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D.C.I. Claire Winters #2

The Principle Of Evil

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A body has been found in a frozen lake, bringing a gruesome act of evil into the light. One look at the victim is enough for DCI Claire Winters to recognise the work of a warped mind. And when another woman is reported missing, Claire's worst fears are confirmed: this is a killer who plans to strike again. As the body count rises, the pressure is on for Claire to find the perpetrator and bring them to justice. But first, she must learn to understand the twisted mind behind the crimes. And that will take her to a darker place than she ever thought possible. Loved DCI Helen Grace and DI Kim Stone? Don't miss the second book in the addictive new DCI Claire Winters series.

Kindle Edition

First published October 11, 2013

73 people are currently reading
190 people want to read

About the author

T.M.E. Walsh

6 books64 followers
Tania (T. M. E.) Walsh began writing full time after becoming a casualty to the recession in late 2008.

She successfully self-published the first two novels in the DCI Claire Winters series before being picked up by HQ - a division of HarperCollins - in 2015.


Tania is currently working on a new standalone thriller, and a fourth book in the DCI Claire Winters series.


In 2011 Tania was the winner of the Wannabe a Writer Blurb competition sponsored by Writing Magazine and judged by Matt Bates, the Fiction buyer for WHSmith Travel.

Tania has previously produced digital artwork that was published on a DVD-ROM for ImagineFX magazine's FXPosé section twice in the early and latter part of 2007, which has been published worldwide.

Tania lives in Hertfordshire with her husband and young daughter.

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5 stars
254 (43%)
4 stars
216 (37%)
3 stars
83 (14%)
2 stars
19 (3%)
1 star
6 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
Profile Image for Linda Strong.
3,878 reviews1,709 followers
February 18, 2016
DCI Claire Winters is back in the second book of this series. And it's another winner!

She and her team are called to investigate when a woman's body in found under a frozen lake. Everyone is keeping fingers crossed that this is a one-off since the woman was a prostitute. Then ... another woman goes missing.

As the body count mounts, Claire comes under a lot of pressure to find this monster before more women are killed.

And then the killer turns his attention to Claire. Claire will have to dig deep to understand who ..and more importantly, why he is abducting and killing.

I like the characters. Claire is a strong female protagonist. She takes names and kicks as, yet suffers traumatic night terrors. Her closest associate is Fletcher .... who, although not spelled out, is a little bit in love with Claire. And if it isn't love, then it's a huge amount of respect. The newest member of the team is Crest. He has secrets, including why he transferred to this particular team.

There are twists and turns at every corner. While this is okay as a stand-alone, I would recommend starting at the beginning. There is a volatile ending with just the smallest of cliff hangers.

Many thanks to the author / Carina UK / NetGalley who provided a digital copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
Profile Image for Claire.
387 reviews25 followers
May 16, 2016
3.5 stars rounded to 4

This book was kindly provided as an ARC through NetGalley, and before reading it I made sure to read the first installment in the Claire Winters series, and I am glad I did, for it did provide the necessary start to DCI Winters character development (although the author refers to the events of the first book, she never provides a summary of what happens, so starting with book 2 would be terribly confusing).

I actually preferred "The Principle of Evil" to the first book. The storyline was more fluid, the pace more regular. The plot sorts of grab you . I am not sure I understood the addition of Olivia's story towards the end of the book, it definitely didn't bring anything to the plot and took the focus away at a moment when you would normally expect the opposite. But from the storyline perspective, that would be my only reservation.

On the other hand, I still have some issues with the author's writing and the overall "layout" of the book : repeatedly it becomes confusing to figure out who is actually talking, you switch from one character to the other with no obvious way to acknowledge it, and the way paragraphs are formatted is strange to say the least (no clear cut when actually the action just switched to a different place or different characters, and then suddenly a new paragraph when the same scene is actually continuing ). Those two flaws become quite annoying, forcing the reader to go back some sentences to understand who is talking or that we just started a new scene.
This was the reason for removing half a star but the overall impression of the book is that you just want to keep reading ... hence the rounding up.
Profile Image for Petra.
818 reviews92 followers
March 9, 2016
This is the second book featuring DCI Claire Winters, and although this could be read as a standalone, there are references made to events and relationships from For All Our Sins (book 1) which I think will make more sense if you've read the books in order.
When the body of a prostitute is found in a frozen lake and then a respected, well-off solicitor is abducted and murdered, Claire and her team soon realize they are looking for a cunning killer who won't be stopped easily. But what is the connection between these two victims who come from completely different backgrounds?
Claire is still reeling from the events a year ago and could do without the hassle she is getting from the newest member of the team, DS Elias Crest. On top of that, her mother has decided to stay with her for a while.
I think Claire makes quite a good protagonist. Although she comes across as aloof a lot of the time, there is a very vulnerable and caring side to her as well.
I enjoyed this book even more than the first. The plot flows smoothly, the writing is succinct and the storyline draws you in and keeps you engaged all the way through.
I am looking forward to the next installment.
Thanks to Tania Walsh and Carina UK for providing me with a copy via NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
Profile Image for Pat.
2,310 reviews500 followers
December 6, 2016
3.5 stars

While still enjoyable, I didn't think this was as good as the first book. A bunch of seemingly unconnected women are found with their throats cut and evidence that they had been shackled for a while. DCI Claire Winters and her team are tasked with catching this killer. Claire seems troubled and also has to contend with a new sergeant who has a bad attitude and publicly disagrees with her.

There are a number of suspects, but until a young woman approaches one of the team with information their progress is at a standstill. The woman's information is not complete enough to prevent another woman from being taken and the clock is now desperately ticking for the team to catch the killer before time runs out for the latest victim.

Look, it was OK and I certainly kept turning the pages. But the baddie just seemed a bit off. He didn't make any sense to me at all.
Profile Image for Lynda Kelly.
2,203 reviews107 followers
May 16, 2017
Once again this author writes a great book and ruins it with daft spelling mistakes. So again, it should've been 5* but for those !! Why hasn't her proofreader or editor fixed them ?? Surely that's what they're paid for ? I'm no professional but if I can spot them surely some bod at the publishing company should do.
There were missing apostrophes here and there, then Lon Bonfire Night with that additional L for no reason whatsoever, to was used and not too, which is just a schoolboy error, the WORST for me was suddenly spelling Stefan's name as Stephan !! That was unforgivable for me and alone would've cost it one star. We also had missing speechmarks, missed to from a sentence-"You don't want know what I think"...Miss-read is usually written as misread. She mentioned Elias being scared but I think she meant scarred-(he's a great new character who's very interesting).
Then twice in quick succession we heard about two different women with either protruding or jutting out shoulder blades !! This sentence doesn't make sense to me-"...interference in the investigation and harm of evidence connected with the case, not to mention the very real risk of harm befalling DCI Winters..."
Twice in this story I just knew who was up to something nefarious and both times I got it wrong. It was very clever how that came about in both cases. The whole story was very, very good indeed. She just needs to get herself a new proofreader. Ask me next time !!
As stated, it's another terrific book by her and I'll definitely be reading the next one.
Profile Image for Clare .
851 reviews47 followers
February 23, 2017
First a little moan from me. I had already bought this book before I realised I had received this book as a freebie a few years ago. I buy my kindle books from Amazon, a warning should pop up on screen if you try to buy another version of the same title.

Grumble over, I was excited to read the next book in the DCI Claire Winters series.

The story starts with the kidnapping of Nola Grant, a prostitute. Subdued with chloroform, She was taken back to the kidnappers place and held, in the hope he could educate and change her. When he found Nola did not want to 'improve' herself she was killed and her body found in a frozen lake.

Winters and her sidekick Fletcher are called in to investigate the killing. Nola's pimp had a particularly violent reputation and he is arrested and taken in for questioning. However that night Sara Thornton, a solicitor is taken from a car park, whilst talking to her husband on her mobile.

Winters finds out that the Thornton's were going to Focus Beings for marriage guidance counselling. When Winters and Fletcher go to the clinic they find out that Nola was also receiving therapy there.

When the Sara is also find murdered, the race is on to catch the killer. When 16 yr old Felicity Davenport who is a patient at the clinic is taken in the middle of the night. Claire and Fletcher need to find out how the clinic is involved in the girls murders. Little does Claire know that the killer has his eye on her, the ultimate prize.

This story had me on the edge of my seat. This book was a bit different because we got a snapshot of the victims lives before they were taken. If you read the first book For All Our Sins (DCI Claire Winters #1) by T.M.E. Walsh you will know Claire has a difficult relationship with her father. At the end of the book there is a cliff hanger with her father ringing, I don't know how this will affect the next book.

I have awarded this book only 4 stars because I realised early on who the killer was despite the red herrings.




Profile Image for Sharon.
Author 3 books56 followers
March 3, 2016
3.5 stars

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC of The Principle of Evil by TME Walsh, this is the 2nd of the DCI Claire Winters series but the first I have read. Fast paced psychological thriller which leaves your nerves on edge as it creeps towards the climax. I think you can read this without having read the first one as there is enough information in this book to ensure you know what's going on but it had whet my appetite to house's out the first book just to find out. Strong characters, fairly standard psychological thriller plot but it kept me intrigued. Recommend to others who like this genre.
Profile Image for Sarah.
934 reviews5 followers
December 13, 2014
A fast paced, well written follow up to for all our sins. I think this was a better book than the first as I think the characters have developed well. DCI Claire Winter still remains frosty and aloof but there is a lot more humanity shown in her this time.

The first missing woman was a prostitute who later turned up dead abs nobody was too bothered. When a solicitor goes missing people are more keen to demand answers and so Winter and her team must work out the connections between the victims and who the killer is.
Profile Image for Maggie.
2,005 reviews59 followers
February 27, 2016
This is the second book featuring DCI Claire Winters. I hadn't read the first one and although there are quite a few references to the way Claire has changed as a results of events in that book, it did not spoil my enjoyment. If anything it made me want to read the first in the series to find out why she is the way she is.

The book is fast paced with lots of twists to the plot. I found the characters interesting and seeing things from different perspectives added to the tension.

Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book and for introducing me to Claire Winters.
Profile Image for Diana Jackson.
Author 22 books15 followers
June 25, 2014
Well written, fast moving plot line with unexpected twists when the closer DCI Claire Winters gets to the truth the more dangerous her position. The graphic imagery in Principle of Evil utilizes all the senses madking it a read to avoid at bed time and not one to lull you to sleep ~ far from it. I read it whilst on holiday when I was wide awake!
Profile Image for Lynn.
703 reviews33 followers
April 27, 2016
All the hallmarks of a great thriller! Suspense, motive, revenge, suspicion and cliff hangers executed with subtlety and grace. Excellent pacing and likeable people make this an enjoyably easy read. Roll on the next one!
Profile Image for helen.
254 reviews2 followers
April 18, 2015
Brilliant

I have read both bookes. Both exciting and original. I love the caricatures. Please hurry up and right the next book
Profile Image for Vicki - I Love Reading.
961 reviews56 followers
Read
August 11, 2021
Book 2.

Another enjoyable and interesting read.
A body has been found in a frozen lake, bringing a gruesome act of evil into the light. This is enough to get your intersted mind wondering what the heck has gone on. Thats certainly how I felt when I read that line.
If a chilling thriller is what you enjoy, then this book needs adding to your TBR. It's been on my TBR for far to long and I can't belive it has taken me all this time to finally get around to reading it.
I'm so glad I chose this book as at the time of starting it I couldnt decide what I needed to read, so I chose to go to the oldest book on my kindle. It's sickening knowing such a good read has been waiting for me all this time.

This story certainly didn;t disappoint.
3 reviews
April 1, 2022
Personally i really liked it i completed it in two days
Although it is kind of slow at the starting it picks up the pace as it approaches the middle.
The ending is quite satisfying.
If you are looking for something to read through the weekend, then i would say go for it.
It's the type of book you read at night when it's raining outside with a hot beverage in hand and you just can't put the book down.
4/5 recommended.
17 reviews
July 26, 2022
Exciting read from beginning to end

Looking forward to the next instalment of Claire Winters, I'm warming to her! Couldn't put it down. I love a story with a twist and this book definitely does.
228 reviews
January 14, 2025
A fantastic second installment!
It’s fast-paced and really well written. I didn’t quite get the villain’s motivations or why one of his accomplices was on board, but it was still a total page-turner!
8 reviews
July 23, 2018
Brilliant!

Great author. Totally addicted to her books. Such a thrilling read from start to finish. A definite ‘can’t put it down’ book.
Profile Image for david carlile.
224 reviews3 followers
February 20, 2019
Excellent

A real page turner I must say the story got better and better the more I read if you like the chase then you will enjoy this book
Profile Image for David Highton.
3,735 reviews31 followers
April 21, 2020
Slightly better than the first in the series, but still poor chacterisation and a loose plot
Profile Image for Celeste Ní raois.
253 reviews4 followers
March 7, 2016
Thanks to Carina UK, I received a copy of this as part of the #CarinaCrimeClub in exchange for an honest review.......

DCI Claire Winters and her team are back in the second book in these series to investigate another case involving a body that has been found in a frozen lake around Guy Fawkes night but the victim, a prostitute had been reported missing by her to friends only days earlier. As the investigation into her death gathers pace, the pathologist that has examined the body and discloses how the victim was killed, they get another phone call comes in that another girl, a solicitor is also reported missing by her husband but as the body count mounts up it's a race to uncover the twisted mind behind the crimes. Claire finds herself in a race against time to connect the dots between a host of devastating secrets but as Claire begins to get closer to the victim’s family what it reveals turns her murder case into something far more sinister.....

I didn't like it, I LOVED it, I thought it was much better than the first book For all Our Sins, it was fast paced with twists and turns right from the start. I did have my suspicions and I didn't know who to trust either. I felt that DCI Claire Winters' character was much stronger in this book than in the first. The sociopath character was absolutely brilliant, well written and cleverly constructed. They were everything you'd expect with a sociopath - cold, calculating, manipulating and has no regard for anyone's feelings or who they hurt on their path of destruction. At times, I could feel I was right there with the victims.

I am looking forward to reading more from T.M.E. Walsh and hope it won't be too long until another DCI Claire Winters book is amongst us.
Profile Image for Stephanie.
976 reviews16 followers
September 4, 2016
I haven’t read the first in the series of books to feature Claire Winters, For All Our Sins so didn’t know what to expect. I sometimes struggle reading out of sequence, especially if it’s a new author for me but I could follow this with no problem. There were a few references to a previous case but no spoilers.
The killings started immediately and there were quite a few of them throughout the novel. This book is slightly different; I can’t remember ever reading a novel where the reader gets to know the victim before they were killed. I found it much more personal and at times quite sad.
There were a couple of characters that I initially disliked but they did show a more likeable side to them as the novel progressed. I really liked Claire, she has her problems and not all of them are job related.
I did solve some of the case as I was reading, but got most of it, including the killer wrong. There were a few teasers and I probably fell for every one of them.
I really enjoyed this novel, I’m looking forward to reading its prequel very soon and hopefully the series will continue.
With thanks to the publisher for the copy received.

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Profile Image for Andrew.
185 reviews4 followers
March 3, 2016
The Principle of Evil is a very good read. A complex protagonist in DCI Winters. Would be more fully realized had I read the first book in the series. Which I need to do and would recommend.

Ms. Walsh has kept the prose and the pace tight. The book reads much quicker than I had anticipated. But this could also be explained by a few late nights with the book. She keeps you guessing as to who the killer is until the end. Wherein lies my one complaint. The ending seems a little thrown together. New characters are introduced and the sudden urge of the killer to turn his attention to DCI Winters seemed a tad cliched and forced. But again this is a minor complaint which doesn't diminish the overall read. But again this is a minor complaint which doesn't diminish the overall read. Ms. Walsh is a new author to be followed with interest.

I was provided a copy of this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.


144 reviews2 followers
October 28, 2016
A chilling story, literally.

Sometimes the second and following books don't always live up to the expectations gained from the first. But so far so good, and book number two is just as good as the first.
Another gripping story with an interesting plot, and with plenty of murders and an exceptionally evil murderer who gets his comeuppance in a satisfying way. Set in the depths of winter, the descriptions of which had me really feeling the cold weather and reaching for woolly socks and jumpers.
A new arrival on the team with a shonky background who gets peoples backs up in the beginning, but who may turn out to be OK in the next book if he's still around. And of course the main protagonist herself who although she leads her team admirably, has demons of her own to contend with.
So another 5* from me, and I will look forward to reading number three in the series.
Profile Image for LaShana.
1,171 reviews16 followers
February 21, 2016
I tried to like the 2nd book by T.M.E. Walsh, and for the most part, it was an ok read. However, DCI Winters and the rest of her team are lacking in personality and it makes it hard to root for them. Also, the writing was choppy this go round. As soon as you start understanding something, the book switches to another person and what they are going through/feeling/thinking. I will still read books by this author, but the books will never be a "must read".
Profile Image for Melissa.
1,224 reviews36 followers
March 6, 2016
This is a well-paced and engaging thriller that reads a lot like the Detective Helen Grace series. I haven't read the first one in this series (which is usually a big no no for me), but in this case it didn't really seem to matter. Full disclosure: some parts of this book are a bit graphic in its descriptions (it is about a serial killer).
24 reviews2 followers
June 22, 2016
Question

I'm sorry for doing this I know its supposed to be à review but I cant afford to buy books unless there new to me and this book I swear iv'e read it before has it been released before would anyone know???? Its called The Principle of Evil by T.M.E Walsh buying this book means I don't have the funds for another so can u sort it please Hope fully it was just à mistake
Profile Image for Shell Swinscoe.
478 reviews1 follower
January 11, 2015
awesome read I stopped up until 2am reading it...was really disappointed when I had to go to sleep with 45 minutes of the book left lol
fantastic to see a strong female lead character who knows what she wants.
Profile Image for Sam.
319 reviews20 followers
May 24, 2016
3.5* Better than book than book 1. I enjoyed the story but still feel the character development could be improved.
11.4k reviews192 followers
February 20, 2016
Too much violence against women for me. I'm sure others will enjoy how Claire works out the crime but I couldn't get past the first 50 pages. THanks to NETGALLEY for the ARC.
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