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Wheeler & Ross #4
Deceived
Secrets.
What secrets are hidden at the heart of family life?
Deceit.
The lies we tell ourselves are often more dangerous than the truth.
When forty-one-year-old Sarah Price is reported missing after having arranged a date with a man she met on the internet, her son is distraught.
Meanwhile, Glasgow based Detective Inspectors Kat Wheeler and Steven Ross attend the scene of a murder. Michael O'Donnell, a widower and devoted stay-at-home dad to his daughter, Paula, has been brutally killed. And Paula, who is vulnerable and dependent on daily medication, is missing.
As Wheeler and Ross race to find Michael's killer and Paula's abductor, they are drawn into a tangled web of deceit. Soon they come to realise that the killer is watching them. And is always one step ahead...
What secrets are hidden at the heart of family life?
Deceit.
The lies we tell ourselves are often more dangerous than the truth.
When forty-one-year-old Sarah Price is reported missing after having arranged a date with a man she met on the internet, her son is distraught.
Meanwhile, Glasgow based Detective Inspectors Kat Wheeler and Steven Ross attend the scene of a murder. Michael O'Donnell, a widower and devoted stay-at-home dad to his daughter, Paula, has been brutally killed. And Paula, who is vulnerable and dependent on daily medication, is missing.
As Wheeler and Ross race to find Michael's killer and Paula's abductor, they are drawn into a tangled web of deceit. Soon they come to realise that the killer is watching them. And is always one step ahead...
- GenresCrime
352 pages, Paperback
First published April 3, 2018
3 people are currently reading
35 people want to read
About the author
Anne Randall
7 books15 followersGlasgow-born Anne Randall is the author of the gritty, award-winning Wheeler and Ross series set in her hometown.
Her first novel RIVEN (written as A. J. McCreanor) won first prize at the Wells Festival of Literature in 2011 and has been described as ‘A super story with a breath-taking ending that leaves you wondering whether the truth is better left unsaid at times. I loved this story.’ (Eurocrime), ‘For fans of Stuart MacBride, this is a delight to read. A.J. McCreanor is a welcome addition to the Scottish crime scene. Glasgow is in very dangerous hands.’ (Crimesquad), ‘An outstanding debut.’ (Daily Record)
Anne’s second novel SILENCED was described ‘as assured and clever a novel of ‘tartan noir’ as you could hope to find.’ (Daily Mail), ‘If you enjoy your crime fiction a bit on the dark side, then you are going to love this latest book by Anna Randall. It also has a wonderful twist at the end that you won't see coming. It blows you away and leaves you feeling exhausted by the time you have finished the book.’ (Eurocrime)
Reviews for the third novel in the series, TORN, include, ‘Anne Randall has definitely got what it takes to be the next massive name in Tartan Noir – well-drawn characters, a plot that will blow you away, superb dialogue (plenty of great Glaswegian banter), and realistic crimes. If you enjoy Robert Galbraith, Caro Ramsay, Denise Mina, or Ian Rankin (or, like me, all of them!) this will fit the bill. It’s a hugely satisfying, very classy book, and I’d urge all crime fiction fans – particularly those who enjoy their dose of Tartan Noir – to seek out Anne Randall pronto.’ (Crimeworm)
Anne has also had poems and short stories published in various anthologies.
Anne previously worked as a cadet nurse, flower-seller, civil servant and English teacher in Glasgow before retraining as a psychotherapist.
She now works in private practice in Glastonbury, Somerset where she lives with her husband, bespoke furniture-maker Don Storey, their two pesky rescued cats and an inherited and remarkably handsome collie dog.
Her first novel RIVEN (written as A. J. McCreanor) won first prize at the Wells Festival of Literature in 2011 and has been described as ‘A super story with a breath-taking ending that leaves you wondering whether the truth is better left unsaid at times. I loved this story.’ (Eurocrime), ‘For fans of Stuart MacBride, this is a delight to read. A.J. McCreanor is a welcome addition to the Scottish crime scene. Glasgow is in very dangerous hands.’ (Crimesquad), ‘An outstanding debut.’ (Daily Record)
Anne’s second novel SILENCED was described ‘as assured and clever a novel of ‘tartan noir’ as you could hope to find.’ (Daily Mail), ‘If you enjoy your crime fiction a bit on the dark side, then you are going to love this latest book by Anna Randall. It also has a wonderful twist at the end that you won't see coming. It blows you away and leaves you feeling exhausted by the time you have finished the book.’ (Eurocrime)
Reviews for the third novel in the series, TORN, include, ‘Anne Randall has definitely got what it takes to be the next massive name in Tartan Noir – well-drawn characters, a plot that will blow you away, superb dialogue (plenty of great Glaswegian banter), and realistic crimes. If you enjoy Robert Galbraith, Caro Ramsay, Denise Mina, or Ian Rankin (or, like me, all of them!) this will fit the bill. It’s a hugely satisfying, very classy book, and I’d urge all crime fiction fans – particularly those who enjoy their dose of Tartan Noir – to seek out Anne Randall pronto.’ (Crimeworm)
Anne has also had poems and short stories published in various anthologies.
Anne previously worked as a cadet nurse, flower-seller, civil servant and English teacher in Glasgow before retraining as a psychotherapist.
She now works in private practice in Glastonbury, Somerset where she lives with her husband, bespoke furniture-maker Don Storey, their two pesky rescued cats and an inherited and remarkably handsome collie dog.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 13, 2019
Anne Randall writes an intense crime story, overflowing with intrigue, where absolutely nothing can be taken at face value. The two Glasgow based detectives, DI Kat Wheeler and Acting DI Steven Ross have a complicated and close relationship, one in which Ross has hopes of getting together with Kat. Kat is the driven and determined person, focused on getting results, Ross is uncertain that the life of a police officer is for him, he is certainly not committed to working his cases hard, and he has health issues. Kat is not aware of Ross's feelings where she is concerned, but that might be an effort to not see what she doesn't what to see. A confident and self assured journalist, Sebastian Hawk, is embedded in the police team, he looks like George Clooney, is a dream cook and a talented artist. Hawk is the cousin of Aubree, a woman obsessed with Ross, but whom Ross has not an iota of interest in, thus not endearing himself to Hawk. Hawk is Kat's neighbour, and is definitely interested in her, but is he the right man for her?
41 year old Sarah Price is divorced, with a husband, Ian, who just will not let her go. Her son, Nick, has divulged aspects of her love life after being bullied by his father. So when Sarah goes on a dating site and finds a potentially perfect man, she tells no-one. She travels by train to meet the man, only to go missing on the night. 39 year old Michael O'Donnell is a widower, and a dedicated father and full time carer for his 18 year old epileptic daughter, Paula. He is a governor at the College of Visual Arts (CoVA) that Paula and Nick Price attend. Michael is found brutally stabbed and murdered in his home, and his vulnerable, at risk, Paula, is missing, she has been abducted. There is huge concern for Paula with her health issues, and is there any connection with the disappearance of Sarah Price? Paula and Sarah are not the only women to have gone missing in the past. CoVA is a hotbed of enmities, rivalries and ambition, amongst staff and students, and who or what is dEADdOG? Wheeler and Ross find themselves in the most twisted and dangerous of investigations.
Randall writes a dark and compulsive piece of brutal crime fiction in which she takes us into the disturbing world of young art students, full of intense emotions, the need to fit in, the bullying, their vulnerabilities, and the ambitions. Many come from dysfunctional families, often bursting with rage, or ennui, seriously messed up, not caring whether they live or die. Within this heavy melodrama is the drama of the Wheeler, Ross and Hawk spiky relationship triangle. This is a engaging, if terrifying read at times. I should warn readers their are instances of animal abuse in the book. Many thanks to Little, Brown for an ARC.
41 year old Sarah Price is divorced, with a husband, Ian, who just will not let her go. Her son, Nick, has divulged aspects of her love life after being bullied by his father. So when Sarah goes on a dating site and finds a potentially perfect man, she tells no-one. She travels by train to meet the man, only to go missing on the night. 39 year old Michael O'Donnell is a widower, and a dedicated father and full time carer for his 18 year old epileptic daughter, Paula. He is a governor at the College of Visual Arts (CoVA) that Paula and Nick Price attend. Michael is found brutally stabbed and murdered in his home, and his vulnerable, at risk, Paula, is missing, she has been abducted. There is huge concern for Paula with her health issues, and is there any connection with the disappearance of Sarah Price? Paula and Sarah are not the only women to have gone missing in the past. CoVA is a hotbed of enmities, rivalries and ambition, amongst staff and students, and who or what is dEADdOG? Wheeler and Ross find themselves in the most twisted and dangerous of investigations.
Randall writes a dark and compulsive piece of brutal crime fiction in which she takes us into the disturbing world of young art students, full of intense emotions, the need to fit in, the bullying, their vulnerabilities, and the ambitions. Many come from dysfunctional families, often bursting with rage, or ennui, seriously messed up, not caring whether they live or die. Within this heavy melodrama is the drama of the Wheeler, Ross and Hawk spiky relationship triangle. This is a engaging, if terrifying read at times. I should warn readers their are instances of animal abuse in the book. Many thanks to Little, Brown for an ARC.
May 16, 2019
I would like to thank Netgalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for a review copy of Deceived, the fourth novel to feature Glasgow detectives Wheeler and Ross.
When Michael O’Donnell is murdered Wheeler and Ross are struggling to find a motive and to make matters worse his seriously ill eighteen year old daughter, Paula, is missing but she’s not the only one as 41 year old Sarah Price has gone out on a date and not returned.
Deceived is an interesting, mature novel and is sure to appeal to many readers. Unfortunately it didn’t hold my attention and I felt lost throughout much of it, not getting a sense of direction or forward momentum until close to the end. I really enjoyed the procedural parts with Wheeler and Ross and would have preferred the novel to be told exclusively from their point of view as they are well rounded characters with a good if occasionally fraught working relationship. Wheeler runs a good investigation and her thinking is logical but it is not particularly detailed as Ms Randall has chosen to spread her attention. Thus the investigation is interspersed with other points of view, some of which seem unrelated until the denouement. I found it a chore to read through these unexplained narratives.
The characterisation is strong, not just Wheeler and Ross who are established characters but many of the supporting cast are identifiable as people you might know.
I also enjoyed the Glasgow setting. While I’m not overly familiar with the east end of Glasgow where the police station is I like being able to recognise the landmarks and geography although having said that I wouldn’t say that the novel is particularly Glaswegian in its dialogue or vernacular.
Deceived is a well written novel whose format simply didn’t appeal to me.
When Michael O’Donnell is murdered Wheeler and Ross are struggling to find a motive and to make matters worse his seriously ill eighteen year old daughter, Paula, is missing but she’s not the only one as 41 year old Sarah Price has gone out on a date and not returned.
Deceived is an interesting, mature novel and is sure to appeal to many readers. Unfortunately it didn’t hold my attention and I felt lost throughout much of it, not getting a sense of direction or forward momentum until close to the end. I really enjoyed the procedural parts with Wheeler and Ross and would have preferred the novel to be told exclusively from their point of view as they are well rounded characters with a good if occasionally fraught working relationship. Wheeler runs a good investigation and her thinking is logical but it is not particularly detailed as Ms Randall has chosen to spread her attention. Thus the investigation is interspersed with other points of view, some of which seem unrelated until the denouement. I found it a chore to read through these unexplained narratives.
The characterisation is strong, not just Wheeler and Ross who are established characters but many of the supporting cast are identifiable as people you might know.
I also enjoyed the Glasgow setting. While I’m not overly familiar with the east end of Glasgow where the police station is I like being able to recognise the landmarks and geography although having said that I wouldn’t say that the novel is particularly Glaswegian in its dialogue or vernacular.
Deceived is a well written novel whose format simply didn’t appeal to me.
May 8, 2019
The two main detectives in this story, Wheeler and Ross, struggle to work out who killed two people and possibly abducted two more and so did I. There were so many different things going on, people witholding evidence or denying the truth, as the snow coated the city and distorted everything, that I had no idea whodunnit! Add to that an invasive journalist, an obsessive ex-lover, some health scares, and the author ticked all the boxes.
This was an excellently written multi-faceted murder story and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Although there are other books in the series I haven't read them but that wasn't a disadvantage nor were there spoilers which would prevent me from taking them on out of order.
I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers in exchange for an unbiased review and would recommend it to anyone who has enjoyed the previous books in the series or who wants to discover an exceptional writing talent.
This was an excellently written multi-faceted murder story and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Although there are other books in the series I haven't read them but that wasn't a disadvantage nor were there spoilers which would prevent me from taking them on out of order.
I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers in exchange for an unbiased review and would recommend it to anyone who has enjoyed the previous books in the series or who wants to discover an exceptional writing talent.
July 11, 2019
Another well written and fast paced book by Anne Randall. Detectives Wheeler and Ross are investigating a murder and the disappearance of the victim's daughter. Set in Glasgow, the plot is excellent, strong characterisation and students from The College of Visual Arts provide plenty drama to interest the reader. Another winner from the author which I would recommend. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.
December 21, 2018
I loved this latest Wheeler and Ross book, which features an exclusive East End of Glasgow art college and what happens when a number of desperate lives collide. Full review to follow closer to publication, but be assured this novel will cement Anne Randall’s place amongst the Tartan Noir elite.
May 13, 2019
Ver fast paced. Ingenious plotting and good characterisation og the two main detectives Wheeler and Ross. The character of Sebastian Hawk, the writer attached to the team, is laess convincing and does not come across as a believable character,
July 2, 2019
Loved this instalment of Wheeler and Ross. The story is gripping and you get carried along with the duo. Willing them to catch the gruesome criminals.
October 24, 2020
I live in Glasgow so was pleased to come across a book set in Glasgow. Sadly I did not like this book at all. I was not keen on the author's writing style and struggled to get into the swing of this book though I found it more readable when Detective Inspector Kat Wheeler appeared. However the dialogue did not ring true and the relationships of the police officers seemed odd. The plot is full of holes and does not make sense. At the end the author gets the names of her characters mixed up so presumably even her editor had lost interest by this point.
November 15, 2019
This is the fourth book in the series, and unfortunately I haven't read the previous books in the series. I don't think I missed too much references, but I will go back to the beginning! This was a thrilling ride, from beginning to end, and I really enjoyed it. Can't wait for some more. Recommended.
September 26, 2020
Couldn't get beyond chapter 3. Not good writing. (I am a fan of detective novels so in theory I should have enjoyed it.)
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews