What do you think?
Rate this book
The Dead Tell Lies
If you want to catch a serial killer, you need to think like one.
Greg Adams, a criminal psychologist at Scotland Yard, specialises in bringing serial killers to justice. He is at the top of his game, having just put away his sixth serial killer when his wife, Kate, is brutally murdered by another predator known as the Dreamer.
A year later, unable to bring the killer to justice, Greg has quit his job and is ready to end it all, when he receives a phone call from a man who tells him the Dreamer is dead, and that he didn’t kill Kate. Greg returns to Scotland Yard to work for Superintendent Chief Detective Donaldson in the hope he can re-examine the case with the help of two new detectives.
As Greg delves into the case further, he becomes more convinced that the Dreamer wasn’t the man responsible for his wife’s murder.
But if it wasn’t The Dreamer, who was it?
In order to solve the mystery around his wife’s murder, Greg is going to have to delve even deeper into the mind of a terrifying psychopath. And this time he might not make it back in one piece...
Greg Adams, a criminal psychologist at Scotland Yard, specialises in bringing serial killers to justice. He is at the top of his game, having just put away his sixth serial killer when his wife, Kate, is brutally murdered by another predator known as the Dreamer.
A year later, unable to bring the killer to justice, Greg has quit his job and is ready to end it all, when he receives a phone call from a man who tells him the Dreamer is dead, and that he didn’t kill Kate. Greg returns to Scotland Yard to work for Superintendent Chief Detective Donaldson in the hope he can re-examine the case with the help of two new detectives.
As Greg delves into the case further, he becomes more convinced that the Dreamer wasn’t the man responsible for his wife’s murder.
But if it wasn’t The Dreamer, who was it?
In order to solve the mystery around his wife’s murder, Greg is going to have to delve even deeper into the mind of a terrifying psychopath. And this time he might not make it back in one piece...
344 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 31, 2023
83 people are currently reading
11967 people want to read
About the author
J.F. Kirwan
5 books368 followersJ. F. Kirwan is the author of the Nadia Laksheva thriller series for HarperCollins. Having worked in accident investigation and prevention in nuclear, offshore oil and gas and aviation sectors, he uses his experience of how accidents initially build slowly, then race towards a climax, to plot his novels.
An instructor in both scuba diving and martial arts, he travels extensively all over the world, and loves to set his novels in exotic locations. He is also an insomniac who writes in the dead of night. His favourite authors include Lee Child, David Baldacci and Andy McNab.
An instructor in both scuba diving and martial arts, he travels extensively all over the world, and loves to set his novels in exotic locations. He is also an insomniac who writes in the dead of night. His favourite authors include Lee Child, David Baldacci and Andy McNab.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
July 15, 2020
THE DEAD TELL LIES is a psychological crime thriller by J.F. Kirwan. This is one novel that you will not be able to put down until you finish the last page. A definite winner!
A predator is on the loose!
Greg Adams, a criminal psychologist at Scotland Yard, specializes in catching serial killers. He tracks down a serial killer nicknamed the Divine, who has already killed six teenage girls and is about to kill a seventh. Greg works out the location where he is hiding and joins a raid. The police capture the Divine and save the girl, but on the very same night, Greg’s wife, Kate is brutally murdered by another serial killer, known as the Dreamer.
Each killing had a biblical echo to the act. Seven days…seven victims. To become a God.
A year later, unable to make any progress on the case, Greg has quit his job and is ready to end it all, when he receives a phone call from a man who tells him the Dreamer is dead, and that he didn’t kill Greg’s wife, Kate.
Greg returns to Scotland Yard to work for Superintendent Chief Detective Donaldson in the hope he can re-examine the case with the help of two new detectives, Finch and Matthews.
After further investigation, Greg becomes more convinced that the Dreamer wasn’t the man responsible for his wife’s murder.
But if it wasn’t the Dreamer, who was it?
In order to solve the mystery around his wife’s murder, Greg is going to have to delve even deeper into the mind of a terrifying psychopath…but at what expense! His own life was on the line!
This was a fast-paced complex plot full of tension and suspense with well-developed characters. Highly recommend this novel if you like crime, police procedurals.
Many thanks to the author, and Bloodhound Books for my digital copy.
A predator is on the loose!
Greg Adams, a criminal psychologist at Scotland Yard, specializes in catching serial killers. He tracks down a serial killer nicknamed the Divine, who has already killed six teenage girls and is about to kill a seventh. Greg works out the location where he is hiding and joins a raid. The police capture the Divine and save the girl, but on the very same night, Greg’s wife, Kate is brutally murdered by another serial killer, known as the Dreamer.
Each killing had a biblical echo to the act. Seven days…seven victims. To become a God.
A year later, unable to make any progress on the case, Greg has quit his job and is ready to end it all, when he receives a phone call from a man who tells him the Dreamer is dead, and that he didn’t kill Greg’s wife, Kate.
Greg returns to Scotland Yard to work for Superintendent Chief Detective Donaldson in the hope he can re-examine the case with the help of two new detectives, Finch and Matthews.
After further investigation, Greg becomes more convinced that the Dreamer wasn’t the man responsible for his wife’s murder.
But if it wasn’t the Dreamer, who was it?
In order to solve the mystery around his wife’s murder, Greg is going to have to delve even deeper into the mind of a terrifying psychopath…but at what expense! His own life was on the line!
This was a fast-paced complex plot full of tension and suspense with well-developed characters. Highly recommend this novel if you like crime, police procedurals.
Many thanks to the author, and Bloodhound Books for my digital copy.
July 15, 2020
Greg Adams is a criminal psychologist known for his ability to get into a killer's head. He is at the top of his game, having just put away his sixth serial killer when his wife is brutally murdered by another killer known as the Dreamer.
A year later, his wife's killer has not been found. Greg has quit his job and is contemplating suicide. He only stops from pulling the trigger when the phone rings. It's a man who states the Dreamer is dead and that he wasn't the one that killed his wife.
He returns to Scotland Yard and gets two new detectives, Finch and Matthews. As they dig much deeper, they all feel the Dreamer did not kill his wife. But if not him, then who?
And what happens when he turns from hunter to prey?
With an intricately written fast-paced plot varied with twists and turns, this book features deftly drawn characters with shocking psychological undercurrents. The ending was explosive and unexpected. There are no cliffhangers, but I can see where a sequel might be possible ... maybe leading to a series.
Many thanks to the author / Bloodhound Books for the digital copy of this psychological thriller/crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
A year later, his wife's killer has not been found. Greg has quit his job and is contemplating suicide. He only stops from pulling the trigger when the phone rings. It's a man who states the Dreamer is dead and that he wasn't the one that killed his wife.
He returns to Scotland Yard and gets two new detectives, Finch and Matthews. As they dig much deeper, they all feel the Dreamer did not kill his wife. But if not him, then who?
And what happens when he turns from hunter to prey?
With an intricately written fast-paced plot varied with twists and turns, this book features deftly drawn characters with shocking psychological undercurrents. The ending was explosive and unexpected. There are no cliffhangers, but I can see where a sequel might be possible ... maybe leading to a series.
Many thanks to the author / Bloodhound Books for the digital copy of this psychological thriller/crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
July 21, 2020
I absolutely love discovering new authors and J. F. Kirwan is definitely a new author for me. Judging by how much I enjoyed reading 'The Dead Tell Lies', I can guarantee that I will be reading more of his work in the future. I thoroughly enjoyed reading 'The Dead Tell Lies' but more about that in a bit.
The main character is a man called Greg Adams, who as the story begins works as a criminal psychologist at New Scotland Yard. I was so jealous of his work as becoming a criminal psychologist has to be one of my dream jobs. Anyway back to the review. When the story opens he is married. Things start to fall apart and Greg ends up leaving the role he excelled in. He withdraws into himself and develops mental health problems. Something happens which ends up leading Greg back to his former role and he seems to come alive again. I am sorry that I have been a bit vague about things but I don't want to give away any spoilers as I would hate to spoil the book for anybody.
I have to be honest and say that it took me a little while to get into this book, which has more to do with the fact that I was tired when I started to read the book rather than a criticism of the author. I was drawn into the story from fairly early on. The story opens with a pretty shocking incident, which grabbed my attention from the start. From then on, it felt as though the book had developed a hold over me and it was a hold that I was not willing to break. I was intrigued to see in which direction the story was going to go and I couldn't turn the pages quick enough. I wasn't able to binge read the book over the course of a day but I did read it over the course of a few days.
'The Dead Tell Lies' is well written. The author has one of those very vivid and realistic writing styles which makes you feel as though you are part of the story and with Greg every step of the way. That's how I felt at any rate. Some of the details of the crimes are pretty graphic but that didn't really bother me. (I grew up in a family of nurses with graphic details of injuries and things). I thought that the author started the story with a bang and at the start the story was a little slow to get going but as time went on, the story gathered momentum and the tension levels increased, which led to a tense and dramatic conclusion. 'The Dead Tell Lies' is well written with a tight plot. I was gripped by the story and on the edge of my seat for most of the book.
In short, I really enjoyed reading 'The Dead Tell Lies' and I would recommend this book to other readers. I can definitely guarantee that I will be reading more of this author's work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
The main character is a man called Greg Adams, who as the story begins works as a criminal psychologist at New Scotland Yard. I was so jealous of his work as becoming a criminal psychologist has to be one of my dream jobs. Anyway back to the review. When the story opens he is married. Things start to fall apart and Greg ends up leaving the role he excelled in. He withdraws into himself and develops mental health problems. Something happens which ends up leading Greg back to his former role and he seems to come alive again. I am sorry that I have been a bit vague about things but I don't want to give away any spoilers as I would hate to spoil the book for anybody.
I have to be honest and say that it took me a little while to get into this book, which has more to do with the fact that I was tired when I started to read the book rather than a criticism of the author. I was drawn into the story from fairly early on. The story opens with a pretty shocking incident, which grabbed my attention from the start. From then on, it felt as though the book had developed a hold over me and it was a hold that I was not willing to break. I was intrigued to see in which direction the story was going to go and I couldn't turn the pages quick enough. I wasn't able to binge read the book over the course of a day but I did read it over the course of a few days.
'The Dead Tell Lies' is well written. The author has one of those very vivid and realistic writing styles which makes you feel as though you are part of the story and with Greg every step of the way. That's how I felt at any rate. Some of the details of the crimes are pretty graphic but that didn't really bother me. (I grew up in a family of nurses with graphic details of injuries and things). I thought that the author started the story with a bang and at the start the story was a little slow to get going but as time went on, the story gathered momentum and the tension levels increased, which led to a tense and dramatic conclusion. 'The Dead Tell Lies' is well written with a tight plot. I was gripped by the story and on the edge of my seat for most of the book.
In short, I really enjoyed reading 'The Dead Tell Lies' and I would recommend this book to other readers. I can definitely guarantee that I will be reading more of this author's work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
July 16, 2020
A psychologist who works with New Scotland Yard profiling serial killers, Greg Adams has figured out the pattern of the latest spree serial killer, The Divine, and rushes with law enforcement to stop the man from killing his next victim. However, only moments after seeing the psychopath led away in handcuffs, Greg’s world is upended when he learns his wife, Kate, was just murdered by another serial killer known as The Dreamer.
The hunt for The Dreamer goes nowhere. Burdened with grief and guilt, Greg walks away from his job. At the end of his sanity, he opts to take his life with a cruel game of Russian Roulette… that is interrupted by a frantic phone call telling him Kate wasn’t killed by The Dreamer a year earlier because he was already dead.
Despite knowing he’s too close to the case… and too close to the edge of his sanity, Greg is allowed back on the job to pursue the case. The info the mysterious caller gives him ignites his coldfire—his ability to get inside a serial killer’s head—and become the killer.
However, before this read is anywhere near the end, Greg Adams will be arrested for serial murder, locked up in a mental hospital, come face to face with true evil… and his own mortality.
I loved the plot and foreshadowing of The Dead Tell Lies and could barely catch my breath at the constant twists thrown in my path. But, it is the well-written characters that kept me turning pages!
Greg is a sympathetic character, but not for the obvious reason… the death of his wife. He’s smart and good at his job. Sometimes too good, and it takes him to some dark places few can go and return sane. He must revisit the crimes and lives of the six killers he helped capture to keep any more lives from being lost. Including his own.
DCIs Donaldson, Finch, and Matthews are more than just supporting players who seem unlikable in the beginning. Convinced of Greg’s innocence, they’re each put through their paces, risking their jobs and their lives to solve the case.
Having read and enjoyed J.F. Kirwan’s last suspense series, I had high expectations for The Dead Tell Lies, and it met… and surpassed them all.
Enjoy!
The hunt for The Dreamer goes nowhere. Burdened with grief and guilt, Greg walks away from his job. At the end of his sanity, he opts to take his life with a cruel game of Russian Roulette… that is interrupted by a frantic phone call telling him Kate wasn’t killed by The Dreamer a year earlier because he was already dead.
Despite knowing he’s too close to the case… and too close to the edge of his sanity, Greg is allowed back on the job to pursue the case. The info the mysterious caller gives him ignites his coldfire—his ability to get inside a serial killer’s head—and become the killer.
However, before this read is anywhere near the end, Greg Adams will be arrested for serial murder, locked up in a mental hospital, come face to face with true evil… and his own mortality.
I loved the plot and foreshadowing of The Dead Tell Lies and could barely catch my breath at the constant twists thrown in my path. But, it is the well-written characters that kept me turning pages!
Greg is a sympathetic character, but not for the obvious reason… the death of his wife. He’s smart and good at his job. Sometimes too good, and it takes him to some dark places few can go and return sane. He must revisit the crimes and lives of the six killers he helped capture to keep any more lives from being lost. Including his own.
DCIs Donaldson, Finch, and Matthews are more than just supporting players who seem unlikable in the beginning. Convinced of Greg’s innocence, they’re each put through their paces, risking their jobs and their lives to solve the case.
Having read and enjoyed J.F. Kirwan’s last suspense series, I had high expectations for The Dead Tell Lies, and it met… and surpassed them all.
Enjoy!
July 22, 2020
The Dead Tell Lies by J F Kirwan is a psychological thriller about which I will be discussing today. I have read the author’s Nadia Laksheva series but this one, I must say, is my favourite!
An adrenaline pumping page turner which will not allow you to rest until you’ve finished it, that is guaranteed! For a thriller fan like me, it is so satisfying to come across these reads and this year, I have been particularly lucky. This book has already made it to the list of my top books.
Okay, enough rambling and on to the review!
Summary
Greg Adams, a criminal psychologist at Scotland Yard, specialises in bringing serial killers to justice. He tracks down a spree serial killer nicknamed the Divine, who has already killed six teenage girls and is about to kill a seventh. Greg works out the location where he is hiding and joins a raid. The police capture the Divine and save the girl, but on the very same night, Greg’s wife is brutally murdered by another serial killer, known as the Dreamer.
A year later, unable to bring the killer to justice, Greg has quit his job and is ready to end it all, when he receives a phone call from a man who tells him the Dreamer is dead, and that he didn’t kill Greg’s wife, Kate.
Greg returns to Scotland Yard to work for Superintendent Chief Detective Donaldson in the hope he can re-examine the case with the help of two new detectives, Finch and Matthews.
As Greg delves into the case further, he becomes more convinced that the Dreamer wasn’t the man responsible for his wife’s murder.
But if it wasn’t the Dreamer, who was it?
In order to solve the mystery around his wife’s murder, Greg is going to have to delve even deeper into the mind of a terrifying psychopath. And this time he might not make it back in one piece…
What I Liked
Like the sound of it so far? I bet you do! If you’re a psychological thriller fanatic like me, then you won’t be able to help yourself.
Okay, where do I start? The book begins with a no-nonsense approach to the story – typical Kirwan style – and the right narrative does the rest. I was hooked on to it and did not dare put the book down.
The author has such amazing story telling skills and that is not a trait found easily. Brilliant writing and a tight plot is what makes the story a gripping read.
The description of the serial killers and how they think is the highlight of the book. To think that Greg has to mimic their thoughts and emotions made me realise how crooked this thing can get. New found respect towards psychiatrists!
Greg Adams is an interesting character, especially because of the almost insane streak to his personality. It was fascinating to see him profile the characters. His encounters with the serial killers were realistic enough to send chills down my spine.
Honestly speaking, there came a time when I deliberately stopped reading because it was nearly midnight and I was afraid to meet the killer face to face in the next chapter (yeah, I’m nervy like that). It took me some time to fall asleep after constantly checking outside the window. That’s how great the narrative is.
What I Did Not Like
It ended too soon! Also, I have never read about serial killers working this way (together, I mean) but honestly, after a point I didn’t care.
Other Details
I really hope this is a series. I would love to see Greg Adams in action again. Here are the links to my reviews of the author’s previous works. You can take a look, if you like.
37 Hours (Nadia Laksheva Spy Thriller #2)
88 North (Nadia Laksheva Spy Thriller #3)
Would I Recommend It?
Did you notice the rating I gave this book? And also that this is Book Vue recommended? So, the answer is – hell yeah! Don’t miss out on this one people! You’ll regret it if you do!
An adrenaline pumping page turner which will not allow you to rest until you’ve finished it, that is guaranteed! For a thriller fan like me, it is so satisfying to come across these reads and this year, I have been particularly lucky. This book has already made it to the list of my top books.
Okay, enough rambling and on to the review!
Summary
Greg Adams, a criminal psychologist at Scotland Yard, specialises in bringing serial killers to justice. He tracks down a spree serial killer nicknamed the Divine, who has already killed six teenage girls and is about to kill a seventh. Greg works out the location where he is hiding and joins a raid. The police capture the Divine and save the girl, but on the very same night, Greg’s wife is brutally murdered by another serial killer, known as the Dreamer.
A year later, unable to bring the killer to justice, Greg has quit his job and is ready to end it all, when he receives a phone call from a man who tells him the Dreamer is dead, and that he didn’t kill Greg’s wife, Kate.
Greg returns to Scotland Yard to work for Superintendent Chief Detective Donaldson in the hope he can re-examine the case with the help of two new detectives, Finch and Matthews.
As Greg delves into the case further, he becomes more convinced that the Dreamer wasn’t the man responsible for his wife’s murder.
But if it wasn’t the Dreamer, who was it?
In order to solve the mystery around his wife’s murder, Greg is going to have to delve even deeper into the mind of a terrifying psychopath. And this time he might not make it back in one piece…
What I Liked
Like the sound of it so far? I bet you do! If you’re a psychological thriller fanatic like me, then you won’t be able to help yourself.
Okay, where do I start? The book begins with a no-nonsense approach to the story – typical Kirwan style – and the right narrative does the rest. I was hooked on to it and did not dare put the book down.
The author has such amazing story telling skills and that is not a trait found easily. Brilliant writing and a tight plot is what makes the story a gripping read.
The description of the serial killers and how they think is the highlight of the book. To think that Greg has to mimic their thoughts and emotions made me realise how crooked this thing can get. New found respect towards psychiatrists!
Greg Adams is an interesting character, especially because of the almost insane streak to his personality. It was fascinating to see him profile the characters. His encounters with the serial killers were realistic enough to send chills down my spine.
Honestly speaking, there came a time when I deliberately stopped reading because it was nearly midnight and I was afraid to meet the killer face to face in the next chapter (yeah, I’m nervy like that). It took me some time to fall asleep after constantly checking outside the window. That’s how great the narrative is.
What I Did Not Like
It ended too soon! Also, I have never read about serial killers working this way (together, I mean) but honestly, after a point I didn’t care.
Other Details
I really hope this is a series. I would love to see Greg Adams in action again. Here are the links to my reviews of the author’s previous works. You can take a look, if you like.
37 Hours (Nadia Laksheva Spy Thriller #2)
88 North (Nadia Laksheva Spy Thriller #3)
Would I Recommend It?
Did you notice the rating I gave this book? And also that this is Book Vue recommended? So, the answer is – hell yeah! Don’t miss out on this one people! You’ll regret it if you do!
July 14, 2020
Serial killers in London are a bit like buses in this book - they certainly all seem to have come at once for Greg Adams who has now been involved in the capture of no less than six. In true serial killer fashion, they are all given names like The Torch and The Gravedigger. Not only that but whilst he was helping catch number six, The Divine, yet another one known as The Dreamer was murdering Greg's wife Kate. Or at least that's what everyone has believed up till now. Three months before the start of the story Greg had left his job as a criminal psychologist at New Scotland Yard after failing to find his wife's killer. It's been a year since Kate was slain and Greg has given up on life altogether. He is stopped by a very well timed telephone call from a stranger who tells him The Dreamer is dead and hadn't been responsible for Kate's death. Doubts are cast in Greg's mind. He takes this information back to his old boss, DCS Donaldson, and is grudgingly allowed back on the case, although his real boss, Professor Rickard, an eminent psychiatrist and psychologist, has misgivings about Greg's state of mind. That's rich, considering he is employed as one of those people who can step inside the mind of the killers and think they way they think. Fine, so long as he can stop doing that when he comes back out of their heads again! He sets up a meeting with the man who telephoned him, not knowing if this person is a complete nutter or has valuable information. He is still undecided when he leaves Fergus, the caller, later that night. Then things take a turn for the worse when he meets DCI Finch and DCI Matthews. Instead of helping him with his investigation, they arrest him. It looks like there is a new killer on the block and Greg might just be on his radar. He'll need all his skills to dig into the past as well as current cases to bring this one to justice. I liked most of the main characters who were well described and easy to get to know. The two DCIs were very different kinds of detectives but I liked both Finch and Matthews for their complementing qualities which made them such a great team together. Early on in the book there were quite a lot of descriptive passages which took a bit more reading and understanding, and then lots more action toward the end as the story hotted up and kept me eager for answers. Some parts were relatively easy to figure out or guess what had actually happened - the clues are all there for the reader - but it was nice to get to the end and be proved right with still a few surprises along the way. The story was a little bit too incredible at times, as one serial killer at a time is unusual enough but then again it is fiction! 4.5*
July 8, 2020
Another author who is new to me courtesy of the dependable Bloodhound Books and an absolutely cracking novel! Greg Adams is a psychologist who works with Scotland Yard and he is responsible for the incarceration of a number of serial killers. When his wife is murdered by one of the aforementioned Greg is tempted to end it all but is persuaded to take the case on, at great risk to himself. The narrative is tense and taut, the twists and turns of plot are plentiful and I hope there is more to come from Mr Kirwan. Superb!
September 12, 2023
Greg Adams is a criminal psychologist and works at Scotland Yard. When Greg’s wife, Kate is found murdered by a killer called The Dreamer, Greg tries to find him. When he can’t, he quits his job and feels he can’t carry on without Kate. As he is about to kill himself, he receives a phone call stating that The Dreamer is dead and he didn’t kill Kate! This phone call makes Greg go back to work and start hunting for who did kill his wife.
This is the first book of J.F. Kirwan’s that I have read and it certainly won’t be my last. It is an intense and gripping thriller that I didn’t want to end. There were plenty of twists throughout the story. It is a complex but compelling read.
This is the first book of J.F. Kirwan’s that I have read and it certainly won’t be my last. It is an intense and gripping thriller that I didn’t want to end. There were plenty of twists throughout the story. It is a complex but compelling read.
July 17, 2020
Before, I wouldn't read many Thriller, except for a couple of authors I absolutely love. Recently that as changed and I sound out that I quite enjoy reading thriller/crime/mystery novels in the late afternoon. Especially now with the summery weather here in Portugal. I get tired and a thrilling book is what I need to get my energy levels up.
"The Dead Tell Lies" caught my attention immediately when I read the title. Who wouldn't be curious to read the synopsis and, knowing it's a crime/thriller novel, grab it and read it?
We follow Greg Adams, a criminal psychologist at Scotland Yard, in a hunt for the truth and for the serial killer. If my attention was already on alert, once I started reading the first couple of pages, I got very intrigued.
The characters were fascinating and well developed. I felt connected with the story through them. I felt their emotions, the action and frustration, the pressing need to figure out the next move. I was at the edge of my seat while reading, because I felt as if I was right beside the characters.
Then there is the plot. The twists and turns. The action moments that got my heart racing. The fast pace. The thrilling of what the next chapter, the next page, would reveal. And it was personal, since we were following Greg.
Overall, I absolutely enjoyed it. It made me think of some thriller movies that I love, because of how exciting and visual it was.
[I want to thank Rachel, at Rachel’s Random Resources, and J.F. Kirwan for the eCopy of this book and for allowing me to join in the fun and being a part of the blog tour with my honest review of the book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.]
"The Dead Tell Lies" caught my attention immediately when I read the title. Who wouldn't be curious to read the synopsis and, knowing it's a crime/thriller novel, grab it and read it?
We follow Greg Adams, a criminal psychologist at Scotland Yard, in a hunt for the truth and for the serial killer. If my attention was already on alert, once I started reading the first couple of pages, I got very intrigued.
The characters were fascinating and well developed. I felt connected with the story through them. I felt their emotions, the action and frustration, the pressing need to figure out the next move. I was at the edge of my seat while reading, because I felt as if I was right beside the characters.
Then there is the plot. The twists and turns. The action moments that got my heart racing. The fast pace. The thrilling of what the next chapter, the next page, would reveal. And it was personal, since we were following Greg.
Overall, I absolutely enjoyed it. It made me think of some thriller movies that I love, because of how exciting and visual it was.
[I want to thank Rachel, at Rachel’s Random Resources, and J.F. Kirwan for the eCopy of this book and for allowing me to join in the fun and being a part of the blog tour with my honest review of the book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.]
July 15, 2020
Plot/Narrative
Greg an ex psychologist/criminologist who worked at Scotland Yard who get inside the minds of serial killers and hunts them down stopped when his wife Kate was brutally murdered in the most sickening way by the serial killer, The Dreamer. He successfully put away a few serial killers in his career.
After handing in his license, and so very near to ending his own life not being able to go on with his life without Late. He receives a phone call just at the right time.
He has now been called in as a consultant on the very case of his wife's murder and other murdered victims. Working alongside Finch, Matthews and Donaldson.
How many serial killers can you fit into one book? If you love serial killers, let me just say you will NOT be disappointed during and after reading this book. Oh my goodness gracious me!! (Also if this doesn't become a series featuring more of Mr Greg Adams, Finch and Matthews, I will forever feel sad.)
This clever serial killer packed plot is suburb. This is honestly such an intriguing, smart and fantastically woven plotline.
A nail-biting, bone sawing, a sweat-inducing and fire-starting tale of murders, sickening serial killers with gruesome MOs, tension-filled atmospheric chilling physiological thriller.
Characters
Greg Adams is a psychologist/criminologist. He hunts down serial killers and gets inside there brains. An exceptionally smart and super interesting character. I have to say I fell in love with gregs great character, I just find psychologists/psychology so fascinating as much as the way serial killers minds fascinate me in morbid curiosity.
Kate - Greg's wife who was murdered
Jennifer - Greg's ex-wife who is also a psychologist.
Donaldson - Detective Chief Inspector(DCI).
DI Finch and Matthews
Rikard - Top psychiatrist, socialite etc.
Ah, the characters, where to start. Honestly, there were so many truly wonderful and interesting also awful, horrible and downright sickening characters within this book.
As well as Greg, I would love to get to know more about Matthews and Finch as I have taken to their characters to. They both have very different personalities which makes for a pretty good unique crime-fighting team and would love to join them on there developing work relationship ( hint hint again )
Writing style/pacing
This is written via Greg Adams, Point of view which I have to say is one of my favourite views to read from.
I'm not sure how J.F has written such an intricate complex genius plot with an awesome writing style and perfect pacing. It is fast-paced but you force yourself to slow down so you can really take in all aspects of the book especially getting beneath the layers of Greg and how his mind works.
Themes/Setting
Set in London, UK. Brilliant setting the scene and brings London to life making it extra realistic. Hints of Birmingham through too.
If you are interested maybe slightly morbidly obsessed with serial killers and there mystifying mind then you will LOVE this book. Mindhunters 4.0 within fiction.
More reviews at www.readingthroughthepain.blog
Greg an ex psychologist/criminologist who worked at Scotland Yard who get inside the minds of serial killers and hunts them down stopped when his wife Kate was brutally murdered in the most sickening way by the serial killer, The Dreamer. He successfully put away a few serial killers in his career.
After handing in his license, and so very near to ending his own life not being able to go on with his life without Late. He receives a phone call just at the right time.
He has now been called in as a consultant on the very case of his wife's murder and other murdered victims. Working alongside Finch, Matthews and Donaldson.
How many serial killers can you fit into one book? If you love serial killers, let me just say you will NOT be disappointed during and after reading this book. Oh my goodness gracious me!! (Also if this doesn't become a series featuring more of Mr Greg Adams, Finch and Matthews, I will forever feel sad.)
This clever serial killer packed plot is suburb. This is honestly such an intriguing, smart and fantastically woven plotline.
A nail-biting, bone sawing, a sweat-inducing and fire-starting tale of murders, sickening serial killers with gruesome MOs, tension-filled atmospheric chilling physiological thriller.
Characters
Greg Adams is a psychologist/criminologist. He hunts down serial killers and gets inside there brains. An exceptionally smart and super interesting character. I have to say I fell in love with gregs great character, I just find psychologists/psychology so fascinating as much as the way serial killers minds fascinate me in morbid curiosity.
Kate - Greg's wife who was murdered
Jennifer - Greg's ex-wife who is also a psychologist.
Donaldson - Detective Chief Inspector(DCI).
DI Finch and Matthews
Rikard - Top psychiatrist, socialite etc.
Ah, the characters, where to start. Honestly, there were so many truly wonderful and interesting also awful, horrible and downright sickening characters within this book.
As well as Greg, I would love to get to know more about Matthews and Finch as I have taken to their characters to. They both have very different personalities which makes for a pretty good unique crime-fighting team and would love to join them on there developing work relationship ( hint hint again )
Writing style/pacing
This is written via Greg Adams, Point of view which I have to say is one of my favourite views to read from.
I'm not sure how J.F has written such an intricate complex genius plot with an awesome writing style and perfect pacing. It is fast-paced but you force yourself to slow down so you can really take in all aspects of the book especially getting beneath the layers of Greg and how his mind works.
Themes/Setting
Set in London, UK. Brilliant setting the scene and brings London to life making it extra realistic. Hints of Birmingham through too.
If you are interested maybe slightly morbidly obsessed with serial killers and there mystifying mind then you will LOVE this book. Mindhunters 4.0 within fiction.
More reviews at www.readingthroughthepain.blog
May 6, 2024
My Rating: 3⭐️⭐️⭐️ rounded down from 3.5 - enjoyable and would definitely keep reading the series.
If you want to catch a serial killer, you need to think like one.
Greg Adams, a criminal psychologist at Scotland Yard, specialises in bringing serial killers to justice. He is at the top of his game, having just put away his sixth serial killer when his wife, Kat, is brutally murdered by another predator known as the Dreamer.
A year later, unable to bring the killer to justice, Greg has quit his job and is ready to end it all, when he receives a phone call from a man who tells him the Dreamer is dead, and that he didn’t kill Kate. Greg returns to Scotland Yard to work for Superintendent Chief Detective Donaldson in the hope he can re-examine the case with the helpful o two new detectives.
As Greg delves into the case further, he becomes more convinced that the Dreamer wasn’t the man responsible for his wife’s murder. But if it wasn’t the Dreamer then who was it?
So full disclosure I am really behind in my reviews and so this might not be as detailed as I usually do… but I will say up front that I liked this one. Don’t let the 3 stars deter you… its a good three stars and actually a 3.5. I am hoping this is going to be a series and I will definitely read the next one in the set.
I love me a fictional serial killer novel and this one had all the makings of something dark and twisty so sign me up. I liked Greg… he was weird but also clever… not without his issues but that made it more real for me. I really liked the duo detectives in this one… and for the life of me I cannot think of their names but their dynamic added to the story… the female detective with a little bit to prove but some dark stories in her background… teamed up with the rough and boyish detective who no one takes too seriously but they all listen when he’s onto something. I really liked them as a team.
The one thing I hated about this novel and probably most serial killer novels is the stupid names they got The Dreamer, The Torch and other such stupid names… I get it and they do say the media named them which is pretty well true in most of these cases… but jeez talk about corny names… it did not make me rate it down I just wanted it out there that I think the names are dumb.
I liked the pace of this novel it read well and I really enjoyed it as an entry point into these characters lives… why then didn’t I rate it higher… the simple reason is I have read better novels in this genre… that is not to shit on this one but there are scales of what I like and this is midway… I would still highly recommend to anyone who likes this genre though.
Overall a good fast paced brutal novel with some graphic violence I might add… if you are into serial killer fiction give this a go.
If you want to catch a serial killer, you need to think like one.
Greg Adams, a criminal psychologist at Scotland Yard, specialises in bringing serial killers to justice. He is at the top of his game, having just put away his sixth serial killer when his wife, Kat, is brutally murdered by another predator known as the Dreamer.
A year later, unable to bring the killer to justice, Greg has quit his job and is ready to end it all, when he receives a phone call from a man who tells him the Dreamer is dead, and that he didn’t kill Kate. Greg returns to Scotland Yard to work for Superintendent Chief Detective Donaldson in the hope he can re-examine the case with the helpful o two new detectives.
As Greg delves into the case further, he becomes more convinced that the Dreamer wasn’t the man responsible for his wife’s murder. But if it wasn’t the Dreamer then who was it?
So full disclosure I am really behind in my reviews and so this might not be as detailed as I usually do… but I will say up front that I liked this one. Don’t let the 3 stars deter you… its a good three stars and actually a 3.5. I am hoping this is going to be a series and I will definitely read the next one in the set.
I love me a fictional serial killer novel and this one had all the makings of something dark and twisty so sign me up. I liked Greg… he was weird but also clever… not without his issues but that made it more real for me. I really liked the duo detectives in this one… and for the life of me I cannot think of their names but their dynamic added to the story… the female detective with a little bit to prove but some dark stories in her background… teamed up with the rough and boyish detective who no one takes too seriously but they all listen when he’s onto something. I really liked them as a team.
The one thing I hated about this novel and probably most serial killer novels is the stupid names they got The Dreamer, The Torch and other such stupid names… I get it and they do say the media named them which is pretty well true in most of these cases… but jeez talk about corny names… it did not make me rate it down I just wanted it out there that I think the names are dumb.
I liked the pace of this novel it read well and I really enjoyed it as an entry point into these characters lives… why then didn’t I rate it higher… the simple reason is I have read better novels in this genre… that is not to shit on this one but there are scales of what I like and this is midway… I would still highly recommend to anyone who likes this genre though.
Overall a good fast paced brutal novel with some graphic violence I might add… if you are into serial killer fiction give this a go.
November 29, 2025
I got a degree in Psychology because I find it fascinating but I also know I don’t have enough compassion, or is it empathy?, to deal with mundane problems of others so I never intended to go into the field. I guess that makes me awful but I am being honest. I always thought I would tell people to stop whining and grow up. Probably not a good psychologist! Anyway I guess the appeal of this book for me is the psychologist, Greg, as the main character who is tracking down serial killers. And he is really good at it! This book was very intelligent and that also appealed to me. Serial killers are the most horrible evil people and it makes me sick how everyone knows their names because of all the documentaries about them. On the other hand, maybe some people who would look the other way over some suspicious behaviors might be made more aware. Hard to say. Anyway, I thought this was pretty intense and I thoroughly enjoyed it while being horrified many times over. I wonder where the gun pointed in the end??
July 15, 2020
Struggling to recover from the murder of his wife, Kate, criminal psychologist Greg Adams feels unable to work. Feeling suicidal, he decides to play Russian Roulette, something he and Kate had joked about in happier times. But his attempt is interrupted by a phone call that throws into question the identity of Kate’s murderer.
Adams decides to return to his job, profiling and attempting to secure convictions of serial killers, determined to find out the truth behind Kate’s murder, and in the process along with his police colleagues Finch, Matthews and Donaldson, discovers a chilling series of links between previous known serial killers and a collection of current murders.
Their detective work leads us on a dark, twisting journey through the minds of some of the most evil people it is possible to imagine, several of them incarcerated in the high security facility “Reedmoor” (easily identifiable as a thinly disguised Broadmoor, although I was disappointed to find no mention anywhere online of the real Broadmoor using a Golden Eagle to scout for drones – I was all set to head off to Sandhurst with my binoculars) .
A fast paced and thrilling book packed with dramatic twists and close escapes, where the finger of suspicion moves rapidly from character to character. I found almost all of the characters to be likeable, even some of the killers, and even the dislikeable ones were well written and easy to visualise.
A book to read when you know you have time to read it in one sitting if possible, because you won’t want to put it down!
Adams decides to return to his job, profiling and attempting to secure convictions of serial killers, determined to find out the truth behind Kate’s murder, and in the process along with his police colleagues Finch, Matthews and Donaldson, discovers a chilling series of links between previous known serial killers and a collection of current murders.
Their detective work leads us on a dark, twisting journey through the minds of some of the most evil people it is possible to imagine, several of them incarcerated in the high security facility “Reedmoor” (easily identifiable as a thinly disguised Broadmoor, although I was disappointed to find no mention anywhere online of the real Broadmoor using a Golden Eagle to scout for drones – I was all set to head off to Sandhurst with my binoculars) .
A fast paced and thrilling book packed with dramatic twists and close escapes, where the finger of suspicion moves rapidly from character to character. I found almost all of the characters to be likeable, even some of the killers, and even the dislikeable ones were well written and easy to visualise.
A book to read when you know you have time to read it in one sitting if possible, because you won’t want to put it down!
July 16, 2020
The Dead Tell Lies is one heck of an intense thrill ride. The story follows Greg, a criminal psychologist who hunts down serial killers. He's currently on the trail of a killer called The Divine, and he's determined to save at least one of the victims. Fortunately, he does. Unfortunately, for him, his wife is murdered at the same time by a different killer called The Dreamer. What?!
A year late, Greg is ready to end it all. He doesn't have his job or his wife. What's left to live for?
A mysterious phone call comes through, and that one call changes the course of Greg's life forever (or at least for the rest of the book).
This one is taut, full of suspense and some interesting little twists. I found myself highly engaged, eager to see how everything would play out. It was like a cat and mouse game, and only one would be the victor. But who?
The unique stories behind each of the killers Greg goes back to when he's trying to figure things out are pretty cool. Morbid, but interesting to see just how different each one really is.
I quite liked Greg in this story. As someone who was obsessed with true crime/serial killers for a while as a teenager (yes, I'm weird), I connected with Greg. I used to want to be a criminal psychologist for a while, so I felt a strong camaraderie with him. He's a fascinating character.
I also really liked Finch, Matthews, and Donaldson. They all seemed like really well-written, realistic characters.
Fans of crime thrillers will enjoy The Dead Tell Lies. Definitely give this one a go.
5 stars!
A year late, Greg is ready to end it all. He doesn't have his job or his wife. What's left to live for?
A mysterious phone call comes through, and that one call changes the course of Greg's life forever (or at least for the rest of the book).
This one is taut, full of suspense and some interesting little twists. I found myself highly engaged, eager to see how everything would play out. It was like a cat and mouse game, and only one would be the victor. But who?
The unique stories behind each of the killers Greg goes back to when he's trying to figure things out are pretty cool. Morbid, but interesting to see just how different each one really is.
I quite liked Greg in this story. As someone who was obsessed with true crime/serial killers for a while as a teenager (yes, I'm weird), I connected with Greg. I used to want to be a criminal psychologist for a while, so I felt a strong camaraderie with him. He's a fascinating character.
I also really liked Finch, Matthews, and Donaldson. They all seemed like really well-written, realistic characters.
Fans of crime thrillers will enjoy The Dead Tell Lies. Definitely give this one a go.
5 stars!
July 18, 2020
Rating 4.5/5
I was at the same time excited and nervous when I picked this book up, I always worry when delving into a book by an author whose previous books I have enjoyed, if it will live up to my expectations. I’m so happy to say that I needn’t have been nervous at all, this is another amazing book from J.F. Kirwan.
From the moment I read the description I knew that this was a book I wanted to read, serial killers, a case that is too personal to the protagonist and the possibility that he has to compromise himself to solve, oh yes please.
The Dead Tell Lies has all the right ingredients and a perfect execution, it is tense and thrilling and at times you don’t know who to trust. Greg is an amazing character, I liked that he was every bit as clever as the killers he hunted and had the ability to really get inside their thought processes. I liked the grey area that gave him both as a character but also in his quest to discover what happened to his wife.
The team that he worked with were also great, the characters leapt off the page, especially Finch I liked her determination, her relationship with Matthews and that the trust between them and Greg is at times strained, it creates a perfect tension throughout an already suspenseful story. I wish I could say lots more about what happens in the book but I don’t want to spoil this wonderfully twisty journey for anyone, all I will say is that it is clever and will keep you on your toes.
I’m ecstatic that this book exceeded my expectations, although I am rather hoping that I will get to read about Greg and the team again, especially after that ending. In all honesty I would happily pick up anything that Mr Kirwan writes because I know it’s going to be good.
Originally posted on everywhere and nowhere
I was at the same time excited and nervous when I picked this book up, I always worry when delving into a book by an author whose previous books I have enjoyed, if it will live up to my expectations. I’m so happy to say that I needn’t have been nervous at all, this is another amazing book from J.F. Kirwan.
From the moment I read the description I knew that this was a book I wanted to read, serial killers, a case that is too personal to the protagonist and the possibility that he has to compromise himself to solve, oh yes please.
The Dead Tell Lies has all the right ingredients and a perfect execution, it is tense and thrilling and at times you don’t know who to trust. Greg is an amazing character, I liked that he was every bit as clever as the killers he hunted and had the ability to really get inside their thought processes. I liked the grey area that gave him both as a character but also in his quest to discover what happened to his wife.
The team that he worked with were also great, the characters leapt off the page, especially Finch I liked her determination, her relationship with Matthews and that the trust between them and Greg is at times strained, it creates a perfect tension throughout an already suspenseful story. I wish I could say lots more about what happens in the book but I don’t want to spoil this wonderfully twisty journey for anyone, all I will say is that it is clever and will keep you on your toes.
I’m ecstatic that this book exceeded my expectations, although I am rather hoping that I will get to read about Greg and the team again, especially after that ending. In all honesty I would happily pick up anything that Mr Kirwan writes because I know it’s going to be good.
Originally posted on everywhere and nowhere
July 22, 2020
You have no idea how excited I was to review another J.F. Kirwan novel. He is my go-to author if I want to read an extremely gripping and fast-paced crime thriller and The Dead Tell Lies definitely did not disappoint.
What can I say about Greg Adams, criminal psychologist, recent widower, and the next target of a serial killer? It is extraordinary to watch how Greg analyzes a case and dangerously places himself in the serial killer’s shoes to figure out how a twisted mind thinks. Greg’s story is heartbreaking, frustrating, and just plain deserving of a happy ending, but his time is running out.
With the support of DCI’s Donaldson, Finch, and Matthews, the plot gets even better with their willingness to do anything to help Greg and find the killer.
In true J.F. Kirwan fashion, this fast-paced superb psychological thriller will draw you in from the very start, blindside you with disturbing twists and turns, and spit you out with a shocking grand finale. If you enjoy chilling and fascinating police procedurals with excellent character development, give this book a try. Let’s hope this is the beginning of a new crime thriller series. Recommend highly!
Check out my book reviews for Kirwan’s books in the Nadia Laksheva Thriller series for some more thrilling reads, 66 Metres, 37 Hours, and 88° North.
Thank you to Mr. Kirwan for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.
What can I say about Greg Adams, criminal psychologist, recent widower, and the next target of a serial killer? It is extraordinary to watch how Greg analyzes a case and dangerously places himself in the serial killer’s shoes to figure out how a twisted mind thinks. Greg’s story is heartbreaking, frustrating, and just plain deserving of a happy ending, but his time is running out.
With the support of DCI’s Donaldson, Finch, and Matthews, the plot gets even better with their willingness to do anything to help Greg and find the killer.
In true J.F. Kirwan fashion, this fast-paced superb psychological thriller will draw you in from the very start, blindside you with disturbing twists and turns, and spit you out with a shocking grand finale. If you enjoy chilling and fascinating police procedurals with excellent character development, give this book a try. Let’s hope this is the beginning of a new crime thriller series. Recommend highly!
Check out my book reviews for Kirwan’s books in the Nadia Laksheva Thriller series for some more thrilling reads, 66 Metres, 37 Hours, and 88° North.
Thank you to Mr. Kirwan for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.
July 13, 2020
An excellent crime book with a criminal psychologist- right up my street. Greg works for the police as the psychologist or at least he did until his wife got murdered. He had tracked the killer down and as he caught him he said “right time wrong place” and it was Kate who was sadly in the firing line. A while later and he still can’t get things out of his mind- something just doesn’t add up and he receives a message leading him to believe that he is right- Kate’s killer is still out there. He rejoins forces and the hunt begins. It appears that he could be in someone's sights- but whose? Is he safe and who is the new killer and their possible sidekick? I love books like this- a good plot and lots of psychology- but put so that we can all understand it. I liked Greg and his tenacity as well as how he dealt with different people from top of the tree superintendents to serial killers and everyone in between. A good book to me has more than “just” the main plot line in order to give characters character if that makes sense. This was very well done with Greg and we got to know him and how he thinks very well. A cleverly thought out and well crafted plot and one that kept me within the pages easily. An author to look out for.
July 16, 2020
A serial killer nicknamed The Divine has already killed six teenage girls and is about to kill a seventh. Managing to find his location, criminal psychologist Greg Adams joins a raid, helping to capture the sadistic killer and saving the girl. Ecstasy soon turns to agony, however, when, Greg discovers that his own wife has been brutally slain by another killer, The Dreamer.
A year later, unable to find the man who killed his wife, Greg’s life has taken a turn for the worse. With no job and a loaded gun ready to play Russian Roulette, he is stopped in his tracks by a phone call informing him that The Dreamer is dead and that he wasn’t the one who killed his wife. With renewed vigour, Greg returns to Scotland Yard, assisting in a re-examination of the case. If it wasn’t The Dreamer who killed his wife, then who was it? Greg soon finds himself revisiting the cases of his past, coming face to face with an adversary with a score to settle…
From the very first chapter, when we are introduced to Greg’s work as a criminal psychologist specialising in serial killers, I was hooked. By starting the book with a police raid, I was drawn straight into the action, and I loved how we were thrown a huge curve ball right from the beginning, setting the tone for what was to come.
I have read many books containing serial killers but I think that in The Dead Tell Lies, the author has managed to do something a bit different with this genre, mainly due to the lead character. By having the main protagonist as someone who has worked on several serial killer cases, these cases now impacting upon the present, we get the opportunity to explore each of these murderers and their modus operandi. I particularly liked how some of these killers were dead and some were in prison, leading Greg to wonder who exactly it was that was pulling the strings.
If you are a fan of serial killer fiction, then The Dead Tell Lies is a fast-paced read that you can really sink your teeth into. Greg is a great character and there is definitely scope for him to return in future books so I hope that this is something that the author is considering.
Highly recommended
A year later, unable to find the man who killed his wife, Greg’s life has taken a turn for the worse. With no job and a loaded gun ready to play Russian Roulette, he is stopped in his tracks by a phone call informing him that The Dreamer is dead and that he wasn’t the one who killed his wife. With renewed vigour, Greg returns to Scotland Yard, assisting in a re-examination of the case. If it wasn’t The Dreamer who killed his wife, then who was it? Greg soon finds himself revisiting the cases of his past, coming face to face with an adversary with a score to settle…
From the very first chapter, when we are introduced to Greg’s work as a criminal psychologist specialising in serial killers, I was hooked. By starting the book with a police raid, I was drawn straight into the action, and I loved how we were thrown a huge curve ball right from the beginning, setting the tone for what was to come.
I have read many books containing serial killers but I think that in The Dead Tell Lies, the author has managed to do something a bit different with this genre, mainly due to the lead character. By having the main protagonist as someone who has worked on several serial killer cases, these cases now impacting upon the present, we get the opportunity to explore each of these murderers and their modus operandi. I particularly liked how some of these killers were dead and some were in prison, leading Greg to wonder who exactly it was that was pulling the strings.
If you are a fan of serial killer fiction, then The Dead Tell Lies is a fast-paced read that you can really sink your teeth into. Greg is a great character and there is definitely scope for him to return in future books so I hope that this is something that the author is considering.
Highly recommended
July 30, 2020
The Dead Tell Lies is my first read from J. F. Kirwan and I’m definitely a new fan. This is a mystery thriller led by a criminal psychologist, which made it not only interesting but intriguing too.
Greg is an excellent main character. I think his job helped him in ways he would not have had if he’d been something else. His reactions seemed realistic and he was a fleshed out character.
The mystery is compelling and the pacing is great. I really was invested in the plot line from beginning to end and there were a lot of twists and turns.
This is a really good mystery thriller. Give it a read!
Rating:
4/5☆
*I received a free copy of this book from Rachel’s Random Resources in exchange for an honest review on the blog tour. All opinions are my own and unbiased.*
Greg is an excellent main character. I think his job helped him in ways he would not have had if he’d been something else. His reactions seemed realistic and he was a fleshed out character.
The mystery is compelling and the pacing is great. I really was invested in the plot line from beginning to end and there were a lot of twists and turns.
This is a really good mystery thriller. Give it a read!
Rating:
4/5☆
*I received a free copy of this book from Rachel’s Random Resources in exchange for an honest review on the blog tour. All opinions are my own and unbiased.*
May 31, 2024
The thing that gets me about thrillers, especially crime thrillers, past the intrigue and the shock that comes after the final reveal followed by the closure of the cat and mouse game, it’s when done right, i find it utterly impressive how much methodical, diligent and thorough research goes into writing a crime thriller as captivating as this one and furthermore, it amazes me that there are people talented and creative enough to come up with stories like these.
Off the bat, you’re put in the shoes of Greg, a psychologist solving a murder and a great deal of how good the book is, is it’s tempo where it gives you just about enough time to gather your footing before it picks up momentum and doesn’t slow down until the very end and maybe it’s a personal preference but i love it when books don’t introduce you to the characters story right away but instead provide a timeline for you to get to know them parallel to the thickening of the plot. Left, right and center, every time i thought i was getting close to an answer, the plot pivoted to a different question and it didn’t let up until the last 5 or so pages.
Note worthy, for a gruesome and at times explicitly gore book, it’s so cleverly written that even in a pretty much lifeless landscape, it’s provides space for the characters to react to their environment with wit and humility.
SPOILER ALERT
Even though it isn’t much of a spoiler but just to be safe, i am a sucker for books ending the way they started, for the characters to find themselves in the same place we got introduced to them but this time facing a different choice. I especially loved the biblical references and how it set up everything for a second installment.
The book screams “turned into a BBC/HBO limited series by David Fincher”
Off the bat, you’re put in the shoes of Greg, a psychologist solving a murder and a great deal of how good the book is, is it’s tempo where it gives you just about enough time to gather your footing before it picks up momentum and doesn’t slow down until the very end and maybe it’s a personal preference but i love it when books don’t introduce you to the characters story right away but instead provide a timeline for you to get to know them parallel to the thickening of the plot. Left, right and center, every time i thought i was getting close to an answer, the plot pivoted to a different question and it didn’t let up until the last 5 or so pages.
Note worthy, for a gruesome and at times explicitly gore book, it’s so cleverly written that even in a pretty much lifeless landscape, it’s provides space for the characters to react to their environment with wit and humility.
SPOILER ALERT
Even though it isn’t much of a spoiler but just to be safe, i am a sucker for books ending the way they started, for the characters to find themselves in the same place we got introduced to them but this time facing a different choice. I especially loved the biblical references and how it set up everything for a second installment.
The book screams “turned into a BBC/HBO limited series by David Fincher”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 17, 2020
i enjoyed this book. It is a thriller-mystery that pulled me in from the beginning. It is an engaging, fast paced story that has great well developed characters. They made the story feel real and easy to read. The twists and turns were great and had me sitting on the edge of my seat just waiting to see what would happen next. This is about one detective that solves serial killer cases until it became personal. A year later still no hope in solving his wifes case, he recieves a phone call that could just change everything for him. I highly recommend reading this book to find out what happens next.
July 17, 2020
Time is of the essence, and it's running out.
Took a while to get into it, but then you are pulled in and are gripped.
Greg Adams finds himself consulting on another serial killer case with Scotland Yard. Only this times things take a personal turn.
Devastated by what happens Greg is even more determined to find the killer,who appears to be copycatting past serial killers that he has helped to convict and put away.
Things spin around again and it’s not long before Greg finds himself on a double murder charge.
Who is doing this to him, and how many more people are going to die that he knows or comes into contact with.?
Time is running out; they need to find the killer because Greg knows he could be the killers final victim.
Took a while to get into it, but then you are pulled in and are gripped.
Greg Adams finds himself consulting on another serial killer case with Scotland Yard. Only this times things take a personal turn.
Devastated by what happens Greg is even more determined to find the killer,who appears to be copycatting past serial killers that he has helped to convict and put away.
Things spin around again and it’s not long before Greg finds himself on a double murder charge.
Who is doing this to him, and how many more people are going to die that he knows or comes into contact with.?
Time is running out; they need to find the killer because Greg knows he could be the killers final victim.
July 30, 2020
The Dead Tell Lies by J F Kirwan is presents an absorbing and entertaining story with plenty of incident and plot twists. The characters are well drawn and the main protagonists are attractive and the reader easily forms a bond with them. It is intelligently written and well structured and is easily worth the 5 star rating.
I was very pleased to have had this book recommended to me. I would certainly read another book by this author.
I was very pleased to have had this book recommended to me. I would certainly read another book by this author.
August 30, 2023
A heart-pounding thriller that navigates the mystical realm of serial killers with unrelenting suspense. The mastery of the author is captured in a relentless narrative that follows a hunter-turned-prey trajectory. The story takes readers into a chilling cat-and-mouse game. The protagonist’s journey from predator to potential victim is an electrifying rollercoaster, as he races against time to unravel the truth while being followed by the very killers he once pursued. The novel delves into the darkest corners of human psychology, exploring the thin line between justice and vengeance. With unexpected twists and a relentless pace, “The Dead Tell Lies” is a gripping exploration of the human psyche and the haunting consequences of obsession. It is a must one to have if you have a penchant for captivating and eerie thrillers.
August 31, 2023
An absorbing crime novel
What an intriguing and fascinating crime novel! “The Dead Tell Lies” is a great suspense story written by J.F. Kirwan.
Great Adams, a well-known criminal psychologist at Scotland Yard, devotes his life to looking for killers and sending them to justice. As he is not able to catch a dangerous killer, he decides to quit his job on a whim but all of the sudden, his plans and life change and he must return to work in a higher position. Will he be able to catch his wife's killer?
It’s a truly compelling plot with unexpected twists that will leave readers thinking about them; it happened to me while I was reading. I liked the writing style since it’s descriptive and this is why it's easy to follow the events. Without a doubt, I recommend it!
What an intriguing and fascinating crime novel! “The Dead Tell Lies” is a great suspense story written by J.F. Kirwan.
Great Adams, a well-known criminal psychologist at Scotland Yard, devotes his life to looking for killers and sending them to justice. As he is not able to catch a dangerous killer, he decides to quit his job on a whim but all of the sudden, his plans and life change and he must return to work in a higher position. Will he be able to catch his wife's killer?
It’s a truly compelling plot with unexpected twists that will leave readers thinking about them; it happened to me while I was reading. I liked the writing style since it’s descriptive and this is why it's easy to follow the events. Without a doubt, I recommend it!
September 1, 2023
This is a totally authentic novel. While these are themes commonly found in much of action and suspense novels, this book puts an extra twist on it all. Its plot is intense, thorough and full of dramatic twists and turns.
It tells the story of a criminal psychologist, who is passionate and brilliant in his profession. This curious protagonist, accustomed to success, loses his wife in the hands of an individual just like the ones he locks up. And that is where the story begins to tense up and becomes truly irresistible.
It is light and easy to read, with a lot of action, investigation and suspense. I recommend it to any lover of good readings.
It tells the story of a criminal psychologist, who is passionate and brilliant in his profession. This curious protagonist, accustomed to success, loses his wife in the hands of an individual just like the ones he locks up. And that is where the story begins to tense up and becomes truly irresistible.
It is light and easy to read, with a lot of action, investigation and suspense. I recommend it to any lover of good readings.
August 19, 2024
Wow! What a book!
I got to be honest, I was a little disappointed when learning who the killer was so early in the book but goodness me, in spite of that it kept me on my toes as the story just kept giving and taking you down the dark, twisted, sick path. Do that disappointment didn’t last long.
It’s been a while I’ve given a book 5* and this one definitely deserves it!
I got to be honest, I was a little disappointed when learning who the killer was so early in the book but goodness me, in spite of that it kept me on my toes as the story just kept giving and taking you down the dark, twisted, sick path. Do that disappointment didn’t last long.
It’s been a while I’ve given a book 5* and this one definitely deserves it!
July 14, 2020
This is an exciting crime thriller with serial killers galore.
Greg Adam's a physiologist specialising in hunting serial killers hits rock bottom when his wife is murdered.
This book follows Greg trying to find the truth about who really killed his wife. I was hooked on this book straight away though half way through I got a little confused with all the characters. It all fell in to place quickly though and made for an exciting dramatic read.
Greg Adam's a physiologist specialising in hunting serial killers hits rock bottom when his wife is murdered.
This book follows Greg trying to find the truth about who really killed his wife. I was hooked on this book straight away though half way through I got a little confused with all the characters. It all fell in to place quickly though and made for an exciting dramatic read.
July 14, 2020
Sometimes stretching reality to the extreme, this is a generous four stars for a story whose potential was damaged by unnecessary complexity and length.
The beginning was difficult to follow and felt like I had missed reading a few earlier books. The ‘serial catcher’ unsurprisingly becomes the serial hunted - he and any for whom he cares.
A reader of murder mysteries for decades, I have become cynical. Every now and again I am surprised by the vicious ways authors kill their characters. This was one of them.
The beginning was difficult to follow and felt like I had missed reading a few earlier books. The ‘serial catcher’ unsurprisingly becomes the serial hunted - he and any for whom he cares.
A reader of murder mysteries for decades, I have become cynical. Every now and again I am surprised by the vicious ways authors kill their characters. This was one of them.
August 8, 2020
A clear 5 stars for “The Dead Tell Lies”By J.F.Kirwan. A very absorbing, thrilling and unputdownable book, it is a tale about serial killers. Yes, plural. The writer tells us the story from the point of view of Gregory Adams, a criminal psychologist, as he tries to get into the minds of the killers. It is a bit long, but at no point is there a lag. Which is rare in lengthy books.
5 Stars.
5 Stars.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews