Deadly Secrets

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DEADLY SECRETS is the second book in a new crime thriller series by best-selling author Ann Girdharry. Having read and loved the first novel Killer Motive, I was anxious to continue with the series. While this novel can be read as a standalone, I would recommend starting with book one for clarity and content. The series features Detective David Grant and a top criminal profiler, Ruby Silver. This police procedural is enhanced by providing the reader with greater insight into the mind and motive of a killer. This fascinates me, and I feel that this novel will be well received and appeal to a wide audience range.

Novels in the Series Include:
Deadly Motives or previous title Killer Motive (Book 1)
Deadly Secrets (Book2)

Mr. Quinn, a retired headmaster, from Bladen Hall, an approved school for young male offenders, was admitted in the hospital for breathing difficulties. A neighbor had found him collapsed on the garden path. Michelle Dixon, a caring trustworthy nurse who worked with elderly people in the hospital, spent as much time with Mr. Quinn as would allow. He had advanced heart failure, and his days were numbered. On his death bed, Mr. Quinn whispers to Michelle, “I didn’t want…to be part of it. They made me. The boys…It was murder.” And then he died.

Hours later, Michelle is killed-stabbed at home by a visitor.

DCI David Grant from the Sussex Police and his team, were called to the scene.

Grant’s Team Members Included:
DS Tom Delaney (Grant’s bright protégé and right-hand man who identified the victim and had his own demons to deal with.)
DS Steve McGowan (Older Senior member of the team)
Diane Collins
Ruby Silver (psychologist- DCI Grant recruited top criminal profiler to work on case)

Twenty years ago, there was an incident at Bladen Hall of two boys that disappeared.

A series of deaths follow as a killer tries to cover their twenty-year trail of murder by drowning.
Grant, Silver and the team must track a killer who has been getting away with murder for years. But when treachery, corruption and secrets from the past are used against Sergeant Tom Delaney, the killer turns their attention to one of Grant’s own…

This was an excellent fast-paced addictive crime thriller that will send you in all directions to hunt down and disclose the identity of the killer. I couldn’t put this book down. Some sections of this novel were devoted to the killer, and it provided more insight for the reader into the mindset of a killer. The killer murders his victims through drowning, and cuts the victims picture out of photographs. There is a pattern…a master manipulator!

Many thanks to the author and The Book Club Reviewer Request Group (FB) for my digital copy.

"Avonna

1,543 reviews605 followers

Check out all of my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com

DEADLY SECRETS by Ann Girdharry is a British police procedural thriller that I was very excited to receive from Bloodhound Books. I read the first book in this series, ‘Deadly Motives’ and loved it. This second book is an absolute edge-of-your-seat page turner and as electrifying as the first. It can be easily read as a standalone, but I know after you read this book and find out how much you love it, you will go back for the first.

This story has DI David Grant and the whole team returning for another investigation which begins with the stabbing death of a young nurse. Nurse Dixon was loved by everyone and yet she was brutally murdered and had her face cut out of a family picture. Criminal Psychologist Ruby Silver is helping the team once again and believes they may be chasing a serial killer as another death occurs which ties these deaths back to a twenty-year-old mystery.

DI Grant, Ruby and the team are tracking a killer who has eluded justice for many years even as they work the cold case of two boys who disappeared. The cold case also is connected to rumors from the past related to DS Tom Delaney father’s suicide.

The team is in a race to figure out how the past and present all tie together to find the killer before a person close to the team is targeted.

I read this book all in one sitting. I could not put it down. Ms. Girdharry has once again brought all her characters to life. They are all realistically heroic and evil. I felt Tom’s past trauma from finding his father’s body and the difficulty it caused in his work in the present was handled with empathy and it gives you more insight into his character. There are several POV ‘s between the past and present and yet I never lost track of who was speaking. The plot kept me glued to the page. There were several times I thought I knew who was responsible, but I was only partially correct because a plot twist or red herring would throw me back into questioning the killer’s identity.

I highly recommend this new intense and absolutely gripping thriller by Ms. Girdharry! I cannot wait to see where the characters go from here.

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Linda Strong

3,878 reviews1,714 followers

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Detective Grant and Psychologist Ruby Silver are on the hunt for a killer that's been active for over 20 years.

Years ago, a young boy disappeared from Bladen Hall, what we would call a reform school these days. Boys were abused and threatened...one was killed and secretly buried.

Subsequently, several young girls have disappeared. The ones who have been found were killed by drowning. Evidence points to the same killer.

Treachery, corruption and secrets from the past are used against Sergeant Tom Delaney. He wants nothing more than to get his hands on this killer .. before someone else dies.

This is well written with action that starts on the very first page. It's told by different views starting with the young boys many years ago ... and flipping back and forth between then and now. Suspects are everywhere .... the Headmaster of Braden Hall .... Delaney's father .... a doctor ... a policeman ... a financial advisor interested in the family history of a victim. The ending came fast and furious ... and unexpected.

Many thanks to the author for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions are unbiased and entirely my own.

Nila (digitalcreativepages)

2,698 reviews225 followers

July 6, 2020

A police procedural with great many shocking reveals, especially when it involved the past of one of its finest detectives. Author Ann Girdharry managed to hook me up compellingly with a team that had secrets within itself, yet managed to do a brilliant job in investigating a murder or two.

A deathbed confession and the murder of the nurse put Detective Grant right at the helm of the investigation. Many twists and turns along with the wicked mind if the killer, I was led to an enthralling conclusion. Nah, I couldn't guess the killer, though I suspected everybody.

My first book by this author, I was quite taken in my the entire team. Each brought a different talent to the table. The addition of a psychologist added an exciting layer with her analysis. Dynamics and office politics were written realistically. Yet they all stood firm in wanting to take the killer down when one of their own's past was embroiled in the case.

The writing was smooth and fast paced. Past was well weaved with the present. Evil presented itself at regular intervals making me want to poke the detectives to work faster. Treachery, lies and secrets held the tapestry of the story with a murderer who had been operating on the sly for more than two decades.

Well developed characters, evil killer, twisted plotline, unexpected ending made this a thrilling read.

Fay Flude

761 reviews42 followers

June 26, 2020

Oh what a happy reader I am! A detective novel set in Sussex, my part of the world, and with an extremely likeable detective team. DCI David Grant, criminal psychologist Ruby Silver, and detectives Steve McGowan, Tom Delaney and Diane Collins. A wonderful sleuthing family featured in this easy to read, extremely engrossing book which twisted at the end. I thought I knew the killer but it wasn't quite what I had worked out. Back to detective school for me!
This happens to be the second book introducing the Grant/Silver duo and I have already purchased the first in the series. I loved the characters who are all different but add something to the team. Ruby grew up in a care home and clearly has some trust/friendship issues, Tom has a whole heap of emotional baggage he is carting around, McGowan can appear a bit of a grumpy loose cannon and Diane is a compassionate mother of 3 teenagers.
Interspersed with the developing investigation are snippets of the detectives' backgrounds which I always love as it makes the characters far more real and more like personal friends. This always works well with a series as there is plenty of scope for more to be added in future books, a lot like a real friendship developing where you get to know someone else over time and have shared experiences to form fond memories.
The plot is really engaging. A bit gruesome in parts but never for long and never graphic in an off-putting way. I was simply enthralled to find out what would happen next after the first death of a nurse tending a retired headteacher takes place. Why is she targeted? Why was the headteacher so wary of his visitor? What took place 25 years ago? Questions and suspicion are rife from the start and as the police become involved there are lots of connections slowly revealed, all leading back to Bladen Hall, an approved school for male offenders between the ages of 11 and (maybe) 19 which has since shut down.
Unfortunately, the nurse's death is just the beginning and it transpires that the team are hunting a serial killer. We are treated to the macabre thoughts of the guilty person whilst actually not knowing who it is, which casts a dark shadow across everyone involved. The dialogue is enjoyable and I was just willing the team on to catch the wrong-doer. There were parts that surprised me, shocked me, unnerved me, made me laugh and made me sad. So, although this is what I would class as easy reading, it is easy reading with a depth of emotion which ensures the reader has an investment in what will transpire and what will happen with the 'good guys'. Will there even be the beginnings of a romance somewhere?
I read the book in one sitting and would most definitely recommend this book to others. I am now happily reading the first book Deadly Motives and can't wait for the third book to be published.

Bobbi Wagner

5,321 reviews74 followers

July 1, 2020

I enjoyed this suspenseful story. This is my first book by this author and I cant wait to see what she has next for us. This is a fast paced story that is engaging and kept me turning pages. I had no issues connecting with the characters. They made the story feel real and really made the story for me. The twists and turns had me sitting on the edge of my seat just waiting to see what would happen next. What will happen when secrets from the past come crashing into the present? I highly recommend this book.

Michelle

1,913 reviews170 followers

June 23, 2020

Ann Girdharry is a new author for me, and I was excited to receive a copy of Deadly secrets.
Nurse Michelle Dixon works in the Elderly care ward at the local hospital when a gentleman from the Accident and Emergency department is brought up with difficulty of breathing and Michelle is assigned to his care. In the next few days Mr Quinn’s health deteriorates and as Mr Quinn has no friends and relatives, she spends more time with him then she should. Until one day he has a visitor Mr Jason Watson who is the son of Sir Paul Watson who with his wife Agnes has done a lot of charity work for the hospital. The visits unsettle Mr Quinn bringing up memories of something that happened one summer day at the Borstal he used to be Headmaster too.
When he leaves Michelle Dixon spends Mr Quinn’s last hours with him until he dies. The last words he says, “He did not want to be part of it.” She does not understand what it meant and goes home. She takes a bath when she gets home but is interrupted by someone at the door. The caller is asks her about Mr Quinn’s last words were and then stabs her to death in her own home as she knows too much.
I thank Bloodhound books for a copy of Deadly secrets. I really enjoyed this book from Ann Girdharry and I will make sure to check out her other books. This story has several POV’s going back and forth in time. It is a gripping story, with realistic characters and a few red herrings along the way. It will be interesting to see how the story develops with Detective Grant and his team and Psychologist Ruby Silver.

Greta Halliday

584 reviews7 followers

June 23, 2020

This is the second in the series and I loved every page from start to finish.The first few chapters certainly had an impact, sharp and straight to the point of what was to come. It grabbed my interest immediately. There were subtle hints all through the book, just enough to fire up the imagination. The last few chapters were so nail biting and gripping. I loved the characters Grant, Ruby and Tom and hopefully there will be a further book with perhaps a romance between Tom and Ruby. Many thanks to the Author for giving me the opportunity to review this wonderful book. A huge 5* from me.

julie young

488 reviews16 followers

June 23, 2020

Police investigation as the traumas and abuse of the past come back to haunt the perpetrators and someone is clearly out for revenge. One officer is personally affected and trying to deal with loss. There are a group of people desperate to cover up unspeakable crimes. Action packed, shocking revelations and totally gripping.I couldn't put it down!!!

Ellie Shepherd

231 reviews14 followers

June 22, 2020

Another wonderful book created by Ann Girdharry, a very talented author whose works draw you in, from the minute you open the first page. The characters and storyline draw you in, make you hold your breath and then spit you out. I always want to race to the end but at the same time I want to savour the book. Highly recommended!!

Pam Devine

614 reviews10 followers

June 21, 2020

Like the first book in the series this one opens with the murder of a nurse! However it was very different in storyline to book one. A different member of the team is under the spotlight as their past is explored and the story of the team develops some more. Definitely worth reading. I'm looking forward to book 3.

2020

Alyson Read

1,233 reviews57 followers

This is a fantastic follow up to the first book featuring David Grant and Ruby Silver. Grant has now been promoted to DCI at Himlands Heath police station and Ruby Silver has escaped her former parasitic boss who took the credit for her brilliant work. She is now employed by Sussex police as a psychologist after helping out Grant's loyal team of DS Steve McGowan, DS Diane Collins and newest recruit DS Tom Delaney in a previous serial killer case. This story begins in Himlands General hospital. Nurse Michelle Dixon is loved by everyone and has truly found her vocation, so much so that she even sits with lonely or dying elderly patients in her own time. One such patient is Mr Quinn, former headmaster of Bladen Hall, a borstal turned Approved School for young male offenders which closed down twenty years ago. He appears to know some very influential people but has no family to visit him. Mr Quinn is one of five people who has carried a terrible secret for years and he uses his dying breaths to unburden himself to Michelle. However someone has been watching and, worrying that they might be exposed, disposes of the nurse before she can repeat what she heard. Someone who is a very clever killer and knows exactly what they are doing. The team of detectives plus Ruby investigate Quinn's past to see if there is any connection to Michelle's murder and find the unsolved case of two eleven year old boys who went missing from Bladen Hall. An old case which has nasty and painful links for DS Delaney and his family. They start to speak to Quinn's former work colleagues, none of whom have fond memories of the place, but before they can get very far into their investigation one of those people is found drowned in suspicious circumstances. Events quickly start to spiral out of control as more deaths follow, all linked to each other and the cold case. With a mysterious stranger hanging around and a high ranking officer taking an unnatural interest in the case, Grant has his work cut out to carve his way through the trail of secrets and possible corruption to find the truth while there is still anyone left alive to speak it. Mixed in with the story are chapters spoken by the killer. We get to hear how their murderous career started and the reasons why they kill which helps explain the story. We also get a narrative of what actually happened all those years ago to the lost boys which was vital to the plot. This has just about everything I want in a book - a serial killer, great detectives and a criminal profiler in a clever and intriguing plot - and I really enjoyed it! It was an exciting story which grabbed and held my attention from start to finish. Some bits of the story were relatively easy to guess and some parts much harder as the author throws a number of red herrings and twists at the reader until they're not sure what to believe anymore. The main detective characters, already well defined in book one, are very likable, particularly Grant who is definitely one of life's "good guys" and a fantastic detective to boot. Ruby is still far more complex with her hidden past but is starting to make friends and find life easier, and gives a great insight into the type of killer the detectives are tracking. Great news since there are more books promised in this series. I am looking forward to book three already. 5*

Karolyn

1,513 reviews50 followers

This is the second book by Ann Girdharry in a crime thriller series with a lead detective called DCI David Grant and he recruited a psychologist Ruby Silver. I enjoyed reading this book so much, I downloaded book one from the series to read!
In a hospital on Himlands Heath, the old headmaster of Bladen Hall, Mr Quinn took a turn for the worst after a visit from Jason Watson. Nurse Michelle Dixon was worried about him and stayed when her shift finished. That evening, he whispered ‘The boys. It was Murder’, then died. Michelle finally got home, popped tea in the oven as she showered and was drying her hair when the doorbell rang. She was surprised to see the caller but as she opened the door, they pushed their way in, bringing a knife out and straight into Michelle’s stomach.
DCI Grant and his team are called to the scene, it looks pretty grim. When the neighbour who found her is interviewed, it appears she was still alive when he came down and managed to whisper ‘pois’ but much as they investigated they could find no sign of poison. After speaking to the pathologist DCI Grant realises Michelle was trying to say ‘boys’ so was possibly referring to the ‘lost boys’ from Bladen Hall from twenty years ago!
The team starts trying to trace the old employees for interview as well interviewing the Watsons who now own the Hall and have turned it into a Hotel. DCI Grant is worried about DS Delaney as his father took his own life about that time as well but he reassures him he is fine.
A series of deaths start happening, especially amongst the old employees of Bladen Hall. It would seem the killer has a secret to keep and doesn’t want it coming out, it has something to do with the ‘lost boys’. An interesting character that DCI Grant met at the Watsons was Jethro Carter, he was quite rude and refused to give his name. When Ruby was looking at the crypt and found Isabella’s resting place. He came up behind her and he seemed to know a lot of history about the Watsons.
This turned into quite an enjoyable read and I loved it. It was full of twists and turns which was good as I couldn’t figure out who the murderer was. Very well written and plotted.

2020-reads

Grace J

2,137 reviews106 followers

July 6, 2020

What a cracking read! So much to work out, so many possibilities and I didn't even get anywhere near guessing the guilty!

When an elderly man who is not in the best of health dies in hospital it should signal the end of his life; when the nurse who was with him for his last breath is murdered in her home, it raises a red flag for Grant, Silver and the team. As more bodies turn up they have a real job on their hands trying to connect the dots - and the corpses . . .

Whilst this is a stand-alone read, there is a previous novel with the same cast of characters and I have just added it to my list. This is a stunning read! Gripping doesn't seem to cover it, but it's the best I can come up with. I was riveted throughout this one, and no matter how hard I tried to sort it all out in my mind I could not see who the murderer would be. Thirty minutes from the end, the author dropped a bombshell which took my breath away - didn't see that coming! Did it clear things up? Not at all but it did change my focus. What a thrilling read, packed to the rafters with suspense and a real treat. This isn't my first novel by Ann Girdharry; obviously I enjoyed her writing enough to read this one but she has excelled herself with Deadly Secrets! Absolutely superb and well worth all five sparkling stars and a hearty recommendation to lovers of this genre.

Lynn

152 reviews3 followers

How far would your family Loyalties lie?

Secrets have a way of becoming unearthed, especially the deadly kind.

There is a serial killer who appears to be targeting people that may have had something to do with the disappearance of two young boys at a reform school.

The school is now a luxury hotel, but what secrets does it hold!

The Watson Family that own the hotel are being less than helpful; and DCI David Grant is coming very close to losing his job when he begins to ask questions.

As the death toll rises of those involved in the boys dissappearance can Grant and his team work quick enough to bring the killer to justice.

Unearthing the stories of abuse going back decades brings the book to its conclusion.
With family Loyalties pushed beyond their limits you know that things will not end well for some of the characters.

Brilliant characters, fantastic writing, and enough twists and turns to keep you gripped tight up to the end.

Leanne Fisher

231 reviews1 follower

This is the second book in the Grant and Silver series. I thought the first book, Deadly Motives, was excellent and this was equally as good if not better.

The story starts with the murder of a hospital nurse and as the story evolves she is one of a number of victims who have been killed by a killer with a signature of drowning the victims.

Then there are the mysteries of 2 boys who disappeared years earlier from a borstal, a wealthy affluent family with secrets to hide and DS Delaney searching for the truth about his father's suicide.

I thought this was very well written, excellent characters and a real page turner. I particularly enjoy the characters of Grant and Silver who work so well together. I found myself trying to guess who the killer or killers were and was shocked and surprised at the twists and turns. I highly rate this book and recommend to lovers of crime thrillers.

Stacy

110 reviews3 followers

This is the second book in the Detective Grant or should I say Psychologist Ruby Silver series. This dynamic duo is part of a smartly assembled cast of characters where everyone truly has a significant role to play and believable personalities.

The story is based in a town that has been plagued for over 20 years with the disappearance of two young boys from a notorious boy’s reform school. When the retired headmaster, Mr. Quinn, whispers a secret on his deathbed it inadvertently triggers a series of murders that no one can seem to explain. Grant and his team are called to try and piece things together but when one of his own is directly affiliated with the scandal following this unsolved mystery he now must make the difficult decision whether to sit them out. Can they piece together the clues left from past while keeping one step ahead of the killer?

I thought this was a great story. Although I had some serious hunches as to who the killer was, I really enjoyed the way it played out and the narrative from the perspective of the killer.

Holly Reynolds

547 reviews14 followers

I had my first taste of Ann's books when I read Killer Motive, and I loved the dynamic between the characters, so I was eager to read the next book in the series. Well, I was no at all disappointed!

The characters are still as likeable and come across as intelligent as before, but this time, we get to learn so much more to their back stories. This, I feel, always has you rooting for the good guys if you feel a personal connection.

This story is well put together and has a surprising little twist at the end... looking forward to the next one in the series.

Mel Mars

155 reviews5 followers

Lorrainet.Brettbtinternet.Com

Second book in the series featuring profiler Ruby Silver and DCI David Grant, and third one I've read from the author, and I have to say, I am a fan!
The characters are all very engaging, with interesting backstories...

When a nurse is brutally killed after taking care of the former headmaster of a borstal, DCI Grant and his team have no idea that this is only the beginning... Soon, other people linked to the borstal appear(... and disappear, permanently). Is the disappearance of 2 young boys 20 years ago in any way connected to this case?
For Grant, the investigation takes a personal turn as a promising member of his team is targeted by the killer.

As I said, a really good read. If some of the characters' backstories are mentioned, it can still be read and enjoyed as a stand-alone. I highly recommend reading Deadly Motives as well though!

17 reviews

Grant is back!!
Another page turning thriller written by a very talented author.
Murders ,Suspense. Unexpected twists and turns.What a page turner !
I love the added dialogue from the killer, giving an insight into their character and reasons why the crimes are committed.
Another Fantastic book. I hope Grant and his team are back soon.
I highly recommend this book.
Dont want to add any spoilers !!

Danny Matheson

258 reviews3 followers

What an utterly wonderful book. This was the first book from Ann Girdharry that I've read and was certainly not disappointed. The thrills and suspense are palpable and there are more twists and turns than you world get in a thrill seeking roller-coaster.

The author kept the story flowing well which made it very easy to read. When a seemingly innocent old man dies in hospital it becomes a catalyst for a string of subsequent deaths which Detective Inspector Grant and his team struggled to keep up with.

An absolute must read!

Thank you to Bloodhound Books for the ARC which I've reviewed voluntarily

Carmen Radtke

Author 70 books466 followers

July 4, 2020

Old secrets come back with a vengeance ... A nurse is killed, hours after the startling last words of a; old man. DCI David Grant, criminal psychologist Ruby Silver, and detectives Steve McGowan, Tom Delaney and Diane Collins investigate together, and the truth that comes to light is as chilling and suspenseful as I’d hoped. This is a series that stands out even in a genre as crowded as police procedural s and profiling thrillers.

Jennifer Wertz

1,340 reviews19 followers

I really enjoyed Deadly Secrets. This book is intriguing, mysterious and suspensful. The book is well written and detailed. I like how it is written from multiple points of view, including the killer's. I like the characters. The book has many twists and turns as the complex mystery is slowly revealed that you are kept guessing until the very end. A great read!

Sue Wallace

7,634 reviews149 followers

July 7, 2020

Deadly secrets by Ann Girdharry.
This is book 2 of a new detective David Grant series. Brilliant read. I loved the story. Had no idea who the killer was. Great story. I hope there is more to come. 5*.

Terri

338 reviews5 followers

I was really looking forward to the second book in the series and it certainly didn’t disappoint! A great story, cleverly woven around one of the team - Detective Grant and Psychologist Ruby Silver work well together and Tom Delaney is a great character. Really enjoyable.

Sam Harper

190 reviews3 followers

Was sent a complimentary copy of this novel by the author as part of her Readers group in exchange for an honest review.
Very apt title for this fantastically woven plot where long held secrets will get you killed. Grant and co try to solve what appears to be the murder of a nurse who just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and was privy to this deadly secret. As the clever tale begins to unfold, or rather twist you into knots, the body count gets higher and higher until the serial killer is shockingly uncovered.
Brilliant page turner, loved it!

Rebecca Charlesworth

551 reviews

This was my first outing with Ann Girdharry and her DI Grant series and it won’t be my last. I love police procedurals and this didn’t disappoint DI Grant and his team have a working relationship that just gels, Ruby and Tom all make for interesting characters that you want to know all about. I won’t go too much in to the storyline as that is what the blurb is for but I will say this is a well written book with a great storyline that kept me questioning right to the end.

Pamela

634 reviews30 followers

July 1, 2020

Many thanks to the author and The Book Club Reviewer Request Group (FB) for my digital copy.
I have read her books before and they never disappoint, and this one didnt either. It the second in a series and I enjoyed it. A fast paced thriller. Cant wait to read more. :)

Ruth Matheson

1,209 reviews16 followers

Excellent book! Not much else to say. As soon as I started, I couldn't put the book down, turning page after page until I was suddenly at the end. When I rated the first book 5*, I was a bit apprehensive that the second may not live up to the first however I was not disappointed at all. Fast paced, great characters and lots of clues made for great wet weekend reading.
I read this story as an ARC for my book club.

Geeta

277 reviews2 followers