The second in the Dr Sian Love mystery series, ' Wish You Were Here' is a UK based thriller following Dr Love in her DNA tracing agency. Its a well told tale with some neat twists along the way.

I really enjoyed the first book in the Sian Love series, Dead Flowers, so was looking forward to reading this, the second in the series.
Sian has her own DNA agency and goes undercover on a case involving a young woman who believes she is someone who went missing 15 years ago.
I love the character of Sian , the author sensitively explores Sian’s mental health issues that the reader got the background to in book 1. This can be read as a stand-alone but I would recommend reading the previous book first. Not only is it a gripping and original read but it explores Sian’s family history in compelling detail. The city of Nottingham once again plays a big part in the novel. I’m not familiar with the city but the author brings it to life. I like the relationship between Sian and Kris and was interested to see how this develops.
Unfortunately Wish You Were Here does lack a gripping plot and I missed the page turning tension of the first book. I’d definitely read further books in the series as I enjoy the characterisation and the setting.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.

In 2019 I read the first Sian Love book and I did enjoy it so I was pleased to be able to read this second book. Sian now has her own DNA investigation business up and running. The work is fairly "ordinary" generally however the stresses she had while a police officer are gone. She is still with Kris (a police officer). The general day to day routine is interrupted when a teenage girl comes into her office saying she thinks she is actually a girl who went missing over 15 years ago. Sian isn't convinced but agrees to look into her background and try and find any evidence.

While Sian has got away from the stresses of the police she does have some mental health issues which relate to that and her early life. Book one (Dead Flowers) gave some insight into that. She is seeking treatment but possibly not as enthusiastically as Kris would like. The book follows her investigation into the missing girl/her client.

I do like Sian Love as a character as I did in the previous book. It's fair to say that other characters with the exception of Kris are pretty minor and feel that way for me. The book feels atmospheric at times and the bits of Sian's personal history that come out worked very well for me.

Overall the book felt a bit fuzzy to me I think. I really enjoyed Dead Flowers and found it built up well during the course of the book. This one feels less powerful to me. The pace is there but I can't say I felt the same tension really. I can't say that the ending really left me "satisfied". It is by no means a bad read - I enjoyed it - but not as much as the previous one. I can genuinely say I would like to read another book by the author though.

This is the second book in a series about Dr Sian Love, an ex police officer and DNA expert who has set up her own investigation agency.
I haven’t read the first book, “Dead Flowers”, and don’t feel you need to.
The book explores the main characters, Sian and her boyfriend Kris, who is a police officer but wants to join Sian to work at the agency full time. It focuses on two investigations that Sian is undertaking that happen to be intertwined.
Unfortunately, I found the book a little boring, it didn’t have me gripped to the pages. Some aspects were a bit too unbelievable, the one client, Ana, sabotages her own case by blowing Sian’s undercover alias, in which case, I’m sure that Sian would’ve just ended the investigation and collected her fee, but I guess that wouldn’t make good reading.
This book will be published on 27.07.23.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Oldcastle Books for the ARC.

4+

Dr Sian Love #2 which can easily be read as a standalone but #1 “Dead Flowers” is excellent.

DNA doesn’t lie, but people do. Sian runs a DNA agency “to find out who you really are“. Most of her work is straight forward until Ana Renaux walks into her office. Fifteen years ago, three-year-old Courtney Johnson disappears from Brighton beach and has never been found, Ana says she is Courtney. So, why does she refuse to allow Sian to test her DNA? Sian is intrigued but also wary and determined to be cautious, so she decides to utilise her undercover skills in order to get to the truth.

It’s so good to be back in “Nottinum” (Nottingham) the town of my birth with Sian in this very thoughtful, thought provoking slow burner of a mystery. The case is weird from the start, it becomes more complicated by the week and is a gripping read. You’re full of puzzled questions from the get go, not least why won’t Ana give up her DNA?? That’s only the tip of the iceberg as the mystery deepens, revealing secrets and lies that go back years. So much seems to be a coincidence and I like how the author returns to this theme throughout. Coincidence or random? One thing is for sure, it’s frustrating as just as soon as Sian uncovers another piece of evidence it seems to be the wrong shape to fit the jigsaw puzzle she’s building. The investigation starts as one thing but takes several tangential directions, involving historic cases and refers to genuine cases of missing children to give it a feel of authenticity. The author cleverly links together what appears to be disparate lines of enquiry to make a cohesive whole. It doesn’t end perfectly, it’s not neatly tied up in a bow, cos life ain’t like that!

This is definitely a multilayered story as it also takes a deep look into Sian’s own issues which is a fascinating angle, allowing us to understand her better. Her relationship with her police officer partner Kris is further developed too and I like the direction that this heads in. Both Sian and Kris are excellent characters, fitting together a bit like Yin and Yang! Let’s not forget the dog either, Elvis is a former cadaver dog and is simply brilliant. Love him!

This is not as sock you between the eyes as the first book, but it’s still darn good, more measured maybe and more real?

Finally, I really like the flashback chapter headings, which are very clever and appropriate.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Oldcastle Books for very much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.