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DC Maggie Neville #3
False Witness
The third novel in the gripping DC Maggie Neville series
It began with a lie . . .
Two children are seen on top of a wall in a school.
Shortly later one of them lies fatally injured at the bottom.
Did the boy fall or was he pushed?
As a family liaison offer, DC Maggie Neville has seen parents crumble under the weight of their child's death. Imogen Tyler is no different. Her son's fall was witnessed by the school caretaker and another pupil is under suspicion/being questioned, but Imogen is paralysed by questions. Why was he at the school so early? Why was he with a girl who wasn't a friend?
For Maggie, finding the answers to these questions is paramount if she is to help the mother. But as she investigates, further questions emerge and the truth suddenly seems far from certain. Could the witness be mistaken about what happened and if he is, then who is responsible? And how far will they go to cover up the boy's death?
It began with a lie . . .
Two children are seen on top of a wall in a school.
Shortly later one of them lies fatally injured at the bottom.
Did the boy fall or was he pushed?
As a family liaison offer, DC Maggie Neville has seen parents crumble under the weight of their child's death. Imogen Tyler is no different. Her son's fall was witnessed by the school caretaker and another pupil is under suspicion/being questioned, but Imogen is paralysed by questions. Why was he at the school so early? Why was he with a girl who wasn't a friend?
For Maggie, finding the answers to these questions is paramount if she is to help the mother. But as she investigates, further questions emerge and the truth suddenly seems far from certain. Could the witness be mistaken about what happened and if he is, then who is responsible? And how far will they go to cover up the boy's death?
400 pages, Hardcover
First published March 22, 2018
21 people are currently reading
211 people want to read
About the author
Michelle Davies
15 books104 followersMichelle Davies was born in Middlesex in 1972, raised in Buckinghamshire and now lives in north London.
Her debut crime novel, Gone Astray, was published in 2016 and features Family Liaison Officer DC Maggie Neville as its central police character. Gone Astray was part of a two-book deal with Pan Macmillan and the follow-up, Wrong Place, also featuring Maggie, is out now. Her third in the series, False Witness, is due out in July next year while a fourth will follow in 2019.
When she's not turning her hand to crime, Michelle writes as a freelance journalist for women's magazines including Marie Claire, YOU and Stylist. Her last staff job before going freelance was as Editor-at-Large at Grazia and she was previously Features Editor at heat. She began her career straight from school at 18, working as a trainee reporter on her home-town newspaper, the Bucks Free Press.
Her debut crime novel, Gone Astray, was published in 2016 and features Family Liaison Officer DC Maggie Neville as its central police character. Gone Astray was part of a two-book deal with Pan Macmillan and the follow-up, Wrong Place, also featuring Maggie, is out now. Her third in the series, False Witness, is due out in July next year while a fourth will follow in 2019.
When she's not turning her hand to crime, Michelle writes as a freelance journalist for women's magazines including Marie Claire, YOU and Stylist. Her last staff job before going freelance was as Editor-at-Large at Grazia and she was previously Features Editor at heat. She began her career straight from school at 18, working as a trainee reporter on her home-town newspaper, the Bucks Free Press.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
July 2, 2018
This the third in this wonderful DC Maggie Neville series, where Maggie is an experienced Family Liasion Officer (FLO) in the police force. It is my first taste of the series, and it works fine as a standalone. Early one morning, the school caretaker, Alan Donnelly sees two children, Benji Tyler and Poppy Hepworth on the top of a wall on a forbidden construction site wall. Upon trying to get them down, Benji falls and is fatally injured. Was it an accident or did Poppy push him? With rumours running rampant, the police inquiry team led by DS Renshaw investigate a complex case where a child is suspected of deliberately pushing another child to their death. Maggie is the FLO appointed to help and gather evidence from Imogen Tyler, the devastated and grieving mother of the dead boy.
With the caretaker changing his mind about what he saw in the fatal incident, the police team are reliant on interviewing 11 year old Poppy to get at the truth. Poppy is being less than forthcoming, insisting that it was an accident, and her parents, Julia and Ewan are committed to protecting her in every way that they can. Imogen Tyler reveals the two children were friends who regularly had play dates initiated by Ewan. As the case continues, it becomes clear that nothing is as it seems. Imogen had bullied Julia badly when they were at school, leaving Julia so emotionally damaged that she hates Imogen to this day. However, as Imogen has lost her beloved son, the local community believe the worst of Poppy, suggesting she had a history of violence that has its roots in the Hepworth parents behaviour, particularly Julia. Maggie handles Imogen in her role as FLO with skill and expertise, particularly given the delicate and volatile scenario, with Imogen as a mother understandably struggling to handle her loss and insistently demanding justice. Then circumstances emerge that there is a dead woman buried on the site and it takes Maggie to make a connection that brings the truth to light.
This is a brilliant novel that is so well written and beautifully plotted. It is the characterisation that is really the standout feature of the story. The central character, Maggie, is in a relationship with DCI Umpire that is going well but she is traumatised about her sister, Lou, and her children that she was so close are estranged from her. Over the years, the sisters have been so supportive of each other but Maggie's betrayal, that she had kept secret for years from Lou, emerges with Lou vowing never to see her again and moves away from the area. Maggie is elevated to acting DS, losing her FLO responsibilities, this just makes it crystal clear to her that she doesn't want promotion, she gets her greatest satisfaction in the critical role she plays as a FLO. This book is such a terrific read, with a great twisted storyline that I just loved. Many thanks to Pan MacMillan for an ARC.
With the caretaker changing his mind about what he saw in the fatal incident, the police team are reliant on interviewing 11 year old Poppy to get at the truth. Poppy is being less than forthcoming, insisting that it was an accident, and her parents, Julia and Ewan are committed to protecting her in every way that they can. Imogen Tyler reveals the two children were friends who regularly had play dates initiated by Ewan. As the case continues, it becomes clear that nothing is as it seems. Imogen had bullied Julia badly when they were at school, leaving Julia so emotionally damaged that she hates Imogen to this day. However, as Imogen has lost her beloved son, the local community believe the worst of Poppy, suggesting she had a history of violence that has its roots in the Hepworth parents behaviour, particularly Julia. Maggie handles Imogen in her role as FLO with skill and expertise, particularly given the delicate and volatile scenario, with Imogen as a mother understandably struggling to handle her loss and insistently demanding justice. Then circumstances emerge that there is a dead woman buried on the site and it takes Maggie to make a connection that brings the truth to light.
This is a brilliant novel that is so well written and beautifully plotted. It is the characterisation that is really the standout feature of the story. The central character, Maggie, is in a relationship with DCI Umpire that is going well but she is traumatised about her sister, Lou, and her children that she was so close are estranged from her. Over the years, the sisters have been so supportive of each other but Maggie's betrayal, that she had kept secret for years from Lou, emerges with Lou vowing never to see her again and moves away from the area. Maggie is elevated to acting DS, losing her FLO responsibilities, this just makes it crystal clear to her that she doesn't want promotion, she gets her greatest satisfaction in the critical role she plays as a FLO. This book is such a terrific read, with a great twisted storyline that I just loved. Many thanks to Pan MacMillan for an ARC.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 12, 2021
4.5 *
My favourite book in the series so far 😍
I love the depth within the story and the subtle intertwining of Maggie’s personal life story to the story being told in the novel.
Fast paced, beautiful written and I would recommend. I personally also think it’s best to read in order x
My favourite book in the series so far 😍
I love the depth within the story and the subtle intertwining of Maggie’s personal life story to the story being told in the novel.
Fast paced, beautiful written and I would recommend. I personally also think it’s best to read in order x
October 31, 2018
Sinister, relentless, and unpredictable!
In this latest novel in the DC Maggie Neville series, False Witness, Davies immerses us in an emotional case involving the death of a young boy that may or may not be an accident, on school grounds that may or may not be used for illegal extracurricular activity after dark, and involving two families who may or may not have a long, complicated history.
The writing is sharp and tight. The characters are secretive, impulsive and troubled. And the intricate plot, told from differing points-of-view, keeps you engrossed from start to finish with all its twists, turns, deception, revelations, corruption, power, violence, and murder.
I have to say this series keeps getting better and better. False Witness is a perfectly paced, entertaining whodunit that has all the elements you look for in a thrilling mystery, along with a touch of authenticity not always found in police procedurals that will undoubtedly keep you riveted and eager for more.
Thank you to Publishers Group Canada for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
In this latest novel in the DC Maggie Neville series, False Witness, Davies immerses us in an emotional case involving the death of a young boy that may or may not be an accident, on school grounds that may or may not be used for illegal extracurricular activity after dark, and involving two families who may or may not have a long, complicated history.
The writing is sharp and tight. The characters are secretive, impulsive and troubled. And the intricate plot, told from differing points-of-view, keeps you engrossed from start to finish with all its twists, turns, deception, revelations, corruption, power, violence, and murder.
I have to say this series keeps getting better and better. False Witness is a perfectly paced, entertaining whodunit that has all the elements you look for in a thrilling mystery, along with a touch of authenticity not always found in police procedurals that will undoubtedly keep you riveted and eager for more.
Thank you to Publishers Group Canada for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
July 6, 2018
This is my first Michelle Davies book although I am aware it is the third novel in the critically acclaimed Maggie Neville series. The synopsis really caught my eye, it's quite an unusual premise but one that captured my imagination from the beginning. This works perfectly well as a standalone although being privy to the backstory of Family Liason Officer (FLO) Maggie Neville is probably preferred.
When Benji Tyler falls to his death from a high wall on a construction site near the school playground, DS Anna Renshaw appoints Maggie to act as the Tyler family liason officer while she investigates the surrounding circumstances of the tragedy and, most importantly, whether Benji fell or was pushed by his friend, Poppy Hepworth. Unfortunately, it is not as straightforward as she initially expects as everyone seems to have their own agenda and appear to have a lot to hide. The truth certainly seems difficult to find and the fact that there are many rumours doing the rounds doesn't help the police in telling the truth from the fiction.
"False Witness" is a complex and enthralling novel that is so well written and plotted to perfection. It is an intriguing story that is magnetic and suspenseful with some excellent twists that alter the course of the book. The multiple viewpoints really add to the story with three vastly different perspectives - Maggie, Poppy's mother, and the school caretaker Alan Donnelly, who witnessed the incident on the wall. Maggie is the only voice of reason throughout the book and expertly goes about her business, Julia Hepworth has a limited grasp on reality and is being abused by her husband Ewan, and Alan who claims to have witnessed the incident that took place but changes his mind about what he saw that fateful morning which naturally causes the police to look at him suspiciously. They eventually realise just why he changed his story and what he was trying to hide in the process.
Although there are a lot of great points about this book what really stands out is the characterisation. Each character is well drawn and believable. I don't mind a crime novel where most or all of the characters are unlikable as they are here. There became a point in the book, however, where I felt that it turned into a study of the characters involved and the investigation was put on the back-burner. I would've liked it more had it included more about the unfolding investigation and the unravelling of the statements made by the parents and caretaker. I also feel that the ever-changing POV may be problematic for some, although I didn't find it a major issue once I got into the story.
If you're up for a compelling, complicated storyline with plenty of action then this is a great choice. I plan to go back and read the two previous books in the series having enjoyed this one so much.
Many thanks to Macmillan for an ARC. I was not required to post a review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
When Benji Tyler falls to his death from a high wall on a construction site near the school playground, DS Anna Renshaw appoints Maggie to act as the Tyler family liason officer while she investigates the surrounding circumstances of the tragedy and, most importantly, whether Benji fell or was pushed by his friend, Poppy Hepworth. Unfortunately, it is not as straightforward as she initially expects as everyone seems to have their own agenda and appear to have a lot to hide. The truth certainly seems difficult to find and the fact that there are many rumours doing the rounds doesn't help the police in telling the truth from the fiction.
"False Witness" is a complex and enthralling novel that is so well written and plotted to perfection. It is an intriguing story that is magnetic and suspenseful with some excellent twists that alter the course of the book. The multiple viewpoints really add to the story with three vastly different perspectives - Maggie, Poppy's mother, and the school caretaker Alan Donnelly, who witnessed the incident on the wall. Maggie is the only voice of reason throughout the book and expertly goes about her business, Julia Hepworth has a limited grasp on reality and is being abused by her husband Ewan, and Alan who claims to have witnessed the incident that took place but changes his mind about what he saw that fateful morning which naturally causes the police to look at him suspiciously. They eventually realise just why he changed his story and what he was trying to hide in the process.
Although there are a lot of great points about this book what really stands out is the characterisation. Each character is well drawn and believable. I don't mind a crime novel where most or all of the characters are unlikable as they are here. There became a point in the book, however, where I felt that it turned into a study of the characters involved and the investigation was put on the back-burner. I would've liked it more had it included more about the unfolding investigation and the unravelling of the statements made by the parents and caretaker. I also feel that the ever-changing POV may be problematic for some, although I didn't find it a major issue once I got into the story.
If you're up for a compelling, complicated storyline with plenty of action then this is a great choice. I plan to go back and read the two previous books in the series having enjoyed this one so much.
Many thanks to Macmillan for an ARC. I was not required to post a review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
September 28, 2018
I would like to thank Anne Cater for inviting me to take part in this tour and providing me with a copy of False Witness.
When I started False Witness, I had the undercurrent idea that it would be a straight case. Why? I can’t really tell. Call it a gut feeling inspired by the singular used in the title.
Well my gut could not have been more wrong!
Two kids climbing up a wall in the morning when they should not be. Only one will come down alive. What happened? When reading the opening, I remember thinking ‘This is blurry, what the hell just happened?’ This sentence sums up the entire set of events unfolding throughout False Witness.
First of all, cases involving children dying are not my forte, but we never really get to ‘meet’ that poor boy as his life is shortened by gravity. I loved having to rely on everyone else’s account of what Ben was like to try and picture him. You know how people are. When someone dies, they are depicted as angels. But was Ben? What on earth was he doing there without his mother’s knowledge and why was he forcing Poppy, the other kid involved, into this? As the story was told through different voices: the mother of each kid, the police, I did my best to figure out what was on the children’s minds. I am not the best when it comes to kids, so understanding them takes me twice as long as dissecting adults’ motives and behaviors. I ended up letting the novel take over and lead me to whatever the truth laid. I was not disappointed! What I had thought would be an open-close case was WAY MORE INTRICATE than this!
So, a child’s death unveils a lot of events, past and new, and ask more questions than what goes on in your own kid’s mind. This is something that, as a woman without any offspring, keeps me wondering. Their flesh and blood come from you – or not – but as parents you are the one by their side, supposedly the one who knows them best, and yet… They are human beings with a will, a personality of their own and there is only so much you can guess. I know there are lots of things I never told my mother. Why would Ben and Poppy be different?
Things get even more complicated when the police investigation unearths a background between both mothers. This is where I went ‘this can’t be!’. It was all true, it muddled the case leads, it played with memories and the truths withheld.
How far can you go to protect yourself, no matter the consequences for others? The battle between what's good and what's bad is heavy here and the burden of information weighs down on everyone involved. No one leaves the novel unscathed. This is one of those plots that keep you wondering, make you feel for the protagonists, and give you a realistic and authentic narrative about normal people and decisions, whether they are right or wrong. I couldn't sympathize with everyone, and that's how I like it! Just like in real life, you lean towards characters and your opinion on others make reading a subjective experience. I strongly felt for everybody in this tragedy, and I found myself wondering if I would have the strength to be a witness, or which choices I would make following what I thought would be the best thing to do... Lots of thinking with this novel!
This is where the character of Maggie Neville comes into light and cast its strength on the plot. She is no psychic, but quite the FLO! Her empathy and the way she quickly slips into a grieving family picture, almost unnoticed but so importantly, felt genuine and professional at the same time. This job requires a lot of self-control, the right words to say and letting your human side take over while making your job, quite the tricky position! Maggie is resilient, good at what she does, but she is also a woman, a sister, a police officer, and all of those things trigger emotions in her which play a part in how you react to this story. I truly enjoyed meeting her and while False Witness can absolutely be read as a standalone, enough hints about happened to Maggie before this novel began made me want to go back and read the previous books.
All characters have enough meat in them to keep the pace steady and the lines binding. False Witness is a big wave that you can’t control, you just have to lay on your back and let the words wash over you to deliver a very intriguing and compelling plot!
The actual rating is 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
July 8, 2018
With thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan for this ARC in exchange for an open and honest review.
I have already read the first two D.C. Maggie Neville books, when I heard a third book was due for release I was so excited and could not wait to get my hands on it.
Alan Donnelly was the caretaker of Rushbrook Primary. One morning he found two children eleven year olds Benji Tyler and Poppy Hemsworth standing on a wall having an argument. When Benji fell off the wall Alan dialled 999 and told the operator that Poppy had deliberately pushed Benji off the wall. Benji died instantly at the scene from serious head injuries.
When the police went to both parents homes they were not aware the children had sneaked out so early. Poppy's parents Julia and Ewan raced to the school but Poppy was too shocked to speak to her parents. DS Anna Renshaw was in charge of the case and Maggie was assigned as the Family Liaison Officer FLO for Benji's mum Imogen Tyler.
Imogen and Benji had recently moved back to Mansell from Somerset to be near her mother. Imogen said Benji was a responsible boy who would never had climbed a brick wall unless Poppy told him to. On social media Poppy was described as a little madam and blamed problems at home for her behaviour.
During police interviews Poppy was upset and refused to tell Julia or the police what happened on the wall. At the station Julia was shocked to see Imogen who had bullied her at school. The next day Poppy explained to Ewan what happened but he denied it when Julia asked.
Meanwhile Alan was worried the police would search the disused pavilion at Rushbrook. Alan needed extra money and when he was told he could earn money from opening the pavilion out of hours he jumped at the chance. After Alan was put under pressure of the person involved in the scan to open the pavilion he contacted the police and changed his story.
Renshaw did not believe this and continued to investigate. On a separate case Anna was suspended from duties after discovering a case involving a senior officer. Maggie was made acting DS but was angry because she could not continue her FLO duties.
On the home front Maggie's relationship with DCI Will Umpire was going well.. However her happiness was mired by her row with her sister Lou seven months earlier. Maggie was devastated she had not heard from Lou or her children. That changed during the investigation when Maggie got a text message from Jude asking to live with her, apparently he was not getting on with Lou's new boyfriend.
The storyline intrigued me from the start. As Poppy was over the age of criminal responsibility she could in theory be charged with murder or manslaughter. The story was told from the POV of Maggie, Julia Hemsworth and Alan Donnelly. The characters of Julia and Alan were well told and I felt sorry for them for different reasons. Julia who suffered from low self esteem after being bullied at school, who went on to marry a bullying husband. Alan a good man who was easy to manipulate because he was heavily in debt and found himself over his head.
False Witness was fast paced and found it hard to put my Kindle down as the revelations came thick and fast. I was surprised when the reason for Benji and Poppy's row was revealed, I was not expecting that. False Witness can be easily read on its own if you have not read the first two books. I highly recommend this series to readers.
February 22, 2021
Another great instalment in the Maggie Neville series, looking forward to more.
My rating strategy:
5 stars = An all time favourite, I could tell you about this 10 years later.
4 stars = Loved this, really gripping/fun/exciting, will remember long term.
3 stars = Definitely enjoyed, might forget quickly though, but happy to read more by the author.
2 stars = Likely to have some good points, but it didn't properly captivate me.
1 star = Not my cup of tea at all, wouldn't return to the author.
My rating strategy:
5 stars = An all time favourite, I could tell you about this 10 years later.
4 stars = Loved this, really gripping/fun/exciting, will remember long term.
3 stars = Definitely enjoyed, might forget quickly though, but happy to read more by the author.
2 stars = Likely to have some good points, but it didn't properly captivate me.
1 star = Not my cup of tea at all, wouldn't return to the author.
August 5, 2019
This was excellent. I don't think I have ever read another series where the Family Liaison Officer is the heroine. This was a potentially disturbing crime - did an 11 year old push a friend off a wall to his death? - handled well. The plot moved along at a brisk pace, secrets were uncovered, the reason for the original death was convincing and understandable, and (finally and very satisfactorily) a character I particularly disliked got what was coming to him.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
July 8, 2019
I enjoyed listening to this as an audiobook but as a book I think it would have really irritated me. It’s fine to a point but the series of coincidences is a tad ridiculous. And the relationships were stereotypical and there were few real surprises in this. A definite petering our at the end.
September 25, 2018
I loved being back in the DC Maggie Neville story, especially after the cliffhanger at the end of the last book! This third installment hit very close to home for me though, being that I have an eleven year old boy of my own…
What were Poppy and Benji doing at school so early? And why were they on top of that wall? As soon as the school caretaker sees them up there, he tries to help them down. But before he can, Benji falls and dies instantly. When the police arrive, he tells the first officer on scene that he saw Poppy deliberately push Benji off the wall. So why, by the time Maggie and her team arrive soon after, has he changed his story and is now saying it was an accident?
Maggie is tasked as FLO to Imogen, Benji’s grieving Mum. She is already at the school when Maggie arrives and had no idea that Benji had left home early, let alone what he could have been doing there. Poppy’s Mum Julia, was also unaware that Poppy was not in the house until the Police knock on her door and ask her to accompany them to school. When the two Mums accidentally bump into each other in the corridor, it is clear that there is some history between them, but does that have anything to do with what happened between the children? With Poppy not talking and the only other witness proving unreliable, it is going to take all the expertise and patience that Maggie and her team can muster to unravel what should be a straightforward case.
As usual with this series, this is another brilliantly plotted story with lots of storylines that are seemingly unrelated, but ultimately came together to a well crafted ending that I wasn’t expecting.
Told from three main perspectives that all show very different sides of the story, making for a very well-rounded story –
Maggie, who is still loving her role as FLO. She finally has some happiness where her love life is concerned, but is now dealing with more personal upheaval after the events at the end of the last book.
Julia, who has to deal with the backlash of the whispering around the community that her daughter is a murderer and her over-bearing husband who somehow manages to blame Julia for everything.
And Alan, the school caretaker who has some reason for trying to cover up what really happened, but why?
Another excellent outing for DC Neville and when I saw the preview for the fourth book at the end of my Kindle copy, I got very excited! This, along with the first two books in the series are so easy to read. Even with the upsetting subject of this particular story, it was written in such a way that after my initial wariness as to whether it would be too uncomfortable a read for me, I was inevitably drawn in. It can definitely be read as a stand-alone, but I highly recommend the whole series and I can't wait for the next book!
What were Poppy and Benji doing at school so early? And why were they on top of that wall? As soon as the school caretaker sees them up there, he tries to help them down. But before he can, Benji falls and dies instantly. When the police arrive, he tells the first officer on scene that he saw Poppy deliberately push Benji off the wall. So why, by the time Maggie and her team arrive soon after, has he changed his story and is now saying it was an accident?
Maggie is tasked as FLO to Imogen, Benji’s grieving Mum. She is already at the school when Maggie arrives and had no idea that Benji had left home early, let alone what he could have been doing there. Poppy’s Mum Julia, was also unaware that Poppy was not in the house until the Police knock on her door and ask her to accompany them to school. When the two Mums accidentally bump into each other in the corridor, it is clear that there is some history between them, but does that have anything to do with what happened between the children? With Poppy not talking and the only other witness proving unreliable, it is going to take all the expertise and patience that Maggie and her team can muster to unravel what should be a straightforward case.
As usual with this series, this is another brilliantly plotted story with lots of storylines that are seemingly unrelated, but ultimately came together to a well crafted ending that I wasn’t expecting.
Told from three main perspectives that all show very different sides of the story, making for a very well-rounded story –
Maggie, who is still loving her role as FLO. She finally has some happiness where her love life is concerned, but is now dealing with more personal upheaval after the events at the end of the last book.
Julia, who has to deal with the backlash of the whispering around the community that her daughter is a murderer and her over-bearing husband who somehow manages to blame Julia for everything.
And Alan, the school caretaker who has some reason for trying to cover up what really happened, but why?
Another excellent outing for DC Neville and when I saw the preview for the fourth book at the end of my Kindle copy, I got very excited! This, along with the first two books in the series are so easy to read. Even with the upsetting subject of this particular story, it was written in such a way that after my initial wariness as to whether it would be too uncomfortable a read for me, I was inevitably drawn in. It can definitely be read as a stand-alone, but I highly recommend the whole series and I can't wait for the next book!
July 3, 2018
I would like to thank Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for an advance copy of False Witness, the third novel to feature Family Liaison Officer, DC Maggie Neville.
When eleven year old Benji Tyler falls to his death from a high wall in the primary school, the SIO, DS Anna Renshaw, asks Maggie to act as family liaison while, she, Renshaw, gets on with investigating whether Benji fell or was pushed by his companion on the wall, his school friend Poppy Hepworth. The investigation is anything but straightforward as everyone seems to be lying to hide their secrets.
I thoroughly enjoyed False Witness which is a complicated and intriguing read with some good twists. The novel is told from three distinct points of view, Maggie, Poppy's mum, Julia and the school's caretaker, Alan Donnelly and they are all very different. Maggie is the voice of reason with some personal issues, Julia is obviously in an abusive relationship with her husband Ewan and it makes her blind to reality and fairly hysterical and Alan is hiding a secret which leaves him open to manipulation. These characters are extremely well drawn and not always likeable but, as a lover of police procedurals, I felt that there was too much emphasis on the personal drama and not enough on the investigation. I do feel, however, that this emphasis and the slightly distracting ever changing point of view are minor annoyances in an otherwise excellent read.
I have not read this series before and was pleasantly surprised by how compelling it is. The plotting is dense in the sense that there is so much going on so there is never a dull moment, except perhaps for Julia's situation which seems to be on a continuous loop of Ewan blaming her and twisting the situation so that she ends up apologising. There are so many questions in the reader's mind, right from the start, that you can't help but eat up the pages looking for solutions which come in dribs and drabs, many of them raising even more questions and widening the scope of the investigation considerably. I'm impressed by how much Ms Davies manages to cram in.
False Witness is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending.
When eleven year old Benji Tyler falls to his death from a high wall in the primary school, the SIO, DS Anna Renshaw, asks Maggie to act as family liaison while, she, Renshaw, gets on with investigating whether Benji fell or was pushed by his companion on the wall, his school friend Poppy Hepworth. The investigation is anything but straightforward as everyone seems to be lying to hide their secrets.
I thoroughly enjoyed False Witness which is a complicated and intriguing read with some good twists. The novel is told from three distinct points of view, Maggie, Poppy's mum, Julia and the school's caretaker, Alan Donnelly and they are all very different. Maggie is the voice of reason with some personal issues, Julia is obviously in an abusive relationship with her husband Ewan and it makes her blind to reality and fairly hysterical and Alan is hiding a secret which leaves him open to manipulation. These characters are extremely well drawn and not always likeable but, as a lover of police procedurals, I felt that there was too much emphasis on the personal drama and not enough on the investigation. I do feel, however, that this emphasis and the slightly distracting ever changing point of view are minor annoyances in an otherwise excellent read.
I have not read this series before and was pleasantly surprised by how compelling it is. The plotting is dense in the sense that there is so much going on so there is never a dull moment, except perhaps for Julia's situation which seems to be on a continuous loop of Ewan blaming her and twisting the situation so that she ends up apologising. There are so many questions in the reader's mind, right from the start, that you can't help but eat up the pages looking for solutions which come in dribs and drabs, many of them raising even more questions and widening the scope of the investigation considerably. I'm impressed by how much Ms Davies manages to cram in.
False Witness is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending.
October 25, 2018
In the UK there is a notorious and very tragic case, which involves children killing children. Although this is less graphic and painful to read it does bring up the same topics of age, guilt and punishment. There is a legal age when a child becomes culpable and punishable by law, despite that the public views crimes by children differently.
Our brains aren’t fully developed till about mid 20’s, does that mean a child isn’t aware of right and wrong? When are they able to distinguish between crime and just rough play? In this story two children go up on a wall and only one comes down. Was the boy pushed or did he slip? Is it just an accident or was Poppy fully capable of making the decision to harm Benji? Was it just an emotional reflex or are we talking calculated?
Can you really isolate a child from family, peers and society and expect them to turn out anything other than damaged property. Or are there crimes that are so indefensible that there is no other choice but to do that. Not every child who commits a criminal act has a psychopathy.
One of the other interesting aspects of this story is the way the author portrays the influence social media and the media has on these kind of cases. Families and children are vilified without facts or evidence. They are tried, quartered and hung via comments before even stepping into a court room, which means there is no such thing as an objective view on the situation.
Davies presents both sides of this difficult scenario to create an emotional and gripping read. In the end the waters are so muddied that there is no clear answer. Why? It’s a child that’s why, which means the brain says one thing, whilst the heart and body can say or do a completely different thing.
It’s a read which will make people discuss, and I can imagine even argue at times. Perhaps because there is no clear cut answer to these types of incidents or crimes, and each case is individual. Either way it is a gripping read.
*I received a courtesy copy*
Our brains aren’t fully developed till about mid 20’s, does that mean a child isn’t aware of right and wrong? When are they able to distinguish between crime and just rough play? In this story two children go up on a wall and only one comes down. Was the boy pushed or did he slip? Is it just an accident or was Poppy fully capable of making the decision to harm Benji? Was it just an emotional reflex or are we talking calculated?
Can you really isolate a child from family, peers and society and expect them to turn out anything other than damaged property. Or are there crimes that are so indefensible that there is no other choice but to do that. Not every child who commits a criminal act has a psychopathy.
One of the other interesting aspects of this story is the way the author portrays the influence social media and the media has on these kind of cases. Families and children are vilified without facts or evidence. They are tried, quartered and hung via comments before even stepping into a court room, which means there is no such thing as an objective view on the situation.
Davies presents both sides of this difficult scenario to create an emotional and gripping read. In the end the waters are so muddied that there is no clear answer. Why? It’s a child that’s why, which means the brain says one thing, whilst the heart and body can say or do a completely different thing.
It’s a read which will make people discuss, and I can imagine even argue at times. Perhaps because there is no clear cut answer to these types of incidents or crimes, and each case is individual. Either way it is a gripping read.
*I received a courtesy copy*
October 25, 2018
Early one morning two children are seen on top of a wall in a school. Then ones of them lies fatally injured at the bottom. Was he pushed or did he fall? As a family liaison officer, DC Maggie Neville has seen parents crumble under the weight of their child's death. Imogen Tyler is no different. Her son's fall was witnessed by the school caretaker, a pupil is under suspicion and Imogen is paralysed by grief. For Maggie, finding the truth is paramount to helping the mother. As she investigates, further doubts emerge and the truth seems far from certain. Could the witness be mistaken? If so what is the truth?
'False Witness' feels like a very different kind of crime read, a very emotional, intricate one, and still one that I could not put down. From the beginning the reader is thrown into a difficult situation and this continues throughout the book, there are some highly sensitive scenes in this so be warned. Having said this, Davies handles events superbly and everything is included for a reason and is integral to the plot.
Of course, for any fan of the Maggie Neville series, it is fantastic to simply be back with her and we get a whole lot of Maggie in this book! We have the joy of following her on this case and then there is plenty of development in her personal life as well, both with her family and romantically. Maggie feels like an old friend and I loved being back in her world and cannot wait to return in the future.
Despite being a different kind of crime read, 'False Witness' is still incredibly exciting, the excitement comes from the portrayal of very human characters in a very realistic plot. This feels like real life and it was thrilling to be following tragic events as they unfolded. I for one was gripped by the plot and highly recommend this latest Maggie Neville read.
'False Witness' feels like a very different kind of crime read, a very emotional, intricate one, and still one that I could not put down. From the beginning the reader is thrown into a difficult situation and this continues throughout the book, there are some highly sensitive scenes in this so be warned. Having said this, Davies handles events superbly and everything is included for a reason and is integral to the plot.
Of course, for any fan of the Maggie Neville series, it is fantastic to simply be back with her and we get a whole lot of Maggie in this book! We have the joy of following her on this case and then there is plenty of development in her personal life as well, both with her family and romantically. Maggie feels like an old friend and I loved being back in her world and cannot wait to return in the future.
Despite being a different kind of crime read, 'False Witness' is still incredibly exciting, the excitement comes from the portrayal of very human characters in a very realistic plot. This feels like real life and it was thrilling to be following tragic events as they unfolded. I for one was gripped by the plot and highly recommend this latest Maggie Neville read.
October 18, 2019
False Witness is the 3rd book in the DC Maggie Smith series and my favorite (so far). A total page turner.
DC Maggie Neville is a FLO (Family Liaison Officer) her job involves steering families through all the processes involved in a Police investigation. It's not an easy job. More often than not she walks a fine line dealing with volatile and grieving family members whilst she is highly involved in investigating the crime. In this case a young boy has fallen to his death and his friend, a young girl appears to be responsible for pushing him.
The characters are well developed and the storyline full of twists and turns with plenty of delicately interwoven subplots. Bullying, both physical and psychological is the basis of the book and the elephant in the room. Ms Davies effectively outlines how the effects of bullying are long lasting and far reaching.
The ending is not what you expect. I would have liked to see more loose ends tidied up - but you can't have everything.
I shall look forward to more DC Maggie Neville books.
DC Maggie Neville is a FLO (Family Liaison Officer) her job involves steering families through all the processes involved in a Police investigation. It's not an easy job. More often than not she walks a fine line dealing with volatile and grieving family members whilst she is highly involved in investigating the crime. In this case a young boy has fallen to his death and his friend, a young girl appears to be responsible for pushing him.
The characters are well developed and the storyline full of twists and turns with plenty of delicately interwoven subplots. Bullying, both physical and psychological is the basis of the book and the elephant in the room. Ms Davies effectively outlines how the effects of bullying are long lasting and far reaching.
The ending is not what you expect. I would have liked to see more loose ends tidied up - but you can't have everything.
I shall look forward to more DC Maggie Neville books.
July 26, 2019
Another good Maggie Neville novel. Michelle Davies once again perfectly wove together several characters and storylines who originally appear completely unconnected. V happy to see that benefit-mongering skank Lou and her collection of bastard children where very much less present in this novel. I wish the ending had been wrapped up better - an odd choice for which character to kill off, and it is heavily implied that her final wish, to punish a murdering child, will not be met. The father's guilt and reason for it is only half-revealed really. I would certainly read another book in this series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 20, 2018
Another fantastic crime novel from the 'pen' of Michelle Davies, this is the third book in the DC Maggie Neville series and I can't wait for the fourth! Great plot, great characters...twists and turns the whole way, a real page turner...if you like crime novels and particularly a great series get these read so you're ready for book 4...you're welcome!!
August 11, 2019
A school caretaker witnesses a child falling to his death from a building site in the school grounds. Was he pushed by the girl with him? Is the caretaker telling the police the truth? This was a great story with a few twists to keep you going. The emotionally abusive relationship between the girl’s father and mother makes you very cross.
January 2, 2021
The perfect book to read over the Christmas /new year, whilst also hanging out with family. Easy to pick up and carry on without losing the plot, and suspenseful enough to want to sneak off and read when the opportunity arose.
I always enjoy reading about Maggie Neville. Looking forward to the next one.
I always enjoy reading about Maggie Neville. Looking forward to the next one.
October 23, 2021
This book was awesome. It had it all. It kept me thinking and guessing until the last chapter. The characters are great and I am glad she kept the well
Known ones going in the series and kept the continuation of the families going as well. This is one awesome series. I will get into the last book now.
Known ones going in the series and kept the continuation of the families going as well. This is one awesome series. I will get into the last book now.
January 3, 2026
I really liked the writing style. this book kept you interested as to where the case was going to go.Some of the items building up were too much for the story, but overall it was still well written. you wanted to keep reading to see where the story was going to go. I definitely would recommend the book and will be reading more by this author.
July 7, 2018
Gripping!
October 19, 2018
Loved this story. Really kept me captivated all through. Will definitely read more from this author
April 18, 2019
Heart breaking and twisted
January 29, 2020
I'll continue the series
May 3, 2020
Another good read from the author. Great narrator on Storytel.
October 7, 2021
This author has moved to the top of my list. Absolutely love these books - very gripping right until the last word.
March 22, 2023
Fabulous!!!! Loving this series even though I have accidentally read them backwards. Great author with easy to read plot but that still keeps you page turning. A great ending too!
November 6, 2023
Couldn’t put it down
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