Goodbye My Precious Child

D.I. Sally Parker #6

by M.A. Comley

From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author M. A. Comley who has sold over two and a half million copies worldwide.

A brutal, senseless murder...

One intrepid detective...

DI Sally Parker and her cold case team are tasked with solving a nineteen-year-old murder case unlike any other. The victim - a six-year-old child.

Who killed little Millie Pickrel? And why?

What motivates a person to murder an innocent child?

Will Sally be able to give the family closure after years of tormented existence? 
Other books in this series are:Wrong Place - an Amazon top 50 book. No Hiding Place Cold Case Deadly Encounter Lost Innocence Goodbye My Precious Child

Genres: Fiction

196 pages, Paperback

Published September 11, 2019

About the author

New York Times, USA Today, Amazon Top 20 bestselling author, iBooks top 5 bestselling and #2 bestselling author on Barnes and Noble. Over one million copies sold world wide. I am a British author who moved to France in 2002, and that's when I turned my hobby into a career.

When I'm not writing crime novels I'm either reading them or going on long walks with my rescue Labrador, Dex.

I hope you enjoy reading my books, especially the Justice series, Cruel Justice, Impeding Justice, Final Justice, Foul Justice, Guaranteed Justice, Ultimate Justice, Virtual Justice, Hostile Justice, Tortured Justice, Rough Justice, Dubious Justice, Calculated Justice, Twisted Justice, Prime Justice. There are several novellas and short stories in the series too.

My other successful series are: The DI Sally Parker thriller series, which includes WRONG PLACE, NO HIDING PLACE and COLD CASE

The Hero series, TORN APART, END RESULT, IN PLAIN SIGHT and DOUBLE JEOPARDY(published by Bloodhound Books)

I have three books in the Intention series, Sole Intention, Grave Intention and Devious Intention.

I've also written a couple of standalone novels - EVIL IN DISGUISE and FOREVER WATCHING YOU.

As well as co-authoring The Caller with Tara Lyons.

And Clever Deception, Tragic Deception and Sinful Deception co-authored by fellow NY Times bestselling author Linda S Prather.

If you'd like to keep up to date with new releases you can find me on Facebook by following this link http://smarturl.it/sps7jh or sign up for my newsletter http://www.hyperurl.co/su1xnt

If you fancy a lighter read, why not try one of my romances: A Time to Heal, and A Time for Change--Based on a TRUE story. I also have a selection of short stories and novelettes available which I know you'll enjoy.

You can find out more about me at the following blogs.

http://melcomley.blogspot.com

http://melcomleyromances.blogspot.com

Reviews

[Kathi Defranc · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great new 'cold' case with DI Sally and Team!! Nineteen years ago a six year old girl was suffocated...And sadly, the investigating police force never really gave the case the effort it deserved...
Can the Cold Case Team resolve the case, giving so many people an ending to the horrors they have fought within over the years?!
A gorgeous book cover that will catch your eye and have you wondering what happened so you open the book and delve into a cold case with DI Sally Parker and her Team, a mix of amazing investigators who let Nothing get in the way of the Truth..Not personal problems, of which they have many as we ourselves do, not blocking of their inquiries or dead ends that plague the way..
Emotional aspects of this sad case can get to everyone, but after 20 years it is time to find the perpetrator and end the family dysfunction of many who are involved. You Will feel-Sadness, Fear, Horror...And eventually you let out that held breath as the crime is figured out...And now Breathe...
A 5 STAR story that I SO Recommend to Everyone...You Will Live Through It ALL...

[Linda Strong · Rating 4 out of 5]

DI Sally Parker is back to solve two horrendous heart-breaking cases separated by 19 years.

The victim was a six-year-old little girl. A man crept into her home and suffocated her with a pillow. Why would anyone want to hurt this precious child? The mother and brother are devastated. That hurt and grief and feelings of guilt have never left them.

And today it starts again ... another little girl, another suffocation.

What motivates a person to murder an innocent child? If this is the same killer, why wait so many years to repeat their evil, sinful crime?

This is crime fiction at its best. Well written with standout characters. Parker and her team are like part of the family ... the blend of personal and professional lend an air of credibility. With these particular crimes, the horror and grief are profoundly felt.

Although 6th in the series, this one can be read as a stand alone, however, I highly recommend starting at the very beginning in order to benefit from all the little nuggets of gold that make this a terrific series.

Many thanks to the author for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

[J.A. Schneider · Rating 5 out of 5]

The sixth of this fabulous series is shocking, heartbreaking, and unputdownable. DI Sally Parker and her team take on the 19-year-old cold case involving the murder of a little girl named Millie Pickrel, who was smothered in her bed. Sally takes this one especially to heart, at first because it was badly botched by a previous police inspector, then because of her intense humanity which is what drives this whole series. A further bonus is the depiction of Sally’s and her team members’ personal relationships. You'll feel involved with the characters beyond the dogged police work, and find yourself desperate for the killer to be identified. M.A. Comley’s writing keeps your interest with action, emotion, and a terrific smash ending. Highly recommended, five stars!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to start by saying how much I love the cover for this book. It really is eye catching and gives you an idea without even reading the blurb what the story is about.

The start to the story really pulls on the heart strings and was both shocking and emotional to read. When it comes to a child being killed, I think everyone is united with how quick they want the culprit to be found. What is quite distressing is this particular criminal has already got away with it for nearly twenty years! This is why I love cold cases so much. It isn’t always about technology, sometimes the people working on it are better equipped mentally in getting it solved.

Sally definitely makes it her mission to solve this particular murder. I do so love Sally, she has the right amount of sass to kick ass when needs be but is very much in touch with her emotional side. With so many detectives novels, I think Sally’s humanity makes her stand out from the crowd.

Goodbye My Precious Child is a spell binding read that had me from the go. This is an author who really knows how to keep her readers happy. I am loving this series and being held captive as soon as I pick one of the books up until I’ve finished it. This was another shocking and disturbing case that did no disappoint.

My thanks to the author for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.

[Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always DI Sally Parker takes no hassle from her team or the public. A strong character she can lead and follow.
This time the case they delve into is about a murdered child.
It’s a heart wrenched and the kind of story that will pull the reader in.
As well as the cold case, Sally is involved in a new case and that’s where things get creepier.
Excellent & a great follow up to the others.

[Linda Prather · Rating 5 out of 5]

DI Sally Parker has been one of my favorite characters since the very first book, but the cold cases series really upped the game for me. Absolutely love them all.

A grieving mother who will never forget...
A terrified community moving on...
A six year old beautiful child whose life was taken.

Nineteen years have passed since little Millie was killed. A beautiful, loving child adored by everyone. A set of tragic circumstances no one could have foreseen leaves more victims than just Millie. The mother's guilt for leaving her for a date; the babysitter whose father suffered a heart attack; her brother who couldn't save her--but who killed Millie? And why?

There were no clues 19 years ago and Sally and her team face a frustrating and seemingly impossible task of trying to uncover the truth. Will this be the one case where they fail? Will the questions that have haunted a community go unanswered? Was the rehashing of their guilt and pain all for nothing, or will a family finally get the closure they deserve?

You'll have to read the book to find out. A heart-wrenching tale, well written as always that pulls you in and keeps you glued to your seat as follow the investigation. A definite 5* read for me and highly recommended.

[Maria Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sally and her team are working their way through cold cases which were inadequately investigated by a previous police inspector. This case involves a child being murdered by suffocation in her own bed. The murder was almost twenty years ago but there were still quite a few neighbours available to help with this re-investigation.

I enjoy the fact that these books do not just concentrate on the police investigations but we also get to read about the team’s families and relationships. This definitely makes me feel invested in the series.

This is an emotional read and I was rooting for the killer to be identified. This author has a style of writing which flows and keeps your interest throughout.

I highly recommend this book - 5*.

[Dee Groocock · Rating 5 out of 5]

DI Sally Parker and her team are back again and still solving cold cases. They look into the case of 6 year old Millie Pickrel who was murdered 19 years ago. Who murdered her and why? What possible motive could anybody have for the murder of such an innocent child?
This was a difficult book to read, for obvious reasons. You can’t help but take to heart a book that tackles such a sad subject. No surprise that the author handles it with sensitivity and compassion. This is a gripping book and I have to say that the cover is exceptional. Hug your children that little bit tighter.
I wish I could give this book more than 5 stars.

[Julie Simon · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a brilliant book, loved it from beginning to end. I love this Sally Ramsey series and the investigations into cold cases. Coming up to the 20th anniversary of the murder of a young child in her bedroom at home, Sally and her team begin to try and solve the case. With no real clues being found they find themselves struggling and then something happens which changes everything.
A real nail biting read with hard hitting emotional ties throughout. Another fantastic book in this series.
Looking forward to seeing more of Lorne too!

[Melissa Birch · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me turning the pages so fast!
The story wars extremely well written, a tragic event which had me emotionally involved.
Fabulous, unexpected, ending.
Looking forward to seeing what's next for Sally.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

After read this I’m an emotional wreck .
It’s Nineteen years since she had been killed.
Then they sorted another out and then the Millie Pickrel sorted it out .
I had an ARC from M A COMLEY

[K-BRC · Rating 5 out of 5]

A decades old cod case, the murder of a child, presents a heart-wrenching investigation. New insights into the team adds depth to the story and gives the reader a stake in the outcome. This one is a must-read; it reached inside to twist your guts and then restart your heart if needed. Highly recommend!

[Joanne Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has been my favourite non-Justice series so far due to the location and the fabulous Sally Parker who never gives up until she gets her man (or woman!). So I was immediately taken off to the Norfolk coast at the start of Goodbye My Precious Child as we meet a single mum treating her children to a much needed family day out in Great Yarmouth. But those wonderful memories are going to be overshadowed by a terrible tragedy when six year old Millie is discovered murdered in her bed later that night. The case is never solved so it’s up to DI Sally Parker and her team to look into it 19 years later when they make some rather shocking discoveries about that horrific crime.

I love true crime novels and tv series especially those that focus on cold cases and whether or not there have been miscarriages of justice and the Sally Parker series feels current and topical due to that comparison. I get very passionate about cases that haven’t been solved knowing that there are families out there who don’t have the closure that they so desperately need and so straight away I felt a huge amount of sympathy for Anna who lost her precious daughter in such a terrible crime. Sally developed a connection with her and with others involved in the case so that she was able to get as much relevant information about the murder as she possibly could, whilst also keeping a professional yet empathetic approach to her goal of finding out the truth. Sally is relatable and likeable which we see through her personal life as that plays a big part in how she works professionally as well. The case itself could be difficult to read about as I do struggle when it’s children who are the victims of such violent deaths but this is the world we live in nowadays unfortunately and Mel handles her cases without too much gruesome detail so that we are aware of what happens but she keeps to the facts of the case.

Goodbye My Precious Child was a quick read for me (one of the things I love about Mel’s books are that they are the perfect length for an afternoons read on the sofa!) as I was desperate to see how she followed the clues to their end result. And for a change, I did guess the who and why but that is never my focus when I read these crime thrillers and plays no part in my overall enjoyment of them!

Goodbye My Precious Child was shocking, emotional and involving from start to finish. One word of warning though if you are an M.A. Comley superfan is to make sure you read the final Justice book (Overdue Justice #19) first and not after this one like I did as there are some little spoilers here that relate to that book!

This is a highly recommended instalment of the Sally Parker series! And hopefully not the last!

[Karolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the sixth book in the DI Sally Parker series and it’s an absolutely brilliant read. The book is based around Acle which is in the lovely setting of rural Norfolk. Very scenic, windmills in the distance, a river, the odd pub or two, boats and plenty of fields.

DI Sally Parker is with her team going through the cold cases looking for the next case to work, when she finds the file on Millie Pickrel. A little child, aged six years old, killed in her own bed by an intruder, 19 years ago. Who could have killed her and why? Sally and the team decide to re-open the case and investigate it, to try and give little Millie some justice.

They start by interviewing Millie’s mum, Anna, who has since gotten married but she still wants justice for Millie. She is happy that they are re-investigating the case, she tells them as much as she can remember but it’s not much. Lisa had come to babysit the children that night as she had gone on a date with Dean. Whilst eating, Lisa had rung to say there was an emergency with her dad and she had to go to the hospital, Anna had told her to go, they would come straight away. They had left the restaurant, by the time they got home, her Millie was dead. Someone had managed to break in and kill her. She is still in touch with Lisa and gives them the details. Louie is now a salesman and has a family of his own.

After a few days Sally split the team up so they were working two cases consecutively. Stuart and Jordan were given the case of a man who had been arrested and jailed for the suspicion of poisoning his wife which he had been profusely denying for three years.
Sally and Jack went to speak to Louie Pickrel. He had been twelve years old when he had lost his sister and was in the house at the time the attacker was there. Plus he had given an E-fit in the original investigation. Had it ever been used?

After a few days on the investigation, they receive a call one morning to say another team has had a similar case to their child killing come in overnight, in their area. Sally is at once interested, as she doesn’t believe in coincides and could it be possible that the killer has resurfaced? Maybe he never went away?

This book was an absolute masterpiece of superb writing, sensitively handling a senseless innocent child being killed and the murderer going undetected for years. 5 out of 5 stars from me.

[Lin Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story can be read as a stand alone or as a series.

DI Sally Parker.
How does M A Comley, make you feel like you’re in the team?

This story starts about a previous murder. The team will try to solve this sad case, from almost twenty years ago.

DI Sally Parker finds out who who was interviewed, at the time.
Now it’s time to catch up with the same people.

This was a frustrating time for the staff. They were getting nowhere.
How could a killer hide, all those years.

Fear not, the team are called to another case, very similar to the previous.

Was so happy with the ending.
Oh, there was another surprise in this story that made me think, yay!
———————

[Debra Feldman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another five star read from Mel Comley. We’re back with Sally Parker and her team working on more cold cases from the past. This time we learn about the murder of a 6 year old girl who was killed 19 years ago and no one brought to justice

Along the way we have another case to look at and learn more of Sally’s life. There is even an appearance from our good friend Lorne!!

Another winner

[Paula D · Rating 5 out of 5]

A difficult topic to read about. Right from the start it grabs you in and doesn’t let you go. There are some subtle clues along the way cleverly hidden in plain sight by the author to keep you guessing. What a rollercoaster of a story. DI Sally Parker and the team are very real characters who you invest in as the story goes on. Great tale, very well told.
ARC copy.

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read and a continuation to the DI Sally Parker series, It was great for Lorne to have a part in the book and I hope that she is brought in more as the series progresses. The book was an emotional but not too graphic a read for anyone who isn't keen on the subject matter.

[Netta Newbound · Rating 5 out of 5]

I devoured this in one sitting - couldn't put it down. Well done Mel once again xx

[Donna Maguire · Rating 5 out of 5]

https://donnasbookblog.wordpress.com/...

I love the cover for this book, it is full of impact

The author has excelled herself with this story, which is the sixth book in the DI Sally Parker series. I am so pleased that the series is still going so strong and I have to say that I think this is one of the best in the series so far – it was such a heart-breaking story to read.

I thought that the characters were well developed and I have enjoyed watching Sally and her team grow. This one I do think could also be read as a stand-alone if you do not want to read the rest of the series, it touches a little on the back story of Sally but that is all and I don’t think it contains any major spoilers.

This is a tough topic to read about but the author has done it justice and even though she took me though a wide range of emotions and I had my thoughts on who was responsible the ending was still a surprise for me.

It is 5 stars from me for this one, it is a gripping story and I thoroughly enjoyed every page. This author could honestly write a shopping list and there would be a queue to read it!! Very highly recommended and already looking forward to her next release!!

[Bob Ely · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book. Sally and her team are investigation cold cases, that were botched by a retired detective. This case involves a girl, who is smothered in her home 19 years ago. The team tries to start putting together the pieces and going back and interviewing people from back then with little or no luck. Another child is killed in the same way and Sally thinks the cases are related. Part of her team gets a man serving time for killing his wife off and they find the real murderer. When another child is attacked, the intruder is captured. I thought this person was the killer all along, but the story kept leading the reader away form this person. I enjoyed the book and I love this author.

[Cindy Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Goodbye My Previous Child ( DI Sally Parker thriller book 6)

I can't wait to read more of this series knowing that
there will be more in this series later on this year, after all, Sally and Lorne have work to do. I love reading both Sally and Lorne's series, so exciting and I find myself trying to see who did it .. My sister and I both love these series, we are always letting the other know when a new book is coming out, makes it more exciting to share with another.
Cindy Riley

[kay adey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another wonderful read.

At the end of the last book I was dismayed that we got so little detail about the wedding, I hoped more might be in this one but,no.
Jack's behaviour seems to have taken a huge turn and I forsee him being written out.
Sally seems to have passed her flair for inspired leaps onto the rest of her team.
I had the guilty person nailed earlier than usual. It didn't spoil the read but I felt this book was not quite as good as the previous ones, I will have to read the next book and see if things even out.

[Pam Madson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

I really enjoyed these books. You really get to know the characters. There’s a lot Os suspense and action so it’s hard to put them down. Also the twists and turns are great.

[Lynne Coulson · Rating 5 out of 5]

My new favourite author.

By far the best Sallly Parker book so far, a nd I just love the Sally/Lorne friendship in this story. I hope it continues in the next book as I feel like I know them both..
Can't wait to start the next book.

[Pam Vehrs]

I was guessing on who dun it!

This story kept me guessing. How could someone be so cruel? This book kept me reading far into the night, then the morning to finish. Another great book!!

[Toni Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book!

Exciting, suspense,crazy thrill ride. I knew from the beginning who did it.

It amazes me how we really don't know our family? You won't see this coming ! Wow!

M A Comley, is a brilliant writer!

[Joy Barnard · Rating 5 out of 5]

These stories just get better!

Another pair of fabulous cases which had me enthralled. I guessed the prep again fairly early on. I'm enjoying the cold cases so much as the team have to delve into the past. It certainly keeps me turning the pages.

[chris coyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another brilliant read from the author




Cant wait for next instalment. Always look forward to the authors next tale from the characters and plots. Good work

[Mrs L Adair · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripped from start to finish

Wow how do I get so engrossed in these books? Completely draws me in can’t wait for the next one. Superb author.