What do you think?
Rate this book
Cal Lovett Files #5
Unseen
Not yet published
Expected 20 Aug 26Can a true crime podcaster track down a killer hiding in plain sight?
Bella Davies is cooking dinner for her family when she hears a voice she hasn't heard in a long time. She collapses in shock. The man being interviewed on the television murdered her mother and sisters.
The crime shocked the nation thirty-seven years ago. Back then, a man confessed and pleaded guilty to the crime, leaving Bella and her father to move on with their lives as best they could. But now Bella they got the wrong guy.
Podcaster Cal Lovett is trying to move on from his own demons, putting the past behind him and focusing on building a new life. But then Bella shows up on his doorstep and he knows he can never truly move on...
A dark and thrilling crime fiction novel set in Scotland. Perfect for fans of Jane Casey, Claire Douglas and Neil Lancaster.
Bella Davies is cooking dinner for her family when she hears a voice she hasn't heard in a long time. She collapses in shock. The man being interviewed on the television murdered her mother and sisters.
The crime shocked the nation thirty-seven years ago. Back then, a man confessed and pleaded guilty to the crime, leaving Bella and her father to move on with their lives as best they could. But now Bella they got the wrong guy.
Podcaster Cal Lovett is trying to move on from his own demons, putting the past behind him and focusing on building a new life. But then Bella shows up on his doorstep and he knows he can never truly move on...
A dark and thrilling crime fiction novel set in Scotland. Perfect for fans of Jane Casey, Claire Douglas and Neil Lancaster.
Kindle Edition
Expected publication August 20, 2026
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
June 24, 2026
4-5 stars
Cal Lovett (crime podcaster) #5
As a child, Bella Davies is Izzy, but not now. Once upon a happy time she’s Izzy Carlo, daughter of Allegra Carlo who is murdered along with her two sisters with Izzy left barely alive. Eventually, after exhaustive police enquiries into a case that shocks the nation, Lachlan Merrick confesses and is still serving a long sentence for the brutal murders. Now, a married woman with two sons, Bella is cooking the family dinner when she hears a voice on TV that shocks her to the core. It’s many years since she heard it, and now she’s convinced the police convicted the wrong man. When Bella shows up on Cal Lovett’s doorstep he’s wrestling with many demons, including the unresolved murder of his older sister Margot. As he works with Bella, he realises he cannot move on until he gets justice, not only for Bella, but also his sister.
I love this series and I’ve enjoyed them all and I hesitate to select “the best” but it might just be this one. First of all, it’s always a pleasure to return to the atmospheric world of Cal in Aberdeenshire where he lives with his partner Shona, with his Edinburgh University based daughter Chrissie a frequent visitor. Let’s not forget Rocket, the adorable Labrador. These are such likeable characters and I love the strong bond, love and trust between the three of them. Cal especially deserves happiness and oh boy, this latest instalment is an emotional and painful journey for him which Heather Critchlow conveys so well. In addition, there’s the pain that Bella and her father Dominic have lived with since Bella is five years old and that is palpable. Bella‘s varying emotions hit the heart strings. Despite the intensity of their feelings and how difficult, if not traumatic the journey is, I’m desperate for them to get answers.
The Carlo case is gripping it’s truly a shocker. I love the insertions of the podcast which further intensifies an already tense situation. The case is not clear cut at all, the deeper Cal digs, the more danger it’s evident they’re in. It’s very suspenseful, there are many setbacks, there are twists and turns as well as dilemmas for Cal to navigate, especially within his conscience. Dark and powerful forces are in the way of the truth and will stop at nothing. I like how it’s resolved and the ultimate ending is everything I hope for Cal.
Overall, I truly hope it’s not the end of this series. Cal may not have skin in future games but there’s plenty of mileage especially as I enjoy being in Cal, Shona and Chrissie’s company for a few hours.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Canelo for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.
Cal Lovett (crime podcaster) #5
As a child, Bella Davies is Izzy, but not now. Once upon a happy time she’s Izzy Carlo, daughter of Allegra Carlo who is murdered along with her two sisters with Izzy left barely alive. Eventually, after exhaustive police enquiries into a case that shocks the nation, Lachlan Merrick confesses and is still serving a long sentence for the brutal murders. Now, a married woman with two sons, Bella is cooking the family dinner when she hears a voice on TV that shocks her to the core. It’s many years since she heard it, and now she’s convinced the police convicted the wrong man. When Bella shows up on Cal Lovett’s doorstep he’s wrestling with many demons, including the unresolved murder of his older sister Margot. As he works with Bella, he realises he cannot move on until he gets justice, not only for Bella, but also his sister.
I love this series and I’ve enjoyed them all and I hesitate to select “the best” but it might just be this one. First of all, it’s always a pleasure to return to the atmospheric world of Cal in Aberdeenshire where he lives with his partner Shona, with his Edinburgh University based daughter Chrissie a frequent visitor. Let’s not forget Rocket, the adorable Labrador. These are such likeable characters and I love the strong bond, love and trust between the three of them. Cal especially deserves happiness and oh boy, this latest instalment is an emotional and painful journey for him which Heather Critchlow conveys so well. In addition, there’s the pain that Bella and her father Dominic have lived with since Bella is five years old and that is palpable. Bella‘s varying emotions hit the heart strings. Despite the intensity of their feelings and how difficult, if not traumatic the journey is, I’m desperate for them to get answers.
The Carlo case is gripping it’s truly a shocker. I love the insertions of the podcast which further intensifies an already tense situation. The case is not clear cut at all, the deeper Cal digs, the more danger it’s evident they’re in. It’s very suspenseful, there are many setbacks, there are twists and turns as well as dilemmas for Cal to navigate, especially within his conscience. Dark and powerful forces are in the way of the truth and will stop at nothing. I like how it’s resolved and the ultimate ending is everything I hope for Cal.
Overall, I truly hope it’s not the end of this series. Cal may not have skin in future games but there’s plenty of mileage especially as I enjoy being in Cal, Shona and Chrissie’s company for a few hours.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Canelo for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A moody and suspenseful murder mystery set against the rugged beauty of Scotland.
Thankyou to NetGalley and Canelo for the ARC My review is voluntary,
Podcaster Lovett wants nothing more than to see his sister’s murderer brought to justice. New evidence suggests the man may also have been responsible for the murder of Bella Davies’ family. However, another man confessed to that crime decades ago and, thirty years later, still languishes in prison, steadfastly refusing to retract his confession.
Lovett being a true crime podcaster, with transcripts from his broadcasts woven into the novel, is a clever touch that gives the story a modern vibe. But the idea that some characters would talk to him and even confess, feels a bit far-fetched. Likewise, letting his daughter get involved, no matter her age, doesn’t seem believable.Still, it’s the kind of book where an amateur sleuth solves the case, so a bit of poetic license is expected and easily forgiven because it’s such an enjoyable read.
Thankyou to NetGalley and Canelo for the ARC My review is voluntary,
Podcaster Lovett wants nothing more than to see his sister’s murderer brought to justice. New evidence suggests the man may also have been responsible for the murder of Bella Davies’ family. However, another man confessed to that crime decades ago and, thirty years later, still languishes in prison, steadfastly refusing to retract his confession.
Lovett being a true crime podcaster, with transcripts from his broadcasts woven into the novel, is a clever touch that gives the story a modern vibe. But the idea that some characters would talk to him and even confess, feels a bit far-fetched. Likewise, letting his daughter get involved, no matter her age, doesn’t seem believable.Still, it’s the kind of book where an amateur sleuth solves the case, so a bit of poetic license is expected and easily forgiven because it’s such an enjoyable read.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you, Canelo, for providing the copy on Unseen by Heather Critchlow. It didn’t engage me until the last third, so I’m not sure this book was for me. For some reason, the writing was hard to read, and the sentences didn’t flow. I loved the premise, though, and Cal was a great character! This would be a perfect book for you if you like the writing style or if you are already reading the series. 3 stars
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
⭐️ 3.5 ⭐️
Review to follow
Review to follow
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews