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Detective Claudia Nunn #4
Cold Hard Truth
Meet pretty Ivy Henthorn. The daughter of a well-respected judge. A popular student at exclusive Wellington-Bell.
And now she’s dead.
Ivy’s body is found on a bench in Bingham Park, by a rough sleeper. Her head shows signs of blunt force trauma. Somebody positioned her arms peacefully over her chest.
Did she know who her killer was?
Detective Claudia Nunn soon discovers that Ivy was the secret force behind a savage revenge blog. She destroyed relationships and reputations without a second thought.
Perhaps the real question did the killer know who she was?
Claudia must break through a wall of secrets to uncover a deadly truth.
But Claudia’s got her own trauma to bear. And a startling revelation could bring her own house of cards tumbling down . . .
And now she’s dead.
Ivy’s body is found on a bench in Bingham Park, by a rough sleeper. Her head shows signs of blunt force trauma. Somebody positioned her arms peacefully over her chest.
Did she know who her killer was?
Detective Claudia Nunn soon discovers that Ivy was the secret force behind a savage revenge blog. She destroyed relationships and reputations without a second thought.
Perhaps the real question did the killer know who she was?
Claudia must break through a wall of secrets to uncover a deadly truth.
But Claudia’s got her own trauma to bear. And a startling revelation could bring her own house of cards tumbling down . . .
- GenresFiction
335 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 26, 2023
147 people are currently reading
33 people want to read
About the author
Rebecca Bradley
19 books264 followersRebecca Bradley is a retired police detective who lives in the UK with her family and her two cockapoo's Alfie and Lola. They keep her company while she writes. Rebecca needs to drink copious amounts of tea to function throughout the day and if she could, she would survive on a diet of tea and cake while committing murder on a regular basis, in her writing of course.
To download a FREE novella of THREE WEEKS DEAD visit her website at rebeccabradleycrime.com
You can always chat with her on Twitter where she can be found spending far too much of her time at @RebeccaJBradley
To download a FREE novella of THREE WEEKS DEAD visit her website at rebeccabradleycrime.com
You can always chat with her on Twitter where she can be found spending far too much of her time at @RebeccaJBradley
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
October 22, 2023
Firstly I would like to thank netgalley and Joffe books and the fantastic author Rebecca bradley for an early copy of her book.
I enjoyed this read, I haven't read the first three books in this series, they are on my kindle to read. Detective Claudia Nunn and her team on a murder case of a young girl named ivy, is Ivy as innocent as she seems.who would want to kill her the ending was obvious to me, claudia own story comes to light.enjoyed this read now looking forward to reading the rest of the books in this series...
This book will be reviewed on goodreads and Amazon uk.
I enjoyed this read, I haven't read the first three books in this series, they are on my kindle to read. Detective Claudia Nunn and her team on a murder case of a young girl named ivy, is Ivy as innocent as she seems.who would want to kill her the ending was obvious to me, claudia own story comes to light.enjoyed this read now looking forward to reading the rest of the books in this series...
This book will be reviewed on goodreads and Amazon uk.
November 5, 2023
My least favorite in the series…..so far.
Unfortunately, this is my least favorite in the series. I didn’t really think the crime was a strong one, & I did not care for the other “voices”. I also felt like Claudia wasn’t even invested in her own investigation. Plus, the other side story that’s been ongoing since the first book, needs to come to a conclusion. I hope we don’t see Claudia’s dad for awhile. He’s my least favorite character. For a seasoned cop & father, he seems awfully immature & not a professional. I was getting tired of him.
Unfortunately, this is my least favorite in the series. I didn’t really think the crime was a strong one, & I did not care for the other “voices”. I also felt like Claudia wasn’t even invested in her own investigation. Plus, the other side story that’s been ongoing since the first book, needs to come to a conclusion. I hope we don’t see Claudia’s dad for awhile. He’s my least favorite character. For a seasoned cop & father, he seems awfully immature & not a professional. I was getting tired of him.
October 26, 2023
The fourth book in this series which just keeps getting better and better!
Ivy Henthorn, a girl from a 'good' family attending a private school had everything going for her - so why does she turn up dead on a park bench? Laid out tenderly as if she had just fallen asleep, her death is the latest case to land on the desk of DI Claudia Nunn allowing no breathing space from the last case. As the investigation picks up pace, the team discsover that Ivy was responsible for a revenge blog which took no prisoners - but did anyone else know that's who was behind it? Does it have a bearing on the case? And will this case take all of Claudia's time and energy and mean that other things slip her notice?
There's something about novels written by ex-police officers which makes the grittier and infinitely more believable. I took to Claudia Nunn from the very first and, while each book has kept me gripped throughout, this one is rather spectacular! I never saw any of it coming ... but, you know, it all made sense. Can't wait for the next one and this is most definitely a solid 5* read.
Ivy Henthorn, a girl from a 'good' family attending a private school had everything going for her - so why does she turn up dead on a park bench? Laid out tenderly as if she had just fallen asleep, her death is the latest case to land on the desk of DI Claudia Nunn allowing no breathing space from the last case. As the investigation picks up pace, the team discsover that Ivy was responsible for a revenge blog which took no prisoners - but did anyone else know that's who was behind it? Does it have a bearing on the case? And will this case take all of Claudia's time and energy and mean that other things slip her notice?
There's something about novels written by ex-police officers which makes the grittier and infinitely more believable. I took to Claudia Nunn from the very first and, while each book has kept me gripped throughout, this one is rather spectacular! I never saw any of it coming ... but, you know, it all made sense. Can't wait for the next one and this is most definitely a solid 5* read.
March 23, 2024
DI Claudia Nunn is no stranger to high profile cases but when the teenage daughter of one of the most highly respected judges is murdered and her body left in a local park she knows this one is not going to be easy. I loved the whole social media bullying theme that ran through the book, it made the story really current. I honestly had no idea who had killed Ivy right up until the final denouement. To be honest though the second story in the background had me gripped much more than Ivy's murder had., was Claudia finally going to find out the truth about the murder of her best friend. It had me on the edge of my seat shouting at the page. No spoilers but it was a thrilling finale.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book
January 2, 2024
This is book 4 in the Detective Claudia Nunn series. While they do work as stand alone there is a side story that runs through the series so you will enjoy it more if you have read the previous 3 books.
A teenager is found dead on a park bench. She has been laid out carefully as though someone cared but she is still dead. She is the daughter of a high profile judge so Claudia's team are brought in to investigate.
There are not many suspects. Ivy was generally liked but it is soon revealed that she is the author of a 'name and shame' Tik-Tok account. One aimed at stopping the exclusive private school, Wellington Bell from covering up the wrongs of it pupils to preserve its reputation. Are the videos enough to push someone to murder? If so there are a lot of suspects and the team has its work cut out sorting the wheat from the chaff. While there in the background is the Ruth murder. Did the team convict an innocent man?
This is a fast paced book with many red herrings and twist and turns. It kept me guessing all the way through. There are aspects that I found unrealistic but it is fiction so....
The characters have developed along with the series and all have their own personalities.
A very good read that kept my attention all the way through.
A teenager is found dead on a park bench. She has been laid out carefully as though someone cared but she is still dead. She is the daughter of a high profile judge so Claudia's team are brought in to investigate.
There are not many suspects. Ivy was generally liked but it is soon revealed that she is the author of a 'name and shame' Tik-Tok account. One aimed at stopping the exclusive private school, Wellington Bell from covering up the wrongs of it pupils to preserve its reputation. Are the videos enough to push someone to murder? If so there are a lot of suspects and the team has its work cut out sorting the wheat from the chaff. While there in the background is the Ruth murder. Did the team convict an innocent man?
This is a fast paced book with many red herrings and twist and turns. It kept me guessing all the way through. There are aspects that I found unrealistic but it is fiction so....
The characters have developed along with the series and all have their own personalities.
A very good read that kept my attention all the way through.
November 20, 2023
I received this book for review purposes through Netgalley and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
I admit to being a Joffe publisher fan. I'm finding that the quality of the authors and writing to be excellent and storytelling is fresh and entertaining. That being stated, this book was by far one of the best mysteries I read this year.
A long awaited trial has concluded and all involved are shattered by the process and verdict. A teenagers' body is discovered in a local park and tired and drawn though they are, the team must gather strength to find another killer. As the case progresses, events come to light that put the previous case verdict squarely in the frame. Not all is as it seems and a shocking conclusion will break them all.
I recommend that the books be read in order for continuity sake though this book has made me desire to read the first three in series. If author writes another, I will be first in line.
I admit to being a Joffe publisher fan. I'm finding that the quality of the authors and writing to be excellent and storytelling is fresh and entertaining. That being stated, this book was by far one of the best mysteries I read this year.
A long awaited trial has concluded and all involved are shattered by the process and verdict. A teenagers' body is discovered in a local park and tired and drawn though they are, the team must gather strength to find another killer. As the case progresses, events come to light that put the previous case verdict squarely in the frame. Not all is as it seems and a shocking conclusion will break them all.
I recommend that the books be read in order for continuity sake though this book has made me desire to read the first three in series. If author writes another, I will be first in line.
November 2, 2023
Thank you to Net Galley for providing me with a copy of the text. I got it a bit late but here I am.
I was going back and forth between four and five stars. Here is why I decided on four. The story was engaging--once I got into it. The start was a little slow and disjointed. The other reason was that there were two plots/stories but one dominated--we saw it early and then again at the end.. This was a little confusing but that may come from reading a book in a series where I had not read the others. When I looked up the book, I saw that one of the plots had been continued from an earlier one and not having read it, I was at a disadvantage. I thought the main plot was more interesting to me but perhaps if I had read the earlier one, I might have though otherwise.
The characters were engaging and the style easy going. This has certainly made me want to read more in this series.
I was going back and forth between four and five stars. Here is why I decided on four. The story was engaging--once I got into it. The start was a little slow and disjointed. The other reason was that there were two plots/stories but one dominated--we saw it early and then again at the end.. This was a little confusing but that may come from reading a book in a series where I had not read the others. When I looked up the book, I saw that one of the plots had been continued from an earlier one and not having read it, I was at a disadvantage. I thought the main plot was more interesting to me but perhaps if I had read the earlier one, I might have though otherwise.
The characters were engaging and the style easy going. This has certainly made me want to read more in this series.
October 29, 2023
Cold Hard Truth is the fourth book in the Claudia Nunn series. Set in Sheffield, like the previous books this one follows a new murder mystery as well as following the continuing story involving Claudia's father.
I enjoyed the 'new' mystery element, although I came nowhere near solving it myself. I was barking up completely the wrong tree. It was still well done and good though.
As for the story involving her father, I did previously have a few concerns about some of the things that had happened, just as to how likely a father and daughter would be to work together in the police. In this story though, things moved on a little further and we had more idea of where things might go.
All in all another enjoyable instalment in this series.
I enjoyed the 'new' mystery element, although I came nowhere near solving it myself. I was barking up completely the wrong tree. It was still well done and good though.
As for the story involving her father, I did previously have a few concerns about some of the things that had happened, just as to how likely a father and daughter would be to work together in the police. In this story though, things moved on a little further and we had more idea of where things might go.
All in all another enjoyable instalment in this series.
December 5, 2023
I really enjoyed this book! Police procedural are a must read for me!
Ivy Henthorn, is a girl from a 'good' family whose attending a private school and seems like she has everything going for her - so how does she turn up dead on a park bench? She appears to be laid out as if she had just fallen asleep, her death is now the latest case to land on the desk of DI Claudia Nunn. As her investigation picks up , the team discovers that Ivy was creator for a revenge blog which she did not hold back - but does anyone else know who else is behind the blog? Does it have a connection to the case? And will this case take all of Claudia's energy and will she let things slip because it’s taking all her energy to solve?
Ivy Henthorn, is a girl from a 'good' family whose attending a private school and seems like she has everything going for her - so how does she turn up dead on a park bench? She appears to be laid out as if she had just fallen asleep, her death is now the latest case to land on the desk of DI Claudia Nunn. As her investigation picks up , the team discovers that Ivy was creator for a revenge blog which she did not hold back - but does anyone else know who else is behind the blog? Does it have a connection to the case? And will this case take all of Claudia's energy and will she let things slip because it’s taking all her energy to solve?
November 12, 2023
Brilliant!
When teenager Ivy Henthorn is found dead on a park bench, Claudia and her team are called into investigate. Claudia and her father had just attended the trial of Samuel Tyler, accused and found guilty of murdering several women including Claudia's step mother, although he always denied that murder, so Claudia was not really in the right state to take on another investigation, but she had to put her feelings on one side and concentrate on Ivy. Ivy had a secret account on TikTok, naming and shaming people who she felt had hurt her friends, so there was no shortage of suspects. I have enjoyed all the books in this series and hope there are more to come.
When teenager Ivy Henthorn is found dead on a park bench, Claudia and her team are called into investigate. Claudia and her father had just attended the trial of Samuel Tyler, accused and found guilty of murdering several women including Claudia's step mother, although he always denied that murder, so Claudia was not really in the right state to take on another investigation, but she had to put her feelings on one side and concentrate on Ivy. Ivy had a secret account on TikTok, naming and shaming people who she felt had hurt her friends, so there was no shortage of suspects. I have enjoyed all the books in this series and hope there are more to come.
January 14, 2026
My thanks to the Author publisher's and NetGalley for providing me with a Kindle version of this book to read and honestly review.
This is the fourth book in this excellent Police procedural series, and while not quite at the level of the previous books it's still an enjoyable read. Well written descriptive intelligent storytelling with quality characters throughout. There is not the level of surprises and twists in storyline I have come to expect from this Author, until the last page with leaves open the possibility of more to come, I hope so as the series does not feel finished to me.
Completely recommended.
This is the fourth book in this excellent Police procedural series, and while not quite at the level of the previous books it's still an enjoyable read. Well written descriptive intelligent storytelling with quality characters throughout. There is not the level of surprises and twists in storyline I have come to expect from this Author, until the last page with leaves open the possibility of more to come, I hope so as the series does not feel finished to me.
Completely recommended.
October 21, 2023
I really enjoyed this compelling read, Detective Claudia Nunn is a determined character. The daughter of a judge is found dead in a park and Claudia and her team are leading the investigation. The characterisation is good and the reader is drawn in from the start. It's a twisty, fast paced, well written plot which finds Claudia fighting her own demons, especially regarding her father. An excellent read which I would recommend. Although part of a series, it can easily be read as a stand alone. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.
November 11, 2023
I hadn't read the rest of this series so went into this blind but u have to say j wasn't disappointed! What a book! It's so cleverly written with so kcub going on and twists and turns galore. The plot was originally and tbe characters well introduced and fleshed out, although I imagine those who have read the series will have a much clearer insight. Can't wait to go back to the start and read the whole series now!
March 9, 2024
A real page turner
This was a tough book to put down. The pacing was ... relentless. I read until 3:30 in the morning and finally b forced myself to go to bed.
The only caveat I would offer is that this is not a standalone book; one really needs to have read at least the preceding story to understand one of the plotlines. Related to this, there is not a definitive ending. More of a To Be Concluded. Consider yourself warned.
This was a tough book to put down. The pacing was ... relentless. I read until 3:30 in the morning and finally b forced myself to go to bed.
The only caveat I would offer is that this is not a standalone book; one really needs to have read at least the preceding story to understand one of the plotlines. Related to this, there is not a definitive ending. More of a To Be Concluded. Consider yourself warned.
October 29, 2023
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC! I really enjoyed this book. I didn’t realize it was part of a series until I started reading, but I didn’t feel like I’d missed out on a ton of important information by coming in at the fourth book. The case they covered was interesting and I loved the characters. I’d recommend this for any crime fiction lover!
November 14, 2023
Book five in the Claudia Nunn series and as with the earlier novels I have to say that these books need to be read in order to get the full benefit of a storyline that features in all of them. That has become more important with this book.
The ongoing storyline is not the only one though, the murder that Claudia and her team is investigating is an upsetting one because of the age of the victim, Ivy. They are desperate to get answers but Claudia is struggling more then normal. Missing her right hand man through injury and mental health issues, her father Dominic being more moody and uncooperative than usual and the victim’s mother is a judge who can read between the lines and knows that the police have no answers. I felt that Claudia seemed more lonely than ever, going home to the temporary accommodation she was forced to live in. I really wished that things were different for her, professionally and personally.
One of the strongest points of this novel was the way the author showed,Theo, the victim’s brother coping with the family’s loss. Whilst I have met grieving families before in a crime novel, I have never read about how a young sibling reacts to loss. It was, at times, heartbreaking and extremely realistic. I imagined that it was something the author had come across often with her previous career but if not it was very convincing. I felt that his grief, guilt and the resentment shown to the family liaison officer was something you wouldn’t necessarily see in someone older. He was also a character I initially disliked but my feelings did change as I read more.
I have no idea what will happen next in this fantastic series, I hope it’s not a long wait.
The ongoing storyline is not the only one though, the murder that Claudia and her team is investigating is an upsetting one because of the age of the victim, Ivy. They are desperate to get answers but Claudia is struggling more then normal. Missing her right hand man through injury and mental health issues, her father Dominic being more moody and uncooperative than usual and the victim’s mother is a judge who can read between the lines and knows that the police have no answers. I felt that Claudia seemed more lonely than ever, going home to the temporary accommodation she was forced to live in. I really wished that things were different for her, professionally and personally.
One of the strongest points of this novel was the way the author showed,Theo, the victim’s brother coping with the family’s loss. Whilst I have met grieving families before in a crime novel, I have never read about how a young sibling reacts to loss. It was, at times, heartbreaking and extremely realistic. I imagined that it was something the author had come across often with her previous career but if not it was very convincing. I felt that his grief, guilt and the resentment shown to the family liaison officer was something you wouldn’t necessarily see in someone older. He was also a character I initially disliked but my feelings did change as I read more.
I have no idea what will happen next in this fantastic series, I hope it’s not a long wait.
February 5, 2024
Excellent read!
Another cracking story in the Claudia Nunn series. I wasn’t expecting that end and thoroughly enjoyed the read all the way through. It’s a well written crime story with great characters. Would recommend reading this series from the start and if you love UK crime books, this is a great series to read.
Another cracking story in the Claudia Nunn series. I wasn’t expecting that end and thoroughly enjoyed the read all the way through. It’s a well written crime story with great characters. Would recommend reading this series from the start and if you love UK crime books, this is a great series to read.
September 28, 2024
I am a new fan
I think the description of this book was unputdownable. That is truly an understatement. This is my first experience with this author, but definitely not my last. I will now have to go back and read the 3 previous stories to see the whole plot. I struggled early to keep the characters in order, but after they were all in place this really was a good read.
I think the description of this book was unputdownable. That is truly an understatement. This is my first experience with this author, but definitely not my last. I will now have to go back and read the 3 previous stories to see the whole plot. I struggled early to keep the characters in order, but after they were all in place this really was a good read.
November 7, 2023
A very good storyline.😛
This was the first book I have read by the author and I thought it was a good read.The characters and thread of the two cases was blended well.Seems to be an on going series of books,so I wil! be reading more.😎😎
This was the first book I have read by the author and I thought it was a good read.The characters and thread of the two cases was blended well.Seems to be an on going series of books,so I wil! be reading more.😎😎
January 25, 2024
A lot of too little too late. As the novel evolves it demonstrates that so much that is important is missed and how often what is revered is a facade. The unwinding of the complex issues is well done.
March 20, 2024
A great series.
A judge`s daughter is found dead posed on a park bench.
Detective Claudia Nunn soon discovers the secrets people are hiding.
Love Claudia`s character and hope there is more in the series.
A judge`s daughter is found dead posed on a park bench.
Detective Claudia Nunn soon discovers the secrets people are hiding.
Love Claudia`s character and hope there is more in the series.
November 6, 2023
Thanks to netgalley for providing this advanced copy for the purpose of review
This was a dark and compelling read with lots of twists and turns to keep you hooked.
This was a dark and compelling read with lots of twists and turns to keep you hooked.
October 3, 2025
I loved this book. Knew DI Nunn would find out the truth in the end. I’m at a loss now of what to read next. I think I’ve completed all of Rebecca Bradley’s books
January 15, 2024
Fantastic book, really enjoyed this one especially the ending. Wasn't sure about the series to start with but totally grew on me
August 21, 2024
Cold Hard Truth was a novel I recently read by Rebecca Bradley. I did enjoy the story but I found it lacking a bit compared to other Rebecca Bradley novels have read.
Ivy is a popular girl at a very prestigious elite high school. She is friends with everyone and has no enemies, so who would want to kill her? The story follows detective Claudia Nunn as she and her team try to put together what happened to Lovely young girl.
Ivy is a popular girl at a very prestigious elite high school. She is friends with everyone and has no enemies, so who would want to kill her? The story follows detective Claudia Nunn as she and her team try to put together what happened to Lovely young girl.
November 6, 2023
This was such a great book!! It seems to have been a while since we last saw Claudia and her team so it was great to dive back into her world, and we go back into the deep end, with Tyler's trial for the killings of multiple women, including her best friend and step mum, Ruth, who he has emphatically denied killing, which has never sat quite right with Claudia.
Ivy Henthorn is the daughter of a prominent Judge. When she is found dead on a park bench, Claudia and her team are tasked with finding the killer, pronto!
With secrets and twists in abundance, this was a thriller from start to finish. However, I don't think I've ever read a book with such a satisfying ending!! It was truly perfect!
Ivy Henthorn is the daughter of a prominent Judge. When she is found dead on a park bench, Claudia and her team are tasked with finding the killer, pronto!
With secrets and twists in abundance, this was a thriller from start to finish. However, I don't think I've ever read a book with such a satisfying ending!! It was truly perfect!
August 16, 2024
Engaging and easy to read but ending was too abrupt
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews