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Marie Donovan #1
Trust No One by Alex Walters
A timely and topical thriller which looks at the seedy back dealings of criminals and the police.An addictive read for fans of P.J.Tracey and Peter Robinson.A terrifically fast-paced novel that has you hooked from the first chapter with a captivating central female lead who you can’t help rooting for. Join Marie Donovan as she races for the truth…As a covert officer specialising in ‘deep cover’ operations, Marie Donovan works amongst the most dangerous criminals in Manchester. It’s a precarious life that puts Marie on the edge of the law.When she begins an affair with Jake Morton, an informer due to give evidence against crime lord Jeff Kerridge, Marie knows she’s breaking a cardinal rule.Yet just as she comes to her senses and puts an end to their relationship, Morton is murdered. Suddenly Marie’s undercover role is exposed and only one thing is certain – she can TRUST NO ONE.
- GenresCrime
Paperback
First published September 1, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
January 27, 2016
There were plenty of good things about this thriller - the Manchester setting appealed, the central character was generally sympathetic/interesting, and I thought the pace was pretty good too (I raced through the whole book in two or three hours) - but I did find too many aspects I didn't like to rate this as being thoroughly enjoyable.
The book follows undercover agent Marie Donovan as she attempts to infiltrate and gather evidence on a local criminal, maintain her anonymity, escape a tightening noose of betrayal and double-crossing, and also work out what she wants from her career and relationships. At times the plot was a little convoluted - there wasn't just one or two twists too many in my opinion, there were four or five - and I enjoy 'conspiracy' thrillers less than straight crime capers too. I also found the heroine of the book to come over a little pathetic in her constant worrying about what men think of her and her almost falling for every male character who she meets (too often this blights thrillers with female protagonists, imho).
Nevertheless it did have a fair amount going for it, I would probably enjoy another less Hollywood book in the series, and it entertained me perfectly well for a while on my commute.
The book follows undercover agent Marie Donovan as she attempts to infiltrate and gather evidence on a local criminal, maintain her anonymity, escape a tightening noose of betrayal and double-crossing, and also work out what she wants from her career and relationships. At times the plot was a little convoluted - there wasn't just one or two twists too many in my opinion, there were four or five - and I enjoy 'conspiracy' thrillers less than straight crime capers too. I also found the heroine of the book to come over a little pathetic in her constant worrying about what men think of her and her almost falling for every male character who she meets (too often this blights thrillers with female protagonists, imho).
Nevertheless it did have a fair amount going for it, I would probably enjoy another less Hollywood book in the series, and it entertained me perfectly well for a while on my commute.
August 15, 2020
Totally unexpected
I decided to read this book as I had already read a couple of the DCI Kenny Murrain novels which featured Marie Donovan and which piqued my interest in this character’s previous career. We had been informed that she had previously been an undercover officer and that was something that I thought would prove to be a good storyline to explore. This, the first of the Marie Donovan series, started off exploring how an undercover police officer is vetted to see if they are suited to the work and we begin with Marie being thrown in at the deep end after a very thorough psyche analysis. However, as the book developed it seemed to take a strange turn and proved to be nothing like I had expected. At first I thought I was going to be disappointed, and found it very hard going, but as the story progressed I realised that it was much more exciting than anything that I could have imagined as the plot began to twist and turn along a very dark and dangerous path. Marie found herself the focus of very unwanted attention and had no idea who to trust and what her fate was likely to be. Just as we thought she had found a support network, things took a very unexpected turn and we were left trying to guess exactly who the villains really were. This turned out to be a very engrossing story with a fast-paced ending and I found myself totally gripped and enjoyed every minute of it. Once more Alex Walters proves to be an exciting author who is capable of creating realistic characters and complicated, yet believable plots.
I decided to read this book as I had already read a couple of the DCI Kenny Murrain novels which featured Marie Donovan and which piqued my interest in this character’s previous career. We had been informed that she had previously been an undercover officer and that was something that I thought would prove to be a good storyline to explore. This, the first of the Marie Donovan series, started off exploring how an undercover police officer is vetted to see if they are suited to the work and we begin with Marie being thrown in at the deep end after a very thorough psyche analysis. However, as the book developed it seemed to take a strange turn and proved to be nothing like I had expected. At first I thought I was going to be disappointed, and found it very hard going, but as the story progressed I realised that it was much more exciting than anything that I could have imagined as the plot began to twist and turn along a very dark and dangerous path. Marie found herself the focus of very unwanted attention and had no idea who to trust and what her fate was likely to be. Just as we thought she had found a support network, things took a very unexpected turn and we were left trying to guess exactly who the villains really were. This turned out to be a very engrossing story with a fast-paced ending and I found myself totally gripped and enjoyed every minute of it. Once more Alex Walters proves to be an exciting author who is capable of creating realistic characters and complicated, yet believable plots.
May 31, 2026
This book was heading for a 5 star review, but the lack of a satisfactory ending ruined it for me.
It had me gripped, a story about a cop working undercover in Manchester, UK. She runs a printing company as a front for investigating big crime bosses. Pretty soon, corruption seeps in, and the uncertainty of who other people really are, plus the possibility of a high level leak in the police agency.
Lots of surprises and twists particularly in the last third or so, but it feels like it needs another two or three chapters to tie off all the loose ends. I like a proper ending with a solid conclusion and answers. I hate things left hanging, and that’s exactly what this book does. It feels unfinished.
It had me gripped, a story about a cop working undercover in Manchester, UK. She runs a printing company as a front for investigating big crime bosses. Pretty soon, corruption seeps in, and the uncertainty of who other people really are, plus the possibility of a high level leak in the police agency.
Lots of surprises and twists particularly in the last third or so, but it feels like it needs another two or three chapters to tie off all the loose ends. I like a proper ending with a solid conclusion and answers. I hate things left hanging, and that’s exactly what this book does. It feels unfinished.
July 6, 2026
Compelling tale of a police officer undercover
If you haven’t read Alex Walter’s books start now and start in chronological order with Trust no one. Marie Donovan is on her first assignment undercover and just manages to escape capture when her lover is tortured and brutally killed. Now Marie has to carry on with her pretend life but she doesn’t know who to trust. It is a story with many twists and turns, and you will be gripped throughout.
If you haven’t read Alex Walter’s books start now and start in chronological order with Trust no one. Marie Donovan is on her first assignment undercover and just manages to escape capture when her lover is tortured and brutally killed. Now Marie has to carry on with her pretend life but she doesn’t know who to trust. It is a story with many twists and turns, and you will be gripped throughout.
April 4, 2020
I felt there could of been more inner depth to the storyline. Quite a few past/flash backs, the beginning was good setting but I do think more research could been done for the surrounding of the main character.
July 4, 2020
When I read the prologue, I thought, yep, I'm going to like this. But gawd, no. Read about a quarter of it, then gave up. Didn't grab me. Kept going backwards and forwards. I got lost at one stage. Bit confusing and not enough to get my attention.
November 26, 2019
Disappointing
There's rather too much 'inner thoughts' getting in the way of the development of the plot, which rather spoils the continuity
There's rather too much 'inner thoughts' getting in the way of the development of the plot, which rather spoils the continuity
November 7, 2024
I got about half way through and my kobo 'burped' and took this book back 50 or 20 or 60 pages backwards. I really couldn't be bothered trying to find out where I was. Tedious
October 15, 2012
I'm really unsure how to rate this one, it had me enthralled in places, but at the end it felt like it lacked substance.
The plot twists and turns, but there was some annoying flipping in timeframes until I got used to it.
The setting is mainly Manchester, which is where I live, so resonated strongly for me, but I oculd imagine it would wear on non Mancunians who would ponder the point of the geographical references. A minor aside on this point: there was some repetition about the view over Salford Quays and the Old Trafford football ground, something a decent editor should have sorted.
The plot is really paper thin, but the characters are absorbing enough, and hopefully this is the first in a series, because I think the story could grow...
The plot twists and turns, but there was some annoying flipping in timeframes until I got used to it.
The setting is mainly Manchester, which is where I live, so resonated strongly for me, but I oculd imagine it would wear on non Mancunians who would ponder the point of the geographical references. A minor aside on this point: there was some repetition about the view over Salford Quays and the Old Trafford football ground, something a decent editor should have sorted.
The plot is really paper thin, but the characters are absorbing enough, and hopefully this is the first in a series, because I think the story could grow...
January 26, 2012
Not usually the type of book I would go for but actually enojyed the read a lot! The quick paced storyline and double life of the main character quickly leaves you confused over who is supposed to be who which in this case is a good thing! I love the twists at the end, leaving you wondering who actually is going to help, if anybody! Also thought the open end of the story with the question still lingering as to who the main character can fully trust... It was a book I at first just read when I had a few minute which quickly turned into a page turner that by the time I had finished was a page turner I could not put down.
February 24, 2013
This was a good, solid, crime thriller with a few twists that kept you changing horses as to who might be the bad guy(s) right up to the reveal. The thing that stopped me giving it four stars was the contrivance of some pretty implausible behaviour by one of the main characters during the finale.
Well written, easy to read, good pacing and decent characters. Worth a look if you're a fan of the genre.
Well written, easy to read, good pacing and decent characters. Worth a look if you're a fan of the genre.
July 1, 2015
I really enjoyed this book. I picked it up without knowing anything about the author previously and am so pleased I did!
Marie Donovan is a police officer working deep undercover in Manchester. She has become a little too involved with an associate of the criminal mastermind Jeff Kerridge. When Morton is murdered Marie isn't sure who it is that she should be hiding from and who she can trust to keep her safe.
This is a fast paced easy read and I will be keeping my eye open for the next one.
Marie Donovan is a police officer working deep undercover in Manchester. She has become a little too involved with an associate of the criminal mastermind Jeff Kerridge. When Morton is murdered Marie isn't sure who it is that she should be hiding from and who she can trust to keep her safe.
This is a fast paced easy read and I will be keeping my eye open for the next one.
December 30, 2012
Really enjoyed this book and loved the fact it was set in Manchester and surrounding areas. Will be definitely getting the next book by this author. A really good read and kept me entertained in all the right places.
October 11, 2013
It's the undemanding kind of novel. Maybe not as fast paced as you'd expect it but I kinda felt sorry for Jake. He seemed like a decent guy, no matter what he had as a job... Marie Donovan was a weird name for a main character but I'm not the writer and all that jazz... It's decent, really.
May 25, 2013
Very unusual for me not to finish a book but I gave up about quarter of the way in. Dull, hard to follow or maybe I just wasn't in the right mood. Whatever it didn't hold my interest.
November 10, 2014
This was entertaining but who can you trust?
April 4, 2015
The storyline was complex, and at times hard to follow, and in the end unable to work out who is and isn't one of the good guys. Not a book I would re-read tbh
February 22, 2016
this was ok, but a bit unlikely and unrewarding to read, not very exciting either.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews