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Left For Dead
"Dark and delightful" - Booktok
"Nail bitingly, skin chillingly insane. A real deep crime thriller" - Booktok
"What a twisty book" - Goodreads
"A dark twist in almost every corner" - Bookstagram
A new evil. An old nightmare.
As the head of the Major Investigation Team, Detective Inspector Laura Warburton must catch a killer that is preying on vulnerable women. The case strikes dangerously close to home for Laura. Once a victim of domestic violence at the hands of her ex-fiancé, Laura escaped with a shattered reputation, a drinking problem and tormented memories.
With the body count piling up, Laura barely holds herself together as she finds and pieces together the fragmented clues at the crime scenes. Like breadcrumbs, the clues lead her down a dark road to a past she wishes to forget. Trapped in a deadly game of cat and mouse, is this a new evil in her life? Or is something much more sinister at play?
From the author of the psychological thriller 'The Space Between Heaven and Hell,' comes this new nail-biting crime thriller that will leave you guessing until the final page.
"Nail bitingly, skin chillingly insane. A real deep crime thriller" - Booktok
"What a twisty book" - Goodreads
"A dark twist in almost every corner" - Bookstagram
A new evil. An old nightmare.
As the head of the Major Investigation Team, Detective Inspector Laura Warburton must catch a killer that is preying on vulnerable women. The case strikes dangerously close to home for Laura. Once a victim of domestic violence at the hands of her ex-fiancé, Laura escaped with a shattered reputation, a drinking problem and tormented memories.
With the body count piling up, Laura barely holds herself together as she finds and pieces together the fragmented clues at the crime scenes. Like breadcrumbs, the clues lead her down a dark road to a past she wishes to forget. Trapped in a deadly game of cat and mouse, is this a new evil in her life? Or is something much more sinister at play?
From the author of the psychological thriller 'The Space Between Heaven and Hell,' comes this new nail-biting crime thriller that will leave you guessing until the final page.
268 pages, Paperback
Published February 21, 2023
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22 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 18, 2023
Left For Dead. My fellow readers I have gone and done it. Done what you say?! Oh I’ve crossed the genre line and perhaps tip toed among the serial crime, psychological thriller fields. I know! Don’t look at me. I couldn’t help myself. There was a book. A book by a writer who completely caught me by surprise. As I read his perfectly spun words, I was instantly hooked. You will be hooked too.
This book is insanely good. The writing is absolutely incredible. Not only will you enjoy the writing, but the characters as well. I couldn’t get enough of the main character Laura. Her determination to confront the killer and her demons was mind blowing.
One moment you will be like, alright Laura. I got you, to What the (you know what) is happening here? There are moments in here that are so shocking that they make the story that good. The amazing twist and turns that the plot or as I call it, the storyline had me wanting to read the book very quick. As a die hard reader you know why.
Just so that I could make it to the end, to find out who the killer is. But the true reader in me stuck it out. Yep that’s right. I soldiered on. Laura and I was in this together.
More so her than me. I have another thing to say about the writing. It’s very bold (that a good thing writer) and imaginative. From the start the plot was so interesting and exciting. As you read the book, you will see how there are many things that make this book feel so real. Bringing in a DI who has first hand experience with tracking down criminals that are very challenging is fantastic. Laura’s character I thought was a bad (you know what) to take on a serial killer, with just her knowledge is beyond good. I love the strength of her character, even though she travels through the book, with some of the harshest struggles that a human being can go through. I also love that the writer chose a female as the leading heroine in the book. The plot touched on a number of challenges that female DI’s would experience when taking on a new major crimes team, whose participation is at a level two.
As I said the plot is bloody good. You will read how the storyline is very believable. You will also read how the plot associates with the characters and how the story relates to modern times. It was easy to see that the writer did the research required for such a book like this. There is information that touches on things that are related to the human mind.
There are snippets of how the characters find ways to cope and release all the emotions that a person can experience on a suspect such as this one. Also, some research on the formalities that a officer must go through to capture their suspect. Anyway, as I said the plot is very creative and superbly good. I did stumble on a couple scenes. Mainly at the end of one chapter and the beginning of the next.
I felt that these should read with a smooth transition so that reader can maintain that connection with the story and the characters. Picking back up with the characters. Wasn’t that insane at the ending? I had no clue that it would end that way. Well I did have a clue with one character, but I needed more information before I actually made my conclusion.
There is one character above all that you can not help but root for. My girl Sheree. She is a beast! The strength and the will that she exudes is so impactful. The serial killer, called the Straw man.
His character is Sick with a capital s. Where would one even begin to come up with the crimes that he committed in the book? Talk about shocking and disturbing. These words are like confetti to him that he throws out, over the cruelties that he distributes among his victims. The writer got it so right with the morbid mind of this individual. Exposing his disconnection with the realities and people around him. His only gratification is the sick pleasure that he feels, as he dispenses all his rage and hatred on his victims (his dolls). The descriptive details of the killers cold and calculating acts was certifiably insane. I mean from what I imagine is probably not as sick as what the police and detectives face day to day, but non the less the descriptions here is one more tool that makes this book, a must read. This is a book that is amazingly good.
The writer reminds me of two writers. Kevin O’Brien, a writer who can write a story that will have you on your tippy toes, shouting for the main character to take out the bad guy. The next one is from the dark mind of Chris Carter. A well know criminal Psychologist who could scare you in your dreams with one sentence. The entertainment in the plot is genius.
I give this book two snaps and a, “Catherine, you need a raise and take up self defense lessons girl. You’re going to need them.”Until next time my fellow readers. Read on! I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
This book is insanely good. The writing is absolutely incredible. Not only will you enjoy the writing, but the characters as well. I couldn’t get enough of the main character Laura. Her determination to confront the killer and her demons was mind blowing.
One moment you will be like, alright Laura. I got you, to What the (you know what) is happening here? There are moments in here that are so shocking that they make the story that good. The amazing twist and turns that the plot or as I call it, the storyline had me wanting to read the book very quick. As a die hard reader you know why.
Just so that I could make it to the end, to find out who the killer is. But the true reader in me stuck it out. Yep that’s right. I soldiered on. Laura and I was in this together.
More so her than me. I have another thing to say about the writing. It’s very bold (that a good thing writer) and imaginative. From the start the plot was so interesting and exciting. As you read the book, you will see how there are many things that make this book feel so real. Bringing in a DI who has first hand experience with tracking down criminals that are very challenging is fantastic. Laura’s character I thought was a bad (you know what) to take on a serial killer, with just her knowledge is beyond good. I love the strength of her character, even though she travels through the book, with some of the harshest struggles that a human being can go through. I also love that the writer chose a female as the leading heroine in the book. The plot touched on a number of challenges that female DI’s would experience when taking on a new major crimes team, whose participation is at a level two.
As I said the plot is bloody good. You will read how the storyline is very believable. You will also read how the plot associates with the characters and how the story relates to modern times. It was easy to see that the writer did the research required for such a book like this. There is information that touches on things that are related to the human mind.
There are snippets of how the characters find ways to cope and release all the emotions that a person can experience on a suspect such as this one. Also, some research on the formalities that a officer must go through to capture their suspect. Anyway, as I said the plot is very creative and superbly good. I did stumble on a couple scenes. Mainly at the end of one chapter and the beginning of the next.
I felt that these should read with a smooth transition so that reader can maintain that connection with the story and the characters. Picking back up with the characters. Wasn’t that insane at the ending? I had no clue that it would end that way. Well I did have a clue with one character, but I needed more information before I actually made my conclusion.
There is one character above all that you can not help but root for. My girl Sheree. She is a beast! The strength and the will that she exudes is so impactful. The serial killer, called the Straw man.
His character is Sick with a capital s. Where would one even begin to come up with the crimes that he committed in the book? Talk about shocking and disturbing. These words are like confetti to him that he throws out, over the cruelties that he distributes among his victims. The writer got it so right with the morbid mind of this individual. Exposing his disconnection with the realities and people around him. His only gratification is the sick pleasure that he feels, as he dispenses all his rage and hatred on his victims (his dolls). The descriptive details of the killers cold and calculating acts was certifiably insane. I mean from what I imagine is probably not as sick as what the police and detectives face day to day, but non the less the descriptions here is one more tool that makes this book, a must read. This is a book that is amazingly good.
The writer reminds me of two writers. Kevin O’Brien, a writer who can write a story that will have you on your tippy toes, shouting for the main character to take out the bad guy. The next one is from the dark mind of Chris Carter. A well know criminal Psychologist who could scare you in your dreams with one sentence. The entertainment in the plot is genius.
I give this book two snaps and a, “Catherine, you need a raise and take up self defense lessons girl. You’re going to need them.”Until next time my fellow readers. Read on! I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
August 17, 2024
Want a twisted, grisly serial killer? Want an unstable MC with an equally unstable back story? Want gory details, grit and a hard slap in the face?
Then you HAVE to read this!
From the first chapter I was hooked like an addict. I needed to know what happened next, I needed answers- and when I had to go to work I was going cold turkey! 😬😬🤣
Great characters, strong MC: Laura Warburton. She has a turbulent back story which really affects her, PTSD is shown in such detail your heart goes out to her.
Gives me House Of Wax vibes!!
Detective Inspector Laura is trying to solve the gruesome murders, and with her past seemingly connected to them things are about to get ugly.
This intense, fast paced page turner will leave you begging for more then screaming for your life!
No spoilers.
Violence, gore, betrayal, obsession, addiction and so much more.
The safety is definitely off! I’m literally now going to buy the rest of this series!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ all day long!
Then you HAVE to read this!
From the first chapter I was hooked like an addict. I needed to know what happened next, I needed answers- and when I had to go to work I was going cold turkey! 😬😬🤣
Great characters, strong MC: Laura Warburton. She has a turbulent back story which really affects her, PTSD is shown in such detail your heart goes out to her.
Gives me House Of Wax vibes!!
Detective Inspector Laura is trying to solve the gruesome murders, and with her past seemingly connected to them things are about to get ugly.
This intense, fast paced page turner will leave you begging for more then screaming for your life!
No spoilers.
Violence, gore, betrayal, obsession, addiction and so much more.
The safety is definitely off! I’m literally now going to buy the rest of this series!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ all day long!
January 23, 2025
This is the first book in a series of British crime thrillers that have quickly become a favorite. The author gets to the action quickly, and just does not let go of you until the end. This is a fast-paced, dark, and gritty thriller that does not waste time and leaves you looking forward to the next installment.
Left for Dead was recently released as an audiobook, which was just as dark and gritty as the print copy. I enjoyed both versions, but the audiobook was really well done, so I recommend checking it out.
Left for Dead was recently released as an audiobook, which was just as dark and gritty as the print copy. I enjoyed both versions, but the audiobook was really well done, so I recommend checking it out.
May 11, 2023
What a book! Cannot wait to read the next installment! Moving to a new town, starting a fresh can be a daunting time but Laura needed it. Loved the dual story aspect of this book. I was hooked into this book early on and wanted to see how it would play out. Laura and Ron, Sheree and Craig all powerful characters in their own ways.
I liked how the two sides were linked and I ended up finishing this in one sitting! Well written and definitely recommend!
Will look out for more of your books!
I liked how the two sides were linked and I ended up finishing this in one sitting! Well written and definitely recommend!
Will look out for more of your books!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews