Intence and thrilling, just as expected from one of my favourite authors, who never fails to shock. The lead character is Dr. Olivia Winter. A forensic psychologists who is advising the police on a serial killer case. Once I started this book I could not put it down. Absolutely brilliant.

Hello and welcome to damppebbles. Today I am delighted to share my review of The Mind of a Murderer by Michael Wood. The Mind of a Murderer is published by One More Chapter today (that's Thursday 28th March 2024) and is available in paperback, audio and digital formats. I chose to read a free eARC of The Mind of a Murderer but that has in no way influenced my review.

A serial killer is stalking the streets of London, preying on single women in their homes. The killer, being forensically aware, leaves no trace behind leaving the Metropolitan Police at a loss. With the timespan between each murder reducing at a rapid rate, the police decide to turn to Dr Olivia Winter, a forensic psychologist for help. But Olivia doesn't get involved with active cases. She prefers dealing with killers when they're locked up behind bars. However, with this killer, things have suddenly become very personal. With her own tragic history weighing her down, can Olivia help the Met catch one of London's most prolific serial killers before the body count rises even further...?

The Mind of a Murderer is an intriguing, pacy serial killer thriller and the start of a brand new series from one of my favourite authors. If you're a regular visitor to the blog then you may have seen me mention DCI Matilda Darke before. I've read all but one (weirdly the first one!) of the series so far and I will continue to read them for as long as Michael Wood writes them. They're dark, shocking and I really enjoy the way Wood torments his characters -- killing one off here, changing another's life forever there. He really puts his characters through the mill! So I was excited to read The Mind of a Murderer and meet new creation, Dr Olivia Winter. There are plenty of Wood's trademark shocks and surprises present. But there are also quite a few differences which make this new character distinct. The most obvious is that Olivia is a forensic psychologist (yes, I did Google what a forensic psychologist does - just to be sure) rather than your run-of-the-mill detective. I thought this was an interesting choice and gave the book a very different feel to other serial killer thrillers I've read recently. Particularly as Olivia repeatedly tells her police colleagues that she's not a profiler but then, in the next breath, delivers a profile of the killer. Makes for a good reading though!

Would I recommend this book? I would, yes. The Mind of a Murderer is a well-paced, compulsive start to what promises to be an intriguing new series. I found Olivia to be an interesting but slightly frustrating character. I had a couple of niggles about her that I just couldn't shake. First though, I need to give some background. Olivia was nine-years-old when her otherwise loving father was unmasked as a serial killer. He brutally killed Olivia's mother and her younger sister. Olivia walked in on the carnage but managed to escape the house. However, her father found her and wanting to finish the job off, stabbed her four times in the shoulder. She hasn't seen her serial killer father for twenty-five years. I don't understand how, with her past, she has taken the career path she has. She's clearly highly traumatised by her past (who wouldn't be??!) so it felt like an odd choice. I know it's only fiction but it just didn't sit right with me. I hope that by the time book two is available, I will have gotten over my initial reservations. Olivia's best friend is killed fairly early on in the book. She sheds a tear or two and then gets stuck into the investigation. Later on in the book a man Olivia hardly knows dies, yet Olivia is consumed with grief. A tidal wave of tears and anger at the death of an almost stranger who caused her actual harm. I found it all very peculiar. I keep telling myself it was an accumulation of grief over time, but I'm not sure. Please don't get me wrong, these are all small niggles that most people won't mind in the slightest. I've been very nit-picky here. I've had a look at other reviews for this book and they tend to be five stars all the way. I did enjoy the plot. I wasn't able to guess whodunit and I liked the set-up. I would recommend this book to crime fiction fans who don't mind a little sauciness in their reads (Olivia is a woman with needs!). Also good if you're looking for a different take on a serial killer case rather than the traditional detective (although there are plenty of traditional detectives present!). I am looking forward to reading the second book in the series. Michael Wood is a fantastic author and I am a huge fan of his work. I feel perhaps he has laid the groundwork and now it's time to really build the character on book one's foundations.

I chose to read and review a free eARC of The Mind of a Murderer. The above review is my own unbiased opinion.

As the title suggests, the story features a battle of wills between a serial killer and a forensic profiler. Fans of the author’s Matilda Darke series will enjoy getting to know Dr Olivia Winter in a new series written in typical Michael Wood style: gruesome murders; straightforward storytelling; and a plot that plays fast and loose with the lives of the investigating team. It will do well.
With thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early copy in exchange for an independent review.

I posted my review on my blog https://www.rachelsargeant.co.uk/my-book-reviews-for-march-2024/ and GoodReads.

Wow. An excellent, fast paced thriller. The characters and dialogue were brilliantly written and it kept me hooked throughout. The story starts with a bang and the pace doesn’t slow all through the book. This was the first time I have read a book by this author, but I will definitely be on the lookout for more, Would totally recommend. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for giving me access to an early copy of this book.

I’d like to thank HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘The Mind Of A Murderer’, a Dr Olivia Winter thriller written by Michael Wood, in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Dr Olivia Winter is a forensic psychologist and an expert at getting serial killers to talk. She keeps her past a secret as her father is the notorious serial killer Richard Button who’s in Belmarsh Prison for the killing of eight women including her mother and sister. When Olivia’s best friend DI Jessica Sheffield asks for her help with a killer who’s choosing single women in London she refuses as she doesn’t get involved with live cases but when Jessica is the fourth victim she’s keen to help DI Foley take the killer off the streets and get justice for his victims.

‘The Mind of a Murderer’ is the first in an exciting new series featuring Dr Olivia Winter who’s learnt to deal with her own emotional problems after being left scarred at nine years old when her father nearly killed her. The intricately-woven plot is ingenious, complex and full of suspense, tension and twists and turns as they try to identify the killer before the next victim is chosen. The final chapters are so shocking that I’m open-mouthed in admiration for an author who can put together such a compelling thriller with a conclusion so staggering that it’s kept me on the edge of my seat with fingers crossed that Olivia won’t be his next victim. This is such a brilliant start for a new series that I can’t wait for the next one to see how Olivia’s character and those of Foley and Sebastian progress.

This book was everything I hoped it would it be.
I was hooked quickly and completely unwilling to put this down. I devoured this book in just one sitting. I have no regrets and can’t wait to read more by this author.

The book opens with a brutal scene. A serial killer attacks and murders a woman inside her home. I was hooked from the first chapter! The perspective of protagonist, Olivia Winter, was very compelling. The lone survivor of a serial killer who butchered both her mother and sister when she was only nine years old, just so happened to be her father. The trauma influenced her toward a life of studying killers and their motives, often putting herself in dangerous situations as a forensic psychiatrist. Wood writes her flashbacks in vivid and disturbing detail, including the newer crimes committed by the most recent killer she’s trying to catch.

I enjoyed reading from the other perspectives and felt that it added another layer of suspense to the story. Although Sam’s character stuck out as strange, I knew he wasn’t the killer. I was surprised when his behavior escalated over such a short period of time, and didn’t understand how Olivia could sympathize with him. It felt out of character for her and the story overall. The ending was satisfying, and the letter from her father was a nice set up for the next novel in the series, giving it an eerie vibe. Olivia’s love interest was a loose thread in the story and I was curious about their relationship, and if it will continue in the next book.

The pace started off fast and was steady for most of the book, however it lagged at times in the second half and near the end as a lot of her background information was revealed. It recovered in the final scenes, but I would have liked it to continue building right up until the last page. The author’s voice was strong and that’s the main reason I kept turning the pages. His writing style was vivid and I was pulled into the scenes every single time.

Forensic psychologist Dr Olivia Winter has a very particular past that gives her a good insight into the mind of a murderer. At 9yrs old, she survived a serial killers attack, disturbing enough, but when that serial killer is your own father, Olivia is understandably still suffering the effects.

One if those effects is that she doesn't work on live cases, preferring to look into cold cases and avoid the rawness of an ingoing case, that is until her best friend and police detective Jessica asks for her help on her most recent case of a murderer targeting women alone in their own homes. Olivia initially refuses, but when the killer escalates a bit too close to home, she agrees to help.

Plenty of twist and turns, pretty gruesome in places, this was a solid first instalment in what I hope is a successful series!

This book had me hooked from the off - my sign of a fantastic book! Great characters you could get into and a gripping storyline that meant you didn’t want to put down the book until it was finished. Highly recommended!

I would like to thank Netgalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for an advance copy of The Mind of a Murderer, the first novel to feature forensic psychologist Dr Olivia Winter.

Olivia survived a serial killer at age nine, her father. Now she is Dr Olivia Winter, a renowned academic who doesn’t do current cases, preferring the analysis of past crimes. That changes when she is persuaded to help in the hunt for London’s latest serial killer.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Mind of a Murderer, which is a fast paced tale of murder and madness with plenty of twists and turns. I think that it is more profound than many novels in the genre, digging deep into Olivia’s psyche and examining how her childhood brush with death affects her present. It also takes a look into the mind of a serial killer in a different way to the usual misunderstood, damaged childhood approach. I don’t know how realistic it is, but it feels more believable, perhaps due to the casual indifference to the victims.

As I said the novel moves at a fast pace with plenty of developments and not so many reveals until later in the novel. I found myself constantly trying to fit it all together, without much success. Still, there is plenty to keep the reader occupied and turning the pages. I was close to giving the novel 5*, but I feel that the rather farcical final showdown lets the novel down. After building enough realism to make the novel plausible it simply made me laugh.

The characterisation in the novel is strong. There is the damaged Olivia with her Fort Knox security and hardly any friends due to her trust issues, but who surprisingly has an inner core of steel and is much more resilient than is initially suggested. The other major player in the novel is her father, the serial killer. He is a portrait of malignant manipulation and extremely well drawn in his warped thinking and disregard of others.

The Mind of a Murderer is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.

What a book
Another amazing series is born.
despire spending a good quarter of the book wondering when Matilda was going to turn up, I absolutely loved Olivia.
Michael Wood just knows how to write a police procedural. I felt like I had got in the mind of the murderer at one point. The book is twisted at points but I loved the warpedness
this book was extremely hard to put down and when it ended I just wanted more. I am really hoping this is the start of a long series! It is a fiercly addictive read so anyone who picks up this book, be sure to do it when you don’t have many plans.
stanley stole the show in terms of best character and I really was ready to cry when I thought something had happened to him
The book would be perfect for a tv adaptation also

I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher in return for an honest review. This review is based entirely on my own thoughts and feelings.

Overall rating : 5*
Writing skill : 5*
Plot: 5*
Pace: 5*
Characters: 5*
Anxiety levels: 5*

Amazing, compelling, gripping, twisty.... what a ride of a book that ticks every box!
This is my first read by Michael wood, WHY?! Why has no one pushed me towards this author before?

I always give a no spoiler review, so this will be hard to go into any depths. But I must say, as a reader, theres nothing more exciting then being in the know for more than the last 10% of the book. To know a twist, or have a sight into whats happening on the 'other side' of a police procedural is my newest favourite thing. Chuck in a serial killer (or two) and I'm all yours. What a perfect crime/thriller novel. Added straight onto my favourites list, and I will be imploring all my thriller loving friends to get on board this ride!!

If you enjoy the DCI Matilda Darke series by this author then you will certainly enjoy this new series. Dr Olivia Winter is a forensic psychologist whose job is to understand the minds of serial killers. However there is one serial killer she doesn’t understand, her father. A new serial killer is stalking the streets of London and the body count is rising. The police need Olivia’s help to profile him but it means she also has to confront the demons of her past. A fast paced, gripping thriller that will keep you enthralled to the end. Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter and the author for the chance to review.

This was so good! I’m so glad the synopsis didn’t give away too much of the story as many of them do. It has been a little while since a book has kept me up reading late into the night like this one did. The Mind of a Murderer is a dark psychological thriller that grabbed my attention from the start and kept me enthralled until the very end. Despite having it all together professionally, Olivia’s personal life was understandably a mess given her past. She proved to be an interesting character with her complex nature, and human flaws that added depth to her persona.

While I really enjoyed this book a lot, there were a few minor things that kept it from being a 5 star read for me, mainly a few of Olivia’s questionable actions/reactions and also two events that directed the narrative using circumstances that didn’t seem likely they would have happened like that in real life. I can’t go into more details without spoilers so I will leave it at that. Some of the crimes are gruesome in their description but it didn’t feel gratuitous or excessive, but went with the overall darkness of the story.

Michael Wood is a new-to-me author, but I am already looking forward to Dr. Olivia Winter #2, and while I wait for it, I’ll definitely be checking out his Matilda Darke series. 4.5 stars.

One of my favourite crime writers delivers the first in an addictive new series featuring Dr Olivia Winter.

A forensic psychologist who spends her days delving into the minds of the most dangerous and depraved murderers the world has ever seen.

And her nights trying to get into the mind of serial killer Richard Button.

Who happens to be her father.

But it's a connection Olivia keeps to herself.

In fact, only three people know her secret and one of those is a detective inspector who desperately needs her help.

Yet, Olivia is adamant she is never getting involved in a police investigation even though she has had multiple offers from forces all around the world.

However, that all changes when one of her closest friends is murdered by a serial killer who is terrorising the women of London.

Yet, if Olivia is to help catch this killer, she'll have to face her darkest fears and put her trust in strangers.

But is this a move she'll come to regret?

And with lots of deliciously dark details. Not to mention Michael's signature twists and disturbing characters I want to read more about. This is a series that gets off to an explosive start. But that's no surprise. This is a Michael Wood book after all!

I would happily recommend The Mind of a Murderer to all and can't wait to read more from Dr Olivia Winter and D.I. Foley in the future.

As a child Olivia Winter survived her father’s murderous rage that claimed the life of her mother and sister. Now Olivia is a forensic psychologist, but she only ever works on closed cases. She has only one close friend and likes her own space. Olivia has devoted her life to understanding and helping others to understand serial killers.
Now a serial killer is stalking single women, and the police need Olivia’s help.
If she agrees not only will she be breaking her own rule never to work on a live case, she could also be putting herself in the firing line. How much is she willing to risk to help catch a killer.
This is a pacy, dark thriller that will send chills down your spine. The story grips you from the start and doesn’t let up until the very end.

A gripping read, full of tension , intrigue and suspicion. The daughter of a serial killer, Olivia Winter, reluctantly helps police to track down a serial killer using her skills as forensic psychologist. The plot and investigation throws up several suspects. I suspected several but I was wrong. The menacing character of Olivia's father sent shivers down my spine. A cracking read

This is the first of a new series by the author who is already well known and respected for his Matilda Darke series, a series that prior to getting my mitts on this book, was one I was unfamiliar with. I know, but too many books and I do have some responsibilities! But between finishing this book and posting my review, I have already listened to the first two (one and a prequel) and have most of the rest ready to go!
So... Olivia Winter is a very well known and respected forensic psychologist, specialising in trying to understand the minds of serial killers - yep, it's all a bit of a dark place in her life! She has only one such bugbear, one mind that she simply can't fathom. The mind of someone who is the reason she is who she is and why she does what she does... her father. You can learn about his crimes for yourself but Olivia has a very personal reason for doing what she does, being his last surviving victim...
Professionally she excels though and is often called on to assist the police when they require some insight, although she has never before agreed to help, and it is here where our story really begins, with a prolific serial killer stalking the streets of London. The police are baffled and the body count is rising rapidly. They need a break before he can strike again...
It's a curious case with the killer appearing to be operating in plain sight, his only cover being social events, the noise of which allows him both entry and also cover... DO Amyas Foley (great name) wants Olivia's help but she is still reluctant. Circumstances though conspire and she eventually agrees and so begins a wild wild ride. With twists and turns aplenty, a side order of dysfunctional behaviour, and a couple red herrings thrown in for good measure, all delivered at a high octane pace, this book had me on the edge of my seat pretty much all the way through. Spitting me out at the end wholly satisfied, and exhausted, and also... excited for the next book. Which was an exciting reveal as prior to that point I wan't sure if it was to be a stand alone or the start of a new series. Happy to find out it's the latter. I'm definitely going to be looking out for that book. But in the meanwhile I still have double figures of Darke books to keep me going!
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

Whenever I read that Michael Wood is coming out with a new book I am always filled with joy and excitement. Then I start wondering if it is possible for him to keep up the fantastic work I am used to read. Not to worry! Once again he did an excellent job with The Mind of a Murderer. In fact, this one blew my mind with how much depth the book has.

Sometimes I think I must have read everything there is to be read and learned about mysteries, crime, and serial killers. When I think like that, I assume this is what happens: Michael Wood, who obviously heard me think, says "Hold my beer", and then he writes something that I was not expected to read, and I am in awe.

If you have not read Michael Wood's book, this is an excellent one to start with! If you have read his books, but not this one, what are you waiting for? I actually do not want to give anything away about the plot, because I want everyone to be able to soak it in, and get the full experience. 5 stars, naturally!

A DARK PAST
Dr Olivia Winter is a forensic psychologist whose job is to understand the minds of serial killers. There’s only one monster she can’t understand, her father.
A NEW IDENTITY
Notorious and brutal, he held a reign of terror until he was caught. His nine-year-old daughter was supposed to be his last victim, but she survived.
A SERIAL KILLER WHO WILL STOP AT NOTHING
Now, a serial killer is stalking the streets of London. As the body count rises, the police need Olivia’s help to profile him before he can strike again. But to do so, she will need to confront her own demons…
This was my first Michael Wood book but it won't be my last. I plan on reading his Matilda Drake books next. The minds of serial killers is what Olivia Winter is about. She is a forensic psychologist and the streets of London are where Olivia needs to focus. There is a serial killer roaming the streets and the police need Olivia to profile him. This book is a real page-turner and an interesting read. Her father was a serial killer who killed her mother and sister and attempted to kill Olivia when she was 9 years old but she got away. I am now looking forward to reading more from this author as I really like his writing. If you like psychological thrillers then you will love to read this book.