Deep Black Lies

Harry Hope #2

by C.J. Carver

The last thing psychotherapist Harry Hope expects on his walk home one evening is to be knifed.

At first, he thinks it’s a random event. But as the police investigate further, seemingly unrelated attacks, Harry is shocked to discover that every victim is linked to him. And that his name is on a death list.

Who would want to kill Harry? Why?

Teaming up with his old friends DI Theo McCannon and DS Libby Harding, Harry is forced to delve into the dark and twisted world of a cold and calculating killer.

And as Harry fights his way closer to the truth, he realises time isn’t just running out for him, but for everyone around him…

302 pages, Paperback

First published February 5, 2020

About the author

CJ Carver is a half-English, half-Kiwi author living just outside Bath. Her books have been published in the UK, USA and translated throughout Europe. Her first novel Blood Junction, won the CWA Debut Dagger Award, was shortlisted for the USA Barry Award, and was also voted as one of the best mystery books of the year by Publishers Weekly. Spare Me the Truth, the first book in the Dan Forrester series, was nominated for the Ngaio Marsh Award for Best Crime Novel. CJ lived in Australia for 10 years before taking up long distance rally driving – she has driven London to Saigon, London to Cape Town and covered 14,000 miles on the Inca Trail.

Reviews

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

DEEP BLACK LIES is the second psychological thriller in the Harry Hope Series by CJ Carver.

Books in the Harry Hope Series Include:
Cold Echo (Book 1) Published Sept 2019
Deep Black Lies (Book 2) Scheduled for publication Feb 5 2020

Although the plots are standalones, I would recommend reading the novels in order to fully appreciate the ongoing character development. This is a series I plan to continue to follow.

A divorced and father of three psychotherapist Harry Hope, is knifed on his walk home one evening. Was this a random attack or was Harry targeted?

After contacting his friends, DI Theo McCannon and Ds Libby Harding, he learns that there have been other attacks. Teaming up with his old friends, Harry is drawn into the world of a calculated killer.

Harry is shocked to discover that every victim is linked to him. And that his name is on a death list.

Four knife attacks, one murder and another attempted murder in ten days.

The clock keeps ticking and time is running out…

This great read offers a plot full of suspense, believable characters and a book that will grip you from start to finish. Really enjoyed it! I would highly recommend this book.

Many thanks to the author and Bloodhound Books for my digital copy.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deep Black Lies by C.J. Carver is book two in the Harry Hope series, and what an exciting book it was! I loved Cold Echo, which is book one, and book two did not disappoint.

I love the character that is Harry, and of course I love his girlfriend Jessie as well. In Deep Black Lies he is helping fight crime again after he is almost the victim of a knife attack. Being a psychotherapist he doesn’t necessarily seem like the type that would be helping the police, but he is awfully good at it. Deep Black Lies is super twisty, and just when I thought I was done with the twists, I got a couple more. I love Carver’s writing and I need to read more books by her since all I have read are the two Harry Hope books so far. She is always on point with pacing and twists, and this book didn’t even take me 3.5 hours to read which is always saying something (I’m really not that fast of a reader).

Once again, I was completely shocked by the ending of a Carver book. Deep Black Lies packs a punch and isn’t a light read although there is some much-needed humor which helps. I didn’t see the ending coming, and I was generally surprised by most of the twists. I don’t want to say too much about the plot because I don’t want to give anything away, but twisty it is.

Final Thought: I don’t think you necessarily HAVE to read Cold Echo before you read Deep Black Lies but I would highly recommend it. There was a lot of backstory in book one that I think is essential to really knowing who Harry Hope is and how he got to where he is in this book. I hope Carver never stops writing about him because he has got to be one of my favorite characters by far. If you are looking for a new series and are a thriller fan then you must pick up Cold Echo and Deep Black Lies! I will be disappointed in you if you don’t.

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an advance review copy of this book, all opinions are my own.

[Nila (digitalcreativepages) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one heck of a ride with Harry the psychologist in the eye of a cyclone. But it was never a safe spot, not for long.

Harry was knifed or rather somebody tried to. He survived, but people around him died. While being filmed. The cops were stunned. Somebody was targeting the people connect to Harry.

My first book by author CJ Carver, I was taken in by the winds of cyclone as the plotting of the mind of the author soon came to light. It was one wicked path. But damn thrilling. The pace became a bit slow at times, but that could be because I wanted it to go faster. I had to know who and why was Harry targeted.

The characters were varied, but Harry stood one like a light in the stormy waters, though he was pummeled quite a bit in the book. The doc in me kept cringing and my mind said – here we go again. That man seriously had head injury so many times I was sure that it was soon going to become a jello.

Nevertheless, Harry withstood it and came to a conclusion which was most unexpected. The way the author connected the subplots made me feel sheepish about how I missed out on the possibility. I was slacking, and the book won me over with its thrill.

Overall, with the murders and black and blue beatings, I would say it was a good breakfast read.

[8stitches 9lives · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deep Black Lies is the second thriller in the Doctor Harry Hope series and although it can certainly be read without picking up the first offering beforehand this is a series you will likely want to read from the beginning. I found this to be a thoroughly gripping read and one which is both fast paced and exciting. A real page-turner and a book made all the more fascinating by the fact that Dr Hope is a psychotherapist. If you enjoy cleverly written thrillers with an emotive and engaging cast of characters and a well thought out storyline featuring many twisty reveals then you can’t go wrong with Deep Black Lies. Recommended. Many thanks to Bloodhound Books for an ARC.

[Linda Strong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Psychotherapist Harry Hope is attacked by a young man with a knife. Luckily Harry is in pretty good shape and is able to escape much damage .... mostly a couple of broken ribs and some bruises here and there.

Calling his friend DI Theo McCannon and DS Libby Harding, he's surprised to discover there have been other attacks .... and Harry is linked to every one of them. His name is also listed on a web site ... someone's willing to pay to have Harry taken out.

Who on earth has a reason to kill Harry? As Harry fights his way closer to the truth, he realizes time isn’t just running out for him, but for everyone around him.

Although the second in the series, this is easily read as a stand alone. But I highly recommend reading COLD ECHO first. Harry is a terrific character. He takes his job seriously and he loves being able to help people with whatever problems they have. He's got a sense of humor, an ex-wife married to his best friend, and children.

This is well written, with suspense that starts at the very beginning and lasts until the very last page. The plot is nicely paced with a few twists and turns.

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

[Ruth Matheson · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the first page in the book, this story will have you enrapt! Harry Hope, a psychotherapist based in Bristol, is attacked on his way home from work by a young guy with a knife. Harry challenges him and fights back although when his friend and colleague comes to help him, there is no knife to be found even when Harry goes back to look for it. It transpires that there have been a number of attacks throughout the city but what the police discover is that there always seems to be a link with Harry. When he is attacked for a second time and then a close family friend is murdered, the police and Harry must quickly get to the bottom of this especially after Harry’s name appears on a hit list!.

Lots of twists and turns, and for the reader plenty to consider to figure out who is responsible for this. Loved this book from start to finish and hated having to put it down.

Thanks to Bloodhound Books for the ARC to review.

[Alyson Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book featuring Harry Hope and it is shaping up to be a great series. Harry is a successful and well respected psychotherapist living and working in the Bath area with three children, an ex-wife Nicole who ran off with his former best friend Dave and a lovely new girlfriend Jessie whom he met in book one. His neighbour and friend is local DI Theo McCannon who once again comes to him for advice after there have been several attempted knife attacks in the area, including one on Harry himself where he managed to fight back. All the attacks appear to be totally random. The police are baffled and hope Harry can find a motive by looking at the crimes from a different angle. Reluctant at first to get involved again with a police investigation after the dramatic events (not to mention injuries - the poor man does seem to get battered a lot!) of the first book, he eventually is persuaded to help by Theo and DS Libby Harding, and is shocked to find that that he knew one victim who was actually killed. That is bad enough, but as the investigation proceeds further, the team discover links between Harry and all the known victims, and find that they are all on a hit list for people who are accused of fictitious and heinous crimes. A cold blooded mastermind is controlling this and is meting out second hand form of justice.
Once again the danger gets very close to home and soon Harry is fighting to protect the people he cares about. This is great stuff, with lots of action in a book that is very easy to read and that you won't want to put down. Harry's profession and approach to solving the case mixes very well with Theo and Libby's more straight forward way of catching the killer, and together they all make a terrific team, rooting out terrible secrets to reach the awful truth. A really enjoyable mystery thriller - I wonder what poor Harry will be thrown into next? 5*

[Nerys Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Psychologist Harry Hope is confronted by a young man armed with a knife. He manages to get the upper hand but his attacker gets away. This attack is linked by police to a spate of attacks on people in the area. Then a friend of Harry’s ex-wife is attacked and thrown in a canal and she drowns. The attack was filmed and it’s linked to a website where several people, including Harry, have been identified as child abusers. Those who have been attacked are also linked to a financial adviser the police cannot trace. Harry help the police with their investigation and it becomes clear that he is still being targeted. When the identity of the financial adviser and the individual behind the website is revealed Harry can’t believe he was hoodwinked by someone so close to him and has to consider his future as a psychologist.

Really enjoyed the first Harry Hope novel and the second in the series did not disappoint either. Loved it.

Thanks to Bloodhound Books and C J Carver for the ARC in return for an honest review.

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Dr. Harry Hope series and it certainly does not disappoint. Harry is once again called to assist his old friends DI Theo McCannon and DS Libby Harding in a murder investigation that hits a little too close to home. As the details start to emerge, a series of random knife attacks are not so random after all and Harry finds himself entangled in a dark and calculating world of a faceless killer. This book provides a steady pace of interesting storytelling and strong characters that leaves everyone a potential suspect. I would definitely recommend!

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been a fan of C. J. Carver for a while now. I absolutely love her books and I enjoyed the first book in the Harry Hope series called 'Cold Echo', so I couldn't wait to get hold of a copy of the second book in the series. Well ladies and gents, the second book in the Harry Hope series is called 'Deep Black Lies' and has just been released. It really is a fantastic new addition to the Harry Hope series. I thoroughly enjoyed reading 'Deep Black Lies' but more about that in a bit.
I have to say that I really like Harry Hope and reading this second book felt like reuniting with an old friend. Harry is a psychotherapist, who has worked with the police previously. Harry was married but the marriage broke up and his wife is now with his former best friend. Harry is now in a relationship with another woman, who seems to be a better match with him than his former wife. Harry loves the work that he does but he can become far too involved with cases and certain cases have taken over his life somewhat.
It took me next to no time to get into this book. In fact by the time I got to the end of the first couple of pages, I instinctively knew that this was going to be one book that I wouldn't be able to put to one side for any length of time. I must be psychic because that was exactly what happened. It was as if I feared that I might miss out on something or on some vital clue. The book wasn't exactly glued to my hand but it might as well have been because it travelled everywhere with me. I soon raced to the end of the story. I just found the case intriguing and I had to know what happened to Harry.
'Deep Black Lies' is really well written but then I think that to be the case with all of this author's books. She starts the story in such a way that ensures this book will stay fresh in your memory for a long time to come. The story starts with a bang and maintains the fast pace throughout. C.J. Carver writes so realistically and she uses such vivid descriptions that I truly felt as though I was part of the story myself. I think part of the attraction of the book was that the fact that Harry was a psychotherapist and that he helped police with certain cases. That would just be my dream job as I have always wanted to be a criminal psychologist or a psychotherapist type. In a sense, I get to live my dream job through Harry. I hope that makes sense.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading 'Deep Black Lies' and I would definitely recommend this book to other readers. I will definitely be reading more of this author's work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.

[M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good crime fiction with unexpected twists and fascinating characters. Recommended.

A stranger tries to stab Harry Hope—I actually wrote Harry Hole and caught the error just before posting—who manages to fight off the young man. His physicality surprises Doug King, Harry’s psychologist colleague from the Wellbeing Centre where they both see patients.

Later, Harry learns from DI Theo McCannon and DS Elizabeth “Libby” Harding that other people have been murdered, their deaths recorded on smart phones, and posted online. The common denominator to all the murders is Harry Hope, who knows the victims and/or their close friends/relatives. Then Harry’s name shows up on an online hit list, with anonymous people bidding on a chance to kill him or others on the list.

I liked the superb characterizations, especially that of the villains. The complex storyline is expertly plotted, with very good twists which are often unexpected. Some of the action scenes are repetitive and went on too long, but that’s my druthers.

I recommend this book to crime fiction fans.

[Miki Jacobs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harry Hope is a psychotherapist who works in a practice in Bath.
He has a friend, Theo, who is a policeman and who uses his expertise in Some of his cases.

When Harry is attacked leaving his office, seemingly randomly, he fights Off the knife man and then when his colleague appears and says he didn't see a knife, he questions his own judgement, but does report it to the police, mainly Because he injured the would be assailant.

He is advised that there have been several other attacks and is drawn into the investigation.
To his horror, a friend is drowned in canal, which when a video appears online, is shown as a murder.

The story has lots of twists and turns and kept my interest so much that I had to finish it to see if my suspicions were confirmed.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

A terrific book and compelling read. A great opening chapter that had me hooked immediately. Harry Hope, a psychotherapist, is now in a loving relationship with Jessie after a failed marriage with a cheating wife and his best friend. They still keep in touch because of the children but things are a little strained. He also helps the police now and again with criminal profiling but when the latest crime involves the death of his ex-wifes best friend things become very personal. When targeted himself and attacked he needs answers...quickly. Lives are being put at risk, people are taking the law into their own hands. A fascinating and twisty plot that kept me intrigued throughout. Thank you to Bloodhound books for the ARC in return of an honest and unbiased review.

[Bobbi Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. This is not my first book by this author but it is my favorite yet. It is a well written story that is full of suspense with characters that bring the story to life. There is a few random attacks but what happens when Harry finds out that he is the common factor? Better yet he is on the death list. The twists and turns left me turning pages as well as sitting on the edge of my seat just waiting to see what was lurking in the shadows. This is a great story that I would highly recommend.

[Mary Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grabbed me from the first page and only exhaustion stoped me reading it in one big chunk. Excellent. The characters were well rounded and developed - I could cast them for my TV version pretty quickly.

The story was different and not your usual run of the mill. The plot was well paced and understandable. No loose ends worthy of note. Best news yet? There is a whole back catalogue by this author.

Ms Carver you have made a fan.

[Leanne Fisher · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the series, though you dont need to read the first to enjoy this.

This is a really enjoyable read with interesting characters. It starts with the main character, Harry, being attacked in the street. It is then revealed that there have been multiple murders or assaults, where all the victims are somehow linked to Harry. He works with the police to discover the truth.

I recommend this to crime thriller readers, you won't be disappointed.

[Dee Groocock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Upon leaving work, Harry is attacked by someone wielding a knife. Thankfully, he fights back and the attacker flees when a friend intervened. Although believing this is a random attack, it soon transpired there have been other attacks and they are all linked to Harry!
This is the second book in the series. It is a well written story that I couldn’t put down. The book had me gripped and I enjoyed the twists that the book produced throughout.

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well what a great excellent book this was. I was hooked from the first sentence till the last. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a great crime thriller. I also may or may not develop a little crush on Harry 🤣. If Harry would be an animal he would have to be a cat. If you read the book you'll know what I mean. He wouldn't have many lives left . All in all 5 deserving *****

[Jane Eckles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read. Sat in the sun in the garden in lockdown and read it in one sitting. C J Carver certainly knows how to draw the reader in from page one. A thoroughly enjoyable and exciting read. Go for it!!

[Vina · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good average.

3 Stars.

[terri j lange · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thrilling suspense

I really enjoyed reading this book.
Kept me guessing from the very beginning.
Full of twists and turns.
Great characters.

[maria seilius · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another action packed tale from this author that is well written , paced well with a motley crew of characters .

[Dawn Marsanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good. Enjoyable and fast moving. Clever story.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it, and The previous in the series too.

[S.T. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mediocre at best and way too predictable.

[Sebastian Barrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you really know your friends?

Harry Hope thought that he did and with his professional opinion, was sure that he did. But, as this twisted thriller evolves, the truth comes out in a shocking way.
And it all starts with an attempt on the life of Harry and he wants to know why. This is a superb novel from a very gifted writer who has neatly wrapped everything up in these 2 books of the series. Loved them!

[Shiela Monaghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cracking read

This is really a cracking read. I love CJ Carver books and this doesn’t disappoint. Great characterization and believable story line. Can’t wait for the next Harry Hope thriller.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Harry Hope series and it is becoming a captivating. The main character Harry Hope is a psychologist who on and off helps the police in profiling suspects. On the way home someone tries to stab him but Harry manages to fight his assailant off. As time goes on there are more victims. Who is trying to kill Harry and why? There are so many twists and turns it keeps the reader guessing to the end. Hope the author is well on the way with the third.

[Charlie Allin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this! A fast paced thriller with lots of twists and keeps you hooked