Susan Wilkins is a new author for me and have to say I absolutely devoured Close to the Bone. From the first page it’s gripping, thrilling and draws you straight in. Although this is the second book in the Detective Megan Thomas series, you can easily read it without having read the first as it does re-visit some items from the first book. It’s a great plot with a couple of murders, family issues and some surprise confessions that I found impossible to put down. Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for the chance to review.

When the bludgeoned body of local businessman Greg Porter is found at the apartments he was developing, the case becomes personal for DS Megan Thomas. Her sister, Debbie, had been working for Porter as a cleaner and she was not expecting to find herself so embroiled in a murder investigation. Megan faces a huge dilemma: which should she put first - family or her job?

Close to the Bone is the second in the Megan Thomas series and while I definitely enjoyed the first, Buried Deep, this one is even better. You do not need to have read the previous book as there are no spoilers in this one, but I feel that by doing so, I had acquired a good understanding of what makes Megan tick and a knowledge of her backstory is definitely beneficial.

We discover quite early on that the murdered man is not exactly a paragon of virtue and as the book develops, we realise that there are many people who may have wanted him dead. Due to the connection her sister has with the case, Megan is sidelined and is, instead, asked to work with the National Crime Agency as part of their investigation into human trafficking. With events that have been going on recently, this is a very topical plot and really brings home the plight of these people who are preyed upon by unscrupulous traffickers, their only 'crime' being to want a better life for their families.

Megan is showing herself to be a very competent detective, but events from her past are clearly affecting her mental well-being and preventing her from moving further up the promotional ladder. One name from her previous post keeps getting mentioned and I wonder if this is a person who we may meet in a forthcoming book.

This is turning into a very promising series with great plots and a range of believable characters. I'm already looking forward to seeing what Susan Wilkins gives us next!

Absolutely brilliant!! From start to finish I was kept totally gripped. Full of twists and turns. But then Susan Wilkins is an amazing author and I can't wait for the next one.

Close To The Bone is the second book in the Detective Megan Thomas series by British author, Susan Wilkins. Summer in Devon is a busy time for the Major Investigations Team. DS Megan Thomas is assigned as liaison to the National Crime Authority investigating people smuggling while her boss gives the murder of a property developer to the newest DI on the team, the recently-returned-to-duty Jim Collins. An old-school cop, Megan decides: racist, sexist and technology-averse.

The NCA work is stimulating, and Daniel Ingram’s flirtation adds interest, but Megan is soon distracted by the interrogation of her younger sister, Debbie, as the prime murder suspect. Debbie found the body, worked for the victim, and her movements are in question, but she vehemently denies killing Greg Porter. Is she telling the truth? Also niggling at Megan’s thoughts is the recent release of a local criminal who has formed an association while in prison with the man who is responsible for her PTSD diagnosis. Could he know she is in Devon?

Once again, Wilkins gives the reader a fast-paced, tightly-plotted tale filled with believable characters and natural dialogue, and augmented by some excellent twists and red herrings to keep the reader guessing. As well as a novel method of human trafficking, the second instalment of Megan Thomas features domestic violence. Another dose of brilliant crime fiction. More please!
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Bookouture

This was a great second entry in the Megan Thomas series. Although this is not the main theme of the book,  Megan's never seems to completely be able to leave her past behind, and feels threatened once again.  There are lots of twists and turns in this mystery, a bit of romance for Megan, and family drama make for a good read.

Megan Thomas is a DS in Devon and Cornwall police, living with her sister Debbie and her family. Megan has left her job in London and a failed marriage.
Megan is briefed about the discovery of a dead body in a luxury flat, only later does she find out that her sister found the body. Megan is asked to join an NCA investigation into people smuggling.
The story follows the two enquiries which become linked along the way.
Suspicion falls on different people for the murder, including Megan’s sister and the dead man’s family -  including Greg Porter‘s wife. 
Megan has a romantic involvement with one of the NCA team which brings the story some much needed relief from the police investigations.
This is a well written story, especially with the relationships between all the main characters.
Very current themes with smuggling across the English Channel.
An enjoyable read. Would definitely read more by Susan Wilkins.

First time reading a book by this author. In close to the bone Megan is a detective who’s sister is accused of the murder of her boss Greg in his luxury flats.  The story develops and highlights police corruption, organised crime, people smuggling, which all interlinks with the murder of Greg.  This is the second book in the Megan Thomas series, but can be read as a stand alone novel.  An interesting read, the only negative is that I figured out who murdered Greg quite early on in the story, so was not so much of a surprise when it came to being revealed.

BLOG TOUR REVIEW 

Review for 'Close To The Bone' by Susan Wilkins 

Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous 

Publication date 8th September 2020

This is the second book that I have read by this author. It is also the second book in the 'Detective Megan Thomas' series. I read the first book in this series 'Buried Deep' and loved it so am looking forward to continuing the series. Although this is the second book in the series it can be read as a standalone with any references to previous cases being explained to the reader in as much detail needed. 

I was originally drawn to this book by  its beautiful colourful cover, intriguing blurb and by the fact that I have already read one book by Susan Wilkins (the first one in this series) which I loved and said then that I wanted to read more of her books. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).

This novel consists of  a prologue, 65 chapters and an epilogue which are short in length so ideal to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case! 

This book is written in third person perspective and the main protagonist is Megan. The way it is written made me feel like I was floating above them watching everything that was going on. I enjoy books written in third person and from different perspectives as you can see more of what is going on and get the bigger picture. 

This book is based in Devon. I always seem to connect with books based in the UK more because I live in Wales and sometimes I have visited places mentioned meaning I can picture them much better. The fact that I have visited Devon is even better!! 

Well, another success by Susan Wilkins!! I really enjoyed the storyline and there was plenty going on to keep me busy to say the least!! It was very well written which kept me submerged and turning the pages over and over!! Lots of red herrings to keep the reader guessing throughout. I can't say I was completely shocked by who did one of the things but then I've read loads of crime and it is getting harder to keep me guessing. However it also wasn't obvious, hopefully that makes sense! 

I absolutely loved meeting all the characters as well discovering some new ones. I really felt sorry for Megan on several occasions and really hope she finds the happiness she deserves. I really liked how (most of) the team really gelled together and watching how their relationships have grown throughout the first book until the end of this one. I am really looking forward to reading about them all again. The only downfall was that sometimes I got confused when one character was being referred to by first names in some scenes and surnames in others. However, I did manage to work it out pretty quickly. 

Excellent descriptions throughout making me really see what was going on and putting me right in the storyline alongside the characters. 

Overall an action packed crime thriller that will keep you turning the pages. 

Genres covered include Mystery, Suspense, Detective fiction, Adventure fiction and Police procedural. 

I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of other books by Susan Wilkins. 

343 pages.

This book is 99p to purchase on kindle via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!! 

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This is book #2 in the Detective Megan Thomas series.  Whilst it is part of a series, it can be read as a standalone book.  Having read the first book, I already knew a little bit about Megan.  She is now working with the Devon & Cornwall Police following 5 years working with the Metropolitan Police as an undercover officer.  The undercover work left Megan with some psychological problems to which she sees a counsellor, and in this book it’s obvious that Megan is still suffering, although personally I think she deals with it all much better than what she did in the first book!  In this instalment, Megan finds herself unwillingly working on two cases – the murder of a local businessman and the case of people smuggling.  When her sister, Debbie finds herself as suspect number one in the murder case, Megan has to take a step back and let someone else run the case.  Is her sister innocent, and how can she prove it?

This book was a great read!  I loved the last book, but enjoyed this one so much more!  I really like Megan’s character and connected with her much more in this book.  She is obviously still carrying round a lot of baggage from her past, but I felt this was pushed to the side-lines a little bit whilst we got on with the business of finding out who was the murderer.  For me, this was fine and I really enjoyed seeing Megan as the clever detective she really is! The storyline was fast paced and captured my attention from the very beginning, and I have to admit that I struggled to put this book down, grabbing five minutes here and there just to finish it!  The plot line twisted and turned and I couldn’t work out where it was all going until it happened!  The characters were a mixed bunch, with some likeable characters and then the not so likeable as well.  There were also a handful of ones, which I couldn’t quite work out, with Jim Collins and Ted Jennings being the notable two – I just couldn’t decide where their loyalties lay and this made their characters so much more interesting!!  It was great to see a hint of a relationship for Megan also and would love to see her with a happy ending!  I do fear though that she may have too many demons for that to be able to happen – perhaps I could be proved wrong!

I’m really interested to see what happens in future books of this series.  Megan’s character has developed so much just over the course of 2 books, just imagine what she would be like in book 3 or 4!  Don’t get me wrong, she’s in no way a perfect police officer, but she does her best and her morals are high – what more could you ask for!!  There has been so much squeezed into this book that you just wouldn’t think it was possible.  We have family problems, personal issues, past cases, current cases, murders, people trafficking, workplace relationships, marital abuse…the list goes on!  Whilst that may sound like too much to take in, it really isn’t and the whole storyline works so well!!  This is definitely the better book out of the two so far, and I’m really keen to find out what happens next for Detective Megan Thomas!  Fantastic read, would definitely recommend!

When I read the first book of the series I fell in love with the characters, both professionally and personally. I live the way they work and the family dynamic that Megan is set up in.

When I saw book 2 I had to grab it as soon as possible. This book was not exception. I really enjoyed the storyline and the references to Megan's past. 

Im  looking forward to book 3 already and seeing how Megan develops in both capacities and learning more about her time as an undercover police officer

When Detective Megan Thomas's sister is brought in for questioning it becomes apparent she is their main suspect in a people trafficking ring and the murder of a man found in his flat

Can she prove her sister innocent or does she not know her sister at all !!!

Close to the Bone: Detective Megan Thomas by Susan Wilkins is an addictive book and had me reading well into the night. The main character, Megan, has her flaws and ghosts, but I liked her as a character due to her determination. I liked the setting, and the book had solid characters. A lot was going on in the book, and you had to pay attention to keep things straight, but the story had good twists and turns.

A solid story I would recommend.

#ClosetotheBone #NetGalley

Greg Porter is a local businessman, entrepreneur, and token family man. He is also a ladies man so everyone who is anyone especially if they're female is on his radar as he makes sure he is at his sophisticated best around them. If you didn't fit that criteria you didn't exist unless you too could provide him with something. 

Meanwhile DS Megan Thomas's sister, Debbie, is working three jobs, while husband, Mark, has taken a job hundreds of miles away to help make ends meet. Working as Greg Porter's cleaner at his new block of executive apartments doesn't pay much and he's been treating Debbie as his lackey, she runs errands, collects things for him and is still expected to finish her actual job on time. Suggesting she deserves more money only ends up in an argument and then he's found dead.

When I finished the previous book I wasn't sure Megan could sustain a series. How wrong I was. This is a very good read which I thoroughly enjoyed. DS Thomas is never going to win cop of the year, she has too many ghosts in her past for that, but she is sympathetic, determined and gradually getting better at working in a team! The complex investigations she becomes involved in were fascinating and horrific while the cast of protagonists and antagonists worked well together. It is very good. 

I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers in exchange for an unbiased review and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys this author's work or read the first book both are definitely worth reading.

This is my second book from the series and am seriously looking forward to read the next. I loved the plot setting and the family and police department with eclectic people. 

The only fault with the books in this series is the ending. It feels like the author has multiple plots and reveals them bit by bit and doesn't know how to end them. Other than that the characters are good and lovable.

A great second book in this series!

I loved Megan in the first book. She does not really follow the rules. No, that's not quite correct. She does follow rules, but the ones she makes. :) 

Just like in the previous book she has a lot on her plate and this time we also see a softer side of her. I have to admit that I missed the tougher Megan, but that does not mean that I did not enjoy the story. There were a lot of things going on and it was great to see how every piece of the puzzle fell into place.

We get another glimpse into her background too and while she is still battling the consequences she is not one to shy away from what has to be done even when someone close to her is involved. 

Justice is what she is after even though you might say some people got what they deserved. 4 stars

Thank you, Susan Wilkins and Bookouture

Absolutely brilliant!! From start to finish I was kept totally gripped. Full of twists and turns. But then Susan Wilkins is an amazing author and I can't wait for the next one.
Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for allowing me to read this Arc.

i am so enjoying this series . Megan loves her police job her boss asks her to help a team to find the people trafficking crime gang . a woman is found on the beach and her son is missing at sea a man has been murdered in a flat and Megan s sister Debbie is there prime suspect i wont say no more its brilliant and Megan gets a bit of romance very very twisty

Megan Thomas thought that a move from the Met to the south west would mean a quiet life. But then her sister discovers the body of her boss - and finds herself the prime suspect for his murder.

Sidelined from the investigation, Megan wants to clear her sister's name, but what if she's guilty?

A terrific read which keeps you guessing until the end. More please!

Megan's sister finds the dead body of her boss, a man who was not well-liked. To Meghan's surprise, her sister Debbie is the prime suspect. Turns out Debbie's relationship with her boss was not a simple one. Meghan is on the sidelines, but she is determined to find out the truth.

This is a solid detective/crime story, but I felt like there was a bit too much going on in every direction, and I had a hard time focusing on the main plot from time to time. I like the flawed protagonist, and the way she is trying to protect her family while struggling with coming to terms with her recent past. I hope there will be another book in the series, and hopefully we will see some interesting character developments. 

I got this free ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

3,5 stars

Megan Thomas lives in Berrycombe with her sister Debbie Hayden, her husband Mark and their three kids, and dog Scout.
starting a new job in the area this is only temporary for her, finding a flat of her own remains as they love having her with them.
Megan is a Detective Sergeant from London, down to Devon and Cornwall, she has been through so much in her earlier life as well as a divorce, so this break was needed.
A murder in a luxury flat, overlooking the harbour by the name of Greg Porter, and also a well known face is released early from prison, all includes in this story so things are going to get pretty messy along the way.
I loved reading this book, so much is going on, a great who Done it, that keeps you guessing, all the way through. I hope we get to read more books in this series of Detective Megan Thomas from the author.
I loved it