What do you think?
DI Mike Lockyer #3
Trust No One
A marriage is what you make it, isn't it? It's what you put into it. It's not just about love, it's about understanding another person's point of view. Sometimes there are things you find out about yourself and each other which means the marriage has to end. Sad, particularly when kids are involved - but all pretty normal. Normal that is, until there's a murder. DS Jane Bennett and DI Mike Lockyer are called in to investigate one of the South London murder squad's most difficult and distressing cases yet - where family and friends come under scrutiny in the hardest of circumstances.
368 pages, Paperback
First published March 10, 2016
About the author
Clare Donoghue
11 books132 followersAfter ten years in London, working for a City law firm, Clare Donoghue moved back to her home town in Somerset to undertake an MA in creative writing at Bath Spa University. She was long-listed for the CWA Debut Dagger in 2011. Never Look Back is her first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
July 5, 2019
EXCERPT: I should feel guilty, but I don't. It might not have gone according to plan, but that doesn't mean I didn't succeed.
How does someone who does this for a living feel? A contract killer, working for the government. Do they feel guilt? They must be handed a dossier: this is the target, this is their life, this is the time to do it and this is how much you'll be paid. Do they take pride in a job well done, or do they sometimes look at the folder in front of them and think - this man doesn't deserve to die? If they had been handed a dossier on Richard Taylor, would they hesitate or, like me, would they do what was necessary? Or better still, what about a serial killer? One of those ghouls they're always showing on Channel 5: the Barn Butcher. Did the Barn Butcher start out with his morals intact? Did he feel guilt? I guess what I really want to know, what's making me curious, is:did he mean to kill, that very first time?
ABOUT THIS BOOK: A marriage is what you make it, isn't it? It's what you put into it. It's not just about love, it's about understanding another person's point of view. Sometimes there are things you find out about yourself and each other which means the marriage has to end. Sad, particularly when kids are involved - but all pretty normal. Normal that is, until there's a murder. DS Jane Bennett and DI Mike Lockyer are called in to investigate one of the South London murder squad's most difficult and distressing cases yet - where family and friends come under scrutiny in the hardest of circumstances.
MY THOUGHTS: This seemed to be a lot more about DS Jane Bennett than Lockyer or, for that matter, the murder. But having said that, this was twisty with lots of evil, nasty, people to pick the villain from. But having said that, I expected more suspense, and it just wasn't there for me.
Trust No One was a bit of a conundrum. As I said, twisty, with evil nasty people, but very little suspense. I should have been furiously flipping the pages, but I wasn't. There was something lacking.....or perhaps there was just a little too much of Jane's private life. And it was all a bit flat...the dialogue, the lack of suspense, the characters, all cardboard cutouts.
Not a series I will be following up on I'm afraid.
***
THE AUTHOR: After ten years in London, working for a City law firm, Clare Donoghue moved back to her home town in Somerset to undertake an MA in creative writing at Bath Spa University. She was long-listed for the CWA Debut Dagger in 2011.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Pan MacMillan via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of Trust No One by Clare Donoghue for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
Please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the 'about' page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com for an explanation of my rating system.
This review and others are also published on my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
How does someone who does this for a living feel? A contract killer, working for the government. Do they feel guilt? They must be handed a dossier: this is the target, this is their life, this is the time to do it and this is how much you'll be paid. Do they take pride in a job well done, or do they sometimes look at the folder in front of them and think - this man doesn't deserve to die? If they had been handed a dossier on Richard Taylor, would they hesitate or, like me, would they do what was necessary? Or better still, what about a serial killer? One of those ghouls they're always showing on Channel 5: the Barn Butcher. Did the Barn Butcher start out with his morals intact? Did he feel guilt? I guess what I really want to know, what's making me curious, is:did he mean to kill, that very first time?
ABOUT THIS BOOK: A marriage is what you make it, isn't it? It's what you put into it. It's not just about love, it's about understanding another person's point of view. Sometimes there are things you find out about yourself and each other which means the marriage has to end. Sad, particularly when kids are involved - but all pretty normal. Normal that is, until there's a murder. DS Jane Bennett and DI Mike Lockyer are called in to investigate one of the South London murder squad's most difficult and distressing cases yet - where family and friends come under scrutiny in the hardest of circumstances.
MY THOUGHTS: This seemed to be a lot more about DS Jane Bennett than Lockyer or, for that matter, the murder. But having said that, this was twisty with lots of evil, nasty, people to pick the villain from. But having said that, I expected more suspense, and it just wasn't there for me.
Trust No One was a bit of a conundrum. As I said, twisty, with evil nasty people, but very little suspense. I should have been furiously flipping the pages, but I wasn't. There was something lacking.....or perhaps there was just a little too much of Jane's private life. And it was all a bit flat...the dialogue, the lack of suspense, the characters, all cardboard cutouts.
Not a series I will be following up on I'm afraid.
***
THE AUTHOR: After ten years in London, working for a City law firm, Clare Donoghue moved back to her home town in Somerset to undertake an MA in creative writing at Bath Spa University. She was long-listed for the CWA Debut Dagger in 2011.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Pan MacMillan via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of Trust No One by Clare Donoghue for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
Please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the 'about' page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com for an explanation of my rating system.
This review and others are also published on my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
December 3, 2015
Two children discover their father dead in the morning, but is it a natural death or were he murdered? It's up to DS Jane Bennett and DI Mike Lockyer to figure it out.
DS Jane Bennett has been on leave since the brutal attack in the last book and now she is back and her first case is the death of a family father who after some investigation into his background is discovered to have some skeletons in his closets. But still, who would murder him. Could it be a close friend or a lover or his ex-wife? That's what Jane and DI Mike Lockyer have to figure out.
I read the second book in this series a couple of months ago and, despite that I didn't fully enjoy the whole book (a loose thread bothered me) was I intrigued enough to read this one. One thing that I'm a bit curious about is why the series is labeled the Mike Lockyer series since the two books I have read out of three has been just as much (if not more) about Jane Bennett as Mike Lockyer.
Anyway, I like both main characters, they work well together and they seem to be good friends, but I also have a feeling that there will be a time when their relationship will take a more romantic turn. It's only book three so who knows what will happen in the future.
The case was not a very strong or frankly intriguing case. Sometimes I feel that it's just too easy nowadays to figure out who the culprit is and for some strange reason I was suspicious of one of the characters almost from the start. But then again the title is Trust No One and I figured out that could mean that even the must unlikely person could be the one.
Still, it's a good book, easy to read. It was just not that thrilling to read. It's a decent crime novel, nothing more nothing less.
Thanks to Pan Macmillan and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
DS Jane Bennett has been on leave since the brutal attack in the last book and now she is back and her first case is the death of a family father who after some investigation into his background is discovered to have some skeletons in his closets. But still, who would murder him. Could it be a close friend or a lover or his ex-wife? That's what Jane and DI Mike Lockyer have to figure out.
I read the second book in this series a couple of months ago and, despite that I didn't fully enjoy the whole book (a loose thread bothered me) was I intrigued enough to read this one. One thing that I'm a bit curious about is why the series is labeled the Mike Lockyer series since the two books I have read out of three has been just as much (if not more) about Jane Bennett as Mike Lockyer.
Anyway, I like both main characters, they work well together and they seem to be good friends, but I also have a feeling that there will be a time when their relationship will take a more romantic turn. It's only book three so who knows what will happen in the future.
The case was not a very strong or frankly intriguing case. Sometimes I feel that it's just too easy nowadays to figure out who the culprit is and for some strange reason I was suspicious of one of the characters almost from the start. But then again the title is Trust No One and I figured out that could mean that even the must unlikely person could be the one.
Still, it's a good book, easy to read. It was just not that thrilling to read. It's a decent crime novel, nothing more nothing less.
Thanks to Pan Macmillan and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
February 6, 2016
I've read the first two books in this series and liked them very much. This book was different, and I didn't enjoy it as much. There was only one murder involving one family. The first half to two-thirds was a little slow for me. There weren't a lot of clues or misdirection. Interviews didn't reveal very much, except the characters involved were mostly lying. The ex-wife of the victim was completely unlikable. As the ex-husband's life was explored, I felt sorry for him.
In the previous books, I really liked DI Mike Lockyer. He has to share the spotlight with DS Jane Bennett, which I can accept except Jane has way too much going on in her personal life that I got tired of hearing about. I was confused about the working relationship between Lockyer and Bennett in this book. It mostly felt like Bennett bossing Lockyer, and Lockyer seemed inept to me. It felt like he'd lost that sensitivity he had in the first book.
There were some errors that editing should have caught, including the use of a landline while Jane was seated in a park instead of her office. It also didn't ring true that Jane had time to go running with Lockyer even as her time at home is limited because of the case.
Because I gave the first two books 4 stars, this one must get 3.
In the previous books, I really liked DI Mike Lockyer. He has to share the spotlight with DS Jane Bennett, which I can accept except Jane has way too much going on in her personal life that I got tired of hearing about. I was confused about the working relationship between Lockyer and Bennett in this book. It mostly felt like Bennett bossing Lockyer, and Lockyer seemed inept to me. It felt like he'd lost that sensitivity he had in the first book.
There were some errors that editing should have caught, including the use of a landline while Jane was seated in a park instead of her office. It also didn't ring true that Jane had time to go running with Lockyer even as her time at home is limited because of the case.
Because I gave the first two books 4 stars, this one must get 3.
February 5, 2016
Trust No One is the third instalment of the the series to feature DI Mike Lockyer. Although the book could be read as a standalone because enough backstory is given, I'm glad that I've read the previous two novels.
The story here is actually quite a simple, straightforward one. A divorcee father is found dead in his own home by his two children. The cast is a small one and the book centres around the investigation of the murder. It delves deeply into the life of the murder victim and all who surrounds him which really brings to the fore the title of the book - Trust No One. Who can be trusted?
I like that with each passing book we get to know more about our regular players, namely DS Jane Bennett and Lockyer and all that goes on in their lives. They're becoming really familiar characters that are likeable, realistic and endearing. The story is told in a twisty turny way that Ms Donoghue does so well. So I was changing my mind constantly throughout and at one point actually thought I had it sewn up. I hadn't!! Darn! I should have seen it coming - but didn't. Really good and actually quite chilling.
I can't really say much more without giving away plot spoilers so I'll leave it there and give this one a hearty recommendation. Definitely worth it for the ending!
My thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.
The story here is actually quite a simple, straightforward one. A divorcee father is found dead in his own home by his two children. The cast is a small one and the book centres around the investigation of the murder. It delves deeply into the life of the murder victim and all who surrounds him which really brings to the fore the title of the book - Trust No One. Who can be trusted?
I like that with each passing book we get to know more about our regular players, namely DS Jane Bennett and Lockyer and all that goes on in their lives. They're becoming really familiar characters that are likeable, realistic and endearing. The story is told in a twisty turny way that Ms Donoghue does so well. So I was changing my mind constantly throughout and at one point actually thought I had it sewn up. I hadn't!! Darn! I should have seen it coming - but didn't. Really good and actually quite chilling.
I can't really say much more without giving away plot spoilers so I'll leave it there and give this one a hearty recommendation. Definitely worth it for the ending!
My thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.
December 31, 2015
What a refreshing book and a brave one to write after two successful novels in this series. Claire Donoghue has created a firm base for a police procedural with excellent characters in DS Jane Bennett and her boss Mike Lockyer. He is made SIO for this case which puts their relationships under new pressure,
There is a chance in this story for further development of their own lives outside of work but who would be a copper as they always seem to put the job first.
A family barbecue turns into horror as separated dad is discovered dead by his two children. As the only witnesses they must be carefully questioned as a suspicious death becomes a murder investigation.
Sadly as the case widens no-one appears as innocent as they at first seem and lies and misinformation hinder the police trying to find reasons for the crime.
In a story where there is little action other than family tensions the author works hard in other ways to create pace and drama.
Not a page-turner in a conventional thriller but a piece of crime fiction pushing the boundaries of this genre it is quite masterful and a great read.
There is a chance in this story for further development of their own lives outside of work but who would be a copper as they always seem to put the job first.
A family barbecue turns into horror as separated dad is discovered dead by his two children. As the only witnesses they must be carefully questioned as a suspicious death becomes a murder investigation.
Sadly as the case widens no-one appears as innocent as they at first seem and lies and misinformation hinder the police trying to find reasons for the crime.
In a story where there is little action other than family tensions the author works hard in other ways to create pace and drama.
Not a page-turner in a conventional thriller but a piece of crime fiction pushing the boundaries of this genre it is quite masterful and a great read.
February 15, 2016
Devoured this book in one sitting. Today. I did actually just read it today pretty much. Highly addictive. But you know, having read this authors previous two novels I really should have been prepared. I seriously meant to do some housework today. No really…
Anyway, Trust No One. I think that is really quite a good piece of life advice and not only if you have a missing sister (sorry geek X-Files reference there) but in the case of this book it is definitely a truth. Clare Donoghue has written a brilliantly twisty thriller once more, with a terrific ultimate solution that I ALMOST didn’t see coming. Note the almost. It was close though and actually I would have been happy to have been beaten by this particular novel as it was such a brilliantly clever read.
Lockyer and Bennett are back, Jane in recovery still but back at work and Mike having gone through somewhat of a personality transplant which kind of made me love him even more. The character development for our regulars is really terrific here, layers being added with every book just the way any crime reading fan loves.
As for the story, this is quite an emotive tale, speaking to several family issues, that of divorce, shared custody, child protection, when a father is murdered every aspect of his life is put under the spotlight. The relationships he had with his kids, his ex-wife, his friends, all the intimate details being dragged out for examination – the strain this puts on all concerned comes across really well and provides for some quite emotional moments.
This will keep you on your toes – you really will “Trust No One” as the story flows along turning you first one way then another, showing some of the events leading up to the death and what comes after – great construction, great page turning potential (actually you will just keep turning those pages no matter what – I really WILL do some housework tomorrow) and pretty much cementing Clare Donoghue’s place on my must read list. Never mind – who needs a tidy house anyway?
Highly Recommended
Anyway, Trust No One. I think that is really quite a good piece of life advice and not only if you have a missing sister (sorry geek X-Files reference there) but in the case of this book it is definitely a truth. Clare Donoghue has written a brilliantly twisty thriller once more, with a terrific ultimate solution that I ALMOST didn’t see coming. Note the almost. It was close though and actually I would have been happy to have been beaten by this particular novel as it was such a brilliantly clever read.
Lockyer and Bennett are back, Jane in recovery still but back at work and Mike having gone through somewhat of a personality transplant which kind of made me love him even more. The character development for our regulars is really terrific here, layers being added with every book just the way any crime reading fan loves.
As for the story, this is quite an emotive tale, speaking to several family issues, that of divorce, shared custody, child protection, when a father is murdered every aspect of his life is put under the spotlight. The relationships he had with his kids, his ex-wife, his friends, all the intimate details being dragged out for examination – the strain this puts on all concerned comes across really well and provides for some quite emotional moments.
This will keep you on your toes – you really will “Trust No One” as the story flows along turning you first one way then another, showing some of the events leading up to the death and what comes after – great construction, great page turning potential (actually you will just keep turning those pages no matter what – I really WILL do some housework tomorrow) and pretty much cementing Clare Donoghue’s place on my must read list. Never mind – who needs a tidy house anyway?
Highly Recommended
November 22, 2019
A weak 3 stars for the 3rd entry in the series.
It’s difficult to elaborate on the specific disappointments and stumbles of this book without spoilers or unwelcome hints.
I’ll just say it’s a weaker book and less engaging story than its predecessors. On the strength of the first two, I will continue.
It’s difficult to elaborate on the specific disappointments and stumbles of this book without spoilers or unwelcome hints.
I’ll just say it’s a weaker book and less engaging story than its predecessors. On the strength of the first two, I will continue.
February 23, 2016
Trust No One is the third book in the Detective Jane Bennett and Mike Lockyer series. I haven't actually read the first two books in the series and found this one easy to read as a stand alone.
Jane I warmed to straight away. She is a single mother who has a lot on her plate but I thought she seemed to balance her work and personal life quite well. Mike, I have to admit to not liking him to much to start with. He seems to have quite a thick exterior but if you look hard enough I think he has built up a wall around him, though the reader does get some glimpses of him being quite a nice guy really, so he did kind of grow on me.
The case that they both find themselves working on at first looks like it's a case of someone dying in their sleep but due to the age of the victim alarm bells start to ring.
It's not long before the victims immediate family and friends come under scrutiny. I honestly thought I had worked it out who had killed Richard though I did keep changing my mind throughout the story. Well all I can say is I was well and truly wrong and I certainly won't be giving up my day job any time soon to go join the police force as I think they are better off without me!
Trust No One is certainly an intriguing read that kept me on my toes. With some very compelling characters, I think this is one book that even after finishing a couple of the characters will stay with the reader for a quite a while after.
I will certainly be keeping my eye out for more books in the series and would certainly recommend it to any crime thriller fans out there.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for an advanced readers copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Jane I warmed to straight away. She is a single mother who has a lot on her plate but I thought she seemed to balance her work and personal life quite well. Mike, I have to admit to not liking him to much to start with. He seems to have quite a thick exterior but if you look hard enough I think he has built up a wall around him, though the reader does get some glimpses of him being quite a nice guy really, so he did kind of grow on me.
The case that they both find themselves working on at first looks like it's a case of someone dying in their sleep but due to the age of the victim alarm bells start to ring.
It's not long before the victims immediate family and friends come under scrutiny. I honestly thought I had worked it out who had killed Richard though I did keep changing my mind throughout the story. Well all I can say is I was well and truly wrong and I certainly won't be giving up my day job any time soon to go join the police force as I think they are better off without me!
Trust No One is certainly an intriguing read that kept me on my toes. With some very compelling characters, I think this is one book that even after finishing a couple of the characters will stay with the reader for a quite a while after.
I will certainly be keeping my eye out for more books in the series and would certainly recommend it to any crime thriller fans out there.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for an advanced readers copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
March 2, 2016
I can't fault this at all. Fascinating and compelling and very well written.
August 21, 2017
i found this book a bit slower than the previous 2 books in this series. That is not to say that I didn't enjoy it and am looking forward to reading then next one!
March 7, 2016
It doesn't seem all that long ago since I picked up the first in this series, Never Look Back, and here we are now at book three, Trust No One. This series by Clare Donoghue is the perfect mix of what I look for in a crime novel; real character-driven drama with two excellent main characters in DS Jane Bennett and DI Mike Lockyer, a true to life plot (you can easily imagine these stories occurring in real life) and a storyline that will keep you guessing and doubting yourself right up until the very end. Clare Donoghue is a brilliant storyteller and Never Look Back didn't disappoint.
Trust No One has a mysterious opening followed by that killer hook that meant I suffered from a very late night the first time I picked this book up, followed by an even later one the next night as I raced towards its conclusion. The book opens with a murder case which on paper could sound relatively normal (normal that is for crime fiction anyway) but which is essentially the beginning of the veritable can of worms being opened. Clare Donoghue weaves an addictive tale, where nothing and nobody is as they seem, and you are never sure of exactly who, or what, you should trust. The victim is the recently divorced Richard and his whole life is completely laid bare following the discovery of his body by his two children, who both go on to have conflicting stories of what went on.
My favourite type of crime fiction novels are those where the case is one you can really get involved in, where you feel a part of the investigation yourself. And, even when you aren't reading the book, your brain is constantly working and thinking about who might be responsible, as mine was for the whole day in between reading this novel. This is helped by the fact that there's such a good mix of suspects; friends, family, neighbours, everyone is under suspicion throughout. It is a complex and very well-thought out story, with numerous twists and turns, and developments that occur at just the right point to both confuse and surprise the reader. As said earlier, you are never sure of who to believe and as the story progresses, there are some surprising moments that I think the majority of readers will fail to see coming. Clare Donoghue is fast becoming another of my must-read authors and this series is one that I constantly recommend to those looking for a new crime series to get stuck into.
Trust No One has a mysterious opening followed by that killer hook that meant I suffered from a very late night the first time I picked this book up, followed by an even later one the next night as I raced towards its conclusion. The book opens with a murder case which on paper could sound relatively normal (normal that is for crime fiction anyway) but which is essentially the beginning of the veritable can of worms being opened. Clare Donoghue weaves an addictive tale, where nothing and nobody is as they seem, and you are never sure of exactly who, or what, you should trust. The victim is the recently divorced Richard and his whole life is completely laid bare following the discovery of his body by his two children, who both go on to have conflicting stories of what went on.
My favourite type of crime fiction novels are those where the case is one you can really get involved in, where you feel a part of the investigation yourself. And, even when you aren't reading the book, your brain is constantly working and thinking about who might be responsible, as mine was for the whole day in between reading this novel. This is helped by the fact that there's such a good mix of suspects; friends, family, neighbours, everyone is under suspicion throughout. It is a complex and very well-thought out story, with numerous twists and turns, and developments that occur at just the right point to both confuse and surprise the reader. As said earlier, you are never sure of who to believe and as the story progresses, there are some surprising moments that I think the majority of readers will fail to see coming. Clare Donoghue is fast becoming another of my must-read authors and this series is one that I constantly recommend to those looking for a new crime series to get stuck into.
February 16, 2016
I really enjoyed the first two books in this series featuring DI Mike Lockyer and so was quite interested to see how this 3rd outing compared. This can be read as a standalone novel and it is a bit different to the first two as it doesn't feature a series of murders, just the one.
A family barbecue conjures up pictures of sunshine, too much food and drink and time with friends and family-and that's how we come to meet Richard Taylor and his two children Harvey and Olive. Next morning though, a 999 call sends police to Richards flat where the children have discovered his dead body. Suicide? Unintentional overdose or something much more sinister. DI Mike Lockyer and DS Jane Bennett are brought in to investigate.
I love these characters. Although they are part of a very well written and twisty police procedural, the reason it works so well is because we are shown their personal lives, with all their problems and emotions, which make them seem more realistic. Jane is struggling with the reappearance of her son's father and her parents possibly moving away and Mike's ex-wife is about to remarry. The dynamics of this case are slightly different as it twists and turns with multiple suspects being interviewed and a few red herrings thrown in for good measure! I thought I knew where it was going but even I have to admit that I didn't quite get there! It did take me a little while to get into the style in which the story was told-the past as told by Richard, the investigation in the present with the occasional glimpse into the mind of a killer. Reading it in bed, I struggled to get into it so left until this morning when I was able to read the rest in pretty much one sitting.
There are so many crime series around at the moment that it does take something a little bit different or special to stand out and I think here that the authors strength is the character of Mike Lockyer. I have quite a soft spot for him myself!! He is like an iceberg, there are hidden depths there that I think the author will expose in future outings for this great detective team!
An enjoyable read for those who love a good police procedural.
I received a copy of this book via netgalley in return for an honest review.
A family barbecue conjures up pictures of sunshine, too much food and drink and time with friends and family-and that's how we come to meet Richard Taylor and his two children Harvey and Olive. Next morning though, a 999 call sends police to Richards flat where the children have discovered his dead body. Suicide? Unintentional overdose or something much more sinister. DI Mike Lockyer and DS Jane Bennett are brought in to investigate.
I love these characters. Although they are part of a very well written and twisty police procedural, the reason it works so well is because we are shown their personal lives, with all their problems and emotions, which make them seem more realistic. Jane is struggling with the reappearance of her son's father and her parents possibly moving away and Mike's ex-wife is about to remarry. The dynamics of this case are slightly different as it twists and turns with multiple suspects being interviewed and a few red herrings thrown in for good measure! I thought I knew where it was going but even I have to admit that I didn't quite get there! It did take me a little while to get into the style in which the story was told-the past as told by Richard, the investigation in the present with the occasional glimpse into the mind of a killer. Reading it in bed, I struggled to get into it so left until this morning when I was able to read the rest in pretty much one sitting.
There are so many crime series around at the moment that it does take something a little bit different or special to stand out and I think here that the authors strength is the character of Mike Lockyer. I have quite a soft spot for him myself!! He is like an iceberg, there are hidden depths there that I think the author will expose in future outings for this great detective team!
An enjoyable read for those who love a good police procedural.
I received a copy of this book via netgalley in return for an honest review.
March 5, 2016
A married couple with two children separate and not that long afterwards the father is discovered dead at his home address. All indications show that the father has been murdered.
DS Jane Bennett and DI Mike Lockyer must investigate the case, which could turn out to be the most disturbing and distressing case that they have ever dealt with. The investigation means that the victim’s family and friends must come under scrutiny in the most difficult of circumstances.
This is the third book that I have read by this author and I have loved each and every one. The series just keeps getting better and better. (‘Never Look Back’ & ‘No Place To Die’ are the other two books in the series featuring DS Bennett & DI Lockyer.). This book is different to the first two books in that there is only one body involved.
It becomes clear as the investigation progresses that there are lots of skeletons in lots of closets. Gradually the skeletons come tumbling out of the closet and more shocking truths are revealed. I thought that I had the perpetrator and motives completely worked out but I was wrong and it was someone else entirely.
The characters were well written, believable and authentic. As the series goes on we find out more about the back story of both Bennett & Lockyer, which helps to explain how past experiences have shaped them into the people that they have become today. Bennett is a single mother, whose son has a learning disability and who has extra needs. They live with Bennett’s ageing parents, who are also starting to have age related health problems. Bennett is trying to cope but she is trying to spread herself too thinly. DS Bennett tries to put her own stamp on the case. DI Lockyer is very dedicated to his job, often at the cost of personal relationships. There is a fair bit of ‘Work’ v ‘Family’ conflict in Lockyer’s life.
In short I loved this book and I would definitely recommend it to others. I can’t wait to read further books in the Lockyer & Bennett series.
DS Jane Bennett and DI Mike Lockyer must investigate the case, which could turn out to be the most disturbing and distressing case that they have ever dealt with. The investigation means that the victim’s family and friends must come under scrutiny in the most difficult of circumstances.
This is the third book that I have read by this author and I have loved each and every one. The series just keeps getting better and better. (‘Never Look Back’ & ‘No Place To Die’ are the other two books in the series featuring DS Bennett & DI Lockyer.). This book is different to the first two books in that there is only one body involved.
It becomes clear as the investigation progresses that there are lots of skeletons in lots of closets. Gradually the skeletons come tumbling out of the closet and more shocking truths are revealed. I thought that I had the perpetrator and motives completely worked out but I was wrong and it was someone else entirely.
The characters were well written, believable and authentic. As the series goes on we find out more about the back story of both Bennett & Lockyer, which helps to explain how past experiences have shaped them into the people that they have become today. Bennett is a single mother, whose son has a learning disability and who has extra needs. They live with Bennett’s ageing parents, who are also starting to have age related health problems. Bennett is trying to cope but she is trying to spread herself too thinly. DS Bennett tries to put her own stamp on the case. DI Lockyer is very dedicated to his job, often at the cost of personal relationships. There is a fair bit of ‘Work’ v ‘Family’ conflict in Lockyer’s life.
In short I loved this book and I would definitely recommend it to others. I can’t wait to read further books in the Lockyer & Bennett series.
February 5, 2016
Okay, so this series is relatively new and I felt like book one got off to a shaky start. Book 2 was a definite improvement and this latest release is another good read. It seems like the author is still finding her feet with the characters and I think this series will improve with each book that is written. Mike Lockyer seems to be well on his way to being ‘back to normal’ following books 1 and 2. Jane on the other hand is in for a whole host of upsets especially involving her personal life.
On a work front, the death of Richard Taylor at first seems like death by natural causes; however it soon becomes clear that this isn't the case. After the initial outcome of foul play the investigation makes a slow but steady start and we are introduced to all aspects of Richard Taylor’s life. The plot was a bit of a slow starter, but it seemed as the story progressed there were more suspects than it first appeared. Mike has been newly promoted to Senior Investigating Officer so both he and Jane are involved in the case.
Jane’s personal life then seemingly takes hit after hit, which in one respect I enjoyed. You certainly feel like you are getting to know the characters and their weaknesses and other elements to their personal life. Jane was again the stand out character for me, however the story works with both Mike and Jane involved and the loss of one may make for a weaker book.
Overall this was certainly an enjoyable book and the pace and plot kept me interested right until the end. I liked the fact I only guessed the culprit towards the very end and the story involving this murder was played out in stages. I am hoping that with each book the pace picks up as readers get to know the characters more and more. There is certainly a lot of ‘wiggle room’ for expanding storylines involving both Jane and Mike. This is definitely a series I will be keeping up with.
On a work front, the death of Richard Taylor at first seems like death by natural causes; however it soon becomes clear that this isn't the case. After the initial outcome of foul play the investigation makes a slow but steady start and we are introduced to all aspects of Richard Taylor’s life. The plot was a bit of a slow starter, but it seemed as the story progressed there were more suspects than it first appeared. Mike has been newly promoted to Senior Investigating Officer so both he and Jane are involved in the case.
Jane’s personal life then seemingly takes hit after hit, which in one respect I enjoyed. You certainly feel like you are getting to know the characters and their weaknesses and other elements to their personal life. Jane was again the stand out character for me, however the story works with both Mike and Jane involved and the loss of one may make for a weaker book.
Overall this was certainly an enjoyable book and the pace and plot kept me interested right until the end. I liked the fact I only guessed the culprit towards the very end and the story involving this murder was played out in stages. I am hoping that with each book the pace picks up as readers get to know the characters more and more. There is certainly a lot of ‘wiggle room’ for expanding storylines involving both Jane and Mike. This is definitely a series I will be keeping up with.
January 23, 2016
This is the third in the series, but the first for me and it works as a standalone police procedural. Richard Taylor, a divorced dad, is found dead by his children. It soon emerges that it is a suspicious death and the Lewisham Murder Squad investigate the friends, family and colleagues of the dead man.
In a thrilling whodunnit, detectives Mike Lockyer and Jane explore Richard and his life. The story has plenty of twists and turns, and lies and secrets are uncovered. When the perpetrator is revealed I was not expecting it at all. There is a fast paced narrative with great character development. The story is so well constructed that you have a great psychological thriller. Great Read! Many thanks to Pan, the publishers for a copy of the book via netgalley.
In a thrilling whodunnit, detectives Mike Lockyer and Jane explore Richard and his life. The story has plenty of twists and turns, and lies and secrets are uncovered. When the perpetrator is revealed I was not expecting it at all. There is a fast paced narrative with great character development. The story is so well constructed that you have a great psychological thriller. Great Read! Many thanks to Pan, the publishers for a copy of the book via netgalley.
January 26, 2016
Trust No One is Clare’s third novel in the Lockyer series. I actually wasn’t aware this was part of a series until about halfway through! I was interested to see what Clare had written before as I really wanted to go and read some more of her work and it was at that point I discovered Lockyer already had two other novels. This book can easily be read as a standalone though. There are a few tiny references to other books peppered throughout but it wasn’t anything that made me confused or put the book down.
Trust No One centres on a suspicious death. Richard, a divorced father of two is found dead by his children and the police are called in to investigate. At first it looks like he might have died in his sleep but as more details emerge it becomes apparent that there was some foul play involved. As the police dig into Richard’s past they find things that point the finger at multiple people in his life. With two young children struggling to come to terms with the death of their father, the pressure is on Lockyer and Jane. They need to find the person responsible and find them fast before they do any more damage.
From the start of this book I was intrigued. There are sections narrated by the perpetrator and I loved delving into these little snippets and seeing if I could find any clue at all as to their identity but Clare was very clever and kept me guessing the whole way through. I had many ideas about who it could have been but the person who was responsible was the one person I hadn’t suspected. It was SUCH a fantastic reveal! It made me catch a breath and double check that I’d understood it right!
I read an interview in the back of the book with Clare who said this was the first book she’d written where there was just one murder and was worried that the pacing and tension wouldn’t stack up to her previous books and, whilst I haven’t read previous works, I can confirm that there is the perfect level of tension and the pacing was seamless. There was not a single second in the narrative where I got bored or thought the plot was too slow. There were snippets of the personal lives of the detectives included which I always enjoy – it’s nice to see them be ‘normal’ and watch how they behave outside of work.
There were also some sections narrated by Richard who gave some great insight into the weeks before he died and allowed us to see more of his personality. I guess for a character that dies so early on, it’s hard to build up a reliable picture as you just take other character’s opinions as gospel, so it was nice to be able to form my own opinion on him.
Overall this was an incredibly gripping book with a plot that was unpredictable and twisty in all the right places! I highly recommend you pick this book up and I for sure am going to go back and read the previous books in this series.
Trust No One centres on a suspicious death. Richard, a divorced father of two is found dead by his children and the police are called in to investigate. At first it looks like he might have died in his sleep but as more details emerge it becomes apparent that there was some foul play involved. As the police dig into Richard’s past they find things that point the finger at multiple people in his life. With two young children struggling to come to terms with the death of their father, the pressure is on Lockyer and Jane. They need to find the person responsible and find them fast before they do any more damage.
From the start of this book I was intrigued. There are sections narrated by the perpetrator and I loved delving into these little snippets and seeing if I could find any clue at all as to their identity but Clare was very clever and kept me guessing the whole way through. I had many ideas about who it could have been but the person who was responsible was the one person I hadn’t suspected. It was SUCH a fantastic reveal! It made me catch a breath and double check that I’d understood it right!
I read an interview in the back of the book with Clare who said this was the first book she’d written where there was just one murder and was worried that the pacing and tension wouldn’t stack up to her previous books and, whilst I haven’t read previous works, I can confirm that there is the perfect level of tension and the pacing was seamless. There was not a single second in the narrative where I got bored or thought the plot was too slow. There were snippets of the personal lives of the detectives included which I always enjoy – it’s nice to see them be ‘normal’ and watch how they behave outside of work.
There were also some sections narrated by Richard who gave some great insight into the weeks before he died and allowed us to see more of his personality. I guess for a character that dies so early on, it’s hard to build up a reliable picture as you just take other character’s opinions as gospel, so it was nice to be able to form my own opinion on him.
Overall this was an incredibly gripping book with a plot that was unpredictable and twisty in all the right places! I highly recommend you pick this book up and I for sure am going to go back and read the previous books in this series.
March 7, 2016
This is the third in the series. I have read the second and then went back and listened to the first on AudioBook. There is quite a lot of personal life / backstory / character development to be got from doing this, but it is not vital in this series as the salient points are well explained in later books. That and the main story is self-contained within each book.
Firstly, I am pleased to say that the reservations I had in book 2 have all been completely addressed in book 3. I was worried that the characters backstories were overshadowing the plot but in this book, the balance has been restored satisfactorily and the character development enhances rather than distracts and that, for me anyway, makes for a much better read.
So, Richard is divorced and one morning his two children, who he has for the weekend, discover him dead. It soon becomes evident that it is not from natural causes, nor does it appear to be suicide. Was Richard's divorce really as amicable as first reported? Why are the children's accounts of the night different? What secrets were Richard keeping and have they been spilled to the wrong people? Enter Mike and Jane to investigate.
Thus begins a rather convoluted investigation. As lies and secrets are uncovered, more suspects come into the frame, Richard's private life is exposed. His friends are questioned, his wife is suspected and even the children don't escape from questioning. The trouble is, all these people paint a very different description of Richard. Who was he really and why would someone want him dead?
As already mentioned, I found this book much better than the last two. This author is really maturing and improving as the series goes on. I am not sure whether this is because she has now found the characters' true selves or if it is due to the balance shift away fom characters and more towards the actual storyline of the crime being investigated. Either way, this book worked better for me than the previous two.
The storyline at times was quite heavy but this was very well tackled by the author. There are some quite uncomfortable parts but these were not sensationalised and treated with respect. The final reveal came as a bit of a shock to me I have to admit. But along with the shock came the realisation that the pointers that were there throughout the book but that either I didn't see or maybe I just didn't want to see them.
All in all, this series is now back on track for me and I will definitely be waiting for the next one.
I received a free ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Firstly, I am pleased to say that the reservations I had in book 2 have all been completely addressed in book 3. I was worried that the characters backstories were overshadowing the plot but in this book, the balance has been restored satisfactorily and the character development enhances rather than distracts and that, for me anyway, makes for a much better read.
So, Richard is divorced and one morning his two children, who he has for the weekend, discover him dead. It soon becomes evident that it is not from natural causes, nor does it appear to be suicide. Was Richard's divorce really as amicable as first reported? Why are the children's accounts of the night different? What secrets were Richard keeping and have they been spilled to the wrong people? Enter Mike and Jane to investigate.
Thus begins a rather convoluted investigation. As lies and secrets are uncovered, more suspects come into the frame, Richard's private life is exposed. His friends are questioned, his wife is suspected and even the children don't escape from questioning. The trouble is, all these people paint a very different description of Richard. Who was he really and why would someone want him dead?
As already mentioned, I found this book much better than the last two. This author is really maturing and improving as the series goes on. I am not sure whether this is because she has now found the characters' true selves or if it is due to the balance shift away fom characters and more towards the actual storyline of the crime being investigated. Either way, this book worked better for me than the previous two.
The storyline at times was quite heavy but this was very well tackled by the author. There are some quite uncomfortable parts but these were not sensationalised and treated with respect. The final reveal came as a bit of a shock to me I have to admit. But along with the shock came the realisation that the pointers that were there throughout the book but that either I didn't see or maybe I just didn't want to see them.
All in all, this series is now back on track for me and I will definitely be waiting for the next one.
I received a free ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
August 1, 2016
This is the third crime novel from Clare Donoghue in the DS Jane Bennett and DI Mike Lockyer series, but for me it’s the first Clare Donoghue book I have read. Although there are small references to previous books, Trust No One can easily be read as a standalone. Richard Taylor a divorced father of two is found dead by his children and DS Jane Bennett and DI Mike Lockyer are called in to investigate. At first it looks like he might have died in his sleep, but as more details emerge it becomes apparent that this wasn’t the case, and the police are looking at a murder enquiry. Trust No One is mostly told through the investigation, but there are also chapters that give a glimpse of Richards life prior to his death.
Trust No one is a relatively easy read, the plot flows along at a reasonable pace, and there are a few twists in the investigation to keep the reader engaged. The main characters Bennett and Lockyer rub along nicely together, but if I’m honest I found them to be pretty average characters lacking any real substance. I also found the other characters in this book difficult to like or feel any empathy for them, as they all had traits I disliked.
There are only a small cast of characters who could have committed the crime, and without giving away any spoilers, when the killer is revealed what should have been a hell of a twist fell flat! The character I’m talking about was portrayed in a certain way all the way through the book, and then with no build up or clues the character became a manipulative psychopath who killed without remorse. So unfortunately although the plot started out convincingly, by the time I found out who the killer was I found it to be far less credible. Trust No One was an average read for me, and I was left feeling slightly disappointed and frustrated by the ending, and for that reason I can only give it 3 stars.
Originally posted to my blog at http://thebookreviewcafe.com
Trust No one is a relatively easy read, the plot flows along at a reasonable pace, and there are a few twists in the investigation to keep the reader engaged. The main characters Bennett and Lockyer rub along nicely together, but if I’m honest I found them to be pretty average characters lacking any real substance. I also found the other characters in this book difficult to like or feel any empathy for them, as they all had traits I disliked.
There are only a small cast of characters who could have committed the crime, and without giving away any spoilers, when the killer is revealed what should have been a hell of a twist fell flat! The character I’m talking about was portrayed in a certain way all the way through the book, and then with no build up or clues the character became a manipulative psychopath who killed without remorse. So unfortunately although the plot started out convincingly, by the time I found out who the killer was I found it to be far less credible. Trust No One was an average read for me, and I was left feeling slightly disappointed and frustrated by the ending, and for that reason I can only give it 3 stars.
Originally posted to my blog at http://thebookreviewcafe.com
March 13, 2016
A man apparently fit and in reasonable health is found dead in his bed one morning by his two children aged twelve and fourteen. What seems like a tragic death from natural causes soon turns out to be murder. Richard Taylor has been divorced from his ex-wife Nicola for three years. Their arrangements for the children are amicable but maybe the relationship between the two of them is not as good as it first appears. Jane Bennett and Mike Lockyer must delve deep into Richard's private life and those of his family and friends to find the shocking truths about his life and his death.
This book started off slowly with short sections about various people involved in this mystery - not all of whom are identified at the time. I found it slightly muddling to be honest but then as I got into the story I found myself absorbed in it and wondering just which of the many suspects were actually telling the truth about the dead man and their relationship with him. I thought I'd identified the murderer but when the actual perpetrator was revealed it was almost like a physical shock to me.
I thought the characters were well drawn and the book was very well plotted with plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing and on the edge of your seat as the tension mount towards the shocking climax. I thought the book was very well written and I was glad in the end I had got through what seemed to be the slightly confusing beginning. I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley for review.
This book started off slowly with short sections about various people involved in this mystery - not all of whom are identified at the time. I found it slightly muddling to be honest but then as I got into the story I found myself absorbed in it and wondering just which of the many suspects were actually telling the truth about the dead man and their relationship with him. I thought I'd identified the murderer but when the actual perpetrator was revealed it was almost like a physical shock to me.
I thought the characters were well drawn and the book was very well plotted with plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing and on the edge of your seat as the tension mount towards the shocking climax. I thought the book was very well written and I was glad in the end I had got through what seemed to be the slightly confusing beginning. I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley for review.
March 21, 2016
This is the Third book in the Mike Lockyer series, not having read the first two. I read this has a standalone and felt it that I hadn't missed anything from the previous books. But i had to say what a slow start this book was for me. It actually took me a while to get into it and i felt like i was reading an episode of Eastenders. with the storyline based around a family and friends came under scrutiny after a murder. Throughout the book more lies and secrets are unraveled.
I didn't warm to the characters, they had nothing about them. I guessed the killer straight away and this is what made me keep on reading it. I wanted to know if i had guessed right.
This is a 3 star read for me
thank you to netgalley and Pan Macmillan for an arc
I didn't warm to the characters, they had nothing about them. I guessed the killer straight away and this is what made me keep on reading it. I wanted to know if i had guessed right.
This is a 3 star read for me
thank you to netgalley and Pan Macmillan for an arc
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 2, 2016
The police are investigating one of the most difficult and distressing cases. There is a mystery of why Richard Taylor is found dead in his bed. While Harvey and Olive his children were staying in their fathers house by the morning they found their father dead in his bed. When they are questioned by police their version of the event were different. Does this mean they are covering up something? Or will they be suspects? Nicola Brown the wife said to her ex husband you'll end up dead. Did Nicola kill her ex husband? To add to the murder investigation Ds Jane Bennett finds out that Nicola and Richard marriage ended is because Nicola found out something about Richard. The police question Richard's and Nicola's friends too. A great police story.
October 27, 2016
When divorcee dentist Richard Taylor is found dead in his bed by his young Son it is at first thought he died from natural causes. But as forensic evidence is routinely taken it turns in to a murder investigation.
There are so many twists and turns in this book and everyone in Richards life comes under suspicion.
No character seems reliable, as alibi's are shaky and stories muddled, it could be anyone!.
The suspension built well as the murderer was revealed & we found out why it happened.
A very enjoyable read.
With thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and author in providing me with a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
There are so many twists and turns in this book and everyone in Richards life comes under suspicion.
No character seems reliable, as alibi's are shaky and stories muddled, it could be anyone!.
The suspension built well as the murderer was revealed & we found out why it happened.
A very enjoyable read.
With thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and author in providing me with a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
February 29, 2016
I really enjoyed this book and only realised part way through it was a series.
Although easy to read as. Stand alone, i shall read the previous books.
I liked the way the story weaved and twisted. Plenty of who dunnit moments, which made a great lead to the ending. Which made it difficult to put down.
Recommend reading.
Thanks to netgalley for a chance to read this for an honest review.
Although easy to read as. Stand alone, i shall read the previous books.
I liked the way the story weaved and twisted. Plenty of who dunnit moments, which made a great lead to the ending. Which made it difficult to put down.
Recommend reading.
Thanks to netgalley for a chance to read this for an honest review.
February 6, 2016
Really enjoy this series I liked how this book differs from the first two as trust no one is based on one murder but believe me there are plenty of twists
February 22, 2016
This is the first Clare Donoghue book I have read. I found it ok but I struggled to like any of the characters. Maybe I would have liked this one more had I read the series from the beginning?
February 5, 2016
I was drawn to Clare Donoghue's debut crime thriller, Never Look Back — an odd choice, perhaps, given that it is about a series of murders of young women in south-east London and I am a young woman living in south-east London. I enjoyed the novel a great deal, though: it is smart and well-structured, offering insights into the personal life of troubled DI Mike Lockyer, who heads up the regional murder squad, as he attempts to find the killer.
Trust No One, Donoghue's latest novel, takes a similar approach but with a member of Lockyer's team, DS Jane Bennett, at its centre. In this way, Donoghue's series is reminiscent of Tana French's excellent novels about the Dublin Murder Squad. Bennett has plenty to deal with in her personal life — a young son, Peter, whose father suddenly wants to have a role in Peter's life, and ageing parents. But I found Bennett's story too much of a distraction from the main plot, whereas Lockyer's fitted in neatly in Never Look Back. Perhaps I will be more drawn in as the series progresses; certainly, the gradually evolving relationship between Lockyer and Bennett is intriguing.
As for Trust No One, the crime itself is cleverly plotted and meticulously revealed, with plenty of suspicious characters and twists to keep you guessing until the end. A 40-something father is found dead in his Gipsy Hill home by his two teen/tween children. The circumstances are suspicious and mysterious, with an ex-wife who is, by turns, cold and volatile, a best friend who has his own agenda, and two troubled and traumatised children. As Bennett and Lockyer begin to investigate, they soon found out that the dead man had a huge secret that someone, it seems, would have done anything to keep hidden.
I raced to get to the end of Donoghue's novel and it surprised and did not disappoint. I look forward to finding out what she has in store next for the Lewisham murder squad.
**Disclaimer: I received a pre-release copy via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.**
Trust No One, Donoghue's latest novel, takes a similar approach but with a member of Lockyer's team, DS Jane Bennett, at its centre. In this way, Donoghue's series is reminiscent of Tana French's excellent novels about the Dublin Murder Squad. Bennett has plenty to deal with in her personal life — a young son, Peter, whose father suddenly wants to have a role in Peter's life, and ageing parents. But I found Bennett's story too much of a distraction from the main plot, whereas Lockyer's fitted in neatly in Never Look Back. Perhaps I will be more drawn in as the series progresses; certainly, the gradually evolving relationship between Lockyer and Bennett is intriguing.
As for Trust No One, the crime itself is cleverly plotted and meticulously revealed, with plenty of suspicious characters and twists to keep you guessing until the end. A 40-something father is found dead in his Gipsy Hill home by his two teen/tween children. The circumstances are suspicious and mysterious, with an ex-wife who is, by turns, cold and volatile, a best friend who has his own agenda, and two troubled and traumatised children. As Bennett and Lockyer begin to investigate, they soon found out that the dead man had a huge secret that someone, it seems, would have done anything to keep hidden.
I raced to get to the end of Donoghue's novel and it surprised and did not disappoint. I look forward to finding out what she has in store next for the Lewisham murder squad.
**Disclaimer: I received a pre-release copy via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.**
February 1, 2016
Firstly I would like to thank Netgalley and Pan Books for allowing me an advance copy of Trust No One, the third novel in Ms Donoghue's DI Mike Lockyer series.
Jane Bennett is readjusting to life back at work after the events of No Place To Die. She is now a team leader in the murder squad although still a sergeant and her boss, Mike Lockyer, has moved up to SIO which is technically a supervisory role. She gets a call to attend the death scene of Richard Taylor. Murder is suspected but there is nothing definitive at the scene so the investigation is slow to start. After foul play is established it's all go with Richard's family, friends and partners coming under the spotlight.
I found the plot interesting as it has a changing cast of viable suspects as more lies and information are uncovered and it is impossible to know as you read who is lying and what the truth is but it is not initially linear, jumping back to events in the previous months of Richard's life. Personally I don't like this as it interrupts the narrative flow of the investigation nor do I like the small snippets of the killer's thinking which adds nothing to the investigation and means nothing until you know who is speaking.
I'm glad to see that Ms Donoghue has finally found a believable characterisation for Mike Lockyer as he seemed to bounce from one thing to another in the previous novels. He is now recognisable as a bit of a control freak but likeable which is the first time I can say that. Jane Bennett, his sidekick, is maturing in her police role and is a very capable, strong woman with perhaps more personal problems than are strictly necessary.
I think Trust No One is probably the weakest novel in the series so far but the bar has been extremely high and it is still a very good read which I don't hesitate to recommend.
Jane Bennett is readjusting to life back at work after the events of No Place To Die. She is now a team leader in the murder squad although still a sergeant and her boss, Mike Lockyer, has moved up to SIO which is technically a supervisory role. She gets a call to attend the death scene of Richard Taylor. Murder is suspected but there is nothing definitive at the scene so the investigation is slow to start. After foul play is established it's all go with Richard's family, friends and partners coming under the spotlight.
I found the plot interesting as it has a changing cast of viable suspects as more lies and information are uncovered and it is impossible to know as you read who is lying and what the truth is but it is not initially linear, jumping back to events in the previous months of Richard's life. Personally I don't like this as it interrupts the narrative flow of the investigation nor do I like the small snippets of the killer's thinking which adds nothing to the investigation and means nothing until you know who is speaking.
I'm glad to see that Ms Donoghue has finally found a believable characterisation for Mike Lockyer as he seemed to bounce from one thing to another in the previous novels. He is now recognisable as a bit of a control freak but likeable which is the first time I can say that. Jane Bennett, his sidekick, is maturing in her police role and is a very capable, strong woman with perhaps more personal problems than are strictly necessary.
I think Trust No One is probably the weakest novel in the series so far but the bar has been extremely high and it is still a very good read which I don't hesitate to recommend.
March 6, 2016
I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
I really enjoyed this novel. There were twists and turns is virtually every chapter, and the title “Trust No One” was really apt, as each suspect character was shown to be more and more untrustworthy. But were any of them actually guilty of murder, or was it a suicide or natural death after all?
All the characters – the police, their families, and those associated with the dead man, are very convincingly and realistically drawn. All are flawed, but often in a way that makes you feel more empathy for them.
Throughout the book, you flick from one possible guilty part to another – and back again – like the police, very unsure as to what has happened. The final revelation though is entirely unexpected, and brilliantly conceived.
An excellent crime novel ending on a magnificent twist
I really enjoyed this novel. There were twists and turns is virtually every chapter, and the title “Trust No One” was really apt, as each suspect character was shown to be more and more untrustworthy. But were any of them actually guilty of murder, or was it a suicide or natural death after all?
All the characters – the police, their families, and those associated with the dead man, are very convincingly and realistically drawn. All are flawed, but often in a way that makes you feel more empathy for them.
Throughout the book, you flick from one possible guilty part to another – and back again – like the police, very unsure as to what has happened. The final revelation though is entirely unexpected, and brilliantly conceived.
An excellent crime novel ending on a magnificent twist
March 1, 2016
Richard Taylor is a respected dentist, but he has secrets (as does his ex-wife). The morning after a family barbecue he is found dead in bed - who would want to kill him and why or was it suicide? This is what Mike Lockyer and Jane Bennett have to discover. I liked the team, the way the book was written and how you were made to feel about some of the characters, annoyed one minute but sympathetic the next. Once you begin reading this, you want to carry on to the end without stopping - the way all good stories should be! Looking forward to the next book. I was given this book by the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 7, 2016
I was given this book for a fair and unbiased review.
Crime and thriller novel at it's best, very well written, fast paced story that keeps you hooked until the end.
I haven't read the other books but that didn't seem to matter as you can read this book as a stand alone or as the series.
Recommended read!!
Crime and thriller novel at it's best, very well written, fast paced story that keeps you hooked until the end.
I haven't read the other books but that didn't seem to matter as you can read this book as a stand alone or as the series.
Recommended read!!
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