No Hiding Place

D.I. Sally Parker #2

by M.A. Comley

The second book in the DI Sally Parker thriller series. A family ripped apart by secrets.  The discovery of Gemma Whiting's bludgeoned body within spitting distance of her family home, opens a new case for DI Sally Parker, one that quickly embroils her in Gemma's feud with male family members. The more Sally digs, the longer her suspect list grows.

Frustrated after months of investigation, yet another young woman is attacked close to where Gemma's body was found. Sally begins to wonder if she's been looking in the wrong direction for the killer.

Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Fiction, Procedural, Mystery Thriller, Novella, Amazon

179 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 21, 2015

About the author

New York Times, USA Today, Amazon Top 20 bestselling author, iBooks top 5 bestselling and #2 bestselling author on Barnes and Noble. Over one million copies sold world wide. I am a British author who moved to France in 2002, and that's when I turned my hobby into a career.

When I'm not writing crime novels I'm either reading them or going on long walks with my rescue Labrador, Dex.

I hope you enjoy reading my books, especially the Justice series, Cruel Justice, Impeding Justice, Final Justice, Foul Justice, Guaranteed Justice, Ultimate Justice, Virtual Justice, Hostile Justice, Tortured Justice, Rough Justice, Dubious Justice, Calculated Justice, Twisted Justice, Prime Justice. There are several novellas and short stories in the series too.

My other successful series are: The DI Sally Parker thriller series, which includes WRONG PLACE, NO HIDING PLACE and COLD CASE

The Hero series, TORN APART, END RESULT, IN PLAIN SIGHT and DOUBLE JEOPARDY(published by Bloodhound Books)

I have three books in the Intention series, Sole Intention, Grave Intention and Devious Intention.

I've also written a couple of standalone novels - EVIL IN DISGUISE and FOREVER WATCHING YOU.

As well as co-authoring The Caller with Tara Lyons.

And Clever Deception, Tragic Deception and Sinful Deception co-authored by fellow NY Times bestselling author Linda S Prather.

If you'd like to keep up to date with new releases you can find me on Facebook by following this link http://smarturl.it/sps7jh or sign up for my newsletter http://www.hyperurl.co/su1xnt

If you fancy a lighter read, why not try one of my romances: A Time to Heal, and A Time for Change--Based on a TRUE story. I also have a selection of short stories and novelettes available which I know you'll enjoy.

You can find out more about me at the following blogs.

http://melcomley.blogspot.com

http://melcomleyromances.blogspot.com

Reviews

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

The only thing I can say that was slightly off-putting, was that it bordered more on the side of a novella than an actual book...177 pages and only 20 short chapters. It did have, in that short space, two gruesome murders...shocking family secrets...and people and things that weren't what they seemed to be. Overall...the author managed to tie everything up without leaving any hanging threads. A good read and totally worth the time.

[ReadAlongWithSue recovering from a stroke★⋆. ࿐࿔ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is proving to be one hell of a ride.

In the first book we got to learn about Sally Parker the DI. In this one, its more full on....lets get down to business, type of read.

She has a case to sort out, a killer to find and a death to solve.

Jack Blackman is in this read too, I love her 'side kick' he seems such a lovely sort. They seem to balance each other out especially when solving crimes, but its also in a personal way that sometimes Sally needs.

Its a murder mystery that will keep you flicking pages until the end, you will be so embroiled in it that you will be just like Sally, digger deeper and deeper into solving the crime, except for the author keeps us guessing until the end.

Although DI Sally Parker has a stern "get on with it" no nonsense approach to her work we see the tender side to her when it comes to her parents, and her lovely ever faithful friend....her dog.

My thanks go to the author for allowing me to read her books as they come out, I always look forward to seeing just where Mel is going in the next book I read.


Where you can reach Mel

Amazon UK -http://www.amazon.co.uk/M-A-Comley/e/...

Amazon USA - http://www.amazon.com/M-A-Comley/e/B0...

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/%22M%...

KOBO: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/sea...

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/author/m-...

Facebook page is: https://www.facebook.com/Mel-Comley-2...

Twitter: https://twitter.com/melcom1

Website: http://melcomley.blogspot.fr

A short bio: M A Comley is the NY Times and USA bestseller author of the award-winning Justice series. She started writing the series over seven years ago and published the first book in the series, Cruel Justice a couple of years later. She is a prolific crime writer, working over 100 hours every week because she loves to write, oh, and she has greedy fans who always want more. She also writes the successful DI Sally Parker thriller series, the Hero series and the Intention series. She’s also written and released several romance novellas too.

[Joseph - Relax And Read Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

​DI Sally Parker is back with another gruesome case to solve. In Mel Comley's second instalment in the series, Sally is investigating the brutal murder of a young woman.

Gemma Whiting has been bludgeoned to death in an alleyway, her body found the following morning next to her car. Interviewing the victim's family, Sally becomes aware that nothing is as it seems. She's suspicious of practically all family members as they all seem to have something to hide. Soon, Sally's investigation stumbles upon a tangled web of secrets, lies and betrayal within the family. What are they all hiding? Who killed Gemma in this horrible way? Why would anyone kill this young mother? And who was the man Gemma was seen talking to the night before?

But without concrete evidence, the case remains unsolved, until months later when another woman is savagely attacked. That gets the ball rolling again for Sally, and this time she goes out more determined than ever to bring the killer to justice.

Once again, through this fast-paced book, Mel Comley had me pinned to my kindle, furiously swiping one page after the other, desperately wanting to know the killer's identity. I thought I'd guessed who the killer was on more than one occasion, but through the numerous twists and turns the author plants every so often, I found myself looking into a completely different direction and never in a million years would I have guessed who the real killer was.

We see many aspects of Sally's character in this book. She's a tenacious police officer and boss, but also a soft-hearted woman especially when it comes to deal with others like her family, animals and colleagues. I love this character and am looking forward to see what she will be up to in the next book. As with Wrong Place, this book is fabulous and I highly recommend it.

With thanks to the author for an advanced review copy of the book.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

No Hiding Place is the second book in the DI Sally Parker series.

This can easily be read as a stand alone though Wrong Place which is the first in the series does provide the reader with Sally's background and is also a great book so would recommend reading also.

As I said Wrong Place gives us more of a chance to get to know Sally so in No Hiding Place it is very much down to business.

No Hiding Place is a gritty and disturbing read that kept me up very late as I could not go to bed with out knowing who the killer was. The reader gets a real insight into how a murder investigation works and how much time and effort goes into catching a killer by the police force. What I loved about this story in particular is that as with quite a few crimes they are not solved instantly it can be months before the crime is solved which is the case with this particular crime.

For Sally it is very frustrating as she knows something is not right, she has her suspicions and it is only by chance that she stumbles on another crime that connects with one from months before. After that all hell breaks loose and the reader is in for some shocking revelations.

I have to say I was totally baffled by who the killer could be and had my suspicions which were totally wrong. I also loved how Sally came across in this novel, she is level headed and a very fair boss but was great to see a side to her that kicks ass as well which we see when a constable makes a mistake and she doesn't hold anything back.

From beginning to end I was totally hooked by this book. DI Sally Parker is certainly becoming a firm favourite of mine and I can not wait to read more.

Many thanks to the author for an Advanced Readers Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Linda Prather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ms. Comley brings her stories and her characters to life with realistic conversations and family interaction. Much like with Patterson’s Alex Cross character, I found myself not only engrossed in a fascinating mystery plot, but also with a vested interest in Parker’s family and team. I worried along with Sally over Jack’s family trauma. I sympathized with her father and mother’s issues, and loved Dex. Sally knows her teams strengths and weakness and when Jack is temporarily out of the picture I love the way she teams up with Joanna.

A fast paced, character driven thriller that will keep you turning pages all the way to the end. Highly recommended for mystery, thriller and those who love police procedure novels. I’m truly enjoying watching the Sally Parker character grow, and look forward to many more exciting novels starring Sally and her team.

[Kagsy Wagsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5* review of No Hiding Place by M A Comely

Detective Inspector Sally Parker and Detective Sergeant Jack Blackman are back in the 2nd book of a new series. Don't worry, if you've not read (book #1) Wrong Place, this can still be read as a stand alone, but you would miss out on some of the main characters back story. Both detectives have personal issues to deal with alongside heading a murder investigation team (MIT) in Norfolk, and sometimes those personal and family matters affect them during their investigations. No Hiding Place opens with the brutal murder of Gemma Whiting on an isolated country lane close to her home. Gemma is found by the side of her car which has been shunted at the rear. Her car and personal belongings have not been stolen. Why did she stop and get out of her car so close to home but in a place where there were no witnesses? The murder has all the hallmarks of being carried out by an assailant known to the victim. First job is to find the motive, which will then lead the police to their suspect. The post mortem finds that Gemma is pregnant! Who else knows? Who is the father? And how is this linked to her death?

As with Wrong Place the story is written as a narrative with dialogue from the characters in a conversational style. This makes it easy to follow and connect with the people and places as they come and go. For the most part the police procedure is credible and the storyline believable. (Though I do have to say, having had a fairly lengthy police career I did note some detail that could have been brought into play) The only negative comment I have is that I was frustrated with the unexplained jump of six months near to the end of the story and some loose ends that weren't resolved. Otherwise I found this book gives a great deal of detail and flows through the events of the investigation with good pace and keeps the reader eagerly turning those pages.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author via THE Book Club on Facebook (#TBConFB) in exchange for an honest review.

[Kath · Rating 5 out of 5]

As with all series books, it is better to read in sequence but, if you haven't already read "Wrong Place" then this works OK as a standalone but to really get the best of the ongoing character development then I would recommend you read that first.
It is no secret that I am a big fan of this author's work. I find that she writes exactly the books I want to read and that they tick every box leaving me, at the end, completely satisfied. Whether that is due to her style of writing being easy for me to read, the way she gets on with the story without any unnecessary waffle or, and I suspect this is high on the list, the characters, banter and interaction between them. What they say to each other, the language they use, the insults they trade, what they do, the mannerisms they use and, importantly, the mistakes they make. They are all words I use, phrases I say, insults I sling, things I do, mistakes I make. They could all so very easily be my mates so familiar I feel about all of them. Characterisation is important to me. I don't have to like them to emote with them, in fact some of my favourite characters have been ones I have hated, but I do have to connect with them in some way. And the characters that this author writes are, in my world, spot on.
Characters without a story would be pretty boring but again, as in all her books, the plot is cleverly worked and actioned and moves at a pretty good pace throughout the book. As with the police, I was taken down dead end after dead end, most of the way completely baffled as to what was the truth and then when eventually the killer was revealed my jaw dropped completely and then, when I had recovered my composure, I began to see things I had missed. well done Ms Comley, you got me totally!
All in all, another winner that goes a long way to establishing this new series as being as solid as the Justice series also by the same author.

I received a free ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Mark Tilbury · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second in a series featuring DI Sally Parker. Sally and her team investigate the murder of Gemma, and uncover many of her family secrets in the process. I was looking forward to reading this after reading the first book, Wrong Place. I was not disappointed. I really like the author's writing style and the relationships she builds between her characters. Sally and her work partner, Jack, work well together and the dialogue between them is well written and realistic.

I had worked out who the killer was before the end of the book but that didn't spoil my enjoyment of seeing how Sally and her team solved the case and arrested the murderer. I was impressed with how the author made the killer such a vile person. In their own head what they did was for the best and no-one was going to convince them otherwise.

This is a well written and entertaining thriller by an author who has a great talent for creating criminal cases, and the right people to solve them. Highly recommended.

[Gaynor Spanswick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic book from M.A. Comley :) Just love this series .

[Vicki - I Love Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5

Book 2 in the DI Sally Parker thrillers
I was so made up when I received a review copy of this book, so a huge thank you thank you thank you to Mel. I have over the years come to love Mel's book and her writing style. And i'm always eagre to get stuck in when I get one of her books. So as usual once I got this, my other book was put to one side so I could get stuck in. And as usual, Mel hasn't let her readers down. another brilliantly written story to get your teeth into.

After the body of a woman is found Sally, is investigating what has happened and has a number of possible people it could be. But then it starts to prove very difficult to bring the case to a conclusion, not enough evidence and doubt around who the killer is, leaves this case unsolved for almost 6 months, that is until a second woman is murdered and all things start to change. Sally has to figure out if there are any links and what they could be. Who could be responsible for killing these two women. What sort of person is capable of doing that.

I have to admit, I had figured out early on who the killer was, and occasionally thought I may have gotten it wrong.

As this is the second book in this series, i am also enjoying getting to know the characters a little more. I would say you could read this as a stand alone book, but If you are anything like me, and enjoy getting to know the characters as much as reading the story, then I would read the first book before starting this.

I am sooooo soooo ready for Mel's next book now...

[Sue Kitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Sally Parker series and I loved it as much as the first. Mel Comley has a special gift of drawing the reader in and without being too complicated manages deliver thrills, twists, suspense and excitement. I love Sally’s kick-ass, no nonsense way of getting the job done and also love her more sensitive and very loving relationship with her parents and dog.
I can very highly recommend this gripping murder mystery that keeps the reader guessing right up until the end.
Thanks to Mel Comley for sending me this ARC and I am looking forward to Sally Parker book three.

[Teresa Nikolic · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this, the second in the DI Sally Parker series, from the author Mel Comley. This can be read as a standalone if you haven't read Wrong Place, the first in the series, but if you want to follow the background of Sally and her team then it's best to read them in order.

This story kept me guessing all the way through as to who the killer was and I kept getting it wrong. I really enjoyed this one and would recommend it .

[Sue Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another immensely readable page turner from the prolific Mel Comley. D I Sally Parker and her team investigate the murder of a young woman not far from her home. Although several members of her own family are suspects there is no proof who did it. There are also red herrings but I did correctly guess who the murderer was but not why so I was hooked until the end. I was given an advance copy in exchange for a review.

[Tara Lyons · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is how a mystery should be written: twists and turns, red-herrings and kept me guessing until the end. Utterly brilliant.

No Hiding Place can be read as a stand-alone, but Wrong Place (first in the series) is also a fab read, and it's great to have background on Sally Parker. She's a great character and we really see more of her family life in No Hiding Place.

A sweet detective, but who is also strong, passionate and intelligent. Really enjoyed No Hiding Place and highly recommend it.

[Michelle Baldwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I so love the characters in this book just catch myself smiling and hoping DI Sally Parker finds happiness..... what I love is the way the story unfolds without you getting confused with too much twists and turns so many authors seem to think it's what fans want... I like that fact that a book is to be enjoyed and let it unfold for you with little surprises along the way... it was a pleasure to read and I can't wait for more xx

[Lesley · Rating 2 out of 5]

I only read this because it was on my kindle (got it when I got book 1), and though this story was a little better than the first in series, not for me. The conversations with suspects are almost identical (my complaint in first book) unrealistic, shallow, there was this sudden 6 months later thing that didn't flow but most of all---saw it coming!

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

.

Another great book this had a lot of twists and turns and kept you wondering until the end who done it .

[Book Monitor · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a good read. Well written, good characters, good dialogue, nice people, not so nice people, all tied up in a fantastically easy to read and unputdownable book. DI Sally Parker is a really appealing police officer and person, and her relationship with her sidekick and partner Jack is a realistic portait of respect and affection that develops at work.
The crime in this story leads to the uncovering of family secrets, lies and discontent. I liked how it was filtered through Sally's viewpint and how she perceives the suspects, which in turn was filtered through her own personal and professional experiences gives her and us pause for thought and time to be thankful for what we have. She is a strong leader with her own sensibilities and frailties, not that she doesn't listen to her colleagues and take on board their ideas or modify her own, she does and it all leads to the cracking of the case .
I also liked the glimpses of her own life and her relationships particularly with her parent which showed her as a caring and thoughtful daughter.
I have not read anything by this author before (Yes I know shame on me!) but this will now change and I have clicked on most of the other books she has written.
You might be wondering why only 4 stars- well I felt that the suspect pool was too small for there to be any surprises, which doesn't spoil the story but does leave it a bit obvious where it is going. I still think this is a really enjoyable and gripping read, and I highly recommend it.

[Louise Koeleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful episode and insight in the world of DI Sally Parker! DI Sally Parker, while having to carve out a new life and way of living for herself, free from her ex-husband, comes now up against a new foe. A young, married, pregnant woman is brutally attacked and murdered and as Sally soon discover, the close family of the victim presents a big pool of suspects and with each interrogation of the members, more secrets are revealed but frustratingly, no clear evidence to who the vicious murderer is. Six months later, another woman in the same family is also brutally murdered and this time Sally is determined that she would find the guilty person.

Mel makes Sally a real person to the reader who had to suffer abuse from her ex-husband, having to deal with the problems that her parents are facing, her demanding job and also finding her own way to a new life in between. The plot keeps you wondering who the murderer is and as each new secret is unveiled, the suspects keep changing accordingly and keeps you guessing about the identity of the guilty party until the very last end.

The DI Sally Parker series is a must read and is highly recommended if you are looking for a book that would keep you hooked till the end as I couldn't put it down until the murders was solved.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

DI Sally Parker and her partner DS Jack Blackman are back in the second in Comley’s newest series. As much as I loved the first book, this was just as excellent. No Hiding Place proves again why Comley is one of my all time favorite writers. The book starts off with the murder of an innocent woman heading home after a night of fun with her friends. Sally and Jack start to dig into the murder and end up finding suspects everywhere they look. Their heads spinning trying to find the poor young woman’s murderer, and both of them are still dealing with issues in the home. Our overworked detectives definitely have their hands full with this case, but the two of them aren’t the kind of give up easily. The bad guys better watch out when these partners are on the case.

Sally is feisty and fun and doesn’t take any guff from anyone. Jack is her perfect backup, ready to leap to action whenever she needs. Comley has created another great series, one that the reader can’t put down and can’t wait to get the next book in their hands. I can’t wait to see what Sally and Jack get up to next.

[Leona · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in the DI Sally Parker detective series. It can be read as a stand alone but to get the background of Sally and her colleagues it's best to read book 1 first, which is called 'Wrong place'.


Wow ! This book was just brilliant. Was it as good as book one ? Well to me yes it was. I absolutely loved it. It kept me in suspense right from the beginning wondering who the killer was. One minute I was thinking it's this person, and the next minute thought it was someone else. I love when a book keeps me in suspense like this.

I enjoy reading about Sally and her colleagues personal lives as well and I think Ms Comley does this very well when writing these books. I cannot wait for the next instalment in the DI Parker series.

A massive thank you to Mel for using my name as a character in this book. I am deeply honoured.
Many thanks also for an ARC of this book in return for an honest review. A huge 5 stars from me.

[Nadine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another sleepless night thanks to Mel Comley. I finished reading "Wrong Place" about midnight and was so hooked on this new series that I dove right into "No Hiding Place" for a few hours more.

I have read her entire "Justice Series" and had a firm "relationship" with DI Lorne Simpson from that series, so I was curious to meet DI Sally Parker. I was not disappointed . Right away I was fascinated by how strong women from the same work environment can be so similar, yet so different. I love Mel's gritty plots and multifaceted portrayals of family interactions. This book will keep you on the edge of your seat and guessing until the very end. A great read.

This book is the second book of the series but could read well as a stand-a-lone book. However I was glad to read the two books in sequence as "Wrong Place" provides a great character background.
P.S. a really cool lady appears briefly on page 126.

[Michelle Baldwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the characters in this book and catch myself smiling and hoping that DI Sally Parker finds happiness....what I love is the way this story unfolds,without you getting confused with too many twists and turns. So many authors seem to think that what us fans want.. I like the fact a book to be enjoyed and let it unfold with little surprises along the way....this book was a pleasure to read and I can't wait for more....

[Mark Loughe · Rating 5 out of 5]

a realy good book love turned to hate because of obbsession i would highly recomennd this book to all crime readers

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good! Learning british slang :-P

[Denise Zendel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two gruesome murders are keeping DI Sally Bright and her team on their toes. They struggle to solve the cases, and in the process, uncover shocking family secrets. People – and things – aren’t what they seem.

I thoroughly enjoy this author’s work, and this was no exception. Sally’s personal life may be in shambles, but she pulls it all together when it counts. She’s a good manager, and a good detective. On the personal side, she’s finally gotten away from her abusive ex-husband, and now has to face testifying against him at trial. The Job is what keeps her sane and grounded.

I liked everything about this book – the writing, the pacing, the dialogue, seeing how Sally’s mind works, the relationships between Sally and her team, and Sally and her parents. I like how, so far anyway, the author hasn’t had Sally menaced by a criminal. She’s interesting enough without putting her in personal jeopardy.

My only quibble is that the book is only 20 chapters long, skimming the edge of novella for me, rather than book, but I like the characters so much, and the story was so good, I let go of that. The ending was surprising and exciting. I will read more in this series because I want to know what happens with Sally. I find these better read in order, because I like to watch the characters grow and change.

The author also writes the Justice series, the DI Kayli Bright series, the DI Sara Ramsey series, and the Hero series, all of which are equally enjoyable.

[Selena McDowell · Rating 2 out of 5]

A real struggle

Save yourself some time, read the prologue (beware of the awful dialogue) and chapter one and then skip to fifteen. I never would have guessed it would take me a week to read 175 pages. I though I’d get through this book in one day as I did the first in this series but from chapters 2-14 this book was incredibly boring. They, save for two, were chapters of her doing nothing but questioning suspects with the most basic of questions. Before you reach the “big reveal” you already have the killer figured out as well as the motive, at least I did. I bought all of the books in this series on the strength of book one. I sure hope book 3 doesn’t aggravate and disappointment me the way this book as.

[elizabeth mcguire · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmmm I have read some other reviews and just cannot get over the fact that a piece of evidence that came from the soco report was absolutely ignored. Never even mentioned all through the story until months later when another young woman is killed.
Either the DI was too wrapped up in her personal life, her folks money problems, her Mum's menopause or her sidekicks personal life to read the report and follow the clues or as shown at the end it gives you the killer right away. Especially as they never even bother to change cars.
I have the rest of the series but am doubtful that the writer will show any better storyline in future.
I did read her PI stories ad made excuses for them as the PI was not professional but this sloppiness has carried through to a senior DI. Not impressed.

[Vina · Rating 3 out of 5]

MA Comely comes up with yet another intriguing story, “No Hiding Place”. Two women, mysteriously murdered. Who could it be? Is it, as often it is, the husband? Or someone whose love remained unrequited? It could not be a random attack. The killing smacks of rage viciously vented on the women. Looking for patterns, checking out alibis, examining, questioning, observing the suspects. Sheer hard work leads D.I.Sally Parker to the killer, who admits to a twisted motive for the brutal attacks.
MA Comley writes with her signature light touch. The pace neither fevered, nor dull. No unnecessary blood and gore.
3 Stars

[Anne - Books of My Heart · Rating 3 out of 5]

This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
 


The purpose of Thrifty Thursday is to read a book which was free (at some point).

Kindle freebie on September 8, 2022  (currently $3.99 at Amazon and in Kindle Unlimited as of writing this post)


I continue to like the style of the DI Sally Parker series better than the DI Sam Cobbs series.  Overall, the police investigations seem to be waiting for forensic evidence and if they don't get any the case isn't solved.  They don't seem to get as many witness statements or CCTV or collection of information about wills or alibis, that type of thing which adds to the evidence.

The personal sides of the team are limited.  We do get more information on Sally and her family situations.  She has a great relationship with her parents and is lucky to have it. Anyone with great family relationships is lucky.

No Hiding Place had plenty of despicable suspects. Some red herrings were used, but I actually guessed the killer fairly early and I almost never do. The family of the victim were sort of cliched characters. Primarily, the main characters are somewhat developed.  It's a rather shorter book and not a bad read.