What do you think?
Rate this book
Annie O'Malley #2
Foxton Girls
Their secrets die with them.
When a spate of suicides occur at prestigious girls' school, Foxton's, Psychotherapist Annie O'Malley is called in to talk with the students.
What Annie finds are troubled young girls full of secrets and lies; and a teacher caught in the midst.
Back working with DI Joe Swift, can Annie and Swift unravel the secrets together before it's too late?
The second in the Annie O'Malley Thrillers sees Annie facing her greatest challenge yet, in the series that Alex Smith calls 'blisteringly exciting'.
Perfect for fans of Alex Smith, JD Kirk, and J.E. Mayhew
When a spate of suicides occur at prestigious girls' school, Foxton's, Psychotherapist Annie O'Malley is called in to talk with the students.
What Annie finds are troubled young girls full of secrets and lies; and a teacher caught in the midst.
Back working with DI Joe Swift, can Annie and Swift unravel the secrets together before it's too late?
The second in the Annie O'Malley Thrillers sees Annie facing her greatest challenge yet, in the series that Alex Smith calls 'blisteringly exciting'.
Perfect for fans of Alex Smith, JD Kirk, and J.E. Mayhew
204 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2021
158 people are currently reading
65 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
October 10, 2021
This is a fast paced hard hitting follow up to Corn Dolls. This follow up story appeared quickly, and striking while the fire is hot Galloway has announced a thirs instalment called We All Fall Down. This story is a nearly text book British Crime Procedural novel, but with enough twists and turns to keep us guessing. Over the last few years I have read many crime or thriller novels. I love the DCI Kett novels from Alex Smith and the DCI Will Blake novels from J.E. Mayhew. But this story and series gives us something very different. Alex smith had recommended Mayhew and I ripped through that series, so when he recommended this series I had to give it a try. The first two have not disappointed. The debut novel was impressive and this follow up is nearly as good. I enjoyed the first one so much I preordered the second, and now have the third on preorder awaiting it’s release.
Annie O’Malley is a psychotherapist and former police officer. And not only does she have baggage from her stunted police career, but even more from experiences when she was young. Now she has been drawn back, back into a world she had left behind, back to a world she was glad was behind her. Back to her own childhood and her sister who is still missing. And back into a high stakes games. A game that if she loses it is a game where someone else will pay with their life.
Annie is now on the payroll as a consultant. But something is off. Off with her partner she was developing feelings for. Off with the case. And something is terribly off at the Foxton School for Girls. The description of the book is:
“Their secrets die with them.
When a spate of suicides occur at prestigious girls' school, Foxton's, Psychotherapist Annie O'Malley is called in to talk with the students.
What Annie finds are troubled young girls full of secrets and lies; and a teacher caught in the midst.
Back working with DI Joe Swift, can Annie and Swift unravel the secrets together before it's too late?”
But O’Malley and Swift know that something is terribly off at the School. But the longer it takes them to figure it out, the more bodies are found. There is no shortage of suspects. And the school ground, even with the reduced head count during break, has secrets of its own.
This second story is well written. Has several key plot twists and even a few minor unexpected turns. The pace is great. The crimes chilling. And a plethora of suspects.
The writing is well done in this story. The pace is great. The characters are wonderful, readers who do not like Swift and O’Malley might want to check their heartbeat. An excellent second offering in the tales of O’Malley and Swift!
Annie O’Malley is a psychotherapist and former police officer. And not only does she have baggage from her stunted police career, but even more from experiences when she was young. Now she has been drawn back, back into a world she had left behind, back to a world she was glad was behind her. Back to her own childhood and her sister who is still missing. And back into a high stakes games. A game that if she loses it is a game where someone else will pay with their life.
Annie is now on the payroll as a consultant. But something is off. Off with her partner she was developing feelings for. Off with the case. And something is terribly off at the Foxton School for Girls. The description of the book is:
“Their secrets die with them.
When a spate of suicides occur at prestigious girls' school, Foxton's, Psychotherapist Annie O'Malley is called in to talk with the students.
What Annie finds are troubled young girls full of secrets and lies; and a teacher caught in the midst.
Back working with DI Joe Swift, can Annie and Swift unravel the secrets together before it's too late?”
But O’Malley and Swift know that something is terribly off at the School. But the longer it takes them to figure it out, the more bodies are found. There is no shortage of suspects. And the school ground, even with the reduced head count during break, has secrets of its own.
This second story is well written. Has several key plot twists and even a few minor unexpected turns. The pace is great. The crimes chilling. And a plethora of suspects.
The writing is well done in this story. The pace is great. The characters are wonderful, readers who do not like Swift and O’Malley might want to check their heartbeat. An excellent second offering in the tales of O’Malley and Swift!
April 21, 2023
The story was quite exciting and the perp was a complete surprise to me. Annie and Swift continue to become closer and their banter as well as that with other team members is a lot of fun. I do get a bit fed up with Annie's lack of stamina, oversensitive stomach and heart pumping so hard it threatens to come out of her throat and mouth, which seems anatomically impossible. Also, how can her hand stick to Swift's beard stubble. What, is it velcro??? There are some very strange turns of phrase in Galloway's writing at times and some editorial blunders such as mixing up two of the girls' names. The broad color variety of facial (and ear) blushings and palings is truly astounding and quite frankly, irritating after a while. But it was still an enjoyable read and I am looking forward to the next in the series.
September 25, 2023
Second in the series..... 👌👌
Really getting into this series, on to the third book within a couple days....which is not how I was planning to read this series but I just cannot take it slow! Great scenarios , great cases, and the characters are great too. Looking forward to finding more out about them and how the team get on in general.
Really getting into this series, on to the third book within a couple days....which is not how I was planning to read this series but I just cannot take it slow! Great scenarios , great cases, and the characters are great too. Looking forward to finding more out about them and how the team get on in general.
April 28, 2024
Couldn’t put the book down!
Swift and O’Malley make a good team along with the others. There is lot action and who done it moments. This new case involves a girls boarding school with lots of secrets, girls go missing and a headmaster that up to no good. A must read, looking forward to the next book.
Swift and O’Malley make a good team along with the others. There is lot action and who done it moments. This new case involves a girls boarding school with lots of secrets, girls go missing and a headmaster that up to no good. A must read, looking forward to the next book.
November 19, 2024
Actually really enjoyed this one. I love any kind of psychotherapist working with police thriller, and this was really good! I sometimes feel like there is something missing with this series, but I’m aware I’ve felt that way before and it’s quickly become my absolute fave. I’ll read the next ones for sure!
January 3, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed the story and the short chapters enable a bit of reading escapism during the busy festive period. I look forward to reading more in the series having now completed the first 2 x books. My only criticism being why the author has used “homicide” instead of “murder”. The lead characters are British. The series is set in Norwich and surrounding Norfolk, not the USA, so why use homicide?
August 30, 2025
Ok, I guessed the secret as soon as it was mentioned, but I love Annie and Joe so much that I didn’t really mind. The story is pretty mundane, but they have a great relationship and I hope it works out. I look forward to reading more and finding outl
A warning though, don’t read the little preview paragraphs at the end about the next books, because one of them contains a huge spoiler.
A warning though, don’t read the little preview paragraphs at the end about the next books, because one of them contains a huge spoiler.
October 17, 2021
Started great but the end felt so rushed.. this book didn't really explore the team and their relationships.. I think Mim was mentioned once and that's it... it felt like it wasn't intended to be published yet.
February 26, 2022
I am so glad that I found this author, this is the second book that I have read and I'm totally hooked they are brilliant, Annie O'Malley and DI Joe Swift are great characters, and the story is so gripping I could not put it down and stayed awake until 2.45am to finish it, it really deserves a 10.
November 23, 2022
Wow, I loved the first in this series of books but this one has completely blown that out of the water. Swift & O Malley partner up again to uncover the strange deaths of some girls at a private boarding school.
This story is incrediblu fast paced and unpardonable.
Off to book 3 in the series.
This story is incrediblu fast paced and unpardonable.
Off to book 3 in the series.
December 10, 2023
lots of explanation marks and "he barked" makes me feel as though everyone is shouting. I don't have a favourite character yet either and this is the second book in the series.. actually, i don't even like any of the characters 🙈 I'll try book 3 and see how it goes.
October 30, 2021
Brilliant
Loved the closeness of Joe & Annie as they pursued the murderer.. Can’t wait to see what happens in the next book?
Loved the closeness of Joe & Annie as they pursued the murderer.. Can’t wait to see what happens in the next book?
December 23, 2021
Far-fetched plot, juvenile style, spelling and grammatical errors - don't bother.
February 11, 2023
Corn dolls was good but this was fantastic. She’s really found her flow of writing and I feel like I’ve got to know the characters better now.
Great storyline.
Great storyline.
May 26, 2023
intriguing read
The characters are interesting, still feel it’s a bit of a “Strike, Galloway” hybrid.
Looking forward to the next one.
The characters are interesting, still feel it’s a bit of a “Strike, Galloway” hybrid.
Looking forward to the next one.
July 12, 2023
Good plot. Enjoyed the characters. The whodunnit wasn’t clear until the end reveal. Took me a while to read but that’s more to do with my mental health than the class of the story. Would recommend.
October 3, 2023
A nice story with an interesting dark final plot twist
April 18, 2024
Excellent read
Really enjoyed the blossoming characters in these books. Great storyline too with a few unexpected twists and turns. Couldn’t put it down!
Really enjoyed the blossoming characters in these books. Great storyline too with a few unexpected twists and turns. Couldn’t put it down!
February 13, 2025
Amazing
An absolutely fantastic story. My jaw hit the floor multiple times. I am really enjoying this author. Each book leaves me wanting more.
An absolutely fantastic story. My jaw hit the floor multiple times. I am really enjoying this author. Each book leaves me wanting more.
August 19, 2025
what a twist
Well I would never have guessed the ending. A really good twist in the tale. Loved the team dynamics so off to get the next instalment.
Well I would never have guessed the ending. A really good twist in the tale. Loved the team dynamics so off to get the next instalment.
March 9, 2025
Favourite Quote: Finding your best friend hanging dead by her neck is not something an adult would be able to deal with, let alone a teenager whose own coping mechanisms haven’t yet developed past anger, lashing out, and drinking yourself into a coma. Our coping mechanisms are supposed to develop past these things.
Favourite Quote: Whoever keeps his mouth, and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble. I have a secret. I know something that I shouldn’t.
Favourite Quote: Cheeky sod Annie said. You don’t pay my wages. No, but I brought you into our team. You’re just worried they’ll pair you up with an actual police officer, so you have to start toeing the line!
A rollercoaster of an amazing series; they were so captivating, keeping me on the edge of my seat. The characters are truly inspiring, confronting their own traumatic pasts while exchanging witty banter to break the tension; it’s incredibly entertaining. The humour adds a touch of levity to the tense narrative, making it a definite highlight alongside the chemistry between Annie and Swift, especially when he carried Annie over his shoulder. They are both adorable. The intriguing mysteries about Annie’s past, as well as the secrets and motivations of the victims and suspects, adds depth to the story. It’s unimaginable how someone could hurt their own mother, but Strickland knew what was happening and did nothing. Absolutely unbelievable. I can’t wait to see what else awaits Annie and Swift in the ‘Annie O’Malley’ series. I would recommend these to anyone who is a fan of gripping crime thrillers with complex characters and intricate plots.
Favourite Quote: Whoever keeps his mouth, and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble. I have a secret. I know something that I shouldn’t.
Favourite Quote: Cheeky sod Annie said. You don’t pay my wages. No, but I brought you into our team. You’re just worried they’ll pair you up with an actual police officer, so you have to start toeing the line!
A rollercoaster of an amazing series; they were so captivating, keeping me on the edge of my seat. The characters are truly inspiring, confronting their own traumatic pasts while exchanging witty banter to break the tension; it’s incredibly entertaining. The humour adds a touch of levity to the tense narrative, making it a definite highlight alongside the chemistry between Annie and Swift, especially when he carried Annie over his shoulder. They are both adorable. The intriguing mysteries about Annie’s past, as well as the secrets and motivations of the victims and suspects, adds depth to the story. It’s unimaginable how someone could hurt their own mother, but Strickland knew what was happening and did nothing. Absolutely unbelievable. I can’t wait to see what else awaits Annie and Swift in the ‘Annie O’Malley’ series. I would recommend these to anyone who is a fan of gripping crime thrillers with complex characters and intricate plots.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews