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Noone #2
No One to Fear
Not yet published
Expected 9 Feb 27New York Times bestselling author Ellie Marney returns to the world of Simon Noone with a morally complex psychological thriller about identity and memory, the limits of repentance, and whether monsters can truly change.
Dexter meets The Bourne Identity in this dark thriller by New York Times bestselling author Ellie Marney, where a man who forgot he was a monster must hunt the killer who remembers.
Private investigator Nomi Pace and her research assistant, Simon Noone, have an unusual partnership: She hunts murderers. He was one.
It’s 1987, Christmas in Manhattan, five years since a head injury wiped Simon’s memories of his life as a serial killer. He’s retreated into a quiet, careful existence, but it’s hard to atone for a past he can’t recall.
Nomi and Simon are deep in a complex missing persons investigation when a new case opens: Police officers are turning up dead, the crime scenes brutal, theatrical, and horribly familiar. Each recreates a murder Simon committed. And he’s been waking up in strange places with bloody hands and no recollection of what he’s done.
As Nomi and Simon race to uncover the truth, she wants to believe in the man he’s become. But Simon isn’t so sure. Is someone copying his old sins—a secret only Nomi knows—or is his killer instinct worming its way back to the surface?
Dexter meets The Bourne Identity in this dark thriller by New York Times bestselling author Ellie Marney, where a man who forgot he was a monster must hunt the killer who remembers.
Private investigator Nomi Pace and her research assistant, Simon Noone, have an unusual partnership: She hunts murderers. He was one.
It’s 1987, Christmas in Manhattan, five years since a head injury wiped Simon’s memories of his life as a serial killer. He’s retreated into a quiet, careful existence, but it’s hard to atone for a past he can’t recall.
Nomi and Simon are deep in a complex missing persons investigation when a new case opens: Police officers are turning up dead, the crime scenes brutal, theatrical, and horribly familiar. Each recreates a murder Simon committed. And he’s been waking up in strange places with bloody hands and no recollection of what he’s done.
As Nomi and Simon race to uncover the truth, she wants to believe in the man he’s become. But Simon isn’t so sure. Is someone copying his old sins—a secret only Nomi knows—or is his killer instinct worming its way back to the surface?
287 pages, Paperback
Expected publication February 9, 2027
About the author
Ellie Marney
18 books1,415 followersEllie Marney is a NYT bestselling author of crime thrillers. Her titles include the Aurealis-awarded, bestselling None Shall Sleep and its sequels, and the electrifying new series starter No One Is Safe. Ellie's other titles include ARA Historical Novel Prize-nominated The Killing Code, Australian library favorite Every Breath and many more. The second book in the Noone thriller series No One To Fear arrives 9 Feb 2027.
Ellie has spent a lifetime researching in mortuaries, talking to autopsy specialists, and asking former spies how to make explosives from household items - now she lives quite sedately in south-eastern Australia with her family. Find sign-ups for her newsletter, The Black Hand, at her website, and catch her @elliemarney or @elliemarneyauthor on socials.
Ellie has spent a lifetime researching in mortuaries, talking to autopsy specialists, and asking former spies how to make explosives from household items - now she lives quite sedately in south-eastern Australia with her family. Find sign-ups for her newsletter, The Black Hand, at her website, and catch her @elliemarney or @elliemarneyauthor on socials.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I was fascinated by the premise and rewarded for it. I liked how Nomi & Simon worked together. Good pacing and mystery. It was a fun read. Now I need to backtrack and read the first book.
October 5, 2026
Oh wow. No amount of praise is high enough. Every Ellie Marney book is an instant read for me and this is no exception.
The way Marney writes makes it feel like you’ve been transported back to 1980’s NYC. (Which is impressive, considering I have both never been to NYC and was born nearly twenty years after the events of this book).
Whilst this book is part of a series (and should definitely be enjoyed as such) it does function as a standalone novel. This series is even more enjoyable if you have read Marney’s None Shall Sleep trilogy.
I am very excited for whatever comes next for Nomi and Simon! Especially following that epilogue..
Thank you Net Galley, Ellie Marney, and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC!
The way Marney writes makes it feel like you’ve been transported back to 1980’s NYC. (Which is impressive, considering I have both never been to NYC and was born nearly twenty years after the events of this book).
Whilst this book is part of a series (and should definitely be enjoyed as such) it does function as a standalone novel. This series is even more enjoyable if you have read Marney’s None Shall Sleep trilogy.
I am very excited for whatever comes next for Nomi and Simon! Especially following that epilogue..
Thank you Net Galley, Ellie Marney, and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
If Ellie writes it, I’m definitely going to read it. I’ve been waiting for this book since finishing the last one and it did not disappoint! I am hopeful that Simon and Nomi’s story won’t end here.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Listen, I am absolutely obsessed with Nomi and Simon. Nomi because I relate to her on such a deep level and Simon just because. I have been on his team, despite all his red flags, for 5 books now and there is just no way you can convince me to change my mind now.
This book has two mysteries running side by side and this kept things so interesting and I did not see the ending coming whatsoever. And the epilogue?! The epilogue. I am unwell over that. Ellie what do you mean?! WHAT DO YOU MEAN?!
One of my absolute favorite tropes is touch her and die with actual follow through and that is not something you can typically get in a contemporary real world set book. However, this series does not disappoint. I am on the edge of my seat to see what is going to happen next and if I am being delusional in thinking that this might just be the slowest burning romance I have ever read. And if I'm wrong... don't correct me. Let me pine like Simon.
It also feels necessary to say that there are really heavy elements of self harm in this book with Nomi. We are introduced to this in the first book but it is much more prevalent in this book. Typically this is a hard line for me. This is one of the only "triggers" I have where if there is graphic content, particularly in regards to the cutting type of self harm, that I cannot continue to read. I was pleasantly surprised to see that wasn't the case for me in this book. Ellie Marney handles this topic with a well balanced sense of factual realism but without glamorizing or romanticizing it. Yes, it is graphic in the descriptions but it is by no means a how to guide. It is more graphic in the aftermath - the bleeding, the scrambling for help, the shame and guilt, the overwhelming desire to hide and ignore and deflect. It is clear that Ellie Marney does not take this type of mental health struggle lightly and her writing does not shy away from the reality of self harm it does not promote, glorify, or commend it. Nomi is not admirable or tough because she self harms. She is deeply, deeply struggling. This leads me to say that I also really appreciated the way Marney portrays Simon as a support system to Nomi in regards to her self harm. He is there to provide medical care, to lend an ear if she wants to talk about it (she often doesn't), and to simply be a friend. Sure, he wants her to stop but he also recognizes that she is not in a place to receive that kind of help and instead of pushing her away and putting her more at risk by harping on that he instead simply offers her the support she needs that she is capable and willing to receive at the time.
I love these dark twisty books and these dark twisty characters so much and I selfishly hope that Ellie Marney writes a thousand more of these. The day that I have to say goodbye to Simon for good will be a sad, sad day indeed.
Content Warning: self harm, murder, blood and gore, chronic pain, harm to animals (slaugherhouse), gun violence, assault
*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy of this book.
This book has two mysteries running side by side and this kept things so interesting and I did not see the ending coming whatsoever. And the epilogue?! The epilogue. I am unwell over that. Ellie what do you mean?! WHAT DO YOU MEAN?!
One of my absolute favorite tropes is touch her and die with actual follow through and that is not something you can typically get in a contemporary real world set book. However, this series does not disappoint. I am on the edge of my seat to see what is going to happen next and if I am being delusional in thinking that this might just be the slowest burning romance I have ever read. And if I'm wrong... don't correct me. Let me pine like Simon.
It also feels necessary to say that there are really heavy elements of self harm in this book with Nomi. We are introduced to this in the first book but it is much more prevalent in this book. Typically this is a hard line for me. This is one of the only "triggers" I have where if there is graphic content, particularly in regards to the cutting type of self harm, that I cannot continue to read. I was pleasantly surprised to see that wasn't the case for me in this book. Ellie Marney handles this topic with a well balanced sense of factual realism but without glamorizing or romanticizing it. Yes, it is graphic in the descriptions but it is by no means a how to guide. It is more graphic in the aftermath - the bleeding, the scrambling for help, the shame and guilt, the overwhelming desire to hide and ignore and deflect. It is clear that Ellie Marney does not take this type of mental health struggle lightly and her writing does not shy away from the reality of self harm it does not promote, glorify, or commend it. Nomi is not admirable or tough because she self harms. She is deeply, deeply struggling. This leads me to say that I also really appreciated the way Marney portrays Simon as a support system to Nomi in regards to her self harm. He is there to provide medical care, to lend an ear if she wants to talk about it (she often doesn't), and to simply be a friend. Sure, he wants her to stop but he also recognizes that she is not in a place to receive that kind of help and instead of pushing her away and putting her more at risk by harping on that he instead simply offers her the support she needs that she is capable and willing to receive at the time.
I love these dark twisty books and these dark twisty characters so much and I selfishly hope that Ellie Marney writes a thousand more of these. The day that I have to say goodbye to Simon for good will be a sad, sad day indeed.
Content Warning: self harm, murder, blood and gore, chronic pain, harm to animals (slaugherhouse), gun violence, assault
*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy of this book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
My expectations for this book were high after reading the first one, and they were met.
In the first book, Simon recognizes that he was once a serial killer and uses his memory loss as an opportunity to start over by engaging a partnership with Nomi. Everything abruptly changes when several police officers start showing up dead and strangely reenacting Simon's previous murders. However, there is one small detail: Simon has been waking up in strange places with bloody hands and no memory of what he has done. So has Simon come out of retirement or is there a copycat?
One thing I absolutely love about Ellie Marney writing; this series in particular, is the way she starts her books. Readers are immediately drawn in by the prologs' ability to "spoil" the future and establish the plot. This book was exactly what I wanted to read—a book where I can't trust anyone and will find suspicions in every side character.
Because of his unreliability as a narrator, Simon's character has captured my attention since the first book. I appreciate how this book delves even further into his identity, memory, and the lingering effects of his past. I had a great time reading more about Simon and Nomis's partnering and how they have a strong sense of trust despite circumstances that might suggest Simon is fallible.
“That bullet in Guatemala destroyed my life, but in a lot of ways, it set me free”.
If you want books full of twist and turns, shadows, lies and misleading facts I can assure you that the Noone series will not disappoint.
And be careful-you may find yourself rooting for a serial killer.
Thank you NetGalley, Ellie Marney and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC!
In the first book, Simon recognizes that he was once a serial killer and uses his memory loss as an opportunity to start over by engaging a partnership with Nomi. Everything abruptly changes when several police officers start showing up dead and strangely reenacting Simon's previous murders. However, there is one small detail: Simon has been waking up in strange places with bloody hands and no memory of what he has done. So has Simon come out of retirement or is there a copycat?
One thing I absolutely love about Ellie Marney writing; this series in particular, is the way she starts her books. Readers are immediately drawn in by the prologs' ability to "spoil" the future and establish the plot. This book was exactly what I wanted to read—a book where I can't trust anyone and will find suspicions in every side character.
Because of his unreliability as a narrator, Simon's character has captured my attention since the first book. I appreciate how this book delves even further into his identity, memory, and the lingering effects of his past. I had a great time reading more about Simon and Nomis's partnering and how they have a strong sense of trust despite circumstances that might suggest Simon is fallible.
“That bullet in Guatemala destroyed my life, but in a lot of ways, it set me free”.
If you want books full of twist and turns, shadows, lies and misleading facts I can assure you that the Noone series will not disappoint.
And be careful-you may find yourself rooting for a serial killer.
Thank you NetGalley, Ellie Marney and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Best partnership ever! Simon and Nomi are the crime solving team I didn't know I needed. Their relationship is so unique and complex and their individual backstories are deeply intriguing. Volume 1 had me on the edge of my seat anticipating how Nomi would react as she learned more about Simon. Volume 2 has the comfort factor of delving into a book where I already know the characters and their relationship with each other. But add to this the peekaboo scene where we see the emergence of Simon's original self and I found I was holding my breath in some combination of terror and shock. Ellie Marney has once again created a novel that is packed full of suspense, action and gritty scenes yet is essentially character driven. It is the latter which will have readers itching for the next book in the series. It is obvious how much research has gone into this book in order to represent the era accurately. I really appreciate how the historical references (it pains me to say that, as it feels like yesterday) enhance the reading experience rather than bog the reader down.
Read this series if you like your detective novels a little darker than the norm, you like your characters a little edgier and your definition of justice involves the bad guys being introduced to Simon.
I received this arc from netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
Read this series if you like your detective novels a little darker than the norm, you like your characters a little edgier and your definition of justice involves the bad guys being introduced to Simon.
I received this arc from netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
📚 ARC Review 📚
Thank you to the author, Thomas & Mercer, and NetGalley for the advance reader copy! It was a pleasure to read this before release, and as always, my review reflects my honest opinion.
This was a creepy and twisty thriller with a really interesting premise that caught my attention from the start. Having a serial killer who loses his memory just as murders start to look eerily similar to his old crimes was such an interesting setup.
No One to Fear follows a private investigator and her research assistant, a former serial killer. Police officers start turning up dead in ways that are eerily similar to Simon’s old murders, and they are forced to figure out who is behind the killings before the police make the connection to him and his past crimes.
The pacing was slower than I typically like for a thriller, but with the crime procedural aspect, I think it worked well for this book. Everything slowly started to come together while I kept questioning who could really be trusted throughout the story.
Overall, I enjoyed this serial killer thriller with its dark elements and twisty mystery. If you love thrillers with serial killers, crime procedurals, and psychological suspense, you need to add this one to your TBR!
Thank you to the author, Thomas & Mercer, and NetGalley for the advance reader copy! It was a pleasure to read this before release, and as always, my review reflects my honest opinion.
This was a creepy and twisty thriller with a really interesting premise that caught my attention from the start. Having a serial killer who loses his memory just as murders start to look eerily similar to his old crimes was such an interesting setup.
No One to Fear follows a private investigator and her research assistant, a former serial killer. Police officers start turning up dead in ways that are eerily similar to Simon’s old murders, and they are forced to figure out who is behind the killings before the police make the connection to him and his past crimes.
The pacing was slower than I typically like for a thriller, but with the crime procedural aspect, I think it worked well for this book. Everything slowly started to come together while I kept questioning who could really be trusted throughout the story.
Overall, I enjoyed this serial killer thriller with its dark elements and twisty mystery. If you love thrillers with serial killers, crime procedurals, and psychological suspense, you need to add this one to your TBR!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
If you are mentally in a dark place, you may want to talk to your therapist before you read this book. Or better yet, buy your therapist a copy and meet for coffee and discuss the book as you read. You don’t want to miss this book, but man…
Let’s go over some trigger warnings, shall we? There is a lingering question on whether a character was involved in an incestuous relationship. There are some pretty descriptive murder scenes that are not your simple, “Welp, looks like he was shot.” There is self-harm. It feels like I am leaving some out.
Now, with all of that out of the way, when I read the description of this book, I knew it wasn’t going to be happy go lucky with rainbow puking unicorns. It’s one of those books that it feels weird to say you “enjoyed” reading it, but IT IS SO GOOD. I am seriously not only wanting to go read the first book in the series, but I’m also ready to re-read this book again.
Ellie Marney has written some complicated characters. And that is refreshing.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for providing an ARC for an unbiased review.
Let’s go over some trigger warnings, shall we? There is a lingering question on whether a character was involved in an incestuous relationship. There are some pretty descriptive murder scenes that are not your simple, “Welp, looks like he was shot.” There is self-harm. It feels like I am leaving some out.
Now, with all of that out of the way, when I read the description of this book, I knew it wasn’t going to be happy go lucky with rainbow puking unicorns. It’s one of those books that it feels weird to say you “enjoyed” reading it, but IT IS SO GOOD. I am seriously not only wanting to go read the first book in the series, but I’m also ready to re-read this book again.
Ellie Marney has written some complicated characters. And that is refreshing.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for providing an ARC for an unbiased review.
September 27, 2026
I read the first part of this series, so I was excited to see where the story would go next, and I’m really hoping there are more installments to come!
There’s definitely more character development for both Simon and Nomi, as well as their relationship, which I really enjoyed. As for the second part of the story, it can easily be read on its own, and I think you could still have the same overall experience even without reading the first book.
I really liked where this story went. The pacing was just right, and it’s a pretty quick read. I was able to knock it out in a weekend, which is always a win for me. I also appreciated the parallel situations that ultimately lead to the same end scene. I thought that was a fun way to bring everything together.
Overall, if you enjoyed the first book, I think you’ll enjoy the second one too. And now I’m over here hoping we get a third! 😊
There’s definitely more character development for both Simon and Nomi, as well as their relationship, which I really enjoyed. As for the second part of the story, it can easily be read on its own, and I think you could still have the same overall experience even without reading the first book.
I really liked where this story went. The pacing was just right, and it’s a pretty quick read. I was able to knock it out in a weekend, which is always a win for me. I also appreciated the parallel situations that ultimately lead to the same end scene. I thought that was a fun way to bring everything together.
Overall, if you enjoyed the first book, I think you’ll enjoy the second one too. And now I’m over here hoping we get a third! 😊
October 7, 2026
I had my misgivings with the first book, but No One to Fear quickly eased my doubts about this series. Ellie Marney's writing is just fantastic. I truly felt as if I were transported back to 1980s New York City even though I was born way beyond that point. And our main characters Nomi and Simon just felt so real despite the extraordinary circumstances they find themselves in. Even if Simon is an amnesiac who used to be a serial killer, which haunts him through every page. I really enjoyed this and I can't wait for the next book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for a copy of the ARC.
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for a copy of the ARC.
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October 3, 2026No One to Fear by Ellie Marney is book two in the Noone Series published by Thomas & Mercer. The previous book is No One is Safe. I recommend to read the books in order.
I read and loved the first book and couldn't wait to get my hands on the next story.
PI Nomi and her personal assistant Simon are on their next brisant case. Mysterious, twisty, full of unexpected turns with exquisit writing. I love this second book just like the first one.
Recommend the books that deserve all the stars.
I read and loved the first book and couldn't wait to get my hands on the next story.
PI Nomi and her personal assistant Simon are on their next brisant case. Mysterious, twisty, full of unexpected turns with exquisit writing. I love this second book just like the first one.
Recommend the books that deserve all the stars.
September 21, 2026
“No One To Fear” by Ellie Marney was a good psychological thriller! It’s suspenseful, twisty, and had some shocking moments that I didn’t see coming. I was hooked and wanted to keep reading to see how everything would unfold. A great thriller with plenty of twists and suspense!
September 30, 2026
Thank you to the author and NetGalley for this ARC!!
Ellie Marney has done it again!! I'm not exaggerating when I say Simon Gutmunsson may be one of the greatest villains in literature. Yet, somehow I’m somewhat rooting for him as Simon Noone.
No One To Fear may be my most awaited sequel and I can’t wait to see others enjoy it as well!! The author's writing and world-building is extremely captivating, I was able to read this in a day without even realizing. I do wish it could’ve been longer, but I am greedy and never want this series to never end.
The first book in this series was my first ever arc so this was very special for me to be able to read this one too! I hope to see more from this world and characters!!
Ellie Marney has done it again!! I'm not exaggerating when I say Simon Gutmunsson may be one of the greatest villains in literature. Yet, somehow I’m somewhat rooting for him as Simon Noone.
No One To Fear may be my most awaited sequel and I can’t wait to see others enjoy it as well!! The author's writing and world-building is extremely captivating, I was able to read this in a day without even realizing. I do wish it could’ve been longer, but I am greedy and never want this series to never end.
The first book in this series was my first ever arc so this was very special for me to be able to read this one too! I hope to see more from this world and characters!!
September 26, 2026
I didn’t enjoy this sequel as much as the first, but it was still good. I just found it a little harder to get into, but the character development was solid and we got to know the two main characters better, which I really liked.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews