The Deception

by Maureen Myant

'Wow, what a gripping book – I couldn’t put it down yet didn’t want it to end.' Gillian Jackson, writer of psychological fiction

'I thoroughly enjoyed this book it was a different sort of crime novel, and so well written. I truly cannot praise it enough. I thought the first one was good, but I think this is even better.' Carole Gourlay

Her past was a lie. Dare she uncover the truth?

When Kate’s mother dies, a man turns up at the funeral claiming to be her uncle. Kate is mystified; her mother was an only child. She agrees to meet him but when she tells him more about herself, he disappears. It’s best to forget him and get on with the business of grieving but when she finds her own death certificate, she realises she can’t let it drop. Besides, there are the threatening phone calls and messages to her mother to consider…

Four hundred miles away in Glasgow, DI Alex Scrimgeour is haunted by memories of past crimes. Is he responsible for a miscarriage of justice? He’s already worried when Kate contacts him with her story. If she is who she thinks she is, it could ruin his entire career. Despite their mutual antipathy, only by working together will they understand the past and finally put old ghosts to rest.

Genres: Fiction

372 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2023

About the author

Maureen Myant has had six novels published to date. Her first novel was historical fiction set around the destruction of the village of Lidice in Czechoslovakia following the assassination of Reinhard Heydrich. She has now turned to crime and her crime novels are set in the southside of Glasgow where she lives. She is currently writing the fifth in the series. In addition to these, she has written a standalone suspense novel, What Lies Beneath, which is set in a snowbound house at Christmas. Maureen was a psychologist by profession but has now retired to concentrate on writing. She studied creative writing at the University of Glasgow gaining an MLitt and PhD.

Reviews

[Miriam Smith (A Mother’s Musings) · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The Deception” was an exceedingly well written and plotted thriller which combined a police procedural element with a psychological theme built into a mystery of a missing mother, and a daughter seeking some answers to her family history.

Even though Kate and DI Alex Scrimgeour existed in a permanent antipathy for each other, they made for an interesting read, each with their own reasons for their reluctance to engage properly.

Set predominantly in Glasgow where the author herself lives and in Buckinghamshire, this perfect mystery had me instantly engaged from the very first chapter (something this author is now making a name for herself of doing).

The story got its hooks into me and didn’t let go, I found myself unable to stop reading, even when well past my bedtime. I was so engrossed and invested into the outcome of Kate’s dilemma and Alex’s past history, revisiting his emotions, that I would say this author now has a distinctive talent of trapping a reader in her clutches, for all the correct reasons of course!

This was an easy to follow story, simple in its premise but entertaining and with plenty of red herrings which really do catch you out. ‘The Deception” is a book I can without doubt recommend and as an author, Maureen Myant is now an established ‘go to’ writer for me, who I hope will be writing more in this potential police procedural series.

Just as a word of warning - there is a theme of missing babies throughout, so if this is a trigger subject that affects you, then maybe this book might not be suitable for you at this time.

#TheDeception - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

On the night of Kate’s mother’s funeral, a man knocks on her door stating he is her mother’s brother. He must be mistaken as her mother was an only child. But some things he said got Kate thinking. Sorting through her mother’s paperwork she finds a death certificate of a 12 week old baby girl. In her name. But she is very much alive.

Back in Glasgow, DI Alex Scrimgeour is looking into suspicious deaths at his mother’s care home.

Kate and Alex will meet as Kate is trying to work out who she really is, and the trail leads to a rough family in Glasgow who are well known to Alex. In fact, he was lead investigator when their baby girl went missing. Her father was convicted of her murder although a body was never found.

I enjoyed this page turner which had plenty of red herrings along the way!

Thank you Rebecca at Hobeck books for my spot on the blog tour.

[Joe Singleton]

I was not sure what I was letting myself in for when I started reading this book, but I did enjoy it, although some people may find it quite emotional. For me, the standout moment was when Kate was reading her Mother's diary. The emotions bled out of the paper. Truly wonderful writing.

I really like the cover and if I saw it in a bookshop I would definitely need to pick it up and read the blurb. I do find it a little difficult to pigeonhole this book, both in the blurb, and in reading the book. There is crime, a lot of psychological suspense and is quite a slow burn. I think it is a book that crosses genre so that makes it difficult to pin down. The cover comes across as a very dark story which it is but there is also family bonds, etc which provide some light.

I did find the story quite slow paced but I kept on with it as I wanted to find out what happened. I imagine this would be quite a good book for a book club to read as it will suit a variety of people. It was quite easy to follow the general storyline however I did occasionally get mixed up in the characters. The author did try to build the characters so that the reader got to know them more but maybe that relationship with the reader could have been made stronger and the locations could have had more character given to them too.

I will definitely be looking to read more by this author.

Many thanks to Hobeck Books, and the author for providing me with an electronic review copy of this book in return for an honest, unbiased review

[Jenny McClinton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an E-ARC with a request for my honest review.

This enthralling crime thriller is partly set in Buckinghamshire and follows Kate, who after her mother dies starts to receive threats meant for her mother.

Soon she learns of a secret in her past which could change everything about who she believes herself to be.

Meanwhile in Glasgow, DI Alex Scrimgeour is looking into a few unexplained deaths in his mother’s care home. When an unexpected call linked to Kate brings him back to an investigation which haunts him.

Will Kate find out the truth? Will Alex solve the case at his mother’s care home?

I found this crime thriller enthralling and I didn’t want to stop reading, I wanted to find out all the answers of the secrets in Kate’s past as much as she did.

You get to hear both Kate and Alex’s storylines, as the characters plot lines start to intertwine. It not only helps start to unravel the mystery but also increases the possibilities of the outcome.

I did feel for Kate as she tries to find out the truth she seeks, but she handles everything with a strong character which I like to see.

Overall, an enthralling crime thriller where a young woman discovers secrets lying in her past.

[Peter Fleming · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imagine what might happen and what you might do, if everything you understood about yourself was stripped away from you like a conjuror pulling away a tablecloth. Would you wobble a little but retain your composure or would smash to the floor in a thousand pieces? This is what befell Kate following the death of her mother (Mirren) when a man claiming to be her uncle arrives on her doorstep. A huge shock if true because her mother told her she had no living relatives. Later when going through her mother’s paperwork she discovers her whole life has been a lie. Shell-shocked she is determined to get to the truth about her mother and her own existence, otherwise unanchored she will be destined to drift through life uncertain who she really is.

Alex had his life shattering experience many years ago and it has had a profound effect upon his life since then. He still carries the hurt, the mental scars of the events that shattered his family. Time is not always a healer. Even approaching the end of his career there is little respite has the family responsibility of caring for his mother has been left to him alone. She is suffering with Alzheimer’s and so he has invested a great deal of time, effort, and expense in finding a suitable care home for her to spend her final days. Now she is finally settled he has become concerned following an anonymous phone call highlighting suspicious deaths at the home. As if that was not enough to contend with, an old case is threatening to open old wounds.

As crime novels go this is a thoughtful and considered one, that examines emotions and motivations rather than providing action and thrills. The result is a story that even this jaded old cynic found rather touching. The core of the plot is a journey into the past, but also physical journey for Kate has she travels to Glasgow to discover her roots. Along the way Kate makes missteps that upset those around her, both at home in Buckinghamshire and in Glasgow, and even some danger. Most of all it is the hurt that trying to discover the truth causes others as old wounds are reopened and secrets revealed. The central theme is admittedly dark, one that will send shivers down the spine of parents but it is handled with confidence and a lightness of touch.

The plotting is excellent, tight and careful, with time slips and characters in denial to add confusion. That the one thing that Mirren loved and excelled at but was denied should prove the key is satisfyingly fitting.

Strong characters are essential for a novel like this one and the two main ones are great creations. Kate is the modern woman shielded for the worst of life by a protective mother (one who does so for her own reasons) who must come to terms with harsh realities. Wracked with insecurities and doubts her journey into the past becomes one of self-discovery as well searching for her true identity. The paradox of her hardening her heart to those of her who have used her whilst opening it to the new ‘family’ in her life is perfectly judged.

As for Alex, his story is much deeper than I could have ever imagined. Considering what he has gone through his obnoxiousness seems a mere bagatelle, so cut the man some slack, I know I wouldn’t have coped as well. Alex is such a wonderful creation I have my fingers and toes crossed for a few more stories featuring him.

The Deception is a thoughtful and touching examination of identity, family and the desire to know one’s ancestry.

[Karolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kate’s mum died unexpectedly although she had breast cancer and it was Kate who found her when she came home from work. She arranged the funeral and noticed a man at the funeral who might have been hanging around outside her cottage. He turned up late that night claiming to be her uncle but she agreed to meet him in the morning. The next day, she met her uncle and everything was fine until she talked about herself, then he picked everything up and ran off. She carried on grieving for her mum but then she came across her own death certificate, she realises she can’t let it drop. She got back in touch with her uncle to let him know, originally he said not to get in touch again but when she called back, she got his wife Margaret and she didn’t know about anything that had been going on. Kate explained it all to her and Margaret said to leave it with her and they would skype later that evening. It was a different man doing the threatening phone calls and letters to her mother but who was he?

In Glasgow, DI Alex Scrimgeour is plagued by memories of past crimes. Could he be responsible for a miscarriage of justice? He’s been receiving emails about corrupt cop in 1992 but the email disappears before he can delete it. By the time he receives the third one, he learns and takes a picture with his mobile phone! He thinks it refers to the Danielle Taylor case which was a nightmare. He’s sceptical when Kate gets in touch with her story so he turns her down and says there is nothing he can do for her. It’s only when his DCI gets involved and says she wants it sorted that he does a turnaround and agrees to a DNA test for Kate and the Taylor’s. He arranges a meeting and they turn up, Mrs Taylor is against it but Jamie is all for it, so he and Kate do the test. Now they just have to wait for the result. Also, now Kate has heard Jamie speak, she knows he is the one who was demanding the money from her mum but why?

What will Kate’s DNA test prove? Did DI Scrimgeour get it wrong all those years ago? Is anything strange going on at Rosebank Care Home concerning wrongful deaths?

This was a brilliant read which I really enjoyed and devoured in a day. Maureen Mynant is an exceptional writer. I liked her first book but really loved this one. The plots were inventive and woven into the storyline exceptionally well. Some of it happened in Glasgow now and when the baby was snatched. Some in Buckenshire. I would read more of Maureen’s books.

[Donna Morfett · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Kates mother Mirren dies, she thinks she sees a strange man at the funeral.
When he turns up at her house later that evening and claims he's Mirrens brother, Kate is confused, as her mother had claimed she was an only child. However the information he provides is irrefutable.
What follows is the story of her trying to uncover the truth about her past. The more she thinks about it the more she realises how much Mirren hid her from view. She learns there was another child with the same date of birth and name on a death certificate in her mother's desk.
When she finds out about a baby that went missing in Glasgow she begins to wonder if she was snatched and who her real family is. Hopefully not the horrendous Glasgow family who's dad was accused of murdering his baby daughter.
At the same time Alex Scrimgeour is trying to investigate his mother's nursing home as a series of unexplained deaths raise a red flag.
I was really hooked to the story and couldn't put it down. It was a slow burn but it needed to be to slowly reveal the many layers of the story, and there were many layers. All credit to Maureen for creating such an intricately woven plot that is watertight.
I loved Kate, she tried her best, despite being thrown into absolute turmoil, grieving her mother and finding out she didn't know anything about herself.
I also loved the Fallons, they took Kate in and accepted her immediately and gave her the family she'd always craved without a seconds hesitation. Alex was grumpy and short tempered but the more you learned about him the more you understood why.
The settings alternated between Glasgow and Buckinghamshire and the descriptions of both made it clear where Kate was at any time.
Overall a wonderful read, covering a vast array of human emotion, and I loved every page. Can't wait for the next book.

[Geri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Maureen Myant's first crime novel, The Confession, also published by Hobeck, so I was excited to read her latest book The Deception. While this new book concerns DI Alex Scrimgeour who appeared in the earlier title this is a completely stand alone crime thriller although it does make some slight reference back to the key incidents of the first book. At the start of the book in rural Buckinghamshire, Mirren has just died and her only family, her daughter Kate, is bereft. While sorting her mother's belongings Kate finds what appears to be her own death certificate and realises that the life she has led as Mirren's daughter may not be the full truth of her existence.
Meanwhile in Glasgow DI Scrimgeour has not long placed his mother in a care home where her behaviour seems to be causing concern. When Scrimgeour finds out about some unexpected deaths in the care home he is concerned about his mother's safety and is compelled to investigate.
These two stories seem to be separate threads but the author cleverly weaves them together in a creative embroidery that rivals those produced by Mirren when she was alive. The settings in The Deception are a really important part of the book, both the wider settings of rural England and the city of Glasgow but also the more intimate settings of the homes of the main characters. Those characters too are beautifully crafted with their thoughts and concerns adding to the readers belief in them as fully rounded people. I read The Deception quickly as I really wanted to know how all the threads might come together. I would definitely recommend this book to lovers of crime fiction with strong setting and characters. Now I look forward to reading Maureen Myant's next book.

[Monika Armet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kate Fallon’s mother, Mirren, recently died of cancer. There’s always been the two of them and Kate looked after her mum when she got her diagnosis.

On the day of Mirren’s funeral, a man appears claiming to be Kate’s uncle. Only Kate is sure her mother didn’t have any siblings.

Then, as Kate goes through her mother’s things, she finds her own death certificate stating she died when she was 12 weeks old. Only Kate is very much alive!

Meanwhile, in Glasgow, DI Alex Scrimgeour receives a threatening email that vanishes after he reads it. Then, someone informs him of mysterious deaths at a local care home, where his own mother is a resident. To make matters worse, someone wants to unveil the past again: a disappearance of a baby whose body was never found back when he was a young DS.

How does Kate’s story links to Alex’s?

You’ll have to read this book for yourselves to find out! I loved Myant’s first book The Confession and I was excited when Rebecca of Hobeck Books invited me to the blog tour.

This book offers a further insight into Alex’s life and his past. He’s a man set in his own ways and scarred by the past events. He’s stubborn and won’t be persuaded to retire.

I felt for Kate who didn’t know her true identity. Just imagine discovering that your whole life was a lie? She showed remarkable strength to discover the truth, and halfway through the story I had an inkling (a correct one, may I add) of how it might end.

Overall, it is another gripping read in the series (may we call it series yet?). It’s the second book after all.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I previously read The Confession by Maureen Myant and really enjoyed it, so I was looking forward to her latest novel and meeting up again with DI Alex Scrimgeour. This novel takes place in Glasgow and Buckinghamshire.

In Buckinghamshire, Kate is mourning the death of her mother Mirren, when she receives a distressing phone call – a male voice saying her mother has to pay him £20,000 or else. Then at her mother’s funeral, a man turns up claiming to be Kate’s uncle. It seems that Mirren has been hiding secrets from her daughter for years…

We get to find out more about Kate’s back story (which is fascinating) and about halfway through the book, she meets DI Alex Scrimgeour, who was involved in a case some thirty years ago which Kate is interested in. But the case brings back lots of bad memories for Alex…

I really enjoyed this book. I love the characters of Kate and her family and of course, DI Alex Scrimgeour, who is so realistic and relatable and I remembered him from reading The Confession. My only slight criticism is that there is a LOT of swearing! But the novel is very well-paced, it is a great story which keeps you turning the pages and wanting to know how it all works out. The settings are very well-described and you really feel involved in the plot.

Highly recommended.

[BooksandBacon · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, I must apologise to Rebecca from @Hobeck for the late review which I committed to post back in August. Must remember to take note of tour dates!

In Buckinghamshire, Kate receives a distressing call after her mother Mirren's death. The caller, a male voice, demands £20,000 from her mother. During her mother's funeral, a man arrives and asserts that he is Kate's uncle. Mirren has been harbouring secrets from her daughter for years... We'll delve deeper into Kate's fascinating background, around the middle of the book. I had a great time reading this book. I love how realistic and relatable the characters of Kate and her family are.

This crime thriller was so enthralling that I couldn't stop reading. I was as eager as Kate to uncover all the secrets of her past. The settings play a vital role in the book, including both rural England and the city of Glasgow. Also, I must mention the cover, as I've mentioned many times the cover is very important as it must hook and reel me in, and this cover does it massively.

This is book 2 of a series (I think it is), I haven't read book 1 "The Confession" it's sitting on my kindle TBR queue. While it can be enjoyed on its own, the book includes references to DI Alex Scrimgeour and events from the first book. I hate starting a series without reading from the start.

Overall, a thrilling read and highly recommended.

[Lynda · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Buckinghamshire Kate Fallon’s mother has died from cancer. She is disturbed one evening when a stranger knocks on her door and insists he is her Uncle. Kate believed her mother was an only child. She agreed to meet him again but then he disappears. Clearing through her mothers papers she finds her own death certificate. Same name and the date of death is the same as her date of birth! What is happening and why is she on the receiving end of menacing letters and telephone calls for her dead mother?

Looking into her past she finds herself drawn to Glasgow where she meets a horrible family who may be relatives and also DI Alex Scrimgeour. Alex is currently investigating suspicious deaths at the care home where his mother is a resident but he is riddled with guilt over a past case. Between the two of them, and with some reluctance, they team up to try and solve the riddle of their pasts.

Written from Kate and Alex’s POV the threads of their lives gradually meet and the truth is revealed. A fairly cosy mystery thriller with few likeable characters although you can’t help but feel compassion for Kate finding out she isn’t who she thought she was. An easy read, and a well written and enjoyable story.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Scottish crime thrillers & this is the follow up to The Confession, again featuring Glasgow detective DI Alex Scrimgeour.

Kate’s mother has died. She is confronted by a man who claims to be her uncle, but her mum was an only child. She receives threatening phone calls via her mum’s mobile phone & hate mail also addressed to her. She lived with her mother &, when going through some paperwork, she discovers her own death certificate. Kate is very much alive, so what does it mean?
In Glasgow, Scrimgeour has a feeling that he was responsible for a miscarriage of justice many years ago & is also receiving peculiar emails. Then Kate contacts him. How are they connected?

Well written with other side stories neatly feeding into the main plot line. I had an inkling where this was going at about halfway through but maybe that was the point, how did it all tie together? Looking forward to book 3, can’t say why - spoilers !

[Ann-Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was completely drawn into the story from the start. In Glasgow DI Alex Scrimgeour is dealing with mysterious threatening emails which just disappear and constant calls from his mother’s care home about her behavior. Meanwhile in Buckinghamshire Kate Fallon is dealing with the aftermath of her mother’s death when she receives a threatening phone call on her mother’s phone. Then someone who claims to be a relative she didn’t even know existed turns up on her doorstep. When Kate’s and DI Scrimgeour’s worlds collide long hidden secrets emerge and their lives are turned upside down. The threads of what appear to be two completely unrelated lives are gradually drawn together and tightened leading to explosive events. This really is one of those ‘just one more chapter’ books.

Thanks to Hobeck Books for a review copy.

[Janine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kate’s mother has died. Whilst she is going through some paperwork, she finds her own death certificate. Kate knows she is alive so what is going on ? Weird phone calls, threatening letters all make Kate very worried and confused. A strange man turns up at her mother's funeral and later at her cottage, in a Buckinghamshire village, he claims that he is her uncle. Mirren, Kate's mother had no siblings. So what on earth is going on and who is he ?
Meanwhile, in Scotland D I Alex Scrimgeour is also receiving peculiar emails. Then Kate contacts him. Is there a connection ?
Well written with other side stories feeding into the main plot line. Fabulous read. Another belter from Maureen, hope there will be plenty more books from her in the future.

[Justine Gilbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book because it was so different to many of the traditional crime novels that follow a body, an investigation, a detective. The novel centres around a woman looking to find out who her father is, after her mother dies. It links to a detective and other crimes, but as I read, I was absorbed wondering what it would feel like if your unknown parent turned out to be someone you actively disliked. Well worth reading.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very emotional griping storyline of a mother dying, her diary and people coming to her to claim they are family. You eventually figure out that you are adopted ⁶or were you kidnapped . She searches for answers. In the end, it comes together. A well written book that you will enjoy.

[Rahul Raichand · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good slow mystery. The revelations are not that big but I kinda had too much big shocking twists.

This slow and relatively moderate twists are exactly what I needed for a change.

Listened to it in an audiobook. Never listened to Irish and Scottish accent for such a long time.

[Candice Alvey · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Deception by Maureen Myant is a tightly written, compelling read that keeps you guessing. The pacing is spot on (never rushed, never slow) and the final twist is genuinely brilliant. If you enjoy psychological suspense with emotional depth, this one’s worth your time.

[Sarah-Jane Bourne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yet another book where a DNA test would have cleared things up quickly! But then I guess it would have only been 10 pages long!

[Maxine-Eloise · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m loving this series. The fact it’s local makes it better 😂 nice to know the places and things mentioned. Good plot and twists.

[Carla Paucic · Rating 3 out of 5]

rari, esperaba más y mejores plot twists