The Killing Song

Dr. Jo McCready #2

by Lesley Mcevoy

IF YOU HEAR THE MUSIC, YOU'RE OUT OF TIME . . .

THE NEW PAGE-TURNING THRILLER FROM THE BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE MURDER MILE - PERFECT FOR FANS OF ELLY GRIFFITHS, ANN CLEEVES AND VAL McDERMID.

On a busy train station platform, a man pulls a knife and viciously attacks another passenger before fleeing - apparently unaware of what he has just done.

To the police, it looks like a terrorist attack. But Forensic Psychologist Dr Jo McCready has seen this bizarre behaviour before, in controversial psychological experiments. She knows this is no random killing spree.

When a botched cold case resurfaces, and the mistress of a controversial billionaire philanthropist is found dead, Jo discovers all these crimes are tangled up in the same web of deadly local secrets. Secrets that some will kill to protect . . .

An expert in the field of psychology and profiling, crime author Lesley McEvoy uses her insider knowledge to create gripping, unique crime novels. The follow-up to her bestselling debut THE MURDER MILE, THE KILLING SONG is perfect for fans of Elly Griffiths, Ann Cleeves and Val McDermid.

Genres: Crime, Audiobook, Fiction

400 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 2, 2021

Reviews

[Alan Cotterell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has been my most eagerly awaited book for a long time. I read the first book in the series "The Murder Mile" in 2019. Which became my book of the year. Since then I have been checking lists of upcoming books in anticipation of a follow up. Could Ms McEvoy follow the first one? Yes she could, the writing is on a different level to most other writers. When I started to read this, I was instantly reminded of the brilliance of book one. I have to go back and read the first one soon, which is something I only do for very special books.

This can easily be read as a standalone, but I most strongly encourage you to read the first one as it is such a fantastic novel and this is a equally superb follow up.

I sincerely hope there is a third book, soon although writing of this standard can't be rushed!

[Natalie M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Playing with fire will definitely get you burned.

Strong female characters, solid writing and a creative plot combine to make this an effective and engaging psychological crime novel.

The convoluted conclusion was a little illogical and far-fetched compared to the rest of the book, but not enough to warrant losing more than one-star.

And, despite the ending, I’m looking forward to reading Book Three in the series.

[Chris Nolan · Rating 5 out of 5]

If Murder Mile was an impressive debut, The Killing Song is even better. Well written and with a wide range of fascinating characters, this is crime fiction but told from the perspective of the psychologist who works with the police, which makes it feel fresh and new. Lesley McEvoy uses her inside knowledge to make this novel credible and gripping. Excellent!

[Liz Barnsley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another excellent twisty thriller from Lesley McEvoy, once again featuring main protagonist Dr Jo McCready.

The Murder Mile was a favourite for me so I'd been looking forward to this. The writing is pacy and involving, the story clever and hugely intriguing.

Excellent authenticity and terrific storytelling I love the psychological aspects and the mystery element is compelling and addictive.

Overall a terrific read. Look forward to more from this author.

[Aria Harlow · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick, easy and intriguing read that was compelling the whole way through. I couldnt put it down, It completeky sucked me in and I felt like I was in the pages with the characters. It was so unpredictable and kept me guessing the whole way through. A really enjoyable read.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Killing Song is the second book involving Forensic Psychologist Dr Jo McCready. I haven’t read its predecessor, The Murder Mile, but that did not taint my enjoyment of this novel.

A man is viciously attacked on a busy train platform - yet the perpetrator appears to have no awareness of what he has just done. The mistress of a controversial billionaire is found dead in a seemingly unrelated attack. Dr Jo McCready is the only one to identify a link between the two.

Lesley Mcevoy writes with all the confidence and self-assurance one would expect, given her real-life experience as a behavioural analyst, profiler and psychotherapist.

An intelligent and captivating thriller. Highly recommended.

Thank you to NetGalley and Zaffre Publishers for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Rachel Chambers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I've found a new favourite series. Having recently read The Murder Mile I was delighted to receive a copy of the next in the series from Netgalley. I was apprehensive that this next instalment would not be as good as the first. I needn't have worried if anything this one is better. Mcevoy gives away just enough of a trail for you to think you know what is going on but she never ever gives you all of it. I thought I'd worked it out but then BAM you realise you are wrong.

I cannot wait for the next one now.

[Annarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's the first novel i read by this author and - WOW - it's brilliant. A gripping and twisty story that I couldn't put down.
Everything works: the plot, the mystery, the characters.
I can't wait to read other stories by this author.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

When pressing play on this book I was wondering why this 2nd book has a lower average score than the first and the following books in the series.

I feared it was because it was worse than the first, somehow, but it really wasn't, if you ask me.

Maybe the dip in ratings is due to this book having a much more morally grey theme than the first? The story is not as easily divided into Good and Bad as the first. 🤔

Dr. Jo McCready sides with an old friend, rather than with the police and justice system in this one.
I must say I had no issue, at all, with the "not politically correct" justice that was served towards the end.

Not one bit.
Noooope. Good riddance. Job well done. Next! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[Maddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lesley Mcevoy sure knows how to write a great thriller. The Killing Song is a second outing for doctor Jo McCready and it doesn't disappoint. Gripping plot, great characters, I was fully committed right from the first page.
Loved it and can't wait to read the next book in the series.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some of the subplotting in this sublime crime thriller reminded me some early Stephen King novels featuring the shadowy agency the Shop. That sense of secret agendas using people against their will resonates throughout book two in the Dr Jo McCready series.

I loved this second instalment with Jo. Again, Lesley demonstrates her skill in pulling together a number of seemingly disparate plots into a cohesive and compelling storyline. The tension stayed high throughout and the pay off os excellent.

The author’s own professional experience and research means the story feels very grounded even as the action ramps up. It makes it even more compelling as you don’t know what’s based on reality and what is fiction, but buying in to the whole thing is easy to do. Save the Google research into the real life basis of this story until after you’ve read the author’s closing notes.

My only disappointment now is that in discovering these books so early into the series I have no more to binge read and need to patiently wait for a publication date for book three.

[Renita D'Silva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful

[Jane Bridger · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Killing Song is the second book in the Yorkshire Murder series by Lesley McEvoy. These books are so well written, the main characters of Forensic Psychologist Jo McCready & DCI Callum Ferguson are immensely likeable. The plot moves at pace and all the different strands come together in a tense, interesting and fascinating conclusion. If you love a crime book with lots of psychology then this series is for you. The books are set in a fictional place in West Yorkshire called Fordley but with references to the interchange and Little Italy (Little Germany) it is clearly based on Bradford.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mc Cready brings together a series of incidents in this well written novel. Mcevoy does not shy away from the gory details. I will certainly read the next in the series.

[Julie Footner-Hughes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely brilliant. Intelligently written with a great storyline. Will definitely be reading her other book and hoping for more to come.

[Claire · Rating 2 out of 5]

Audiobook Review - hugely disappointing, don’t bother listening.

This is a book of two halves, it’s like a child before and after puberty. The first half is everything I wanted - it’s quick, fast paced and the narrative is superb. I couldn’t stop listening. Then very quickly the book hits puberty and goes off the rails and keeps bad company. The second half is downright stupid. After years of working in mental health I don’t know one professional who’d do what Dr Jo does. By the end of the book I’m ready to report her and get struck off.

Narrator- yet again the narration is wonderful and brings all the characters to life.

I won’t be wasting precious hours of my life listening to book 3.

[Beachcomber · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listened to as an audio book - the narrator did the different voices really well, which is normally a stumbling point for me. But I think I would have followed the story better with all of the different strands, if I’d read the paper/e book versions. Overall a decent enough story, though I wasn’t really on board with her actions towards blondie at the end.

I received a free ARC copy of this via NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review, apologies for the delay in providing this.

[Maggie · Rating 3 out of 5]

An average read

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

There is nothing worse than investing previous reading time and the ending is absolute rubbish

[Brian Hawkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Contrived

[Elaine Tomasso · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would like to thank Netgalley and Bonnier Books UK for an advance copy of The Killing Song, the second novel to feature forensic psychologist Dr Jo McCready, set in the fictional Yorkshire town of Fordley.

Jo is asked to consult with the police on a brutal knife attack at the local train station and she is already looking into a cold case murder for the victim’s parents. When a millionaire property developer’s mistress is murdered she starts to see connections between the three cases.

I enjoyed The Killing Song to a point. I hadn’t read the previous novel so I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I think it shows promise. The novel is told entirely from Jo’s first person point of view. This gives the reader the benefit of getting close to her thoughts and actions, but not as close as might be expected, because she keeps her theories to herself until she’s ready to unleash them.

I must admit that I didn’t find the plot as clear as I would like. There are multiple agendas at play so it gets a bit muddled as to who is doing what and why, especially at the denouement. I also think that many of the twists are too well signposted to have the impact the author is looking for and I was able to guess them in advance of their reveal.

On the other hand, the pace of the novel quickly picks up and there isn’t much time for reflection as it moves from incident to incident. There is tension and plenty of thrills as Jo’s investigation brings danger into her personal life. I think the author has good skills in her writing and a certain inventiveness in her plot ideas.

I didn’t particularly take to Jo McCready in this novel, perhaps because she has some PTSD, but she’s got a bit of a know it all and know it best attitude that I found grating. I am, however, prepared to persevere and will read her next outing.

The Killing Song is a good read that I can recommend.

[Denis Wheller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Four years ago, forensic psychologist and criminal profiler Jo McCready successfully got a murder charge reduced to manslaughter, despite diagnosing the killer, Dominique de Benoit, as a psychopath – just not that kind of psychopath. Since then, Jo has kept in touch with Dominique who is due to be released on parole. Both women are aware that the father of the victim, a multi-millionaire property developer, has threatened to kill Dominique.
In her professional capacity Jo has been asked by the family of artist Leo Fielding to re-examine his murder, two years ago, which they think has been mishandled – written off too easily by the police as a homosexual hate crime.
At the same time, the police have asked her to help with an attempted murder which has been tagged as an Islamophobic hate crime. The perpetrator is an army veteran and ex-convict, who seems to have had a mental blackout before during and after the attempt. As Jo progresses with these three disparate cases she starts to see connexions.
This is the second book to feature Jo and there are frequent references back, but the story stands on its own. The three case plot is well handled but it isn't very complicated and solving it isn't too hard for the reader. The psychological details are sensible and based on solid research, so there is nothing wrong per se with the main plot device. However, the mechanics seem a bit contrived, although this is partly obscured by the pace. This is particularly so towards the dénouement where there is a lot of action and some implausibility. Throughout, there is an annoying tendency to repeat details which don’t need reinforcing, but overall it is a fairly enjoyable read.
I would like to thank NetGalley, the publishers and the author for providing me with a draft proof copy for the purpose of this review.

[Rob · Rating 4 out of 5]

With thanks to the author, publishers Zaffre and Bonnier UK Audio, and NetGalley for providing me an audio version of this book in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

An absorbing tale of high-society murder, racially-motivated attacks, and mind control!

In a change from the norm, Jo McCready, the female lead, is a forensic psychologist and profiler rather than a detective, which gives her an innate ability to assess the behaviour and mannerisms of people and go deep into their characters. This turns out to be invaluable tool, as she becomes embroiled in three distinct and apparently unconnected storylines that, as they develop, are eventually brought together in an explosive climax.

The author, a behavioural analyst and profiler in her own right, clearly knows what she is talking about, and gives the reader plenty of facts that help to make sense of what is happening in the story. Which is just as well, as some of the topics, particularly MK-Ultra, were almost too fantastic to believe, despite being rooted in fact. She uses them brilliantly though to tell a tale that is exciting, ever-changing, and never predictable.

This was quite a complicated plot to keep track of at times, and with a fairly large number of characters. Luckily, the narrator of the audiobook version was excellent, making the characters pop and easily identifiable throughout the telling of the story.

I was unaware until after reading this book that it was the second in a series, but happily, unlike some other series I have started in the middle, I never felt that this had a negative impact on my enjoyment of the story.

[Vivienne · Rating 5 out of 5]

My thanks to Bonnier Books U.K. Zaffre for a review copy via NetGalley of ‘The Killing Song’ by Lesley McEvoy in exchange for an honest review.

This is Book 2 in her crime series featuring forensic psychologist Dr Jo McCready set in Yorkshire. The novel is told from Jo McCready’s point of view. While it works fine as a stand-alone, I was glad that I had read ‘The Murder Mile’ as it gave me a better perspective on the characters, including why Jo is suffering from PTSD following those events.

Given the nature of this novel, I am wary of saying too much about the plot. So just a little taster: throughout the novel Jo is dealing with a few cases including consulting for the police on a knife attack on a train platform that has some unusual aspects.

She is also asked by the grieving parents of an artist murdered two years previously to look into their son’s case that has since gone cold to see if she can provide a fresh perspective. This investigation steps on a few toes in the police department.

‘The Killing Song’ was a gripping, intricately plotted crime thriller. It kept me glued to the seat from start to finish.

Author Lesley McEvoy is a behavioural analyst, profiler and psychotherapist with a 25-year career, so she is writing on these subjects from long experience. As Ian Rankin is quoted on the cover: “McEvoy knows her stuff.” She also includes a fascinating Author’s Note about historical aspects of her plot.

I will definitely be on the lookout for the next in this excellent series.

[Robert Crouch · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting crime story, narrated by forensic psychologist, Jo McCready, a damaged woman, haunted by her last case. An angry father asks for her help to solve the brutal murder of his son, which remains an unsolved case after the investigation stalled two years ago. At the same time, she’s called in to assist the police with what appears to be a terrorist attack at a train station.

If this isn’t complicated enough, she also has a friend, about to be released from prison after serving time for manslaughter. Throw in some personal issues with one of the main detectives and simmer gently.

It’s a tense, highly charged story which threatens to derail McCready as she picks her way through the various strands of the story. She’s an engaging narrator, constantly pushed to the edge of her abilities by the complexity of the cases and the demands on her time and emotions.

When she finally makes sense of what’s going on, she’s in too deep and forced to confront her worst nightmare, leading to an exciting climax and emotional showdown.

While this is the second book in the series, but works fine as a standalone. It’s well-written and plotted, with an engaging and credible lead character, who struggles to keep all her plates in the air. There’s an intriguing and highly-charged plot, a real sense of danger, leading to a gripping story that’s a welcome change from the usual police procedurals.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this fast paced thriller. The way the author sets out her plot and the subplots, and weaves the seemingly unconnected threads together to give you the complete picture is very clever. I think, in places, Jo’s behaviour and actions are probably a bit over-exaggerated and unrealistic, but bearing in mind this is fiction, intended to entertain and capture attention for a short time, I don’t think it ruins the story.

In The Killing Song, Jo is still recovering from the trauma of The Murder Mile, and gently getting back to work. Quickly she’s launched into a re-examination of a cold case from a couple of years ago, and then thrust into a current case. As she’s processing both of these cases, details are creeping to the surface making her reconsider the assumptions the police are making about the perpetrators.

All of this, whilst she’s getting ready for the release from prison of a former subject, who’s become a friend. This friendship is causing tension between Jo and her assistant Jen, as well as with DCI Callum Ferguson, both of whom are worried about the risk to Jo of having a psychopath as a friend.

The story comes together in an unexpected way, weird links coming to the surface, with a satisfying ending overall.

I’m already looking forward to book 3.

[Alison Alice-May · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read and enjoyed The Murder Mile and was looking forward to Lesley’s second in the series featuring Dr Jo McCready. Jo is suffering from PTSD following the events in the first book, which if you haven’t read is superb. Jo is called in to help the Police following what appears to be a terrorise attack at a train station. At the same time, an angry father asks for Jo’s help to solve his son’s brutal murder, two years previously. Jo also has a friend due to leave prison imminently following serving time for manslaughter. Jo has also recently become close to one of the main detectives. What a tangled life she leads.

Jo is quickly plunged into a confusing soup of incidents and only Jo is able to find the connection between them. I followed the story as much as I was able to, as it is complex and compelling. As I read I found myself being pulled into the narrative by the brilliant writing.

This is an intelligent and confident thriller, written by someone who certainly knows what she is doing. Lesley’s own experience as a behavioural analyst, profiler and psychotherapist shows through as the plot weaves its way to an awesome conclusion. I was breathless finishing this book and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a credible, gripping thriller.

[Bodies in the Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first book I've read by Lesley McEvoy, but it will not be the last.

I have to say that the author's note at the end is one of the most interesting I've ever seen - as this novel progressed, particularly in the final scenes, it became harder and harder to suspend my disbelief, and I suspect many other people will feel the same way. My advice would be definitely do not miss reading the author's note at the end, because in it McEvoy shares her research behind these hard-to-swallow events and reveals real life happenings much more incredible than her fiction! I'd also say do not read the author's note *until* the end - the publisher has put it there for a very good reason and you will spoil the plot if you read it before you read the novel. Just know as you scratch your head over some of the novel's events that the author's note is waiting for you, and however impossible McEvoy's plot seems, it actually is not, according to the research she shares.

Personally, I still found the scenes too OTT for my own taste. The appearance of one important character towards the end in a conveniently placed secret room and the way the forensic psychologist quizzed that character to ascertain how they had achieved things felt a bit forced to me. However, some people will love the drama of it, I am sure.

All in all, a great accompaniment to some admin work, and I'm grateful to NetGalley and the publisher for access to this audiobook. Read / listen to it if you can!

Three Word Review: Horrible, horrible men.

[Andrea Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

First time reading this author, and what an excellent read. A real good read for your money.
This is the second book in the series featuring Dr Jo McCready forensic psychologist and profiler. Still suffering following previous injuries, she is slowly recovering when she becomes involved with some new cases.
The parents of an artist,who died at the hands of a sadist 2 years before, despute the idea that their son was involved in a hidden lifestyle that resulted in his death and employ her find the truth.
Meanwhile a terror incident at a railway station requires her to look closer at the behaviour of the assailant, and she finds links to another case with some equally bizarre behaviour.
There is also her own personal life, which impacts on some of her actions.
The final section is quite chilling.

[Tamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Killing Song is the second book in Lesley McEvoy's gripping and unnerving series featuring Forensic Psychologist Jo McCready.

McCready has physically survived the brutal ordeal of the previous instalment, but mentally she remains deeply shaken. The press intrusion has forced her to stop seeing private patients but she continues to assist the police in working out the psychology of crime scenes and providing expert testimony.

Bombarded with calls from a grieving father, McCready finally agrees to meet him to convince him that she cannot help. But there is something about the crime scene that bothers McCready, and bizarrely could somehow be linked to an apparent terrorist attack at the railway station.