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Detective Dan Riley #4
The Woman Inside
Daisey Garrett wakes up in a hospital bed. She remembers her boyfriend has left her for another woman but she doesn’t remember what happened to her. The night she was attacked in her own home.
Daisey shouldn’t be alive but against all odds, she’s survived an ordeal most would never recover from. And her new friend and roommate Iris will help her get back on her feet.
But Daisey’s mind is broken. She’s on edge, drinking too much and as she sits across from her cheating ex, Luke, in the beautiful home they once shared together, she can’t shake the feeling that she is being watched.
Yet tiny fragments of Daisey’s memory are starting to come back to her.
The missing pieces of that fateful summer night are beginning to surface…
The lies she told the police.
The lies Luke told her.
Iris will help her find the truth, won’t she?
A tense, twisty, addictive page-turner,The Woman Inside takes you within the tangled mess of people’s lives and the dark secrets they hold close. Perfect for fans of Gone Girl, Before I Go to Sleep and The Wife Between Us.
Daisey shouldn’t be alive but against all odds, she’s survived an ordeal most would never recover from. And her new friend and roommate Iris will help her get back on her feet.
But Daisey’s mind is broken. She’s on edge, drinking too much and as she sits across from her cheating ex, Luke, in the beautiful home they once shared together, she can’t shake the feeling that she is being watched.
Yet tiny fragments of Daisey’s memory are starting to come back to her.
The missing pieces of that fateful summer night are beginning to surface…
The lies she told the police.
The lies Luke told her.
Iris will help her find the truth, won’t she?
A tense, twisty, addictive page-turner,The Woman Inside takes you within the tangled mess of people’s lives and the dark secrets they hold close. Perfect for fans of Gone Girl, Before I Go to Sleep and The Wife Between Us.
331 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 13, 2021
1386 people are currently reading
2080 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 290 reviews
December 11, 2020
This is the fourth instalment in the DI Dan Riley series and in this one he and his team are on the hunt for a murderer dubbed ‘The Rose Petal Ripper’. The story is partly narrated by Dan, by Daisey a victim and backtracks to 1987 to fill in gaps in our understanding. This works well as the storyline flows seamlessly.
Well, if you are half asleep when starting this book you’ll rapidly be jolted awake and become immersed in the plot! The premise is good, I really like the psychological aspects of the storyline both in Daisey and in the perpetrator. There are parts of the book that are chilling and you sense the fear and apprehension especially in the sections from the 1980’s. Although there are some clues in the direction the plot is taking that doesn’t detract from the enjoyment as it gets intriguingly weird. However, I do think apprehending the murderer is a a bit too drawn out and so loses some impact. I really like the characters especially Dan Riley. He’s a well developed character and has a very likeable personality, I especially like his wry self deprecating approach and his following his gut instincts. I’m always partial to a fictional lead detective who goes out on a limb! I like the end and it gives hope for a more settled and happier life for him. DCI Archer is an interesting character but I would like more development of DS Lucy Davis as she didn’t come across very strongly in this.
Overall, an enjoyable read with tension and suspense and good twists. I’m looking forward to the next one!
With thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the arc for an honest review.
Well, if you are half asleep when starting this book you’ll rapidly be jolted awake and become immersed in the plot! The premise is good, I really like the psychological aspects of the storyline both in Daisey and in the perpetrator. There are parts of the book that are chilling and you sense the fear and apprehension especially in the sections from the 1980’s. Although there are some clues in the direction the plot is taking that doesn’t detract from the enjoyment as it gets intriguingly weird. However, I do think apprehending the murderer is a a bit too drawn out and so loses some impact. I really like the characters especially Dan Riley. He’s a well developed character and has a very likeable personality, I especially like his wry self deprecating approach and his following his gut instincts. I’m always partial to a fictional lead detective who goes out on a limb! I like the end and it gives hope for a more settled and happier life for him. DCI Archer is an interesting character but I would like more development of DS Lucy Davis as she didn’t come across very strongly in this.
Overall, an enjoyable read with tension and suspense and good twists. I’m looking forward to the next one!
With thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the arc for an honest review.
February 5, 2023
A solid 4 stars for the 4th instalment in this addictive series.
At Warwick’s department store’s annual summer party, the recent murder of a former employee, Fern Lever, whose throat was slashed in her own home by an unknown assailant, is a hot topic of conversation. Daisey Garrett didn’t know Fern, as she worked for the company before Daisey’s time, and besides, she’s too preoccupied over thoughts of her ex-fiancé’s betrayal to pay much attention.
But, maybe she should have. Because in a few hours time, Daisey will also be attacked in her apartment in the exact same way Fern was. However, unlike Fern, and against all odds, Daisey survives her horrific ordeal. Unfortunately, she doesn’t remember a thing from that evening – not the work do, nor what happened after…
I’m really enjoying playing catch-up with the Detective Dan Riley police procedurals. Anna-Lou Weatherley always delivers an intriguing, compelling, twisty crime/mystery occurring in an everyday domestic setting, and The Woman Inside was no exception. Wow, those opening chapters sure were tense and edge-of-your-seat worthy. But there’s a but. As much as I enjoyed reading this, I was unable to award it 5 stars, as by the 50% mark I could clearly see where it was going – major bummer – guess I’ve read too many of these? Was bound to happen. I was fully invested in all three timelines – I cared about Daisey, was afraid for her, Dan’s personal life was heartwarming, even if I had spoilt it for myself somewhat by reading The Lie in Our Marriage first, and the flashbacks beginning in 1987 filled me with ominous dread.
All in all a quick, easy, satisfying read. Off to start #5, The Night of the Party.
P.S. Such a clever title.
At Warwick’s department store’s annual summer party, the recent murder of a former employee, Fern Lever, whose throat was slashed in her own home by an unknown assailant, is a hot topic of conversation. Daisey Garrett didn’t know Fern, as she worked for the company before Daisey’s time, and besides, she’s too preoccupied over thoughts of her ex-fiancé’s betrayal to pay much attention.
But, maybe she should have. Because in a few hours time, Daisey will also be attacked in her apartment in the exact same way Fern was. However, unlike Fern, and against all odds, Daisey survives her horrific ordeal. Unfortunately, she doesn’t remember a thing from that evening – not the work do, nor what happened after…
I’m really enjoying playing catch-up with the Detective Dan Riley police procedurals. Anna-Lou Weatherley always delivers an intriguing, compelling, twisty crime/mystery occurring in an everyday domestic setting, and The Woman Inside was no exception. Wow, those opening chapters sure were tense and edge-of-your-seat worthy. But there’s a but. As much as I enjoyed reading this, I was unable to award it 5 stars, as by the 50% mark I could clearly see where it was going – major bummer – guess I’ve read too many of these? Was bound to happen. I was fully invested in all three timelines – I cared about Daisey, was afraid for her, Dan’s personal life was heartwarming, even if I had spoilt it for myself somewhat by reading The Lie in Our Marriage first, and the flashbacks beginning in 1987 filled me with ominous dread.
All in all a quick, easy, satisfying read. Off to start #5, The Night of the Party.
P.S. Such a clever title.
May 3, 2021
This book had me hooked from the first page. Detective Dan Riley is in search of a serial killer. The latest victim, Daisey Garrett, has traumatic amnesia. She has no recollection of her attack. Why is she still alive? Will the killer strike again? Is Daisey still in danger? Explore the mind of a serial killer in this hair raising thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat. This s part of a series, but can be read as a stand alone. This was my first book of the series to read, but definitely will not be my last. There were twists in this book I never saw coming. Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Merged review:
This book had me hooked from the first page. Detective Dan Riley is in search of a serial killer. The latest victim, Daisey Garrett, has traumatic amnesia. She has no recollection of her attack. Why is she still alive? Will the killer strike again? Is Daisey still in danger? Explore the mind of a serial killer in this hair raising thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat. This is part of a series, but can be read as a stand alone. This was my first book to read of the series, but definitely will not be my last. There were twists in this book I never saw coming. Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Merged review:
This book had me hooked from the first page. Detective Dan Riley is in search of a serial killer. The latest victim, Daisey Garrett, has traumatic amnesia. She has no recollection of her attack. Why is she still alive? Will the killer strike again? Is Daisey still in danger? Explore the mind of a serial killer in this hair raising thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat. This is part of a series, but can be read as a stand alone. This was my first book to read of the series, but definitely will not be my last. There were twists in this book I never saw coming. Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
December 13, 2020
I really enjoyed this. Daisey Garrett is left for dead as the Rose Petal Ripper’s third victim but when DI Dan Riley arrives to view the scene he detects the faintest signs of life in Daisey. She survives without any disability but cannot remember anything from the day of the attack. This is very frustrating for the police as there is no evidence to be had from any of the crime scenes but surely, in surviving the attack, Daisey will have seen something to help police with their inquiries- if only she could remember what happened!
In the absence of any firm evidence the police focus their investigation on Warwick’s - the department store that both Daisey and one of the other victims worked at. Could the killer be working there too? It is like looking for a needle in a haystack though. The narrative is set largely in the present but there are also flashbacks from the 1980s. As the decade progresses the flashbacks become increasingly disturbing but you soon work out where things are heading.
Daisey turns out to be a feisty and strong young woman who fights back when she finds herself in danger again. I really should check these things - this is the fifth book in the Dan Riley series 😫 (and I hate reading out of order) but I had read the second book and enjoyed it also. My major gripe with the book is that I found it quite predictable and I knew who the killer was early on, but strangely it didn’t detract much from my enjoyment. I do read a lot of books like this so maybe it’s not surprising. Yet despite the lack of surprises for me I was still invested the story. Weatherley’s writing and vibrant characters were able to carry the plot successfully and I can recommend this book to crime, mystery and thriller fans. Thanks to Netgalley, Bookouture and Anna-Lou Weatherley for providing a copy for me to review. My opinions are my own.
In the absence of any firm evidence the police focus their investigation on Warwick’s - the department store that both Daisey and one of the other victims worked at. Could the killer be working there too? It is like looking for a needle in a haystack though. The narrative is set largely in the present but there are also flashbacks from the 1980s. As the decade progresses the flashbacks become increasingly disturbing but you soon work out where things are heading.
Daisey turns out to be a feisty and strong young woman who fights back when she finds herself in danger again. I really should check these things - this is the fifth book in the Dan Riley series 😫 (and I hate reading out of order) but I had read the second book and enjoyed it also. My major gripe with the book is that I found it quite predictable and I knew who the killer was early on, but strangely it didn’t detract much from my enjoyment. I do read a lot of books like this so maybe it’s not surprising. Yet despite the lack of surprises for me I was still invested the story. Weatherley’s writing and vibrant characters were able to carry the plot successfully and I can recommend this book to crime, mystery and thriller fans. Thanks to Netgalley, Bookouture and Anna-Lou Weatherley for providing a copy for me to review. My opinions are my own.
May 18, 2024
4.5 stars!
That ending bumped this up from 4+ to 4.5 stars! 🤩
I love spending time with my favourite Detective, Dan Riley! Not only is he amazing at his job, but his personal life and inner wit is highly intriguing and entertaining. He is one of my all time favourite main characters!
The murder investigation in this book kept me on my toes. It’s another clever, dark and disturbing storyline. This author knows how to write the most engrossing introductions in her books that hook me from the first few pages.
I LOVE this series and can’t wait for book 5!
Audio rating: 5 stars! This narrator is PHENOMENAL! Highly recommend the audio! 🎧
That ending bumped this up from 4+ to 4.5 stars! 🤩
I love spending time with my favourite Detective, Dan Riley! Not only is he amazing at his job, but his personal life and inner wit is highly intriguing and entertaining. He is one of my all time favourite main characters!
The murder investigation in this book kept me on my toes. It’s another clever, dark and disturbing storyline. This author knows how to write the most engrossing introductions in her books that hook me from the first few pages.
I LOVE this series and can’t wait for book 5!
Audio rating: 5 stars! This narrator is PHENOMENAL! Highly recommend the audio! 🎧
December 2, 2020
I love the Detective Dan Reilly series and The woman Inside continued that love. These books are so addictive, with that one more chapter thing happening at the end of every chapter. I stayed up way past my bedtime to find out what was going to happen in this one. Although this book features a reoccurring character, they can easily be read as a stand alone. But all the books are fantastic and you will want to read them all.
There has been a number of gruesome murders of late and Detective Dan Reilly is perplexed. Daisey is a survivor of the same predator but when she wakes in the hospital she has no memory of them attack. Together they try to work out who tried to kill her and why before they strike again.
While I sort of guessed the who, the why and how had me stumped. It is a very clever twist that will keep you guessing until the end.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for my advanced copy of this book to read.
There has been a number of gruesome murders of late and Detective Dan Reilly is perplexed. Daisey is a survivor of the same predator but when she wakes in the hospital she has no memory of them attack. Together they try to work out who tried to kill her and why before they strike again.
While I sort of guessed the who, the why and how had me stumped. It is a very clever twist that will keep you guessing until the end.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for my advanced copy of this book to read.
July 1, 2023
Detective Dan Riley Series, Book #4
I love this series soooo much. 🥰
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Daisey Garrett opens up her door one night to an intruder who bashes her over the head with a hammer, slahes her throat, and leaves her for dead.
Only, she survives, thanks to her friend checking on her when she can't get in touch.
Daisey shouldn’t be alive, but against all odds, she’s survived an ordeal most would never recover from. Her new friend and roommate Iris is there to help her get back on her feet.
But Daisey’s mind is broken. She's trying to help the police find her attacker, but her memory is hazy. Time is of the essence as the man who attacked her has also been linked to other murders. All victims with flower names. Daisy knows she must remember. She has a horrible feeling that the killer is going to come back to finish the job.
---------‐----‐------------------------------------------------------------
This is a tense, twisty, addictive page-turner. The Woman Inside takes on the tangled mess of relationships and the secrets people hold close.
All the five 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 for this installment. It's really good!
I love this series soooo much. 🥰
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Daisey Garrett opens up her door one night to an intruder who bashes her over the head with a hammer, slahes her throat, and leaves her for dead.
Only, she survives, thanks to her friend checking on her when she can't get in touch.
Daisey shouldn’t be alive, but against all odds, she’s survived an ordeal most would never recover from. Her new friend and roommate Iris is there to help her get back on her feet.
But Daisey’s mind is broken. She's trying to help the police find her attacker, but her memory is hazy. Time is of the essence as the man who attacked her has also been linked to other murders. All victims with flower names. Daisy knows she must remember. She has a horrible feeling that the killer is going to come back to finish the job.
---------‐----‐------------------------------------------------------------
This is a tense, twisty, addictive page-turner. The Woman Inside takes on the tangled mess of relationships and the secrets people hold close.
All the five 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 for this installment. It's really good!
January 18, 2021
The Woman Inside is the fourth instalment in the Detective Dan Riley series, set in and around London. It's a warm July evening and 33-year-old Daisey Garrett is, as an employee of the firm, attending Warwick's department store summer party, ready to get inebriated after her fiancé Luke Bradley ran off with another woman - Charlotte, although they are still having sex. She overhears her colleagues talking about a past employee, Fern Lever who had been found in her bed with her throat slashed with the killer still at large. She heads outside for a cigarette to calm her anxious mind and is provided with a light by a seemingly Good Samaritan but she feels there's something strange and really quite scary about him. He'd even known her name. Drunk enough she decides to head home early; it's not even 11:30 pm but she grabs her coat from the cloakroom, however, her womanising colleague Tommy White insists on chaperoning her back to her Hounslow apartment in a cab to ensure she's safe, especially with a demented killer on the loose, although she believes he thinks he's going to get lucky. She successfully gets Tommy to leave but when the doorbell rings she thinks he's back. Persistent. However, it isn't him. The man at the door is the same guy from earlier and addresses her as Rosie. She sees he's holding a hammer but before she can react everything goes black.
Detective Riley is called to the scene of the crime and knows instantly that it's The Rose Petal Ripper's handiwork - a killer who chooses victims named after flowers it plants. This is his third attack with the same MO in the past two months after Jasmin Godden and Fern Lever were brutally slain. Daisey has been stripped naked on her bed and her throat has been slashed, posed in the same way as the others, arms folded across her chest as though at peace, and he's left his calling card - a single, fresh pink rose. But this time Daisey is alive and found right in the nick of time after work colleague Rosalind O'Donnell reported what she'd found after she couldn't get an answer at the door. Unfortunately, Daisey can't remember anything about what had happened to her. Can the team identify and apprehend the killer before he strikes again? This is a riveting read right from the very beginning and tells the story from the perspective of both Daisey and Dan so we get a well-rounded understanding of what's happening. Weatherley makes excellent use of twists, turns and misdirection throughout bringing some surprises to the narrative and the whole thing moves at a pretty brisk pace. It's a refreshingly original thriller with plenty of intrigue and a killer hellbent on gaining revenge. An entertaining and absorbing, clever and engrossing story, which is an easy and entertaining read. Highly recommended.
Detective Riley is called to the scene of the crime and knows instantly that it's The Rose Petal Ripper's handiwork - a killer who chooses victims named after flowers it plants. This is his third attack with the same MO in the past two months after Jasmin Godden and Fern Lever were brutally slain. Daisey has been stripped naked on her bed and her throat has been slashed, posed in the same way as the others, arms folded across her chest as though at peace, and he's left his calling card - a single, fresh pink rose. But this time Daisey is alive and found right in the nick of time after work colleague Rosalind O'Donnell reported what she'd found after she couldn't get an answer at the door. Unfortunately, Daisey can't remember anything about what had happened to her. Can the team identify and apprehend the killer before he strikes again? This is a riveting read right from the very beginning and tells the story from the perspective of both Daisey and Dan so we get a well-rounded understanding of what's happening. Weatherley makes excellent use of twists, turns and misdirection throughout bringing some surprises to the narrative and the whole thing moves at a pretty brisk pace. It's a refreshingly original thriller with plenty of intrigue and a killer hellbent on gaining revenge. An entertaining and absorbing, clever and engrossing story, which is an easy and entertaining read. Highly recommended.
October 30, 2023
*What lies beneath the Surface*
This is the 4th instalment in the Detective Dan Riley series. I am happy to say it is still going strong for me and I really like him as a character. He does not always follow the rules but it is always in the best interests of the case and he is not a people pleaser. What gets him by is his instincts and famous gut feelings
In this instalment the story flips back and forwards in the past there is a set of twins and tragedies are happening all over the place and in the present we see Daisey who is viciously attacked and left for dead. And miraculously she survives, others have not been so lucky. Whilst her memory is patchy Dan and his team have very little to go on. One person comes into her life and we see how Dan does what he does best by seeing what others don’t see. There is a twist that I only half guessed but found the story engaging and gripping at the same time even though I found myself shouting at Daisey and some of her decisions, as her memory is struggling to come back someone cannot take that risk, will they silence her for good?
Is there about to be a change in DI Dan Riley’s personal life?
This is the 4th instalment in the Detective Dan Riley series. I am happy to say it is still going strong for me and I really like him as a character. He does not always follow the rules but it is always in the best interests of the case and he is not a people pleaser. What gets him by is his instincts and famous gut feelings
In this instalment the story flips back and forwards in the past there is a set of twins and tragedies are happening all over the place and in the present we see Daisey who is viciously attacked and left for dead. And miraculously she survives, others have not been so lucky. Whilst her memory is patchy Dan and his team have very little to go on. One person comes into her life and we see how Dan does what he does best by seeing what others don’t see. There is a twist that I only half guessed but found the story engaging and gripping at the same time even though I found myself shouting at Daisey and some of her decisions, as her memory is struggling to come back someone cannot take that risk, will they silence her for good?
Is there about to be a change in DI Dan Riley’s personal life?
December 21, 2022
I just spent the last 7 days with Anna-Lou Weatherley, narrator James Lailey, and DI Dan Riley (virtually), and it was an out-of-body experience.
Removing my headphones was a daunting task!
After polishing off all five audiobooks in author Anna-Lou Weatherley's DI Dan Riley series, I am currently suffering from withdrawal symptoms.
Yes, the books were that good.
This series checked all of my boxes:
* Cleverly crafted and intense UK mystery/thrillers
* Strong characterizations
* Over-the-top police procedurals
* Outstanding narration. Narrator James Lailey is an accomplished actor and he is one of my new favorite UK male narrators.
* A perfect dose of humor. Contrary to popular belief, it is possible for a gasp to be followed by a chuckle!
The author has a new book being released in early 2023. and this book will be at the tippy-top of my TBR list.
"The Woman Inside" is #4 in the series.
Even though all five thrillers are standalone reads, I strongly recommend starting with Book #1 and reading them in sequence.
Each book gets better and better.
Removing my headphones was a daunting task!
After polishing off all five audiobooks in author Anna-Lou Weatherley's DI Dan Riley series, I am currently suffering from withdrawal symptoms.
Yes, the books were that good.
This series checked all of my boxes:
* Cleverly crafted and intense UK mystery/thrillers
* Strong characterizations
* Over-the-top police procedurals
* Outstanding narration. Narrator James Lailey is an accomplished actor and he is one of my new favorite UK male narrators.
* A perfect dose of humor. Contrary to popular belief, it is possible for a gasp to be followed by a chuckle!
The author has a new book being released in early 2023. and this book will be at the tippy-top of my TBR list.
"The Woman Inside" is #4 in the series.
Even though all five thrillers are standalone reads, I strongly recommend starting with Book #1 and reading them in sequence.
Each book gets better and better.
May 30, 2024
A strong 3.5* but I’ve rounded down in line with the fact I’ve read much better 4* books recently
This was the best book in the series so far and definitely the most suspense and twists. I thought I knew were the book was heading and then BAM! Twist after twist! Also finally feel like there was additional character development, not as much as I would like at this stage but still better than before
This was the best book in the series so far and definitely the most suspense and twists. I thought I knew were the book was heading and then BAM! Twist after twist! Also finally feel like there was additional character development, not as much as I would like at this stage but still better than before
October 9, 2023
Audio 5 Stars
Story 5 Stars
Story 5 Stars
December 6, 2020
The Woman inside by Ann-Lou Weatherley is the 4th book Detective Dan Reilly series. I wasn’t aware of this until halfway through the book. But this is such a good book that I was hooked from the first page and you can read it as a standalone.
Daisey is persuaded to attend the Warwick’s seasonal works party. Even though she still getting over her spilt with her partner Luke. When she is chatted up by Tommy and he persuades her to take her home as Daisey is too drunk to argue. When she gets home, she says that she is not over her ex to put Tommy off and he leaves. When there is a ring at the door a little bit later, she thinks it is Tommy only when she answers the door she is bludgeoned with a hammer and everything goes black.
When the police are called Detective Dan Reilly, is called, and finds out Daisey is still alive. But when she wakes up in hospital, she cannot remember anything of that fatal time. When other bodies turn up with the same M.O. Dan has got his work cut out to find the killer before they strike again.
Wow I loved The woman inside from the very first page. This book is thrilling, well thought out book, with great characters and I liked how the author got into the killer’s mind and dealt with the mental health issues. What made then do what he did and why? I can’t wait to seek out the other books in this series.
Daisey is persuaded to attend the Warwick’s seasonal works party. Even though she still getting over her spilt with her partner Luke. When she is chatted up by Tommy and he persuades her to take her home as Daisey is too drunk to argue. When she gets home, she says that she is not over her ex to put Tommy off and he leaves. When there is a ring at the door a little bit later, she thinks it is Tommy only when she answers the door she is bludgeoned with a hammer and everything goes black.
When the police are called Detective Dan Reilly, is called, and finds out Daisey is still alive. But when she wakes up in hospital, she cannot remember anything of that fatal time. When other bodies turn up with the same M.O. Dan has got his work cut out to find the killer before they strike again.
Wow I loved The woman inside from the very first page. This book is thrilling, well thought out book, with great characters and I liked how the author got into the killer’s mind and dealt with the mental health issues. What made then do what he did and why? I can’t wait to seek out the other books in this series.
December 29, 2020
This is the 4th book in the Dan Riley series, though can be read as a standalone. It centers on Daisey, who is attacked and left for dead in a similar way to 2 other recent murders, making it appear that there is a serial killer on the loose. Daisey cannot remember the attack, and Dan is racing against the clock to figure out what happened before another murder occurs. There are also some flashback chapters, but we don't know the identity of the family they feature.
I find Dan Riley extremely likeable and real. Usually I am annoyed when time is spent on the backstory of detectives solving a case in books like this, but I enjoy reading about Dan, both in his professional endeavors as well as his personal life.
The reveal of the villain and the ending of the book is a little far-fetched, but I still enjoyed it. I thought I had figured out the twist early on (which was actually less convoluted than what ended up happening) but I was wrong.
Overall, I like this series and this book is no exception. I would recommend it to those who like police procedurals and mysteries. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I find Dan Riley extremely likeable and real. Usually I am annoyed when time is spent on the backstory of detectives solving a case in books like this, but I enjoy reading about Dan, both in his professional endeavors as well as his personal life.
The reveal of the villain and the ending of the book is a little far-fetched, but I still enjoyed it. I thought I had figured out the twist early on (which was actually less convoluted than what ended up happening) but I was wrong.
Overall, I like this series and this book is no exception. I would recommend it to those who like police procedurals and mysteries. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 11, 2021
Decective Dan Riley #4
Daisey Garrett wakes up in a hospital bed. She can't remember what happened to her or that she was attacked in her own home. Daisey should have died that night but her new friend and roommate will help Daisey get backon her feet.
I did work out the plot twist early on but that never spoils my enjoyment of a good book. Daisey had been attacked in her apartment after beeing at a works night out. She had recently split from her fiance Luke. She has no memory of the night she was attacked. She takes in a roommate to help her through as she struggles to remember. DI Dan Riley is working on her case desperste to sole it before another woman is attacked and killed. The story has a duel timeline. The mother od twind, a girl and boy thinks her son is evil. This is another fantastic read that was hard to put down. A cleverley crafted plot with some complex characters. I love Dan Riley so i hope there's more to come from him in future.
i would like to thank #NetGalley, #Bookouture and the author#AnnaLouWeatherley for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Daisey Garrett wakes up in a hospital bed. She can't remember what happened to her or that she was attacked in her own home. Daisey should have died that night but her new friend and roommate will help Daisey get backon her feet.
I did work out the plot twist early on but that never spoils my enjoyment of a good book. Daisey had been attacked in her apartment after beeing at a works night out. She had recently split from her fiance Luke. She has no memory of the night she was attacked. She takes in a roommate to help her through as she struggles to remember. DI Dan Riley is working on her case desperste to sole it before another woman is attacked and killed. The story has a duel timeline. The mother od twind, a girl and boy thinks her son is evil. This is another fantastic read that was hard to put down. A cleverley crafted plot with some complex characters. I love Dan Riley so i hope there's more to come from him in future.
i would like to thank #NetGalley, #Bookouture and the author#AnnaLouWeatherley for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 6, 2022
Although I have only read two others in this series -
"The Stranger's Wife"
and
"The Night of the Party"
- both of which I loved, it is fast becoming one of my favourite series. I love the fact that you don't need to read each book or in any particular order - as you can see, I read Book 3 and 5 before backtracking to this one, book 4 and I wasn't lost in any way. I think because Anna-Lou Weatherley focuses on the story itself rather than the team of detectives and their personal lives, we are able to follow each book no matter what order we read them. Although we do get a little of Dan's personal life, it's just an inkling and it never overshadows the main focus of the story.
The title, THE WOMAN INSIDE is a little ambiguous in which that it can have a double meaning. I won't say much more as to do so would reveal a major spoiler. But rest assured, this is an addictive tale that will that will have you promising yourself "just one more chapter"...
The story begins with Daisey Garrett at an after-work party thing that she really isn't enjoying and would much rather be curled up on the couch at home binge watching something more appealing on Netflix. She gets a little inebriated in the wake of her ex-fiance having run off with a younger woman, a former student of his no less. But that of course didn't stop Luke from coming around earlier for a little stroll down memory lane across the kitchen table. A couple of her colleagues are talking about the Rose Petal Ripper's latest victim, a former employee of the department store in which they all work, Fern Lever who was found dead, naked and with her throat slashed.
Having heard enough, Daisey heads outside for a cigarette to calm her anxious mind when a Good Samaritan offers her a light. She's not sure who this person is but she gets a strange vibe from him and finishes her cigarette quickly to escape him. It didn't occur to her till later that he addressed her by name. Does she know him? Does he work at Warwick's too?
A little more than tipsy, Daisey decides to head home early when the flirtatious Tommy White, with quite a reputation, insists on escorting her home...especially with a killer out there. Daisey thinks Tommy only wants one thing and she doesn't intend on relinquishing that for him. After ensuring she is safe home, Tommy leaves but when the doorbell rings soon after, Daisey thinks he has returned, thinking he's going to get lucky.
It isn't him.
All at once, Daisey sees the figure in front of her before she sees the hammer he's wielding...and then everything goes black.
Detective Dan Riley was called out from leave to head up the investigation into the Rose Petal Ripper and after two killings he gets the call that there has now been a third. As soon as he sees the scene, he knows it's the same killer. Daisey lays naked on her bed, arms folded across her chest with her throat cut. And with her is his calling card - a single pink rose with a scattering of petals around her. But there is something different about this scene, Dan assesses, and is shocked to discover that Daisey is still alive...though how or why is anyone's guess.
The next thing Daisey knows is waking in a hospital bed with a raspy sore throat from the breathing tube that had kept her in a medically induced coma until she was well enough to wake. Dan is at her side almost immediately. But any hopes he has of a description of her attacker and details of what happened are dashed when he is informed that she has traumatic amnesia. Daisey remembers nothing of the day or night of the attack. She may recover her memories...but then again she may not. But it's up to Dan to solve this case with or without those memories. Not just for Daisey, but for the other women he's killed also.
I really love Dan. He is a good hardworking decent copper, even if doesn't always go by the book, relying on his intuition which has never failed him yet. His boss, Superintendent Gwen Archer, isn't one for cutting corners so is not at all impressed by his incessant need to act on this "infamous intuition" of his when what they need are cold hard facts. Although I don't know his team all that well they each have their parts to play and they do it well, without question or angst.
The story unfolds primarily through Daisey and Dan's eyes, though the chapters are not titled as such but you do end up realising whose narrative it is soon enough. Daisey's is in the third person whilst Dan remains in the first person. There are a few flashback chapters beginning in 1987 with an excited couple preparing for the birth of their twin girls and the progression of the family and their troubles throughout the years until September 1997. Coupled with these flashbacks and the clues I picked up along the way, I managed to work out the killer and a major plot twist very early on - about 20 to 25% in. But that never spoils my enjoyment of a good book.
The plot twist is so seemingly far fetched almost that to pick it is pure guesswork, genius or the workings of a detective's mind. It's that far off course. But when you see it, you realise how much sense it makes. I did feel the ending dragged out a little bit once the reveal came, but maybe that's because I had already figured it out...I'm not sure.
THE WOMAN INSIDE is indeed an engaging thriller that moves along at a steady pace. It's not my favourite out of the three I've read, but it is still as thrilling and addictive that keeps you turning the pages until the end. It is also a very different tale in the way it sympathises with both sides of the coin and provides plenty of food for thought.
Although it is the fourth book in the series, THE WOMAN INSIDE can be read as a standalone easily enough without getting lost. I love how each of the author's books explore the villain and their victims as well a little of the investigation without bogging readers down in the procedural aspect. Perfect for fans of crime thrillers that don't focus solely on the investigation.
I would like to thank #AnnaLouWeatherley, #Netgalley, #Bookouture for an ARC of #TheWomanInside in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
The title, THE WOMAN INSIDE is a little ambiguous in which that it can have a double meaning. I won't say much more as to do so would reveal a major spoiler. But rest assured, this is an addictive tale that will that will have you promising yourself "just one more chapter"...
The story begins with Daisey Garrett at an after-work party thing that she really isn't enjoying and would much rather be curled up on the couch at home binge watching something more appealing on Netflix. She gets a little inebriated in the wake of her ex-fiance having run off with a younger woman, a former student of his no less. But that of course didn't stop Luke from coming around earlier for a little stroll down memory lane across the kitchen table. A couple of her colleagues are talking about the Rose Petal Ripper's latest victim, a former employee of the department store in which they all work, Fern Lever who was found dead, naked and with her throat slashed.
Having heard enough, Daisey heads outside for a cigarette to calm her anxious mind when a Good Samaritan offers her a light. She's not sure who this person is but she gets a strange vibe from him and finishes her cigarette quickly to escape him. It didn't occur to her till later that he addressed her by name. Does she know him? Does he work at Warwick's too?
A little more than tipsy, Daisey decides to head home early when the flirtatious Tommy White, with quite a reputation, insists on escorting her home...especially with a killer out there. Daisey thinks Tommy only wants one thing and she doesn't intend on relinquishing that for him. After ensuring she is safe home, Tommy leaves but when the doorbell rings soon after, Daisey thinks he has returned, thinking he's going to get lucky.
It isn't him.
All at once, Daisey sees the figure in front of her before she sees the hammer he's wielding...and then everything goes black.
Detective Dan Riley was called out from leave to head up the investigation into the Rose Petal Ripper and after two killings he gets the call that there has now been a third. As soon as he sees the scene, he knows it's the same killer. Daisey lays naked on her bed, arms folded across her chest with her throat cut. And with her is his calling card - a single pink rose with a scattering of petals around her. But there is something different about this scene, Dan assesses, and is shocked to discover that Daisey is still alive...though how or why is anyone's guess.
The next thing Daisey knows is waking in a hospital bed with a raspy sore throat from the breathing tube that had kept her in a medically induced coma until she was well enough to wake. Dan is at her side almost immediately. But any hopes he has of a description of her attacker and details of what happened are dashed when he is informed that she has traumatic amnesia. Daisey remembers nothing of the day or night of the attack. She may recover her memories...but then again she may not. But it's up to Dan to solve this case with or without those memories. Not just for Daisey, but for the other women he's killed also.
I really love Dan. He is a good hardworking decent copper, even if doesn't always go by the book, relying on his intuition which has never failed him yet. His boss, Superintendent Gwen Archer, isn't one for cutting corners so is not at all impressed by his incessant need to act on this "infamous intuition" of his when what they need are cold hard facts. Although I don't know his team all that well they each have their parts to play and they do it well, without question or angst.
The story unfolds primarily through Daisey and Dan's eyes, though the chapters are not titled as such but you do end up realising whose narrative it is soon enough. Daisey's is in the third person whilst Dan remains in the first person. There are a few flashback chapters beginning in 1987 with an excited couple preparing for the birth of their twin girls and the progression of the family and their troubles throughout the years until September 1997. Coupled with these flashbacks and the clues I picked up along the way, I managed to work out the killer and a major plot twist very early on - about 20 to 25% in. But that never spoils my enjoyment of a good book.
The plot twist is so seemingly far fetched almost that to pick it is pure guesswork, genius or the workings of a detective's mind. It's that far off course. But when you see it, you realise how much sense it makes. I did feel the ending dragged out a little bit once the reveal came, but maybe that's because I had already figured it out...I'm not sure.
THE WOMAN INSIDE is indeed an engaging thriller that moves along at a steady pace. It's not my favourite out of the three I've read, but it is still as thrilling and addictive that keeps you turning the pages until the end. It is also a very different tale in the way it sympathises with both sides of the coin and provides plenty of food for thought.
Although it is the fourth book in the series, THE WOMAN INSIDE can be read as a standalone easily enough without getting lost. I love how each of the author's books explore the villain and their victims as well a little of the investigation without bogging readers down in the procedural aspect. Perfect for fans of crime thrillers that don't focus solely on the investigation.
I would like to thank #AnnaLouWeatherley, #Netgalley, #Bookouture for an ARC of #TheWomanInside in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
December 11, 2020
Thanks to Netgalley for this review copy.
Daisy is supposed to be 3rd victim of this new serial killer who puts a rose on the body after killing women. But somehow she survived but can’t remember that day. Detective Riley is on this case but couldn’t find anything, the only option is that somehow Daisy will remember everything.
It took me almost 150 pages to enjoy the story, starting wasn’t ideal. I was thinking to DNF it then thought to skim read it, which worked for me. I skipped all of the police department scenes, they were just boring and I don’t think, It made any difference. I enjoyed the concept of the story, twists and turns were so good. Character development was also good and the psychological aspect was written smartly. The ending was justifiable.
It was a pretty enjoyable book and I finished it in one sitting.
Daisy is supposed to be 3rd victim of this new serial killer who puts a rose on the body after killing women. But somehow she survived but can’t remember that day. Detective Riley is on this case but couldn’t find anything, the only option is that somehow Daisy will remember everything.
It took me almost 150 pages to enjoy the story, starting wasn’t ideal. I was thinking to DNF it then thought to skim read it, which worked for me. I skipped all of the police department scenes, they were just boring and I don’t think, It made any difference. I enjoyed the concept of the story, twists and turns were so good. Character development was also good and the psychological aspect was written smartly. The ending was justifiable.
It was a pretty enjoyable book and I finished it in one sitting.
October 8, 2022
4.5 stars
I loved this detective/mystery story. Fourth in the series and a favourite.
I loved this detective/mystery story. Fourth in the series and a favourite.
August 3, 2023
Most of the tension came from the protagonist making incredibly stupid chices, not from the antagonist being cunning and elusive who just simply outsmarted the detectives
April 22, 2023
Super (fabulously) creepy! Very entertaining. Film worthy.
I will definitely read more from Anna-Lou Weatherley, and the narrator [James Lailey] is brilliant which adds to it.
I will definitely read more from Anna-Lou Weatherley, and the narrator [James Lailey] is brilliant which adds to it.
January 14, 2021
Blog Tour
The Woman Inside is the fourth book in the DI Dan Riley series. I instantly took to Detective Inspector Riley. I did not feel as if I lost anything coming into the series midway. The book definitely stands alone and is well written so that you have enough context to get the backstory on Dan, our victim Daisey and the killer. The book does goes through flashbacks showing critical scenes in the past that affected our killer better known to the press as "The Rose Petal Ripper". This name is earned by the serial killer's MO of leaving fresh roses on the bodies of the victims.
Daisey Garrett is our killer's third victim but she is the first to survive leaving DI Dan Riley with his only witness. The problem: she suffers from traumatic amnesia and cannot remember most of the events of that night. And what she can remember she does not want to tell out of embarrassment and misplaced loyalty. These lies and half truths color the evidence. Will DI Riley be able to discern the facts in the case before the killer comes back to finish what they started?
One way that I rate my mysteries is to see if I can solve the case before the big reveal. In this case I was partially right though Weatherly did throw in a few curveballs.
One thing that I noticed was that Daisey's memory loss was attributed to trauma to the prefrontal cortex. This part of the brain is primarily involved with rational thought, decision making and impulse control*. It's the justification for setting the drinking age at 21 because this part of the brain is still developing through your teenage years. Basically, it's that part of the brain that keeps us from doing stupid stuff. Lawyers have used damage to the prefrontal cortex to explain away the depraved behavior of their clients as it plays a critical role in governing personality and emotions.
Why do I say all of this? Because this type of injury is more in tune with the killer than the victim. We also don't see too many unexplained behaviors with Daisey after the attack. Her personality seems to stay pretty much the same. Understandably, she has a greater sense of fear but at her core she is a good person. To her detriment, she still wants to believe in the goodness of the next person.
Despite my little quibble, (I'm a Biology teacher. No one else is going to care.) I enjoyed the book and read it over 2 days. For the most part the medical aspects made the mystery more interesting. Great police procedural! And DI Riley is as good as they come.
*The prefrontal cortex controls what is known as semantic memory; things like colors, shapes and other basic facts not tied to personal events or emotions. The limbic system of the brain connects emotions to memory. It's not so much a physical part of the brain as it is a functional part. If one had to pinpoint Daisey's memory loss from that night most likely the amygdala would have been damaged as it controls memories based in fear.
The Woman Inside is the fourth book in the DI Dan Riley series. I instantly took to Detective Inspector Riley. I did not feel as if I lost anything coming into the series midway. The book definitely stands alone and is well written so that you have enough context to get the backstory on Dan, our victim Daisey and the killer. The book does goes through flashbacks showing critical scenes in the past that affected our killer better known to the press as "The Rose Petal Ripper". This name is earned by the serial killer's MO of leaving fresh roses on the bodies of the victims.
Daisey Garrett is our killer's third victim but she is the first to survive leaving DI Dan Riley with his only witness. The problem: she suffers from traumatic amnesia and cannot remember most of the events of that night. And what she can remember she does not want to tell out of embarrassment and misplaced loyalty. These lies and half truths color the evidence. Will DI Riley be able to discern the facts in the case before the killer comes back to finish what they started?
One way that I rate my mysteries is to see if I can solve the case before the big reveal. In this case I was partially right though Weatherly did throw in a few curveballs.
One thing that I noticed was that Daisey's memory loss was attributed to trauma to the prefrontal cortex. This part of the brain is primarily involved with rational thought, decision making and impulse control*. It's the justification for setting the drinking age at 21 because this part of the brain is still developing through your teenage years. Basically, it's that part of the brain that keeps us from doing stupid stuff. Lawyers have used damage to the prefrontal cortex to explain away the depraved behavior of their clients as it plays a critical role in governing personality and emotions.
Why do I say all of this? Because this type of injury is more in tune with the killer than the victim. We also don't see too many unexplained behaviors with Daisey after the attack. Her personality seems to stay pretty much the same. Understandably, she has a greater sense of fear but at her core she is a good person. To her detriment, she still wants to believe in the goodness of the next person.
Despite my little quibble, (I'm a Biology teacher. No one else is going to care.) I enjoyed the book and read it over 2 days. For the most part the medical aspects made the mystery more interesting. Great police procedural! And DI Riley is as good as they come.
*The prefrontal cortex controls what is known as semantic memory; things like colors, shapes and other basic facts not tied to personal events or emotions. The limbic system of the brain connects emotions to memory. It's not so much a physical part of the brain as it is a functional part. If one had to pinpoint Daisey's memory loss from that night most likely the amygdala would have been damaged as it controls memories based in fear.
December 19, 2020
The Woman Inside by Anna-Lou Weatherley is the fourth book in a series focused on Detective Dan Riley. Having previously enjoyed this series, I was anxious to jump aboard Riley's latest case, and what a ride it is. This is a series that, once started, will have you breathlessly awaiting the next installment.
Daisey Garrett is attacked in her own home but has little memory of the event after the fact. She does recall that her boyfriend Luke has left her to be with another woman. There have been other attacks on women in the area and Daisey, upon returning home after her ordeal, is on edge, knowing that her assailant is still at large and unable to slot the pieces into place of what really happened on the night of the attack. When a coworker, Iris, moves in, Daisey is grateful for the company, believing that her new roommate will help her to find the truth.
Told from the alternating timelines of 1987 and the present, we are shown a chilling and unsettling portrait of escalating evil, and it is up to Dan to solve a diabolical puzzle before there is more collateral damage.
This is an addictive read, and I loved the further development of Detective Riley's character, particularly that pertaining to his personal life. I am eagerly anticipating the continuation of this enjoyable and highly engaging series.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC.
Daisey Garrett is attacked in her own home but has little memory of the event after the fact. She does recall that her boyfriend Luke has left her to be with another woman. There have been other attacks on women in the area and Daisey, upon returning home after her ordeal, is on edge, knowing that her assailant is still at large and unable to slot the pieces into place of what really happened on the night of the attack. When a coworker, Iris, moves in, Daisey is grateful for the company, believing that her new roommate will help her to find the truth.
Told from the alternating timelines of 1987 and the present, we are shown a chilling and unsettling portrait of escalating evil, and it is up to Dan to solve a diabolical puzzle before there is more collateral damage.
This is an addictive read, and I loved the further development of Detective Riley's character, particularly that pertaining to his personal life. I am eagerly anticipating the continuation of this enjoyable and highly engaging series.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC.
January 18, 2021
Quite an intriguing tale drafted by author Anna-Lou Weatherley with Dan Riley as the investigating officer.
A woman had been hit by a hammer and her throat partially cut. She survived. Dan was the cop looking into that. Amnesia made the waters murky when the woman couldn’t remember anything. It took a complete team effort to get to the bottom of the mystery
With multiple POVs and dual timelines, the story was easy to guess, yet it was so entertaining. I liked Daisey’s survival spirit and the killer’s psychotic one. The author managed to make me feel sympathy for the killer. Ironic, yet amazing. Power if words, I would say.
This was book 4 in the series, but I didn’t remember anything if the earlier books and had no problems reading this one. I enjoyed the snippets of his personal life. The book had a humane touch to it which made it a fast read.
The smooth flow, intriguing mystery, and twisted plotline made this a rocking read. Time just flew by while I was stuck to this book.
A woman had been hit by a hammer and her throat partially cut. She survived. Dan was the cop looking into that. Amnesia made the waters murky when the woman couldn’t remember anything. It took a complete team effort to get to the bottom of the mystery
With multiple POVs and dual timelines, the story was easy to guess, yet it was so entertaining. I liked Daisey’s survival spirit and the killer’s psychotic one. The author managed to make me feel sympathy for the killer. Ironic, yet amazing. Power if words, I would say.
This was book 4 in the series, but I didn’t remember anything if the earlier books and had no problems reading this one. I enjoyed the snippets of his personal life. The book had a humane touch to it which made it a fast read.
The smooth flow, intriguing mystery, and twisted plotline made this a rocking read. Time just flew by while I was stuck to this book.
December 3, 2020
First. I must say this book was predictable from the start. As soon as Iris walked into the picture I knew what was up
Here are the reasons for my bad review
Who gets there throat slashed and wants to go back and live in the same house they were attacked in!?
Who would go back to normal ?
Who wouldn’t be a mess ; there was no time lapse between her leaving the hospital and going home - she just seemed ok
That doesn’t happen in real life. It just does not.
Here are the reasons for my bad review
Who gets there throat slashed and wants to go back and live in the same house they were attacked in!?
Who would go back to normal ?
Who wouldn’t be a mess ; there was no time lapse between her leaving the hospital and going home - she just seemed ok
That doesn’t happen in real life. It just does not.
January 10, 2021
This was a good solid read. Fairly quick paced although I did get a little frustrated near the half way point. It was rather predictable in places but there was a good twist I didn't foresee.
I didn't like Daisey's decision making too well though, she annoyed me a lot!
Overall, a good read but probably rather forgettable after a while.
I didn't like Daisey's decision making too well though, she annoyed me a lot!
Overall, a good read but probably rather forgettable after a while.
December 11, 2020
Ominous, spellbinding, and utterly disturbing, “The Woman Inside” sucks you in from the very first page and keeps you submerged until the very end when you resurface, shocked and out of breath from the deadly twist. Although it’s the fourth book in the Detective Dan Riley series, it can easily be read as a standalone.
After Daisey Garrett barely survives an attack from a serial killer, amnesia prevents her from recalling the horrific event. The last thing she remembers was being with her cheating ex-fiancé the morning before, a detail she hides from the police at his request. Her mind broken and her body scarred, she starts drinking more to cope with her forever-changed life. Luckily, her new flat mate Iris is there for her, offering friendship and a sense of security, especially when fragmented memories of the attack start to come back. She can’t shake the feeling that she’s somehow familiar with her attacker, even if she can’t recall his face.
Detective Dan Riley has no clues to the identity of the killer. Daisey regaining her memory is the best chance he has to stop whoever it is before he strikes again. He hopes hypnotherapy will help Daisey, as well as the case. But it may be too late. Another girl is dead. Daisey is missing. It’s a tense, breathless last couple of chapters that bring the story to a close.
“The Woman Inside” is an engrossing, hard-to-put-down psychological thriller that sneaks up on you. It reads more like crime fiction for most of the novel. Although Daisey has amnesia, her mental state does little to drive the plot as is expected in the genre. Instead, it’s Detective Riley’s hunt for the killer. But never fear… unless you’re Daisey. The killer lurks in the shadows of the pages, his creepy, ominous vibe growing the more you read. Just as he does with Daisey, he’ll feel familiar to you, like you’ve met him in one of the secondary storylines. You’ll be blown away when you realize who he is and how this character’s mental state helped drive the plot all along — without you realizing it.
“The Woman Inside” wasn’t what I was expecting before I read it or even after a few chapters in. It was better. Much better. Now, I’m going back to read the other books in this series!
Thank you to Bookouture and Anna-Lou Weatherly for an advanced eARC of the book in exchange for an honest review.
After Daisey Garrett barely survives an attack from a serial killer, amnesia prevents her from recalling the horrific event. The last thing she remembers was being with her cheating ex-fiancé the morning before, a detail she hides from the police at his request. Her mind broken and her body scarred, she starts drinking more to cope with her forever-changed life. Luckily, her new flat mate Iris is there for her, offering friendship and a sense of security, especially when fragmented memories of the attack start to come back. She can’t shake the feeling that she’s somehow familiar with her attacker, even if she can’t recall his face.
Detective Dan Riley has no clues to the identity of the killer. Daisey regaining her memory is the best chance he has to stop whoever it is before he strikes again. He hopes hypnotherapy will help Daisey, as well as the case. But it may be too late. Another girl is dead. Daisey is missing. It’s a tense, breathless last couple of chapters that bring the story to a close.
“The Woman Inside” is an engrossing, hard-to-put-down psychological thriller that sneaks up on you. It reads more like crime fiction for most of the novel. Although Daisey has amnesia, her mental state does little to drive the plot as is expected in the genre. Instead, it’s Detective Riley’s hunt for the killer. But never fear… unless you’re Daisey. The killer lurks in the shadows of the pages, his creepy, ominous vibe growing the more you read. Just as he does with Daisey, he’ll feel familiar to you, like you’ve met him in one of the secondary storylines. You’ll be blown away when you realize who he is and how this character’s mental state helped drive the plot all along — without you realizing it.
“The Woman Inside” wasn’t what I was expecting before I read it or even after a few chapters in. It was better. Much better. Now, I’m going back to read the other books in this series!
Thank you to Bookouture and Anna-Lou Weatherly for an advanced eARC of the book in exchange for an honest review.
November 28, 2020
Thank you, Netgalley and Bookouture for this digital review copy.
The book is an easy page turner that puts you right in the action from the beginning, the author doesn’t waste time with anything heavily scripted.
The storytelling is casual, like you are hearing the narration from a person you know. Like your best friend came to your house and started talking. Actually, make that 5-7 friends because the book abounds in characters right from the start. A bit confusing at first but it gets better.
There are the same usual expressions you will find in a crime novel or TV show, like: “the media are having a field day, people are scared” from the new boss of the precinct or “I will find him and I will make him pay” kind of attitude from the detective, which can make the novel feel a bit of a cliche in terms of writing.
Besides these small familiar details, there are jumping and suspenseful moments in the story. This is mostly due to the short chapters and their fluidity, the action flows effortlessly.
The investigation scenes are narrated by the detective, which for me, personally, is not ideal in a crime novel. It makes the whole theme a bit superficial, there are scenes where he tries to “criminal minds” the suspect with his partner but it isn’t genuine at all. Thus, I think this kind of dialogue could’ve been enriched, showcasing a more psychological approach.
The writing wasn’t bad at all but I think it has a lot of potential that could be explored beyond the usual characters. I wouldn’t necessarily categorize this as an impactful psychological thriller but it was pretty good for a suspense novel with a clear direction for a plot.
#TheWomanInside #NetGalley
The book is an easy page turner that puts you right in the action from the beginning, the author doesn’t waste time with anything heavily scripted.
The storytelling is casual, like you are hearing the narration from a person you know. Like your best friend came to your house and started talking. Actually, make that 5-7 friends because the book abounds in characters right from the start. A bit confusing at first but it gets better.
There are the same usual expressions you will find in a crime novel or TV show, like: “the media are having a field day, people are scared” from the new boss of the precinct or “I will find him and I will make him pay” kind of attitude from the detective, which can make the novel feel a bit of a cliche in terms of writing.
Besides these small familiar details, there are jumping and suspenseful moments in the story. This is mostly due to the short chapters and their fluidity, the action flows effortlessly.
The investigation scenes are narrated by the detective, which for me, personally, is not ideal in a crime novel. It makes the whole theme a bit superficial, there are scenes where he tries to “criminal minds” the suspect with his partner but it isn’t genuine at all. Thus, I think this kind of dialogue could’ve been enriched, showcasing a more psychological approach.
The writing wasn’t bad at all but I think it has a lot of potential that could be explored beyond the usual characters. I wouldn’t necessarily categorize this as an impactful psychological thriller but it was pretty good for a suspense novel with a clear direction for a plot.
#TheWomanInside #NetGalley
December 1, 2020
*thank you to Netgalley, Anna-Lou Weatherley and Bookouture for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review*
3 stars.
While I did enjoy this, while it did keep me engaged, it was an average story. I liked it, for sure, but it didn't have that wow factor and when the plot twist was discovered, I wasn't that surprised. It was definitely a part that this book needed. Without it, I'm not sure it would have held up much at all.
I did like the characters. I felt connected to them which is, in my opinion, quite important because that can make or break a story. It was well written and well told. Maybe it was just missing that little extra something or maybe it's just me. I am glad to have read this but I can't see myself re-reading it.
Would I recommend it? Well, no, but if you come across it and it sounds like something you would enjoy, especially if you like detective and amnesia based stories, then yeah, chances are you will enjoy this.
I will give a thumbs up to that cover. That's what originally grabbed my attention.
3 stars.
While I did enjoy this, while it did keep me engaged, it was an average story. I liked it, for sure, but it didn't have that wow factor and when the plot twist was discovered, I wasn't that surprised. It was definitely a part that this book needed. Without it, I'm not sure it would have held up much at all.
I did like the characters. I felt connected to them which is, in my opinion, quite important because that can make or break a story. It was well written and well told. Maybe it was just missing that little extra something or maybe it's just me. I am glad to have read this but I can't see myself re-reading it.
Would I recommend it? Well, no, but if you come across it and it sounds like something you would enjoy, especially if you like detective and amnesia based stories, then yeah, chances are you will enjoy this.
I will give a thumbs up to that cover. That's what originally grabbed my attention.
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