Cover Image: Dark Memories

Dark Memories

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Member Reviews

I would like to thank Netgalley and HQ for an advance copy of Dark Memories, the third novel to feature DS Nikki Parekh of the Bradford Police.

The body of a homeless woman, Peggy Dyson, is found stabbed to death under the railway arches. Nikki knows her from her own childhood but even this familiarity is not enough to compensate for a lack of clues and motive, but she is puzzled when she receives a clipping about the murder and another about a murder in Cambridge. When a third body is found across the road from her childhood home Nikki begins to think it might be personal.

I thoroughly enjoyed Dark Memories which is a twisted tale of damaged childhood and revenge. It is a difficult novel to review as so much of the plot links together and cannot be discussed without spoilers. I do, however, think that it would be an excellent novel for book groups as it throws up so many talking points, not least the nature vs nurture debate.

The novel is mostly narrated from Nikki’s point of view with the unnamed killer and other unpleasant characters putting in an appearance occasionally to give their point of view and justifications for their actions. I’m not always a fan of reading the whining of bad people, but in this case it is well done and adds to mystery and intrigue as the killer is not revealing his motivation except in general terms and that turns out to be self deception.

As reflected in the title this is a dark novel and exposes the worst side of human nature. I found myself shuddering at some of the events and crying at others. I found myself putting the book down at times for some decompression, not necessarily from the harrowing scenes but from the tension of identifying with Nikki and all that she has to go through. In many respects the hunt for the killer takes second place to the excavation of her past and the present day repercussions of that excavation. This is a clever, deftly executed novel that handles trauma sympathetically without descending into the maudlin or triteness. I found it very impressive.

Nikki Parekh is a wonderful character. She doesn’t always get it right but she attacks everything she does with guts and a leap of faith. This novel explores what formed her and how she became the woman she is. She’s a triumph of character over circumstance and it’s heartwarming to read.

Dark Memories is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.

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Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

As a Bradford girl, I am a big fan of Liz Mistry and I enjoy this series. I was not disappointed with this book. This one explored Parekh background and childhood-quite harrowing. A recommended read.

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After a homeless woman is found murdered at a popular sleeping site under Bradford's railway arches something begins niggling away at the recesses of DS Nikki Parekh's memories. With her partner, DC Sajid Malik, she begins looking at the evidence, or lack of, but then receives an anonymous message which makes her revisit a past she had tried to put behind her.

After a death hundreds of miles away results in another taunting message Nikki knows she has to tell Sajid what is happening but then they are called to a street and a house she knows only too well. Every day she saw the man who lived there, and now there is no doubt, the deaths are linked to her horrific childhood and a man she is scared to even think of. With her family seemingly in danger Nikki knows the truth has to come out but this time she will make sure it sets them all free.

With a past only a few people witnessed about to become common knowledge all her old insecurities rush to the surface and she needs friends and family even more than ever. With the absolute certainty things are going to get way worse before they even begin to get better Nikki faces the biggest challenges and consequences of her life and career so far.

This is an excellent novel in a first class series. I like Nikki, she follows the rules, for the most part, and I don't ever have to wish she'd just talk to someone! Finding out about Nikki’s past makes her so much more relatable and the mix of work and home is seamlessly written and totally believable.

With cataclysmic and far reaching happenings and a great deal of unfinished business Nikki’s future is going to be far from simple. I can't wait to find out what happens next; I know I won't be disappointed.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the opinions expressed are my own. This is crime writing of the highest calibre and is highly recommended.

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I loved the previous book in this series, but I found this one confusing. Too many POVs and too many characters meant that for me, there was no suspense as I was constantly reminding myself on who was who. . I also found the death of a main character (no spoilers) unnecessary as it added nothing to the plot. Also, I really, really don't like it when there is unfinished business at the end of a book.

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Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for this ARC.

Wow, this book is a very dark and emotive read and, in my opinion, is the best in this series so far. Nikki has to revisit her childhood and past when she investigates a murder where the victim was known to her family, and the case becomes very personal to her. I was hooked and drawn in right from the start and I didn’t want the book to end. I love the authors writing style and think she has created such a likeable, flawed, feisty character here you are on her side right away. I love the great working relationship and friendship she has with her DC, and learning more about her past and how it has shaped her. For me, this was a fast paced thrilling read that really hit the mark and I think the author has wrote a cracker of a book here. I look forward to the next one. Loved this, just loved it, would highly recommend this book and series.

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Northern Crime at its best, this is the third book in the series featuring DS Nikki Parekh and it doesn't disappoint. I think every vice is covered in this incredible book. Nikki has been acting up as DI but she has no desire to take on the job permanently, the extra money would come in handy but she values her home life and sanity too much. She is however far from happy when she is sidestepped as the case that she and the team are working on gets too close to home for her to continue in her lead role. It is impossible for her to stand back when she realises the enormity of the situation and the terrible consequences that leave her with no option but to disclose hidden secrets that she wished could remain buried. I cannot praise this book highly enough, it is gripping, dark compulsive reading

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Given I am familiar with the area that this book is set I relished the opportunity to read this. I have read one of the authors other series but not this one and I didn't realise at the time that this is the third book in the series. This did mean there are spoilers for previous books in the series and at times things are talked about in what appeared to be a vague way but I assume that is because they had been referred to in a previous book. Overall, the book was a good easy read, quite dramatic in places and a lot of violence so be warned if that is not your thing. I would continue to read books by this author but try to do in it order of the series!

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I love the Gus Maguire series and this new series featuring DS Nikki Parekh promises to be even better. This is Northern noir at its very best and wow! is this personal! In Dark Memories Parekh is taken back to her childhood and the wretched life she lived. We learn much about the family and the disturbing themes of child abuse and sexual exploitation are vividly portrayed. Brilliant!

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A body under the railway arches, a homeless woman. Very little to go on for Nikki Parekh and Sajid Malik. But Nikki gets a note, a newspaper clipping taunting her on her lack of progress...

Another body, another note...

And a third, on Nikki's childhood street. Does the answer lie in Nikki's troubled childhood?

Brilliant.

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Dark Memories is the third book in the DS Nikita Parekh series, here is a story of murder, child abuse,cruelty and severe domestic abuse.
Much more is learnt of Nikki, her sister and mother and the sheer awfulness of their past, due to their horrific childhood it gives more insight into Nikki’s character which makes you admire her so much more.
A homeless woman is found murdered in Bradford, followed by another two murders, all are some how linked and with Nikki receiving anonymous letters and diary entries she has to work hard to find who the culprit is and how she and her family fit into all this.
Although sidelined during the investigation due to her personal links that doesn’t stop her from pulling out all the stops, with the help of her police partner Sajid she starts realising who is at the heart of this.
At times I did find the book a little confusing, it seemed to jump from Nikki’s storyline to the murderer then someone else rather quickly so at times I wasn’t sure which characters part i was reading, when the killer was revealed I had to go back to work it out who he/she actually was.
That said an enjoyable read but not quite my favourite of this series.
My thanks to net galley and publisher for the opportunity to review this book honestly.

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I love this series of books about DS Nikki Parekh and DC Sajid Malik as they struggle to solve the case and catch the killer who is taunting Nikki with a lack of evidence will they get the killer and justice for the victims.Another brilliant book by Liz Mistry excellent read 5*

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When there is a murder which rings bells to DS Nikki Parekh and she is receiving envelopes with media cuttings and diary page entries things don’t quite add up. As time goes on and there are other murders more and more point to Nikki, her mother and sister being the links but she’s not sure quite how or more importantly who.. Mer mother Lalita has received messages warning her that she is being watched. When there is a further murder in a street they used to live in, Lalita is convinced she knows whom the messages are from but still keeps this to herself.
I really enjoy this series- it is so much more than “just another crime book”. Nikki like many of us has a past and a story to tell, one that isn’t easy but at times defines her character and actions as life hasn’t always been a smooth ride. She is a strong character but has her weaknesses- she’s only (fictional) human after all.
A dark story in parts but a truly gripping one. One of the past and emotion and putting right the past wrongs. Another brilliant, wonderful read from Liz Mistry.
(rest of lionks as part of blog tour)

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My thoughts about Liz Mistry's third book in the DS Nikki Parekh series, was just fantastic. Liz Mistry's Dark Memories taunts Nikki's Past, when the killer murders 3 people, and sends secret letters to Nikki after the murders, was just fantastic. The connection about Nikki's childhood,connected with the murders was just a mystery, if there is a connection just blows you away. Talented author Liz Mistry, not only writes a hardhiting story, but she writes the characters so well is truly remarkable. Liz has written a powerful story, that reveals more on Nikki, her sister Ankita childhood, and her mother Lalita's past, which is incredible. A race against time to catch the killer before the he strikes again. DS Nikki Parekh,must revisit her past childhood,to find clues that she thought she left behind was fantastic. A well written powerful story, that truly blows you away.Dark Memories is truly well written, and well portrayed with its powerful characters. Highly recommended, Dark Memories is a sure shot winner. I would like to say thank you to author Liz Mistry, Publishers HQ Stories, Netgalley for giving me a chance to read and review, this outstanding third book, which I'm a fan of,which truly is a masterpiece. 💥💥💥💥💥⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Nikki Parekh is a Bradford detective with a childhood she's long tried to forget. When a homeless woman turns up dead, she thinks nothing of it until she realises that it is her mother's former friend who she hasn't seen since she was a child. The killer taunts Nikki when she cannot connect the dots, as the body count rises before she realises that she must face her past to stop a killer who knows an awful lot about her family.

This is the fourth book in the Nikki Parekh series - I've not read the other three, but you don't need prior knowledge of the character to enjoy the book. Make no mistake, this book deals with very heavy subject matter but is very well-written and a lot of care is taken. My one quibble would be that there are a lot of characters to juggle in your head - to the point that when the killer was revealed I did have to go back and try and work out who they were!

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Who is sending newspaper cuttings and copies of a diary to DS Nikki Parekh and why? With 3 Murders taking place, it’s not long before Nikki has to entrust DC Sajid Malik with information about her childhood.

In this story we see an extremely vulnerable side to Nikki and also learn about the childhood that Nikki and her sister, Anika shared. We also read more about their mum, Lalita’s way of life when they were young children.

I had to keep putting this book down and just breathe! The book is dark and tense, emotive and raw. The characters in this book are fantastic, I was so invested in the story that I found I had tears rolling down my face at times.
This is a story of revenge, love, family and forgiveness. A stunning novel.

My thanks to NetGalley and HQ Digital for my copy in exchange for an honest review.

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