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DI Nyree Bradshaw #2
Better Left Dead
DI Nyree Bradshaw and her team have their work cut out for them once again. Local woman Lizzy Bean has been found dead, garrotted with a piece of wire. Lizzy's property, a 1970s beach house overlooking a pristine Northland bay, is overflowing with rubbish. Inside, the house is even worse.
As Nyree and her team delve into the case, clues begin to reveal an intricate web of connections involving a local crime syndicate, a kidnapped woman, and a group of ex-foster children haunted by the past.
Meanwhile, Nyree's own past is catching up with her. Forever racked by guilt that she has failed her son who is currently in prison for murder, Nyree might finally get a chance to redeem herself in his eyes . . . but it comes at a steep cost.
As Nyree and her team delve into the case, clues begin to reveal an intricate web of connections involving a local crime syndicate, a kidnapped woman, and a group of ex-foster children haunted by the past.
Meanwhile, Nyree's own past is catching up with her. Forever racked by guilt that she has failed her son who is currently in prison for murder, Nyree might finally get a chance to redeem herself in his eyes . . . but it comes at a steep cost.
- GenresCrime
324 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2024
4 people are currently reading
47 people want to read
About the author
Catherine Lea
13 books78 followersCatherine lives with a rescue dog who's the love of her life. In past lives, she has sold international satellite capacity, worked in IT recruitment, and run her own communications store.
When Catherine isn't writing, she's dog-wrangling, wrestling with technology, or going crazy trying to maintain control of the yard.
THE CANDIDATE'S DAUGHTER is her first published work, followed by the sequel in the Elizabeth McClaine series, CHILD OF THE STATE, and A STOLEN WOMAN.
Her latest book in the DI NYREE BRADSHAW SERIES, set in the beautiful Far North of New Zealand, is THE DEEPER THE DEAD: A DI Nyree Bradshaw Crime Thriller, out now.
She also writes gritty thrillers under the pen name C.J. Lea.
When Catherine isn't writing, she's dog-wrangling, wrestling with technology, or going crazy trying to maintain control of the yard.
THE CANDIDATE'S DAUGHTER is her first published work, followed by the sequel in the Elizabeth McClaine series, CHILD OF THE STATE, and A STOLEN WOMAN.
Her latest book in the DI NYREE BRADSHAW SERIES, set in the beautiful Far North of New Zealand, is THE DEEPER THE DEAD: A DI Nyree Bradshaw Crime Thriller, out now.
She also writes gritty thrillers under the pen name C.J. Lea.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
September 19, 2024
I absolutely devoured this crime thriller.
A murder mystery set in the far north of New Zealand.
Nyree Bradshaw is a strong yet flawed female lead detective tasked with finding the town recluse’s killer.
Battling her own demons and shortcomings as a mother to a son who is currently incarcerated, Nyree is faced with balancing a demanding job with the responsibility of finding out she is the grandmother and only possible legal guardian to a young girl.
Better Left Dead is everything you want in a crime thriller, with twists and turns and an unexpected conclusion.
I was sent this book by the publisher, all opinions are my own.
A murder mystery set in the far north of New Zealand.
Nyree Bradshaw is a strong yet flawed female lead detective tasked with finding the town recluse’s killer.
Battling her own demons and shortcomings as a mother to a son who is currently incarcerated, Nyree is faced with balancing a demanding job with the responsibility of finding out she is the grandmother and only possible legal guardian to a young girl.
Better Left Dead is everything you want in a crime thriller, with twists and turns and an unexpected conclusion.
I was sent this book by the publisher, all opinions are my own.
January 19, 2025
Catherine Lea has done it again, in fact I think this book is even better than the 1st!
DI Ngaire Bradshaw is back this time investigating the death of Lizzie Bean, a hoarder with a history in state care. I thoroughly enjoyed the way Catherine explored themes of abuse of those in power and made me question what I would if put in a similar position.
Catherine’s writing is addictive, and I cannot wait for the third instalment!
DI Ngaire Bradshaw is back this time investigating the death of Lizzie Bean, a hoarder with a history in state care. I thoroughly enjoyed the way Catherine explored themes of abuse of those in power and made me question what I would if put in a similar position.
Catherine’s writing is addictive, and I cannot wait for the third instalment!
November 24, 2024
Spoiler free review for Better Left Dead by Aotearoa author @author_catherine_lea!
Thank you Catherine and @batemanbooks for sending me a copy to review, I had been eagerly awaiting the release of this book after reading ‘The Waters Dead’ last year.
My thoughts:
If you are looking for a crime series set in New Zealand (specifically Northland) then this is the series for you. Although this book can technically be read as a standalone, I would still recommend reading The Waters Dead first so that you can understand our FMC Nyrees character just a little bit more!
If you’ve already read The Waters Dead then you can jump straight into this one! Another crime has been committed in the Northland Region so Nyree and her team jump onto the case and start investigating. However this time, we also have a side plot of Nyree working to get guardianship of her grand daughter before she ends up in the foster system, but as you can imagine, Nyree is a super busy lady being the main DI for the town so we see her try to balance everything.
Without spoiling anything, we follow Nyree and her team as they investigate the murder of Lizzy Bean, The towns social outcast. As for the crime storyline, once again, all of the characters were so well developed. While there were a very large number of potential “suspects” I found it very easy to keep track of. Catherine has a way of writing characters that stick in your brain which I love!
At one point I thought I had guessed where the story was going but then I was very quickly proven wrong which was great because I hate guessing the plot twist in crimes/thrillers!
Overall I loved this one just as much as book 1 and I would recommend it to anyone!
Better Left Dead is available at most book stores but you can also purchase via Amazon.
Thank you again to Catherine for sending me a copy of your book to review ❤️
Thank you Catherine and @batemanbooks for sending me a copy to review, I had been eagerly awaiting the release of this book after reading ‘The Waters Dead’ last year.
My thoughts:
If you are looking for a crime series set in New Zealand (specifically Northland) then this is the series for you. Although this book can technically be read as a standalone, I would still recommend reading The Waters Dead first so that you can understand our FMC Nyrees character just a little bit more!
If you’ve already read The Waters Dead then you can jump straight into this one! Another crime has been committed in the Northland Region so Nyree and her team jump onto the case and start investigating. However this time, we also have a side plot of Nyree working to get guardianship of her grand daughter before she ends up in the foster system, but as you can imagine, Nyree is a super busy lady being the main DI for the town so we see her try to balance everything.
Without spoiling anything, we follow Nyree and her team as they investigate the murder of Lizzy Bean, The towns social outcast. As for the crime storyline, once again, all of the characters were so well developed. While there were a very large number of potential “suspects” I found it very easy to keep track of. Catherine has a way of writing characters that stick in your brain which I love!
At one point I thought I had guessed where the story was going but then I was very quickly proven wrong which was great because I hate guessing the plot twist in crimes/thrillers!
Overall I loved this one just as much as book 1 and I would recommend it to anyone!
Better Left Dead is available at most book stores but you can also purchase via Amazon.
Thank you again to Catherine for sending me a copy of your book to review ❤️
December 13, 2025
Better Left Dead is book 2 in the
DI Nyree Bradshaw series, and it was another great read by this author.
Nyree is a tough, smart and formidable detective, she is also about to become a grandmother.
But first she must gather her team and solve the murder of local woman Lizzy Bean.
Lizzy's death opens up a huge mystery involving another dead body, a drug gang, bikies, a missing woman, abused foster children and the abduction of one of her team.
All set in the beautiful far North of NZ.
Just like book 1, I was immersed in this police procedural/mystery/thriller read.
With multiple characters, some good, some not so good, and some just down right nasty, this book will have you reading through the chapters, unaware of the world around you.
There are a few twists that blindsided me, and a few turns that sat so well within this book. The atmosphere that flows throughout this read is thick with tension.
And there is also her son, who is still in prison, and still makes Nyree work for every visit, always making her feel worthless as a mother.
And just as she thinks that her life couldn't be any more hectic, she is about to become a possible guardian for her granddaughter.
DI Nyree Bradshaw series, and it was another great read by this author.
Nyree is a tough, smart and formidable detective, she is also about to become a grandmother.
But first she must gather her team and solve the murder of local woman Lizzy Bean.
Lizzy's death opens up a huge mystery involving another dead body, a drug gang, bikies, a missing woman, abused foster children and the abduction of one of her team.
All set in the beautiful far North of NZ.
Just like book 1, I was immersed in this police procedural/mystery/thriller read.
With multiple characters, some good, some not so good, and some just down right nasty, this book will have you reading through the chapters, unaware of the world around you.
There are a few twists that blindsided me, and a few turns that sat so well within this book. The atmosphere that flows throughout this read is thick with tension.
And there is also her son, who is still in prison, and still makes Nyree work for every visit, always making her feel worthless as a mother.
And just as she thinks that her life couldn't be any more hectic, she is about to become a possible guardian for her granddaughter.
October 6, 2024
Having thoroughly 'enjoyed' Catherine Lea's first outing with DI Nyree Bradshaw in The Water's Dead, I was quick to read this fabulous sequel and delve into Nyree's experiences as a police officer in the far north of Aotearoa/New Zealand.
Nyree and her team are investigating the death of Lizzy Bean, a woman on the fringe of society, and one with a dark past. They soon discover a web of deceit involving a group of foster children, drugs and gangs and a missing woman. The case involves almost 24/7 attention - but Nyree's attention is diverted when her son, serving a prison sentence, demands to see her. He announces he has a child he wants her to look after and their already fraught relationship is sorely tested. Nyree fears she'll let him down, that she won't be able to do her job and take care of a child - and she'll never convince him how much she loves him.
Lea has developed deep and rich characters, some more flawed than others, not the least of whom is Nyree who struggles to get her private life in order.
This is a rollicking page-turner of a read. Recommended.
Nyree and her team are investigating the death of Lizzy Bean, a woman on the fringe of society, and one with a dark past. They soon discover a web of deceit involving a group of foster children, drugs and gangs and a missing woman. The case involves almost 24/7 attention - but Nyree's attention is diverted when her son, serving a prison sentence, demands to see her. He announces he has a child he wants her to look after and their already fraught relationship is sorely tested. Nyree fears she'll let him down, that she won't be able to do her job and take care of a child - and she'll never convince him how much she loves him.
Lea has developed deep and rich characters, some more flawed than others, not the least of whom is Nyree who struggles to get her private life in order.
This is a rollicking page-turner of a read. Recommended.
July 3, 2025
This was my first read from this author and it had me hooked from the first page.
If you love gritty thrillers with strong female leads, secrets from the past, and a whole lot of tension then this book is definitely for you.
We follow Nyree, a strong female police investigator with a flawed past who is dragged into a case that gets way too personal. Lots of twists, fast paced and full of raw emotions.
This author does a brilliant job weaving mystery, emotion, and suspense into a story you won’t want to put down. I devoured this between the audiobook and a physical copy and I can’t wait to read more from this author. I should add that the narrator did a fantastic job of bringing this story to life. Very character driven but I was able to follow along easy enough.
🩷 Dark secrets
🩷 Dangerous truths
🩷 Set in New Zealand
Highly recommend this book if you like your thrillers with bite and love books set in our beautiful Aotearoa.
If you love gritty thrillers with strong female leads, secrets from the past, and a whole lot of tension then this book is definitely for you.
We follow Nyree, a strong female police investigator with a flawed past who is dragged into a case that gets way too personal. Lots of twists, fast paced and full of raw emotions.
This author does a brilliant job weaving mystery, emotion, and suspense into a story you won’t want to put down. I devoured this between the audiobook and a physical copy and I can’t wait to read more from this author. I should add that the narrator did a fantastic job of bringing this story to life. Very character driven but I was able to follow along easy enough.
🩷 Dark secrets
🩷 Dangerous truths
🩷 Set in New Zealand
Highly recommend this book if you like your thrillers with bite and love books set in our beautiful Aotearoa.
November 5, 2025
Catherine Lea delivers another gripping and intricate mystery in Better Left Dead. The story wastes no time pulling you into a complex investigation headed by the compelling DI Bradshaw. The plot is cleverly constructed, full of unexpected twists and red herrings that keep you guessing right alongside the investigative team. Lea's pacing is excellent, building a steady, almost relentless tension that makes it genuinely difficult to put the book down as the stakes get higher and the danger more palpable.
This is a top-notch police procedural, elevated by strong character work and a vivid, atmospheric setting. DI Bradshaw herself is a wonderfully drawn protagonist, flawed but deeply relatable and tenacious in her pursuit of the truth. While the mystery is complex, Lea ties all the threads together skillfully, leading to a climax that is both shocking and satisfying. It's a thoroughly engaging and well-crafted read.
This is a top-notch police procedural, elevated by strong character work and a vivid, atmospheric setting. DI Bradshaw herself is a wonderfully drawn protagonist, flawed but deeply relatable and tenacious in her pursuit of the truth. While the mystery is complex, Lea ties all the threads together skillfully, leading to a climax that is both shocking and satisfying. It's a thoroughly engaging and well-crafted read.
November 2, 2024
Crime writing at its best! Catherine Lea knows how to deliver highly relatable characters and fast-paced action. Better Left Dead is set in the Far North of Aotearoa New Zealand. It exposes the dark underbelly of the region -- poverty, drugs, crime -- but also highlights its raw beauty.
Lea's writing style is minimalist, to the point, focusing on the action. It was refreshing to have a main character (DI Nyree Bradshaw) in her 50s. She's been around the block a few times, knows how things work and isn't afraid to ask questions. A woman of steel but also a woman worried about her son and granddaughter, showing the tender side of Bradshaw's character.
I thoroughly enjoyed Better Left Dead and await the next novel in the series!
Lea's writing style is minimalist, to the point, focusing on the action. It was refreshing to have a main character (DI Nyree Bradshaw) in her 50s. She's been around the block a few times, knows how things work and isn't afraid to ask questions. A woman of steel but also a woman worried about her son and granddaughter, showing the tender side of Bradshaw's character.
I thoroughly enjoyed Better Left Dead and await the next novel in the series!
November 17, 2024
When thirty-something Lizzy Bean is found garrotted in her home in the Far North of New Zealand, DI Nyree Bradshaw and her team are charged with wading through the chaos and tragedy of the young woman’s life to solve the gruesome crime.
As more and more connections to the victim are unearthed, so too grow the challenges and demands placed on the investigative team. Not only does Bradshaw have to contend with the social tensions peculiar to the area, but also significant personal stressors, including her own son being in prison for homicide.
A taut and pacy police procedural that never let up and kept me guessing right to the end! I look forward to reading more in this series from local author Catherine Lea.
As more and more connections to the victim are unearthed, so too grow the challenges and demands placed on the investigative team. Not only does Bradshaw have to contend with the social tensions peculiar to the area, but also significant personal stressors, including her own son being in prison for homicide.
A taut and pacy police procedural that never let up and kept me guessing right to the end! I look forward to reading more in this series from local author Catherine Lea.
March 26, 2025
I picked this up as the author lives locally to me and bases her books in this area - and there aren't many stories based in the Far North of NZ!
Overall I thought this was just OK. The writing was OK, the story was OK, I was moderately invested, if a little bored. This was the second book in a new series about a detective D.I Nyree Bradshaw. I didn't read the first book, as i think they are written so you can jump in anywhere, but maybe doing so put me on the back foot a little as I didn't know anything about her back story. That said, I am not sure knowing more would have made my reaction any different. There just wasn't really a big enough hook for me. 2.5 stars, rounded up for the local setting.
Overall I thought this was just OK. The writing was OK, the story was OK, I was moderately invested, if a little bored. This was the second book in a new series about a detective D.I Nyree Bradshaw. I didn't read the first book, as i think they are written so you can jump in anywhere, but maybe doing so put me on the back foot a little as I didn't know anything about her back story. That said, I am not sure knowing more would have made my reaction any different. There just wasn't really a big enough hook for me. 2.5 stars, rounded up for the local setting.
April 27, 2025
Found another great Kiwi writer! BLD is a very good read. Its your good old police procedural and it feels right at home. Lea has dreamed a whole cast of characters into life - and death -that feel real. Almost all the members on DI Nyree's team play a part and are rounded characters. Those on the underbelly of life are complex too, and the story is interesting, empathetic and fast-moving. Looking forward to the next in the series.
February 15, 2025
This second in the DI Nyree Bradshaw series lives up to the promise that I detected in the first in the series and I'm looking forward to more.
The action in this story is linked to a 20 year old case, and the scenario is very tangled. In addition Nyree's own life becomes tangled as she discovers she has a granddaughter who needs her.
An excellent read.
The action in this story is linked to a 20 year old case, and the scenario is very tangled. In addition Nyree's own life becomes tangled as she discovers she has a granddaughter who needs her.
An excellent read.
February 28, 2025
I can’t wait for the next in this series. The Nyree books remind me of some incredible contemporary Australian crime writers especially Patrica Wolf.
Gritty with humanity and great characters. As an animal lover I was especially happy with the outcome for Lizzy’s dog. And as an archivist the abuse in care thread resonates with real stories I’ve seen in the course of my work. Brilliant.
Gritty with humanity and great characters. As an animal lover I was especially happy with the outcome for Lizzy’s dog. And as an archivist the abuse in care thread resonates with real stories I’ve seen in the course of my work. Brilliant.
December 8, 2024
4.5 stars
Loved this one. Set in the far north of Aotearoa, where I live, this was wonderfully evocative—short chapters, action-packed, well-paced, tight structure, and hard to put down.
Looking forward to reading more on Detective Inspector Nyree Bradshaw.
Loved this one. Set in the far north of Aotearoa, where I live, this was wonderfully evocative—short chapters, action-packed, well-paced, tight structure, and hard to put down.
Looking forward to reading more on Detective Inspector Nyree Bradshaw.
September 9, 2024
Another fabulous read by Catherine Lea. Couldn't put the thing down until I knew "who done it!"
Can't wait until the next DI Nyree Bradshaw Novel comes out.
Can't wait until the next DI Nyree Bradshaw Novel comes out.
October 4, 2024
Had to tear myself away from reading this 2nd in the DI Nyree Bradshaw in one sitting. What a fantastic read and keot me guessing right until the end.
October 5, 2024
The second instalment of this series is just as good as the first. Loved it!!!
October 7, 2024
What a ripper!
November 14, 2024
Found this one a bit hard to follow as it swapped characters a lot in the middle. Lost interest and didn’t finish it.
January 10, 2025
Another great book in the Nyree Bradshaw series. Fast paced short chapters and all by a NZ author.
March 13, 2025
My sister lent this one to me to try a 'local' author. It did have that kiwi flavour and was a good enough yarn.
July 29, 2025
Another NZ author - enjoying this series as well.
October 11, 2025
Book 29. Finished this weeks ago , forgot to post. The sequel to the last one, a decent read. Murder mystery in Northland. 📚🤓 #tsreadinglist2025 #tsrecommendations
January 26, 2025
This second instalment in experienced Kiwi crime and thriller author Catherine Lea’s police procedural series starring tough, middle-aged investigator DI Nyree Bradshaw of the Far North CIB shows a storyteller really hitting her stride. After several mystery and thrillers featuring northern hemisphere settings and heroes, including a trilogy starring US socialite-turned-sleuth Elizabeth McClaine, former tech businesswoman Lea ‘came home’ with DI Bradshaw in The Water’s Dead.
This time Bradshaw and her team are faced with the puzzling murder of local hoarder Lizzy Bean, who is brutally garrotted in her own home, that’s overflowing with junk of all kinds. Making for tricky forensics at the scene. A second murder further complicates matters. Does a list of names of former foster kids have anything to do with the killings? Or had some locals who’d had issues with Lizzy Bean and her lifestyle choices play a part? Meanwhile many of the police in the region are instead focused on the missing daughter of a local councillor, and Bradshaw must also deal with the fallout of some life-changing news dropped on her by son Tony, who is in prison for murder.
Lea does a great job soaking readers in the rural and smalltown Northland setting, including the poverty and problems – drugs, gangs, mental health, greed – lurking beneath the picturesque region’s tourist-enticing landscapes. Nyree Bradshaw is an intriguing series star, a little different to the norm even in a sea of police procedurals and smalltown noir that’s out there.
Overall, Better Left Dead is a very good, gritty read where Lea makes readers care about the people in the story – beyond the main characters, too - as much as finding the killer. Hopefully this is a sign of things to come for a heroine, wider cast, and setting that deserves an ongoing series
This time Bradshaw and her team are faced with the puzzling murder of local hoarder Lizzy Bean, who is brutally garrotted in her own home, that’s overflowing with junk of all kinds. Making for tricky forensics at the scene. A second murder further complicates matters. Does a list of names of former foster kids have anything to do with the killings? Or had some locals who’d had issues with Lizzy Bean and her lifestyle choices play a part? Meanwhile many of the police in the region are instead focused on the missing daughter of a local councillor, and Bradshaw must also deal with the fallout of some life-changing news dropped on her by son Tony, who is in prison for murder.
Lea does a great job soaking readers in the rural and smalltown Northland setting, including the poverty and problems – drugs, gangs, mental health, greed – lurking beneath the picturesque region’s tourist-enticing landscapes. Nyree Bradshaw is an intriguing series star, a little different to the norm even in a sea of police procedurals and smalltown noir that’s out there.
Overall, Better Left Dead is a very good, gritty read where Lea makes readers care about the people in the story – beyond the main characters, too - as much as finding the killer. Hopefully this is a sign of things to come for a heroine, wider cast, and setting that deserves an ongoing series
July 28, 2025
Nice to read a Kiwi drama but not very well written.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews