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DC Maggie Neville #2
Wrong Place: A DC Maggie Neville Novel 2
Wrong Place is the second gripping crime novel in the DC Maggie Neville series from Michelle Davies, following her critically acclaimed debut Gone Astray.
Two women lie hospital beds, both subjects of police investigations.
One, a vulnerable old lady, has been assaulted in her own home. Suspected to be the fifth victim of a young couple targeting pensioners, her injuries indicate an escalation in violence from the perpetrators.
The second, a wife, has been attacked by her own husband, who subsequently fails in his own attempt to kill himself.
Whilst there are no obvious parallels between the victims, DC Maggie Neville, the Family Liaison Officer involved in both cases, begins to question what happened.
Is it simply a case of both being in the wrong place at the wrong time or is something far more sinister at play?
Two women lie hospital beds, both subjects of police investigations.
One, a vulnerable old lady, has been assaulted in her own home. Suspected to be the fifth victim of a young couple targeting pensioners, her injuries indicate an escalation in violence from the perpetrators.
The second, a wife, has been attacked by her own husband, who subsequently fails in his own attempt to kill himself.
Whilst there are no obvious parallels between the victims, DC Maggie Neville, the Family Liaison Officer involved in both cases, begins to question what happened.
Is it simply a case of both being in the wrong place at the wrong time or is something far more sinister at play?
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First published February 23, 2017
16 people are currently reading
411 people want to read
About the author
Michelle Davies
14 books103 followersMichelle Davies was born in Middlesex in 1972, raised in Buckinghamshire and now lives in north London.
Her debut crime novel, Gone Astray, was published in 2016 and features Family Liaison Officer DC Maggie Neville as its central police character. Gone Astray was part of a two-book deal with Pan Macmillan and the follow-up, Wrong Place, also featuring Maggie, is out now. Her third in the series, False Witness, is due out in July next year while a fourth will follow in 2019.
When she's not turning her hand to crime, Michelle writes as a freelance journalist for women's magazines including Marie Claire, YOU and Stylist. Her last staff job before going freelance was as Editor-at-Large at Grazia and she was previously Features Editor at heat. She began her career straight from school at 18, working as a trainee reporter on her home-town newspaper, the Bucks Free Press.
Her debut crime novel, Gone Astray, was published in 2016 and features Family Liaison Officer DC Maggie Neville as its central police character. Gone Astray was part of a two-book deal with Pan Macmillan and the follow-up, Wrong Place, also featuring Maggie, is out now. Her third in the series, False Witness, is due out in July next year while a fourth will follow in 2019.
When she's not turning her hand to crime, Michelle writes as a freelance journalist for women's magazines including Marie Claire, YOU and Stylist. Her last staff job before going freelance was as Editor-at-Large at Grazia and she was previously Features Editor at heat. She began her career straight from school at 18, working as a trainee reporter on her home-town newspaper, the Bucks Free Press.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
December 27, 2017
DC Maggie Neville is assigned as Family Liaison Officer to Eleanor, after what appears to be a failed murder and suicide. Eleanor’s husband is in a coma and may not live. Maggie tries to unravel what happened from Eleanor, but something troubles her about Eleanor’s account. If only she could think what! Maggie is also landed with working on another case - that of trying to find the assailant who attacked a woman in what is seen to be a distraction burglary. But this is the first time the couple wanted for several recent burglaries in the area has resulted in such injury to the victim. Sadie, the victim of this burglary is the grandmother of Della. Sadie has cared for Della since she was 3 year old and her mother Helen left one day and did not return. As the investigations progress it seems there is a link between the two cases. Can Maggie Neville find it?
This was a change of pace from my previous read and I enjoyed this story. Maggie is an interesting character who carries a secret. One she has carried for a long time and one she doesn’t want her sister Lou to ever know. Guilt eats away at her with the result that she overcompensates and allows Lou to too often to take advantage of her, especially when it comes to money, time and taking care of her three children.
This was my first experience with Maggie as I had not read the earlier book, Gone Astray, in which she featured. It didn’t matter. I soon was brought up to speed on the past situation and also her love life. This book kept my attention throughout though I was disappointed with the way it ended. But then, I suspect there is another book to come after this that takes up the story of Maggie and her parents and sister. I will have to keep an eye out for that one. If you like police procedural books this is a good even paced read that kept me turning the pages.
This was a change of pace from my previous read and I enjoyed this story. Maggie is an interesting character who carries a secret. One she has carried for a long time and one she doesn’t want her sister Lou to ever know. Guilt eats away at her with the result that she overcompensates and allows Lou to too often to take advantage of her, especially when it comes to money, time and taking care of her three children.
This was my first experience with Maggie as I had not read the earlier book, Gone Astray, in which she featured. It didn’t matter. I soon was brought up to speed on the past situation and also her love life. This book kept my attention throughout though I was disappointed with the way it ended. But then, I suspect there is another book to come after this that takes up the story of Maggie and her parents and sister. I will have to keep an eye out for that one. If you like police procedural books this is a good even paced read that kept me turning the pages.
September 7, 2021
Really good solid read! Took so long to read as I waited for the first book in the series to be delivered!
I have ordered books three and four; along with her standalone book!
Recommend x
I have ordered books three and four; along with her standalone book!
Recommend x
February 17, 2018
I bought this book about three months ago but upon picking it up as my next book to read didn’t read the blurb again so I basically went into this with no idea what it’s even about and therefore also with an open mind.
This book was really fast paced. It had me hooked from page one. The characters were all portrayed in a very likable and relatable manner. I didn’t have a hard time sympathizing with any of them. The story progressed nicely and the ending wasn’t predictable either.
I’d say this was a solid crime novel. Reading it I didn’t feel like it was missing anything.
This book was really fast paced. It had me hooked from page one. The characters were all portrayed in a very likable and relatable manner. I didn’t have a hard time sympathizing with any of them. The story progressed nicely and the ending wasn’t predictable either.
I’d say this was a solid crime novel. Reading it I didn’t feel like it was missing anything.
November 10, 2017
Full review to follow shortly.
March 29, 2020
Michelle Davies has crafted one of the best thrillers I've ever read, honestly.
It's rare for me to get so caught up in a thriller novel. Normally, I know what's coming and just bumble along and read it for the fun. With this book, I had so many theories about what was going on and it was exciting! The twists and turns along the way had me recrafting my theories until I was almost spot on near the end. The entire story is written well that it all builds on each other, until you come to the finale and everything just clicks.
Maggie Neville is a Family Liaison Officer who is dealing with two crimes at the same time. An elderly woman has been attacked, and it appears to be the same duo hurting other elderly ladies who live alone. And then a husband and wife appear to have been in a scuffle, possibly from a domestic dispute. And then, she realizes they might not be so different from each other...
There's so many parts to this story. Sadie, the elderly lady who was attacked, has only her granddaughter Della as a family member. That family has drama since Della's Mother long since disappeared and never returned. Della believes her Mother attacked Sadie. Then there's Eleanor, who was attacked by her husband in a domestic dispute. Add in that Maggie has her own dark secrets that could tear her family apart, and that her co-workers are trying to find the duo who were attacking old ladies... There's a lot going on.
Despite all of these interconnecting plot lines, the story is packed tight perfectly. I never felt like the plots were too much! Michelle spends enough time on each plot line that when it switches over to another character, I'm not disappointed. I honestly was surprised with how great this book worked for me. I need the rest of this series STAT!
I'd highly recommend this book. I am totally impressed and even managed to go through it a second time to see what I missed. This perfectly crafted book needs an audience! It'd be a real shame for it not to grab it!
Side Note: You do not need to read the rest of this series to know what's going on. You get filled in with enough information to know what's happening.
Five out of five stars!
I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
It's rare for me to get so caught up in a thriller novel. Normally, I know what's coming and just bumble along and read it for the fun. With this book, I had so many theories about what was going on and it was exciting! The twists and turns along the way had me recrafting my theories until I was almost spot on near the end. The entire story is written well that it all builds on each other, until you come to the finale and everything just clicks.
Maggie Neville is a Family Liaison Officer who is dealing with two crimes at the same time. An elderly woman has been attacked, and it appears to be the same duo hurting other elderly ladies who live alone. And then a husband and wife appear to have been in a scuffle, possibly from a domestic dispute. And then, she realizes they might not be so different from each other...
There's so many parts to this story. Sadie, the elderly lady who was attacked, has only her granddaughter Della as a family member. That family has drama since Della's Mother long since disappeared and never returned. Della believes her Mother attacked Sadie. Then there's Eleanor, who was attacked by her husband in a domestic dispute. Add in that Maggie has her own dark secrets that could tear her family apart, and that her co-workers are trying to find the duo who were attacking old ladies... There's a lot going on.
Despite all of these interconnecting plot lines, the story is packed tight perfectly. I never felt like the plots were too much! Michelle spends enough time on each plot line that when it switches over to another character, I'm not disappointed. I honestly was surprised with how great this book worked for me. I need the rest of this series STAT!
I'd highly recommend this book. I am totally impressed and even managed to go through it a second time to see what I missed. This perfectly crafted book needs an audience! It'd be a real shame for it not to grab it!
Side Note: You do not need to read the rest of this series to know what's going on. You get filled in with enough information to know what's happening.
Five out of five stars!
I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
August 5, 2017
The only thing that keeps popping in my mind after I finished the book is why this exact title, it has nothing to do with the story in my humble opinion, not to mention the cover that’s just bad.
Now considering the story and the plot, I want to say there’s nothing wrong with them. The plot was well developed and very tight. Nothing was left for coincidence and the mystery was well thought of.
I just did not care about how the mystery will turn out. The story was not that captivating or mesmerizing for me. Something was missing from the book. I’d liked the story to be more dark and mysterious but it was not the case for me.
Usually with this genre, I want the reveal to cause me instant insanity but with this story I was like “wow, okay let’s move on “ and that was all the reaction I had while reading the last chapters.
Now considering the story and the plot, I want to say there’s nothing wrong with them. The plot was well developed and very tight. Nothing was left for coincidence and the mystery was well thought of.
I just did not care about how the mystery will turn out. The story was not that captivating or mesmerizing for me. Something was missing from the book. I’d liked the story to be more dark and mysterious but it was not the case for me.
Usually with this genre, I want the reveal to cause me instant insanity but with this story I was like “wow, okay let’s move on “ and that was all the reaction I had while reading the last chapters.
October 21, 2017
Listened to in audio format.
I enjoyed Michelle Davies debut novel Gone Astray last year. Ever since I have been waiting eagerly for the next D.C. Maggie Neville novel.
In Wrong Place Maggie finds herself as Family Liaison Officer FLO on two separate investigations. Pensioner Sadie is found badly beaten in her own home by her granddaughter Della. Nothing of value was taken apart from a silver picture frame off the wall and some photos. The police believe it was an opportunist crime committed by a couple who are attacking elderly victims in their home.
Bea and her boyfriend are responsible for the attacks but not the attack on Sadie. Bea goes to hospital to apologise to the unconscious Sadie. Bea's boyfriend
threatens her not to go to the police. He starts to intimdate Bea and follows her from home and to school.
Hours later a woman is admitted to hospital with stab wounds inflicted by her husband. Who then tried to commit suicide by taking an overdose, he has survived but is unconscious and may not survive. When Maggie interviewed the wife she seemed confrontational and hard to get along with.
At home Maggie's sister Lou has met a new man. When Maggie could not babysit, Lou asks her eldest son to babysit the younger kids. Then an accident occurs while Lou is on a date with devastating consequences.
The plot for Wrong Place reeled me in from the first chapter. In fact I enjoyed the book so much I listened to it in double quick time. I felt sorry for Della who could not see her boyfriend was a manipulative man. I also felt sorry for 13 year old Bea who was not a bad girl but led into crime by her 18 year old boyfriend.
At the end of the book Louise found a valentine card from her fiance to Maggie. Shocked and angry she ran off to their parents home with her kids. I look forward to reading book 3.
I enjoyed Michelle Davies debut novel Gone Astray last year. Ever since I have been waiting eagerly for the next D.C. Maggie Neville novel.
In Wrong Place Maggie finds herself as Family Liaison Officer FLO on two separate investigations. Pensioner Sadie is found badly beaten in her own home by her granddaughter Della. Nothing of value was taken apart from a silver picture frame off the wall and some photos. The police believe it was an opportunist crime committed by a couple who are attacking elderly victims in their home.
Bea and her boyfriend are responsible for the attacks but not the attack on Sadie. Bea goes to hospital to apologise to the unconscious Sadie. Bea's boyfriend
threatens her not to go to the police. He starts to intimdate Bea and follows her from home and to school.
Hours later a woman is admitted to hospital with stab wounds inflicted by her husband. Who then tried to commit suicide by taking an overdose, he has survived but is unconscious and may not survive. When Maggie interviewed the wife she seemed confrontational and hard to get along with.
At home Maggie's sister Lou has met a new man. When Maggie could not babysit, Lou asks her eldest son to babysit the younger kids. Then an accident occurs while Lou is on a date with devastating consequences.
The plot for Wrong Place reeled me in from the first chapter. In fact I enjoyed the book so much I listened to it in double quick time. I felt sorry for Della who could not see her boyfriend was a manipulative man. I also felt sorry for 13 year old Bea who was not a bad girl but led into crime by her 18 year old boyfriend.
At the end of the book Louise found a valentine card from her fiance to Maggie. Shocked and angry she ran off to their parents home with her kids. I look forward to reading book 3.
February 9, 2020
Another great story featuring Maggie Neville, a family liaison officer, which gives a different slant to the usual thriller. I love Maggie but everyone gives her such a hard time, both colleagues and family. Maggie’s working 2 cases in this book which ramps up the intrigue. Very enjoyable.
My rating strategy:
5 stars = An all time favourite, I could tell you about this 10 years later.
4 stars = Loved this, really gripping/fun/exciting, will remember long term.
3 stars = Definitely enjoyed, might forget quickly though, but happy to read more by the author.
2 stars = Likely to have some goood points, but it didn't properly captivate me.
1 star = Not my cup of tea at all, wouldn't return to the author.
My rating strategy:
5 stars = An all time favourite, I could tell you about this 10 years later.
4 stars = Loved this, really gripping/fun/exciting, will remember long term.
3 stars = Definitely enjoyed, might forget quickly though, but happy to read more by the author.
2 stars = Likely to have some goood points, but it didn't properly captivate me.
1 star = Not my cup of tea at all, wouldn't return to the author.
March 24, 2017
DC Maggie Neville is back with a new case and further problems in her personal life. Maggie is assigned to be family liaison officer to Eleanor, a woman whose husband attempted to murder in a failed murder, suicide. Maggie begins to suspect something in her story does not add up. Her investigations throw up a link between her case and the disappearance of a woman sixteen years ago.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and 'Wrong Place' is a splendid continuation of Maggie's story from 'Gone Astray'. Davies has the perfect balance between following Maggie's investigation and progressing her personal life. Both are interesting and I have to say both are exciting and intriguing. At the heart of this plot lies identity and to be more specific, concealed identity. Of course this means there is a lot of suspicion and intrigue throughout which as a reader I loved.
'Wrong Place' has a tight, adrenaline fuelled, emotive plot which I adored and devoured. As I have said Maggie's life progresses and secrets are revealed. As a result I do think you need to have read 'Gone Astray' to fully enjoy 'Wrong Place', but that is just as good as this book. It was great to see Davies developing her lead character and all I am going to say is she is not going to give her an easy time! Della, our other lead character was very interesting to me, I spent half the book thinking she had a particular personality which Davies then completely changes. I found Della to be an intriguing character that really made me think about first impressions.
I loved 'Wrong Place', it has a high octane plot that never lets go and a very emotive plot.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and 'Wrong Place' is a splendid continuation of Maggie's story from 'Gone Astray'. Davies has the perfect balance between following Maggie's investigation and progressing her personal life. Both are interesting and I have to say both are exciting and intriguing. At the heart of this plot lies identity and to be more specific, concealed identity. Of course this means there is a lot of suspicion and intrigue throughout which as a reader I loved.
'Wrong Place' has a tight, adrenaline fuelled, emotive plot which I adored and devoured. As I have said Maggie's life progresses and secrets are revealed. As a result I do think you need to have read 'Gone Astray' to fully enjoy 'Wrong Place', but that is just as good as this book. It was great to see Davies developing her lead character and all I am going to say is she is not going to give her an easy time! Della, our other lead character was very interesting to me, I spent half the book thinking she had a particular personality which Davies then completely changes. I found Della to be an intriguing character that really made me think about first impressions.
I loved 'Wrong Place', it has a high octane plot that never lets go and a very emotive plot.
October 8, 2019
A good page turning read. The storyline was intriguing and I like the way Ms Davies melds the different plot lines together. Lots of twists and turns and an unexpected ending but in the end the past always catches up with everyone.
Maggie Neville's life is anything but simple she's always juggling too many balls in an effort to do her job, help her needy sister Lou and have a life of her own. Maggie has kept a secret from Lou for many year but when the truth is revealed Maggie is devastated. You'll need to read the book if you want to know how it ends - but it is a good read.
Maggie Neville's life is anything but simple she's always juggling too many balls in an effort to do her job, help her needy sister Lou and have a life of her own. Maggie has kept a secret from Lou for many year but when the truth is revealed Maggie is devastated. You'll need to read the book if you want to know how it ends - but it is a good read.
May 25, 2021
Fast paced police procedural. Multiple cases and a crazy personal life become intertwined as old and new secrets end up causing rifts, drama, injury and death.
August 12, 2025
There was approximately 100 characters, some of which are important to remember and some that aren't - no way of knowing until they aren't mentioned again.
Not sure what the title has to do with the story.
The ending was weird, a cliffhanger?
2 stars as the way the mystery played out was eventually quite satisfying and I didn't expect it.
Not sure what the title has to do with the story.
The ending was weird, a cliffhanger?
2 stars as the way the mystery played out was eventually quite satisfying and I didn't expect it.
August 17, 2017
Excellent second book in the series involving D C Maggie Neville.
Maggie is assigned to be family liaison officer to Eleanor, a woman whose husband attempted to murder in a failed murder, suicide. She is also working on FLO in another case involving a elderly lady robbed and attacked in her own home.Maggie begins to suspect something in her story does not add up. Her investigations throw up a link between both cases.
Lots of twists and turns and Maggie is a likeable character.
Her sister relies on her too much and seems very selfish, but Maggie has a secret which could destroy their relationship.
Maggie has ups and down in her own love life too.
Good series.
Maggie is assigned to be family liaison officer to Eleanor, a woman whose husband attempted to murder in a failed murder, suicide. She is also working on FLO in another case involving a elderly lady robbed and attacked in her own home.Maggie begins to suspect something in her story does not add up. Her investigations throw up a link between both cases.
Lots of twists and turns and Maggie is a likeable character.
Her sister relies on her too much and seems very selfish, but Maggie has a secret which could destroy their relationship.
Maggie has ups and down in her own love life too.
Good series.
April 21, 2017
Wow...wow...what an amazing book. Gone Astray was great but Wrong Place is fantastic. It's so clever how the author manages to weave seemingly unconnected characters and ties them all in together. The only other author I know of who is an expert at this skill is Kate Atkinson but Michelle Davies does a fine job too.
Clever convincing plot and likeable believable characters. So glad I picked this book up.
Clever convincing plot and likeable believable characters. So glad I picked this book up.
January 8, 2018
Having read and thoroughly enjoyed Michelle Davies’ first novel, Gone Astray, I was keen to read the next story in the DC Maggie Neville series. Neville is a Family Liaison Officer, and this gives a unique spin to a police procedural. Wrong Place is the story of a woman whose husband attempts to murder her and then commit suicide. But somehow the story doesn’t add up, and Maggie Neville manages to make links between this case and other unsolved crimes, both current and much older.
May 4, 2018
Well worth a read!
This is the second book in the series, following Maggie Neville a Dc also working as a Family liaison officer, and their work supporting families affected by crime. In this book we find more about her past life, looking at both her personal and professional life. I really enjoyed the storyline, and also the style of writing. Looking forwards to Michelle Davies’ next book.
This is the second book in the series, following Maggie Neville a Dc also working as a Family liaison officer, and their work supporting families affected by crime. In this book we find more about her past life, looking at both her personal and professional life. I really enjoyed the storyline, and also the style of writing. Looking forwards to Michelle Davies’ next book.
Read
May 12, 2017DNF @ page 100. It took me ten days to struggle to page 100. That says it all really. With characters as dull as dishwater and quite frankly, a plot that was borderline ridiculous, I have too many books waiting to be read in order to spend any more time on this one.
June 3, 2017
Another great series, with a cliffhanger at the end that has left me excited for the next book. Interesting to read crime from a different perspective.
August 13, 2017
Another great book from Michelle Davies...can't wait for part 3!!
November 15, 2022
Letto in inglese, un po’ complesso stare dietro agli acronimi e le descrizioni se non hai un livello abbastanza alto, però ciò che succede si capisce piuttosto bene.
Molto poliziesco, ma non scontato. Ho apprezzato.
Molto poliziesco, ma non scontato. Ho apprezzato.
July 21, 2021
Bra plot. Men leste den norske utgaven og oversettelsen var ikke heldig, så den ødela nok litt av leseopplevelsen.
September 18, 2018
DC Neville is back! Wrong Place is the second in the series and after a very intriguing flashback prologue, it picks up just after the trial from the case in the first book takes place.
Maggie is assigned as FLO to Della, a young woman whose Grandma has been found attacked in her home and is believed to be the next victim of the ‘Con Couple’ – a pair of burglars targetting the elderly. While supporting Della at the hospital, she gets a call to say she is being given a second case that, due to cuts and lack of personnel, she will need to juggle with her current one. An unconcious woman is being rushed to the same hospital after being attacked by her husband, who has then attempted suicide. Maggie goes to work investigating both cases and starts to think that things aren’t as they seem in both cases and that they could be linked… but how?
Along with her demanding work, Maggie is still supporting her sister Lou, who after the events of the first book, is now definitely a single mother to her three young children and is struggling even more. With extra pressures at work, Maggie can’t be there for as much as she wants to be and they start to resent each other. Also, can Maggie finally put a definition on her relationship with DCI Umpire?
I loved Gone Astray, but this takes it to another level! Maggie is fast becoming one of my favourite characters and this second book pushes her even further in every aspect of her life. I love how Michelle writes her and enjoyed how she has developed further in this book. Full of twists and turns, excellent characters, a fair few OMG and WTF moments with a brilliant ending make me literally chomping at the bit for the next one.
Maggie is assigned as FLO to Della, a young woman whose Grandma has been found attacked in her home and is believed to be the next victim of the ‘Con Couple’ – a pair of burglars targetting the elderly. While supporting Della at the hospital, she gets a call to say she is being given a second case that, due to cuts and lack of personnel, she will need to juggle with her current one. An unconcious woman is being rushed to the same hospital after being attacked by her husband, who has then attempted suicide. Maggie goes to work investigating both cases and starts to think that things aren’t as they seem in both cases and that they could be linked… but how?
Along with her demanding work, Maggie is still supporting her sister Lou, who after the events of the first book, is now definitely a single mother to her three young children and is struggling even more. With extra pressures at work, Maggie can’t be there for as much as she wants to be and they start to resent each other. Also, can Maggie finally put a definition on her relationship with DCI Umpire?
I loved Gone Astray, but this takes it to another level! Maggie is fast becoming one of my favourite characters and this second book pushes her even further in every aspect of her life. I love how Michelle writes her and enjoyed how she has developed further in this book. Full of twists and turns, excellent characters, a fair few OMG and WTF moments with a brilliant ending make me literally chomping at the bit for the next one.
November 10, 2018
This is one of the best novels I have read in quite a long time. The plot moved rapidly and kept me guessing. I was impressed at the way Michelle Davies was able to eloquently tie the two cases together in a way that was clever and very plausible. The crossover of each character was believable and made them each important in their own ways. With each new big reveal I happily surprised and they seamlessly led the way to a atmospheric big finale that tied up all of the loose ends. The only character I could not stand was Lou, Maggie's sister. Just the worst kind of human. A benefit-monger who, despite never having worked and instead taking constant handouts from the government, her family, and anyone she can trick into fathering yet another child, thinks she is some poor soul who has stumbled into bad luck and triumphantly clawed her way back to the top. To the top of what? Hussy Hill? Slut Slope? Unbelievable. Irresponsible, stupid, trades sex for attention from seemingly every man she meets (even proudly stating that she prefers to sleep with other peoples significant others, the disgusting tramp), burns through other peoples money because 'she deserves a few drinks and quick lay a few times a week' blames everyone else for her problems... far as I'm concerned, the whore has gotten exactly what deserved and Maggie shouldn't feel a drop of guilt. She did the fiance a favour in my opinion. I hope Maggie's family does not reappear in the next novel, because I'd like to read more of Michelle Davies' work; it really is excellent.
March 29, 2020
The blurb makes it sound as if the story is mostly about Eleanor and Simon aka the query murder/ suicide case where both victims survive, but in fact more time is devoted to the attack on pensioner Sadie with the missing daughter Helen. Then, of course, both cases merge in a rather unlikely way, which is handy as Maggie is the FLO appointed to both...
I found this novel interesting and fairly fast-paced, but struggled to keep going at one point: Renshaw was being horrible to Maggie, Will had dumped her, Lou was being a terrible sister, mother and general human being etc etc. However, I pushed through and things picked up, although I wish Maggie had dwelt longer on the realization that it is a really bad idea to date your boss. (I wouldn't date him anyway.) Bea's character seemed a bit off - I know she was only 14, but her plan to keep going to the hospital to apologize... Della was also rather tiresome. Eleanor/Gillian's motivation being "general madness" was lazy writing/plotting.
I'm glad Maggie's big secret about Jerome has come out, although her parents seem to swing wildly between favouring one daughter over the other. Looking forward to the next one.
I found this novel interesting and fairly fast-paced, but struggled to keep going at one point: Renshaw was being horrible to Maggie, Will had dumped her, Lou was being a terrible sister, mother and general human being etc etc. However, I pushed through and things picked up, although I wish Maggie had dwelt longer on the realization that it is a really bad idea to date your boss. (I wouldn't date him anyway.) Bea's character seemed a bit off - I know she was only 14, but her plan to keep going to the hospital to apologize... Della was also rather tiresome. Eleanor/Gillian's motivation being "general madness" was lazy writing/plotting.
I'm glad Maggie's big secret about Jerome has come out, although her parents seem to swing wildly between favouring one daughter over the other. Looking forward to the next one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 7, 2018
Good, clean, modern low-level uk crime in estigations in everyday settings. Teen bullying leading to serious gbh burglaries; issues of minors and eating disorders in middle class family who find it hard to believe their daughter could be bullied into crime as a way of developing self confidence. Then over-riding the teen disruptions is a case of an apparent copy crime which in fact covers up a lo g standing missing person case. A person found to have died......well that would give it all away.
Several topical issues relating to personal identity crises and relationships worked tightly into a believable story of the police and hospital services when stretched to their financial and physical limits.
Imo could be read by any age crime buff with interest without offence. Remarkably free of the current tendency to feel that writing about crime means emulating every aspect of vulgar lifestyles in language of tbe novel.
Several topical issues relating to personal identity crises and relationships worked tightly into a believable story of the police and hospital services when stretched to their financial and physical limits.
Imo could be read by any age crime buff with interest without offence. Remarkably free of the current tendency to feel that writing about crime means emulating every aspect of vulgar lifestyles in language of tbe novel.
July 5, 2018
At last! A female detective I can believe in. DC Maggie Neville is also a family liaison officer and this gripping crime thriller is part police procedural but heavy on the domestic psychology which I enjoy.
Neville needs to juggle 2 FLO jobs at once - both female victims recovering in the same hospital. One is an elderly lady attacked in her own home, thought to be the latest victim of doorstep con artists. The other a woman stabbed by her husband - but he is now in a coma in a different hospital and can't be questioned.
This is the second DC Neville book and I hadn't read the first but it didn't matter - links to characters in the previous novel (which I've now read) are well explained. As soon as I'd finished this I read the first novel which is just as good. I sincerely hope this is a series which runs and runs..it certainly deserves the success of Peter Robinson's DI Banks series. So keep writing, please, Ms Davies!
Neville needs to juggle 2 FLO jobs at once - both female victims recovering in the same hospital. One is an elderly lady attacked in her own home, thought to be the latest victim of doorstep con artists. The other a woman stabbed by her husband - but he is now in a coma in a different hospital and can't be questioned.
This is the second DC Neville book and I hadn't read the first but it didn't matter - links to characters in the previous novel (which I've now read) are well explained. As soon as I'd finished this I read the first novel which is just as good. I sincerely hope this is a series which runs and runs..it certainly deserves the success of Peter Robinson's DI Banks series. So keep writing, please, Ms Davies!
February 19, 2018
Wrong Place by Michelle Davies 5*
I picked this up in Waterstones last week thinking it might be ok. I was blown away by it once I started reading it yesterday. DC Maggie Neville is assigned to be family liaison officer to 2 different cases- firstly an elderly lady who was attacked in her own home and secondly a woman whose husband has attempted to kill her before trying to commit suicide. Maggie finds herself being drawn deeper into both cases and finding inconsistencies in both. Her home life is just as complicated as her professional career as she is trying to juggle an on off relationship with another officer together with supporting her sister and her three children.
I think this is the second book in the series so I will be hunting out the first and looking forward to the third being released.
I picked this up in Waterstones last week thinking it might be ok. I was blown away by it once I started reading it yesterday. DC Maggie Neville is assigned to be family liaison officer to 2 different cases- firstly an elderly lady who was attacked in her own home and secondly a woman whose husband has attempted to kill her before trying to commit suicide. Maggie finds herself being drawn deeper into both cases and finding inconsistencies in both. Her home life is just as complicated as her professional career as she is trying to juggle an on off relationship with another officer together with supporting her sister and her three children.
I think this is the second book in the series so I will be hunting out the first and looking forward to the third being released.
April 28, 2019
3.5 stars rounded up. DC Maggie Neville is dealing with 2 cases - one where an elderly lady has been attacked in her own home and another, where a wife has been attacked by her husband. Although there doesn’t seem to be a link, as time goes by events suggest that this may not be the case.
A good story with some interesting characters. I’m just not that keen on police procedurals, although I did like Maggie. Overall it wasn’t thrilling enough for me but it was still a well written story and I really liked the abrupt way it ended.
A good story with some interesting characters. I’m just not that keen on police procedurals, although I did like Maggie. Overall it wasn’t thrilling enough for me but it was still a well written story and I really liked the abrupt way it ended.
August 4, 2019
Maggie is a police Family Liaison Officer and ends up working two cases due to staff shortages. One involves an elderly lady who has been assaulted during a supposed distraction robbery; the other is the case of a wife whose husband has stabbed her and then attempted suicide. Maggie suspects something is wrong in both cases. You also find out about her own family and dating life. This was a quick read but above the average in character portrayals and I have already got the next book in the series on my kindle.
June 6, 2017
An enjoyable second outing for DC Maggie Neville, she is juggling two cases, looking after her sister and trying to have a love-life! Great to catch up with characters from Gone Astray. A very good police procedural detective story, I am looking forward to the next...hope I don't have to wait too long!
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