Duplicity

The Manchester Murders #3

by Pamela Murray

A HEART-STOPPING CRIME THRILLER WITH A TWIST THAT YOU WON’T SEE COMING

Is the truth stranger than fiction? 

Newly retired Hannah Sanderson loves reading crime novels so when her favourite author, Jonas Burke, comes to town for a book signing, she wants to meet him. However, when she starts reading his latest novel, she finds that one of the crimes featured in it is too close to home.

When DS Sally Fielding discovers that her police officer father died as a result of being tasered, which caused his heart attack, she is shocked. But when Hannah Sanderson goes on to explain that his death is described in intricate detail in a novel she has recently read, Sally’s suspicions are raised, and she begins an investigation. 

With a small team in place, Sally and her colleagues cross-reference all the descriptions of Burke’s fictitious crimes with cases in the police database.

Will DS Fielding be able to solve the mystery before anyone else gets hurt?

And is the truth really stranger than fiction?

Also available in The Manchester Murders Series:

Bloodline

Murderland

Duplicity is the third book in Pamela Murray's acclaimed Manchester Murder series. It can also be read as an unmissable stand-alone or as part of the series. If you are a fan of authors like Helen H. Durrant, Angela Marsons and J. R. Ellis then you will love this unmissable new crime thriller.

Kindle Edition

Published December 9, 2019

About the author

Pamela Murray is a crime writer from the North East of England and is best known for the novels Murderland, Bloodline, and Duplicity, collectively known as The Manchester Murders. She had intended to follow a career in either art or journalism after school but chose to work in a library instead because of her love of books. Murderland, her debut novel, was only submitted to one publisher before being immediately accepted. She has now written a further eight books and is currently working on another. Pamela's writing style is gripping and suspenseful, making her a favourite among crime fiction enthusiasts.

Find her on social media @pamelamurraywriting

Reviews

[Alyson Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book to feature DI Joe Burton and DS Sally Fielding of the Greater Manchester Police. They have worked together for a number of years and together with five detective constables, they run a tight and loyal team. They also have a great personal friendship which everyone else can plainly see ought to develop into something closer. This story picks up on the little teaser left at the end of book 2, Bloodline. Although this book works fine on its own, it does refer to events in the previous two books without explaining them, so I would really recommend reading the books in order. The story starts with a newly retired Detective Inspector Hannah Sanderson enjoying a hobby of reading crime fiction now that she has time on her hands. Shopping in town one day she spots a book signing advertised for famous author Jonas Burke, so she goes along the next day, meets him and gets a signed book. However eighteen chapters in, she realises that the details of the crime in the book are exactly the same as those where her partner was killed. Details that were never in the public domain. Also staying in the same area in the north east is DS Sally Fielding, now reunited with her mother after thirteen years apart and recuperating from her last case. When Hannah visits Sally and tells her that her policeman father's heart attack death has been described perfectly in Burke's novel, they both know that they have to investigate. Joined by DI Joe Burton, they get official approval but soon discover that there are many fictitious crimes written by the author that tally precisely with cold cases in the records. Their investigation becomes darker and they have no idea who they can trust, whilst someone is determined to prevent them getting to the truth, even if that means threatening the lives of those closest. This is a highly engrossing story with lots of clues left for the reader and a very satisfying ending all round. It's a great police procedural full of well described and very likeable characters who we are getting to know well now. I read this book in a day, so much was my desire to watch the very enjoyable team of detectives unravelling the truth. I sincerely hope there will be more books in this series.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favourite characters are back; Ds Sally Fielding and DI Joe Burton.

This is the third book with these characters but this can easily be read as a standalone novel.

I read the first two; Murderland and Bloodline, out of order and it doesn’t detract from the other books at all.

But you will want to read them all.

In Duplicity, retirement has come for Hannah Sanderson. One of her favourite authors Jonas Burke; a writer of crime novels; has just released his latest novel, and its not long after starting the book that she is shocked to discover that it is word for word, exactly what happened at the time. She knows this to be fact as it happened to her partner at the time, William Fielding. Who happens to be DS Sally Fielding father.

It was said, that he had died from a heart attack. But it the novel it comes to light that the heart attack was brought on by him being tasered.

Hannah’s retirement is short-lived when she teams up with Burton and Fielding to investigate. She is determined to find the answers, not just for herself but also for Sally.

As more evidence comes to light, so the plots thicken.
Not knowing who they can trust; and with threats of physical violence against them and others that they know, time is of the essence.

Are there more of the authors books that relate to other deaths?

How is it possible? And who is the leak in the police that has such intimate knowledge of the crimes? .

But one thing is certain, everything it appears is centred around a murder case that was one of the first that Hannah was involved in.

Brilliant writing again by the author and I really hope there is more to come from these characters.

[January · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay so, here’s the thing: this book was also not good. Bless her heart that Pamela Murray! I really did enjoy Murderland; except for the ending it was well developed and written. My guess? Murray enjoyed her newfound status so much that she decide to take a break and let her grandmother write the next two books?!

I don’t mean that in anyway as an insult - except yea these two were not as good. Grandma Murray was very sweet and also very naive. Yes police officers know how to investigate cases, they don’t have to vocalize all their theories and woes. They also don’t explain every little detail of what they do - and how new fangled technology and coffee are :) Police officers don’t yell out, “The safety is on!” In front of the bag guys, and let the gun go unnoticed. It was very 1980s detective, and obvious for every single step; not enjoyable as a crime/detective story but one which I had to see through and finish. I couldn’t let Grandma Murray be disappointed!

The gun at the end and their shock that she had one - wow. I want to live in that world! :/

If Murray or Grandma write another book, I will probably seek it out and see, I’m a sucker for the England references! But also, keep trying ladies :)

Update: oh no, she starts another series with them. And of course I will have to read it! Going to have to let this be my Treacle books :)

[Ruth Matheson · Rating 4 out of 5]

 

Third book in the series featuring DI Joe Burton and DS Sally Fielding. The story opens with the description of the murder which a child has witnessed. This also happened to be the first murder that newly retired Hannah Sanderson attended as a young police officer. She has now taken up reading crime novels to fill her day however one author’s latest book has information about a dead officer, to which no-one was privy to at the time including Hannah as it was her partner who was killed who also was DS Fielding’s father.

The three of them come together to find out who the mole is in the force and the more they find out, the less they seem to know.  Everyone is under suspicion however when some children become threatened, it becomes imperative to find out who is behind this. Lots of twists and turns and wondering who is lying and who is telling the truth!  Overall I would give this book 4.5*

Thanks to Bloodhound Books for the ARC to review.

 

[Vina · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Duplicity” by Pamela Murray is an engrossing mystery. At a book-signing, retired police officer Hannah meets Burke, her favourite crime novelist. But as she begins reading his book, she is dumbfounded to see a crime scene described, that is the replica of a case she and her partner had dealt with. Unfortunately, her partner had died during that encounter. Worried, she decides to delve deeper into it, and goes to meet her partner’s daughter, herself a police officer.What transpires next, and is anyone else drawn into the case? Does someone want this case to remain closed? Read and see.

3 Stars

[Bev · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hannah now has all the time she likes to read now that she is retired from the police department. She also loves crime novels and sees where there is a book signing by one of her favorite authors. As she gets the book and starts to read it, it triggers things buried deep in her mind. There are things in the book that the general public never knew about the crime. How can that be? Is her favorite author a murder? Or is there a leak in the police department? This is a very well written thriller. I enjoyed it very much!!! I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book from Bloodhound books.

[Bobbi Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not my first book by this author but it is my favorite of hers yet. I enjoy the suspsense and mystery that she can bring to the story. This is a well developed story that left me sitting on the edge of my seat and turning pages at that. The characters brought the story to life and made it realistic. I highly recommend you find out what happens when a story about murder hits to close to home.

[Holly Reynolds · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved Burton and Fielding after the first two novels so it was great to learn more about Fielding’s life and family.

This story is about a novelist who uses details from real-life crime scenes in his books.

The story kept me guessing and I loved the twist at the end.

I can’t wait for the next book with these characters!

[Mary Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

The basic premise of this book is good: murder mysteries that are just like those in real life... But... Sadly one has to stretch the bounds of reality to accept the ‘investigation’ and the connectedness of all the characters.

[Mr Kenneth L Mullen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Story

This is the first book that I have read by this author and I will be looking to read more. Well Constructed story with lots of interesting characters. Living close to the area I particularly enjoyed the setting of the story in the Tune and Wear region.

[Mr Mark Hawksford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Duplicity -

This is the third book in the series. I enjoyed the second book slightly more, but this was still a good enjoyable read. It had me trying to guess who was behind some of the going ons and I didn’t expect the outcome. It was a 4.5 out of 5 for me.

[Ellie Shepherd · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, it was an easy to read book without lots of characters to confuse between. The subject was a pleasant tale and with likeable characters.

[VP · Rating 2 out of 5]

I almost enjoyed this one, but it started as a hate read because the previous two books were terrible.
Man, this writer really needs an editor! So many extra words.

[Gabe Dinardi · Rating 3 out of 5]

i enjoyed the story but the writing just isn’t good (including that the whole series was out of order lol)

[Danny Matheson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another very good book from Pamela Murray. It is very well written and has a good plot. Although the third in a series of is easily read as a standalone book. 

The storyline centres around a well known author whose books mirror certain crimes. Is there insider knowledge or something more suspicious? You are led on a tale with many twists and turns. 

Thanks to Bloodhound Books for the ARC which I've reviewed voluntarily 

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[Martha Elton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good plot but reading pace slow

This would go far faster without so many unnecessary and frankly obvious details. But the plot and subplots are clever.