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Emily Swanson Thrillers #0
Wish Me Dead: A Prequel Novella
Some people can drive you to murder...
Emily Swanson used to be a quiet, small town girl with a troubled past. Now she's a confident young woman on the threshold of a promising career. But her carefully constructed life is about to be torn apart.
When fellow student teacher Becky vanishes, Emily is alarmed to find that no one cares. Searching for answers, it's not long before she's questioning just how well she knows her friend. Because it seems everyone has a reason to hate Becky. But has hate led someone to kill?
Caught in a deadly web of lies and with time running out, Emily must race to uncover the sordid truth. But is she saving a life or solving her very first murder investigation?
Wish Me Dead is the gripping prequel novella to the Emily Swanson series. Mystery and suspense fans will love these twist-filled suspense thrillers from Malcolm Richards.
Revised edition: Previously published as Bad Blood.
Emily Swanson used to be a quiet, small town girl with a troubled past. Now she's a confident young woman on the threshold of a promising career. But her carefully constructed life is about to be torn apart.
When fellow student teacher Becky vanishes, Emily is alarmed to find that no one cares. Searching for answers, it's not long before she's questioning just how well she knows her friend. Because it seems everyone has a reason to hate Becky. But has hate led someone to kill?
Caught in a deadly web of lies and with time running out, Emily must race to uncover the sordid truth. But is she saving a life or solving her very first murder investigation?
Wish Me Dead is the gripping prequel novella to the Emily Swanson series. Mystery and suspense fans will love these twist-filled suspense thrillers from Malcolm Richards.
Revised edition: Previously published as Bad Blood.
- GenresMystery
Kindle Edition
First published February 9, 2017
132 people are currently reading
193 people want to read
About the author
Malcolm Richards
43 books103 followersMalcolm Richards crafts stories to keep you guessing from the edge of your seat. He is the author of several crime thrillers and mystery novels, including the PI Blake Hollow series, the award-nominated Devil’s Cove trilogy, and the Emily Swanson series. Many of his books are set in Cornwall, where he was born and raised.
Before becoming a full-time writer, Malcolm worked for many years in the special education sector, teaching and supporting children with complex needs. After living in London for two decades, he has now settled in the Somerset countryside with his partner and a cat named Sukey.
Before becoming a full-time writer, Malcolm worked for many years in the special education sector, teaching and supporting children with complex needs. After living in London for two decades, he has now settled in the Somerset countryside with his partner and a cat named Sukey.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
February 8, 2018
I've had this little gem hidden away in the Kindle app on my Smartphone for a while now & I'm so glad I "dusted it off" for a read. This novel, a prequel to the Emily Swanson series, was an exciting read with a plot that was full of reveals and twists and left you pondering the choices a person makes. I'm familiar with the author's work and this story is another masterfully written piece of prose that cements what quality writing he does.
It's an interesting way to start a mystery series with an everyday student cum teacher searching for the truth, so I'm quite interested into how that will pan out for future novels in the series. Emily is going to be an interesting character to watch develop. I don't know whether I really understand the choices she makes at the moment so I'll have to wait until the author reveals what he is doing to the character in later books.
I've found the first book in the series hidden away in the Kindle - I can't wait to see what happens next!
It's an interesting way to start a mystery series with an everyday student cum teacher searching for the truth, so I'm quite interested into how that will pan out for future novels in the series. Emily is going to be an interesting character to watch develop. I don't know whether I really understand the choices she makes at the moment so I'll have to wait until the author reveals what he is doing to the character in later books.
I've found the first book in the series hidden away in the Kindle - I can't wait to see what happens next!
February 16, 2017
Bad Blood is another great book by Malcolm Richards. This prequel brings home the fact that one should definitely have an Emily Swanson in one's life.A friend who will have your back no matter what the cost to herself. The unfolding story will keep you on edge, and the ending is just fabulous. What a twist!! I look forward to his next book.
December 2, 2017
A gripping page turner of a book
Although this is the first book in the Emily Swanson series, it was the second one I read because Lost Lives was advertised as the first book in the series. Reading this one second didn't spoil anything though. The story is quite tense in places and was generally a good read. My only complaint really is that Malcolm Richard constantly refers to the police officer as Officer Andrews when in Britain we wouldn't do that. He would have been PC Andrews, or maybe DC or DI Andrews. These books are clearly aimed at the American market, hence the translations of common words in the back of the book, and this is something I find annoying. The books almost feel as though they are written by an American,even though Malcolm Richards is British. Notwithstanding that though, the stories are well written and keep the reader absorbed in the story and glued to the book till the very end.
Although this is the first book in the Emily Swanson series, it was the second one I read because Lost Lives was advertised as the first book in the series. Reading this one second didn't spoil anything though. The story is quite tense in places and was generally a good read. My only complaint really is that Malcolm Richard constantly refers to the police officer as Officer Andrews when in Britain we wouldn't do that. He would have been PC Andrews, or maybe DC or DI Andrews. These books are clearly aimed at the American market, hence the translations of common words in the back of the book, and this is something I find annoying. The books almost feel as though they are written by an American,even though Malcolm Richards is British. Notwithstanding that though, the stories are well written and keep the reader absorbed in the story and glued to the book till the very end.
January 28, 2019
In an attempt to spend less money on books in 2019 (sigh) I’ve been trawling through the free titles available on Kobo, and discovered this (amongst many others).
Bad Blood is a prequel to the Emily Swanson Mysteries, of which there are three books, none of which I have read. In fact, I’d never heard of Malcolm Richards, or Emily Swanson, before.
I’m not sure if this book answers some questions readers may have had about Emily, or if writing it served some other purpose for Richards; however, one thing I found was that it didn’t make me care enough about the character to want to read the rest.
The writing itself is fine, if a little YA for my liking. The story was OK, but there was nothing remotely riveting, and nothing kept me reading in desperation to find out what happened next. The characters were all blah (including Emily) and the end was just so ridiculous.
Sorry, I can only assume this was free for a reason.
Bad Blood is a prequel to the Emily Swanson Mysteries, of which there are three books, none of which I have read. In fact, I’d never heard of Malcolm Richards, or Emily Swanson, before.
I’m not sure if this book answers some questions readers may have had about Emily, or if writing it served some other purpose for Richards; however, one thing I found was that it didn’t make me care enough about the character to want to read the rest.
The writing itself is fine, if a little YA for my liking. The story was OK, but there was nothing remotely riveting, and nothing kept me reading in desperation to find out what happened next. The characters were all blah (including Emily) and the end was just so ridiculous.
Sorry, I can only assume this was free for a reason.
June 30, 2022
"Wish Me Dead" is a short prequel to the Emily Swanson series and offers a very British, and very traditional approach to problem solving.
Emily is on the cusp of qualifying as a teacher when one of her roommates, Becky, vanishes. No-one seems particularly surprised, Becky had been failing in her studies, partying hard and hanging out with the local drug supplier.
What gradually emerges is a tangled tale in which very few of the characters are innocent. The trick finale seems more like a TV plot than real life.
It's a difficult novella to rate, I'll probably read the series but I don't feel any urgency and that is not a good sign.
2.5 Stars raised to 3 Stars.
Emily is on the cusp of qualifying as a teacher when one of her roommates, Becky, vanishes. No-one seems particularly surprised, Becky had been failing in her studies, partying hard and hanging out with the local drug supplier.
What gradually emerges is a tangled tale in which very few of the characters are innocent. The trick finale seems more like a TV plot than real life.
It's a difficult novella to rate, I'll probably read the series but I don't feel any urgency and that is not a good sign.
2.5 Stars raised to 3 Stars.
June 19, 2019
I obtained this book through another authors promotion in exchange for an honest review. Never having read any of Malcolm Richards work before, I was pleasantly surprised at his talent I found his storyline solid, his characters well developed, and his ability to engage me surprisingly fulfilling. I liked how he told a graphic story without being gorey, excessive bad language, and sex scenes. It was a book I could let my young niece read as well as my neighbor who is in her 70's! Cudos to Malcolm Richards! I'll be reading more of his work!
January 30, 2023
For a short story this novella has has an enjoyable multi stranded plot that introduces the reader to Ms Swanson's early life. Drug dealing, theft, blackmail and attempted murders all rear their heads in a hydra of a plot. Though I enjoyed the story my one reservation was with the conscience pangs of the murderer which resulted in the book's outcome. Despite this reservation, read the story and enjoy it as an introduction to the character.
In the interests of honesty I got a free copy but these are my honest opinions.
In the interests of honesty I got a free copy but these are my honest opinions.
June 15, 2017
Very well written. I especially liked the word pictures that the author used as I could really feel how the characters were feeling at the time. This is the first book I have read by this author and I look forward to others in the series. The characters are well developed for the most part and I really liked Emily as she struggled with doing the right thing all the time. I could feel her angst and frustration while she search for her missing friend.
May 15, 2020
A Great Read.
What a great start to a series! Emily Swanson is training to be a teacher, when her house mate disappears. Emily has a gut feeling that Becky Briar is in trouble. Trouble starts for Emily, when she starts asking questions about her friends where abouts. Great characters. A really enjoyable read.
What a great start to a series! Emily Swanson is training to be a teacher, when her house mate disappears. Emily has a gut feeling that Becky Briar is in trouble. Trouble starts for Emily, when she starts asking questions about her friends where abouts. Great characters. A really enjoyable read.
August 15, 2020
O....M.....G....
This thing was phenomenal. Hooky from the onset and I turned the pages as fast as I could to find out what happened. Massive twists and turns out of left field that made for a thoroughly enjoyable ride.
How much did I like this book?
I IMMEDIATELY went and bought the rest of the series, if that tells you anything... Yeah. It's that good.
This thing was phenomenal. Hooky from the onset and I turned the pages as fast as I could to find out what happened. Massive twists and turns out of left field that made for a thoroughly enjoyable ride.
How much did I like this book?
I IMMEDIATELY went and bought the rest of the series, if that tells you anything... Yeah. It's that good.
April 18, 2022
Emily Swanson is a student teacher with good friends or thought she had good friends till one day a fellow student teacher Becky went missing and no one cared. Emily is out to search for the truth. Loved the book many twists to this book.
May 9, 2017
A nice prequal to the Emily Swanson stories. A believable plot and plausible characters.
March 20, 2018
very good
April 9, 2018
Started out okay, but the scene at the end was just ridiculous. Did not make me want to read the other books.
January 15, 2019
A very good read, but it did not leave me wanting more. The characters were believable.
December 6, 2020
After the Cove trilogy, which I enjoyed very much, it was about time to give Emily a chance, and she certainly did not dissapoint, so I'm looking forward to next one.
November 15, 2021
A good read. A novella introducing Emily who is sitting her final exams to become a teacher
December 13, 2025
3.5⭐️ A surprising ending! In this story, no one is innocent.
In Ch14, Becky’s name changes to Rebecca, which confused me. In Ch20, it happens again.
In Ch14, Becky’s name changes to Rebecca, which confused me. In Ch20, it happens again.
February 7, 2020
During the final days of Emily Swanson's senior year in college, her roommate Becky disappears without a trace. With the police and college administrators seeming disinterested, Emily takes it upon herself to try to locate Becky. All of her things are still in her room, including her clothes, books and laptop. That doesn't look like someone who has just returned home. As Emily tries to continue her classes as she searches for the truth, she finds obstacles at every turn.
July 23, 2017
What a great character Emily is and so determined. She brings a fresh new line of detective that is fun to read, you feel like you se in the story itself going along for the ride (bumpy and exciting).
February 15, 2017
Actually read this yesterday but wasn't available for review at least not on goodreads.
0 Bad Blood
1 Lost Lives
2 Cruel Minds
3 Cold Hearts
3 pack Available Kindle Unlimited, don't know if individually they are, seem to remember the first was a freebie, this one as the 3 set which of course is helpful in filling just 1 of the 10 kindle 'unlimited' spots. The stories were interesting, but too detailed for me at first because had been reading cozies, so even the massive to me amount of pages was probably due to the cozy reading. Obviously a lot went in to writing each story.
Available 3 pack, 2 pack, individually
0 Bad Blood
1 Lost Lives
2 Cruel Minds
3 Cold Hearts
3 pack Available Kindle Unlimited, don't know if individually they are, seem to remember the first was a freebie, this one as the 3 set which of course is helpful in filling just 1 of the 10 kindle 'unlimited' spots. The stories were interesting, but too detailed for me at first because had been reading cozies, so even the massive to me amount of pages was probably due to the cozy reading. Obviously a lot went in to writing each story.
Available 3 pack, 2 pack, individually
June 20, 2019
Another nail biter!
Another thrilling tale by Malcolm Richards that has you guessing until the last second! The entire Emily Swan series is totally addictive!
Another thrilling tale by Malcolm Richards that has you guessing until the last second! The entire Emily Swan series is totally addictive!
Read
September 10, 2018I love this & I can't wait for more.
I will be also leaving a review on Goodreads @ Amazon.
And letting everyone know about it.
So i gave it a 5 Stars.
I will be also leaving a review on Goodreads @ Amazon.
And letting everyone know about it.
So i gave it a 5 Stars.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews