The silver car sits on a quiet suburban street, lit by the flicker of a nearby streetlamp. It hasn’t moved for days. Nobody noticed it arriving, and nobody knows what’s hidden inside…
When Lindy Pickering answers the door to police officers, she isn’t prepared for what they tell her. Her brother, Kain, was discovered dead that morning, locked inside a car owned by her late mother.
As the police begin to ask questions, Lindy admits that she and Kain hadn’t spoken in weeks, but she remains tight-lipped about the reason the siblings hated each other.
When neighbours begin to gossip, it seems that everyone had a reason for wanting Kain dead and Lindy realises that she can’t trust anyone around her. And as another body is found, killed in the same way as Kain, it’s clear that someone is keeping a close eye on the investigation, and they’re prepared to kill to keep their deadly secret hidden…
Carla Kovach was born in Birmingham, UK and now resides in Redditch, Worcestershire. Author of supernatural drama 'Flame,' psychological thriller 'To Let,' crime thriller 'Whispers Beneath the Pines, and romantic comedy 'Meet Me at Marmaris Castle.' Carla also writes stage and screen plays, some of which have been produced in the Worcestershire area.
Her new novel 'The Next Girl,' is available for preorder now. (Published by Bookouture).
Over the course of this heavy hitting series by Carla Kovach, Detective Gina Harte has navigated a painfully dark past, something she has kept secret for years. For some time, her romantic life had gone well, although that was a secret as well, this due to the fact that her romantic parter was her boss, DCI Chris Briggs. That relationship has now ended, and Gina is still dealing with strong emotions over that loss.
For now, Gina and her team have their latest case. There are a rash of murders that bear a very similar signature. In addition, it appears that someone is keeping one step ahead of the police, and Gina unreservedly works at discovering who that could be.
As Gina begins her investigation, she starts with the first victim’s sister, Lindy. Answers don’t come easy, but it doesn’t take long for Gina to learn that Lindy and her brother hadn’t spoken in some time. In fact, they hated each other. This was not the only toxic relationship the victim had in his life. As the investigation begins to grow deeper, it quickly becomes clear that many of the neighbors also hated the victim, thus finding the perpetrator proves increasingly difficult.
As always, this crime thriller series brings in hard-hitting scenarios, in this case a brutal killer with apparently no desire to stop. Factoring in Gina’s personal life, and how that takes a surprising turn, clearly complicated by the possibility of a devastating connection at play, all work towards making this story even more compelling.
I am sure many readers other than myself wonder if Gina’s relationship with Briggs will reignite, or will that tension end up breaking the team. As always, every story in this series begins with a bang, creating tension and drama that captivates the reader. These stories are excellent, leaving readers eagerly anticipating the next installment in the series.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
Their Deadly Truth is the 18th book in the Detective Gina Harte series. I haven’t read any of the previous books and I didn’t feel like I’d missed anything so this can be read as a standalone.
The story is told through multiple POVs and has a few different timelines. I think this worked really well as we got the back stories of different characters. I do think the chapters could have been shorter but that’s just me.
It was a fast paced, crime thriller which kept me guessing throughout. I thought I knew the twist but I was wrong so that has upped the rating because I love being proven wrong when reading!
If you have any content triggers, I advise you to read any trigger warnings beforehand.
I recommend this to anyone who enjoys a tense, crime thriller!
would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book
gine harte is back and with a gruesome murder to solve....
when the call came in they werent expecting the gruesome find... a body was in the boot of the car and had been for several days... identification was going to be difficult but the car was registered and it was just a follow up....
what they werent expecting was what was about to happen... another body ... lies and cover ups and runaways
all adds to ginas heartache and a blast from the past...
In the eighteenth instalment of this masterfully crafted police procedural series, beloved Detective Gina Harte returns with razor-sharp instincts, a haunted past, and a relentless drive for justice. Her relationship with Briggs is a bond forged in secrecy and now fractured by silence and with the interest of her new boss on her, she is experiencing conflicting emotions.
This time, the case is darker, the stakes higher, and the twists more unpredictable than ever. When Lindy Pickering’s brother Kain is murdered Gina must navigate a maze of lies and buried secrets, all while confronting demons from her own past.
With a cast of richly drawn characters, some allies, some suspects, and some dangerously in between, the story unfolds with breathtaking tension and emotional depth. Every clue leads to more questions, and just when you think you’ve figured it out, the plot pivots in a way that leaves you gasping.
Smart, layered, and utterly addictive, this is crime fiction at its finest where loyalty is tested, justice is elusive, and the truth is anything but simple.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of the book, all opinions expressed are my own.
This case was all over the place. I kept up with the clues as they accumulated on the white board in the division war room. Cheating, revenge, hate, and lies made a vortex of malevolence that refused to be stopped and kept Gina guessing. Briggs is also off the case because of implications and that left Gina with unanswered questions. He seemed unwilling to maintain their relationship but there might be a new possibility for Gina if she’s willing to pull that string. I guess I’ll have to wait until #19 to see what Gina will do! Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the early copy.
Thanks to Bookouture for adding me to another Advanced Reading Copy. I really enjoy the crime fiction titles they publish and this one was no exception. This was a fast paced crime mystery that kept me hooked from start to finish. The story leaves you constantly guessing about what happened in the past and the killer targeting everyone involved. All while long buried secrets begin to surface.
I love all her books and great to read about Gina again and see how life is treating her and Briggs.
At the centre of the book is Lindy Pickering, whose world is shaken when her estranged brother Kain is found dead inside their late mother’s car. Gina really has her work cut out as the police start digging, the neighbours start gossiping, and the past begins to ooze into the present. Lindy’s refusal to reveal what destroyed her relationship with Kain adds a compelling layer of mystery, making her a character you watch closely never quite knowing whether she’s hiding guilt, fear, or something more complicated.
As the investigation unravels, it becomes clear that everybody had a reason to want Kain gone. The atmosphere thickens with paranoia, and you can practically feel the walls closing in on Lindy. When a second body is found, killed in the same way, the book shifts into full thriller mode the sense that someone is watching, manipulating, and willing to kill again is genuinely chilling.
Loved it definitely recommend. Thank you to Netgalley and Bookoutre for an ARC
✅ Their Deadly Truth was a ok thriller-mystery-crime fiction. Book 18 has Detective Gina Harte having a hard time keeping her work and personal life separated. Her relationship with Briggs is confusing to say the least. The pacing of the story seemed to fluctuate quite a bit. I ended up confused more than a few times….rereading what I just read. Or, going back a few pages to reconfirm what I thought I had read previously. Was I kept guessing? Yes, I certainly was. This was a case of secrets from the past coming back to haunt others. I have been reading Detective Gina Harte series for quite awhile now. This is book 18 so it’s a long standing series. This is a favorite series I always look forward to reading. I hope to read the next book in the series.
Firstly, huge thanks to Bookouture for once again asking me along for the ride. I absolutely adore this series so am delighted to be taking part.
How is it possible that we are onto book #18 in the magnificent DI Gina Harte Series already?
Throughout the series, we have witnessed how Gina Harte has worked her way through the maze that is her truly harrowing and dark past, something she kept hidden for so many years and is now finally learning to trust those around her enough to show some vulnerability. Whilst saying she is happy maybe be pushing it, she's settled... if only her love life could be!
For those who haven't read the previous installment/s - shame on you - her secret relationship with her boss DCI Briggs has now broken down due to something she did on her last case, is it beyond repair?
When Briggs is taken off the case with no explanation, Gina is torn. Can she trust the new DCI? What has Briggs done? Can she keep focused when her heart is torn?
The latest case starts with a car left on a driveway. The owner rented the driveway for a night but has far outstayed their welcome. When Tina, the homeowner finally decides to check the car, her instincts kick in when she sees flies circling and she calls the police.
In the boot is a body, that of Kain Pickering, the car belonging to his late mother. Knocking on his sisters Lindy's door to deliver the news, its the start of a nightmare she thought she'd long left behind. Estranged from her brother, what secrets is she keeping?
When another body is found they spot a similarity. A blue teddy bear has been left at both scenes!
Once again Gina and her team are facing a cold blooded killer. A killer that seems to be two steps ahead at all times.
Told through multiple POVs and timelines, this worked really well as it gave a real sense of the characters and their backstories.
One thing that Carla never fails to deliver is the tension. The palpable build up constantly keeps you guessing.
The cast of characters are perfectly written, multi dimensional and relatable which is a huge plus in my eyes. Whilst we have learnt more and more about Gina throughout the series, I love how we are still getting to really know her and while I love the drip feeds and desperately want to know more, I also want to keep that slow drip going as it feels like an honour to be trusted with her character.
If you enjoy psychological thrillers with a strong character development and lots of twists, turns and surprises, this is the series to delve into. I would highly recommend going back to the beginning to truly get to grips with the characters and past storylines though!
Huge thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC.
Their Deadly Truth by Carla Kovach is a highly recommended procedural and the 18th novel in the Detective Gina Harte series. Enough background information is provided that it can be enjoyed as a standalone novel for the investigation.
When a body is found in the trunk of a parked car, Detective Gina Harte and her team are called in to investigate. The body is identified as Kain Pickering and the car belonged to his deceased mother. At her house, where Kain was living, a blue teddy bear is found. Kain's sister Lindy Pickering is notified. She admits to police that her brother had a lot of issues but has no idea who would kill him. When another murder happens with a blue teddy bear at the scene, it becomes clear that someone is targeting specific victims. Then DCI Briggs is suddenly pulled off the case and a new DCI is brought in for the lead.
The writing is very good and the pace moves quickly in this intricate case that may involve events from the past but also seems to be targeting a friend group of women too. A teddy bear left at the scene or homes is one of the clear clues that mark the victims. All the clues are logically followed and there is a lot going on as several suspect emerge in the investigation continues. This is a unpredictable procedural, so just go with the clues uncovered and follow the action as the team investigates.
There continues to be more character development for Gina in this outing. For readers new to the series, some events in Gina's past are mentioned in the narrative which are helpful to introduce her and her history. The hidden personal relationship between Gina and DCI Chris Briggs is still on the rocks.
As an aside, one clue is a blue hoodie and the team searches a house for it. This actually had me laughing at the absurdity of it as a clue because any search of my home would unearth all manner, styles, and hues of blue hoodies along with hoodies of many other colors, sizes, and variations.
Their Deadly Truth is a good choice for readers who enjoy procedurals and especially for those following the Gina Harte series. Thanks to Bookouture for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.
The silver car that has been parked on Tina’s driveway for days and she’s fuming. They only paid for one night’s parking and the phone number they gave her is dead. But when she notices flies buzzing around and a terrible odor coming from the boot, she calls the police, who confirm her worst fears: there’s a body inside.
Gina Harte and her team are on the case and quickly identify the man as Kain Pickering, and the car as belonging to his late mother, Maura. When they inform his sister, Lindy, of his death, she tells them they had a strained relationship, but remains tight-lipped about the details. But their neighbours aren’t so secretive and it seems Kain had a lot of enemies. When another body turns up killed in the same way, the pressure to find the killer is heightened. What is the connection between the two victims? And why has DCI Chris Briggs, Gina’s boss and former boyfriend, been taken off the case?
Tense, twisty and addictive, this was another unputdownable instalment in the Gina Harte series. I can’t believe that we’re on book eighteen! But Carla Kovach never disappoints, delivering heart-stopping mysteries that keep me on the edge of my seat every single time. A story about decades-old secrets and a killer out for vengeance, this book is filled with an array of characters, possible suspects and intricately interwoven storylines that kept me guessing right until the truth was finally revealed.
I love reading a series and coming back to well-loved characters time and again. I’ve been reading these books ever since I first started Bookstagram in 2018 so Gina and her team have a very special place in my heart. In this instalment, there isn’t a lot of discussion about personal lives, but the strain between Gina and her ex, Chris, along with the uncertainty about his involvement in the crimes, added an extra layer of tension and made me feel even more invested in the outcome. And, as always, Kovach has me looking forward to the next book with a compelling cliffhanger.
A gripping instalment in a fantastic series that all thriller-lovers should read, I highly recommend this book.
Gina is a fantastic character with a very heavy past — one that still leaves a mark on her life today. She constantly feels as though it could catch up with her at any moment and turn her entire world upside down. For me as a reader, though, that kind of backstory is something to savor — the kind that makes you hope the secrets stay hidden just a little longer. Every time, I fear her past will resurface, but by the end of each book, I can breathe a sigh of relief again — and I imagine Gina does too. :)
Because of what happened in the past, she struggles to build a comfortable private life. Her relationship with her daughter could easily take a different turn because of it, and her love life also suffers.
Once again, Gina and her team face a cold-blooded killer. I find it fascinating how traumas can lie dormant in someone’s mind for years — only to break free like a lion from its cage when something triggers them, sparing no one in the process.
It’s a race against time to track down suspects and find the missing before the killer can strike again. A clever murderer like this one knows exactly how to create smokescreens, making the police lose valuable time — and giving himself the opportunity to carry out his twisted plans.
You can deceive Gina and her team for a while, but escaping their grasp? No chance — no matter how hard you try.
Gina has been in an on-again, off-again relationship for quite some time. The question is: will the light finally stay on, or will it go out for good this time?
I really enjoyed trying to solve the case alongside Gina and her team, and I admire the author’s creativity in coming up with such an inventive killer. It’s always fun (well — maybe that’s not the right word, lol) when a story features a murder weapon that’s a little different from the usual ones.
I’m always counting down the days until a new Gina Harte adventure is released — and this time was no different. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I loved it!! The Detective Gina Harte Series is definitely one of my favorites. I was hooked from the beginning and couldn't put the book down because I had to know who was behind the murders and how it relates to the prologue. Leaving teddy bears at the scene was plain creepy. I knew there had to be a connection between the men being killed. What debt did they have to pay in full? There were so many twists and turns. I was suspicious of so many people. The book kept me guessing until the very end. I was definitely shocked when everything was finally revealed. I never suspected this person. So much effort was put into getting revenge I wish Gina could get over the guilt about letting her husband die. I'm sure he never felt guilty about what he was doing to her for all those years. Poor Gordon being locked in the bathroom all those days. I can't wait for the next book in the series.
I definitely recommend the book and the previous ones in the series. This was a great mystery/thriller. I loved the characters, writing style and story. I can't wait to find out what's next for Det. Gina Harte. I wish I had better news about DCI Chris Briggs and Gina. Do they belong together? They always had to keep their relationship secret. I do see another love interest on the horizon for Gina. She deserves to be happy after the abuse from her husband. Will the next book be about Hannah and Gina? Sooner or later Hannah is going to find out the truth about her dad, although she probably will not believe it and blame her mom. Look forward to reading more books by the author. I loved the book cover.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bookouture through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I liked this book, but not as much as the previous ones in the series. Gina Harte kind of got on my nerves this time in a way she had not before. This time around, Harte and her team are called in when a body is found in the trunk of a car- the identification of that person leads to his family and their friends, who are all connected in some way. A prologue gives the reader a little insight into an older crime but they then need to connect the dots along with the police before more people are murdered.
I liked the prologue and I see how the book tied the current crimes back to it but I wish there had been a little more information, being that it was so many years later. I didn't think the main characters in this book were likable at all and honestly didn't much care if they ended up getting murdered. As mentioned above, I was a little irritated with Gina, primarily around her relationship with Briggs, which is unethical anyway, but I also got tired of hearing her inner monologue about their relationship and also thought she was awfully quick to question his motives when she learns he has ties to this case. She also seems to be romantically interested in yet another superior! I could have done without that entire storyline. There were some decent twists throughout, and the end of the book tied things up pretty well, but like I said, I think we could have gotten a little deeper dive into the villain and that person's background.
Overall, this was a suspenseful read and the pace was quick, but there were just some things that caused me to like this one a little less than some of the others I have read in the series. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Their Deadly Truth, is the eighteenth book in the Gina Harte series by Carla Kovach. I was late getting into this series and have read many of the books out of sequence. That said, I don’t feel that it has spoilt my enjoyment or understanding of the series.
A silver car left abandoned on a quiet street and remained unnoticed for several days, until a body is found locked inside. The victim is Kain Pickering, and the car belongs to his late mother. For Kain’s estranged sister Lindy, the police knocking on her door is only the beginning of a nightmare she hoped she had left behind.
Lindy is evasive, her relationship with her brother complicated by old resentments and hidden grievances. But she’s not the only one with something to hide. As detectives start digging, the neighbours whisper and point fingers, because it seems almost everyone had a motive to want Kain gone.
The novel started strongly and kept me interested throughout, the tension builds and Lindy realises she is surrounded by potential enemies. Her paranoia intensifies when another body surfaces, killed in an eerily similar way. Someone out there is watching the investigation unfold, they’re ready to strike again to protect the truth.
This is a very good addition to a series that keeps getting better.
I would like to thank both Netgalley and Bookouture for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Interesting how the death of a fairly universally disliked guy who even his family had trouble dealing with is just the precursor to a quick spate of violent attacks, including one targeting DCI Briggs, DI Harte's on and off romantic interest. The urgency to find and stop the perpetrator is there, as are some quite convoluted relationships between a small group of friends that includes the sister of Kain, the first victim.
Gina's private life is less of a factor in this book in the series: not a problem for me. But, in fact, very little character development in this one for any of the police investigating team. The personal insights are all focused on the small group of friends (most of them not that sympathetic as characters) and how they link to the victims.
The prologue does not connect to the rest of the story until well on in. By the time it did I had forgotten what had gone down in the prologue! I am not really a fan of this technique.
For me, this was a good addition to the series because the mystery of the links between victims, motive and the suspense about whether and with whom the killing would continue kept me reading. Not on par with the best in the Gina Harte series, but still enjoyable, solid crime mystery reading.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.
Their deadly truth is book 18 in the Carla Kovach series, and the series keeps getting better and better. Tina has rent out her driveway to earn some extra money. But the current one has been left abandoned, and no one has come to claim it. Even worse they find a body of Kain Pickering in the boot of the car. Gina discovers that the car belong to his late mother that has died recently. When Gina informs the next of Kin his sister Lindy, they find that brother and sister has been estranged for some time, but she will not tell them why. She has secrets of what might have got him killed. But nobody liked him. There is a lot of people wanting him dead. When another body turns up with the same M O as Kain. Gina has her work cut out to find the links between them and a new boss on the scene. As Briggs has been taken off the case as he has links to the people involved. The is another excellent read with a strong and well-paced storyline from Carla Kovach. It is a bit grittier than her previous, but it intrigued me more and I kept on reading, I love the character of Gina, she is not perfect, but she is a good leader, and she gets the job done. But I wish and think she deserves a happy ending in her personal life. Is it the end of her and Briggs? I can’t wait for the next one to find out. 5 srars
Their Deadly Truth by Carla Kovach is the 18th in the Detective Gina Harte series.
Let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Bookouture, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
I really enjoyed this book.
The author has created a great heroine in Gina Harte. The woman is tenacious in every book, determined to find the answers. Although she sometimes annoys me, usually when she tries to do everything herself. But overall, she is a very determined lady!
The plot was great, with a number of twists, and a lot of characters and suspects. You really had to pay attention. The suspense continues to build throughout the book. The suspense also built around the relationship between Gina and Briggs. Is it over?
Overall, this was another complex mystery. I'm really looking forward to the next book.
Anyway, until next time....
For a more thorough review of this book and others (including the reason I chose to read/review this book, my own synopsis of the book, and its author information), please visit my blog: http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
The book opens with the body of a dead man in the book of a car that had been parked for 5 days and needs to be moved. The body is identified as an ex-detective. The police notify his sister, Lindy, who is his next of kin. Lindy explains that she and Kain hadn't spoken in over a week, but doesn't tell them why. As the police question neighbours, it seems that there is more than one person that wanted him dead. When a second body is found with the same mode of death, the case heats up. Can Detective Gina Harte and her team find the killer before another body is found.
This time around, Gina has to be careful. She is having an inappropriate relationship with Briggs, a superior officer, but he has ties to this case. He knows the victims, and had worked with them in the past. There are so many people involved in this case. Friends, neighbours, other family members all have to be investigated, and some of them are lying, but why? There were some twists, that kept me guessing along the way. The last quarter of the book identifies the killer and gives us some of his motive, but by this point, I just thought he was unbalanced. This was not my favourite Gina Harte book but I still enjoyed the mystery, with all it's twists and convoluted paths.
This book kept my brain working the entire time. I swear every chapter had me pointing at someone different like, “Okay, this one is the killer. No wait, maybe not.” 😂
This was also my first time reading a thriller where the main character is actually a detective, and I really enjoyed that change. It felt different following someone who should know how to handle things, but still gets thrown into a case filled with secrets, lies, and people who know more than they’re saying.
I kept feeling suspicious of everyone. One chapter I’d trust someone, the next I’d be like, nope, you’re definitely hiding something. And I ended up being wrong so many times, which honestly made it fun.
Emotionally, some parts hit harder than I expected. Anything involving family, motherhood, or guilt always gets to me, and this book had moments that made me pause before I continued reading.
The twists eventually came together in a way that felt messy, sad, but satisfying which is exactly the kind of chaos I want from a detective thriller. And even though this is book 18, it was very easy to follow as a standalone.
Thank you Bookouture for the ARC. I really enjoyed this experience.
Gina Harte is a good detective who has a complicated relationship with her boss, DCI Chris Briggs, and that has never come to play more than in this case. This book starts out strong with an intriguing case and many suspects in the suspicious death of a not-very-nice man. I've read several of the prior books in this procedural thriller series, but I thought the pacing in this one was a little uneven. There are some thriller moments, but things get bogged down with a lot of characters and several points-of-view. That often makes a book go by quickly for me, but this time it becomes confusing.
Gina makes some questionable choices as the case heats up, but things are eventually resolved. GIna's personal life is another matter and it looks like things could become even more complicated in the future. Those following the series will want to find out what those developments are. I recommend this series, but I would start with one of the prior books.
I received an advance copy of this ebook from Bookouture and NetGalley for review consideration, but my review is voluntary and unbiased.
Their Deadly Truth is a gripping entry in the Detective Gina Harte series by Carla Kovach. Lindy Pickering isn't prepared when the police knock on her door to tell her that her brother, Kain, was found dead that morning. He was found dead in a car owned by her late mother. Kain and Lindy hadn't spoken in some time, but she doesn't tell the police why. As the investigation proceeds there are many in the neighborhood who would have reason to want Kain dead. When another body is found and killed in the same manner as Kain, Gina knows this may be a killer with something to hide. Somebody wants to keep their secret hidden and will stop at nothing to do it. Will Gina and her team be able to find out who the killer is with so many possible suspects? Will the killer keep killing? What is he or she hiding? Their Deadly Truth is a tense thriller that will keep you guessing until the end. I rate Their Deadly Truth 4 stars with a high recommendation for those that enjoy thrillers. I'd like to thank NetGalley and Bookouture for an advanced copy of Their Deadly Truth in exchange for a fair review. #TheirDeadlyTruth
When a man shows up dead that so many people disliked, it provided a slew of suspects and made Gina and her team’s job difficult. Throw in that Briggs is sidelined for unknown reasons and their difficulty increased. The case was a little darker than normal. I flipped over and over on who I thought was guilty. The intensity increased as the stakes rose.
Gina is a strong, flawed woman with a good heart. She works tirelessly to solve the case and is easy to like and root for. Over the series I have sometimes questioned her choices, but I respect that she works so hard. I’ve also grown quite fond of the rest of the team. The characters are so well written.
I found it interesting that Gina’s personal life continued to be a little topsy turvy. An old friend walks back into her life and with things with Briggs up in the air, it added a wrinkle to her life.
This is well suited for anyone that’s a fan of police procedurals or crime novels. And while this is book 18 of the series, it can be read as a stand alone. The case is contained in the book, but the rich character development won’t be evident.
Cuando el cadáver de un hombre es hallado en el maletero de un coche abandonado, la detective Gina Harte sabe que no se trata de un caso cualquiera. El vehículo pertenece a Maura Pickering, fallecida un mes antes, pero la víctima es su hijo Kain, un hombre con una vida marcada por los excesos, las deudas y los enemigos.
Mientras Gina intenta reconstruir los últimos días de Kain, la investigación la lleva a descubrir una red de mentiras que se extiende entre su familia, sus antiguos socios y una misteriosa mujer que parece saber más de lo que admite. La casa donde Kain vivía con su madre revela signos de violencia y una pista perturbadora: un pequeño oso de peluche azul manchado de sangre.
Con la presión del caso, el distanciamiento de su jefe y los fantasmas de su pasado pesando sobre ella, Gina deberá seguir su instinto para desenmascarar a un asesino que conoce demasiado bien a su víctima… y que podría estar mucho más cerca de lo que imagina.
Carla Kovach never disappoints! The grittiest one yet, the 18th instalment in the Gina Harte series is an absolute triumph! The discovery of alcoholic troublemaker Kain Pickering’s body in the boot of a car triggers a chain of events that immediately pulls our beloved DI in multiple directions, testing loyalties and unearthing long-buried secrets. Tense, twisty and brilliantly executed, the plot constantly keeps you guessing. Just when you think you’ve solved it, it pivots completely! With richly drawn characters and Gina's personal life at a crossroads, this book kept me reading into the wee small hours. Don't worry if you haven't read the previous books, the backstory snippets make it easily read as a standalone. With an ending that's tied up as neatly as a blue and a pink teddy bear gift wrapped in a bow, this is perfect for police procedural fans. I received an advance copy of this book and this is my own opinion.
It's always good to catch up with Gina and Co. and this, the 18th book in the series, is as good as the first. Gina seems to be finally moving on from her past, but that doesn't mean she's totally free of it. Her relationship with Briggs is again at a crossroads, another thing that she may be moving on from, but another thing she'll never be totally free from, even if she wanted to be, they know where the bodies are, in this case literally! As always these reads work perfectly well as stand-alones but to enjoy them to their fullest I urge you to read the series in order and I envy you the binge read. The main plot is engrossing, with a very unusual and pretty horrific manner of death. There are a lot of characters closely linked and I never for a moment spotted who the villain was. A good multilayered read that keeps you guessing.
Detective Gina Harte is focused on her work, as she always has been, but now the job seems to be all she has. Her boss and former lover is still giving her the cold shoulder and is unable to forgive Gina for something that happened in a previous case. When she is given a new case, Gina does what she does best. A body is found in an abandoned car. There are no real clues as to what happened, but once the body is identified, Gina and her team begin the task of getting answers, finding connections, and identifying the perpetrator. When Gina's boss is detained for questioning, she has a new motivation to solve the case. The discovery of another murder ramps up the investigation. The similarities between the two bodies reveal that the murderer has a plan and is willing to do anything to complete that plan. It is a twisty mystery with an intriguing ending.
Another brilliant instalment in the Gina Harte series. A woman who rents out her parking space to commuters notices that the last occupant has failed to vacate the space - the car remains, and she struggles to contact the owner. Police knock on Lindy’s door to inform her that they have found her brothers body in the same abandoned car which had been owned by her deceased mother. In the meantime another dead body shows up and there are similarities. What connects the deaths? And why is Chris Briggs, Gina’s previous love interest, acting so strangely? Fantastic police procedural - this is the third of the Gina Harte series that I’ve read and they don’t disappoint. Thanks to the author and publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review
When the pressure cooker doesn’t just hiss; it explodes in the 18th Detective Gina Harte novel!
Kovach once again delivering a totally engaging and gripping read.
The prologue throws you right into the action, giving you just enough of a taste of the “why” behind a series of murders and disappearances to keep you hooked. The real question that pulls you in is, why now? and importantly, who in this cast of characters seeking revenge.
Carla blends past with the present, not just for murder plot, but for the relationships as well. We get more of the Ginga and Briggs dynamic, a look at a younger Briggs, and the return of a friends from Gina’s Rookie days. Will their reunion spark something more?