The Trap

Martha Munro Crime Mysteries #2

by Michael Leese

After the worst year of her life, Martha Munro is looking forward to getting back to the job she loves. She’s one of the best and brightest young detectives in the Met, but she’s immediately put on a seemingly pointless case . . .

Martha is ordered to investigate a spate of cat abductions in leafy south London. Each time, the missing moggy turns up unharmed days later.

But then one family receives a terrifying message: Next time it’s the kids.

And an ambulance is sent to the children’s school. A sinister threat by someone playing a deadly game of cat and mouse.

That same week, another Dulwich resident plunges to her death from an upstairs window. It looks like a tragic accident. Until Martha discovers she was pushed.

Someone is setting a dangerous trap for Detective Martha Munro — and they have eyes and ears everywhere.

Martha can’t let her family get hurt again. Can she outsmart this devious killer without falling into the trap?

Genres: Fiction

250 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 13, 2023

About the author

Michael Leese was a senior news executive who had a ringside seat for the most extra-ordinary stories that happened during a twenty-five-year career as a British national newspaper journalist.
From the death of Princess Diana and two Gulf wars to the fall of the Berlin Wall and 9/11 he was leading the teams bringing the first news to a wider public. Most of his career was spent at the London Evening Standard. His time in journalism has left him with an indelible passion for news and current affairs and he tries to replicate that in his crime thriller series, Jonathan Roper investigates.
His son is profoundly autistic. It was thinking about him and how he fits into this complicated world was the inspiration for the Roper character. Who is highly intelligent, passionate, hard-working and autistic which can make him a bit hazy about social boundaries.
Leese reasoned that Roper gave him a great way to challenge perceptions, but also show some of the humour that can arise from the inevitable misunderstandings when someone on the autistic spectrum hits the world at full steam.
He was brought up in the West Midlands and can reveal a major celebrity connection, both he and Prince Williams are Aston Villa fans, although they have never met or discussed their personal affinity.
Growing up he had an ambition to be an elite athlete but gave that up by the age of nine on the grounds of having no talent. He often speculates that it is just as well as he enjoys creating characters for his books and probably wouldn’t have survived long in the corporate world.
He lives in Dorset with his wife Maria.
If you would like to contact Michael, you can either send him an email at hello@michael-leese.com or through his Facebook Page Jonathan Roper Investigates.

Reviews

[Black Butterfly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I HOPE THE NEXT BOOK IN THIS SERIES ENDS THE CHASE. I DIDN'T LIKE THE OLD TV SHOW "THE FUGUTIVE" BECAUSE IT WAS NEVER ENDNG. I WOULD LIKE MARTHA TO FIND HER ONE-ARMED MAN AND BE DONE WITH IT. ROPER & HOOLEY SERIES ARE STILL MY FAVORITES I'VE READ ALL OF THEM. ;<

[Joanne Warner · Rating 5 out of 5]

All I can say is …the ending 😱😱😱I thought I had skipped to the end and missed a whole chapter….obviously there a book 3 being written but still …amazing story …talented author

[Aileen (Ailz) Grist · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'd just finished reading the first one - The List - of this series when I read The Trap. I thought I'd now get some closure on Martha's problems, that her life would become the humdrum life of a London copper. To begin with it seems true - after all she's sent to look into the theft of cats, cats that return, how basic a job is that for a detective.

Things then escalate quickly. The book ends, but the story doesn't. Sometimes I wish that series of books with stories that keep on giving would release them all at once - I hate waiting.

Loved it - well written - but now I'm hanging on waiting for the next one.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher I read a free advance review copy of the book. This review is voluntary, honest and my own opinion.

[Michael Cordery · Rating 1 out of 5]

I found this a very disappointing book. There were so many unsavoury characters in the book. The murders were gruesome and the villians were too. Nothing in the story seemed to gel. Not only did we have seriously bad villians we had bad cops to. I'm not mad about books with bad cops. A young DC suddenly becomes an acting DI! A community cop becomes an acting DC and no one thinks the DCI could be one the bad guys? These are seriously bad crimes and none of the Met's heavies are brought in? There are also the unlikely ex crims who are allowed to work with the police. The answers to some crimes come conveniently to hand with the help of an autistic police digital expert who is actually not a policeman! Still I plod on waiting for muderous genius to be unmasked and suddenly on the last page it says the end!!! The DCI escapes over the Channel and the MG, well who knows. Oh well there is obviously a follow up book which will answer all our questions. Will all be unmasked and revealed? No! Then there is no follow up book. To the Publisher, this book should not be promoted, particularly with no follow up book. Seriously, I have never given a book a 1* but I have now. I notice the author has another series of police procedurals. Not sure what they are like but after this one I won't be rushing to read them. I'm sorry this is a brutal review. I read over 100 books a year mostly UK crime stories and I'm rarely super critical.

[vince weldon · Rating 2 out of 5]

ADVANCE READER COPY REVIEW


ADVANCE READER COPY REVIEW


Michael Leese is a new author to me, this is the second of his DC Martha Munro stories and there are some early pointers as to what occurred in the opening tale so it might be worth reading that first if you have the choice (was my initial thought ...read on...)

I'm reviewing as a new reader and 12 (out of 63) chapters in I didn't feel that I was missing anything other than a packed yarn I'd try to make good post event if time allowed...but over the next few chapters I felt like I was really watching from the sidelines, as the mysterious protagonist from the earlier book may well be the driving force behind something nasty targeting DC Munro.

At Chapter 19 this feels all the more confusing as we are introduced to a 75 year old former career criminal that appears to have mentored the detective...it's all got a bit OTT and I'm only a third of the way in - I'm seriously thinking that I should stop until I've had a chance to read that preceding book ("The List")...during their late night chat we are told about "Carol" who holds a copy
of Munro's father's diary...we already know that Martha had followed him into the Police force and picked up enemies of senior officers he'd exposed during his career...so I'm inclined to do something I've not done in 33 ARC reviews to date... I'm going to give up until I've read what's gone before because if I don't then I'll be headscratching until I bleed...and as I've got three other books to review before the end of next week that might not happen pre-release of this tale - hence I'm left with no choice other than to score just 2*'s for now, with a hope that I might improve things once I'm (hopefully) in full possession of the facts 😕 is a new author to me, this is the second of his DC Martha Munro stories and there are some early pointers as to what occurred in the opening tale so it might be worth reading that first if you have the choice


I'm reviewing as a new reader and 12 (out of 63) chapters in I didn't feel that I was missing anything other than a packed yarn I'd try to make good post event if time allowed...but over the next few chapters I felt like I was really
missing something, as the mysterious protagonist from the earlier book may well be the driving force behind something nasty targeting DC Munro.

At Chapter 19 this feels all the more confusing as we are introduced to a 75 year old former career criminal that appears to have mentored
the detective...it's all got a bit OTT and I'm only a third of the way in - I'm seriously thinking that I should stop until I've had a chance to read that preceding book ("The List")...during their late night chat we are told about "Carol" who holds a copy
of Munro's father's diary...we already know that Martha had followed him into the Police force and picked up enemies of senior officers he'd exposed during his career...so I'm inclined to do something I've not done in 33 ARC reviews to date... I'm going to
give up until I've read what's gone before because if I don't then I'll be headscratching until I bleed...and as I've got three other books to review before the end of next week that might not happen pre-release of this tale - hence I'm left with no choice
other than to score just 2*'s for now, with a hope that I might improve things once I'm (hopefully) in full possession of the facts 😕

[Denise Zendel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Detective Martha Munro is looking forward to getting back to the job she loves after a year that would have broken anyone else. Her mother was murdered, her daughter put in mortal danger, and she ended up in prison for a crime she didn’t commit. Martha was exonerated and freed, but there are people around her who are skeptical. And there are more people around her who would like to send her right back to prison.

Her first assignment from the weaselly sergeant at her station is a spate of cat nappings in London. She’s insulted by the peefy nature of the case, but she does what she’s told, because she’s a good soldier. While investigating the cat cases, she stumbles onto a series of seeming unrelated murders that may or may not be related to her past. Is she paranoid? Possibly, but her father was a decorated officer “known as a fierce scourge of corrupt coppers.” He allegedly kept a book about corrupt officers including those at the top. Maybe Martha has a copy and might want to follow in her father’s footsteps.

I had a love/hate relationship with this book. On the minus side, Martha is constantly bedeviled by a sinister figure who would like nothing more than to see her dead, after suffering immensely, of course. Too much Red John for me. And Martha’s family was in the cross-hairs quite a bit of the time. I’m not sure that’s realistic; and I am sure I didn’t like Martha’s anguish over what might happen to her daughter. I know you need peril to move the story along, but unrelenting peril just turns me off, ‘cause I can get enough of that in real life. The ending was too abrupt as well.

On the plus side, the dark, gritty, violent, compelling story kept me turning the pages. The author did a good job of building suspense, placing red herrings, packing in action, and making me care about the characters. I liked how Martha didn’t take too many stupid chances, and that she had people in both her personal and professional capacities that she could rely on. I particularly enjoyed the relationship between Martha and Harry, 75-year-old former mob enforcer with a heart of gold who will do what he has to, when he has to, to keep Martha and her daughter safe. And he can still bring the bad guys to their knees, literally and figuratively. I found him intriguing.

I think I will read more in this series; if the whole Red John thing persists, I’m outy, but I really liked Martha and her circle, and I want to know more. I like the author’s writing style and character development. Leese also writes the Jonathan Roper series, which features a detective with autism. (Roper makes a cross-over appearance in this story.) I haven’t read that yet, but I did put the first book on my wish list.

[Louise Ridout · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the second in the Martha Munro series, and I was hoping for a better story as I didn’t really enjoy the first. Sadly it wasn’t to be, and this one follows the same themes as the last, namely being incredibly far fetched with obnoxious and unlikeable characters. Whilst I appreciate that this is a work of fiction, if you are basing a story about police procedures and investigations, I do feel there needs to be elements of realism to it, and these stories don’t feel like that have any.

Martha projects herself as a victim and someone who has been set up previously, and thinks everyone is out to get her, but she is not innocent, and comes across as someone who cuts corners and rejects authority, thinking her way is best. She is not a character i feel any sympathy or support for, and the way people seem to pander to her (being given a temporary but massive promotion, seemingly having senior officers constantly praise her etc) is unjustified, and unrealistic. The amount of ‘lucky guesses’ and random coincidences in helping solve the case is silly too, and how the main story is supposed to relate to Martha thinking her enemies are back and this is all about her, is beyond me.

The ending, and this contains no spoilers, is disappointing in that it just stops mid story with no conclusion whatsoever. I’m all for cliff hangers or themes running throughout books but this just feels as though the author just stopped mid way through and it hugely frustrating. Overall I found this more disappointing than the first in the series, and despite the unknown ending, I can’t see myself returning for book 3.

Thank you to netgalley and Joffe books for an arc of this for review consideration. All thoughts are my own.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for this eARC.

This is the second book in the authors Martha Munro series and whilst I think it can be read on its own I'd say read the previous book first. I wished I had, and will be doing exactly that when I can. There are references to previous events which I don't feel detract from the plot in The Trap, if anything the hints have piqued my interest. I think this is a very well written and engaging read and I really liked Martha and cared for her, and like her back history. She initially investigates what appears to be a simple case which is anything but and becomes more serious and sinister. Is all as it seems though and who can she trust? I thoroughly enjoyed this read and loved the suspense and intrigue Michael Leese introduced. I was hooked from the first page to the last and often had no idea what direction the plot line would go. Despite its slowish start, this read grabbed my attention and interest very quickly and I loved all the developments that certainly kept me on my toes as the book progressed. I thought the book flowed and really well and has themes of corruption making it a very believable and realistic read that I would return to whenever I could. I liked that the story was told through different character perspectives and getting to know them. Some I really liked, others I loathed and I thought the pacing was spot on. If you are a fan of police procedurals and crime books I would recommend this and I for one will be eagerly awaiting the next book to see where it goes.

4 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Joffe Books for sending me the advanced copy of this novel to read and review. At the time that I started it I didn’t realise that this was the 2nd in the series but it soon became clear when there were lots of references to things that had happened in the past. Very often a writer would give a brief synopsis of the history just to allow for the fact that the reader may have started the series with book 2, but this did not happen which was a little frustrating because the reader then must guess and assume they know the back story. I felt the book itself was written in a great hurry as there were a lot of sections that seemed to repeat themselves and quite a bit of the narrative was corny and quite sloppy. The humour throughout was quite basic and childish and I just couldn’t find any feelings of empathy with any of the characters. The plot was quite horrific in places and, although the main point of the story seemed to be about mind control, there was never anything that explained how it worked or even what the reason for it was. In a lot of ways, I felt that reading the whole thing was pretty much time wasted, as the final few chapters were very rushed, with a completely unexpected and sudden ending and no real conclusion. Obviously, the idea is that it leads into the next in the series, but I felt I had no sense of finishing the book and, quite frankly I have no intention of reading the next one. All in all, I regret to say that I didn’t enjoy this novel.

[Misfits farm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Detective Martha Munro has been sent to Dulwich with its high class houses to check out a spate of cats going missing by a sergeant who would love nothing more than to put her on a wild goose chase. Martha isn't just any detective- last year she fought off her daughter being kidnapped and being sent to prison herself due to a criminal who wanted revenge for Martha's father who was also in the police with a clear up rate that included top brass as well as criminals. Martha finds that the Brown family have received a text threatening their children, which ups the ante somewhat. Mr Brown is a wealthy hedge fund manager and used to getting threats but when it's his family involved he needs help which Martha provides in the shape of Julie, and what a shape!

This is such a wonderful brilliant read that I quickly loved. There's a steely character in Martha and some humour around Julie which is fine tuned to perfection. It's a clever premise which has its twists and turns bringing the past into current crime with Martha and her family as well as the residents of the area involved. It’s one of those "just one more chapter" books which is quickly devoured leaving a smile on the face of the reader. I truly loved this and can't wait for the next one. There’s just something really special about this. Five big stars.

[Carole Gourlay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was delighted to be offered this book by Joffe as an ARC. The first one in the series was absolutely fabulous, but this beats it hands down.

We follow on with what happened to Martha in the first book, but this time, she really doesn’t know who she can trust apart from Harry and Julie. The depth of corruption knows no boundaries, and Martha is very wary. Who is trying to trap her?

When Martha returns to work, It all starts with rather mediocre crimes involving cats that go missing but are returned safe and well. Why would someone do such a thing? What follows and builds into one of the most hair raising stories I’ve ever read, and is guaranteed to keep you guessing. It did make me wonder where the author got his ideas from. There are not many books that can really grip me and make me wonder who is behind it all. It is absolutely brilliant. I read it into the early hours and finished it in a day.

I’m not going to say anymore about it, but do read the first one to get Martha’s background and the reasons behind it all. I’m sure after the ending that Michael will be writing a third one. I do hope so.

My thanks to Michael and Joffe publishers for the ARC.

[Gordon Johnston · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second in the Martha Munro series is engaging and fast paced, although one or two areas stretch credulity a little. The core story from the first novel is continued, with Harry and his underworld contacts again coming to the fore in Martha's defence.

DC Munro is ordered to investigate a series of cat abductions. This seems an oddly trivial assignment for a detective, but she has to comply. Somehow this quickly escalates into threatening behaviour and then several shocking, and apparently random, murders.

Martha instigates, strangely being promoted from constable to acting inspector in the process. But as she looks into the cases, she comes to the conclusion that the whole series of events is actually designed to entrap her - into what she doesn't know.

The Trap is a well written and readable thriller. The underworld connections and strange events become a little difficult to believe in places, but the characters are well developed and the reader is drawn further into the bizarre scenario facing Martha.

[Mary Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Following on from events in the first book, Martha is back on the job and sent to investigate some cat abductions where the cats turn up unharmed a few days later. It sounds ridiculous but then escalates when 1 of the cat owners is targeted implying their kids are next.

The link to people in the first book is strong throughout so I'd recommend starting with that one. It is still as implausible as before but this is a work of fiction so I'm always happy to sit back and enjoy without the need for being pedantic about procedures and the like. There were plenty of twists and I wasn't sure which end was up and one particular scene that shocked me and then it ended, leaving some things unanswered and leaving me pining for the next one. There is a nice interlink with a character from the author's other series which I hope leads to further involvement in this series also.

Thanks to Joffe Books for a copy of this and this is my honest review.

[Pat Simpson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in the series featuring Detective Martha Munro. I haven’t read the first book but enjoyed this one so much that I will certainly be reading it. After traumatic events in the first book Martha is back at work but given a mundane task of investigating the abduction of cats but who are then mysteriously returned. The case escalates when one of the families receives a threat to abduct their children. Martha’s own family also comes under threat due to her past. I don’t want to give away any spoilers other than to say I am completely hooked on this series and can’t wait for book number three.
Thanks to Netgalley and Joffe Books for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Shirley]

Following on from the last book, Martha is still worried about being at risk from a "Mr Big" type who heads up a massive criminal gang that includes police officers and the judiciary. He thinks Martha has documents bringing to her late father that give information about corruption in the police and elsewhere.
As she can't trust the police force she has her own group of trusted people to help her and protect her young daughter.
Now reinstated as a police officer she is frustrated when allocated the case of cats in one area who've gone missing and then returned. But then the case is linked to threats and much more. Someone is sending Martha a message.
Although this starts off a little slowly it develops into a Line of Duty type scenario where no-one can be trusted.

[Emerald Maple · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not sure how to rate this one. I enjoyed the book but I like to have some conclusion to the story and this felt like it ended more like a chapter than the book. I get leaving something for the next in the series, but this felt like it ended too soon with no real closure.

The book gets off to a bit of a slow start but builds quickly. Lots of intertwining stories and twists. While it can be read standalone, it feels like it will make more sense if the first in the series (The List) is read first to get more background on the characters. Plus you will certainly need to read the next one because it was left so open, so many threads out there than will likely matter in the sequel.

[June · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Detective Martha Munro Mysteries, and although it can be read as a standalone, I suggest reading the first book to get more of an insight into the characters.
It's a very enjoyable, well written storyline and plot with strong characters and nice descriptive. Also, some very clever twists and turns with revelations and a surprising outcome.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, from start to finish, and so look forward to book 3.

My thanks to Joffe books for the advanced copy. This is my honest and unbiased review.

[Ruth Matheson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall 3.5*

This book is one of the few as the second in a series, that it really is best to have read the first!. There are very few references as to what has happened in the first ( which I have not read) however brief and therefore , it does take a while to fully understand the plot. I also found it hard to believe that a Met detective would be given missing cats cases even though this is eventually missing children. I feel the potential for this series is there - just not been realised yet.

Thanks to Joffe books for the ARC to review.

[elizabeth mcguire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Martha needs all her friends

Martha continues to be pursued for what she doesn't know. But deduced it is something else her Father has hidden away that could be a problem to very serious players.
Betty, her daughter, is her main concern and she needs all her friends and friends of friends to help her secure a safe haven for her daughter while she continues to work through a myriad of happenings.

[Guy Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read and thoroughly enjoyed the List, the first in the Martha Munro series, the second was even better.
A complex plot of serial killer , mind control and Munro's nemesis pulling the strings , peril , betrayal and a cracking read.
Minor quibble being the mentioning of the Metropolitan SWAT unit, which is obviously an American police unit.It was only in a sentence, but it was a niggle that did not detract from a thrilling read.

[Martha Brindley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a bit of a slow burner but soon picks up the pace, with a few twists along the way. I quite liked the characterisation, especially our detective Martha, and the book was well plotted. it's a good read but the ending just failed to wrap things up neatly, although it left me looking forward to a follow up. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

[Collette Mcgaahan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn’t a huge fan of this book which didn’t read as smoothly as I would have liked. I don’t want to give any spoilers so I will just say the ending was certainly not what I was hoping for. If you’ve read it you will know what I mean & if you haven’t well read it and you will then know what I mean.

[Lisa reads alot Hamer · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading book 1 it was great to carry on with Martha and her group.
This one started off as a missing/returned cat story but then developed into so much more.
Soon Martha finds herself in danger but with the support of her team is on the trail of the culprit.
Although a different investigation there is also connections to the 1st book
A great series

[Gary W · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have read Michael Leese books in the past and really enjoyed them but this one was a really slog to get through. By the end of the book I was bored with Martha trying to find the devious killer. The description on Amazon was that there was a massive twist. I've just finished the book and if there was a massive twist I must of missed it.

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

After a slightly slow start, I got into the story and was hooked! I only put it down to go to sleep. A thriller with a twist is always a good one, and this book definitely had a couple of those! The ending of this book makes me look forward to the next one!

[Jeannie Bee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free ARC of this book via Joffe Books in return for an unbiased review.

The second Martha Munro book doesn’t disappoint. Lots of twists and turns and a very unexpected ending which leaves it open for the next book. I liked the crossover with Roper and Hooley too. Recommend.

[Lee Ann Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another chilling mystery

Martha's up to her ears in crime sleuthing. Michael Leese is keeping up with his deep dive into cyber crime and deadly endings. Will Martha's team find the truth? Lets hope so for her daughters sake.

[K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Martha Munro is given a case of missing cats to investigate by her DS, usually more a case for the uniforms, especially as all the cats returned.
Then she discovers the text threatening the family of one of the cat owners and then the murders start.

[Usha Ramamurthy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Trap by Michael Lees

Excellent thriller. I have read a number of this author’s books involving INSPECTOR Hooley and Jonathan Roper all of which were excellent. I am hoping to see another novel with Tony Green brought to justice by Martha.

[Julian Tremayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very intriguing story, especially with Detective Constables being temporarily upgraded to Inspectors! The book ends with the next phase of the story well prepared and I am looking forward to reading it soon.
Julian Tremayne, Pocxklington, East Yorkshire