I was just watching the police chase their tails repeatedly, getting nowhere. Usually I don't mind this, but it got a bit frustrating to read just waiting for the killer to be revealed.

I will say, though, that I didn't see the ending coming at all, which is always a bonus when it comes to a detective novel.

A little slow paced but a solid start to the series.

Detective Inspector Siv Drummond’s is back to work after the death of her husband and very quickly into her day, two people are found murdered at the side of a river, Even stranger, a photograph of an girl sits on one of the bodies.
Siv must find the connection between the two deceased and get to the bottom of what occurred.

This is the classic definition of a slow burn - more mystery than thriller and I loved all of the twists and turns it took to solve the mystery.

Looking forward to the next installment!

A fantastic read. Lots of twists and turns and a great writing style. It kept me hooked all the way through. Looking forward to reading more from the author!

I would especially like to thank Joffe Books and the Netgalley website for allowing me to read this book, which is the first book in the "D.I. Siv Drummond" series.

Inspector Siv Drummond begins his very first day of work with a new team in a new city. A new beginning that is not so easy. She is in mourning for her husband and has to focus on her first investigation. Two bodies are found on the banks of the river Bere: they have been mutilated and on the woman's body there is a picture of an unknown girl.

A book read in one go, so much so that I hooked on to the story, which is so gripping, addictive, captivating, full of suspense and twists and turns with endearing characters. Can't wait to read the book two.

These little lies by Gretta Mulrooney.
This is the first book for detective inspector Siv Drummond.
When theres a detective you know theres murder. I do love my murder mysteries. Great story. 4*.

My first book by Greta Mulrooney and definitely not my last. Intriguing and creepy. Keeps you guessing. Thank you to Netgalley for this e-copy in return for my honest review.

Review for 'These Little Lies' by Gretta Mulrooney
Read and reviewed via NetGalley

This book is the first in a new series by this author. It took me a while to read this book but haven't really had much time rather than because of the quality of the book. However I wouldn't call it a page turner as such. I thought it was very well written and that all the characters were very strong. The descriptions were excellent and when I was reading it, it felt as if I was side by side with the characters. The storyline was very interesting and I didn't guess who did it so that is always a bonus when reading crime mysteries!!! I enjoyed that you coukd see from the perspectives of some of the other characters during the book. I did, however, get confused now and again who was who as there were quite a few of them. I would definitely read more books by this author and would recommend it to fans of crime and mysteries.

Rated 4/5 on Goodreads and Amazon (I enjoyed)

Free on Kindle Unlimited or 99p for kindle version

#TheseLittleLies #NetGalley

Feel free to add me on Goodreads for more reviews

Gretta Mulrooney is well known for her brilliant police procedurals and you all know how much I love those! Now she is back with a brand new series featuring a tough, smart female Detective Inspector, Siv Drummond, a character you will thoroughly enjoy!

There are two dead bodies lying next to each other, one with a photograph of a young girl placed on top. The bodies appear to be totally unrelated to one another but their proximity would suggest otherwise. As DI Drumond begins to investigate she finds more questions than answers and dark secrets that no one in this small town want revealed. These Little Lies is action packed and so well written that I didn't put it down from start to finish. Then, I hated that I was finished because I loved Siv! This is one series where I will be stalking the author to see when the next book is going to hit the shelves. If you are new to Mulrooney's writing, These Little Lies is a great place to begin. I adore new series, especially when they are this well written.

Wohooooo this book was exactly what I was hoping for! All the best components of creepy, exciting and intriguing... it instantly captured my attention once I started reading it. I promise y'all will not want it to end! Go ahead and grab a copy today!

These Little Lies is the first title of Mulrooney’s I have read and the first in her new Detective Inspector Siv Drummond series. Her handling of this series setup is impressive. Readers ride shotgun with Siv as she is introduced to her new team members and questions witnesses/suspects. First impressions of people are noted and then gradually modified based on further observations as their level of interaction develops. That initial wariness and instinctive process of making and debunking assumptions was skilfully depicted, and thus the deeper connections, when made, felt authentic.

DI Siv Drummond gets back to work after a long while getting a double homicide first thing. She must unveil the long thread of lies to solve the murder of Lauren Visser and Matis Rimas.

It felt slow paced at the beginning then started to get a fast pace -just for a little while- and again it went, changing it now and then. Even so, it is beautifully written, Gretta Mulrooney did an excellent job in character development and gave an unthinkable plot twist at the end. I’d never expect something like that to happen.

Perhaps this -sometimes slow, sometimes fast- pace is what gives you those feelings of needing information and makes you start to suspect some things that may or may not be correct.

I definitely recommend this book, though it could have been more suspenseful or even have more wicked twists.

Meet Detective Inspector Siv Drummond....
The first in the Detective Inspector Siv Drummond series. It’s a fresh start for the Inspector as she’s thrown back into the job at the deep end - joining a new team and being faced with a double murder. Well written suspense, nicely drawn characters and an engrossing plot.

I love crime / police procedurals and don't get to read enough. This was a good one. Well written, well developed and interesting

First time I read that author, hopefully not the last .

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book. This is my honest review. All opinions are my own.

4.5 Stars - Impressive, psychologically enriched procedural

This impressive police procedural had me hooked and guessing throughout the entire exploration. The writing is the perfect balance of informative and invoking, Never dull, never excessive. The author is very intuitive and considerate. I enjoyed getting a clear picture of each character and their quirks. Very logical thread of motives, and an overall enjoyable read. I also appreciate that there's a British slang glossary at the back (which I didn't realise until I finished) but that extra touch feels endearing for me as a receiving reader.

The beginning felt a bit strange and dry, but really picked up from there once more characters were thrown in. Every character is unique and a great mix in this small town murder story, very communal. The main character's tormented but competent self is a great reference point for sympathising with each character, making everyday motives to be psychologically relatable.

Notable verse: "She began to think that grief was like a negative of falling in love: the same interrupted sleep, loss of appetite, racing heart and deep longing but paired with desolation instead of joy."

I highly recommend as I believe there is an oddly gloomy and upbeat rhythm to this read.
I look forward to more from this author.

Thank you to NetGalley, Gretta Mulrooney and Joffe Books publishers for this free ARC for a review!

These little lies - Gretta Mulrooney

Thank you to @netgalley and @joffeebooks for this copy of the new series by Gretta Mulrooney.

We meet DI Drummond who got back to her old town after husbands sudden death, and landing right into a double murder. Not to reveal too much, I loved how the characters were introduced and developed, and the author had me guessing whodunnit.
Were the two victims connected in any way, did they know each other or was the second victim merely at the wrong place at the wrong time? And what does a picture ofa girl left on the first victim have to do with everything?

You'll find out when you read this book, and I look forward to the next one in the series.

I loved this book!! Great story!! Received this book from joffe books from netgally!! It was a pretty good thriller!!

The interaction between Siv and her colleagues DS Ali Carlin and DC Patrick Hill develops into one of mutual respect after a rocky start. Enjoyable, fast paced but, with an underlying touch of humanity.

A solid police procedural. I enjoyed the characters and the story was interesting and held my interest to the end. Looking forward to reading more.

★★ 2.5 stars

In THESE LITTLE LIES we are introduced to DI Siv Drummond who has left the Met after the death of her husband and moved to the slower pace of the seaside town of Berminster. Siv and her sister grew up here, having been raised by their father after their mother ran out on them to take up with another lover, so it's with mixed emotions that Siv returns to her old home town.

But she has no time to ponder on the past as she is thrust deep into a murder investigation on her first day on the job with the discovery of two bodies found by the River Bere. The first is of Lauren Visser, a nursery worker who had a fascination for "wild swimming", while the second turns out to be a young Lithuanian, Matis Rimas who was fishing illegally and got a little more than he bargained for. Both have been stabbed viciously with a photo of a young girl left on one of the bodies.

Having identified the victims, Siv and her team struggle to find a link between the two who appear to be of very different backgrounds. Any witnesses are being less than truthful it appears so the team have to dig deeper to find any hidden skeletons.

It doesn't take long before the detectives begin to find a few secrets hidden beneath the surface. But are they enough reason for murder? The deeper they dig, the more they probe, the more it seems that many people are harbouring secrets and being somewhat economical with the truth.

Can Siv and her team sift out the lies and eliminate the suspects down to uncover the truth before it's too late?

THESE LITTLE LIES is a slow moving procedural that I felt almost glacial at times, but once you get into the story it does begin to move at a more even pace. I'm not sure about Siv just yet...I guess we have to learn more about her to get to know her better. But this does have all the makings of a promising new series.

Recommended to those who love their crime fiction and police procedurals.

I would like to thank #GrettaMulrooney, #NetGalley and #JoffeBooks for an ARC of #TheseLittleLies in exchange for an honest review.