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DI Kate Fletcher #2
Merciless
Looking for a best-selling detective series with a feisty female DI? Then you'll love the gripping new DI Kate Fletcher series.
Two murders. One missing girl.DI Kate Fletcher is called out to a freezing canal where a woman’s body is found floating in a lock. With no identification, the police struggle to piece together the details of the woman’s life.
In Thorpe a daughter confesses to the murder of her father. She says she helped him escape a painful death from liver cancer, but was her role more active than she claims?
As Kate and her team investigate, the links between the two cases are inescapable and everything seems to lead back to the disappearance of a teenager years earlier.
Then the main suspect vanishes….
Can Kate connect the events of past and present to bring the culprit to justice?
A gripping suspenseful thriller full of twists and turns, The DI Kate Fletcher series is perfect for fans fo authors like Angela Marsons and Helen H. Durrant. Heleyne Hammersely is also the author of psychological thrillers Forgotten and Fracture.
300 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2018
230 people are currently reading
157 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
January 8, 2020
Another brilliant read from this author,came across her book was on offer glad I've read her books now can't wait to read book three.if you like a good crime read you wont be disappointed. this book about a woman confessed to murder of her father he was dying so why kill him.then a body of a woman discovered who is she is it all connected I'm like this authors style of writing great read.
April 5, 2019
We start off with Detective Sam Cooper jogging along the canal, when she finds the body of a woman. It soon becomes apparent that this is a murder inquiry.
Caroline Lambert goes to the police station and confesses to killing her Father who has been diagnosed with terminal liver cancer. Is this a mercy killing?
The story alternate’s between the police investigation and Caroline. My favourite chapters were of Caroline and her story of visiting her terminally ill father in hospital and caring for him at home. We know what she has done but we don’t find out why until later on in the book.
The 2 sides of the story keeps you engrossed with you wanting to find out more as this is a very intriguing story.
Will definitely go and find the first book in this series and any others to follow.
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review.
Caroline Lambert goes to the police station and confesses to killing her Father who has been diagnosed with terminal liver cancer. Is this a mercy killing?
The story alternate’s between the police investigation and Caroline. My favourite chapters were of Caroline and her story of visiting her terminally ill father in hospital and caring for him at home. We know what she has done but we don’t find out why until later on in the book.
The 2 sides of the story keeps you engrossed with you wanting to find out more as this is a very intriguing story.
Will definitely go and find the first book in this series and any others to follow.
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review.
August 18, 2020
Merciless is the second book in the series. Recommended by Andrea.
The story alternates between the investigation and the killer, dropping hints as to the reasons for the killing. This book is a little unusual, in that you know who did it, but we don’t find out the real reason why until later on in the book.
The 2 sides of the story keeps you engrossed with you wanting to find out more as this is a very intriguing story.
Onto book 3 in this beautifully written book.
The story alternates between the investigation and the killer, dropping hints as to the reasons for the killing. This book is a little unusual, in that you know who did it, but we don’t find out the real reason why until later on in the book.
The 2 sides of the story keeps you engrossed with you wanting to find out more as this is a very intriguing story.
Onto book 3 in this beautifully written book.
June 3, 2018
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I really enjoyed the first book in the series so I was delighted to see that the follow up had been released, now I have read it, whilst yes, this is the second book in the series, I think that this one would be fine to read as a stand alone!
I thoroughly enjoyed this story - I thought that the plot was great and was immediately thrown in to the plot. I loved the characters and the writing style was superb - spot on for this genre and I was completely hooked. I thought that Kate was a great character and I have really enjoyed seeing her develop and I love her interaction with the rest of her team.
Four stars from me - a really enjoyable story!!
I really enjoyed the first book in the series so I was delighted to see that the follow up had been released, now I have read it, whilst yes, this is the second book in the series, I think that this one would be fine to read as a stand alone!
I thoroughly enjoyed this story - I thought that the plot was great and was immediately thrown in to the plot. I loved the characters and the writing style was superb - spot on for this genre and I was completely hooked. I thought that Kate was a great character and I have really enjoyed seeing her develop and I love her interaction with the rest of her team.
Four stars from me - a really enjoyable story!!
June 3, 2018
This is the second book in the Kate Fletcher series but my first, it stands very well on its own so don’t worry about jumping in. I was really taken with how this book was set out. The first death was that of a young woman found in the local canal lock. This soon moved from a simple drowning to that of murder and then there was the confession of a middle-aged woman stating that she had killed her terminally ill father by aiding his suicide. This of course should have been an open and shut case but it just doesn’t sit right with Fletcher after meeting the ever so cool Caroline, the daughter of the cancer victim. A few questions and a little digging soon give cause for concern and a double work load!
You have a head start on the investigating team pretty early on in the story as you soon know who has done what, the thing you don’t know is why. The chapters switch between Fletcher and her team in the investigations and of course Caroline. Caroline has many sides to her as you will find out when the story dips into the past, both recent and much further back. Other people’s re-call of the family makes for shocking reading.
I really loved how the information was fed to me about Caroline’s past and care that she administered to her father as both became more shocking as the story progresses. This in turn played with my own moral compass. A super story line, plausible, intriguing and very much a need to know what had happened in the past. A lot I did guess but it is the horror of reading it that makes your worst nightmares real!
I am left wanting to know more about what makes Fletcher tick. Hope to find out a little more as the series builds.
You have a head start on the investigating team pretty early on in the story as you soon know who has done what, the thing you don’t know is why. The chapters switch between Fletcher and her team in the investigations and of course Caroline. Caroline has many sides to her as you will find out when the story dips into the past, both recent and much further back. Other people’s re-call of the family makes for shocking reading.
I really loved how the information was fed to me about Caroline’s past and care that she administered to her father as both became more shocking as the story progresses. This in turn played with my own moral compass. A super story line, plausible, intriguing and very much a need to know what had happened in the past. A lot I did guess but it is the horror of reading it that makes your worst nightmares real!
I am left wanting to know more about what makes Fletcher tick. Hope to find out a little more as the series builds.
May 22, 2018
This is the second book to feature DI Kate Fletcher. Don't worry if you haven't read the first book in the series as it reads well as a stand alone
The story flicks between past, well to a matter of weeks leading up to, and present day. We get to see Kate in the present day trying to solve the identity of a body as well as dealing with a lady called Caroline who has handed herself in for the murder of her father.
The weeks leading up to the present we get to know Caroline better and see her relationship with her dad. There is obviously something from Caroline's past that is troubling her and I was intrigued to know more.
I like how the author weaves the story so that we get to see all sides. It draws you in and holds you there. Kate is a character that I had a lot of respect for and I liked the way she works and that she has a certain amount of compassion.
Merciless is a really intriguing read that is packed full of suspense. It certainly kept me on my toes and each chapter left me wanting more making it an impossible book to put down. Definitely a series that seems to be going from strength to strength.
My thanks to Bloodhound Books and NetGalley for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
The story flicks between past, well to a matter of weeks leading up to, and present day. We get to see Kate in the present day trying to solve the identity of a body as well as dealing with a lady called Caroline who has handed herself in for the murder of her father.
The weeks leading up to the present we get to know Caroline better and see her relationship with her dad. There is obviously something from Caroline's past that is troubling her and I was intrigued to know more.
I like how the author weaves the story so that we get to see all sides. It draws you in and holds you there. Kate is a character that I had a lot of respect for and I liked the way she works and that she has a certain amount of compassion.
Merciless is a really intriguing read that is packed full of suspense. It certainly kept me on my toes and each chapter left me wanting more making it an impossible book to put down. Definitely a series that seems to be going from strength to strength.
My thanks to Bloodhound Books and NetGalley for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
May 21, 2018
I'd like to thank Netgalley and Bloodhound Books for an advance copy of Merciless, the second novel to feature Doncaster based DI Kate Fletcher.
Kate is attending the scene of an unexplained death in a canal lock when she gets a call to return to the station where a woman wants to confess to killing her father but will only speak to Kate. The woman, Caroline Lambert, confesses to helping her father kill himself but one or two things niggle at Kate. Meanwhile the body in the canal remains unidentified although the pathologist can confirm she was murdered.
Merciless is a solid novel, well thought out and logical with every discovery leading to more information and an eventual solution. It also has some neat twists. It did not, however, capture my imagination and I found it an easy book to put down in favour of doing something else. Much of this is due to the format which is a mix of police procedural and psychological thriller, alternating between Kate and Caroline's perspectives. With Caroline explaining how she did everything as the novel progresses, except her motive although that is easily guessable early in the novel, the reader is left to follow Kate's investigation as she plays catch up.
Caroline is obviously smart and motivated to kill her father but her personality has undergone a massive change to get to that stage. I'm not sure it's overly convincing. Kate is drawn on more old fashioned lines where she is the dogged investigator but little is learned of her life outside work or thoughts and feelings.
Merciless is an easy way to pass a few hours.
Kate is attending the scene of an unexplained death in a canal lock when she gets a call to return to the station where a woman wants to confess to killing her father but will only speak to Kate. The woman, Caroline Lambert, confesses to helping her father kill himself but one or two things niggle at Kate. Meanwhile the body in the canal remains unidentified although the pathologist can confirm she was murdered.
Merciless is a solid novel, well thought out and logical with every discovery leading to more information and an eventual solution. It also has some neat twists. It did not, however, capture my imagination and I found it an easy book to put down in favour of doing something else. Much of this is due to the format which is a mix of police procedural and psychological thriller, alternating between Kate and Caroline's perspectives. With Caroline explaining how she did everything as the novel progresses, except her motive although that is easily guessable early in the novel, the reader is left to follow Kate's investigation as she plays catch up.
Caroline is obviously smart and motivated to kill her father but her personality has undergone a massive change to get to that stage. I'm not sure it's overly convincing. Kate is drawn on more old fashioned lines where she is the dogged investigator but little is learned of her life outside work or thoughts and feelings.
Merciless is an easy way to pass a few hours.
June 1, 2018
This is another great book with DI Kate Fletcher.
A body is found floating in the canal and with no ID it takes a while to confirm who she is.
Kate is called back to the station as a woman has admitted to killing her father but will only speak to her.
Caroline seems very cold and detached to Kate but she takes her statement and then releases her pending further investigations.
More and more information comes to light and the team find themselves deeper and deeper into something none of them can quite grasp.
This is a gripping read and I loved the last few chapters especially as they really pulled you into the story.
Thanks to Bloodhound Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
A body is found floating in the canal and with no ID it takes a while to confirm who she is.
Kate is called back to the station as a woman has admitted to killing her father but will only speak to her.
Caroline seems very cold and detached to Kate but she takes her statement and then releases her pending further investigations.
More and more information comes to light and the team find themselves deeper and deeper into something none of them can quite grasp.
This is a gripping read and I loved the last few chapters especially as they really pulled you into the story.
Thanks to Bloodhound Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
April 6, 2020
Very good book , continuous actions. Page Turner. More fast moving that the first in the series.Moving onto 3 of 4 now which is Bad Seed. Definitely an author to read.
May 18, 2018
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley.
This is the second in a series, but stands well on its own. DI Kate Fletcher and her team are investigating the body of a woman found floating in the canal, when Kate is called back to the station to deal with some one who wants to confess to a mercy killing. Of course the two cases turn out to be connected.
I found the switching between the different perspectives (that of the police in the present and Caroline in the recent past) a bit distracting; I would just get settled in to one narrative and then it was time to switch to the other. The Caroline segments were hard to read after a while as they were so unpleasant. I thought the pace generally was fairly slow; it was pretty obvious what had happened from at least the halfway mark and then at the end when Caroline says she is going to tell Kate what really happened, it turned out to be exactly what we knew already.
This is the second in a series, but stands well on its own. DI Kate Fletcher and her team are investigating the body of a woman found floating in the canal, when Kate is called back to the station to deal with some one who wants to confess to a mercy killing. Of course the two cases turn out to be connected.
I found the switching between the different perspectives (that of the police in the present and Caroline in the recent past) a bit distracting; I would just get settled in to one narrative and then it was time to switch to the other. The Caroline segments were hard to read after a while as they were so unpleasant. I thought the pace generally was fairly slow; it was pretty obvious what had happened from at least the halfway mark and then at the end when Caroline says she is going to tell Kate what really happened, it turned out to be exactly what we knew already.
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June 22, 2018I enjoyed the structure of this story. Part of it rolled along as a typical police procedural, but large sections were from the viewpoint of the self-confessed mercy killer and tended towards an intriguing psychological thriller.
The police characters were great: a refreshingly normal female detective inspector supported by a mixed team of interesting junior officers.
And the writing was smooth and clear, nicely descriptive in places without unnecessary elaboration.
I will definitely read this author again.
The police characters were great: a refreshingly normal female detective inspector supported by a mixed team of interesting junior officers.
And the writing was smooth and clear, nicely descriptive in places without unnecessary elaboration.
I will definitely read this author again.
June 12, 2018
What a page turner this book was. Every character was well drawn and believable. Plenty of red herrings to keep you guessing. But for me, the best part was the fact it was a well written story with excellent prose and realistic language. Two seemingly random murders are solved by thorough police work and the application of intellect. Nobody is trying to stab their colleague in the back and then clamber over their dead body in a misguided attempt to get to the top of the pile. A genuinely unputdownable page turner, which I highly recommend.
June 1, 2018
Merciless is the second book to feature DI Kate Fletcher, and can be read as a total stand-alone.
I was pleasantly surprised that Kate was in a second book, as much as I loved the first.
I really warmed to Kate, and although we don’t get to know too much about her personal life in this story we know she interacts well with her team, and the people she is investigating and interviewing.
I like how we hear the story from multiple perspectives. This is done without it being too time hop, and confusing. There are parts of the storyline, which really made me think as to what I would do in a similar situation. Nothing is ever simple, or black and white.
Merciless is a story with such cleverly weaved plots, the characters are well written and believable, it also had plenty of suspense, and was a very difficult story to put down.
A very accomplished story from an author I have read previously, and enjoyed her books, but this series really is cracking and I shall be anticipating more DI Fletcher, and highly recommending it to others.
I was pleasantly surprised that Kate was in a second book, as much as I loved the first.
I really warmed to Kate, and although we don’t get to know too much about her personal life in this story we know she interacts well with her team, and the people she is investigating and interviewing.
I like how we hear the story from multiple perspectives. This is done without it being too time hop, and confusing. There are parts of the storyline, which really made me think as to what I would do in a similar situation. Nothing is ever simple, or black and white.
Merciless is a story with such cleverly weaved plots, the characters are well written and believable, it also had plenty of suspense, and was a very difficult story to put down.
A very accomplished story from an author I have read previously, and enjoyed her books, but this series really is cracking and I shall be anticipating more DI Fletcher, and highly recommending it to others.
March 13, 2019
In this book there is no doubt about the identity of the killer, that is revealed very early in the narrative although the nature of their crime isn't immediately clear. In this series the author does not go to great pains to hide the identity of the perpetrator, apparently preferring to concentrate on other aspects of the storyline and it works very well for her. There was some element of mystery as one person was referred to only by a single initial for much of the book which gives cope for speculation
Of the three books in this series this one is my least favoured but that doesn't mean I didn't like it. I did find it a little intrusive that so much time was spent reflecting back on historical events which led to the perpetrator's actions. Despite that, I still finished it in a single day and took every opportunity to read it, even if only for a few moments at a time.
Of the three books in this series this one is my least favoured but that doesn't mean I didn't like it. I did find it a little intrusive that so much time was spent reflecting back on historical events which led to the perpetrator's actions. Despite that, I still finished it in a single day and took every opportunity to read it, even if only for a few moments at a time.
June 1, 2018
Happy Publication Day! Merciless is book two in the DI Kate Fletcher series. I have done it again! Read book two before book one HOWEVER, I have book one so I can go back and read it at some point. Merciless reads well as a standalone.
I must admit Caroline has to be one of the most clever, twisted and nasty characters I’ve ever had to endure during a book! I found Merciless and easy, fast paced read that I just had to devour… Two different cases but are they linked? It’s not always a conincidence! A cleverly written story, which will have the reader hooked! A real page turner. An unexpected dark outcome!
I must admit Caroline has to be one of the most clever, twisted and nasty characters I’ve ever had to endure during a book! I found Merciless and easy, fast paced read that I just had to devour… Two different cases but are they linked? It’s not always a conincidence! A cleverly written story, which will have the reader hooked! A real page turner. An unexpected dark outcome!
May 19, 2018
4 stars
I read the Kindle edition.
DC Sam Cooper is an officer in the CID. She finds a body partially in a bin bag in the locks near her narrowboat. DI Kate Fletcher attends the scene. The woman has no identification. The pathologist will have to do a post mortem to learn the cause of death and see if he can get an ID.
While still at the scene, Kate receives a call from her DCI. There is a woman confessing to the murder of her father and she is at the station asking specifically for Kate. When she interviews the woman Caroline Lambert, Kate learns that her father Dennis had liver cancer and was in a great deal of pain and discomfort. She didn’t actually deliver the drugs to him, but left them in reach of his bedside and then left the house. He apparently took them himself.
The neighbor woman, who intimates that she had a “relationship” with Dennis Lambert, claims that Caroline didn’t come around for years and suddenly showed up a few weeks earlier. She claims that Caroline obviously murdered him. Of course, she doesn’t know that Caroline has already confessed.
The story is interspersed with letters to Caroline from an unknown person with the initial “J.” They are very informative and set up background information beautifully. From this information and other tidbits, we learn that Caroline is a liar and conniver. There are also flashbacks showing just exactly what happened to Dennis Lambert.
Kate attends the post mortems of the unidentified woman and Mr. Lambert. The woman’s death was due to a blow to the head; possibly with a brick. Dennis Lambert certainly had liver cancer, but not to the degree that her was terminal – yet. The results of his toxicology tests may ascertain more. DC Hollis, Kate’s right-hand officer and go-to favorite, comes up with the idea to interview the hospital staff to determine if there was anything off that they saw in the relationship between Dennis and Caroline.
A young man named Ethan Cox comes into the police station. He thinks that the dead man is his mother. Her name was Maddie Cox. She worked as a clinical nurse specialist in an oncology ward. Ethan has a photograph and Kate sees that it is the woman from the locks. The police begin to investigate Maddie’s life and work.
They begin to see a connection between the two cases. Further investigation shows that they are indeed connected. There is a race to the conclusion and things get pretty exciting with the missing Caroline showing up once again.
This is a good book. It is my first Heleyne Hammersley novel, and it won’t be my last. I immediately went to Amazon to look for others of her books. I like the way Kate’s team gets along. They work well together and make a good group of people. I like Kate’s management style. She is relatively easy going, but can put her foot down when she needs to. The book faltered in places, which is why I gave it only four stars. But, all in all a very good effort. Well done, Ms. Hammersley and keep writing.
I want to thank NetGalley and Bloodhound Books for forwarding to me a copy of this book to read, enjoy and review.
I read the Kindle edition.
DC Sam Cooper is an officer in the CID. She finds a body partially in a bin bag in the locks near her narrowboat. DI Kate Fletcher attends the scene. The woman has no identification. The pathologist will have to do a post mortem to learn the cause of death and see if he can get an ID.
While still at the scene, Kate receives a call from her DCI. There is a woman confessing to the murder of her father and she is at the station asking specifically for Kate. When she interviews the woman Caroline Lambert, Kate learns that her father Dennis had liver cancer and was in a great deal of pain and discomfort. She didn’t actually deliver the drugs to him, but left them in reach of his bedside and then left the house. He apparently took them himself.
The neighbor woman, who intimates that she had a “relationship” with Dennis Lambert, claims that Caroline didn’t come around for years and suddenly showed up a few weeks earlier. She claims that Caroline obviously murdered him. Of course, she doesn’t know that Caroline has already confessed.
The story is interspersed with letters to Caroline from an unknown person with the initial “J.” They are very informative and set up background information beautifully. From this information and other tidbits, we learn that Caroline is a liar and conniver. There are also flashbacks showing just exactly what happened to Dennis Lambert.
Kate attends the post mortems of the unidentified woman and Mr. Lambert. The woman’s death was due to a blow to the head; possibly with a brick. Dennis Lambert certainly had liver cancer, but not to the degree that her was terminal – yet. The results of his toxicology tests may ascertain more. DC Hollis, Kate’s right-hand officer and go-to favorite, comes up with the idea to interview the hospital staff to determine if there was anything off that they saw in the relationship between Dennis and Caroline.
A young man named Ethan Cox comes into the police station. He thinks that the dead man is his mother. Her name was Maddie Cox. She worked as a clinical nurse specialist in an oncology ward. Ethan has a photograph and Kate sees that it is the woman from the locks. The police begin to investigate Maddie’s life and work.
They begin to see a connection between the two cases. Further investigation shows that they are indeed connected. There is a race to the conclusion and things get pretty exciting with the missing Caroline showing up once again.
This is a good book. It is my first Heleyne Hammersley novel, and it won’t be my last. I immediately went to Amazon to look for others of her books. I like the way Kate’s team gets along. They work well together and make a good group of people. I like Kate’s management style. She is relatively easy going, but can put her foot down when she needs to. The book faltered in places, which is why I gave it only four stars. But, all in all a very good effort. Well done, Ms. Hammersley and keep writing.
I want to thank NetGalley and Bloodhound Books for forwarding to me a copy of this book to read, enjoy and review.
June 3, 2018
All of my reviews can be found at: https://hookedfrompageoneblog.wordpre...
Merciless is the first book by Heleyne Hammersley which I have read and it is a corker. Although I haven’t read the previous book in the DI Kate Fletcher series, I felt that Merciless worked very well as a standalone, so don’t worry if you haven’t read the previous book, although like me, I’m sure you’ll want to once you’ve finished. Heleyne takes us on a tense ride as she explores two, seemingly unrelated crimes and the way in which she pulled them both together is what made this novel a really exciting read.
DI Kate Fletcher is called to a scene where the body of a woman has been pulled from a canal. As the investigation into the young woman’s death gets underway, Kate is called back to the station where another young woman has just confessed to the murder of her father. The two cases are both very different. As both investigations progress, Heleyne takes us back in time as we explore what went on in her character’s lives, which ultimately leads to the events which take place in the present day.
The tension in this book never lets up. It is a very quick read and it took me only a day to finish it. As we get to know the background of the story, I really wanted to know how and if the two cases were going to collide. There are some really well developed characters in this book and I liked that Heleyne gave them a real psychological depth; I had this feeling particularly with Caroline. There are definitely some characters that will get under your skin and I also thought it was interesting how Heleyne played with the feelings of the reader towards them. There were times when my opinions of the characters at the centre of the novel kept changing and this is what made the book a really engrossing read.
DI Kate Fletcher is certainly an exciting addition to the crime fiction world and I’m looking forward to finding out more about her. This was a really enjoyable novel from Helen Hammersley. Thank you to Sarah Hardy at Bloodhound Books for inviting me to take part in the tour and for providing me with a copy of the book to read via Netgalley.
Merciless is the first book by Heleyne Hammersley which I have read and it is a corker. Although I haven’t read the previous book in the DI Kate Fletcher series, I felt that Merciless worked very well as a standalone, so don’t worry if you haven’t read the previous book, although like me, I’m sure you’ll want to once you’ve finished. Heleyne takes us on a tense ride as she explores two, seemingly unrelated crimes and the way in which she pulled them both together is what made this novel a really exciting read.
DI Kate Fletcher is called to a scene where the body of a woman has been pulled from a canal. As the investigation into the young woman’s death gets underway, Kate is called back to the station where another young woman has just confessed to the murder of her father. The two cases are both very different. As both investigations progress, Heleyne takes us back in time as we explore what went on in her character’s lives, which ultimately leads to the events which take place in the present day.
The tension in this book never lets up. It is a very quick read and it took me only a day to finish it. As we get to know the background of the story, I really wanted to know how and if the two cases were going to collide. There are some really well developed characters in this book and I liked that Heleyne gave them a real psychological depth; I had this feeling particularly with Caroline. There are definitely some characters that will get under your skin and I also thought it was interesting how Heleyne played with the feelings of the reader towards them. There were times when my opinions of the characters at the centre of the novel kept changing and this is what made the book a really engrossing read.
DI Kate Fletcher is certainly an exciting addition to the crime fiction world and I’m looking forward to finding out more about her. This was a really enjoyable novel from Helen Hammersley. Thank you to Sarah Hardy at Bloodhound Books for inviting me to take part in the tour and for providing me with a copy of the book to read via Netgalley.
June 2, 2018
My first experience of Heleyne Hemmersley's work, but it won't be my last - I've already downloaded the first in series as the second is so very good.
DI Kate Fletcher finds herself with an unexpected death on her hands when a body is found floating in the canal. With no identification, she has enough on her plate but then has to deal with a confession to assisted suicide. As that seems quite straightforward, Kate doesn't predict it taking up much time for her team and concentrates instead on trying to work out the identity of the deceased. However, it appears all is not as simple as first thought and - as strange as it sounds - Kate begins to wonder if there is a connection between both cases.
This is a fantastic crime thriller, an excellent police procedural and one where the investigation details are incredibly authentic and really work the reader's brain cells. It's a book which I have been completely invested in, and I loved everything about it. The characters are true-to-life; the investigation team are all individuals with differing personalities which is touched upon but not allowed to dominate the story. The writing flows beautifully, the plot is captivating and I really appreciate that, although this is the second in series, there is no constant harking back to the first one. This truly is a stand-alone read and, for me, it is worth nothing less than a full five stars! If you are a reader who enjoys a really great British police procedural, then this is one I strongly recommend.
My thanks to publishers Bloodhound Books for approving my request via NetGalley. This is my honest, original and unbiased review.
DI Kate Fletcher finds herself with an unexpected death on her hands when a body is found floating in the canal. With no identification, she has enough on her plate but then has to deal with a confession to assisted suicide. As that seems quite straightforward, Kate doesn't predict it taking up much time for her team and concentrates instead on trying to work out the identity of the deceased. However, it appears all is not as simple as first thought and - as strange as it sounds - Kate begins to wonder if there is a connection between both cases.
This is a fantastic crime thriller, an excellent police procedural and one where the investigation details are incredibly authentic and really work the reader's brain cells. It's a book which I have been completely invested in, and I loved everything about it. The characters are true-to-life; the investigation team are all individuals with differing personalities which is touched upon but not allowed to dominate the story. The writing flows beautifully, the plot is captivating and I really appreciate that, although this is the second in series, there is no constant harking back to the first one. This truly is a stand-alone read and, for me, it is worth nothing less than a full five stars! If you are a reader who enjoys a really great British police procedural, then this is one I strongly recommend.
My thanks to publishers Bloodhound Books for approving my request via NetGalley. This is my honest, original and unbiased review.
June 2, 2018
My first experience of Heleyne Hemmersley’s work, but it won’t be my last – I’ve already downloaded the first in series as the second is so very good.
DI Kate Fletcher finds herself with an unexpected death on her hands when a body is found floating in the canal. With no identification, she has enough on her plate but then has to deal with a confession to assisted suicide. As that seems quite straightforward, Kate doesn’t predict it taking up much time for her team and concentrates instead on trying to work out the identity of the deceased. However, it appears all is not as simple as first thought and – as strange as it sounds – Kate begins to wonder if there is a connection between both cases.
This is a fantastic crime thriller, an excellent police procedural and one where the investigation details are incredibly authentic and really work the reader’s brain cells. It’s a book which I have been completely invested in, and I loved everything about it. The characters are true-to-life; the investigation team are all individuals with differing personalities which is touched upon but not allowed to dominate the story. The writing flows beautifully, the plot is captivating and I really appreciate that, although this is the second in series, there is no constant harking back to the first one. This truly is a stand-alone read and, for me, it is worth nothing less than a full five stars! If you are a reader who enjoys a really great British police procedural, then this is one I strongly recommend.
My thanks to publishers Bloodhound Books for approving my request via NetGalley. This is my honest, original and unbiased review.
DI Kate Fletcher finds herself with an unexpected death on her hands when a body is found floating in the canal. With no identification, she has enough on her plate but then has to deal with a confession to assisted suicide. As that seems quite straightforward, Kate doesn’t predict it taking up much time for her team and concentrates instead on trying to work out the identity of the deceased. However, it appears all is not as simple as first thought and – as strange as it sounds – Kate begins to wonder if there is a connection between both cases.
This is a fantastic crime thriller, an excellent police procedural and one where the investigation details are incredibly authentic and really work the reader’s brain cells. It’s a book which I have been completely invested in, and I loved everything about it. The characters are true-to-life; the investigation team are all individuals with differing personalities which is touched upon but not allowed to dominate the story. The writing flows beautifully, the plot is captivating and I really appreciate that, although this is the second in series, there is no constant harking back to the first one. This truly is a stand-alone read and, for me, it is worth nothing less than a full five stars! If you are a reader who enjoys a really great British police procedural, then this is one I strongly recommend.
My thanks to publishers Bloodhound Books for approving my request via NetGalley. This is my honest, original and unbiased review.
June 26, 2018
Refreshing Detective and Team
I've been binging on non-detective thrillers, but Kate the DI character, kept me reading. The villain I think disappointed me, I'm not sure why. But Kate and her team are "fun" and I thought this was a great stand alone story, but is part of a series. So, great story a very good read.
I've been binging on non-detective thrillers, but Kate the DI character, kept me reading. The villain I think disappointed me, I'm not sure why. But Kate and her team are "fun" and I thought this was a great stand alone story, but is part of a series. So, great story a very good read.
June 1, 2018
i cannot praise this book enough! a real page turner with likeable characters. a fantastic example of a brilliant police procedural storyline.
many thanks to netgalley and the publishers for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
many thanks to netgalley and the publishers for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
June 4, 2018
Merciless follows the story of Caroline who has returned home to care for her dad who is dying from liver cancer. She walks into a police station one day and says that her father has killed himself, she has helped him and she would like to talk to DI Kate Fletcher about the murder. Kate is already dealing with a case as the body of a woman was found in a canal that morning but a phone call from her boss has her hot footing it back to the police station. Are the two cases connected and if so, how?
Told via a combination of the investigation into the case in and flashing back to the recent past beginning with Caroline’s reappearance in her father’s life Heleyne Hammerstein builds a compelling tale of murder, family loyalty and desperation. I really like a book with a clever narrative structure and in the case of Merciless it worked perfectly as we know what has happened we just need to know why.
Kate is brilliant protagonist, she is quick-witted, astute, kind, brave and compassionate and I really, really liked her. I loved that this was a book about a female DI who did her job and did it well, she is thorough and competent and leads the investigations with assurity and calmness. It was also incredibly refreshing to read about a woman in this role without having every part of her private life interspersed within the story and affecting her job. She is well-respected and succesful as a DI and I really enjoyed getting to know this strong, succesful and admirable woman.
Merciless is the second in the Kate Fletcher series of books but can be read as a standalone. This was the first book I had read in the series and I really enjoyed it. It has some difficult and upsetting subject matter at times and goes to some uncomfortable places but it is very sensitively handled. I thought Caroline’s sections and the slow unfurling of tension as the pieces of the jigsaw came together was wonderfully written. Caroline is a complicated woman and I really wanted to know as much as possible about her – she is so interesting and her life and motivations are compelling.
This is a real page-turner of a book. The plot is clever, the writing is excellent and I thought the characterisation was spot on – Heleyne Hammersely writes wonderfully complex women and doesn’t shy away from the darkness within. Excellent.
Told via a combination of the investigation into the case in and flashing back to the recent past beginning with Caroline’s reappearance in her father’s life Heleyne Hammerstein builds a compelling tale of murder, family loyalty and desperation. I really like a book with a clever narrative structure and in the case of Merciless it worked perfectly as we know what has happened we just need to know why.
Kate is brilliant protagonist, she is quick-witted, astute, kind, brave and compassionate and I really, really liked her. I loved that this was a book about a female DI who did her job and did it well, she is thorough and competent and leads the investigations with assurity and calmness. It was also incredibly refreshing to read about a woman in this role without having every part of her private life interspersed within the story and affecting her job. She is well-respected and succesful as a DI and I really enjoyed getting to know this strong, succesful and admirable woman.
Merciless is the second in the Kate Fletcher series of books but can be read as a standalone. This was the first book I had read in the series and I really enjoyed it. It has some difficult and upsetting subject matter at times and goes to some uncomfortable places but it is very sensitively handled. I thought Caroline’s sections and the slow unfurling of tension as the pieces of the jigsaw came together was wonderfully written. Caroline is a complicated woman and I really wanted to know as much as possible about her – she is so interesting and her life and motivations are compelling.
This is a real page-turner of a book. The plot is clever, the writing is excellent and I thought the characterisation was spot on – Heleyne Hammersely writes wonderfully complex women and doesn’t shy away from the darkness within. Excellent.
June 2, 2018
Wow. This is a really exciting book which will keep you guessing until the end. I give it a well-deserved 5*****We then meet the lead detective who is a significant character in this story.
An identified body is found by a canal lock on a cold morning and DI Kate Fletcher is called to the scene.
Next, they receive a telephone call after the death of an elderly, ill man is reported to them. His daughter Caroline admits to leaving the means for him to take his life, with reach. She then went out for a drive when he ended his own life. That is what she admits to anyway. She will only speak to Kate.
Caroline's older sister Jeanette disappeared years before, and nothing had been heard of her since. Bith the girls lived in fear of their father's temper and their Mum was no longer around. Her whole life is lived wondering what happened and hating her father for her disappearance.
Caroline receives a telephone call from Bren who has lived opposite her family as long as she can remember. They do not like each other, as Bren thinks the world of her father. Obviously, they have very differing views. Caroline is summoned home and reluctantly goes to the hospital to see him.
Heleyne Hammersley is very clever in getting the reader to feel great sympathy with Caroline, as her sorry life unfurls. The motives that lead to what happens ultimately, is interwoven with a complicated story. It does make sense and will keep you enthralled until the end.
Somehow these two deaths are linked and it is up to the detectives to work out how and why.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are all my own and completely unbiased. My thanks to NetGalley/Bloodhound Books for this opportunity.
An identified body is found by a canal lock on a cold morning and DI Kate Fletcher is called to the scene.
Next, they receive a telephone call after the death of an elderly, ill man is reported to them. His daughter Caroline admits to leaving the means for him to take his life, with reach. She then went out for a drive when he ended his own life. That is what she admits to anyway. She will only speak to Kate.
Caroline's older sister Jeanette disappeared years before, and nothing had been heard of her since. Bith the girls lived in fear of their father's temper and their Mum was no longer around. Her whole life is lived wondering what happened and hating her father for her disappearance.
Caroline receives a telephone call from Bren who has lived opposite her family as long as she can remember. They do not like each other, as Bren thinks the world of her father. Obviously, they have very differing views. Caroline is summoned home and reluctantly goes to the hospital to see him.
Heleyne Hammersley is very clever in getting the reader to feel great sympathy with Caroline, as her sorry life unfurls. The motives that lead to what happens ultimately, is interwoven with a complicated story. It does make sense and will keep you enthralled until the end.
Somehow these two deaths are linked and it is up to the detectives to work out how and why.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are all my own and completely unbiased. My thanks to NetGalley/Bloodhound Books for this opportunity.
June 3, 2018
All reviews can be found on my blog at https://thewritinggarnet.wordpress.com
DI Kate Fletcher is baaacccckkkkk! And boy did she make an entrance! It didn't take me long at all to devour the second instalment in the 'Kate Fletcher' series, what with the incredibly intense plot and the high energy situations which Kate Fletcher and her team came across.
With a murder confession on their hands which was intent on raising several eyebrows, it doesn't take too long for Kate Fletcher and her team to find themselves tangled in a spider's web, when they realise that there is a lot more to that 'confession' than they first thought.
'Merciless' is a story that switches between past events and the 'now'. Even though us readers have more insight to the truth than Kate Fletcher does, Heleyne Hammersley has ensured that her readers are still kept in the dark regarding the pieces of information that will really allow faeces to hit the fan.
I have to say that, even though I had roughly worked out what I had thought had happened, it didn't stop me from enjoying the storyline as, whilst I had become aware of the minor details, the true grit and shocking moments were kept under lock and key until the very last knocking.
'Merciless' kept my attention from start to finish, raising my heart rate with every turn of the page. I thought that the tension in the book was fantastically written, and the addition of the author drip feeding her readers shocking information was very, very clever.
I cannot fault this book at all! I know I have been vague with my review, but 'Merciless' is the type of book which the less you know about beforehand, the more blunt your reactions will be.
A cracking, fast paced read which kept me on the edge of my seat the entire way through.
DI Kate Fletcher is baaacccckkkkk! And boy did she make an entrance! It didn't take me long at all to devour the second instalment in the 'Kate Fletcher' series, what with the incredibly intense plot and the high energy situations which Kate Fletcher and her team came across.
With a murder confession on their hands which was intent on raising several eyebrows, it doesn't take too long for Kate Fletcher and her team to find themselves tangled in a spider's web, when they realise that there is a lot more to that 'confession' than they first thought.
'Merciless' is a story that switches between past events and the 'now'. Even though us readers have more insight to the truth than Kate Fletcher does, Heleyne Hammersley has ensured that her readers are still kept in the dark regarding the pieces of information that will really allow faeces to hit the fan.
I have to say that, even though I had roughly worked out what I had thought had happened, it didn't stop me from enjoying the storyline as, whilst I had become aware of the minor details, the true grit and shocking moments were kept under lock and key until the very last knocking.
'Merciless' kept my attention from start to finish, raising my heart rate with every turn of the page. I thought that the tension in the book was fantastically written, and the addition of the author drip feeding her readers shocking information was very, very clever.
I cannot fault this book at all! I know I have been vague with my review, but 'Merciless' is the type of book which the less you know about beforehand, the more blunt your reactions will be.
A cracking, fast paced read which kept me on the edge of my seat the entire way through.
July 5, 2018
Sam Cooper, a detective who lives on the waterfront, finds a female body on the waterfront. She calls Kate, her next in charge to report this. Kate does arrive but is soon called to hear the confession of murder from Caroline Lambert. Caroline admits to leaving morphine and whisky on her cancer-ridden father's tray. After visiting the scene of this "crime", Kate is dragged into Brenda's house. Brenda tells Kate how she has known the family for over 20 years and Caroline all of a sudden shows up - that she killed her father. And did Caroline's mother really commit suicide. Brenda is in her 70's and a bit sketchy.
7 weeks ago; Caroline receives letter from her sister (?) explaining how awful her dad is and she will know the right thing to do. Caroline, indeed, lets herself into her father's home - but only to gather things to bring for him at the hospital. Her dad, Dennis, is not a friendly sort.
Maddie meets a nurse at the hospital and they go out for drink. After plying Maddie with alcohol, Carolyn finds out that the nurse is deeply in debt. She bribes Maddie with $15,000 to get morphine and tranquilizers. Maddie becomes essential for more drugs to dose her dad and Caroline takes advantage of this debt.
The police, meanwhile, are putting the pieces together. Is this truly a mercy killing? Yes, dad dies, and guess what? Caroline does a "runner"' The police find her abandoned car and a letter inside says "Find Jeanette".
Everything begins to unravel when the police find Jeanette's best friend from many years ago, Julie Wilkerson.
A surprising conclusion to the well written and thought out story! Recommend! Many thanks to the publisher and NetGallery for this opportunity!!!
7 weeks ago; Caroline receives letter from her sister (?) explaining how awful her dad is and she will know the right thing to do. Caroline, indeed, lets herself into her father's home - but only to gather things to bring for him at the hospital. Her dad, Dennis, is not a friendly sort.
Maddie meets a nurse at the hospital and they go out for drink. After plying Maddie with alcohol, Carolyn finds out that the nurse is deeply in debt. She bribes Maddie with $15,000 to get morphine and tranquilizers. Maddie becomes essential for more drugs to dose her dad and Caroline takes advantage of this debt.
The police, meanwhile, are putting the pieces together. Is this truly a mercy killing? Yes, dad dies, and guess what? Caroline does a "runner"' The police find her abandoned car and a letter inside says "Find Jeanette".
Everything begins to unravel when the police find Jeanette's best friend from many years ago, Julie Wilkerson.
A surprising conclusion to the well written and thought out story! Recommend! Many thanks to the publisher and NetGallery for this opportunity!!!
June 12, 2018
Another brilliant police procedural from this talented author.
Once again, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. After reading Closer to Home, I went out of my way to read Heleyne's other books. They're excellent, but these two are my stand-up favourites. Her characters are very real, her plots keep you guessing to the last and her writing is a pleasure to read.
Another, Please, Heleyne!
I bought this book on pre-order (not an ARC), and have no connection whatsoever with the author -- apart from a love of good crime writing.
Highly recommended.
Once again, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. After reading Closer to Home, I went out of my way to read Heleyne's other books. They're excellent, but these two are my stand-up favourites. Her characters are very real, her plots keep you guessing to the last and her writing is a pleasure to read.
Another, Please, Heleyne!
I bought this book on pre-order (not an ARC), and have no connection whatsoever with the author -- apart from a love of good crime writing.
Highly recommended.
June 17, 2018
I loved this book so much. I love mystery/thrillers. It’s a nice break from YA. It starts out with a woman found murdered. Then another woman confesses to killing her father who has cancer. Now, we learn that her sister was killed in the same manor but it wasn’t considered murder. Are they all connected somehow? This keeps you on your toes with all of the cases not sure what’s going to happen next. I don’t quite know how to review this without giving too much away but, I’m telling you. You have to read this if you love mysteries.
June 20, 2018
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. After reading Closer to Home, the first to feature DI Kate Fletcher, I was thrilled to read Merciless as an ARC. This is a real page-turner of a book., with a clever, excellently written plot packed full of suspense. This series really is fantastic, I am hoping there will be more about DI Fletcher and her team - soon!
I would like to thank the author Heleyne Hammersley, Bloodhound books and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book - I loved it.
I would like to thank the author Heleyne Hammersley, Bloodhound books and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book - I loved it.
May 15, 2021
An excellent follow up to Closer To Home this second DI Kate Fletcher thriller set in South Yorkshire contains no mysteries instead focusing on motives. The police officers all have their own likeable personalities, and Kate is a believable leader whom readers can easily warm to. The only thing missing from this book compared to its predecessor was the sense of close knit former mining town that was so integral to Closer To Home; there was nothing specific to Thorpe here, and no sense of Kate’s troubled teenage years spent growing up here. That said, this is a fast paced novel that will almost certainly leave you determined to follow Kate and her team in succeeding volumes.
June 3, 2018
This is the second book in the Kate Fletcher series but it can easily be read as a stand alone. There are a lot of police procedurals out there but I found this to be one of the more realistic ones. The story held my interest and I liked the characters. I'm looking forward to reading the first in the series now.
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