Never Seen

by T.L. Dyer

A man isn’t born a killer.

Something happens to make him become one…

The victims are young men. Their killer drugs them and slashes their wrists. Then he cleans their bodies, combs their hair and wraps them in protective sheeting before leaving them where they’ll be easily found.

Is it a compulsion? A game? Or a cry for help?

These are the questions Detective Lawrence Hoskins must answer as he takes on the lead role in his first serial murder investigation. But as the bodies keep coming he feels like he’s the one holding the blade, the one standing between life and death. Under mounting pressure he turns to former colleague Cass Fletcher for help. She knows how a compulsive murderer thinks and why they can’t stop. If she can tell him why perhaps it will lead him to who.

Except Hoskins has already made one mistake he’s not aware of. Involving Fletcher is another. And as the killer continues to elude him the case takes its toll on those around him in ways he never expects. More so when the signs start pointing in a new direction…

“Five beautiful boys lined up in a row

No longer unnoticed but seen by all

The officers who killed them soon everyone will know

Because the tougher they act, the easier they fall.”

NEVER SEEN is the first book in the Hoskins & Fletcher crime series

Genres: Thriller, Amazon, Serial Killer, Mystery, Crime, Fiction

387 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 28, 2019

About the author

T.L. Dyer is a writer of character-driven fiction, including crime, police procedural and dystopia. Her stories and characters delve, discover and disrupt, always teetering precariously on that thin line between darkness and light, right and wrong, good and bad.

She is particularly keen on exploring those individuals who set themselves apart from the norm or who stray down a different path. Taking her lead from the characters themselves, she trails behind scribbling notes and trying to keep up as they take her on a breathless, heart-thumping and thought-provoking journey, with no knowing where she might end up.

T.L. lives in South Wales, UK, with her family and eternally bedraggled Yorkshire Terrier.

Join T.L.'s Reading Tribe by downloading your FREE CRIME BOOK at www.TLDyer.com, exclusive to subscribers. And be sure to follow her on BookBub to learn about new releases, www.bookbub.com/authors/t-l-dyer

Reviews

[Jay Williams]

This is a police procedural with many difference and twists. At the end it looks as though Hoskins is no more. Fletcher has already quit her police job and lives in a cabin in the woods. The style of writing keeps the reader locked in, even though a few elements of Britspeak mange to creep in. All of the principle characters are extremely interesting and their various backstories weave together to make the story very compelling. The interplay between the characters is very realistic and gives a sense of being in the room. An occasional chapter takes us into the mind of the deranged killer. This helps pump up the suspense, but adds little to the narrative.I couldn't set this book down once I started reading.

[Hannah May]

At the start this book was a bit slow, but as it was picking up, I was needing to know what was going to happen next. I couldn’t figure out why the killer was killing teenage boys, and that made me want to continue reading. The book made me need to know what was going to happen next, and if they were ever going to figure out who did it. The ending shows more promise with the next book in the series, and I might have to check it out because I am fascinated to see how the next books is going to go

[Florence Phillips]

A brilliant thriller that reminded me of works by Harlan Coben and Michael Connelly for the quality of the plot and the depth of the characters.
I really connected emotionally with the main characters, Hoss and Fletch, because their inner wounds are so close to the surface and their relationship is complex and refreshingly aromantic. (At least for now!)
The twists and turns kept me reading for hours, and I cried at the end. Can’t wait to read the next two books!

[Liza]

A young male prostitute is found murdered, his wrists cut - but not suicide. Hoss, the detective, starts investigating but doesn't get far before there is a similar crime.

We hear from the killer during the murder but it's unclear whether he is alone. Despite not having permission, Hoss involves an ex-colleague - she had left due to what she fault had been an error.

The investigation takes time and more young men are killed. And why is Hoss getting strange deliveries?

The book kept me intrigued. Great story.

[Becky]

I received a complimentary copy of Never Seen from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

The good: Interesting story line and well-developed characters. The relationship between Hoskins and Fletcher grows through the story. The story was interesting - a serial killer preying on young men. It started a little slow but then ramped up with the body count.

The meh: The story was set in a fictional state in the United States, which I found annoying. Also, although set in the US, it reads like a British police procedural - the author wrote about lorries and kilometers, sat-nav instead of GPS, etc. This isn't a deal breaker for me, but I thought it was a little distracting, I understand that the author is British, but this could have been avoided with a little research.

Overall not a bad read. I'm interested enough to read the second in the series and see where it takes Hoskins and Fletcher.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #KoboWritingLife for the copy of #NeverSeen.

[Gordon Johnston]

Standard serial killer fare as several young men are murdered and the bodies left to be found. A rather inept police department in a fictitious US state are on the case, but making no headway. Detective Lawrence Hoskins (Hoss to his friends) calls on former colleague Cass Fletcher for help, hoping the trained profiler can come up with a lead.

Much of the novel is spent on police politics, with the Sherriff's department and the city Police Department in uneasy co-operation. Several other sub plots wind through the main narrative, while the back stories of the two main characters are also interwoven. It all makes for rather slow plot development. And the setting is so anonymous that there is really no sense of place in the novel at all.

[Stephen Sandler]

Long and draggy

Talk about a depressing book... none of the characters are personally likeable. The "story" is long and draggy, nothing positive happens. I can get depressed on my own, don't need this help.
Fletch needs some thing in her personality to make the reader want to root for her, and Hoss might have potential if he showed some positive character attributes rather than just pushing himself into bad situations.
I'm sorry to be so negative, but I'm sorry I forced myself to spend the time wading through this ..... wallow.

[Mrs B E Woods]

Having read this amazing series in the wrong order, i.e. Book Two, then Book Three,  I was so gripped that I just had to read Book One, Never Seen, for the back story in the Hoskins and Fletcher Series. And I have to say that I was not disappointed. Each book can be read as a stand alone but, as always, best read in the right order!  If you are looking for a series to keep you totally absorbed and wanting more, this is it.  Most Highly Recommended.

[Ann]

A serial killer on the loose . Killing young boys and letting their bodies where they can easily be found. He put them thru a ritual of killing them all the same way. After he combed their hair and cleaned them up nice before he wrapped them in a sheet or rug for someone to find. The boss of the precinct had to call in other detective from the FBI because they couldnt get the murder and they had a total of 5 dead boys so far.

[Thom Davis]

Vague conflicts between the two main characters that are never really explained. Most distracting a location identity. Weight of a victim in kilos, distances given in miles. Description of a sheriff's department, while the investigation takes place in a big city, yet also mentions a magistrate instead a judge. Quick trips from a big city to a totally isolated cabin. Never really nails down the setting. Also, inexplicable recreational use of PCP. Really odd and distracting.

[Newsfoia]

Rewarding Read

Interesting and intriguing. A solid mystery. Characters were well described, but there is more to discover since, in my opinion, the characters were not completely revealed to the reader - which doesn’t detract from this complete story in this first book. I look forward to reading more about Hoskins & Fletcher.

[Antigone Walsh]

Lost Cause

A female cop becomes emotionally involved in a potential human trafficking case. Her drives leads to unauthorized risks that jeopardize her career and her life.

This is a weak procedural. The characters are bland. Finn should have opted for social work instead of law enforcement. Her romance is sickeningly sweet. Unbelievable and uninteresting.

[Keith]

Seemed to drag on

Lots of characters, some of which seemed superfluous to the story, and a few sub-plots which didn’t seem to go anywhere. Wasn’t really that taken with the story and doubt I’ll follow the series.

[Helen Unsworth]

Gripping Crime Thriller

Excellent storyline that kept your attention from beginning to end. The author created exciting main characters that want you to read more of their adventures.

[Mrs Barbara Cunliffe]

Brilliant

Really enjoyed reading this, a first by this author, kept you trying to find out who was the killer, didn't want it to finish. Would definitely recommend this author to my friends.

[Carolyn]

good story

Very interesting story. So much work involved in the process of finding the killer. Throw in a friend, a former police dept employee, doing her own investigating and you have a real mix.

[Susan M. Wagner]

Great Book. It is fast paced and never boring.

I am really enjoying this book. It has lots of twists and turns. This writer keeps you guessing. I will definitely read more by this author.

[Nance]

It was okay. Lots of dumb mistakes made by the main characters.

[Dianne]

A bit confusing to follow, I had to pay close attention to keep track, but still an enjoyable who done it

[Sandra Hilliker]

This was the first book I've read by TL Dyer. I enjoyed the story; it had believable characters and a beleivable plot. I'll definately look for more in the series.

[June]

Thank you for the free book
Totally enjoying this series
Great thriller interesting characters

[Niki]

Excellent thriller and a good insight to the killer, good descriptions of being in the force and a very good relationship between Hoss and Fletcher

[Hilda Baard]

This book was a 5 star read for me. Kept me on the edge of my seat to the end.

[Mary Dasent]

A few twists in this story. Good insight into the character's. Already got book 2

[Janet Ambrose]

Gripping

I enjoyed reading this book from start to finish it was well written & I didn't even know who the killer was, I'm now downloading the next book in the series

[Mailmanr5]

Terrific police procedural. Great characters. Very good plot.

[bandy]

Great Read

Good character description and scenery. This book made me angry, saddened me, kept me guessing. I did get upset with the detectives going off on their own. I like the ending, best for everyone involved. the relationship between Hoss and Cass works and i LOVE Hoss' character she'd be lucky to have him. I enjoy serial killer genres, mostly because i find books with just one murder to solve, boring.

[kienn]

had no idea what to expect but gay serial killer and the kidnapped detective naked in the tub is exactly what i live for