White lies, black lies

by Karen Guyler

It’s just a white lie, a little white lie, but it leads to the blackest lie of all.A body on a study floor, what a way for Detective Constable Nikki Ross to start her first day in Major Crimes. As shiny and untested as her brand-new badge, she’s keen to prove herself but nothing is as she’d expected when her mentor decides there’s no crime to investigate. Everyone in the busy unit is quick to share his opinion so why does Nikki think otherwise? She’s ordered to move on to the next case, but her conscience has a loud voice and her promise to the victim weighs heavily on her. In her search through the lies, Nikki finds herself tightrope-walking the delicate, career-ending balance of finding the real truth. A high-profile victim means lots of enemies with lots of motives and coming face-to-face with secrets people will kill to keep hidden.And it’s not long before Nikki is gambling more than her career when her first case might be her last. In White Lies, Black Lies, every truth is a deception, every deception a dangerous truth. This high stakes gripping prequel to the DI Nikki Ross series will leave you questioning everything, right up until the last page. Perfect for fans of LJ Ross, Angela Marsons, JD Kirk, TG Reid, JM Dalgliesh and Alex Smith.

163 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 10, 2024

About the author

Always being the new girl at nine schools on two continents was no fun at all so books became the only constant in Karen Guyler’s life, even if they didn’t help her get out of sports days. Now settled in Milton Keynes, England, Britain’s best kept secret, she juggles reading with writing, her children, husband and dog – a much nicer mix! On mostly sunny days she’ll be trying to cajole her gorgeous dog out for a walk though has had to abandon the idea of dictating while walking because all the ‘sit’, ‘stay’, ‘don’t do that’, ‘leave’, ‘come back’ played havoc with the characters’ lives.
She also teaches Creative Writing for Adult Education with lots of laughter in amongst the word wrangling and discovery.

Reviews

[PJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

White Lies, Black Lies by Karen Guyler

Having read Book 2 in the Nikki Ross series, Whippersnapper, I was relived to find Karen Guyler had written White Lies, Black Lies, a prequel to the series that covered the DC Ross’s first day and investigation in the Major Crime Squad. Relieved because Whippersnapper was brilliant and having read White Lies, Black Lies, I now know it was not a one off.

Going against her new boss, her new colleagues and a number of friends and family who knew the victim (a name in the public domain) she follows her own instinct given the ‘compelling’ evidence uncovered by others does not match some of the facts she exposes.

Both White Lies, Black Lies and Whippersnapper can be read standalone, but if you are hooked, as I was, on one, I’d highly recommend you invest time in the other.

Karen Guyler is not the most high profile author, although she should be as her books do not disappoint. Here’s hoping Book 3 and beyond are in her future writing plan.

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 0 in the DI Nikki Ross Series, a prequel in which DC Nikki Ross arrives for her first day in Major Crimes. Dropped in the deep end she immediately attends the scene of a dead body, that of Sir Benedict Hartley. Her bosses agree that this was a suicide but Nikki isn’t sure. She sees discrepancies at the crime scene but the powers that be tell her she’s wrong and the case is closed. A well written, fairly short book which I read in one sitting, 2 hours.

Briefly, Nikki is aware that she is a rookie on the team and she needs to watch her back but her conscience won’t let her ignore her belief that this wasn’t a suicide. She begins to investigate, in her own time, and it soon becomes clear that everything isn’t rosy in the Hartley business empire or in his home.

A very good plot that kept me guessing until the big reveal which leaves Nikki with a massive moral dilemma. I don’t know what I would have done in her situation. A gripping book and very entertaining.

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a prequel to the DI Nikki Ross series &, as such, is perfect to read as a standalone. Plus, it is a quick read so get this one out of the way & then you can carry on with the rest .

I’m not going to say much about the plot but, suffice it to say, Nikki arrives for her first day in Major Crimes & feels a tad out of place. The first case she is faced with appears to be a cut & dried suicide according to the powers that be, but she is not so sure.

The author has a very easy writing style so reading this made the time fly by. An enjoyable read.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining quick read. A fast paced and interesting storyline with a great introduction to DC Nikki Ross. It is based on the infancy of Nikki starting her career as a detective. She seems to be doing quite well for herself...so far. Let's see how it pans out in book one of the series, because I'm definitely tempted!

[Andrea Neal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had never read any of this authors books before, and since it was a prequel, it was a great place to start. I don’t do plot summaries in my reviews.

But as a thriller it was well crafted, with a murder, a chase scene and a big dog.

[June · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first book by this author and definitely not my last. I loved the flow of her writing, which captured me into the book, from the very beginning to the end.
It's one of those books that's very hard to put down. You just don't want any interruptions until you're finished.
It has a gripping, well written storyline and plot with good strong characters, with unexpected revelations and twists.
It kept me guessing as I read it, and I never did guess who or the reason why.
This book is well worth reading , I'm sure you won't be disappointed.
My thanks to the author for the advanced copy.
This is my honest and unbiased review.