Tell No Lies

Detective Caelan Small #2

by Lisa Hartley

Now they’re coming after Caelan’s team…
A tortured body is found in a basement. Drug dealing and people smuggling is on the rise. Then police start going missing.

There seems to be no connection between the crimes, but Detective Caelan Small senses something isn’t right.

Plunged into a new investigation, lives are on the line. And in the web of gangs, brothels and nerve-shattering undercover work, Caelan must get to the truth – or be killed trying.

And then there’s Nicky...

Utterly gripping, written with searing tension and remarkable dexterity, Tell No Lies is a blistering crime novel for fans of Angela Marsons, Rebecca Bradley and Faith Martin.

Genres: Fiction, Mystery, Crime, Thriller

333 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 19, 2018

About the author

Lisa Hartley lives with her partner, son, two dogs and several cats.

She graduated with a BA (Hons) in English Studies, then had a variety of jobs but kept writing in her spare time.

She is currently working on the next DS Catherine Bishop novel, as well as a new series with Canelo.

Reviews

[Elaine Tomasso · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would like to thank Netgalley and Canelo for a review copy of Tell No Lies, the second novel to feature Met undercover detective Caelan Small.

A day after the events of Ask No Questions Caelan has her sick leave revoked and is sent back on duty. Her bosses want her to go undercover in Edmonton to find out about a new drug dealer who is taking over the patch by force and violence with two victims already to his credit, a policeman and an informer. With little information and no direction Caelan soon finds herself in trouble with both sides.

Tell No Lies is undoubtedly an exciting read with plenty of action and a few twists. Unfortunately I couldn't get into it and it didn't hold my attention for various reasons.

Firstly I have not read Ask No Questions so most of the references to it went over my head initially until the main references were gradually explained. I would advise any reader to read it first to avoid frustration.

I found it impossible to believe that the Met would risk their officers' lives and send them undercover in a situation known to be dangerous with so little planning or briefing. I found the seat of their pants approach tedious and unbelievable. Risk assessment, anyone? It probably makes for good reading but I found I couldn't care.

I dislike the main protagonist, Caelan. She is undoubtedly smart, probably far smarter than her bosses, and operationally savvy but she doesn't stick to her remit and pokes her nose into everything, putting her life and the operation in danger.

I'm quite sure Ms Hartley planned her novel with every misstep engineered to heighten the tension and raise the stakes. This approach does not appeal to me and only made me shake my head at her characters' stupidity, shortsightedness and selfishness.

[Denise]

The life of DS Caelan Small: "Fooling people, using them, spending days, weeks and months living as someone she usually despised. It was a strange way of meting out justice, and she had to wonder, was she making any sort of difference?"

Fast-paced police drama centered on thugs and drugs. Set in London and the second in a series featuring this undercover detective, the action moves the narrative forward. It all starts with the discovery of two separate victims, both tortured to death and one a cop. Were they connected somehow? Sent back into the field following a previous case that ended in her having some injuries and causing the breakup of a long-term relationship, Caelan is intent on finding the perpetrators. Seems like a new drug lord is coming into territory recently vacated by the previous kingpin who is now in prison. Caelan has to reach into herself to find the mental and physical reserves she needs to tackle this investigation and stop this explosion of crime in Edmonton without blowing her cover. And all the while having to work with her former lover.

I enjoyed this very much but wish I had read the first one in the series prior to starting this second. Allusions were made to the previous case/book, and yeah, you could figure it out more or less, but I think I missed a few things though this could work as a standalone. I'll definitely be looking for the third book in this series to find out more about Cailan and what she will be involved in next. She's a loner by nature, and perhaps also because of what she must do for her job -- which is her life. She's tough and edgy and vulnerable. Smart with nerves of steel to do what she does. Encore, please!

Thank you to NetGalley and Canelo Publishing Company for the e-book ARC to read and review.

[Dougie Brimson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the first book in this series and was really looking forward to this one but ultimately, it was a bit of a let down.

The plot was fairly predictable, some of the characters were like something you'd find in a very poor low budget gangster movie and the twist in the tale was so easy to spot it might have been written in neon.

But worst of all was the lack of development of the central character. Given that this is a series, a disjointed romance portrayed nothing of the kind of emotional depth you'd expect to find in a second book. I'm still tempted to try the next one, but it's certainly not the 'must-read' that I hoped it was going to be,

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gritty crime novel set in London that deals with people smuggling, drug dealing and some pretty nasty characters, yet never resorts to being gruesome. It is the second book in the series and whilst I wish I'd read the earlier book, it stands well on its own. I was pleased that there wasn't an enormous amount of backfilling in this book either. It was a bit like a jigsaw, filling in the pieces as to what happened to Nicky in the last book, but quite enjoyable nonetheless. I did feel that the story was overly long in parts and would have benefitted from some judicial pruning but that's probably just me. That said, it is well written and I now want to read the first book in the series.

[gem · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

DS Caelan Small has been forced to return to work and is now undercover in a dangerous mission to uncover the truth behind two murders, one of them a fellow officer.
It’s a dark and musket territory she’s stepping into, and one wrong door could lead to deadly consequences for her and given that she’s not always the best as following orders, this ramps up the tension and I was at the edge of my seat wondering what would happen next!

There were quite a lot of references to the previous book, and I haven’t read it so some things sort of passed me by, but rather than put me off or frustrate me, it only emphasised my desire to read the first book too.

I enjoyed this book, I think Caelan is a great character and there’s clearly a whole host of other dangerous situations that she could get herself into so I’ll definitely read more by Lisa Hartley in future.

Perfect for fans of Helen Fields and Jane Casey.

[Michelle Kidwell · Rating 4 out of 5]


Tell No Lies
by Lisa Hartley
Canelo
General Fiction (Adult) , Mystery & Thrillers
Pub Date 19 Feb 2018
I am reviewing a copy of Tell No Lies through Canelo and Netgalley:
A body is found in a basement, the victim had been tortured beyond imagining. Drug deals and smuggling has become more common and perhaps one of the worst things is the fact that's police sent to work on these cases are disappearing as well.


Many seem to think there is nothing connecting these crimes but Detective Caelamn Small can't shake the feeling something isn't right.

Detective Caelamn finds herself plunged into a dangerous new investigation, one that leaves lives on the line. Caelamn must get to the truth or die trying.

I give Tell No Lies four out of five stars!

Happy Reading!


[Pat Simpson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the series featuring Detective Caelan Small. This book can be read as a standalone, bit I do think I would have enjoyed the characters if I had known more about them and read the first one.
The book begins with Caelan being brought back from her leave after her first case to work undercover in a case of drug trafficking including a number of missing persons and a dead fellow officer. This is a fast paced police drama, full of intrigue that will have you turning the pages to the ending which I didn’t predict. Will definitely have to read Lisa’s first book. Ask No Questions, and then look forward to book number three in the series.
Thanks to NetGalley and Canelo for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Fred Foster · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bitterly disappointing. The plot was so thin and the characters seemed permanently confused about what their roles were. How Caelan is still in the Police Force is beyond me as she kept going rogue. As for Nicky who spent pretty much the whole book standing in an alley I wasn't sure what she was even doing. I had high hopes for the series based on recommendations but I don't think I'll bother with the third book. Such a shame as book one started so well.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book by Lisa Hartley that I have had the pleasure of reading and reviewing. Rest assured that it certainly won’t be the last. I really did enjoy reading it but more about that in a bit.
Caelan Small is the lead character. She is a strong and feisty female police officer, who has worked on many undercover operations. When we meet her, it is obvious that she has been left with scars- both mentally and physically from a recent police operation. Her partner, Nicky Sturgess, who is also an undercover police officer, took part in an operation and as a result of what happened, Nicky had to move to a safe house, whilst her loved ones were lead to believe that she had been killed. Understandably Caelan was more than a little miffed when she found out that not only had Nicky not been killed but she hadn’t seen fit to tell her that she had survived. I can see this from both sides of the fence so to speak. I would be absolutely hopping mad if I discovered that my presumed dead partner was really alive and kicking and living in a safe house. At the same time I can see why the police had to keep matters so secretive because the last thing they would want would be to place more people in danger. Caelan feels less than happy about going back to being a police officer but she is strongly urged/ emotionally blackmailed to return to work, as they have a big undercover operation planned. They need to find out who killed a police officer, his links to another murder and who is trying to muscle in on the drugs scene in their area. It isn’t too long until Caelan gets back into the swing of things and she is very food at thinking on her feet. Caelan is a bit reckless at times and places herself in unnecessary danger. So much so that I did begin to wonder if she had a death wish. However, it soon becomes clear that she is still not being told the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Caelan does what she does best and it isn’t too long until she makes progress in the investigation. At the same time she finds herself in ever increasing dangerous situations, which also risk the safety of those she cares about. Who is behind the murders? Who is the new face on the drugs scene in that area? Will Nicky survive and what does this mean for their relationship? Will Caelan survive in one piece? Well for the answers to those questions and more you are just going to have to read the book for yourselves to find out.
Reading ‘Tell No Lies’ is one hell of a rollercoaster ride of a read. There are several twists and turns and just when you think that things are on a bit more of a steady and even keel something happens, which feels just like a kick in the guts and off the action goes again. The story hits the ground running and maintains the pace throughout. I binge read ‘Tell No Lies’ over a couple of days because I just needed to know who had done what to whom and why. My binge reading worked really well because it helped give me a sense of the urgency of the investigation. The writing style is such that I was hooked from the Prologue onwards and reading ‘Tell No Lies’ became seriously addictive. I just had to read one more page, one more chapter and so on and so forth. Before I knew what was happening I had cleared a fair chunk of the book and I was still no nearer to fathoming out who was guilty and what their motivation was. ‘Tell No Lies’ is one of those books that will keep your interest, keep you entertained, keep you on the edge of your seat and it will certainly keep you guessing.
In short I really enjoyed reading ‘Tell No Lies’ and my introduction to Lisa Hartley and her books. I can’t wait to read what comes next from this talented and slightly twisted author. I would have no hesitation in recommending Lisa Hartley or her work to other readers. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a solid and very well deserved 4* out of 5*.

[Sophie Eminson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tell No Lies by Lisa Hartley (@rainedonparade) is a cleverly-plotted, well-written crime novel focusing on Detective Caelan Small and her journey through drug and people trafficking. I enjoyed this book for the characters and the fast pace of the narrative. Tell No Lies was published on 19th February 2018 by Canelo.

The story
Detective Caelan Small is pulled away from her deserved leave, bruised and aching to join forces to collaborate on a case involving drug trafficking and a growing number of dead and missing bodies. As the case progresses, Caelan finds herself rebelling from normal procedures, taking matters into her own hands, going undercover to solve the case and murders. Along the way, police officers disappear and the mystery becomes more and more tangled and confusing. Caelan battles throughout with her feelings toward Nicky’s return and her feelings about the job generally, as she is often undermined and not listened to despite being brought in specifically for the case.

What I liked
I liked this book because it’s characters were strong, especially the villains. The exploration of them through the undercover disguise meant that the reader could get to know the villains without following them as other writers opt to do. The use of Caelan’s disregard for following the rules and casting out her own net certainly causes the plot to progress a lot quicker. The story itself is mostly intriguing and I liked the interweaving of Liv Hobbs and her husband’s storyline with the current case.
I felt that Caelan’s and Achebe’s characters were two of the best developed through this novel. Caelan represents the crime fiction current trend of having a sassy, strong woman in the lead who doesn’t take no for an answer. These women are doing a lot for the future of young people who want to work in these sectors, as novels such as these represent empowered women. Achebe was an interesting character from the beginning, wanting and not wanting Caelan around for the case but knowing that even when she had broken the rules, she was likely to be right.
The story itself was intriguing, as the reader remains waiting for the connection throughout. Even at the end, there is still the mystery of Nicky as everything appears to hang in the balance.

What I didn’t like
Honestly, I felt that there was no moment where the penny dropped for me with this novel. While I did enjoy reading it, the criminals were very obvious and the reader is told who they are from the beginning. Ryan’s back story also lacked a lot of clarity, as there is no direct moment, until all the men are in one place together, that the reader knows where he is going and what he is doing. I understand that this was supposed to cause intrigue, but it actually resulted in the plot feeling predictable.
I also felt that the conclusive scene, and the scenes involving Liv and Nicky were long enough, while there was a large focus on Caelan’s thoughts about things. Many of the conversations between Caelan and the force appeared to consist of repetitive patterns in topic and language which became predictable. Finally, there did not appear to be much connection between Caelan and the rest of the force who had all been working together for years. Her relationship with Nicky seemed to downplay any potential friendships between her and the other officers. Because she and Nicky were not together much, Caelan appeared quite unfriendly, dismissing many of the people she works with.

Overall, I really did enjoy this novel, but there could have been a few more twists and unexpected turns. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes crime and thriller novels without too much murder or graphic content. I thought it was a solid 4* novel. I was sent an advance reader copy on NetGalley by Canelo in exchange for an honest review.

[J Fearnley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in London this gritty novel, which is the second in the series but can easily be read as a stand alone, takes us into the sometimes dangerous world of undercover policing. The story reads at a good pace. There are a few threads including kidnapping, murder, sex trafficking, drugs, gangs and then, of course, there’s what happened to Nicky – which ties into the first book – and how that impacts on the current investigation. Caelan (DS Caelan Small) is supposedly a bit of a loose cannon but generally she does as ordered and that seems to be what can put her in more danger. Undercover policing it portrayed as being quite a strange and difficult way of life, which I’m sure it must be, as well as being lonely and isolated.

As the investigation continues Caelan believes that various things that have happened mean that the crimes are linked but it’s not clear how or if she and her colleagues will be able to prove it. To that end they work, rather loosely, with a team looking into the drugs element and with another police team on the murders. They are supposed to be working together and, to some extent, they do but not necessarily well.

It’s a good story, I liked most of the characters although not all and not all of the time. I found it an easy read even with the twisty plot and whilst I enjoyed the story the ‘puppet master’ was not a real shock. It’s a fairly tense ending but we do find out what happened and why.

I was pleased that the Caelan and Nicky thread did not take over but simply explained what was necessary for the storyline. I’m sure as the series progresses this will get resolved. It will be interesting to see what happens to Caelan in the future although I do hope her decision at the end is followed through.

A well-paced, well written story which is well worth a read.

With thanks to Canelo via NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

Rating: 4*

[Lucii Dixon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm in between a 3.5 and 4 star here and can't quite sit at one or the other, so my review is based on an in between instead.

Though I liked the concept of the story, and the ending was amazing, as was Ask No Questions, I still felt the characters were shaky. I'm still not keen on Caelan; one minute badass, the next a wimp. And she's quite melodramatic about Nicky and it got a little annoying.

I'm gutted Ewan didn't get much of a part in this because he was the one character I really liked. He was a consistent character and his personality never changed throughout book one, but he hardly got a mention in this one.

I did feel the story dragged out more than necessary which made it an unnecessarily long read.

I did like the story line, where it went and how it ended, though I feel it's been left on a cliffhanger ready for another book in the series.

I liked Ryan's character, no idea why, but he was definitely the proper picture of a junkie and there was no stone left unturned with him.

Storyline: Great
Characters: Shaky in many places
Setting: Pretty good, definitely makes you imagine the streets of London; very detailed.
Ending: Amazing.

Did I see the twist coming? Yes, but that's because the main characters already had their suspicions, and he was the strongest link. I would have liked to know how they managed to find DI Hobbs and Nicky but never mind.

I great read, but one for if you have plenty of time to read it.

[Jane Hunt · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took me a few chapters to get into this story, probably because it was the first Detective Caelan Small novel I've read. Undercover police work is both physically and mentally demanding on the people who do it. They are effectively living a lie, and this must have an often catastrophic effect on their personal lives and relationships.
Caelen is a believable, likeable character who makes you want to read what happens next. Mislead about the fate of her partner, Nicky, Caelen feels betrayed and vulnerable. It is questionable whether she is in the right mental state to go undercover again, but circumstances dictate, and she finds herself working amid people traffickers and drug dealers in the wake of two horrific murders.
The fast-paced, detailed plot is cleverly written, with lots of action and crime, without the need for graphic violence. The vividly depicted characters and authentic settings draw you in making this an absorbing read. The story ends on a note of finality, but I hope this isn't the end for Detective Caelen Small.
I received a copy of this book from Canelo via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

[Gordon Johnston · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second in the Caelan Small series starts the day after the first. No time for rest, Small is dragged into a new case. Once more undercover, she is chasing a mysterious drug dealer who has moved into a territory vacated by the arrest of another.

The plot is complex with many questions emerging. How are two deaths linked to the case? Where do the various characters she meets fit into the story? Is a car crash involving a DI the accident it first appears?

While the story arc moves at pace, the resolution is a little unsatisfying. Advances in the case seem to come from wild guesses rather than good detection. And the final dramatic scene simply gives the surprising answer to the reader, leading quite a few unanswered questions and loose ends.

[Yvonne Hop · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5 stars but I’ll round it up. I liked this one much more than the first one. Much more cohesive and the undercover operation actually felt useful.

Caelan feels like an interesting character, but I don’t know if I get enough out of her. Also, I don’t really get a clear image about who she is and how she appears in different identities.

Usually I am not really into drug related crime stories, but this one was okay. I don’t know why, I am still a bit torn about how much I like these books… but I also cannot seem to stop reading them. So hopefully book 3 is 4 stars and it keeps getting better.

[ReadAlongWithSue recovering from a stroke★⋆. ࿐࿔ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the books fault. My fault.

I’m busting my backlist and I’ve had this one on my kindle forever.
Don’t blame me I was new to Netgalley and everything looked good…..a reader in a candy store, except it’s books!

Book 2

Yep book 2

I was part way through the book when I thought “hold up, I’m missing something “ yes, book 1.

I’m going to be honest I wasn’t going to go get book 1. I’ve loads to read so I continued to plod on.

Actually I did enjoy it despite trying to use guess work sometimes.

I’m not much into DI at the moment but as it goes. It was enjoyable and well plotted.

I urge you to read these in order.

[Martha Brindley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book two in the Detective Caelen Small series and I recommend reading book one before this. It is an exciting read filled with great characters. If you like your detective books filled with excitement, murder, drugs, kidnapping, gangs and a lead character who is edgy and disobeys orders.....this is for you! I would most definitely read Ask No Questions first. You won't be disappointed. Lisa Hartley is an author to follow. I look forward to another instalment. Thanks to Net Galley for my copy.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Only after starting to read this book did I spot that it is the 2nd in a series featuring Detective Caelan Small.

It is a shame that I missed the first book in the series, because I feel that I have missed some of the back-story of some of the characters.

The story started strongly and built up to a very tense conclusion.

On the strength of this novel I will look forward to reading future Detective Caelan Small stories.

My thanks go to Netgalley and Canelo Books for a copy of this book in return for this review.

[Janice Forman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the second book in the Detective Caelan Small series although I have to admit I did find the protagonist a little hard to believe. I think undercover police work is more complicated than portrayed by Caelan and her colleagues.

In the end, I struggled to connect all the dots — how were the various murders and kidnappings all connected. I do think Hartley portrayed a believable image of the treachery of the drug trade.

Some surprises! And the reader is left with the belief that there could easily be an other in the series.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous read. Couldn’t help wishing I’d read the first one in the series Ask No Questions as I think I might have ruined that opportunity by reading this first but that being said this works fine as a stand-alone read. Fast paced and full of intrigue you have to keep turning the pages and a villain I never spotted makes for a great ending. Hope for another instalment soon , definitely want to see where the character goes from here

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was hard work but the last few pages were awesome and I loved all the twists and turns. I think it’s way better for people who read the first book as well because a lot of the book is built on the knowledge of the first book. Defo not a book to be read by itself. I honestly didn’t like the main character of Caelan, she seems arrogant and full of herself
((Got this free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest opinion))

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book two in the Detective Caelan Small series.
I recently read book one in this series and just had to read book two, due to the dramatic ending in Ask No Questions.
I really enjoyed this novel which was fast paced and action packed, again with lots of twists and turns. I would advise reading Ask No Questions first but this novel also reads well as a standalone, giving enough detail about the previous book without overdoing it.

[Shirley Hartman-Rozee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I could not give this a higher rating because I found it just too clunky and annoying, especially at the less than professional attitude of those supposedly in charge. There was no specific direction given or planning throughout the entire book. It seemed that Caelan was on her own without proper backup and without specific direction. There was a big surprise at the end, which was why I even rated it 3/5 stars because I didn’t see that coming.

[Elayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was looking forward to this second book about Caelan by Lisa Hartley and was not disappointed. The story moves along at a good pace and whilst Caelan is yet another tortured 'heroine' copper she comes over as a believable character.
A solid writing style and intricate plotting means that this is a book that stands alone even though it is part of a series.
A good read.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have not read the first book in this series which was a mistake as this feels more like the second half of the story rather than a stand alone novel. The plot is rather slim and the ending was poor but the build-up and tension was well done. If I'd read the first novel then the characters would have meant more to me.

[Eirlys · Rating 5 out of 5]

Back in trouble

I enjoyed reading this second book featuring Caelan Small. I didn't think that it would be as good as the first one, because the major players were already known in this one. I liked the new characters who were as interesting as the older ones were. There was lots of action, and red herrings abounded. I cannot wait to read the next one.

[Beverly Mccollum · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second in a series. I’d enjoyed the first novel and I also enjoyed this book. Set in the seedier parts of London- murders-drugs/sex trafficking - basically a cornucopia of police procedurals. Fast-paced and gritty with good character development. I’d recommend it.

[Tony Johnston · Rating 3 out of 5]

A readable thriller. Undercover police work in the murky world of drugs and prostitution in North London. A maverick Detective Sergeant at the centre of all the action. The rules apply to everyone..... except her. The twist at the very end was a pleasant surprise.

[Beccii Mayy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great continuing on from the first book.. picked up the next day after ask no questions ended.. a fantastic book keeps you hooked the whole time.. next book bought and will soon be read as need more of caelan small.. and where she goes next and what happens with nikki!
Love it!!

[MeCoco · Rating 2 out of 5]

Less would be more. Less dialogue, chaos, stubbornness. More trust, more people knowing what they are doing. And some maturity in a relationship. For f*** sake, talk to one another for more than 3 minutes.