This is the 3rd book in the DI Amy Winter series by author Caroline Mitchell and they just keep getting better.

While shopping with her sister, DI Amy Winter is admiring a Valentine’s Day window display of a perfect bride encrusted in diamonds and resplendent in lace. But then she notices blood oozing from the mannequin’s mouth. This is not a display but really is a dead body.
The subsequent post-mortem reveals the victim was left to die for all to see. A second victim is found shortly after and it emerges that both women were ‘Sugar Babes’ arranging dates with older men online.
DI Amy Winter is hunting for a psychopath and her radar is set off by the head of the agency behind the display who makes no attempt to hide his fascination with her serial-killer parents. Amy's biological mother, Lillian Grimes is currently appealing against her conviction, so her emotions are being pushed to the limits.

Once again the author presents an excellent plot while managing to deal with all the side issues from Amy's personal life without causing any confusion or distraction to the reader. Great plot, excellent characters and so well written.
Surely another successful novel for Caroline Mitchell.
I would like to thank both Net Galley and Amazon Publishing for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Wow! As usual this author doesn’t disappoint.........
Another great instalment of Amy Winters. Great plot involving Amy looking deep inside herself to find the real essence of her being. Also another great twisty murder investigation.
Highly recommend and eagerly awaiting the next adventure.
A****

I did not read the previous two books in this series however I didn’t need to. I was able to read this book without any issues or feeling like I was missing something. This was a great mystery book! I enjoyed reading from various characters POV and delving into separate interpretations of events. I really liked Amy Winter (our protagonists) and found her to be a level headed and relatable character. The main mystery was interesting and I really liked the way in which the case progressed and was resolved!
*thank you netgalley for sending me an arc!*

I want to thank NetGalley, Amazon Publishing UK, and author Caroline Mitchell for providing me with an ARC of this novel!

Wow, wow, wow! I have never read this author’s work and I have been missing OUT! I had no idea this was part of a series, but that didn’t hurt my connection to the book at all. This read perfectly as a standalone to me.

We follow DI Amy Winter as she is out shopping with her sister. While stopping to admire a Valentine’s Day window display of a perfect bride, Amy notices what looks like blood oozing out of the mannequin’s mouth. We come to find out that this isn’t a display, it’s a dead body.

If you aren’t pulled in by that alone, YOU CRAZY! This novel was amazing and I couldn’t put it down once I started it. The writing was so smooth and the character development was spot on. I loved the twisty, dark murder investigation and enjoyed how the case progressed to the point of resolution. If you’re a fan of the mystery/thriller genre, READ THIS!

Thank you to those named above for allowing me to read and review this novel!

DI Amy is out shopping with her sister Sally-Ann when she stop to admiring a window display and notice the mannequin is bleeding from the mouth. We learn the victim name is Stacey and she was escort for a site called Sugar Babes she was having money problems.

As DI Amy starts to investigate she also dealing with her birth mother getting out of prison who is a serial killer and also having a new boss Donovan who in previous books she work with and has been flirting with.

This was a good mystery we had different POV that kept the story going I’m looking forward to the next book especially with how she going to handle her birth mother Lillian being out of prison and trying to trusts her sisters who in my opinion are I’m just going to say it idiots I know they their reason but still.

I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.

Amy Winter is a young D.I. and the biological daughter of famed serial killers Jack and Lilly. Jack is deceased and Lilly is in jail up on appeal. When a young women is found murdered in a dept. store window display Amy and her team try to find connections between this murder and one committed years ago -both young women had a small heart shape carved onto their chests. When a second victim pops up Amy and the team must race against time. Meanwhile Amy is trying to navigate her relationships with her sisters who want Lilly to be released, her feelings for her boss Donovan and solve the murders.
Amy is positive that Sam Black of Black Media is behind the murders but their is no evidence against him and all the evidence points to one of his employees Billy. Amy is caught between trying to solve the deaths as fast as she can, being a team player but wanting to go out on her own when she becomes frustrated.
A well written fast paced novel that makes you want to read more books about Amy and her team.

I would give this more than five stars if it was possible. I love Amy Winter she is a feisty no nonsense cop who is very appealing as a character.

An action packed, tension filled thriller that is definitely a must read.

A serial killer is posing his victims as mannequins, on display for all to see. DI Amy Winter learns the women belonged to an online group of women looking for older men, or sugar daddies. The head of the online dating agency is fascinated with Amy’s parents, serial killers themselves and his attention raises her hackles. With her biological (and crazy) mother appealing her conviction, Amy is caught between her newest case and her own dark past. This series is pure dynamite, each entry more exciting than the one before

A book that leaves you chilled to the bone, gripping and deliciously creepy, Left For Dead is the third instalment in the DI Amy Winter Thriller book series.

The book opens on a chilly February day in the office of Samuel Black who, after having scratched his way to the top, now lives in a large home in Notting Hill. Itching to release his hidden desires, he unlocks the second draw of his desk, and with the help of a little black notebook, he is thrust from his mundane life into the bowels of a secret society.

DCI Hazel Pike is retiring and Donovan, toned and muscular and without a tie, has been transferred from Essex Police to take over her role. Dubbed as the psychopath-whisperer and with fan-mail to boot, it’s a bitter pill for DI Amy Winter to swallow. But I love Donovan, in fact, I quite fancy him myself.

A shopping trip with her sister down London’s Oxford Street on a Saturday morning, starts the ball rolling on the most bizarre case yet. A widow display with the distinctive scent of death and a dummy, left on a throne, ice cold with blood dripping from her mouth. A small heart-shaped wound had been cut in her chest, reminiscent of Claire Lacey’s murder twenty years ago— nicknamed The Love Heart Killer.

With all the ingredients of a fabulous plot, this book definitely delivers on many counts. The antagonist is deliciously creepy (which I love) and the protagonist is a pitbull of a crime fighter, whose punchbag sessions in her basement gym make up a small part of her amazing strength. The word ‘no’ doesn’t exist in her vocabulary and wedging a boot in a closing a door demonstrates her prickly dedication. Reluctant to discuss the Beasts of Brentwood with the likes of Samuel Black, she will have to atone for Lillian’s crimes, the true reason why Amy does what she does. But with tainted blood running through her veins—or you could say a foot in both camps—I wonder if this makes her twice as intuitive. Her nemesis in this case may refer to her as ‘same dog, different fleas,’ but he doesn’t know what he’s dealing with.

On the final stretch of the crime, the twist in the tale had me reeling. I thought I might have it all worked out by about the three quarter mark, but I hadn’t. A twenty-year-old murder told from two perspectives, with a cruel and perverted outcome. What’s that Harper Lee saying? “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view... Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it.”

I always have my go-to crime writers and I’m happy to say, Caroline Mitchell is one who never disappoints. Edgy, dark and showcasing one of the finest detective characters in modern fiction, it’s exciting to note that the series has been optioned and will soon be on our screens to watch.

Many thanks to the author, the publisher Thomas & Mercer, to blog tour organizer Sarah Hardy at Books On The Bright Side, and to Netgalley for an advance reader copy of this book.

i didn't read the last two books before this one but i must say this book by itself didn't make me feel like i was missing anything from the other two i understood everything from this one book alone. the way the best book ever !! this book had an excellent plot while dealing with all of the other personal problems Amy was going through in her daily life.this book had me gripping every edge of my phone while reading it,i couldn't stop myself from reading but all i got to say is Caroline Mitchell .she out done her self this time with this excellent dark edgy book and i would read it all over again in a heart beat.

A truly outstanding read!
This series has been brilliant from the outset but every instalment is better than the last, I went without sleep to read this book in one sitting.
While publicly battling her personal dealings Amy is forced to deal with a twisted, clever murderer in this gripping read.
I can't wait to find out what happens next!

This was my first Caroline Mitchell novel, and I am obsessed now. Left for Dead was like Olivia Benson of Law and Order SVU meets the UK.

I immediately knew I was going to like the protagonist as I could tell she wasn't an easy character and had an interesting perspective. I loved when she went against procedure as she was a fierce detective that would do anything to solve a case. The relationship between Amy and her sisters was so interesting, and I can't wait to see how that's explored in the next book. My favorite characters were Ray, Amy, and Mama Danielle.

I loved the structure of this book as the chapters shift between four perspectives, but it never feels like too much and each perspective gives you insight into the story and the past and present murders. The prologue had me immediately disturbed, and I found it so interesting getting to be in the killer's mind throughout the book. It was deeply disturbing, yet I couldn't get enough. Every chapter ended with a great hook that made you want to read the next chapter and yet as I got to the end I kept having to take breaks because it was getting too good, and I didn't want it to end yet as I wasn't prepared for everything that was going to happen. I didn't expect there to be so many twists and even when you think you know the whole picture, the author always has something else up her sleeve.

Although I haven't read the other books in this series, I think the author gave just enough information for you to understand Amy Winter and her past. I can't wait to go and read the others though as I need more Winter (and Donovan). It's similar to a crime show where there's the main story and then there's sub plots that are interesting, but you need to watch the previous episodes if you want to be able to put it all together. Overall, this book amazed me with how well done and interesting the plot and characters were.

Chilling and mindbending.

I had a difficult time during this one as I found it too eerie to read. I felt disturbed at times and had to put this down.

Absolutely fantastic! I love the Amy Winter series and this did not disappoint it was an excellent story that kept me engaged from page 1 right through to the end. There several OMG moments which had me frantically turning pages because I couldn’t get enough. Read this late into the night because it was a tough one to put down. Totally deserves 5 big fat ones, loved it!

I am really enjoying this series, this book is fantastic. It had me gripped till the last page and I'm looking forward to reading the next book.

Left for Dead by Caroline Mitchell is the first book I’ve tried from Netgalley, I wasn’t quite sure what I was getting into - especially as it is the third book of a series and I hadn’t read any of the others.

What I liked: crime stories in general keep me reading, the writing made it clear the author had a background experience with police investigation and the plot felt realistic. There were a few plot twists towards the end, not super obvious twists either which is always great and the last chapters introduced the next steps to future books. The nature vs. nurture debate throughout was interesting and the main characters uncertainty of her motivations throughout kept me reading.

What I didn’t like: sometimes the main character feels unlikeable - especially when we hear her inner thoughts. Not sure if it was hindered by the fact I hadn’t read books 1 or 2.

I’d pick up the book series to read. 4/5

Amy finally comes into her own. Lillian's trial comes to ahead. I liked that we know who the killer is at the beginning of the book then we follow Amy and her team as she tracks them down. There are some twists. There are also some revelations. If you have enjoyed the first two books then you will really like this one. I look forward to seeing what happens to Amy, her team and her birth family.


*I received a copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.*

Another brilliant read in this great series. You need your wits about you as there's lots going on but that's why I love the books, never a dull moment. There is just enough background information on the characters but if you get the chance, read the other 2 books as it adds depth to the story as a whole. I can't wait to read what's in store for Amy in future books. Highly recommend

Absolutely superb read. This has kept me interested and engaged throughout.
I can’t wait to highly recommend this one to other readers.

Left for Dead is a solid police procedural that follows DI Amy Winter and her team's pursuit of a serial killer who carves hearts the victims. The case, as well as her biological mother's appeal of a murder conviction, stretches Amy to her limits. She suspects a seemingly innocent advertising executive to be involved in the murders but can't prove it. The story moves along fairly quickly but doesn't stand out from other books in this genre. I would recommend this book to people who enjoy the typical police investigation book.

Given that I haven’t read any of her previous books this one was pretty decent. It started off a little slow for me but once you get about 30% in you will be hooked. I was able to read this in a few hours, I couldn’t put it down!

A victim on display. A detective on the rails.

Shopping with her sister, DI Amy Winter is admiring a Valentine’s Day window display of a perfect bride encrusted in diamonds and resplendent in lace—until she notices blood oozing from the mannequin’s mouth.- Goodreads

This is the third book to the DI Amy Winter series. I did not know this when I requested this arc on Netgalley. With that being said, you need to read at least the previous book. On top of the current murder investigation, a previous issue, that takes up 90% of Amy's head space, is extremely prominent within this novel.  Although I enjoyed this read, I would have loved it if I read the previous novel. So go do that before reading this review and the book :)

I was sucked into this book fairly quickly. It is told in multiple point of views and it was great. It wasn't great because Amy wasn't a good voice to read but it was great because each perspective gave actual insight to the case and everything else that was going on. Yes, you do get the killer's point of view and its creepy. Like he is a creep but that isn't what made it creepy.

Beyond this the book is fast paced but it was a hard read for me because I didn't read the previous books. When I realized this was a third, I expected there to be some reference to the previous books not chapters about them. It took away my interest and it also made the current murder seem so small.

Despite this, I really enjoyed this book. The writing style is captivating. How everything moved together behind everyone's eye took a lot of talent.  Do I plan on reading the previous novels? Not sure. Since I know how some things end, it might not do me any good. 

Overall, would continue this series. 

3.5 Pickles

Another great Caroline Mitchell book . Detective Amy Winter proves again that she is out to get the villain. She is relentless, methodical and perspective in dealing with her team , the low life Samuel Black, Lillian Grimes ( her evil birth mother , her siblings the victims and her boss Donovan. Mitchell writes short intense chapters that force her readers to keep reading to see what happens next.

This was the first book I read in the DI Amy Winter but I was able to follow along with what was happening easily. Excellent writing and story. I will be back to read more of Caroline Mitchell's books!

Kindly received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was my first time reading a book by this author. I found out it wasn't the first book in the series so I wasn't too sure what my thoughts would be. After reading the prologue and first chapter I felt it was a little slow but that honestly didn't last long! 100% regret thinking that! I was just too quick to judge! I've got to say, I didn't think I'd get hooked so quickly! after chapter two that was it! I couldn't put it down, the chapters where intense! With a lot going on, making me want to keep turning the pages. Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this so much so, I had finished it in a few hours! I can't wait to see what the next one has in store.

Would most definitely recommend to anyone who likes police investigation, thriller type books.

This is the 3rd Amy Winter book and they just keep getting better! I’m looking forward to the next chapter in Amy’s life!
Amy and her sister are walking down a London Street where they stop to look at a beautiful bride display in a store front window. Amy notices there is blood coming from the manikin’s mouth. She immediately takes control of the situation and puts the store in lockdown.
During the autopsy they noticed a heart was carved in the victim’s chest. Days later another victim was found with the same heart. Amy’s research reveals that years ago another woman was murdered with the same heart carving. Amy is now on the hunt for a serial killer Add in Lillian’s return and the turmoil of her potential release from prison reflects on what an amazing woman Amy is!!!

Very fast paced & thrilling roller coaster ride! Caroline Mitchell knocked it out of the park!
Thank you NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for allowing me the privilege of reading this ARC!

This is a well-written police procedural starring an appealing detective, DI Amy Winter (who is accurately described as sort of a British John Douglas of Mindhunter).

The book presents a solid detective story with a great premise and all the necessary elements are present. It is less of a “whodunit” and more of a cat and mouse game between the detective and the killer, who is identified early. Both DI Winter and the killer are characterized very well. It definitely shows that the author was herself a police detective as all the police procedure is very detailed and realistic.

I did not realize that this was the third book in a series and for me it was a little hard to read as a stand-alone. This is mostly because events from the previous book, including a previous case and a situation with Amy’s family, take up a lot of space in the book also. Having not read the previous books, I was not really that invested in this part of the plot and at times was not able to follow it. I also was not a huge fan of the ending, which got a little cliche, but was still well-executed.

Overall a solid and well-written police procedural that I’d give 3.5 stars. But you’ll probably get more enjoyment out of it if you’ve read the other books.

Thanks to NetGalley, Amazon Publishing and Caroline Mitchell for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Left For Dead I'd book 3 in the DI Amy Winter series. I was attracted to the premise of the book, and it did not disappoint! This was a great mystery/thriller. If you're looking for a great mystery/thriller, look no further!

Police thriller,continuing the series featuring Amy Winter. Characters are great and the story moved along quickly with a few twists.

Shopping with her sister, DI Amy Winter is fascinated by a window display featuring a bridal gown, fascination turns to horror when she realises the mannequin is in fact a dead body

The 3rd instalment of the series had me racing to the end to finish and each in the series just gets better and better

Wow. This author keeps getting better and better I love this series. So many twists and turns that you don't see coming. Would recommend this book to people

Another marvelous book by Caroline Mitchell. She just always hits it out of the park. I love Amy Winter, a deeply flawed person yet one to be deeply admired at the same time. The storyline was gripping and I can't wait for the next Amy Winter book.

Where to start with this book. It had everything. If I had a checklist of things I wanted in a book then this one had it all. I absolutely loved the first and second book in the series but for me this one found another gear. I think this has to be my favourite book by this author and I’ve read them all. Needless to say I highly recommend this book.

A woman dressed in a wedding gown is posed on a throne on a shop display. With a heart carved in her chest, she is left for dead...
Will DI Amy Winters catch "The Love Heart Killer" before he moves onto his next victim?

The story weaves between three perspectives; Amy's, the killer's, and his wife's.
I requested this book because I read and loved The Perfect Mother, but I failed to notice that this was the third book in the series. As a result, because the story was full of details from the previous books, I felt annoyed at not having a full picture of Amy's past.
I'm sorry to say that this book didn't turn out to be to my liking.
I'm not a huge fan of stories where the killer is made known from the get-go, so it contributed to the lesser enjoyment as I found it took away the suspense that would otherwise ensue.
The ending was good ( albeit it was a bit unbelievable that a seasoned inspector would do what she did ) and had me captivated, but overall it was just an average read.
It seems that I'm in the minority on this, so I think you should check it out yourself.

This, the third book, in the Amy Winters series is amazing. Amy finds herself working for her previous love interest Donovan, who is now her new DCI, which she finds hard to comes to terms with. The storyline, the Love Heart Killer, is gripping and the characters well written. A “I can’t put it down” book that will have you hooked, and more than ready for a fourth book. Well done Caroline.

Third in the DI Amy Winter series, this gripping thriller is not one to miss. Admittedly, I haven't read the first two but this can be read as a stand-alone novel. However, I'll definitely be going back to catch up on those because I'm already craving more.

While shopping with her sister, DI Amy Winter discovers one particular mannequin is a little too lifelike. Blood oozes from the mouth and the eyelids are held with sellotape to stay open. This is no stunt. As she tracks down the killer, Amy's instincts go into overdrive when the charismatic head of the agency behind the display makes no attempt to hide his fascination with her serial-killer parents. But what exactly does he want from Amy? Is she as much at risk as the killer's victims?

The character of Amy is brilliantly written. She's realistic, isn't afraid to stand up for what she believes is right, and is straight to the point. A former police detective herself, I imagine Mitchell has allowed her own experiences to come through in the way Amy thinks and reacts. It's a unique piece of knowledge to have that gives the character more depth. As well as tracking down the murderer, there is a secondary plot that focuses on Amy's personal life but it doesn't steer away from the main story line, which I appreciate.

Mitchell's style of writing is one of my favourites. We aren't given too much description straight away or have an excessive amount of details thrown in our face, which can sometimes make books feel almost overwhelming. It's enough to keep the reader interested and craving more, turning the page fast enough so no time is wasted in finding out what happens next. It's simply that captivating. With short chapters throughout that switch between three different characters, it's easy to pick up and read whenever you have a spare few minutes. In spite of there being multiple characters' point of view, things don't get muddled up, which is something I have experienced with other books. Mitchell does a wonderful job at keeping things unpredictable; when you think you have a clear picture of where things are going, she pulls out another twist that leaves you shocked and begging for answers.

There is one particular chapter I think deserves a mention, but to avoid spoilers I'll keep things brief. Chapter 30 is short yet affected me the most. It's heartbreaking in so many ways and gives the reader a completely new level of understanding for certain characters. Was that Mitchell's intention, to rip our hearts out? Maybe. Maybe not. But it happened and I love her for it.

In short, Left For Dead offers a great plot, well-developed characters and an ending to satisfy everyone.

D I Amy Winter a detective with a very troubled past, manages to get herself into many life threatening situations. However using her guile and wit always manages to save the day leaving her superiors dismayed as they appear to have little control over her actions. But all ends well. A thoroughly enjoyable read.

Thank You to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for this ARC!!

Shopping with her sister, DI Amy Winter is admiring a Valentine’s Day window display of a perfect bride encrusted in diamonds and resplendent in lace—until she notices blood oozing from the mannequin’s mouth.

A post-mortem reveals the victim was left to die on her macabre throne for all to see with a heart carved in her chest. When a second victim is found, it emerges that both women were ‘Sugar Babes’ arranging dates with older men online—and Amy finds herself hunting an accomplished psychopath known as "The Love Heart Killer" .

This is my first book in the DI Amy Winter series and I wonder why on earth didn't I ever read this series before!! I really enjoyed this book and it kept me hooked right till the end. The killer is revealed in the beginning itself but the way he operates gives you the creeps. There are so many twists and turns that you don't see coming. Overall an amazing mystery. Highly recommended!!

Amy and Donovan are realistic characters. Their work and personal lives are believable.
In this story you know who the killer is right from the start. The problem is that Amy needs to prove it. Amy is the child of serial killing parents, so she does her job buy her gut feelings. She will find d that this does not go over well with her new boss. Thanks Netgalley.

I loved this mystery. It was unusual in its premise, filled with twists and turns, lots of tension and well-paced. A couple of sub-plots were well done and relevant.
Mitchell, the author, differentiated the main characters very well, and Amy Winter was a suitably flawed detective but brilliant protagonist.
Recommended for those who enjoy contemporary mysteries.

This is the first time I have read Caroline Mitchell and although this is the 3rd book in the Amy Winters series, you can easily read this as a stand alone. The writing style is very clever, you can feel yourself riding along in the story without being bogged down too much with police jargon. Intriguing storyline, unusual too as you find out who the killer is near the start but that, funnily enough, didn't detract the flow and enjoyment of the book.

My thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for allowing me to read and review honestly.

Shopping with her sister, DI Amy Winter is admiring a Valentine’s Day window display of a perfect bride encrusted in diamonds and resplendent in lace—until she notices blood oozing from the mannequin’s mouth. This is no stunt. A post-mortem reveals the victim was left to die on her macabre throne for all to see. When a second victim is found, it emerges that both women were ‘Sugar Babes’ arranging dates with older men online—and Amy finds herself hunting an accomplished psychopath. As she tracks down the killer, Amy’s instincts go into overdrive when the charismatic head of the agency behind the display makes no attempt to hide his fascination with her serial-killer parents. What exactly does he want from Amy?

Wow, what an incredibly dark, twisted read this is. I have not read the other Amy Winter books but I did not find that to be a disadvantage at all as Mitchell clearly explains previous events and I still found myself feeling like I knew Amy. The read is very fast paced from the beginning, an aspect I loved, and the read made for very intense reading.

The crimes in this are dark and gory, not in a sensational way though and I actually found them to be very original and clever but be warned this is not for the faint hearted. One aspect where this read is unusual is the reader knows from the beginning who the culprit is. We then read perspectives both from Amy and the culprit, enabling us to not only understand them both but also see where the other tricks each other and I found myself swept away into their mind games. The plot for this is very intense and addictive and I could not put it down.

There is a subplot within this around Amy's mother and her appeal, this is where the previous books in the series would come in but as I have already said I honestly did not find it to be a hinderance and I could still appreciate the events taking place.

Mitchell's characters are very good, they feel established as you would expect from a series. I for one enjoyed getting to know them and will be looking out for the next Amy Winter read.

'Left For Dead' is an intense, intoxicating read that was highly enjoyable. I found myself enthralled by this fast-paced crime read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for an advance copy.

Left For Dead by Caroline Mitchell. Third book in the series featuring Amy Winter. The story moved along fairly quickly with a few obvious twists. Knowing from the beginning (as the reader) who the killer was took away the intensity and suspense of the investigation of the killings. Sam and Marianne were without much depth and it was hard to get invested in their story. The backstory of Amy, her birth family and Lillian's trial is was made the book an interesting read.

Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

The 3rd DI Amy Winter book in the series, but can’t easily read without reading the previous books. A mannequin in a shop window is not as it seems as it starts bleeding. A second victim is soon found. Winter needs to capture The Love Heart Killer before he strikes again.
Gripping read and well recommended.

I struggled to connect with this book and enjoy its writing. Having never read a book by this author before I was aware that I was coming in on book 3. Normally this wouldn’t bother me as at some point you’re generally brought up to speed with any back story and characters relationship to the lead.

Unfortunately the authors style of drip feeding backstory on this occasion just was t enough. It was clear from the start there was quite a big story to catch up on but I felt held back by not being privy to it early on. This drip feeding of information was also applied to other elements of the book which I began to find a bit annoying as it felt like it was a late edition to a plot that was supposedly moving quite quickly.

Overall it’s an okay read but it wasn’t groundbreaking or utterly gripping in its writing.

Thanks to NetGalley for my advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

DI Amy is out shopping when she spots a rather odd looking valentine’s day window display. A “bride” in all her finery who looks rather real. When blood begins to drip from her mouth it quickly becomes a crime scene. Amy has a new DCI who has brought in a TV team to up the police profile which Amy would rather not do. Amy has her own issues as her biological mother is in prison and due for an appeal hearing shortly. Years ago her and her husband were sent down for several murders. Meanwhile Samuel now runs a very successful marketing company however this does not fulfill him. He has a secret, make that a few. Something that he fantasises about and to do this lives in a totally different world from that of the highly successful millionaire businessman he portrays to the world. Amy has her suspicions but he is squeaky clean, perhaps too much so. I enjoyed this and I liked Amy and her determination. She has a past relationship albeit fleeting with her boss which adds to the spice between them, however she is a very driven DI and relationships are something she now steers well away from. This is the third in the series but happily stands alone (I hadn’t read the others and it worked for me). There is background to Amy and enough given without needing to know what has gone on before. A read that kept me within its pages and one I found very entertaining and enjoyable.
(rest of links as part of blog tour)

Book 3 in the DI Amy Winter series and it’s the best one so far. It took me a while to get into this series after the fantastic Ruby Preston books, but now Amy Winter is a firm favourite. You really have to read the first 2 to understand Amy’s backstory or else the whole new trial of Lillian Grimes won’t make much sense. I love this book, it had me on the edge of my seat throughout. The main story is very dark and fairly graphic but wonderfully written. Relationships are tested and we get a great insight into how much people will do for someone they love. This is a fantastic thriller and I highly recommend it

Having loved the first two books in this series, I was excited to read this one and I wasn't disappointed!

Amy Winter is a fantastic character. She is a police inspector who is the daughter of serial killers, and has really good intuition and a tendency to go 'rogue' in order to catch criminals. I was hooked right from the first page and the plot moves very quickly with some real nail-biting moments towards the end.

There is enough background info to make this readable as a standalone, but I really suggest you read the first two books to properly understand Amy.

Absolutely addicted to the Amy Winter series. How she gets in the mind of someone so evil and creates realistic characters and interesting plots.

Another un put down book. Love the amy winter characters. Twists and turns throughout. It is quite dark and eerie. Whens the next one caroline?