Well, that is how you temporarily end the series! All these changes going on! I can’t cope!

Natalie now a DCI, Lucy now a DI and the first case with a brand new team! This book again is set with a different tone. When Natalie is in charge of a case it’s interview after interview with different suspects. With Lucy in charge, we hardly interviewed anyone. Instead, we were out hunting down clues, trying to work out how all these deaths fitted.

The reasoning behind it, for me, was a tough one. The stories I have heard and what you generally see portrayed, I always struggle with and it’s a constant worry. We don’t actually see the killers mind until late in the game and it’s one filled with sorrow and heartbreak. Elements of this story were dark and quite grim, everyone harbouring a secret and the fallout here is just filled with so much sorrow. There are just too many wronged and scared people out there.

Again, with Lucy in charge, the resolution of the case is nowhere near the same as if Natalie was dealing and thankfully this case was nowhere near as dark as it has been in the past. All these changes just show us the differences between these two women and how far they have come.

Natalie is still active in the case, but she is trying to take a step back and settle in her new personal life. We still have unfinished business so I do hope we get another book because we have a spanner in the world completely.

This now being the Lucy show, we see more into her personal and how she is struggling. At odds with her partner, trying to be a mum and step up into her role as DI. She has some big shoes to feel. I do see in the future that the series will be more about Lucy than Natalie. I would be open to that, but I don’t want to lose sight of Natalie, I’ve become a huge fan of hers.

I can’t believe I am at the end of Natalie’s story for now. It’s been one heck of a journey. Way too much heartbreak, I’ve been there every step of the way with Natalie and Carol. I felt all the pain, I’ve cried the tears, got angry and now while I feel quite bereft, I also feel quite content. It’s an emotional rollercoaster ride when you pick up one of Carols books. You are never quite sure of the journey, but she always makes sure we are buckled up for the adventure.

SOMEBODY’S DAUGHTER is the Seventh novel in the Detective Natalie Ward Series, based in in the small, fictional town of Samford in the Midlands, UK., a riveting crime-thriller by Carol Wyer. Her books keep getting better and better! I have read them all. I would recommend you read this series from the beginning to fully appreciate the ongoing character development, though the plots are standalones. This series keeps getting better and better!

The novels in the Detective Natalie Ward Series Include:

BOOK 1-The Birthday
Book 2- Last Lullaby
BOOK 3-The Dare
Book 4-The Sleepover
Book 5-The Blossom Twins
Book 6-The Secret Admirer
Book 7- Somebody’s Daughter

In this story Natalie Ward is now a DCI and Lucy Carmichael has been promoted to Natalie’s old DI position. This is Lucy’s first case in charge of an investigation and she wants to handle it properly.

One by one the girls disappeared…

When the frail body of a teenage girl is discovered attacked and strangled in a parking lot, DCI Natalie Ward, remembers that this innocent girl is somebody’s daughter… Every time Natalie was called to a crime scene involving a young woman or child, it would be her own daughter she thought of first, Leigh and her best friend Zoe.

The girl is identified as missing teenager Amelia Saunders, who has run away from home and her controlling father. There was no identification found on the body, no wallet, no purse or mobile phone. It soon becomes apparent that Amelia has been working on the streets, manipulated by her violent new boyfriend Tommy.

A day later, another girl is found strangled on a park bench. Like Amelia, Katie Bray was a runaway with connections to Tommy, and Natalie is determined to find him and track down the monster attacking these girls.

But when a wealthy young woman, Rachel Hardy, is found murdered the next morning, the word ‘GUILTY’ scrawled on her forehead, Natalie realizes that the case is more complex than she first thought. What are the connections between all the victims? Then, a key suspect’s body turns up in the canal.

With this heavy caseload, and bodies piling up at an increasing rate, both Lucy and Natalie are under extreme pressure to perform and catch the killer, while juggling their personal lives. Natalie is trying to manage her new life with her partner, Mike Sullivan, Head of Forensics and his seven-year-old daughter, Thea, along with her son Josh. Thea resents Natalie in the picture and feels Natalie is stealing her father away from her mother and her. Lucy’s partner, Bethany, was drifting away from her, only focused on their daughter, Aurora.

Really enjoyed this crime thriller and many thanks to the author, Bookouture and Netgalley for my digital cop

Somebody’s Daughter is an additive, engaging novel, and the seventh book in the Detective Natalie Ward series. Although this isn’t the first book in the series, I hadn’t previously read the other books and got along just fine. There are references to things that happened in previous books, so it might be best to read the other books before getting stuck into this one. 

I loved that it showed the complex lives of the detectives. It helped me connect with the protagonist Natalie, showing that she has a life outside of her job, and also how that job affects her relationships too. 

There were a few different perspectives throughout the book, so I found it hard to connect with the characters fully because of it. It was confusing and felt like I was jumping from one to the next without having time to connect with whoever’s perspective we were reading from. 

Although the story was interesting, the pacing of the novel was so slow. I got bored easily, sometimes to where I wanted to stop reading. Saying that, I definitely wouldn’t be against reading past and future works by this author, and this book was enjoyable.

Another good Natalie Ward book. I really enjoy this series and this latest instalment did not disappoint. The rising body count and the twists and turns of the story were great. There didn't seem to be as much in the character development of the team of main players but I am hopeful that there will be more of this in the next book as I particularly enjoy this aspect of the books.

It isn’t often that I’m speechless, lost for words, but funnily enough, it seems to only happen when Carol Wyer is involved. Hmmmmm, I wonder why THAT is! I wouldn’t put it past Wyer to rub her magic ball (no, not Mr Grumpy’s), and put a spell on her readers to render them unable to put a sentence together coherently!

Oh Natalie Ward, you’re a bit of a lost soul aren’t you? I am genuinely surprised that Ward keeps getting up time and time again, when she’s showing signs of being on the brink of giving up. Can you blame her? I can’t, not really. Luck is definitely not on her side once again, yet she goes and does her job the only way she knows how; like Frosty the Snowman on speed. Or something like that.

Carol Wyer has a mind that I would HATE to cross down a dark alley. That said, I simply cannot fault the way in which this author pulls 26 letters of the alphabet and rearranges them in various different forms to create a story with so much depth, I’m surprised it didn’t come with a ladder for us short people! The attention to detail and seamless flow from one scene to another, was a work of art and very, VERY cleverly done.

To say I loved ‘Somebody’s Daughter’ would be an understatement! I bloody -insert expletive of the f variety here’ ADORED it, and even still, that doesn’t quite sum up my thoughts to a T.

Absolutely love Carols books and here is another great read
Natalie ward has been promoted to D.C.I with Lucy Carmichael taking over her job.
There first case is of a young girl who they think is a prostitute has been murdered then the next day another young girl turns up dead and they both had something to do with Tommy who was there boyfriend and also there pimp.
The day after another woman is found she had the word guilty wrote on her forehead she's older than the other two girls and she definitely not a prostitute .
Natalie is suppose to not be hands on now she's been promoted but Dan Tasker wants her to help Lucy out as this is becoming a high profile case.
Thanks NetGalley

Another excellent book from Carol Wyer, as always a great plot that keeps you guessing right until the end. I love all of the characters in the team and hearing about their private lives too. Can highly recommend.

I haven't finished this yet but so far it's amazing. Full review will be left on Ama when I have. Wyer has yet to disappoint with her ability to craft a spellbinding novel. .

Its no secret that I am a big fan of the Natalie Ward series, this series goes from strength to strength. I really enjoy following the development of the characters in their personal lives, especially Natalie who has been through so much.

Natalie is now a DCI heading up a new major squad task force with her protégé, Lucy Carmichael being promoted to DI and she has just been handed her first major case since her promotion when the body of a young girl is found in a carpark, with little or no clues to run with, Lucy asks Natalie for her help as she is not completely confident in her own abilities as a DI as yet and pressure is being put on from above especially when the body count continues to rise…. Have they a serial killer on their hands?

Another brilliant instalment, if you haven’t read any of these books yet, you should add them to your TBR, a great police procedural series that is fast paced and it will keep you captivated both with the cases themselves and the personal lives of the team.

Another wonderful Detective Natalie Ward mystery. I love this character along with the rest of her team. Such real characters - flaws and all. Natalie is newly promoted along with colleague Lucy. Soon after a series of murders starts. A really gripping story leading to a completely I never guessed that one ending. A wonderful read as always with Carol Wyers series.

Another fantastic book by Carol Wyer, I love this series, brilliantly fast paced nail biting read. Love the characters. I cant wait for the next one. Hurry up please carol x

Thank you to Net Galley, the publishers and the author Carol Wyer.

Firstly with a collection of favourite authors and serial books to read, it is great to say I have read all seven in the Detective Natalia Ward books, as well as the Robyn Carter books.

One by one the girls disappeared…

When the frail body of a teenage girl is discovered strangled in a parking lot, shards of ice form in Detective Natalie Ward’s veins. As Natalie looks at the freckles scattered on her cheeks and the pale pink lips tinged with blue, she remembers that this innocent girl is somebody’s daughter…

The girl is identified as missing teenager Amelia Saunders, who has run away from home and her controlling father. Natalie’s heart sinks further when it becomes clear that Amelia has been working on the streets, manipulated by her violent new boyfriend Tommy.

A day later, another vulnerable girl is found strangled on a park bench. Like Amelia, Katie Bray was a runaway with connections to Tommy, and Natalie is determined to find him and track down the monster attacking these scared and lonely girls.

But when a wealthy young woman is found murdered the next morning, the word ‘guilty’ scrawled on her forehead, Natalie realises that the case is more complex than she first thought. Determined to establish a connection between her three victims, Natalie wastes no time in chasing down the evidence, tracing everyone who crossed their paths. Then, a key suspect’s body turns up in the canal, a mole in Natalie’s department leaks vital information and everything seems to be against her. Can Natalie stop this clever and manipulative killer before they strike again?

A plus and a minus for the new DCI Natalia Ward, Natalia has to make a little of a back seat and more time is given to new DI Lucy Carmichael, yes I understand a fact of life in the police is promotions, but I missed Natalie being fully involved, but pleased for Lucy to gain a larger role.

One thing for sure, reading many police dramas, I would not like to be in their shoes, not sure I will like their hours, long hours.

As a reader I become frustrated at the case becoming slow and stalling, it brings the pace of the book down a little, as in real life I am sure frustrated the police doing the job.

A realistic, shocking, thriller, that although slow in the middle becomes well paced for the last few chapters as things start to come together.

New characters with old characters, and new personalities that have to grow with the series, good additions to the private lives that interest to the stories, and I hope in the future Murray gains more exposure and credit...

But now I know best for me to go back to my favourite action thriller, with a more gripping and paced book, a different style of book i know, but my favourite.

3.5 to 4 stars for me.

The bodies are stacking up in Samford. DCI Natalie Ward -- recently promoted to head a new special crime unit at Holborn House with DI Lucy Carmichael now leading the old team -- has quite the series of murders on hand. Two dead teenage girls thought to be working the streets and 3 older adult victims seem like unconnected cases at first. It will take all of them countless hours to figure out this one. NO SPOILERS.

This is the 7th in a series and I've read all the previous books in order to date. Although a detailed police procedural and crime thriller, it seemed a bit long and quite convoluted; I didn't race through it as fast as I've done before. There are some references to previous cases and events, but I don't think this is good to read as a standalone. Again, we hear quite a bit about the team members and their personal lives (which are all a bit messed up as always.) I liked it well enough to continue reading the series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book ARC to read and review.

Natalie's life is more settled, living with Mike, and in a new role. Still not sure if she can take a step away from the investigative arena, she finds herself at the sharp end again, overseeing her colleagues investigation. The murder of young, vulnerable women resonates with Natalie. She's committed and determined to find the killer, but things are not as they first seem and someone is out to make trouble for the new team.

The balance of character development, team dynamic and police procedural is, as always perfect. The personal focus is more on DI Lucy Carmichael as she gets to grips with her new job. The investigation is meticulous, and the noir crime element ensures the edge of the seat suspense.

The Detective Natalie Ward series is addictive crime detection with a human touch.

I received a copy of this book from Bookouture via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

This book was well written, it sucks you in from the beginning and is a fast paced whirl ride of drama. There are many twists and turns and all of them are believable. I really enjoyed myself.

I wasn’t aware this book was part of a series and I didn’t read the other books in the series prior to reading this. I do think this book can be read as a stand-alone but the story would be more complete with the other books. Obviously. I would consider reading the first book in this series and seeing how it went.

I received this book for free in exchange for my honest opinions.

From my blog: Always With a Book:

This is the seventh book in Carol Wyer's Detective Natalie Ward series, and it's amazing to me that this series just gets better and better. Carol Wyer sure knows how to write an addicting and thrilling series for sure. As soon as I see these books available on Netgalley, I grab them, knowing I am in for some great reading!

I've said this before, and I will say it again. I really feel strongly that this series is best read in order. Yes, you can absolutely read each and every one of these books as a stand-alone. Each book features a self-contained case. However, you will miss out on the character development that is carried on throughout the series and to me, that is one of the strongest parts of this series. And, there is a major development that happens in Natalie's personal life in book five and she is still dealing with the aftermath of that in this book - 2 books later.

This book sees Natalie in a new role - which if you had read the previous book, was offered to Natalie right at the end and we weren't sure if she was going to take it or not. We also see Lucy having taken Natalie's previous position. I love that these female characters have such leadership roles in this book. Both these women are strong, fierce women, and while we may see them struggle to balance everything, that is real life and I like that Carol Wyer addresses that in her book.

From the first page to the last, I was captivated. The case and the character development kept me glued to the pages and I find that I'm as interested in both, wanting just as much attention to be given to the case as it is to what is going on with my favorite characters. I really enjoy this series, as dark as it can sometimes get and I hope it continues for a long time!

Natalie Ward's life has changed a bit. She's never going to get over the death of her daughter but she is making a new life with Mike- even if winning his six year old daughter is an uphill battle. Her son seems settled & at last her ex seems to be in a better frame of mind. She has also been promoted & as a DCI her role is slightly different. A young girl is found dead, she seems to be a runaway. Another young girl is found & the murderer is thought to be an addicted boyfriend who was forcing them into the sex trade to fund his habit. When the daughter of a local business man is found, murdered with 'Guilty' written across her forehead the team wonders what- if anything is the connection?

This was a fast moving police procedural. I have enjoyed all the books in the series & was so pleased Carol Wyre has given Natalie a bit of a break on the personal front. I found it a bit odd having someone other than Natalie as SIO- it will be interesting to see how the new team progresses- I'm already looking forward to the next one. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book.

This is the seventh book in the Natalie Ward series and sees Natalie looking into a series of murdered women.

As with all of Carol’s books this is extremely well written, and gripped me from the beginning. A young girl is found in a car park, closely followed by another girl found strangled. Natalie is now heading up a new division as a DCI, with Lucy as her DI.

At first it looks like the victims were killed because of their profession but a third body confuses the investigation. The detectives struggle to get a handle on the case when they can not find what links them. All Natalie knows is that they were all somebody’s daughter……

Book 7 in the Detective Natalie Ward series and yet again another cracker of a read. This book series just keeps getting better. The story was fast paced and I honestly couldn’t figure out who the perpetrator was and I really like that in a book as you just keep guessing and trying to figure it out. This series has great characters and I love reading about their personal lives as well as what happens in their police jobs. Roll on book 8.

Rating: 3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars

This is Carol Wyer’s seventh book in her amazing “Detective Natalie Ward” British police procedural mystery series. Many changes both professionally and personally have happened to the recurring cast of characters since the end of the sixth book in the series. This was a solid story, but I liked it just a tad less than the other earlier books in the series.

There is a lot going on in this book. In the opening pages, we learn about the changes that have happened since the end of the last book. The changes are related to the personal lives of the recurring cast of police officers, the police unit and the headquarters of this newly formed police unit. For example, newly promoted DCI (Detective Chief Inspector) Natalie Ward has more of a management role now. Then teenaged girls start dying. More specifically teenaged girls start being murdered. .

The body count quickly explodes. Natalie Ward, Lucy Carmichael and the rest of the police crew struggle to figure out a possible connection between the victims. They are of different ages, genders and belong to different levels of society. Amelia is the first victim. Katie Bray, another teen prostitute, is found dead the next day. Then when a prominent member of the business community turns up dead, the course of the investigation changes and the scope widens. The search for the pimp of the Amelia and Katie continues. He is the prime suspect in their deaths. The police also try track down any leads to who might have killed the third. There seems to be no connection between this victim and the dead prostitutes.

It took me longer than usual warm up to this mystery. Quite a bit of detail was provided about Amelia and Katie’s backstories. The murders of more and more people led to the plot’s focus bouncing around a lot. Eventually I had the areas straight in my mind, and the happenings in the book were easier to follow.

The book detailed exploitation of the richer or more powerful over those who were and less powerful. This aspect is highlighted more than in the earlier books in the series. There are a couple of graphic scenes of sexual abuse and rape. I exploitation happens all the time. However, that doesn’t make it comfortable to read about. The way that the story made me feel uncomfortable actually makes me praise Carol Wyer’s writing skills. She painted the picture of the victim’s lives, and made me care about how some of them had to live and suffer. In the end, there are not any real winners in this story. However, it is a murder mystery. Based on the book’s genre you already know there will be loss involved.

By the last half of the book, I had solidly reconnected with the police officers and the change in their personal and professional circumstances. The investigation was progressing on many fronts. I was as puzzled as the cops were as to who the suspect(s) might be. The ending of the mystery was socially relevant, and more than a bit depressing. This book is not just mindless escapism. It’s a murder story with a social a message. That is a good thing in my opinion.

Here’s hoping volume number eight in the series is published soon. I always look forward to the next installment in the “Detective Natalie Ward” series. For the richest reading experience, start at the beginning of the series and read it in order. You can certainly read this as a standalone book, but you will miss the nuances or significance of why the recurring characters act on a personal and professional level.

‘Thank-You’ to NetGalley; the publisher, Bookouture; and the author, Carol Wyer for providing a free e-ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.