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DI Amy Winter #1
Truth and Lies
10 hours, 22 minutes
Meet Amy Winter: Detective Inspector, daughter of a serial killer.
DI Amy Winter is hoping to follow in the footsteps of her highly respected police officer father. But when a letter arrives from the prison cell of Lillian Grimes, one half of a notorious husband-and-wife serial-killer team, it contains a revelation that will tear her life apart.
Responsible for a string of heinous killings decades ago, Lillian is pure evil. A psychopathic murderer. And Amy’s biological mother. Now, she is ready to reveal the location of three of her victims—but only if Amy plays along with her twisted game.
While her fellow detectives frantically search for a young girl taken from her mother’s doorstep, Amy must confront her own dark past. Haunted by blurred memories of a sister who sacrificed herself to save her, Amy faces a race against time to uncover the missing bodies.
But what if, from behind bars, Grimes has been pulling the strings even tighter than Amy thought? And can she overcome her demons to prevent another murder?
Meet Amy Winter: Detective Inspector, daughter of a serial killer.
DI Amy Winter is hoping to follow in the footsteps of her highly respected police officer father. But when a letter arrives from the prison cell of Lillian Grimes, one half of a notorious husband-and-wife serial-killer team, it contains a revelation that will tear her life apart.
Responsible for a string of heinous killings decades ago, Lillian is pure evil. A psychopathic murderer. And Amy’s biological mother. Now, she is ready to reveal the location of three of her victims—but only if Amy plays along with her twisted game.
While her fellow detectives frantically search for a young girl taken from her mother’s doorstep, Amy must confront her own dark past. Haunted by blurred memories of a sister who sacrificed herself to save her, Amy faces a race against time to uncover the missing bodies.
But what if, from behind bars, Grimes has been pulling the strings even tighter than Amy thought? And can she overcome her demons to prevent another murder?
11 pages, Audible Audio
First published August 30, 2018
5079 people are currently reading
7812 people want to read
About the author
Caroline Mitchell
41 books2,167 followersNew York Times, USA Today, Washington Post and International #1 Bestselling Author. Shortlisted by the International Thriller Awards for best ebook 2017 and the Killer Nashville Best Police Procedural 2018.
** See all my books in order here: https://caroline-writes.com/books **
**Join my writing course here: https://www.caroline-mitchell.com **
Now available:
Amy Winter thriller series: https://geni.us/AmySeries
Slayton thriller series: https://geni.us/Slaytonseries
Jennifer Knight thriller series: https://geni.us/JKSeries
The Islanders psych thriller: https://geni.us/TheIslandersCM
The Village psych thriller: https://geni.us/thevillage
** See all my books in order here: https://caroline-writes.com/books **
**Join my writing course here: https://www.caroline-mitchell.com **
Now available:
Amy Winter thriller series: https://geni.us/AmySeries
Slayton thriller series: https://geni.us/Slaytonseries
Jennifer Knight thriller series: https://geni.us/JKSeries
The Islanders psych thriller: https://geni.us/TheIslandersCM
The Village psych thriller: https://geni.us/thevillage
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,025 reviews
August 24, 2018
A great crime thriller should keep the reader on the edge of their seat as they anticipate what is about to come next - this is where Caroline Mitchell excels and she never lets me down.
DI Amy Winter hopes to be a highly respected police officer just like her father before her, but when she receives a letter from the infamous Lillian Grimes, her whole world promises to fall apart. Grimes is one half of the psychopathic husband and wife team of serial killers. This letter wasn’t sent at random though because Grimes informs Amy that she is her biological mother!
Grimes is willing to reveal the burial sites of her final 3 victims, but only if Amy will play along with her twisted little games. Grimes is a manipulative person and, who cares if her daughter is a DI, she won’t treat her any differently to anyone else. Amy finds herself in an impossible situation, creating a conflict of interest on the one hand, but on the other, Grimes insists that only Amy can have this information! Running alongside all of this is a kidnapping case involving the young teenage daughter of a TV personality which leads to a surprising twist!
Truth and Lies was a deftly constructed narrative that touched all the bases appreciated by readers of this genre, without reducing them to tired clichés. Caroline Mitchell has all the necessary experience needed via her former career as a Metropolitan Police Detective to portray the darker aspects of contemporary British life, from our fascination with violent crime to the compulsion to share anything and everything on social media.
Oh boy this was a terrific read that raced along at quite a pace, and was completely and utterly engaging. The first in a new series is always welcomed with a degree of reticence- will it live up to other offerings from the author? Well fear not, Caroline Mitchell has done it again, absolutely brilliant, and I loved DI Amy Winter - looks like the start of a great new series !
* Thank you to Netgalley and Thomas and Mercer for my Arc in exchange for an honest unbiased review *
DI Amy Winter hopes to be a highly respected police officer just like her father before her, but when she receives a letter from the infamous Lillian Grimes, her whole world promises to fall apart. Grimes is one half of the psychopathic husband and wife team of serial killers. This letter wasn’t sent at random though because Grimes informs Amy that she is her biological mother!
Grimes is willing to reveal the burial sites of her final 3 victims, but only if Amy will play along with her twisted little games. Grimes is a manipulative person and, who cares if her daughter is a DI, she won’t treat her any differently to anyone else. Amy finds herself in an impossible situation, creating a conflict of interest on the one hand, but on the other, Grimes insists that only Amy can have this information! Running alongside all of this is a kidnapping case involving the young teenage daughter of a TV personality which leads to a surprising twist!
Truth and Lies was a deftly constructed narrative that touched all the bases appreciated by readers of this genre, without reducing them to tired clichés. Caroline Mitchell has all the necessary experience needed via her former career as a Metropolitan Police Detective to portray the darker aspects of contemporary British life, from our fascination with violent crime to the compulsion to share anything and everything on social media.
Oh boy this was a terrific read that raced along at quite a pace, and was completely and utterly engaging. The first in a new series is always welcomed with a degree of reticence- will it live up to other offerings from the author? Well fear not, Caroline Mitchell has done it again, absolutely brilliant, and I loved DI Amy Winter - looks like the start of a great new series !
* Thank you to Netgalley and Thomas and Mercer for my Arc in exchange for an honest unbiased review *
September 5, 2018
Suspenseful new police procedural series led by an intelligent DI who has quite an intriguing past.
While DI Amy Winter is morning the death of her beloved father, she is stunned when she receives a letter call from Lillian Grimes, a woman serving life in prison for the murdering the teenage girls that she and her husband kidnapped, raped, and murdered. Lillian makes Amy an offer she can't refuse: She will reveal to Amy where the girls are buried if Amy complies with all of her requests. She also provides Amy with some interesting information about her childhood. Amy gives into Lillian’s demands, but she might be playing right into this psychopath's hands.
Amy now must now battle childhood demons, a manipulative psychopath, and as well as an elusive kidnapper.
There are multiple storylines and several different narrators including, Amy, Poppy, Paddy, Hemmy, and Lilian. It’s a little confusing at first, but everything comes together. Amy has the largest role. Her colleague Paddy also has a major storyline.
The ending wraps up a little too neatly (or so it seems until we get to the final page). I am not sure how I feel Elaine’s revelation but more about that can hopefully be answered in the next book. There are some very sick and twisted scenes that involve rape, physical violence, and domestic abuse.
This is a well-plotted, character-driven first installment in the DI Amy Winter series. Amy’s character is a force to be reckoned with. The reader gets to know her very well, but I wanted to know more about the years between her childhood and the present moment. Paddy was also quite likable. The ending along with the revelation of Amy’s background set things up to make the next installment very interesting.
I really don't have time for another series, but I couldn't resist reading this after seeing so many glowing reviews from my Goodreads friends. I recommend to those who enjoy police procedurals.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and Amazon UK Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
While DI Amy Winter is morning the death of her beloved father, she is stunned when she receives a letter call from Lillian Grimes, a woman serving life in prison for the murdering the teenage girls that she and her husband kidnapped, raped, and murdered. Lillian makes Amy an offer she can't refuse: She will reveal to Amy where the girls are buried if Amy complies with all of her requests. She also provides Amy with some interesting information about her childhood. Amy gives into Lillian’s demands, but she might be playing right into this psychopath's hands.
Amy now must now battle childhood demons, a manipulative psychopath, and as well as an elusive kidnapper.
There are multiple storylines and several different narrators including, Amy, Poppy, Paddy, Hemmy, and Lilian. It’s a little confusing at first, but everything comes together. Amy has the largest role. Her colleague Paddy also has a major storyline.
The ending wraps up a little too neatly (or so it seems until we get to the final page). I am not sure how I feel Elaine’s revelation but more about that can hopefully be answered in the next book. There are some very sick and twisted scenes that involve rape, physical violence, and domestic abuse.
This is a well-plotted, character-driven first installment in the DI Amy Winter series. Amy’s character is a force to be reckoned with. The reader gets to know her very well, but I wanted to know more about the years between her childhood and the present moment. Paddy was also quite likable. The ending along with the revelation of Amy’s background set things up to make the next installment very interesting.
I really don't have time for another series, but I couldn't resist reading this after seeing so many glowing reviews from my Goodreads friends. I recommend to those who enjoy police procedurals.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and Amazon UK Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
November 16, 2018
A thrilling cat & mouse chase between good & evil!
DI Amy Winter is a strong, resilient and respected police officer. She wants nothing more than to make her recently deceased police officer father proud. Then she receives a letter from Lillian Grimes, one half of a notorious and prolific serial murder duo, claiming she is her birth mother.
This book had some serious good versus evil vibes between Amy & Lillian. I enjoyed their back and forth push and pull. Lillian is pure evil. She is a master manipulator, excelling at mind games. Amy never backs down, despite the turmoil she endures as her childhood memories begin to resurface. Amy must face her past in order to uncover the location of long hidden bodies and possibly save a young girl's life.
The story took some well crafted twists & turns and left us with a very enticing cliffhanger. Mitchell certainly has an excellent start to a series here. I look forward to seeing what book 2 has in store for Amy.
DI Amy Winter is a strong, resilient and respected police officer. She wants nothing more than to make her recently deceased police officer father proud. Then she receives a letter from Lillian Grimes, one half of a notorious and prolific serial murder duo, claiming she is her birth mother.
This book had some serious good versus evil vibes between Amy & Lillian. I enjoyed their back and forth push and pull. Lillian is pure evil. She is a master manipulator, excelling at mind games. Amy never backs down, despite the turmoil she endures as her childhood memories begin to resurface. Amy must face her past in order to uncover the location of long hidden bodies and possibly save a young girl's life.
The story took some well crafted twists & turns and left us with a very enticing cliffhanger. Mitchell certainly has an excellent start to a series here. I look forward to seeing what book 2 has in store for Amy.
April 21, 2021
Truth and Lies (DI Amy Winter #1) by Caroline Mitchell (Author), Elizabeth Knowelden (Narrator)
Based on the reviews of some of my friends, and also because book #4 looks good, I decided to give the DI Amy Winter series a try. I'm now on book #2 and there is a feeling of it being a small world with this series. Amy comes with a huge amount of baggage and it's a wonder that she is able to do her job so well. On the other hand, her adopted father was a highly respected police officer who solved a huge serial killer case and he taught Amy well, both about doing the job and how to live life with honor and dignity.
It's after her father's death that Amy finds out from her biological mother that she is the child of serial killers. And one of them wants to tell her the locations of three of the bodies. As Amy works this case, she's upset that her father didn't tell her about her past but she is also dealing with awakened repressed memories of the horrors of her birth home. Even though she was just four years old when she was rescued from that home, Amy feels intense guilt for the murders that her parents committed, as if she, a four year old, could have saved the girls and women.
This is a tense and enjoyable read and sometimes has a soap opera-ish feel due to office politics and secrets. Now that I'm on to book #2, I definitely suggest reading the books in order even though the author does a good job of relating what happens in the first book, during events in the second book. Amy is a strong woman who has hardened herself because of the scars from her first life. It's only now, when the memories of the horrors are truly coming back to her, that she struggles with who she was and who she is in the present.
Published September 13th 2018
This was a Kindle Unlimited audio selection.
Based on the reviews of some of my friends, and also because book #4 looks good, I decided to give the DI Amy Winter series a try. I'm now on book #2 and there is a feeling of it being a small world with this series. Amy comes with a huge amount of baggage and it's a wonder that she is able to do her job so well. On the other hand, her adopted father was a highly respected police officer who solved a huge serial killer case and he taught Amy well, both about doing the job and how to live life with honor and dignity.
It's after her father's death that Amy finds out from her biological mother that she is the child of serial killers. And one of them wants to tell her the locations of three of the bodies. As Amy works this case, she's upset that her father didn't tell her about her past but she is also dealing with awakened repressed memories of the horrors of her birth home. Even though she was just four years old when she was rescued from that home, Amy feels intense guilt for the murders that her parents committed, as if she, a four year old, could have saved the girls and women.
This is a tense and enjoyable read and sometimes has a soap opera-ish feel due to office politics and secrets. Now that I'm on to book #2, I definitely suggest reading the books in order even though the author does a good job of relating what happens in the first book, during events in the second book. Amy is a strong woman who has hardened herself because of the scars from her first life. It's only now, when the memories of the horrors are truly coming back to her, that she struggles with who she was and who she is in the present.
Published September 13th 2018
This was a Kindle Unlimited audio selection.
September 17, 2018
Beasts of Brentwood killer receives life sentence Lillian Grimes, one half of the deadly duo nicknamed the ‘Beasts of Brentwood’, has been sentenced to life imprisonment at Chelmsford Crown Court for the murder of nine young women.
Justice Michael Devine told the prolific serial killer, who denied all involvement, that she was a danger to the public and should never be released. Bodies of six young women, aged from thirteen to twenty-three, were found on the grounds of 13 Newbold Street in Brentwood, home to Lillian and husband Jack Grimes from 1972. They included the remains of their daughter, Sally-Ann Grimes, which were discovered behind a boarded-up fireplace.
The 34-year-old mother of four repeatedly voiced her innocence as she was convicted, despite overwhelming evidence against her. Evidence that, according to her solicitor, was manipulated by police to obtain a successful charge. She will be appealing the verdict. Lillian’s husband Jack, 39, was found dead in his cell two months before trial, when he was reportedly preparing to disclose the whereabouts of three of the victims. According to officials, his death was caused by an undiagnosed heart condition. Jack and Lillian Grimes were arrested following a social care visit to their home in connection with the disappearance of fifteen-year-old Sally-Ann Grimes. The couple’s remaining three children have been taken into care.
I was drawn immediately into this story. This book is a chilling thriller with lots of twists. I kept guessing and guessing and was wrong everytime and didn't find out things until the very end. This is one great serial killer thriller which was gripping and suspenseful. This was a real thrill ride that kept me on the edge of my seat. Lots of surprises in this one. The ending made me hold my breath and I had to come up for air.
Lots of unlikable characters with lots of flaws. Lillian was such an evil monster.
There were likable characters too. My favorite was Amy, who went through so much. She was one strong woman. I just love this author. I can't wait for book two to come out.
I read this with The Traveling Sister Group and I enjoyed reading this with them and reading their thoughts.
I want to thank Netgalley, Caroline Mitchell and Thomas & Mercer for the copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
September 12, 2018
3.5, the ultimate game of cat and mouse stars!!
Meet DI Amy Winter - currently mourning the loss of her beloved and esteemed father Robert Winter. Robert spent the majority of his career working on incarcerating a husband and wife, serial-killing duo dubbed "The Beasts of Brentwood" and finding the remains of three last girls that have been missing since Lillian and Jack grimes were arrested.
I am your birth mother. The person who gave you life.
Amy receives a letter from Lillian Grimes and within this letter is a truth Amy has left buried and forgotten from her childhood. She, is the biological daughter of The Beasts of Brentwood. With this shocking realization of a past she was lucky to have forgotten this story takes off on a tale full of twists and turns as far as the eye can read.
Lillian has agreed to disclose the locations of the remains of the last three girls in exchange for deals with Amy. During this same time, another girl goes missing and the hunt is on as these two parallel story lines weave together to form a web of tangled lies and deceit as Amy struggles with her past, her personal demons and her job as DI.
Amy felt a knot grow between her shoulder blades as Lillian dangled her like a marionette.
This story drew me in immediately, not only with the premise but with the knock-out that was the first few pages. However, as things progressed the story got a lot more convoluted which led to a lack of development in the many story lines taking place here. The majority of our story follows Amy and the hunt for Hermonie (our currently missing child) and the remains of the last 3 victims of The Beasts of Brentwood. However, we're also given the point of view of Poppy (Amy's birth name), which gives us insight into the past and the horrors Amy faced as a child. Additional side-characters are also given air-time and it created quite a lot of story to follow along and some of the arcs seemed to end haphazardly without explanation.
While psychopaths could not feel empathy, they made an art of mimicking it to suit their own needs.
The last quarter of this book was chock-full of twists and turns that I definitely didn't see coming. While in some cases that's great and exciting, in others it means it came out of left field. Truth and Lies delivered both in spades. A few of the twists were shockers for me that amplified my enjoyment of the read overall and others were a bit far fetched. My main gripe and disappointment with this one is it felt that Mitchell wanted the mystery of Amy's past to propel you to the end, instead of the story engaging you enough to finish.
In the end, I feel what this lacked the most was development. There were simply so many story lines that there feasibly couldn't be enough development into them in this short of a novel. I don't think it should've been longer but I do feel some of the story lines could've been eliminated to create a more fluid and concise read. All in all, it was a good start to a promising series and I can see why so many enjoyed it. While I may not be picking up the second installment any time soon I look forward to seeing how future books in the series are received!
I completed this as a Traveling Sisters read. Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and Netgalley for a copy of this ARC.
Meet DI Amy Winter - currently mourning the loss of her beloved and esteemed father Robert Winter. Robert spent the majority of his career working on incarcerating a husband and wife, serial-killing duo dubbed "The Beasts of Brentwood" and finding the remains of three last girls that have been missing since Lillian and Jack grimes were arrested.
I am your birth mother. The person who gave you life.
Amy receives a letter from Lillian Grimes and within this letter is a truth Amy has left buried and forgotten from her childhood. She, is the biological daughter of The Beasts of Brentwood. With this shocking realization of a past she was lucky to have forgotten this story takes off on a tale full of twists and turns as far as the eye can read.
Lillian has agreed to disclose the locations of the remains of the last three girls in exchange for deals with Amy. During this same time, another girl goes missing and the hunt is on as these two parallel story lines weave together to form a web of tangled lies and deceit as Amy struggles with her past, her personal demons and her job as DI.
Amy felt a knot grow between her shoulder blades as Lillian dangled her like a marionette.
This story drew me in immediately, not only with the premise but with the knock-out that was the first few pages. However, as things progressed the story got a lot more convoluted which led to a lack of development in the many story lines taking place here. The majority of our story follows Amy and the hunt for Hermonie (our currently missing child) and the remains of the last 3 victims of The Beasts of Brentwood. However, we're also given the point of view of Poppy (Amy's birth name), which gives us insight into the past and the horrors Amy faced as a child. Additional side-characters are also given air-time and it created quite a lot of story to follow along and some of the arcs seemed to end haphazardly without explanation.
While psychopaths could not feel empathy, they made an art of mimicking it to suit their own needs.
The last quarter of this book was chock-full of twists and turns that I definitely didn't see coming. While in some cases that's great and exciting, in others it means it came out of left field. Truth and Lies delivered both in spades. A few of the twists were shockers for me that amplified my enjoyment of the read overall and others were a bit far fetched. My main gripe and disappointment with this one is it felt that Mitchell wanted the mystery of Amy's past to propel you to the end, instead of the story engaging you enough to finish.
In the end, I feel what this lacked the most was development. There were simply so many story lines that there feasibly couldn't be enough development into them in this short of a novel. I don't think it should've been longer but I do feel some of the story lines could've been eliminated to create a more fluid and concise read. All in all, it was a good start to a promising series and I can see why so many enjoyed it. While I may not be picking up the second installment any time soon I look forward to seeing how future books in the series are received!
I completed this as a Traveling Sisters read. Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and Netgalley for a copy of this ARC.
January 9, 2019
A Gripping & Relentless Thriller
Even if you forget your past, it still remembers you.
DI Amy Winter has a lot going for her: Young, Competent and a rising star in the police force. Apart from being the daughter of a highly respected police officer father, she is also leading the investigation on several crucial cases. Still grieving after the demise of her father, Amy receives a letter from a prison inmate and her whole world comes crashing down.
Amy is not the daughter of a police officer but the daughter of a notorious serial-killer couple. Responsible for a string of heinous murders of young girls, her father is now dead and her mother is now incarcerated. Now, she wants to make a deal with Amy—but only if Amy plays along with her twisted game. Amy must confront her own dark past. Amidst the drama, Amy faces a race against time to solve a high stakes kidnapping case. Can Amy overcome all the odds in the most challenging case of her career?
Scars have the strange power to remind us that our past is real.
Reading a new detective series right from the series is always a joy & as the first book in the DI Amy Winter Series, Truth and Lies delivers. As a story, Truth and Lies is an excellent psychological thriller and one of the best starts to a detective series. The book wastes little time in introducing the cast and dives straightaway in the plot. The story is extremely fast paced with twists & turns right till the end. The story keeps shifting from the past to the present, or from Amy’s story to the kidnapping case, without losing momentum. Despite the multiple storylines, the story never gets confusing.
The mind games between Amy & her mother, Lilian were the most interesting part of the story. Like a chess game, the moves go back & forth right till the end. The climax of this book and the final revelation were both well done. It would interesting to see how the storyline between Amy & Lilian plays out in the next book. My only gripe with the story is that major focus was on Amy’s story and the current police case was relegated slightly to the background.
As for the characters, characters of Amy & Lilian were really well written. Amy’s resilience, despite the turmoil in her personal life was well brought out.
Caroline Mitchell is a former CID with an experience in handing abuse cases. Her knowledge clearly reflects throughout the book. Her attention to detail regarding investigation, police protocol and especially the flashbacks were top notch. All in all, Truth & Lies is an excellent police procedural and a great start to an exciting series. I am really looking forward to seeing what book #2 has in store for Amy. Read this book before the next book is published later this year.
Many thanks to Amazon Publishing UK, Thomas & Mercer, the author Caroline Mitchell and NetGalley for the ARC.
Even if you forget your past, it still remembers you.
DI Amy Winter has a lot going for her: Young, Competent and a rising star in the police force. Apart from being the daughter of a highly respected police officer father, she is also leading the investigation on several crucial cases. Still grieving after the demise of her father, Amy receives a letter from a prison inmate and her whole world comes crashing down.
Amy is not the daughter of a police officer but the daughter of a notorious serial-killer couple. Responsible for a string of heinous murders of young girls, her father is now dead and her mother is now incarcerated. Now, she wants to make a deal with Amy—but only if Amy plays along with her twisted game. Amy must confront her own dark past. Amidst the drama, Amy faces a race against time to solve a high stakes kidnapping case. Can Amy overcome all the odds in the most challenging case of her career?
Scars have the strange power to remind us that our past is real.
Reading a new detective series right from the series is always a joy & as the first book in the DI Amy Winter Series, Truth and Lies delivers. As a story, Truth and Lies is an excellent psychological thriller and one of the best starts to a detective series. The book wastes little time in introducing the cast and dives straightaway in the plot. The story is extremely fast paced with twists & turns right till the end. The story keeps shifting from the past to the present, or from Amy’s story to the kidnapping case, without losing momentum. Despite the multiple storylines, the story never gets confusing.
The mind games between Amy & her mother, Lilian were the most interesting part of the story. Like a chess game, the moves go back & forth right till the end. The climax of this book and the final revelation were both well done. It would interesting to see how the storyline between Amy & Lilian plays out in the next book. My only gripe with the story is that major focus was on Amy’s story and the current police case was relegated slightly to the background.
As for the characters, characters of Amy & Lilian were really well written. Amy’s resilience, despite the turmoil in her personal life was well brought out.
Caroline Mitchell is a former CID with an experience in handing abuse cases. Her knowledge clearly reflects throughout the book. Her attention to detail regarding investigation, police protocol and especially the flashbacks were top notch. All in all, Truth & Lies is an excellent police procedural and a great start to an exciting series. I am really looking forward to seeing what book #2 has in store for Amy. Read this book before the next book is published later this year.
Many thanks to Amazon Publishing UK, Thomas & Mercer, the author Caroline Mitchell and NetGalley for the ARC.
July 6, 2018
This is the first book of a new series by the Caroline Mitchell featuring DI Amy Winter. I have read every book published by the author and not only enjoyed them immensely but have always been impressed by the consistently high standard set by her. This book is sure to be another top seller and I am sure the series will grow and grow. The main focus of the book "Amy" is complex as all good thriller characters tend to be and she has dark secrets that she would prefer stay that way.
DI Amy Winter hopes to follow in the footsteps of her highly respected police officer father and all is progressing rather well until she receives a letter from the prison cell of Lillian Grimes. The writer of the letter was half of the notorious husband and wife serial killers who committed a series of killings many years ago. The letter contains a revelation that will change Amy for ever and shatter her life as she knows it.
Lillian Grimes is a psychopathic murderer and Amy’s biological mother and she now wants to reveal the location of three of her victims but at a cost. Amy's work colleagues actively search for a young missing girl who was kidnapped from her home while Amy must face her own dark past and try to uncover the missing bodies.
Thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it to all my Goodread friends. One more point, I was honoured to be included as a minor character in Amy's team in this book and it was a great thrill for me. I have proudly told everyone who will listen to me and have great hopes to be included in future books in this series.
I would like to thank the author Caroline Mitchell for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
DI Amy Winter hopes to follow in the footsteps of her highly respected police officer father and all is progressing rather well until she receives a letter from the prison cell of Lillian Grimes. The writer of the letter was half of the notorious husband and wife serial killers who committed a series of killings many years ago. The letter contains a revelation that will change Amy for ever and shatter her life as she knows it.
Lillian Grimes is a psychopathic murderer and Amy’s biological mother and she now wants to reveal the location of three of her victims but at a cost. Amy's work colleagues actively search for a young missing girl who was kidnapped from her home while Amy must face her own dark past and try to uncover the missing bodies.
Thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it to all my Goodread friends. One more point, I was honoured to be included as a minor character in Amy's team in this book and it was a great thrill for me. I have proudly told everyone who will listen to me and have great hopes to be included in future books in this series.
I would like to thank the author Caroline Mitchell for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
August 17, 2018
I am a big fan of Caroline Mitchell, especially her Ruby Preston series. So, I was anxious to read about her new DI, Amy Winters. Amy has just lost her adoptive father, a respected police supervisor. Early in the book she learns her birth parents were serial murderers. Her birth mother, still alive and in prison, promises to reveal the whereabouts of three unfound victims if Amy visits. Mitchell does a great job of painting Lillian as a true psychopath. Her promises to provide the information will come at a cost for Amy.
There are multiple storylines here. Not just Amy’s, but her DS Paddy also has his own secrets. And they’re handling a high profile kidnapping.
This book raises interesting questions about the whole nature vs. nurture issue. Does Amy really have tainted blood? I also like seeing Amy in comparison to her siblings who weren’t fortunate enough to be adopted by a loving family.
It’s also a timely book with sexism in the workplace rearing its ugly head.
This is a well done police procedural. Amy is a well defined, three dimensional character. Mitchell isn’t one for fancy writing but she hits the nail on the head with some of her observations. “The two women were lost. Powerless. Whoever had taken Hemmy had robbed them of everything. Involuntary spectators, all they could do was stand by and watch events play out.”
The pace of the book is fast and the story is engrossing. As with so many mysteries, you get the sense early on how the stories will come together, but that didn’t dampen the appeal for me. It also didn’t mean that I had any clue who the kidnapper was or how the ending was going to play out. I’ll be anxious for book two in the series.
My thanks to netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for an advance copy of this book.
May 17, 2019
Lindsay and I read Truth and Lies with three of our Traveling Sisters and this one goes on my list of one of the best thriller I have read in a while. For the most part we all had similar thoughts on this however one sister did see some things differently
For me these fascinating and interesting characters and the dynamics between them really made the story for me. Along with the mind games and manipulation played here I was intrigued and chilled at the same time with these mind games.
First we meet strong, confident and respected Detective Inspector Amy whose's world becomes to unhinged when she finds out she is biological daughter of serial killers.
Then we meet Amy's mother, dark minded, manipulative and terrifying Lillian a psychopathic killer wanting to play some dark and chilling mind games with Amy. Amy not wanting to have anything to do with her mother and her games is forced to go along with it to get some information from Lillian. We loved the dynamics here between them and were fascinated by them. Caroline Mitchell does a great job her creating a chilling and terrifying killer here with no empathy or remorse making Lillian one of the best psychopath I have read about. We were drawn into Amy's struggles with accepting and questioning who she was and is.
Truth and Lies is gripping right from the start to the finish however some of us did think maybe Caroline Mitchell did pushed that ending just a bit with a couple of the twists that we felt might not have been needed. As anyways this makes for an interesting discussion and always fun to see everyone's different thoughts.
I highly recommend this one to readers who love a chilling, evil and manipulative psychopath the kind so unlikable and horrible that you can't but find her fantasying and likeable as a character.
Thank you from both of us to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer and Caroline Mitchell for a copy to read and review.
For me these fascinating and interesting characters and the dynamics between them really made the story for me. Along with the mind games and manipulation played here I was intrigued and chilled at the same time with these mind games.
First we meet strong, confident and respected Detective Inspector Amy whose's world becomes to unhinged when she finds out she is biological daughter of serial killers.
Then we meet Amy's mother, dark minded, manipulative and terrifying Lillian a psychopathic killer wanting to play some dark and chilling mind games with Amy. Amy not wanting to have anything to do with her mother and her games is forced to go along with it to get some information from Lillian. We loved the dynamics here between them and were fascinated by them. Caroline Mitchell does a great job her creating a chilling and terrifying killer here with no empathy or remorse making Lillian one of the best psychopath I have read about. We were drawn into Amy's struggles with accepting and questioning who she was and is.
Truth and Lies is gripping right from the start to the finish however some of us did think maybe Caroline Mitchell did pushed that ending just a bit with a couple of the twists that we felt might not have been needed. As anyways this makes for an interesting discussion and always fun to see everyone's different thoughts.
I highly recommend this one to readers who love a chilling, evil and manipulative psychopath the kind so unlikable and horrible that you can't but find her fantasying and likeable as a character.
Thank you from both of us to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer and Caroline Mitchell for a copy to read and review.
December 6, 2018
Well what can I say one of the best books I've read this year,love this author's work.its a story of a four year old girl poppy who's parents are serial killers including her sister death.she gets adopted and her name been changed.but her real mother in prison and wants her to visit her as she says her husband jack hidden bodies and would tell her where they are buried as one of the victim mother is dying and wants to know where she is. But it's not so simple.shes a detective and her mother starts playing mind games.its a thrilling read from start to finish.highly recommend this book and can't wait to book two.
September 23, 2018
4.5 stars!
Highly addictive! Gripping suspense! Unique and twisty plot! Incredible characters! I loved this book!
Detective Inspector Amy Winter is shocked when she receives a letter from the infamous and imprisoned serial killer, Lillian Grimes, explaining that she is her birth mother. Lillian is requesting to reunite with Amy in person to disclose the location of three bodies that have been missing for years. Amy must process her entire childhood under a new light, all the while working against the clock to return the bodies home to their grieving families.
I couldn’t flip these pages fast enough! This is my first book by Caroline Mitchell and I am now a HUGE fan! I absolutely loved her writing – the characters, the dialogue, the atmosphere, the language – it all felt so real and memorable. The narrative and pace were both done to perfection. Though I found a couple aspects of the novel were unnecessary near the end, I still whole-heartedly enjoyed this book and would highly recommend! DI Amy Winter is a fantastic main character – I can’t wait to read more in this series!
This was a Traveling Sister read which was truly enjoyable for all. To find this review, along with the other Traveling Sister reviews, please visit our blog at:
https://twosisterslostinacoulee.com/2...
Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer and Caroline Mitchell for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review! I am eagerly waiting for Book #2 in this series!!
Truth & Lies is available now!
Highly addictive! Gripping suspense! Unique and twisty plot! Incredible characters! I loved this book!
Detective Inspector Amy Winter is shocked when she receives a letter from the infamous and imprisoned serial killer, Lillian Grimes, explaining that she is her birth mother. Lillian is requesting to reunite with Amy in person to disclose the location of three bodies that have been missing for years. Amy must process her entire childhood under a new light, all the while working against the clock to return the bodies home to their grieving families.
I couldn’t flip these pages fast enough! This is my first book by Caroline Mitchell and I am now a HUGE fan! I absolutely loved her writing – the characters, the dialogue, the atmosphere, the language – it all felt so real and memorable. The narrative and pace were both done to perfection. Though I found a couple aspects of the novel were unnecessary near the end, I still whole-heartedly enjoyed this book and would highly recommend! DI Amy Winter is a fantastic main character – I can’t wait to read more in this series!
This was a Traveling Sister read which was truly enjoyable for all. To find this review, along with the other Traveling Sister reviews, please visit our blog at:
https://twosisterslostinacoulee.com/2...
Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer and Caroline Mitchell for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review! I am eagerly waiting for Book #2 in this series!!
Truth & Lies is available now!
August 28, 2018
Gripping, twisty, and sophisticated!
Truth and Lies is an intelligent, suspenseful, police procedural that introduces us to DI Amy Winter, a resilient, determined young woman who finds herself immersed in the investigation to find a missing teen, while also struggling to come to grips with the knowledge that her biological parents were serial killers and three of their victims still need to be found.
The prose is intricate and absorbing. The characters, including the sinister, despicable villainess are intriguing and multilayered. And the plot, including all the subplots, unravel and intertwine into a compelling tale full of deception, abuse, deprivation, manipulation, mayhem, violence, and murder.
Overall, Truth and Lies is a dark, entertaining, creepy read that has all the elements you look for in a thrilling mystery and is an excellent start for the new DI Amy Winter series by Mitchell.
Thank you to Caroline Mitchell and Midas PR for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
All my reviews can be found on my blog at https://whatsbetterthanbooks.com
Truth and Lies is an intelligent, suspenseful, police procedural that introduces us to DI Amy Winter, a resilient, determined young woman who finds herself immersed in the investigation to find a missing teen, while also struggling to come to grips with the knowledge that her biological parents were serial killers and three of their victims still need to be found.
The prose is intricate and absorbing. The characters, including the sinister, despicable villainess are intriguing and multilayered. And the plot, including all the subplots, unravel and intertwine into a compelling tale full of deception, abuse, deprivation, manipulation, mayhem, violence, and murder.
Overall, Truth and Lies is a dark, entertaining, creepy read that has all the elements you look for in a thrilling mystery and is an excellent start for the new DI Amy Winter series by Mitchell.
Thank you to Caroline Mitchell and Midas PR for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
All my reviews can be found on my blog at https://whatsbetterthanbooks.com
October 2, 2018
Caroline Mitchell evidently believes in three and done with her series. A bit nerve wracking for her readers who with three books have enough time to become fond of Mitchell’s characters but hopefully enough not invested enough to heap gentle abuse on her head for starting a new series.
Rest easy my friends, rest easy. Truth and Lies is a stellar beginning to a new series featuring DI Amy Winter. Assuming Amy manages to survive her family.
Amy has a bit of a problem with her relatives; first off, her beloved adopted dad who just recently died turns out to have feet of clay
Feet of clay doesn’t even begin to describe the horror of her birth parents, for they are the Beasts of Brentwood, Jack and Lillian Grimes, serial killers extraordinaire. Jack died before trial. Lillian has remained in prison but is making a play get out. Legally.
First off she is planning on blackmailing Amy for her help, trading contact in exchange for giving up the location of three victims who were never found. Lillian also agrees to keep Amy’s true parentage a secret. That should work out well for Amy.
Lillian’s piece de resistance is forcing Amy to look into the possibility of manufactured evidence being used in her trial and conviction. Evidence possibly manufactured by Amy’s beloved father who adopted her when she was four, practically from the horrific murder house.
However, another young girl is kidnapped and it is beginning to look as if Lillian might know something about that particular horror and Lillian is working very had to parlay that crime to her advantage.
Caroline Mitchell excels in her portrayals of psychopaths and dysfunctional families. (I will always regret DI Ruby Preston , in Mitchell’s previous series, didn’t throat punch her mother-in-law and stab her brother-law)
Mitchell is not too bad in her killing scenes either. We are ‘treated’ to nightmare scenes, some told through the eyes of a four year old. Normally I try to blur my eyes and skim those scenes. Not with Mitchell, I feel as if I should give her the respect she deserves by reading every word.
Mitchell does a great job with her dysfunctional families but she shows equal talent in showing that families come in all shapes and sizes from loving and supportive adoptive parents to mentors who never end their support.
As a bit of lagniappe, there is a secondary story line illustrating that women aren’t always the victims of spousal abuse. An ignored societal ill that I’ve rarely seen addressed.
Mitchell does a good job at keeping the reader invested and intrigued. I had no idea of the identity of the kidnapper. However a character reveal at the end made no sense whatsoever.
Thank you to NetGAlley for an ARC in exchange of a fair and honest review.
Rest easy my friends, rest easy. Truth and Lies is a stellar beginning to a new series featuring DI Amy Winter. Assuming Amy manages to survive her family.
Amy has a bit of a problem with her relatives; first off, her beloved adopted dad who just recently died turns out to have feet of clay
Feet of clay doesn’t even begin to describe the horror of her birth parents, for they are the Beasts of Brentwood, Jack and Lillian Grimes, serial killers extraordinaire. Jack died before trial. Lillian has remained in prison but is making a play get out. Legally.
First off she is planning on blackmailing Amy for her help, trading contact in exchange for giving up the location of three victims who were never found. Lillian also agrees to keep Amy’s true parentage a secret. That should work out well for Amy.
Lillian’s piece de resistance is forcing Amy to look into the possibility of manufactured evidence being used in her trial and conviction. Evidence possibly manufactured by Amy’s beloved father who adopted her when she was four, practically from the horrific murder house.
However, another young girl is kidnapped and it is beginning to look as if Lillian might know something about that particular horror and Lillian is working very had to parlay that crime to her advantage.
Caroline Mitchell excels in her portrayals of psychopaths and dysfunctional families. (I will always regret DI Ruby Preston , in Mitchell’s previous series, didn’t throat punch her mother-in-law and stab her brother-law)
Mitchell is not too bad in her killing scenes either. We are ‘treated’ to nightmare scenes, some told through the eyes of a four year old. Normally I try to blur my eyes and skim those scenes. Not with Mitchell, I feel as if I should give her the respect she deserves by reading every word.
Mitchell does a great job with her dysfunctional families but she shows equal talent in showing that families come in all shapes and sizes from loving and supportive adoptive parents to mentors who never end their support.
As a bit of lagniappe, there is a secondary story line illustrating that women aren’t always the victims of spousal abuse. An ignored societal ill that I’ve rarely seen addressed.
Mitchell does a good job at keeping the reader invested and intrigued. I had no idea of the identity of the kidnapper. However a character reveal at the end made no sense whatsoever.
Thank you to NetGAlley for an ARC in exchange of a fair and honest review.
April 24, 2019
Thrilling
First of all, I have to thank Andrea for recommending this book. I hadn't read any books by this author before.
Truth and lies is a very cleverly constructed story, somehow all elements that we love in this type of novel are here. But she has managed to work them in, without being cliché.
The pace of this story was incredible, jumped back in to the past a few times, but just enough to support the story development. This is a true battle of good versus evil, but who fits into what category? There are so many possible ways this story could have gone. Every time I thought I had worked it out, I was proved wrong.
I said at the start of the review, I hadn't read any of this author before, that is definitely going to change.
First of all, I have to thank Andrea for recommending this book. I hadn't read any books by this author before.
Truth and lies is a very cleverly constructed story, somehow all elements that we love in this type of novel are here. But she has managed to work them in, without being cliché.
The pace of this story was incredible, jumped back in to the past a few times, but just enough to support the story development. This is a true battle of good versus evil, but who fits into what category? There are so many possible ways this story could have gone. Every time I thought I had worked it out, I was proved wrong.
I said at the start of the review, I hadn't read any of this author before, that is definitely going to change.
September 16, 2024
2.5 stars — I decided that my next read would be “Truth and Lies” which has been on my ‘want to read’ list for many years. When I saw that it was available on Kindle Unlimited that made my decision even easier. The book begins with DI Amy Winter grieving the recent death of her adoptive father and fellow police officer, Robert. She is contacted through letter by her biological mother, Lillian, who is a convicted serial killer for the part she played in the murder of several young girls. Lillian offers to provide details of the burial sites of three victims still missing if Amy will meet with her. Meanwhile, Amy is also investigating the recent disappearance of a young teen girl who went missing under suspicious circumstances. The book slowly connects these storylines into a fairly good police procedural. I say “fairly” good because of the many problems I had with the believability of the identities of several character reveals in the book. There were several scenes in the book that also didn’t pass the straight face test. Finally, the rotten cherry on top was the author’s ridiculous effort to have a surprise happy ending that fell flat due to the incredible suspension of common sense required to even think that the events would happen in the way described. In fact if a ghost were thrown into the plot, I would swear I was reading Riley Sager. I guess I won’t be back for the rest of the series.
August 18, 2018
I have been following the work of this author from the beginning of her career and I can honestly say that this is her best work to date. I thought I was being incredibly clever in using this book to reward myself for achieving my own quota of words. BIG MISTAKE!!! From the very first word I was captivated and cast my quota aside to finish the book. The author has created some truly standout characters that along with the engrossing plot drive the story forward at breakneck speed. Lillian Grimes is horrific, cold, ruthless and everything you would expect in a expertly drawn psychopath while appearing completely normal and reasonable. Her brilliant manipulation of everyone around her had me shaking my head with pure enjoyment and an element of fear that people like her truly exist. But, has she met her match in Amy Winter, her own daughter. How much of Lillian exists in Amy? Will Amy be able to hang on to the person she wants to be. What will Lillian try to do to Amy next? So many questions I have while waiting for the next book in the series which can not come quickly enough. For me this book had everything - an excellent police procedural with tension, pace and compelling storyline but with the added psychological element there was nothing more I could have asked for. Can not wait for the next in the series.
November 25, 2018
It’s very exciting when an author you love has a new series to sink you’re teeth into and I couldn’t wait to start this book.
D.I. Amy Winters receives a letter, after the death of her police officer father and discovers her real parents are the notorious serial killers “beasts of Brentwood”. Lillian her mother is in prison and will give her the location of 3 bodies, Only if she jumps through hoops for her!!
A wonderful story that depicts good and evil beautifully and has plenty of twists. An ending that leaves you wanting more. Looking forward to the next book in this series.
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review.
D.I. Amy Winters receives a letter, after the death of her police officer father and discovers her real parents are the notorious serial killers “beasts of Brentwood”. Lillian her mother is in prison and will give her the location of 3 bodies, Only if she jumps through hoops for her!!
A wonderful story that depicts good and evil beautifully and has plenty of twists. An ending that leaves you wanting more. Looking forward to the next book in this series.
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review.
August 12, 2018
Caroline Mitchell has done it again!! DI Amy Winters is amazing and I love her already.... I hope this is the first of a long series about this strong but real detective with a past. If I could give it more than 5 stars I would not hesitate... this book is brilliant!!
This is a police procedural with a twist. Amy Winters wants nothing more than to follow in her highly respected police officer fathers footsteps. She has recently been promoted and life is going well for her. Until she gets a letter from Lillian Grimes - one half of the husband and wife serial killing team from prison. In this letter she tells Amy that she is her biological mother. She also says that she will tell her the location of 3 of her victims, but at a cost to Amy. Lillian is pure evil and likes to play mind games with people. Her world is rocked, so soon after losing her father she must decide what to do now.
Such a great story and a ending that has me hanging for book number 2. Thank you to Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley for my advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased
This is a police procedural with a twist. Amy Winters wants nothing more than to follow in her highly respected police officer fathers footsteps. She has recently been promoted and life is going well for her. Until she gets a letter from Lillian Grimes - one half of the husband and wife serial killing team from prison. In this letter she tells Amy that she is her biological mother. She also says that she will tell her the location of 3 of her victims, but at a cost to Amy. Lillian is pure evil and likes to play mind games with people. Her world is rocked, so soon after losing her father she must decide what to do now.
Such a great story and a ending that has me hanging for book number 2. Thank you to Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley for my advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased
September 18, 2018
4.5 Stars. Truth and Lies is a mystery, a police procedural and a thriller all rolled into one book. The novel tells the story of Amy Winter, a Detective Inspector who is the adopted daughter of Robert, who also worked in law enforcement. Amy grows up knowing nothing of her biological origins. When her beloved father dies, she is contacted by her biological mom, and it’s a shocker. Amy’s parents were Lillian and Jack Grimes, notorious serial killers. Her father is dead but her sociopathic mother begins manipulating Amy from behind bars. Amy and her colleagues are also working on the case of an abducted teenager named Hemmy. Hemmy has been taken by a member of The Keepers of Truth, a private Facebook site for conspiracy theorists. Normally I would think that there were too many things going on here but Mitchell makes it work. The short chapters alternate between the storylines and the book flows. The author is a former police detective and there’s a lot of good character development of Amy and her colleagues.
I love a well written psychological thriller and this one is fast paced and kept me guessing. I don’t know how I’ve missed out on Mitchell’s books before finding this on Goodreads and NetGalley.
I did find the ending a bit convoluted for my taste, but overall this was a great read. I’m looking forward to the second book in this series, DI Amy Winter #2. Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the opportunity to read this ARC.
I love a well written psychological thriller and this one is fast paced and kept me guessing. I don’t know how I’ve missed out on Mitchell’s books before finding this on Goodreads and NetGalley.
I did find the ending a bit convoluted for my taste, but overall this was a great read. I’m looking forward to the second book in this series, DI Amy Winter #2. Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the opportunity to read this ARC.
June 23, 2019
Caroline Mitchell is an author I have not read before. I like to try authors I have not read to expand my experience with different writing styles.
The book is well written. The plot twists and turns as the suspense builds. Our protagonist is Amy Winter. She is a police officer whose father was a well-known police officer. Apparently, the author is a former police detective. With her inside knowledge it adds to the authenticity of the story. The characters are interesting. The author has created more depth to the characters than one would except for the first book of a series. I think the story takes place in England. I could not get into this story. Maybe it is my burnout of serial killers. It is just me. I am sure other people would enjoy the story. If you are looking for a quick easy read, this might be a good choice.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is ten hours and twenty-two minutes. Elizabeth Knowelden does an excellent job narrating the book. Knowelden is an award- winning English actress. She is also a well- known audiobook narrator. She has won the Audie Award as well as multiple Earphone Awards.
The book is well written. The plot twists and turns as the suspense builds. Our protagonist is Amy Winter. She is a police officer whose father was a well-known police officer. Apparently, the author is a former police detective. With her inside knowledge it adds to the authenticity of the story. The characters are interesting. The author has created more depth to the characters than one would except for the first book of a series. I think the story takes place in England. I could not get into this story. Maybe it is my burnout of serial killers. It is just me. I am sure other people would enjoy the story. If you are looking for a quick easy read, this might be a good choice.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is ten hours and twenty-two minutes. Elizabeth Knowelden does an excellent job narrating the book. Knowelden is an award- winning English actress. She is also a well- known audiobook narrator. She has won the Audie Award as well as multiple Earphone Awards.
March 17, 2024
Audiobook narrated by Elizabeth Knowelden 10h 22m
Up until the epilogue, I was sitting on a 4 but that final bit bumped it into my first 5-star read of 2019. EK was a fantastic narrator and the story had me on the edge of my seat the entire time.There was a lot to root for in many of the characters, especially the protagonist. DI Amy Winters is a strong-minded, self-motivated woman who is proud of being a copper and there are certain times in this story when she is put to the test. Not that I need another series on my TBR, but I definitely cannot wait for the next one!
Goodreads review published 05/01/19
Up until the epilogue, I was sitting on a 4 but that final bit bumped it into my first 5-star read of 2019. EK was a fantastic narrator and the story had me on the edge of my seat the entire time.There was a lot to root for in many of the characters, especially the protagonist. DI Amy Winters is a strong-minded, self-motivated woman who is proud of being a copper and there are certain times in this story when she is put to the test. Not that I need another series on my TBR, but I definitely cannot wait for the next one!
Goodreads review published 05/01/19
September 21, 2018
Truth and Lies (DI Amy Winter #1) by Caroline Mitchell is an amazing yet dark crime thriller. DI Amy Winter was adopted at four years old, by a police officer and his wife. As an adult, Amy jointed her force just like her father, with whom she lost.
One day she receives a letter from Lillian Grimes. Lillian Grimes is one half of the husband and wife team who were serial killers. Her world is suddenly turned upside down she she finds out that Lillian is her mother.
Lillian is willing to tell Amy where her last three victims are buried if Amy is willing to play her mindless games. Lillian insists on only working with Amy. In the meantime, Amy's colleagues are also searching for a missing teenager who was kidnapped from her home. Lillian seems to know something about this teenage kidnapping as well.
I loved the multiple story lines in here, never a dull moment. I could not stop reading this book. It was like being in a nightmare that you couldn't wake up from. A crime novel, mystery and thriller all wrapped into one.
One day she receives a letter from Lillian Grimes. Lillian Grimes is one half of the husband and wife team who were serial killers. Her world is suddenly turned upside down she she finds out that Lillian is her mother.
Lillian is willing to tell Amy where her last three victims are buried if Amy is willing to play her mindless games. Lillian insists on only working with Amy. In the meantime, Amy's colleagues are also searching for a missing teenager who was kidnapped from her home. Lillian seems to know something about this teenage kidnapping as well.
I loved the multiple story lines in here, never a dull moment. I could not stop reading this book. It was like being in a nightmare that you couldn't wake up from. A crime novel, mystery and thriller all wrapped into one.
August 28, 2018
Whenever I’m in the mood for a smart, super fast paced thriller that is guaranteed to shock me I grab a Caroline Mitchell book. While I love her psychological thrillers I really am obsessed with her series and while I was sad when her trilogy ended late last year, I was thrilled to find out Truth and Lies is the first book in a brand new series, and let me tell you, it’s one hell of an introduction!
The premise of this is fascinating, you have Amy (great name 😜) who is a dedicated police officer who finds out her biological parents are notorious serial killers. She knew she was adopted, but she repressed all her memories of her life with her evil parents and when her mother comes back into her life she begins to slowly remember some harrowing events from her childhood. The past chapters were my favorite aspect, there were only a handful but to see what Amy had endured as a young girl was simultaneously heartbreaking and interesting. It was so crazy to think the daughter of two heinous killers was such an admirable officer of the law with strong values and morals, brings up the whole nature versus nurture conundrum which is always something to think about.
As always this was a fastidiously plotted police procedural that kept me guessing all the way until the end. I always say Mitchell’s books are fast reads and that’s because once you’re hooked you’re not eager to put it down until you find out the truth. I absolutely loved the final chapter, it sent chills down my spine and set the stage for the next book so perfectly.
Truth and Lies in three words: Gripping, Relentless and Clever.
The premise of this is fascinating, you have Amy (great name 😜) who is a dedicated police officer who finds out her biological parents are notorious serial killers. She knew she was adopted, but she repressed all her memories of her life with her evil parents and when her mother comes back into her life she begins to slowly remember some harrowing events from her childhood. The past chapters were my favorite aspect, there were only a handful but to see what Amy had endured as a young girl was simultaneously heartbreaking and interesting. It was so crazy to think the daughter of two heinous killers was such an admirable officer of the law with strong values and morals, brings up the whole nature versus nurture conundrum which is always something to think about.
As always this was a fastidiously plotted police procedural that kept me guessing all the way until the end. I always say Mitchell’s books are fast reads and that’s because once you’re hooked you’re not eager to put it down until you find out the truth. I absolutely loved the final chapter, it sent chills down my spine and set the stage for the next book so perfectly.
Truth and Lies in three words: Gripping, Relentless and Clever.
September 10, 2018
Lies can hurt you but, sometimes, the truth hurts more. Truth and Lies is a chilling new thriller by #CarolineMitchell.
Still reeling from her father’s untimely death, DI Amy Winters wants nothing more than to throw herself back into her police work where she can honor her father’s memory by becoming a well respected cop just like he was. However, fate deals Amy a blow when a letter arrives proclaiming that Amy is, in fact, the daughter of one of the most notorious serial killing couples Great Britain ever has known. This couple lured young teenage girls to their home, brutally murdered them and then hid their bodies. Most of these bodies were recovered but three still remain missing. The lone surviving killer, Lillian Grimes, wants to make a deal with Amy: do what Lillian asks and the bodies will be revealed. However, it soon becomes apparent that Lillian has additional plans for Amy as this old, cold case is apparently intertwined with a current kidnapping crime.
Caroline Mitchell is a former CID and her knowledge and experience are well apparent throughout the book. Truth and Lies is, by far, one of the best written police procedurals I have read in a long time simply because the methodology, the “cop-speak,” and protocol were perfectly realistic. In addition, the psychological aspect of both cases were fully explored and developed. We were able to see the struggles going on within Amy while also watching in horror the machinations of the very evil Lillian Grimes. It is a race against time as a young girl’s life hangs in the balance.
I haven’t read Mitchell before this book but, based on the writing of Truth and Lies, she definitely is going on my author watch list. If you enjoy police procedurals, crime novels or mysteries, then you will love this book. I highly recommend it – not to mention there is a terrific ending that will leave you wanting MORE – ASAP.
Still reeling from her father’s untimely death, DI Amy Winters wants nothing more than to throw herself back into her police work where she can honor her father’s memory by becoming a well respected cop just like he was. However, fate deals Amy a blow when a letter arrives proclaiming that Amy is, in fact, the daughter of one of the most notorious serial killing couples Great Britain ever has known. This couple lured young teenage girls to their home, brutally murdered them and then hid their bodies. Most of these bodies were recovered but three still remain missing. The lone surviving killer, Lillian Grimes, wants to make a deal with Amy: do what Lillian asks and the bodies will be revealed. However, it soon becomes apparent that Lillian has additional plans for Amy as this old, cold case is apparently intertwined with a current kidnapping crime.
Caroline Mitchell is a former CID and her knowledge and experience are well apparent throughout the book. Truth and Lies is, by far, one of the best written police procedurals I have read in a long time simply because the methodology, the “cop-speak,” and protocol were perfectly realistic. In addition, the psychological aspect of both cases were fully explored and developed. We were able to see the struggles going on within Amy while also watching in horror the machinations of the very evil Lillian Grimes. It is a race against time as a young girl’s life hangs in the balance.
I haven’t read Mitchell before this book but, based on the writing of Truth and Lies, she definitely is going on my author watch list. If you enjoy police procedurals, crime novels or mysteries, then you will love this book. I highly recommend it – not to mention there is a terrific ending that will leave you wanting MORE – ASAP.
September 9, 2018
Truth and Lies by Caroline Mitchell is a police procedural novel that kept me hooked from the beginning. D I Amy Winter is a well respected police officer. After the death of her father also a police officer, Amy is contacted by serial killer Lillian Grimes offering to tell her the resting places of three of her victims who have never been found. Lillian then tells Amy that she is her daughter and was adopted when Lillian was sent to prison. Amy is appalled by this and starts to remember incidents from her childhood. Amy is also investigating the disappearance of a young girl and desperately trying to find her before it's too late.
I enjoyed this book and all its twists and turns and I'm looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed this book and all its twists and turns and I'm looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
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October 4, 2020
4-Stars - "I really liked it!"
Truth and Lies (DI Amy Winter, #1) - Caroline Mitchell
Audiobook - 10:22 Hours - Narrator: Elizabeth Knowelden
This was an excellent police procedural, with well-written family side issues which were blended into an intriguing mystery that held my interest from beginning to end.
Elizabeth Knowelden was a fine narrator, except for some lack of vocal distinction between several of the main characters.
Based on my enjoyment of "Truth and Lies", I am looking forward to listening to "DI Amy Winter, #2 - The Secret Child".
Truth and Lies (DI Amy Winter, #1) - Caroline Mitchell
Audiobook - 10:22 Hours - Narrator: Elizabeth Knowelden
This was an excellent police procedural, with well-written family side issues which were blended into an intriguing mystery that held my interest from beginning to end.
Elizabeth Knowelden was a fine narrator, except for some lack of vocal distinction between several of the main characters.
Based on my enjoyment of "Truth and Lies", I am looking forward to listening to "DI Amy Winter, #2 - The Secret Child".
July 30, 2018
I am absolutely loving this first book in a brand new series. I would even go as far as saying this is the authors best book yet.
The story line had me gripped from the off. I mean having serial killers for parents? Well obviously you know that things are going to be very interesting to say the least and I wasn’t disappointed. Amy is such a great character and the fact that she is in the police force makes her true parentage even harder to come to terms with.
So many crime books tend to have men as the baddies so it was really refreshing to have a woman in that role. Lillian from first meeting her, I loathed but in the same breath I was fascinated wanting to know more and how she could do what she had. She is very much a manipulator and you can feel Amy’s frustrations with having to deal with her.
There are quite a few twists and turns which really keeps you on your toes and I literally could not put the book down from picking it up. I basically read this book in one afternoon as I was well and truly hooked and I had to know how everything was going to end. This was such a fantastic start to a new series and I loved getting to know the team. I have no idea how the author will top this but I will be counting the days until her next one is out.
Truth And Lies is a heart stopping and enthralling read that grabs you from the very first page and keeps you there until the very last. Brilliant!
My thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
The story line had me gripped from the off. I mean having serial killers for parents? Well obviously you know that things are going to be very interesting to say the least and I wasn’t disappointed. Amy is such a great character and the fact that she is in the police force makes her true parentage even harder to come to terms with.
So many crime books tend to have men as the baddies so it was really refreshing to have a woman in that role. Lillian from first meeting her, I loathed but in the same breath I was fascinated wanting to know more and how she could do what she had. She is very much a manipulator and you can feel Amy’s frustrations with having to deal with her.
There are quite a few twists and turns which really keeps you on your toes and I literally could not put the book down from picking it up. I basically read this book in one afternoon as I was well and truly hooked and I had to know how everything was going to end. This was such a fantastic start to a new series and I loved getting to know the team. I have no idea how the author will top this but I will be counting the days until her next one is out.
Truth And Lies is a heart stopping and enthralling read that grabs you from the very first page and keeps you there until the very last. Brilliant!
My thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
September 12, 2018
***Note: I received a copy curtesy of Netgalley and Amazon Publishing UK in exchange for an honest review.
As can be seen from the description/synopsis , the idea is very interesting, it's the execution I wasn't thrilled about.
It took me some time to get into the book, as the writing is disruptive and the dialogues seem fake. I was neither impressed by the characters, who either remain flat or they change radically, not following a natural development i.m.o.
The plot was interesting enough to make me think of a 3★ review, but the ending twists were too far-fetched for my taste, so I'll settle with less.
Overall, everything screams of debut instead of an experienced writer and I don't think I'll follow-up this series.
As can be seen from the description/synopsis , the idea is very interesting, it's the execution I wasn't thrilled about.
It took me some time to get into the book, as the writing is disruptive and the dialogues seem fake. I was neither impressed by the characters, who either remain flat or they change radically, not following a natural development i.m.o.
The plot was interesting enough to make me think of a 3★ review, but the ending twists were too far-fetched for my taste, so I'll settle with less.
Overall, everything screams of debut instead of an experienced writer and I don't think I'll follow-up this series.
January 19, 2022
This was a free book through Amazon Prime.
Trigger warnings: Child abuse, domestic violence, mental illness.
You can't choose your family, no matter how much you want to.
Wow. Talk about having a dark past! A detective, who is the daughter of serial killers, has to work with her evil, jailed, bio mother in order to bring the final three victims home and give closure to their families. Then another girl goes missing...
Truth and Lies flips around in time:
1) The past, when DI Amy Winters, nee Poppy, was four years old and living in the hell her bio parents created.
2) Also in the past when Amy was adopted by a highly respected police officer and his wife.
3) The present, when Amy is now a detective.
I felt that all of the timelines were important in the telling of the events of the present, as well as the backstories of Amy's early childhood. It was always clear which timeline was being presented.
I was fascinated by Amy and loved her colleague, Paddy. I also loved Hemmy, the girl who was snatched and held captive during the present timeline.
My only complaint was that the end of the book flew by at a lightning-fast pace, as everything was tied up in a bow.
Trigger warnings: Child abuse, domestic violence, mental illness.
You can't choose your family, no matter how much you want to.
Wow. Talk about having a dark past! A detective, who is the daughter of serial killers, has to work with her evil, jailed, bio mother in order to bring the final three victims home and give closure to their families. Then another girl goes missing...
Truth and Lies flips around in time:
1) The past, when DI Amy Winters, nee Poppy, was four years old and living in the hell her bio parents created.
2) Also in the past when Amy was adopted by a highly respected police officer and his wife.
3) The present, when Amy is now a detective.
I felt that all of the timelines were important in the telling of the events of the present, as well as the backstories of Amy's early childhood. It was always clear which timeline was being presented.
I was fascinated by Amy and loved her colleague, Paddy. I also loved Hemmy, the girl who was snatched and held captive during the present timeline.
My only complaint was that the end of the book flew by at a lightning-fast pace, as everything was tied up in a bow.
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