This is the fourth instalment in the Dr Augusta Bloom series. I read the first ones and enjoyed them and this was also enjoyable. Psychopathic Seraphine Walker is back on the scene and could she be involved again in this latest serial killer case?
This was another twisty little read which had me gripped for two days solid! Really enjoy this author’s books. Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

The Imposter by Leona Deakin is the fourth book in the Dr Bloom series. I loved the first 3 books so jumped at the chance to read the next installment.

This is another excellent book in the series involving Augusta, Marcus, and Seraphine. It does follow on from the previous stories with a few references to previous books, but I think it could be read as a standalone. Although I highly recommend reading all 4

The main characters are much better developed with each book and the scenes are described beautifully, pulling you in to the danger and tension, very well paced and enough twists to keep you guessing, but not too many to totally confuse you.

A superbly well-crafted storyline. This is the best in this excellent series…that is fast becoming a series to look out for. I personally can’t wait for a 5th book.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced readers copy, in exchange for an unbiased review.

First book read in the series and can easily be read as a stand alone although because was so good wish I had read the others - had me guessing all the way through - full of suspense and good characters - all in all a great read

Leona Deakin has excelled herself with this fourth book in the Dr Augusta Bloom series it really is a gripping and wonderful read.
The book starts with a murder and it’s a strange clue done with matches is left and when other unexplained deaths are found with similar clues it looks like there maybe a serial killer on the the loose. With Augusta and ex MI6 guy Marcus brought in to look at the cases it becomes clear to them that there may be more more than one killer as some things just don’t add up. So off we go with a brilliantly clever plot and some mighty twists I found myself unable to put this book down and especially when Seraphine appears!!
I have loved this series of books from the start the author has created some wonderful characters and excellent plot lines I feel that with every new book the main characters have really developed and that is due to the quality of the writing so long may we be treated to meeting Augusta, Marcus and Seraphine again.
5 huge stars and massive thanks to Leona Deakin for a great read.
My thanks also to NetGalley and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers for giving me the chance to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Well, there was certainly plenty going on in this book. I wish I had read other books in the series, but this one did stand up in spite of that. It is not a book for those of a nervous disposition, good book, well worth a read.

The Imposter by Leona Deakin
Bourne Identity meets Criminal Minds in this gritty British crime novel!

The story begins with a murder in the very first chapter. We know there’s Zander who bears a grudge against the wealthy, and he is working with two others on some kind of mission to murder specially selected candidates.

In the next chapter we are introduced to (unfortunately named) Dr Augusta Bloom. She has spent many years as a police psychologist and now works on a consultation basis. She is then told of the “Matchbox Murders”, where murderers are leaving certain numbers of burnt matches, together with a matchbox emblazoned with an eye.

Between them they establish that this is a serial killer case featuring multiple murders. And in one of the murders that takes place, the murderer posed as the victim for several days after the murder.

The police suspect that the murders are linked to a known psychopath and apparent criminal mastermind, Seraphine Walker, who is one of the first people to be interviewed at the station.

Seraphine is very well known to Bloom, because Bloom used to be her counsellor when they were younger.
Seraphine shuts the interrogation down with ease, and there is scant evidence to imply she was ever involved in the Matchbox Murders.

Shortly after, Seraphine meets with Bloom to request a favour, to which Bloom replies that yes, she did owe Seraphine favour, but was not going to carry out this particular favour, and would pay her back some other way.

Shortly afterward, Seraphine takes back her statement on a case involving Bloom’s colleague, ex-MI6 Marcus Jameson, saying that he did not act in defence of a life when he got a man shot.

Seraphine uses this as leverage to get what she wants. Seraphine appears to orchestrate quite the chessboard of genuine psychopaths in positions of high power, including foreign secretaries, presidents, and cardinal priests. And Bloom is persuaded to carry out Seraphine’s task to save her colleague from persecution.

Bloom proceeds to meet with these dignitaries, all the while not knowing what Seraphine’s motives are or what link there may be between Seraphine and the Matchbox Murders.

Meanwhile, Marcus is kidnapped by Seraphine’s arch enemy , Gerald Porter. Marcus is released several days later on the condition that he carry out a deadly task.

As Bloom and Marcus go about what they feel has to be done, there are dangerous liasons, and the intrigue builds, as Seraphine’s motives remain shrouded in mystery.

Bloom becomes taken aback by the ways Seraphine’s connections have infiltrated Bloom’s life.

Sometime after Bloom reports back to Seraphine, Zander becomes more brazen, writing a cryptic note to the police. And then he picks another target that’s close to home, and things become yet more personal.

A lead gets brought in for questioning, and at first it seems inconsequential. But Seraphine somehow recorded it, and gives the recording to Bloom, who then spots something particularly interesting, and the suspect pool changes dramatically in a twist that you do not see coming.

Later, a tense action scene ensues, and the Matchbox Muderers attempt another killing.

It becomes apparent that Zander is not the only imposter to be concerned about.

The reader is shortly left wondering about Marcus Jameson and how exactly he’s going to fulfil his obligation to Porter.

By the end of the tale, the reader starts to feel they get the gist of Seraphine’s intentions although this remains rather vague. Hence the following book after this one.

The tale is told from multiple POVs, so you know what certain characters are thinking as they move through the scenes.

When I initially read the synopsis for this book, it slipped my attention that this book was one in an already on-going series. However this did not be put me off, although I do think I would have enjoyed the book more if I had read the previous books, because I would have been even more invested in the character’s stories.

I really enjoyed this book, and the true culprit of the murders genuinely surprised me, like a bolt out of the blue, and I’m intrigued to find out how the future books play out!

This author creates well-drawn, complex characters, and knows how to build tension and drama that hold readers to the end. With several plot twists it managed to keep me guessing until the end. Even then I was surprised. I’m not easily surprised.

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

Bloom and Jameson are back in this next instalment of the series. They have another crime and web of lies and deceit to untangle and get some answers. Even if it does involve Seraphine, their sworn enemy.

I love this series of stories with these characters. It so well written, and Augusta Bloom is a wonderful character, and totally underestimated. Her and Jameson run a private investigative service, and are completely chalk and cheese, but work together perfectly.

A well written story, which is also clever, with many twists you don’t see coming.

I have read and loved all of these books, this is the 4th in a series, however can be read alone. What an amazing ride it is to read them all though. Love them. Dark, unpredictable story lines. Brilliant xz

I had no idea this was book 4 in a series but I got on with it just fine, I will be going back to read the others based on how good this was!

Suspense, thrills, and procedure and written with perfect pace, this book is sure not to disappoint at all.

Perfect for fans of any thriller.

Tension Fuelled..
The fourth in the Dr Bloom series and another action packed, tension fuelled instalment. Will Bloom succeed where others have failed? If not, her own life may well be on the line. Many threads entwine making up this complex yet immersive suspense with a carefully crafted cast of characters and a plot peppered with twists, turns and horror packed situations.

NO ONE SEES HIM COMING
NO ONE SURVIVES FOR LONG
ONLY MATCHSTICKS LEFT BEHIND
JUST BE CAREFUL WHOS NEXT.
A rollercoaster of a read I didn't realise that this was book 4 in the series but I found it fine just jumping in with this one.I enjoyed the two part storylines ,and will definitely read the first 3 books now as I found the characters very intriguing.
Looking forward to reading the next installment I've found my new go to author.
Highly recommended
Thanks to Netgalley and Random House UK Transworld Publishers for the ARC

Yet again Dr Bloom & Marcus have to face off against the psychopathic Seraphine. This book put me on edge as I traversed the pages of multiple serial killers and the plot of two feuding psychopaths.
I’m giving it a solid 4 stars and not a five as I worked something out, but will you?
Go buy it and see!
Thank you to Netgalley and Leona Deakin for the advanced copy of this book.

The Imposter/The Fall Guy
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐.5/5 (rounded up to 4⭐)

⚠️ Content warning: alcohol use, murder, stabbing, blood, disappearance, profanity, suicide, drug use, serial killer, rape, sexual assault, childhood trauma, mentions war, terrorist acts and bombing, drunk driving, drowning, strangulation, mentions real life serial killers, derogatory language, weapon use, overdose, abduction, OCD, D.I.D. and gambling ⚠️

Dr Augusta Bloom is brought in to consult on a case where the killer targets rich men who are found murdered in various ways. Whilst Bloom is not convinced about the suspect that some of the police force have in mind, she continues to investigate who the killer is, alongside her partner ex-MI6 agent Marcus Jameson. Whilst this main storyline is going on, there is another one which follows Seraphine Walker interacting with Jameson and Bloom in a way to control them, but Seraphine is not the only psychopath trying to control them…

I really liked how this book delves deep into the killer’s psychology, such as their mental health condition and how that would manifest within their personal life and contribute to them committing murders. It also described the origin of the mental health condition within this individual, which helps you understand the killer’s motive for their crimes. This was well done due to the author’s background, which really shone through.
It took me a while to get into this book but once I did, I enjoyed the book. I did feel a bit lost with how each character fitted into the storyline, for example I had to keep referring back to see what capacity Augusta, Marcus and Tyler worked with the police in. However, this could be due to me not reading the other books within this series and starting with the fourth book.

I did guess some of the twists and in some places, the book did feel a bit predictable in what would happen. There were numerous typos, for example, fourteenyear-old, twoyear-old, socalled, no ,. The narrative would switch within the book, but this was not indicated by a new chapter, despite it clearly being a new chapter so I was often left confused as to what was going on. This could just be a formatting issue within the Kindle app, but I think it is worth mentioning. There were also a lot of places within the book that could have benefitted from having a comma to break up the sentence (for example, as he drifted off again, a single thought comforted him – instead of having no comma after again).
Thank you very much to NetGalley and the publisher, Random House UK, Transworld Publishers, Penguin for the opportunity to read this book!

I have posted this review to my NetGalley and Goodreads accounts. I will also post a review on my Instagram and Tiktok a week before the publication date (24th November 2022). This book will be available to purchase as a paperback for £7.99 or an e-book on Kindle for £3.99.

The fourth of the Augusta Bloom novels and a first for me but despite this the background given was enough to follow the thread.

The characters in this series are well developed, it was fast paced and gripping nothing not to like.

I enjoyed the book. The complicated relationship between the police and those who assist them was written really well and added to the characters depth.
I enjoyed learning about the killers backgrounds also, it gave a glimpse at what drove the person to where they have wound up.

First book I have read by this author and I really enjoyed it. I did not realise that it is 4th in the series but I did not feel that I need to read the other books although I probably will as Leona Deakin weaves a great story. Dr Bloom is a psychotherapist and Marcus Jameson is a friend and partner in the business. Jameson worked for MI6 but now helps Bloom with her investigations including helping the Police in interviews. She is very good at picking up mannerisms and Jameson is very good at recognising faces if he has seen someone once as well as investigating crime scenes. Chief Inspector Nadia Mirza calls Bloom into Police Headquarters for her expertise. There are murders happening and the Police are trying to pin it on Seraphine Walker who got away with crimes in the past and is well known to all parties. Bloom does not think for one minute it is her and starts to try and discover the identity of the men who have committed the murders. One of the things that are confusing the Police etc is that matchsticks are left at the scene. The number of matchsticks are different and do not follow after one another although which makes all parties wonder if there are more murders that they do not know about. All the men were high powered and wealthy and murdered in different ways. Jameson starts to visit the crime scenes for his take on the murders. In comes Zander, AJ, Lexi and Sandy into the story. The book swings and swerves through the Police, Bloom, Jameson, Walker and Zander etc. Without giving anything away which would be easy to do, I cannot explain how surprised I was with the outcome of Zander, AJ, Lexi and Sandy. It was a great read – highly recommended

Two part storyline. The main atory was very good with a big twist, the second was a continuation of previous books in the series and as i hadnt read them I felt that i was missing a lot. Maybe not best as a stand alone book.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advance copy of this book.

This is a book of two storylines - the main one I enjoyed especially the twists in it. The other seemed to be a continuation of the other books in the series, and as I've not read them, I found that somewhat confusing as it felt like someone has told you the punchline of a joke but missing out the rest of it so you don't get it.

The fourth installment in the Augusta Bloom series
all I can say is WOW - fast paced from the start
I liked having all the characters back together
It keeps you guessing all the way through

Thank you netgalley, Leona Deakin and Random House UK