This is written by a British author using British spelling.
Someone has a secret. A secret worth killing for....
When a series of suicides, linked to the Wellness Spirit Centre, turn out to be murder, it brings together DCI Whitney Walker and forensic psychologist Dr Georgina Cavendish for another investigation. But as they delve deeper, they come across a tangle of secrets and the very real risk that the killer will strike again.
As the clock ticks down, the only way forward is to infiltrate the centre. But the outcome is disastrous, in more ways than one.
For fans of Angela Marsons, Rachel Abbott and M A Comley, Lethal Secret is the fourth book in the Cavendish & Walker crime fiction series.
Sally Rigby was born in Northampton, in the UK. She has always had the travel bug, and after living in both Manchester and London, eventually moved overseas. From 2001 she has lived with her family in New Zealand, which she considers to be the most beautiful place in the world. During this time she also lived for five years in Australia. Sally has always loved crime fiction books, films and TV programmes, and has a particular fascination with the psychology of serial killers.
This instalment is about a series of suicides that link to a wellness spirit centre. I love the dynamic of the relationship between DCI Whitney Walker and forensic psychologist Georgina (Aka George) Cavendish. Whitney speaks her mind and is a solid police officer, with great instincts. George is a straight laced stiff upper lip posh character who can comes across as aloof. Both characters are still learning each others quirks, it is lovely to see their characters develop
Whitney’s Favorite forensic pathologist and the best in the police force who is a quirky character who wears a collection of clashing colours that no one dares to comment on. She did not do the examination on the first suicides but with this case she was able to catch what was missed and discovers these are murders dressed up to look like suicides. All of the victims were associated with the wellness centre.
They try an undercover operation at the centre which does not go to plan….
Will they catch the culprit? Is the wellness centre centre really involved? What is the motive? Will they get to the aid of the next victim in time?
I read and listened to this book and right at the end there is an epilogue conclusion to the book deadly games which is book 1 in the series.
Very entertaining and quickly consumed. There is something fishy going on in a beautiful retreat center all about health and enlightenment. Some go to lose weight, others to give up smoking, nearly all of them end up giving up their former life and a few... end up dead.
A decent police procedural. It took me a bit to get into it but then it moved right along. It is the fourth book in the series, but works as a standalone. Thanks to the author for an ARC, which in no way pressured me to leave a review.
Three suicides turn out to be murder. The trail leads detective Walker and consultant professor/psychologist Cavendish to an upscale wellness center that is built on lies. In addition romance blooms for each woman bringing a set of complications.
This is a slow paced procedural. I identified the killer early on. The dialogue is dull and no character stands out. Okay but not all that interesting.
Is it a coincidence that three suspected suicides have links to the Wellness Spirit Centre run by Troy Randall. DCI Whitney Walker and her team investigate with the help of Dr Georgina Cavendish. A decent police procedural story
Another fascinating story full of suspense that has you gripped. There’s no way you can stop before you find out what happened. As soon as you think you know, something else happens.
These books are addicting already ordered the 5th in the series. The two main characters Cavendish & Walker develop their friendship and connection even further and the plot line is very different from the previous and captivating. I love how the killer has a chapter explaining the movitve but in no way is it detailed enough to guess who the killer is. These are excellent detective novels. I haven't enjoyed a newly discovered author in a long time as much as Ms. Rigby. She is up there with my favorites in this genre.
This book was very easy to read, but as a mystery I didn’t think it was that great. The perpetrator was fairly easy to identify and the reason for all the murders was particularly pathetic. My other problem was this is the fourth book in the series, but there hasn’t been much development of her police team, basically they are still just names and even the relationship between Whitney and George hasn’t really developed. If possible I would have given 2.5 stars.
Sally Rigby did it again. Another great book in the Walker/Cavendish series. Three women have committed suicide within a couple weeks. A cop on each scene thinks the deaths look similar and calls in DCI Walker to do some investigating. Enjoyed trying to figure out the ending, but I was pleasantly shocked, nowhere close to figuring it out.
This was a new to me author. The story is a standalone. I found it to be quick paced, twisting with an interesting premise. I did not guess the killer.
I found some of the characters sad, others despicable and some quite lovely. Takes all kinds in today’s world.
I was given an advanced e-copy and am not required to leave a positive review.
DCI Whitney Walker from Lenchester CID investigates the suicides of three women that occurred in a span of two weeks and their suicides were committed in the same manner.
George Cavendish, a forensic psychologist who works with the police is just back from an impromptu getaway to Portugal with her beau Ross.
As DCI Whitney and Dr. Cavendish try to establish a link between the victims they discover that all three victims attended a stop smoking program a few months previously and came back changed: withdrawn from their friends and family and refusing to take part in social or work activities.
Further digging reveals the victims had copies of a self-help book by a certain author. And while their deaths looked like suicide, the police believe the victims may have been murdered.
Soon after a fourth woman was found hanging in her room. The victim also attended the wellness retreat ostensibly to investigate the center after her cousin moved in there and changed dramatically. She believed the health and wellness center was a cult.
Cavendish and Walker: A welcome “audiction” I attempted to listen to Book 3, “Death Track.” Unfortunately, there were audio problems in starting this book (I will try again). I then began Book 4, “Lethal Secret.” Once again, Cavendish and Walker work well together during an intense search for another serial killer. Two very different women, it is interesting to listen to their comical banter as they form a quirky and endearing bond. Again, I was thrilled to get this one in the Audible Plus section for no charge. Clare Corbett has become a new favorite narrator. Sally Rigby pens an intensely suspenseful and exhilarating novel. I will be checking for more from this literary duo. The audiobooks in this series is definitely worth credits or cash purchase. I do not use credits for lower priced books. Kudos to Rigby and Corbett, as well as an awesome thank you to Audible! Highly recommended and I look forward to more adventures from Cavendish and Walker. NOTE: Author Rigby speaks at the end of this book. She explains more of the ending of Book 1, “Deadly Games.”
I received a free advance copy from the author Sally Rigby for my honest review. With 'Lethal Secret', the author spins a tale that offers up multiple red herring suspects, mix in a few twist and turns, a dash of suspense and it's easy to figure out whodunnit due to how it's written.
Liked this one better than 'Deadly Games', like the growth between DCI Whitney Walker and Dr. Georgia Cavendish, they have chemistry, become friends and be exciting to see whats next in their next adventure.
I found it took a few chapters to hook me in, but the best part of this read is the trickery the author uses, casually your introduced to the three main characters at the spiritual center. She cleverly uses several as red herring suspects, even a boyfriend gets thrown in, makes you worry about the doctor, while innocently trying too quit smoking and definitely a worthy read to enjoy.
I listened to the audiobook version, narrated by Clare Corbett who captures the midlands accents of fictional Lenchester well.
When a suicide become suspicious it becomes apparent that it is the third apparent suicide in a matter of weeks and the one factor that connects them is a wellness centre. DCI Whitney Walker investigates but progress is hampered until forensic psychologist Georgina Cavendish decides that she really ought to stop smoking and enrolls at the centre to attend one of their courses. Naturally things prove not to be straightforward.
This is the fourth Cavendish and Walker novel and their partnership and friendship is starting to blossom, this odd couple relationship is the driving force of the series.
An enjoyable story if a little predictable at times.
Not much mystery and too much woman-splaining. If men annoy women with explicating their ideas and logic, women equally annoy men explicating their feelings at every turn. The characters and police procedure just didn't ring true for me.
A wonderful addition to the series! This was a very suspenseful read that really keeps you guessing. I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
I thought this one was better than the last one as the plot was a lot more interesting and believable and made sense. I did like the bonus bit on the end re the first book, that tied it up nicely.
Cavendish & Walker stories are a good, fun listen. While not necessarily a “cozy” mystery series, it’s not horribly grisly. I’m a sucker for almost any Police procedural/crime drama set in the UK. I look forward to listening to more of this series.
Heavy handed. Could not finish. Characters became unbearable; almost as if Whitney, the lead CID officer was obsessed with George, the academic. Despite the stereotypical characterisation and poor portrayal of academia I quite enjoyed the first three, though I had COVID at the time....
Absolutely love Whitney and George and their interactions with each other. They rather remind me of Rizzoli and Isles. It was a crime show in the United States with a female police detective and her Medical Examiner friend who were great at solving crimes and had great interaction with each other. George is the Isles type character because she knows everything about everything. The genius with the odd personality. George also reminds me of a forensic scientist, Bones, who had high functioning autism. Whitney and George manage to notice things that often get overlooked by other investigators.
Lethal Secret deals with the unique world of the cult. Common characteristics of cults are brought up throughout the story. It makes for interesting reading. I found myself hoping the cult members would wake up and realize they were being duped. One of them, who had escaped, had mentioned that they couldn't call the authorities to help them escape because if they mentioned they were being forced to live on a beautiful estate while gardening, they'd be considered to be insane or pulling a hoax.
The true murderer and the murderer's motive was a good surprise at the end. There were red herrings throughout that kept me saying "Ahh that's it" "no, I think I've got it this time."
Never knew for sure if Whitney's date, Craig Robbie, was involved with the cult of if he was truly just trying to sell his high end supplements. It would make sense that he'd expect to make a big sale at a place like the Wellness Spirit Centre that was being run by Troy Randall. It was costing an arm and a leg for people to attend the activities there so it would follow that they'd be willing to spend big bucks for Craig's supplements. It would be interesting to see if he shows up again. I'm leaning toward innocence when it comes to him because he met up with Whitney before there was a murder investigation involving the wellness centre.
Nicola Hurst, Samantha Lyman, and Hayley Tennant all appeared to be suicides. Fortunately, the same police officer investigated all 3 and noticed that there were too many similarities. Whitney later discovers that all the knots in the ropes were identical. The original officer noted that they all used the same blue rope. A toxicology test came up with drugs in the systems of the girls that would have made them unable to fight back. All 3 girls attended yoga classes at the Wellness Centre and they all had gone to improvement classes and then became distant from their families as they became more involved. They also shared Troy's book, "Enlighten your Spirit" as part of their reading.
Once the police had that, they knew they were dealing with murders and they had a connection to a place. What they needed next was to narrow down the list of suspects from the cult center. Whitney had that plus she is taking on her boss's extra work so he could deal with his daughter, who was suffering from an eating disorder. Whitney was hoping to help him get a promotion so she could get rid of him. She also is a single mom and she has a brother and a mother who need some help from her. Sounds like Whitney could use a weekend away somewhere herself, just not the Wellness Spirit Centre and its creepy cult leader.
George has family issues of her own to deal with. It's no wonder she had the nervous habit of smoking that she needed to kick. Her family tends to have a snobby attitude. They do not approve of her boyfriend Ross because he doesn't fit their neat pattern of who they want George to date. I met Ross in Sally's previous book and was happy to see him still around. Perhaps the next book is the one that lets me see what happens when he interacts with her family at the wedding. Also, maybe Craig may decide to reappear, if he hasn't been scared off by the police experience he endured in this book.
After the last note DCI Whitney Walker (mother, Rock choir) was applauded by her fellow Rock Choir members. She was hoping to go to Birmingham, AL to the concert Songs from the Shows. Craig Robbie (import, Rock choir) asked DCI Walker to go have a drink. The Tavern pub. Time was short she got a urgent call/ 114 Brookfield Rd E. Dr. Claire Dexter (pathologist) had already arrived. The victim was ID as Hayley Tennant. She was found hanging in her bedroom by one of the other women that lived there. DCI Whitney Walker (Lenchester CID) & DS Matt Price (Lenchester CID) were interviewing Kiera (20+), Sarah (20+), & Ken Tennant (Veronica’s husband).
A review of the victims that had been killed: Nicola Hurst (8/27), Samantha Lyman (9/4, Oakford private girls’ schoolteacher, Lenchester), Hayley Tennant (9/11), & Kelly Yeoman was being done to see if there were any similarities. The pathologist reported the bones came from 2 bodies. Dr. Claire Dexter (pathologist) & Dr. Leon de Villiers (forensic anthropologist) are analyzing the remains. The 2 16 yr.-old girls died somewhere between the late 1970s-early 1980s. The investigation & interviews continue. Shelley Bates welcomed everyone to the Wellness Spirit Centre (stop smoking).
I do not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing free books from publishers & authors. Therefore, I am under no obligation to write a positive review, only an honest one.
An awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very professionally written serial killer murder mystery book. It was quite easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great description list of unique characters, settings, facts etc. to keep track of. This could also make another murder mystery serial killer movie, or better yet a mini-TV series. An extremely easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free author; Top Drawer Press; BookFunnel; Freebooksy; Amazon Digital Services LLC. Kindle Mobi; book Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
This is sort of a general review for the series although it applies to this one too, I suppose I have the same sorts of affinities and reservations for each of the books in the series that I have read, and I think I have now read most of the series. I like the idea of a team with two women each a professional in the field and each coming at the case from different angles. I find George particularly easy to relate to in terms of her emotional make-up (not her background so much though I’m also an academic). The rest of the team also work well, that is they are a bunch of characters I am happy to spend a few hours with. Some of the plots and stories are interesting and the writing is smooth enough, the dialogue believable. My main reservation is really that I don’t enjoy books about serial killers - I know that this series is declaredly in that genre and I decide to give it a try anyway but my reservations remain. The fact is I find serial killer stories boring - there’s not enough puzzle and complexity and far too many stakes and these are inevitable raised by the introduction of more bodies, and the more the bodies the less each one seems to add to the plot or the story or the experience of either. Two and a half stars rounded off to three because I’ll probably read the remaining few one of these days.
The first part of this book was very repetitive going over and over the changes in the personality of the victims. It lost me when George went undercover. After discussion with Whitney they decided George would make up a different profession. If the Wellness Centre checked her credentials online they would have discovered she worked with the police immediately. This was a stretch too far for me, I skipped to the end to confirm I’d picked the killer which was a bit too obvious early on. The other problem with this series is that Whitney’s DC’ and DS’s never have the opportunity to interview suspects, it’s always Whitney and George. This results is a lack of any other character development and I wonder when other members of the investigation team have a chance to gain skills. Disappointing
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.