Twinkle Twinkle Little Lies: How fine is the line between saint and sinner?

by Rob Ashman

Twinkle twinkle, little lies, How I see them in your eyes … DS Khenan Malice believes his troubles are behind him. But it’s never that simple. This time … it’s personal. Detective Kelly Pietersen has decided anti-corruption is not for her. But her previous life hunts her down, sending her world spiralling out of control. Twinkle is a pillar of the community and an ambassador for the church. She is also a woman for whom lying is a way of life, wrapping those around her in a complex web of deceit. To her it’s a deadly game. Their paths cross when a decomposed body is discovered. The past and the present collide with shattering consequences, leaving the three of them fighting for survival.

Genres: Crime

411 pages, Paperback

Published May 15, 2020

Reviews

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

Twinkle Twinkle Little Lies is the second instalment in the Detective Superintendent Khenan Malice series and although I highly recommend the first book, Killing Pretties, it is not essential to have read it before reading this one. This instalment is just as compulsive and thrilling as the last and features one of the most downright dangerous and wildly unpredictable villains I've encountered in a while; what makes Brenda Copeland so deadly is that she pretends to be a force for good and looks on the surface as though she is compassionate, empathetic and loves nothing more than to help out those most in need, but you only have to dig a little deeper to uncover the complete lack of regard for anyone but herself. DS Malice and Detective Kelly Pietersen's working relationship goes from strength to strength in this episode and both bring different traits to the partnership. We also gain an insight into a bent copper Kelly fingered when she was employed by anti-corruption and disgraced Craven wants to settle the score.

Right from the beginning Rob Ashman knows exactly how to capture your attention and have you almost instantaneously flying through the pages. He has a twisted mind that thinks up deliciously disturbing plots with endless suspense, tension and plentiful twists and turns throughout. It's full of excitement and there's never has a dull moment within the story; in short, it flabbergasted me by just how addictive and gripping it was. I love Malice’s dark soul and his slightly naughty image which he certainly doesn't appear to be phased by and who I know I will look forward to seeing more of in future. I had major trouble putting this down and read it in a few short hours full of fun. It's a super entertaining easy read with much intrigue and incidents that had my heart pumping. A sizzlingly sinister must-read. I am already eagerly anticipating the third in the series, and I am convinced it will be well worth the wait. Highly recommended. Many thanks to BOTBS for an ARC.

[Philomena Callan Cheekypee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked Killing Pretties which is book one in the DS Malice series. This was another great addition to the series.

The baddie in this story is a woman which is great. She uses her status in the community to her advantage.

A cold case has Malice and Pietersen working together to find the killer. There is lots going on in this story and I was literally hooked from start to finish.

This author has written a brilliant twisted story. Can’t wait to read more from him in the future. I highly recommend this story.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author blew me away with the first book in this series so have been on tenterhooks waiting for the next one and it’s been well worth the wait.

I have to say I might be falling a bit for Malice. He maybe a copper but I am loving the bad boy side to him. There are a couple of incidents which shows that this is one author who is not only twisted but has a great sense of humour also.

Twinkle is a great baddie. You don’t often see many women baddies in books, not in a detective crime series anyway, so really enjoyed getting to know this woman better and what made her tick. I wanted to feel empathy for her but as she is a cold blooded and calculating liar, it was pretty hard to find any for her.

Twinkle Twinkle Little Lies was a book I consumed in one afternoon. The author creates the most twisted of villains, making for some compulsive reading. Yet again, there are a few jaw dropping moments that had my heart racing. Definitely one of my go to authors for wonderfully dark and twisted reads.

My thanks to the author for an advanced readers coy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.

[Donna Maguire · Rating 5 out of 5]

https://donnasbookblog.wordpress.com/...

I was completely blown away by this book!!

This was a completely additive thriller, I didn’t want to put it down and started it on an evening when my husband was on nights and my daughter was asleep and enjoyed the time it took me to read – it was the perfect escape and it was a fantastic story that well and truly hooked me and drew me in.

He has a brilliant writing style and his books are so well developed. He created the perfect “baddie” and really does bring them to life. The pace for the story was spot on and there was plenty going on to keep me engaged, and entertained.

Twinkle Twinkle Little Lies is the second book in the Detective Superintendent Khenan Malice series but it is find to read as a stand-alone, that said I very highly recommend the first book, Killing Pretties and would certainly recommend that you give that one a read first if you are interested in the series, but if you want to read a good thriller on its own, this is the book for you!!

After reading the Mechanic Trilogy that this author released previously I can honestly say that for this author I would pick up any new release from him from seeing his name alone – he is hands down one of my favourite authors!!

It is 5 stars from me for this one, it was a gripping page turner and I loved every page – it is a brilliantly crafted dark and twisted thriller!!

[Dee Groocock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brenda, Aka Twinkle does a lot for the community and church but she is also a liar and the community have no idea just how fake she is. Her husband, Dennis needs carers and she comes across as a caring person but when they are not around, she is nasty and abusive.

When bodies start being dug up, Malice and Pietersen have to get to the bottom of who they are and why they’ve been killed.
Pietersen has someone from her past turn up and as well as dealing with the case, she needs to sort her past out.

This is the second book in the DS Malice series and I enjoyed it. There are great dynamics between Malice and Pietersen and they are certainly there for each other. Excellent characters and the baddies are evil! There is plenty going on to keep you engrossed in the story, I finished this in a day.
I highly recommend this book.

[Alyson Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second story featuring DS Khenan Malice and his South African sidekick DC Kelly Pietersen. I would definitely encourage anyone to read book one first so they have the introduction to the characters and are up to date with the back history. When they first teamed up Pietersen had recently transferred from anti-corruption with a set agenda to follow. Now that is all over she has decided that working with Malice is where she wants to stay. Malice describes himself as an "ex-bent cop", believing that after ridding the world of the Lubos Vasco gang in the first book his troubles are over. I have grown to love Malice in just two books. He is a Luther-esque type of policeman, flawed and has his own unorthodox way of doing things that often only have a nodding acquaintance with the rule book. He frequently gets things wrong, particularly where his ex wife and daughter are concerned, however his heart is definitely in the right place and he is certainly the man you would want to find in your corner if you were in a fix. But just as we start to see Malice in a straighter light the tables turn and dubious parts of Pietersen's past come to the surface that throw the pair of them into danger. Before they're even aware of the trouble they may be in, the detectives are called to a deserted factory site where a body buried for years has started to emerge. With no identification and very little clues left behind the hunt is on to discover who the man was and why someone had killed and disposed of him. A possible id throws the cold case wide open again and the past comes back to haunt a variety of people.
The story is told from the two very different sides of the police investigation. On the opposite side is Twinkle, a late forties woman who is generally revered as a saint in the local community with her work in church fund raising and their ground breaking outreach programme. Little do the vicar and the police Assistant Chief Constable realise what a fabulous front this is for a different type of project and business altogether. Although not as obviously depraved as some other characters from this author, she is cold, calculating and very good at manipulating people. Credit where it's due, she is a very astute business woman and you find yourself admiring her. Twink has not had it easy, something she relates to the reader when she talks about three rapes and then marriage to a man who is now an invalid requiring constant care. These events however have only served to make her stronger and more ruthless, and she certainly has a vicious streak! In fact when we first meet her, associates Frank and Clem are dishing out punishment to one employee in their own special way. Errant employees and business rivals are all dealt with efficiently. As Malice and Pietersen pursue their murder investigation, lots of buried secrets are exposed as the two sides set off on a collision course of massive proportions. I like the way the story is told jointly as the reader gets to know more than each side does, with the suspense of whether the detectives will make all the connections in a conclusion with plenty of twists and surprises along the way. Once again I defy anyone to be able to put down any book by this author before finishing it. I was certainly completely engrossed by it!! More Malice please!! 5*

[Sharon Rimmelzwaan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Lies by Rob Ashman is the second book in the series featuring D.S Malice, who first appeared in March 2020 in Killing Pretties. That book was so good I could not wait for this blog tour to begin! Malice, along with Kelly Pieterson start looking into a case that involves a body being found, ten years after it was buried.The only evidence it holds is a key card.They have their work cut out for them, again!
I love the mix of Malice and Pieterson, they work well together and look out for each other, although they have their moments too. Malice is a weird one though, I feel like I shouldn't like him in a way, due to him being a bent copper, but he is good at his job on the other hand, I can't help but like him.
Twinkle is a pillar of the local church, although her husband needs 24 hour care, she still helps run an outreach programme to aid men not to get trapped in the cycle of drugs.
The pair start working the cold case and the past and present seem to be on route to collide and somebody's lies and deceit will be out in the open for all and sundry.
Again, another Rob Ashman has knocked it out of the park again. I loved his other books and Malice just seems to be getting finetuned as we go along! I do hope Malice has another outing! Massive thanks toSarah Hardy at Books On The Bright Side Publicity for giving me the chance to be a part of this fabulous Blog Tour.

[The Book Review Café · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twinkle Twinkle Little Lies is the second instalment in the Detective Superintendent Malice series, and fans of Rob Ashman will be pleased to know it’s just as twisted as the first book. The authors latest heart thumping crime thriller has all the elements I enjoy, a protagonist who is beyond evil, gory crime scenes, a tense plot, and a style of writing that is sharp and to the point. I’m not sure how the author does it but somehow he always manages to some how or other get me to feel a tiny bit of empathy for his antagonist how ever evil they maybe on the outside.

I liked the fact the author created a female antagonist, unusual in a crime thriller, but personally I always find them far more chilling and calculating. Twinkle is no exception she’s seen as a pillar of the community with all her “church work”, but beneath the veneer is a cold blooded killer, I was intrigued to find out what events turned her into a killer.

Once again Rob Ashman show cases his very twisted and dare I say? Disturbing imagination Twinkle Twinkle Little Lies is deliciously disturbing, it’s shocking with endless suspense, and oodles of tension. No one can ever say his books are ‘boring’ that’s for sure! If you aren’t averse to a crime thriller with blood and guts, and you enjoy a dark, twisted read then it’s one I will highly recommended.

[Melanie’s reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well what a book to pop my Ashman cherry to. This is book two and yet again I haven’t read the first one ( I never learn). However, apart from missing out on a bit of back story on Malice and Pietersen, this read perfectly well as a stand-alone.

I have to say as much as I loved the intrepid duo, the real standout for me was Twinkle. Bloody hell is she everything I love in a baddie. More on her later!

This book starts with not only a beating but the discovery of a body that has been there ten years and has only a hotel key card to offer any clues. Two plots running parallel and at the centre is the seemingly wonderful Brenda aka Twinkle. Using a church outreach program to cover up her recruitment and training of drug runners.

Now I’ve made it pretty clear previously on my blog how I feel about female baddies. But for those that don’t know I adore them. For years in the books I read, women were always the victim and I hated it. I longed for the day that someone would write a female killer that was just as evil and clever as her male counterparts. Hello Twinkle!! Ooo she’s deliciously evil, from how she treats her disabled husband to using a fake persona to hide her true nature. Manipulative, cold, calculating and pure evil. The author has cleverly given her an awful backstory so you can perhaps delve deep and find some sympathy with her. And you will have to dig deep as she doesn’t make it easy.

The pacing and plot are fast and sharp with never a dull moment and some sprinkling of humour (somebody buy Malice an iron). With an added sub plot bringing details of the past and Pieterson’s time in anti corruption adding extra depth to the story. Great likeable characters with flaws making them all the more real and easy to warm to. A partnership that works well and has an effortless chemistry. All in all a gripping read and I look forward to going back to read book one.

[Susan Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second book in the DS Malice series, a great character as is his colleague DC Kelly Pieterson. . This pair make a formidable team . The plot was fantastic, nerve wracking and gripping. As for Twinkle, a brilliant, despicable character created by the author. There was so much going on in this book it was fast paced, thrilling just downright brilliant. I've loved every book written by this author but this has to be my favourite to date!

[Donna Morfett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fab outing from a must read author. Flies along and then just when you think its all tied up, bam, spanner thrown in the works and it goes off again. Try and remember to breathe as you get to the end as you get so wrapped up in the story its easy to forget!

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Twinkle Twinkle Little Lies' is the second book to feature the intriguing and complex character of Detective Sergeant Malice. I read, reviewed and loved the first book, called 'Killing Pretties' in the 'Malice' series when it was released in March 2020. I couldn't wait to get hold of the sequel so when I heard that Rob was due to release 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Lies', I knew that I had to grab a copy of the book and squirrel myself away until I read it. Oh boy, 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Lies' really was another top notch read and I enjoyed every single minute of it but more about that in a bit.
DS Malice is one of those characters that I can't really decide whether or not I like him. He has his good side in that he is a good detective when he puts his mind to it and his attention isn't elsewhere. That said, there is the issue that he was/ is a 'bent copper'- where's Ted Hastings and the gang from 'Line Of Duty' when you need them. I can't excuse what Malice has done but at the same time his actions wouldn't make me run off to the authorities quicker than Usain Bolt. I kept changing my mind as to whether he was basically a good man or a bad man. I like to think that he is somewhere in between the two. I have to say that the villains in 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Lies' really sent shivers down my spine as they are all sadistic psychopaths, creepy and distinctly evil.
I was drawn to this book from the first glimpse of the cover, never mind the synopsis. As soon as I saw the words 'DS Malice', I knew that this was a book for me. I opened the book only intending to read a couple of chapters but I found that I immersed myself into the story so deeply, that I read a heck of a lot more than a couple of chapters. I was blown away by the storylines and by the quality of the writing. To say that reading 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Lies' became an addiction is an understatement. If I wasn't reading the book, I was thinking about the book, if I had to put the book down then I would immediately look forward to being able to pick the book up again. I was like an addict in constant need of her next fix. As much as I tried to limit how much I read at once, I was enjoying the story too much to stop reading and so I seemed to race my way through the book. I was gripped by the story and on the edge of my seat throughout.
'Twinkle Twinkle Little Lies' is superbly written but then I think that to be true of all of Rob's books. He certainly knows how to create a tightly plotted story which will keep you guessing and which has more twists and turns to it than you would find on a 'Snakes & Ladders' board. For me, the story was perfectly paced. The story hit the ground running and maintained a fast pace throughout. Just when you thought that you might be able to catch your breath and take a minute, then off the action would go again. I really did feel as though I was part of the story myself and that is thanks to Rob's very vivid and realistic storytelling.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed the chilling, addictive, sinister and compelling 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Lies' and I would definitely recommend this book to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of Rob's work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*..

[Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

DS Malice and Detective Kelly Pieterson are back and this time they are looking into a cold case that has just been unearthed. A body is discovered that has been buried for 10 years, no ID just a key card. Trying to discover who this body is no easy task.

Twinkle is a wonderful pillar of the local church. She helps run the Outreach Program helping young men to avoid getting trapped in the world of drugs. Her husband is not a well man and requires 24-hour care.

As Malice and Kelly start working on the case there is a stranger lurking. The past has just taken a step into the present, and it threatens to do some serious damage unless it can be contained.

This is a story that has various threads and once again the author has worked his magic to create a riveting read. I really like the combo of Malice and Kelly. They have a camaraderie that comes with working together, there is some snapping and joking, but there is a nice connection between the two as they look out for each other.

Now what to say about the “bad guy!” Yes, they are bad, they are a criminal, they have done really bad things, but you know what? I really liked this person. Vague I know, but it is a person who is calculated, looks several steps ahead, not afraid to get stuck in, but oh so devious, deliberate and absolutely full of deceit.

This is another cracking read in the DS Malice Series, I know this is only the second book but I am already hooked. Not quite as brutal or dark as the first book, Killing Pretties, but just as good, and still twisted with a brilliant psychological edge to it. If you are a fan of crime, thriller reads then this is one you need to add to your collection. It was a fabulous read and one I would definitely recommend.

[Misfits farm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Malice and Pieterson are back! This time they have a cold case to investigate. A body who has laid there for around ten years leads to a trail of intrigue. Meanwhile Twinkle helps run an outreach project and a cafe at her local church for local boys not to be targeted by local drug gangs and to keep them on the straight and narrow. Little does anyone know this is a cover for her drugs operation running county lines. She is thinking of expanding to the next parish and things are falling in line nicely when a rival gang wants in and she calls them out on it. Malice, as ever, is in trouble with his ex about presents he keeps buying for their daughter. Pieterson is getting some unwanted attention from someone she put in court when she worked in undercover obs. The case fell through but they suspect that she was instrumental in planting evidence, something she denies. I really enjoy this series. (it will stand alone but why miss out on another excellent read?) There is a magical quality not only of Rob’s writing but of Malice and Pieterson. Malice is the rebel, the maverick. Pieterson (usually) his balancing arm. Both tenacious in their work with a smile thrown in and characters you can’t help but like.A brilliant read and I very much look forward to the next one.

[Simon Leonard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read a couple of Robs books before and enjoyed them so thiught I’d give this one a go. It is the seco d book in the series but, like all great crime authors, this can be read as a standalone as you catch up quite quickly with the team.

In this book we follow Malice and Pieterson as they investigate a cold case from 10 years previous but has no Identity so the case was never going to be easy.

On a tangent case we are introduced to a woman who goes by the nickname Twinkle who helps young men getting out of drugs.

As with all great double stories this book intertwined the two thread perfectly as we slowly learn a lot about the main antoganist and learn that all is not what it seems with Twinkle through the book. The two storylines merge really well and I couldn’t work out what happened until the end, although I had some suspicions.

The story lines are really well written and we get to learn an awful lot about Malice and Pieterson past and how far they will go to to protect each other.

This is yet another brilliant book by Rob and I can’t wait to go back and read the first one in the series.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to the publisher for the ebook copy in exchange for my honest review

4.5 stars - rounded up for rating

This is book two in the DS Malice series and I’d say you could definitely pick it up without needing the first one – I did and I didn’t feel lost! I love everything I’ve read from Rob Ashman and this was no different. If you want a crime series with a twisted villain, an incredibly quick plot, and one that will keep you guessing then look no further.

It amazes me how he can come up with a new twisted and crazy plot with each book. This genre can feel repetitive but there is always something unique, new, and demented within each of Ashman’s books. Once you start you aren’t going to want to stop, and I made the rookie mistake of starting late at night and just ruining my sleep schedule to finish. No regrets.

Well developed characters, a great bond between Malice and Pietersen, and you really got into the mind of our villain. Just do yourself a favor and pick up anything by Rob Ashman. You can’t go wrong! A big thank you to the publisher and author for the ebook copy in exchange for my honest review. Now to go and get book one!

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in the DS Malice series. Following up from book one, where the unlikely pairing of Malice and Detective Pietersen is formed, this book really cements their relationship as polysemous partners in crime.
Add to this a new villain, Brenda Copeland, affectionately known as Twinkle. Twinkle, is a star in the eyes of her local church community, setting up outreach centres for unfortunates who have fallen foul to their drug habits. Or so it seems. The church centres are really spider’s webs for Twinkle to prey (not pray) on. Twinkle is evil personified, a woman whose apparent compassionate nature conceals animosity that has no boundaries.
Kelly Pietersen has a skeleton in her cupboard that has come back to haunt her from her time spent with the police anti-corruption squad. A disgraced detective, Craven, is seeking retribution after Pietersen exposed him as a bent copper. The outcome of this took my breath away.
After a brilliant start to the series in book one, the second book would have been a hard act to follow. It did not disappoint.

[Carole Gourlay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark humour, brilliant book

I have to say, I don’t know whether I was supposed to, but I laughed 🤭 throughout this book at the dark menacing humour. It was right up my street, and the author says things that other people would cringe at, but the writing is so superb and descriptive, especially at the beginning when Twink is talking about her husband! I wonder how many other people would admit to feelings like that.

She is supposed to be the pillar of the community with all her “church work”, but she is one evil bitch, and she deserved everything she got. I had to laugh at how gullible the Chief Constable was and how everyone on authority swallowed all the lies!

Even though he’s bent, I do like Malice, and it’s not the ordinary man in the street he takes advantage of, its villains and miscreants, and Kelly I admire for holding her own, and her character develops nicely in this second book.

All in all a very enjoyable read and im looking forward to the next book in the series.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

When your expectations from an author are at their highest level anyway, and then this one comes along. Boom! It blew me away. Such an exciting read. There is so much I love about DS Malice, but my goodness he is a very dark character and full of surprises....maybe that's why. Pietersen holds her own too and together they make a perfect team. No secrets...they promised each other. Just aswell in this book because things were turning very nasty. No such thing as a bent copper is there? Yeah right. But which one? This is a really gutsy, fast paced and gripping read. A little bit of blood (cough) and a great deal of scandal. Found myself biting my bottom lip throughout. (I have lip salve...it's fine!) So many lies that people tell, but no one gets away with murder...do they? Quite a quick read, ONLY because the pages were on fire!. A must read and highly recommended. Oh...and I do clean my house before going on holiday.

[Alex Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Following hot on the heels of the brilliant ‘Killing Pretties, DS Khenan Malice and partner Detective Kelly Pietersen are back. And with another wickedly devious criminal to catch.

‘Twinkle’ is a liar, and a very accomplished one. She’s used her wicked ways to convince everyone she’s something she’s not... and when the past raises its head, the paths of ‘Twinkle’ and the cunning and slightly shifty Malice collide with explosive results.

Another absolute cracker of a read, I flew through the pages which left me both massively entertained, but often smiling at the sheer guile of the conniving and calculating ‘Twinkle’.

It’s great to see an author come up with some new and different villains, a refreshing change!

Easily read as a standalone, though I’d suggest you read Killing Pretties to, not because you have but just because you should as that’s a cracker!

With an extremely inviting writing style, cool and enticing protagonists, some very twisted villains, and dark humour throughout, Rob Ashman writes a cracking crime thriller with huge appeal and only leaves readers awaiting more.

A brilliant new character and series on the crime thriller scene, I for one am absolutely loving these books, more please Rob!

Highly Recommended

5🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[Livia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Meet Twinkle ...she works for the church ..runs an Outreach Programme..In the eyes of the church she is a diamond..a Saint..Maybe there is some truth then ..that good girls go to Heaven ...and bad girls go everywhere..She's probably good at compartmentalizing her feelings ..or maybe she just doesn't have a soul ..Twinkle is kind of ..a black diamond ..DS Khenan Malice ..along with Detective Kelly Petersen, who has left the Anti Corruption Unit behind , are called out when a body is found by an old factory. The remains are 10 years old ..And so begins a cold case ..that is going to take them into places..where there is Madness..Dark and Evil ..A place where Sinners dwell ..And Darkness awaits them ..Read in one sitting ...Gloriously Dark ...Five wicked little Black stars from me ...🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤

[Leanne Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second in the DS Malice series and it was as imaginative, chilling and gripping as the first book Killing Pretties.

In this book Malice has problems again in his personal life which he must sort whilst trying to find out if 2 missing people has resulted in a double murder. Plus his partner Pietersen has her own problems that Malice gets pulled in to.

The characters are wonderfully written and in this book we meet Twinkle who is cold, calculating and callous.

I cannot rate this book or author highly enough. I didn't think he could improve on his DI Kray books but I believe I have been proven wrong. This is an excellent series and I look forward to book 3.

[Nikki Ayling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent book from Rob Ashman, I have been lucky and read every single one of his books. My only problem.... he needs to write quicker, (or I need to read slower) .

You will not regret purchasing this book, but make sure you read them in order. And dont forget to check out other books by this author as well, especially if you enjoy a rollercoaster ride which allows you to imagine the story in your own mind .. eeven if some are graphic!.

Congratulations Rob, another successful read. ....... now please go and write some more... quickly !! 😂😂

[Caroline Venables · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was really looking forward to reading this book after reading Killing Pretties.

This is book two in the DS Malice series, which sees him looking into a cold case. A dead body has been found after being buried for ten years. As Pieterson, his partner, and him investigate they find themselves encountering Twinkle. Twinkle works in the community and has a disabled husband. However as the book title infers, Twinkle is not all that she appears.

Another gripping instalment in this series, excellent writing by the author.

Highly recommended.

[Randee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read in the second book of the series of DS Khenan Malice. I enjoyed the book and the various plots, but I still really loved Killing Pretties the most. That one is hard to beat! That being said, Rob writes another page turner in this second book. Once again, great characters. We learn more about Kelly Pietersen and her background, along with the criminals and their story. I do wish there was a bit more detail in the background of Twinkle though. Other than that, well done.

[Gary Dowden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book two of the Malice/Pietersen series is brutal, gripping and features one of the best baddies I've read about in a while as "Twinkle" spends her time between helping run a church outreach centre and attempting a hide a past of blackmail and murder. It's a cracking read told largely from Twinkles viewpoint and there are a couple of little side stories involving Malice and Pietersen which are equally enjoyable. Highly recommended.

[Brian Murgatroyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent read.😎

The second one in this series,this was on a level with the previous one.I found this a well paced thrilling read,I would recommend the author's books they seem to have that extra!! In his writings and characters.I will be reading the next one which is available now.😎😎

[barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author really keeps you captivated on the characters great in depth read Love Malice and Pieterson make a great team can't ask for more from a great story .Title is a good description of contents but to what extent you have to read !!!

[Penny Southward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rob Ashman has done it again...

Another gripping story...couldn't put it down...fabulous duo and I hope they go on for a long time to come (and I'm a little bit in love with Mally...😍

[Frances Barron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liking the two lead characters a lot warts and all

The two main characters are growing on me. Both know right from wrong but frequently err on the wrong side - mostly for the right reasons. Looking forward to next book.