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Detective Jane Phillips #0.5
Deadly Secrets
Celebrity Marty Michaels had the perfect life -- then a dead girl turned up in his hotel room.
For twenty years, superstar radio host Marty Michaels has used his vast fame and power to make or break the careers of celebrities and politicians.
But Marty discovers that power comes at a price when he wakes in a strange hotel room and finds a murdered girl in the bathroom. He’s been setup. Someone wants to destroy him.
Things go from bad to worse when tenacious DCI Jane Phillips is assigned to his case, determined his celebrity won’t get in the way of justice. Even Marty’s powerhouse lawyer, Nicolette Johnson, fears this is a case she simply can’t win.
Desperate to clear his name, Marty is propelled into a dark world of danger, corruption and depravity, and with the media world he once ruled now baying for his blood -- the hunter has become the hunted.
Not knowing who to trust, or where to turn, Marty fights alone against a powerful criminal network as he tries to save his reputation, his job…and his life.
For twenty years, superstar radio host Marty Michaels has used his vast fame and power to make or break the careers of celebrities and politicians.
But Marty discovers that power comes at a price when he wakes in a strange hotel room and finds a murdered girl in the bathroom. He’s been setup. Someone wants to destroy him.
Things go from bad to worse when tenacious DCI Jane Phillips is assigned to his case, determined his celebrity won’t get in the way of justice. Even Marty’s powerhouse lawyer, Nicolette Johnson, fears this is a case she simply can’t win.
Desperate to clear his name, Marty is propelled into a dark world of danger, corruption and depravity, and with the media world he once ruled now baying for his blood -- the hunter has become the hunted.
Not knowing who to trust, or where to turn, Marty fights alone against a powerful criminal network as he tries to save his reputation, his job…and his life.
342 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 12, 2019
291 people are currently reading
156 people want to read
About the author
O.M.J. Ryan
15 books77 followersHailing from Yorkshire, OMJ Ryan worked in radio and entertainment for over twenty years, collaborating with household names and accumulating a host of international writing and radio awards. In 2018 he followed his passion to become a full-time novelist, writing stories for people who devour exciting, fast-paced thrillers by the pool, on their commute – or those rare moments of downtime before bed. Owen’s mission is to entertain from the first page to the last.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
June 17, 2019
To be honest, I did not know what kind of novel Deadly Secrets would be. The author, OMJ Ryan, was unknown to me. I took the plunge and have not looked back. This book captures your attention from the first page and does not let go till the very end. I believe this is a first novel for this author and I hope he will keep writing thrillers for a long time to come. This is the story of Marty Michaels, a UK radio celebrity. He wakes up one morning in a hotel room with a dead woman in his bathroom and, before he can think, the police are knocking at his door. He soon realizes that he has been set-up for a murder but does not know why. In his line of work, he has made many enemies. He must clear his name but does not know who is on his side. The author worked in radio and entertainment for twenty years and his knowledge of the industry makes this plot very credible. This is a thoroughly suspenseful thriller and I highly recommend it. Thank you to Inkubator Books and NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 8, 2019
Book reviewed by Stacey on www.whisperingstories.com
National Radio DJ Marty Michaels wakes with a banging headache. He’s not sure where he is, only that he isn’t in his own bed. He quickly realises that he’s in a hotel room and closer inspection reveals he’s at the popular Metropolitan Hotel, a place he knows well, especially as he was drinking in the bar last night. Apart from that, he doesn’t remember much more.
As his head gets worse, Marty stumbles into the bathroom where he discovers a woman in the shower. She is slumped at the bottom wearing a gimp mask, a belt around her neck and her hands and feet have been tied – she’s also dead.
Marty rings his agent Rob to come to the hotel quickly as he has no recollection of the woman or even entering the hotel room. Before his agent gets there the police arrive and arrest Marty for possession with intent to supply after a large bag of what looks like cocaine is found in the room. The police don’t particularly like Marty as he has been looking into police corruption and so as he is led from the hotel a swarm of journalists are there to photograph his every move, tipped off by someone.
When Marty becomes the prime suspect in the murder of the woman he was hoping that his agent and lawyer might be able to get him off, but with things not moving at quick enough pace for him he decides that he has to take matters into his own hands. But why would someone set Marty up and more importantly, who?
Deadly Secrets is a thriller set in my home town of Manchester. The author obviously knows the area well, though I was a little surprised that he chose to fictionalise some of the buildings and place names, whilst keeping the real names of others, I personally would have thought it would be one way or the other, but hey, I’m not an author and it didn’t take away my enjoyment from the book.
I can’t say that Marty is an exceptionally likeable character. At times I felt sorry for him, this was a man that had done nothing wrong and yet had found himself in a really tough situation and he knew someone was setting him up but no-one would believe him at first. Other times I could have strangled the guy myself. He was arrogant and thought he was above the law, expecting a chief inspector to come running to his aid because he played golf with him, or the radio station to keep him on air whilst he was still a suspect in a murder investigation.
The plot unfolds nicely and the short chapters help to keep the pace moving at a fast speed throughout. I found myself getting involved in the story, needing to know what had actually happened that night and who wanted Marty stitched up so badly that they resorted to murder and pinning it on him.
This is a great thriller with a fabulous cast and obviously set in an amazing city! I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
National Radio DJ Marty Michaels wakes with a banging headache. He’s not sure where he is, only that he isn’t in his own bed. He quickly realises that he’s in a hotel room and closer inspection reveals he’s at the popular Metropolitan Hotel, a place he knows well, especially as he was drinking in the bar last night. Apart from that, he doesn’t remember much more.
As his head gets worse, Marty stumbles into the bathroom where he discovers a woman in the shower. She is slumped at the bottom wearing a gimp mask, a belt around her neck and her hands and feet have been tied – she’s also dead.
Marty rings his agent Rob to come to the hotel quickly as he has no recollection of the woman or even entering the hotel room. Before his agent gets there the police arrive and arrest Marty for possession with intent to supply after a large bag of what looks like cocaine is found in the room. The police don’t particularly like Marty as he has been looking into police corruption and so as he is led from the hotel a swarm of journalists are there to photograph his every move, tipped off by someone.
When Marty becomes the prime suspect in the murder of the woman he was hoping that his agent and lawyer might be able to get him off, but with things not moving at quick enough pace for him he decides that he has to take matters into his own hands. But why would someone set Marty up and more importantly, who?
Deadly Secrets is a thriller set in my home town of Manchester. The author obviously knows the area well, though I was a little surprised that he chose to fictionalise some of the buildings and place names, whilst keeping the real names of others, I personally would have thought it would be one way or the other, but hey, I’m not an author and it didn’t take away my enjoyment from the book.
I can’t say that Marty is an exceptionally likeable character. At times I felt sorry for him, this was a man that had done nothing wrong and yet had found himself in a really tough situation and he knew someone was setting him up but no-one would believe him at first. Other times I could have strangled the guy myself. He was arrogant and thought he was above the law, expecting a chief inspector to come running to his aid because he played golf with him, or the radio station to keep him on air whilst he was still a suspect in a murder investigation.
The plot unfolds nicely and the short chapters help to keep the pace moving at a fast speed throughout. I found myself getting involved in the story, needing to know what had actually happened that night and who wanted Marty stitched up so badly that they resorted to murder and pinning it on him.
This is a great thriller with a fabulous cast and obviously set in an amazing city! I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
May 18, 2019
This was a book that I could not put down. I tried. Exhausted, I went to bed, to sleep. Woke up at 3am – read for an hour. Back to sleep. Up at 8:45, read the book until I finished it. I had to know why Marty Michaels was being set up for one, then two, then more murders. Why his career was being trashed, and so publicly.
Marty Michaels is (was) a very influential radio shock-jock. When he had a good story, he would run with it, regardless of whom he may hurt during his investigations. He was on the side of the angels, and any corruption he uncovered, or deals that he disliked and so thwarted, or people that he put in jail, deserved what they got. Marty was not a nice person. Narcissistic, arrogant, entitled, a borderline alcoholic, and if you asked – who hated him enough to ruin him – the answer was just about everyone. Now the boot is on the other foot: “Marty had built his career on this kind of ill-informed information delivery derived from minimal facts. Until this moment, he had never appreciated the damage his ruthless ‘hunting’ had inflicted on so many innocent people caught in difficult situations.”
There are only two people he can trust – his best friend and agent, Rob, and his lawyer, Nic. Marty is on the run, increasingly battered, his body barely working. If he is caught and ends up back in jail, he is as good as dead. Time is running out. Can Marty expose the far-reaching plot that has resulted in his downfall and clear his name, before he – or someone else – ends up murdered?
This book brought to mind the large number of celebrities recently outed for sexual misdemeanours and crimes – many guilty, but some completely innocent – all subjected to trial by media, their reputations and lives in tatters, even when eventually exonerated. The police and the public always ready to believe the worst. How much can we really trust of what we see and hear in the media? How far should journalists, editors, presenters go to ensure they are reporting the truth before publicising rumours? Do we really believe in the ‘innocent until proven guilty’?
The book runs at a break-neck speed. At the start, you have little time for Marty. He acts in a way certain to proclaim his guilt – and then expects the police and the public to support him – because he is an important celebrity. But, as the story continues, you root for Marty more and more. His character becomes more sympathetic as his situation becomes increasingly dire. Inexplicable coincidences from the beginning of are tidied up beautifully by the end. I highly recommend this book.
I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Marty Michaels is (was) a very influential radio shock-jock. When he had a good story, he would run with it, regardless of whom he may hurt during his investigations. He was on the side of the angels, and any corruption he uncovered, or deals that he disliked and so thwarted, or people that he put in jail, deserved what they got. Marty was not a nice person. Narcissistic, arrogant, entitled, a borderline alcoholic, and if you asked – who hated him enough to ruin him – the answer was just about everyone. Now the boot is on the other foot: “Marty had built his career on this kind of ill-informed information delivery derived from minimal facts. Until this moment, he had never appreciated the damage his ruthless ‘hunting’ had inflicted on so many innocent people caught in difficult situations.”
There are only two people he can trust – his best friend and agent, Rob, and his lawyer, Nic. Marty is on the run, increasingly battered, his body barely working. If he is caught and ends up back in jail, he is as good as dead. Time is running out. Can Marty expose the far-reaching plot that has resulted in his downfall and clear his name, before he – or someone else – ends up murdered?
This book brought to mind the large number of celebrities recently outed for sexual misdemeanours and crimes – many guilty, but some completely innocent – all subjected to trial by media, their reputations and lives in tatters, even when eventually exonerated. The police and the public always ready to believe the worst. How much can we really trust of what we see and hear in the media? How far should journalists, editors, presenters go to ensure they are reporting the truth before publicising rumours? Do we really believe in the ‘innocent until proven guilty’?
The book runs at a break-neck speed. At the start, you have little time for Marty. He acts in a way certain to proclaim his guilt – and then expects the police and the public to support him – because he is an important celebrity. But, as the story continues, you root for Marty more and more. His character becomes more sympathetic as his situation becomes increasingly dire. Inexplicable coincidences from the beginning of are tidied up beautifully by the end. I highly recommend this book.
I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
May 27, 2019
This one keeps you on the edge of your seat right till the very end. Deadly Secrets by OMJ Ryan is a gripping, gritty and a twisty book, you won't regret reading if you like fast-paced and no-nonsense thrillers! I, for sure loved this book!
Marty Michaels a self-made millionaire, and a superstar radio host finds himself in a big mess when he's discovered with a dead girl in his prostitute. However, Marty has no recollection of the night before nor the dead girl in his hotel bathroom. What proceeds is a sharp, twisty cat-and-mouse game, where Marty must clear his name and regain his lost integrity and prove to the world that he's being set up. Desperate to take action and clear his name, Marty is propelled into a dark world of danger, corruption, and depravity on the gritty streets of Manchester.
The plot of this book is very clever, great and something I've not read a lot on before, hence I found this to be a very thrilling read. I like how the author manages to create a paranoid atmosphere where at a certain point in time, I was really worried about Marty and how he'll get through this. The characters, too, in this book are very well defined and realistic. The ending was fantastic!!
O.M.J. Ryan has set the bar very high with his debut novel!
Thank you, NetGalley, Inkubator Books & O.M.J. Ryan for an arc!
Marty Michaels a self-made millionaire, and a superstar radio host finds himself in a big mess when he's discovered with a dead girl in his prostitute. However, Marty has no recollection of the night before nor the dead girl in his hotel bathroom. What proceeds is a sharp, twisty cat-and-mouse game, where Marty must clear his name and regain his lost integrity and prove to the world that he's being set up. Desperate to take action and clear his name, Marty is propelled into a dark world of danger, corruption, and depravity on the gritty streets of Manchester.
The plot of this book is very clever, great and something I've not read a lot on before, hence I found this to be a very thrilling read. I like how the author manages to create a paranoid atmosphere where at a certain point in time, I was really worried about Marty and how he'll get through this. The characters, too, in this book are very well defined and realistic. The ending was fantastic!!
O.M.J. Ryan has set the bar very high with his debut novel!
Thank you, NetGalley, Inkubator Books & O.M.J. Ryan for an arc!
May 7, 2019
Marty Michaels is a successful radio ‘personality‘ with power to make or destroy careers….he enjoys a great lifestyle as a result.
Until, that is, he wakes disoriented in a hotel room, with absolutely no idea how he got there…..as he stumbles to the bathroom, he finds a woman’s body…….
The pace picks up and draws you in…who would want to frame Marty? Is it someone he knows, someone he’s upset in the past or is there something even more sinister in play? And will he lose everything he holds dear?
Very clever writing, action packed and tense…..it certainly keeps you guessing. A must for lovers of twisty, exciting thrillers….
Thank you to Damppebbles Blog Tours for the opportunity to participate in this blog tour and for the promotional materials and a free copy of the ebook. This is my honest, unbiased review.
Until, that is, he wakes disoriented in a hotel room, with absolutely no idea how he got there…..as he stumbles to the bathroom, he finds a woman’s body…….
The pace picks up and draws you in…who would want to frame Marty? Is it someone he knows, someone he’s upset in the past or is there something even more sinister in play? And will he lose everything he holds dear?
Very clever writing, action packed and tense…..it certainly keeps you guessing. A must for lovers of twisty, exciting thrillers….
Thank you to Damppebbles Blog Tours for the opportunity to participate in this blog tour and for the promotional materials and a free copy of the ebook. This is my honest, unbiased review.
May 10, 2019
Superstar radio host Marty Michaels has spent the last twenty years using his vast fame and power to destroy the lives and careers of celebrities and politicians. It didn't matter how flimsy the evidence against the person was,as far as Marty was concerned,there was no smoke without fire.Not once did he spare a second thought for the many lives he ruined in the process.
Marty revels in his perfect life and believes he is untouchable but he swiftly discovers that power comes at a price after he wakes up in a hotel room with a raging hangover and the dead body of a young woman in his bathroom.
Marty has been set up and finds that the hunter had become the hunted.Not knowing who he can trust,or where he can turn and with the media world he once ruled now baying for his blood,Marty finds himself in a desperate fight against a powerful criminal network as he tries to save his life,his job...and his life.
This fast paced,adrenaline ride is written in short,snappy chapters,many of which end on a cliff hanger giving the reader a very bad case of Just one more chapter syndrome. The story is voiced entirely from Marty's perspective. I felt a number of conflicting emotions as I read his desperate and at times bumbling attempts to clear his name. He was a complex character who could be very arrogant and had a massive sense of his own importance. But he also had some redeemable qualities. I found myself torn between thinking that he deserved everything he was going through and feeling sympathy for him. The secondary characters were a mixed bunch of diverse,realistic personalities and the story was so well written and intricately plotted that I suspected each one of them at sometime during the book of being involved in the scheme to ruin Marty's life.
Deadly Secrets is one hell of a roller coaster ride that holds the reader in a vice like grip from the very first page. You find yourself pinned to your comfy chair,captivated by the many twists and turns,frantically turning the pages and unable to put this enthralling thriller down. I would love to watch a film adaptation of this book. It deserves far more than five stars. Highly recommended by little old me.
Many thanks to Emma Welton (damppebblesblogtours) and inkubator books for a arc of this book in exchange for a honest review and the opportunity to take part in the Blog tour
May 27, 2019
The author wrote a thriller that started with a bang and just kept going! The twists kept coming, so I couldn't put it down. I cannot wait to read more from this author!
May 13, 2019
Marty Michaels is a well know Radio Show host, so when he wakes up in a hotel room with no memory of how he got there and discovers a dead body in the bathroom he knows it does not look good and his first instinct is to run. Arrested for murder his life goes downhill fast and there are those who believe him guilty and go all out to prove it.
Marty isn’t exactly a likeable character, by his own admission he probably drinks too much, but he also believes that his contacts in the force will mean that he will be able to walk away from the charge of murder without any problem. When this doesn’t happen he starts turning on those who are trying to help him. Even he starts to see the irony in what is happening to him when he is subject to trial by media…after all that is what he is good at on his radio show. As the book progresses you are left wondering if the truth will come out or if he will be convicted of something he didn’t do.
I think the only thing I struggled with was some of the scenes while Marty was being held on remand in prison as they looked like they were going to become quite graphic. The author managed to convey the perils of being in prison without actually having to go down that route. It touches on investigations into celebrities and the trial by media that always seems to follow people in the public eye and how it can easily prejudice investigations into someone’s guilt or innocence. The book is quite fast paced and the action is pretty non-stop making it very easy to read making it very enjoyable.
Marty isn’t exactly a likeable character, by his own admission he probably drinks too much, but he also believes that his contacts in the force will mean that he will be able to walk away from the charge of murder without any problem. When this doesn’t happen he starts turning on those who are trying to help him. Even he starts to see the irony in what is happening to him when he is subject to trial by media…after all that is what he is good at on his radio show. As the book progresses you are left wondering if the truth will come out or if he will be convicted of something he didn’t do.
I think the only thing I struggled with was some of the scenes while Marty was being held on remand in prison as they looked like they were going to become quite graphic. The author managed to convey the perils of being in prison without actually having to go down that route. It touches on investigations into celebrities and the trial by media that always seems to follow people in the public eye and how it can easily prejudice investigations into someone’s guilt or innocence. The book is quite fast paced and the action is pretty non-stop making it very easy to read making it very enjoyable.
May 10, 2019
Really enjoyed this book! Good, quick, mystery/crime read. For my full review peep https://breathingbooks13.wordpress.co...
:)
:)
April 30, 2019
I got this as a arc e book for my i pad from Net Galley. I enjoyed reading it. It had a good story to it. It is my first book read by this author. I hope to read more books by this author.
May 7, 2019
★ ★ ★ 1/2 (rounded up)
This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
---
Frequently, I have said that what you think of a particular book's protagonist is going to determine what you think of the book -- for example, if you don't like Mark Whatney after a few pages, set The Martian aside -- you're not going to like the book. Or a certain protagonist's charm or whatever is going to make up for some flaws in a book. That is not the case at all here -- in fact, OMJ Ryan has pulled off the difficult feat of writing an entertaining and gripping novel featuring a character that I couldn't stand. Honestly, at more than one point I thought I'd be okay with Marty Michaels spending the rest of his life in prison -- if not for the miscarriage of justice and the fact that the real killer got away scot-free.
I'm getting a little ahead of myself -- apparently, I needed to get that off my chest. So, Marty Michaels -- a superstar of British radio (because, those things still exist?) -- wakes up in a hotel room he doesn't remember checking into after a night of drinking that he remembers almost none of. He stumbles around a bit and finds a dead woman -- again, doesn't remember this woman -- in the room. So, naturally, he calls his agent. This is the caliber of person he is. Before his agent can show, the police -- who seem to know what to look for -- come pounding at the door and throw some cuffs on him and parade him out of the hotel, making sure many cameras get the chance to get photographs. Not that long ago, Marty had done some stories about the local police that had ruined a few careers, and these particular detectives take the opportunity for a little revenge.
In the early stages Marty thinks that his fame will get him out of the trouble he's found himself in, or that it'll all blow over quickly (probably aided by his celebrity). But it doesn't, and he soon has to deal with the reality that he's bound for prison unless something truly remarkable happens. His agent appears to be as loyal as you could want in a friend, his lawyer is about as smart as you could want (we're told, I'd appreciate seeing more evidence), but they're about all he's got going for him. The evidence against him is overwhelming, the media smells blood in the water and they're ready to tear him to shreds, and Marty is his own worst enemy doing stupid, reckless, ill-advised things (almost all of which are contra his lawyer's advice) that keep getting him in more and more trouble.
After a week or so of this, Marty starts doing stupid, reckless and ill-advised things that are also actually constructive -- he realizes that he can't count on anyone else to help him prove his innocence and finds the best kind of ally for this kind of situation -- a fellow journalist who believes him and is desperate to uncover what's happening. Not for Marty's benefit, but for the story. As far as the police are concerned they have their man -- Marty's two associates aren't that much help -- on his own (or with this ally) do enough to uncover the truth about what happened in that hotel room?
Ryan's got a very complex novel here for us. Not the kind of complexity that will cost him readers because it's too much to keep track of, but (thankfully) the kind of complexity that makes you more curious at every turn. The pacing is fantastic, the pages just melt away without you noticing because all you care about is finding out what happened. Everything else -- including Marty's well-being and lack of character -- is tertiary at best.
It takes a long time (arguably too long) before Ryan tries to give us reasons for wanting to like Marty -- and I don't think they work (maybe if they'd been presented earlier), he's a short-sighted, self-involved, self-important numbskull. Now, almost everything he does make sense given the context and are probably the same kind of stupid reactions 98% of people would naturally have in the face of the legal situation. But that didn't once stop me from muttering (or jotting a note) about what a dunce Marty's being at any given point.
This is very effective, entertaining and gripping. It's not a perfect thriller, but it's really good, and the flaws are minor and easily ignored. I would like to see what Ryan's capable of with a protagonist I care about, but I'd be willing to try another adventure with a jackwagon like Marty Michaels if Ryan can make the circumstances as interesting. I recommend this one to the thriller readers out there, you'll enjoy this ride.
My thanks to damppebbles blog tours for the invitation to participate in this tour and the materials they provided (including a copy of the book).
This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
---
Marty had built his career on this kind of ill-informed information delivery derived from minimal facts. Until this moment, he had never appreciated the damage his ruthless ‘hunting’ had inflicted on so many innocent people caught in difficult situations. He had lived by the mantra, ‘throw enough mud and eventually some sticks.’It had never been truer than right now, ironically. The realisation of who and what he had become over the years left him feeling sick to his stomach.
Frequently, I have said that what you think of a particular book's protagonist is going to determine what you think of the book -- for example, if you don't like Mark Whatney after a few pages, set The Martian aside -- you're not going to like the book. Or a certain protagonist's charm or whatever is going to make up for some flaws in a book. That is not the case at all here -- in fact, OMJ Ryan has pulled off the difficult feat of writing an entertaining and gripping novel featuring a character that I couldn't stand. Honestly, at more than one point I thought I'd be okay with Marty Michaels spending the rest of his life in prison -- if not for the miscarriage of justice and the fact that the real killer got away scot-free.
I'm getting a little ahead of myself -- apparently, I needed to get that off my chest. So, Marty Michaels -- a superstar of British radio (because, those things still exist?) -- wakes up in a hotel room he doesn't remember checking into after a night of drinking that he remembers almost none of. He stumbles around a bit and finds a dead woman -- again, doesn't remember this woman -- in the room. So, naturally, he calls his agent. This is the caliber of person he is. Before his agent can show, the police -- who seem to know what to look for -- come pounding at the door and throw some cuffs on him and parade him out of the hotel, making sure many cameras get the chance to get photographs. Not that long ago, Marty had done some stories about the local police that had ruined a few careers, and these particular detectives take the opportunity for a little revenge.
In the early stages Marty thinks that his fame will get him out of the trouble he's found himself in, or that it'll all blow over quickly (probably aided by his celebrity). But it doesn't, and he soon has to deal with the reality that he's bound for prison unless something truly remarkable happens. His agent appears to be as loyal as you could want in a friend, his lawyer is about as smart as you could want (we're told, I'd appreciate seeing more evidence), but they're about all he's got going for him. The evidence against him is overwhelming, the media smells blood in the water and they're ready to tear him to shreds, and Marty is his own worst enemy doing stupid, reckless, ill-advised things (almost all of which are contra his lawyer's advice) that keep getting him in more and more trouble.
After a week or so of this, Marty starts doing stupid, reckless and ill-advised things that are also actually constructive -- he realizes that he can't count on anyone else to help him prove his innocence and finds the best kind of ally for this kind of situation -- a fellow journalist who believes him and is desperate to uncover what's happening. Not for Marty's benefit, but for the story. As far as the police are concerned they have their man -- Marty's two associates aren't that much help -- on his own (or with this ally) do enough to uncover the truth about what happened in that hotel room?
Ryan's got a very complex novel here for us. Not the kind of complexity that will cost him readers because it's too much to keep track of, but (thankfully) the kind of complexity that makes you more curious at every turn. The pacing is fantastic, the pages just melt away without you noticing because all you care about is finding out what happened. Everything else -- including Marty's well-being and lack of character -- is tertiary at best.
It takes a long time (arguably too long) before Ryan tries to give us reasons for wanting to like Marty -- and I don't think they work (maybe if they'd been presented earlier), he's a short-sighted, self-involved, self-important numbskull. Now, almost everything he does make sense given the context and are probably the same kind of stupid reactions 98% of people would naturally have in the face of the legal situation. But that didn't once stop me from muttering (or jotting a note) about what a dunce Marty's being at any given point.
This is very effective, entertaining and gripping. It's not a perfect thriller, but it's really good, and the flaws are minor and easily ignored. I would like to see what Ryan's capable of with a protagonist I care about, but I'd be willing to try another adventure with a jackwagon like Marty Michaels if Ryan can make the circumstances as interesting. I recommend this one to the thriller readers out there, you'll enjoy this ride.
My thanks to damppebbles blog tours for the invitation to participate in this tour and the materials they provided (including a copy of the book).
May 17, 2019
This review originally appeared on https://bookjarjourneys.blogspot.com/...
his is OMJ Ryan's first book, and if it is anything to go on this is an author to watch. You are thrown into the story from page one and it doesn't let you go until the last page. It is well paced, with the reader receiving information and reveals at a rate that definitely holds your attention. The story itself may use a few devices that cause some minor irritation to readers, such as Marty calling his agent as soon as he finds a body rather than the police, however this most certainly did not detract from my overall enjoyment of the book. The fact that Ryan has also been able to keep me guessing about the motives around the majority of the main characters, as well as how I feel about them changing from one chapter to the next, meant that I was on the edge of my seat as I read.
It is also interesting that Ryan was able to make a completely unlikeable main character (at least when we first meet him) so easy to read about. I was rooting for Marty at the end, however this is a stark contrast to my feelings towards him at the start of the book. The cast of characters that surround Marty were just as interesting, with reveals happening about most of them which kept me on my toes throughout. I was a bit disappointed that not all of our character's fates are confirmed at the end, although you are given enough information to figure it out. The climax itself is thrilling and really well written, it is a strong ending that does the rest of the book justice in terms of its pacing.
This is not a book that is immediately solvable, being more of a book that takes you along for the ride as the main character solves the intricacies of what is going on. I would highly recommend this book to those of you who enjoy James Patterson, as this gave me a similar vibe as I was reading it.
There should however be a trigger warning in place for an attempted rape scene in the first 25% of the story. Whilst not graphic it certainly made me uncomfortable, and it is referred to throughout the rest of the book.
his is OMJ Ryan's first book, and if it is anything to go on this is an author to watch. You are thrown into the story from page one and it doesn't let you go until the last page. It is well paced, with the reader receiving information and reveals at a rate that definitely holds your attention. The story itself may use a few devices that cause some minor irritation to readers, such as Marty calling his agent as soon as he finds a body rather than the police, however this most certainly did not detract from my overall enjoyment of the book. The fact that Ryan has also been able to keep me guessing about the motives around the majority of the main characters, as well as how I feel about them changing from one chapter to the next, meant that I was on the edge of my seat as I read.
It is also interesting that Ryan was able to make a completely unlikeable main character (at least when we first meet him) so easy to read about. I was rooting for Marty at the end, however this is a stark contrast to my feelings towards him at the start of the book. The cast of characters that surround Marty were just as interesting, with reveals happening about most of them which kept me on my toes throughout. I was a bit disappointed that not all of our character's fates are confirmed at the end, although you are given enough information to figure it out. The climax itself is thrilling and really well written, it is a strong ending that does the rest of the book justice in terms of its pacing.
This is not a book that is immediately solvable, being more of a book that takes you along for the ride as the main character solves the intricacies of what is going on. I would highly recommend this book to those of you who enjoy James Patterson, as this gave me a similar vibe as I was reading it.
There should however be a trigger warning in place for an attempted rape scene in the first 25% of the story. Whilst not graphic it certainly made me uncomfortable, and it is referred to throughout the rest of the book.
May 25, 2019
Oh man, so many plot twists. Love the story
May 8, 2019
To the outside world Marty Michaels has it made. Millions in the bank, a swanky house and a successful morning show on the radio. The reality is much different, he’s struggling to cope with his divorce and the death of his friend and father.
Things get worse when he wakes up in a strange hotel room with a dead woman. As the evidence mounts against him, he’d forced to look into his own life. Who could hate him enough to do this?
This is a really fast paced and gritty mystery, showing the seedier side of Manchester.
You’re plunged straight into the drama at the opening of this book, with its fast pace it moves you along quickly not letting up.
Marty is quite a complicated character. On one hand he’s a little ruthless and to me would pretty much steam roller over someone who crosses him or he thinks is corrupt which leads to no shortage of suspects within the book from gangster to police officers. On the other hand he’s exceptional lonely, and in my opinion a little paranoid when it comes to people he can trust.
My main issue was the fact that Marty was quite unlikeable. I know some people don’t have a problem with that but I feel like when someone is being framed for a crime, I should have felt a little bit of empathy or at least a bit sorry for him but I found that really hard to do.
I’d recommend this to anyone who loves a gritty crime novel set in the North West of England.
Things get worse when he wakes up in a strange hotel room with a dead woman. As the evidence mounts against him, he’d forced to look into his own life. Who could hate him enough to do this?
This is a really fast paced and gritty mystery, showing the seedier side of Manchester.
You’re plunged straight into the drama at the opening of this book, with its fast pace it moves you along quickly not letting up.
Marty is quite a complicated character. On one hand he’s a little ruthless and to me would pretty much steam roller over someone who crosses him or he thinks is corrupt which leads to no shortage of suspects within the book from gangster to police officers. On the other hand he’s exceptional lonely, and in my opinion a little paranoid when it comes to people he can trust.
My main issue was the fact that Marty was quite unlikeable. I know some people don’t have a problem with that but I feel like when someone is being framed for a crime, I should have felt a little bit of empathy or at least a bit sorry for him but I found that really hard to do.
I’d recommend this to anyone who loves a gritty crime novel set in the North West of England.
May 12, 2019
This book had me hooked from the start, brilliantly written. Gripping, thrilling and fast paced it was a real page turner for me throughout, easily devoured. Made all the better by being set in Manchester! Close to home and familiar with most of the places described in the story making it more real for myself.
I was beside Marty the whole way and truelly felt sorry for everything he had to experience and go through. It is a very clever story but Marty with the help of an unexpected ally soon start to unravel the mystery and find answers, but it wont be easy. Marty had me sweating, my heart racing and on the edge of my seat throughout. Tense, dangerous and a race against the clock. Brilliant.
This story has it all and I was very impressed! I awarded a well deserved four stars and would highly recommend. I loved every minute of it.
I was beside Marty the whole way and truelly felt sorry for everything he had to experience and go through. It is a very clever story but Marty with the help of an unexpected ally soon start to unravel the mystery and find answers, but it wont be easy. Marty had me sweating, my heart racing and on the edge of my seat throughout. Tense, dangerous and a race against the clock. Brilliant.
This story has it all and I was very impressed! I awarded a well deserved four stars and would highly recommend. I loved every minute of it.
May 31, 2019
Great read
A great novel with lots of twists and turns. Marty (the protagonist) has made his life’s work exposing corruption and exciting dissent on the radio until he wakes up in a hotel room with a dead body. He knows who is friends are ...so he is baffled when wherever he goes ..someone is there to greet him then kill him
A great novel with lots of twists and turns. Marty (the protagonist) has made his life’s work exposing corruption and exciting dissent on the radio until he wakes up in a hotel room with a dead body. He knows who is friends are ...so he is baffled when wherever he goes ..someone is there to greet him then kill him
May 14, 2019
What a thrill ride of a story, full of suspense, whip smart plot twists and a character you really have to work at to get to know. On the surface , Marty is the man who has it all.
Rich, famous nationwide and successful. So who has planted a dead girl in his bathroom? And why? What is he hiding that has engendered such a revenge plot that someone has literally killed to put Marty to rights?
The first person narrative really accentuates the reader’s reaction to what is happening, it really delves inside Marty’s mind, but is he actually telling the truth, or just a version of it?
This bloody brilliant debut thriller is also known as ‘Media Monster’, and I have no hesititation in recommending it. You are constantly questioning and analysing the story for clues to whether Marty is as innocent as he says he is. It gets you thinking about the concepts of justice and revenge and I highly recommend it ! It makes fine use of OMJ Ryan’s experience of working in the entertainment industry and this adds an air of authenticity to a gripping, compelling book. I am genuinely excited to see where he goes next!
About the author…
Rich, famous nationwide and successful. So who has planted a dead girl in his bathroom? And why? What is he hiding that has engendered such a revenge plot that someone has literally killed to put Marty to rights?
The first person narrative really accentuates the reader’s reaction to what is happening, it really delves inside Marty’s mind, but is he actually telling the truth, or just a version of it?
This bloody brilliant debut thriller is also known as ‘Media Monster’, and I have no hesititation in recommending it. You are constantly questioning and analysing the story for clues to whether Marty is as innocent as he says he is. It gets you thinking about the concepts of justice and revenge and I highly recommend it ! It makes fine use of OMJ Ryan’s experience of working in the entertainment industry and this adds an air of authenticity to a gripping, compelling book. I am genuinely excited to see where he goes next!
About the author…
May 20, 2019
Well written, but unfortunately naive and far fetched. British police are usually very good on procedures and rights, so this sounds totally improbable. The rest of the plot is also based on too much stupidity to be enjoyable.
May 18, 2019
"Deadly Secrets" by OMJ Ryan
My first time reading that author.
A really good read, fast paced, not boring.
Good story, full of suspense and drama, with interesting characters.
Thank you to NetGalley and Inkubator Books for the ARC of this book. This is my honest review. All opinions are my own.
My first time reading that author.
A really good read, fast paced, not boring.
Good story, full of suspense and drama, with interesting characters.
Thank you to NetGalley and Inkubator Books for the ARC of this book. This is my honest review. All opinions are my own.
May 18, 2019
Action packed from the first page to the last. What an interesting plot and all the twists made this a book that was hard to put down. I liked the book.
I read the book on NetGalley
I read the book on NetGalley
May 16, 2019
I really enjoyed this fast paced crime thriller, my full review can be found here: https://hopelesslylucy.com/deadly-sec...
April 27, 2019
I typically do not like reading crime thrillers and I was very apprehensive about reading this title, but it surprised me greatly. I was pulled into the drama and mysterious happenings of Marty Michaels', a successful radio personality, life. When Marty discovers himself awakening groggily and nauseated in a hotel room with no recollection of how he got there and then stumbles across a dead woman's body in the bathroom, I was hooked. This book was thrillingly fast paced and I did not want to put it down even when sleep was beckoning me. I kept looking for clues alongside Marty to try and figure out who had framed him for murder. Was it someone in his close-knit circle of celebrity and high-status position friends or someone much more sinister and dangerous?As a radio celebrity, Marty had made quite a few enemies in the span of 20 years on the COMCO network. Would Marty be able to prove his innocence before he lost it all, fame, power, and money? Or would whoever setting him up for failure not stop until he was dead? This book is one rollercoaster of a ride and I could clearly see each scene displayed in my mind as if I were watching an action packed movie as I read each line. I do not think five stars is a high enough ranking for a book that kept me coming back for more. This read was simply superb. Kudos to the author and thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this amazing book.
May 3, 2019
Thank you NetGalley and Inkubator Books for the eARC.
This is a fast moving book with a not particularly likeable lead character. Marty is a successful radio host at the top of his game when when he wakes up with a dead girl's body in a hotel room. He has no idea how he got there and what the heck happened. His life becomes a living nightmare when he's accused of murder and thrown in jail. He himself had, in his talk show life, caused the incarceration of two men, who are now able to take revenge on him in jail, leaving Marty severely beaten.
Life continues to spiral into horror for Marty - no more job, no more perks. The media is having a field day and the public is baying for his blood.
I enjoyed this book, it was interesting having a behind the scenes look (albeit exaggerated?) at life for fallen idols...goodness knows we've seen
so many of them on the news recently!
This is a fast moving book with a not particularly likeable lead character. Marty is a successful radio host at the top of his game when when he wakes up with a dead girl's body in a hotel room. He has no idea how he got there and what the heck happened. His life becomes a living nightmare when he's accused of murder and thrown in jail. He himself had, in his talk show life, caused the incarceration of two men, who are now able to take revenge on him in jail, leaving Marty severely beaten.
Life continues to spiral into horror for Marty - no more job, no more perks. The media is having a field day and the public is baying for his blood.
I enjoyed this book, it was interesting having a behind the scenes look (albeit exaggerated?) at life for fallen idols...goodness knows we've seen
so many of them on the news recently!
August 14, 2021
I read this book after I had read the first in this series – Deadly Silence – as I wanted to find out what hag DI Phillips and how she had been demoted from her previous rank of DCI. This filled in all the gaps and was extremely intense and gripping from the very start. It was totally different in the way the story was laid out and all the action revolved around the main character, Marty Michaels. We didn’t really get much of an introduction to Jane Phillips until towards the end, when the action really took off and lives were at risk. At first, I found Marty to be a very irritating and angry person and didn’t really like him, but gradually I started to sympathise with him over how everything was conspiring against him and I found myself routing for him to clear his name and help to identify the real criminals. The finish was a chase to the end although it doesn’t really lead into the rest of the series, just introduces the reader to some of the common characters. I would say that it’s not essential to read this book either before or after having read the other books, but it’s purely to satisfy curiosity over what went before. A good read which makes me want to get stuck into more of this series.
January 4, 2023
Deadly Secrets (Detective Jane Phillips, 5).
By O.M.J. Ryan
Rating 4.2/5
I wasn’t too sure how much I was going to like Deadly Secrets. The plot was slow to start as the character of Marty Michaels developed. A rich, self centred, egotistical media person with grudges and a lot of anger. Good at his job but with no regard as to how he achieve results. However, life has many shocks in store for him starting when he wakes up, totally hungover with no recollection of where he is or how he got there. Totally unprepared for shockingly finding a body in the bathroom.
Detective Jane Phillips is soon on the case, a no nonsense professional it certainly not love at first sight when they meet.
Interestingly, although it is part of the Detective Phillips series the novel isn’t told from her point of view. It works very well.
Lots of other characters are brought into play, many unsavoury. As the plot gains momentum so does the action and the shocking facts begin to be revealed. So be prepared to find Deadly Secrets hard to put down.
Deadly Secrets is the first novel I have read by O.M.J. Ryan and it won’t be the last.
Recommended.
Thanks to Mr Ryan and Inkubator Books for giving me the opportunity to read Deadly Secrets. In return I have written and honest and unbiased review.
By O.M.J. Ryan
Rating 4.2/5
I wasn’t too sure how much I was going to like Deadly Secrets. The plot was slow to start as the character of Marty Michaels developed. A rich, self centred, egotistical media person with grudges and a lot of anger. Good at his job but with no regard as to how he achieve results. However, life has many shocks in store for him starting when he wakes up, totally hungover with no recollection of where he is or how he got there. Totally unprepared for shockingly finding a body in the bathroom.
Detective Jane Phillips is soon on the case, a no nonsense professional it certainly not love at first sight when they meet.
Interestingly, although it is part of the Detective Phillips series the novel isn’t told from her point of view. It works very well.
Lots of other characters are brought into play, many unsavoury. As the plot gains momentum so does the action and the shocking facts begin to be revealed. So be prepared to find Deadly Secrets hard to put down.
Deadly Secrets is the first novel I have read by O.M.J. Ryan and it won’t be the last.
Recommended.
Thanks to Mr Ryan and Inkubator Books for giving me the opportunity to read Deadly Secrets. In return I have written and honest and unbiased review.
September 15, 2020
Having read all the other books in the series, this is a good stand alone addition. The team are there but very much in the background.
This time, however, it’s not told from the police side of events, but from Marty’s.
What follows is an excellent roller coaster thriller, and you really don’t know who to trust. Who’s set him up and why? I couldn’t read this book quick enough to get to the climax at the end and find out. I did have my suspicions half way through and I was right, but really didn’t work out how it all came together. How awful to be such a public figure and have everything come crashing down around you through no fault of your own. I really felt for Marty. Everyone was out to betray him.
As we race through the streets of Manchester, some of my old school day haunts come back, Burnage where I went to school and although I wouldn’t recognise it now, it was good to reminisce. Whaley Range and Didsbury were there too.
Having now completed the series, I’m hoping that there will be more to come.
This time, however, it’s not told from the police side of events, but from Marty’s.
What follows is an excellent roller coaster thriller, and you really don’t know who to trust. Who’s set him up and why? I couldn’t read this book quick enough to get to the climax at the end and find out. I did have my suspicions half way through and I was right, but really didn’t work out how it all came together. How awful to be such a public figure and have everything come crashing down around you through no fault of your own. I really felt for Marty. Everyone was out to betray him.
As we race through the streets of Manchester, some of my old school day haunts come back, Burnage where I went to school and although I wouldn’t recognise it now, it was good to reminisce. Whaley Range and Didsbury were there too.
Having now completed the series, I’m hoping that there will be more to come.
October 20, 2022
Although this is a Jane Phillips prequel, she is not the main character in the novel. Radio DJ Marty Michaels is the protagonist, an interesting character with a high profile and the ego to match. So when he wakes with a hangover in a Manchester hotel room, unable to remember the night before, he is concerned. Finding a dead woman in the shower doesn't improve his mood any.
Can Marty beat the charges? Not easy when he actually has no idea whether he did it or not. So, along with his lawyer and agent, he tries to find the truth.
The scope of the novel starts narrow and gradually broadens as the story develops. The pace is fast and the plot complex - and when DCI Phillips catches up with Marty things get very interesting. Deadly Secrets is a good novel that engages and entertains.
Can Marty beat the charges? Not easy when he actually has no idea whether he did it or not. So, along with his lawyer and agent, he tries to find the truth.
The scope of the novel starts narrow and gradually broadens as the story develops. The pace is fast and the plot complex - and when DCI Phillips catches up with Marty things get very interesting. Deadly Secrets is a good novel that engages and entertains.
January 10, 2023
Marty Michaels is a well-known radio talk show host. He also has a giant ego. But when he is arrested for killing a prostitute, things take a180 decree spiral turn for him. He is attacked twice while in custody and was allowed to be released on bail to house arrest. Nic Johnson is his court appointed guardian and his lawyer. Marty swears he was set up but by who? Better question is why? Can it be proved, or will he go back to prison for life? I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
June 24, 2019
I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley.
This is a fast-paced story that kept my interest throughout. Although Marty is a somewhat unlikeable guy, he is clearly being set up for a woman's murder. As a radio host, he is a very public personality with numerous enemies. The characters were believable and the story is enjoyable.
This is a fast-paced story that kept my interest throughout. Although Marty is a somewhat unlikeable guy, he is clearly being set up for a woman's murder. As a radio host, he is a very public personality with numerous enemies. The characters were believable and the story is enjoyable.
March 29, 2022
This was a good book, thoroughly enjoyed it - filled with conspiracies!
Marty finds himself with no memory of what happened and who is the dead woman lying next to him in the hotel room. What follows is a full blown race towards him trying to figure out what's happening and why is someone trying to sabotage his life and his career!
Marty finds himself with no memory of what happened and who is the dead woman lying next to him in the hotel room. What follows is a full blown race towards him trying to figure out what's happening and why is someone trying to sabotage his life and his career!
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