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Way Beyond A Lie

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Ideal for fans of James Oswald, M.W. Craven and JD Kirk, Way Beyond A Lie is the first in the brilliant new crime series by Harry Fisher, starring Edinburgh detective Mel Cooper. She takes no crap, not even from the bad guys.The prequel to the DI Mel Cooper Series, Harry Fisher’s fast-paced story of betrayal, international fraud, and murder will keep you guessing until the last page.Your wife goes missing. She leaves no trace.You have no idea where she’s gone.Would you try to find her?Damn right you would.

When Ross McKinlay’s wife, Carla, vanishes during an afternoon shopping trip he’s left bewildered and grief stricken. As Ross uncovers the reasons for his wife’s disappearance, his life begins to unravel. He’s determined to find her. He needs answers. But the deeper he delves, the more confused he becomes and the closer he edges towards danger.

As Ross is soon to discover, he isn't the only person looking for his wife.

One man wants the truth.

Another wants blood.

Who will find her first?‘An excellent debut novel.’ ★★★★★‘Engaging crime thriller filled with suspense, intrigue and peril!’ ★★★★★‘I do hope we can expect more of the same from the talented Mr Fisher.’ ★★★★★‘EXCELLENT … All I’ll say is READ IT!’ ★★★★★‘Characters realistically described, and sadly all too prevalent in today's society!’ ★★★★★‘You never quite know where it will go next!’ ★★★★★‘A beautiful twist in the very last line.’ ★★★★★

442 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 9, 2021

581 people are currently reading
300 people want to read

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Harry Fisher

34 books14 followers

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
Profile Image for Miriam Smith (A Mother’s Musings).
1,786 reviews299 followers
November 14, 2021
“WAY BEYOND A LIE” by Harry Fisher is the second book in the ‘DS Mel Cooper’ series but is actually the prequel to his debut book in the series “Be Sure Your Sins”. Having recently read his debut novel and highly enjoyed, it was a given that I needed to read his latest book. As I’ve said before, this author easily gives the top name crime authors a run for their money and has a superb imagination which he transfers into the written word effortlessly.

- When Ross McKinlay’s wife Carla, vanishes during an afternoon shopping trip, he’s left bewildered and grief stricken. As he uncovers the reasons for her disappearance, his life begins to unravel. He needs answers and is determined to find her. However, as Ross is soon to discover, he’s not the only one looking for his wife. One man wants the truth, another wants blood. —

I really took to Ross instantly. You’re not sure whether he is lying about his wife, completely innocent or just plain naive about what his marriage was really all about. As a reader you soon develop your own ideas and suspicions of the situation and this made me endear to him all the more. There’s two storylines, Ross and his missing wife and an Eastern European organised crime gang, which flow together seamlessly and form a tense and action filled denouement you really couldn’t predict. Ross has a best friend Martin, who is also his employer and their friendship is just brilliant. All the way through the story you have doubts as to each of the characters intentions which adds to the intrigue and give the reader something to really ponder on.

The series is based on DS Mel Cooper and her partner DC Andrew Young, for which their camaraderie and working partnership is just perfect. Their dark humour but clever thinking and professionalism adds the police procedural element to this gripping thriller as well as incorporating too, a domestic psychological element with Ross’ thoughts and emotions.

Keeping in with the current modern theme of cyber crime and identity theft, “Way Beyond a Lie” is a well written and constructed story, filled with intrigue, love, grief, relationships and the obligatory murders required for a thriller, this book will keep you guessing to the very last page and thoroughly entertained.

Coming in at just under 540 pages this book is worth every penny, fantastic value for money and keeps you entertained for literally hours.
If you haven’t encountered Harry Fisher and the wonderful characters readers have fell in love, do so now. You won’t be disappointed and you’ll be preordering his third book “Yes, I Killed Her” without delay.

#WayBeyondALie - 5 stars
Profile Image for Jenny.
17 reviews1 follower
May 18, 2021
This was surprisingly excellent!!! A bit of a slow burn to start with, but please, don't give up. It develops apace, and it is rare, that I now actively seek out my kindle to "see what happens next".

This author could be a star in the making.
Profile Image for Susan Hampson.
1,521 reviews69 followers
November 6, 2021
This is the second book that I have read from this author, and it is a little beauty. The opening chapters had me immediately connecting with the main character, Ross McKinlay, probably a gentleman that I would not have been aware of in normal circumstances. He wasn’t anything special, in the way that he would get on with things unintrusively, but this particular day he needed to be heard.

I felt his frustrations taking over this usually rational man as people looked at him as if he must have just misplaced his now absent wife. They had gone shopping and one minute she was there then she was gone. But how can you lose a grown woman in the supermarket? When he has exhausted every possibility, he has no choice but to phone the police.

It is a thrilling and exciting read from the start, but the mystery was only just beginning. The writing is fantastic as the author, time and time again, re-shapes Ross into sides of him that he didn’t know even existed. Nurture was overtaking what nature had made him, as huge life-changing events were crashing around him, pushing him into dangerous situations.

What you find out early on is Ross is very well-liked and has a brilliant relationship with his boss, Martin. It is a rollercoaster trip they take, with this is it moments, and the anticipation of success just before your stomach drops back down with another dead end. When you feel like you can nearly taste success, another spanner will fly your way.

A brilliant story that feels fresh, and new, with an unpredictable ending. Highly recommended.
Profile Image for Janet.
489 reviews
November 10, 2021
Well Mr Fisher you are now well and truly on my list of favourite authors.

I read Harry’s first book, Be Sure Your Sins and enjoyed it so much that when I got chance to read an early copy of his new book it went to the top of my pile.

And oh what a read it is!

Ross is supposed to meet his wife in the supermarket but she doesn’t turn up. After a few frantic hours of searching he eventually involves the police. They were getting on fine so she can’t have just left him. Has she been abducted?

A visit from Oliver a few weeks later reveals his beloved wife was not what or indeed who she appeared to be.

Now Ross, an ordinary guy next door, with the help of his friend, is on an extraordinary hunt for her but there is someone else also trying to find her. And an organised crime network is involved.

I enjoyed getting to know Ross and really rooting for him! This is a brilliant read for crime fans. The last 100 or so pages are nail biting any you’ll not be able to put it down until the end!

I’m looking forward to Harry’s next book already.
Profile Image for Natalie Dean.
5 reviews1 follower
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June 6, 2025
This book had so much potential but in the end it wasn't for me. I loved the idea and the characters but I feel quite a lot could have been cut out of the book and it would have still made sense. There were a lot of unnecessary explanations of things that weren't relevant to the story and it just fell a bit flat.
Profile Image for Joanne Hill.
258 reviews1 follower
December 22, 2023
Freebie from Hobeck Books, from whom I expect crime/police procedural, but this is actually very fascinating and tense, mainly from the perspective of a scamming victim. (It's just a tiny bit slow in places).
Profile Image for Mr K.
18 reviews
June 13, 2025
Hooked from the start and set in Edinburgh was a bonus.
Profile Image for Lynda.
2,146 reviews108 followers
November 4, 2021
My second read by this author and another good read in the DS Mel Cooper series. Well written and a great storyline and Ross and his friend Martin are great characters. Fabulous opening chapter which grabbed my attention.

Briefly, when Ross McKinlay’s wife disappears in a supermarket he reports her missing to the police. As Mel and her colleagues investigate it is clear that Carla wasn’t all she seemed to be. She has disappeared along with a substantial amount of money belonging to Ross. When he is contacted by a stranger who purports to be acting on behalf of a number of people who have been similarly tricked by what appears to be a gang he sees red as he realises that something very precious to him is missing. Now he needs to find Carla. Meanwhile, a vicious gang of Eastern European’s realise their lucrative scam is at risk and action is needed now. Can Mel and her team solve the crime before anyone is killed? Can Ross find Carla?

Fisher is a really good writer and there are enough twists and turns to keep you guessing. My only little gripe is that I thought the ‘searching’ was a bit long drawn out ; but once that was past wow I was on tenterhooks to see what happened. A good ending with a cliffhanger clearly leading to the next in the series ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Profile Image for Stephanie.
439 reviews
January 22, 2023
Never ending

Good grief. I didn’t think this book would ever end. It dragged on and on. It’s a crime thrill, but I don’t see how it’s a psychological crime thriller.
Profile Image for Esther Peacock.
477 reviews11 followers
November 5, 2021
Way Beyond A Lie Harry Fisher
Pub Date 9th Nov 2021
Your wife goes missing.
She leaves no trace.
You have no idea where she's gone.
How would you try to find her?
When Ross McKinlay's wife, Carla, vanishes during an afternoon shopping trip, he's left bewildered and grief-stricken. As Ross uncovers the reasons for his wife's disappearance, his life begins to unravel. He's determined to find her. He needs answers. But the deeper he delves, the more confused he becomes and the closer he edges towards danger.
As Ross is soon to discover, he isn't the only person looking for his wife.
One man wants the truth.
Another wants blood.
Who will find her first?
I am a newbie, really, when it comes to crime novels, but I have read quite a few during Lockdown, and I am enjoying new authors and their stories. Harry Fisher is one of them.
Set mainly in Edinburgh, we meet Ross, our protagonist.
The author places us (the reader) in Ross's situation and successfully communicates his developing sense of trepidation, despair, fear, and all the other emotional experiences he goes through within this story. In addition, Ross is joined by a group of realistic supporting characters who give depth and perception to the story. I particularly liked Martin, Ross's best friend.
The plot is well-written; it is original and astute.
It is a fast-paced story that will keep you deliberating until the last page.
I am thrilled to recommend this. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I want to thank Hobeck Books and author Harry Fisher for a pre-publication copy to review.
This is the prequel to the DS Mel Cooper Series, which was published in October, with 'Be Sure Your Sins' being the next, which is also worth a read.
Profile Image for Gordon.
Author 12 books11 followers
December 27, 2024
Well... this was a discovery. Suggested by one of the book's editors in amongst her Christmas reading recommendations, this proved to be a real page-turner. The plot seems simple at first: Ross, the central character goes to a supermarket with his wife Carla; she sends him to look for cashew nuts... then she disappears into thin air.

As Ross's panic levels understandably rise, he seeks help from all the usual sources up to and including the police. But it soon transpires that nothing at all is quite what it seems. There are twists and turns galore, Ross finds himself in mortal danger, and the villains in this book are proper villains. Proper ones.

Although I referred to Ross as the central character, Way Beyond a Lie is now trailed as the prequel to the Mel Cooper detective series, and this feisty call-a-spade-a-bloody-shovel police officer seems straight out of the Karen Pirie mould (which I like a lot). I'll be checking those Mel Cooper books out in time.

Finally, I think Harry Fisher's books might actually be self-published, and that Holbeck Books might in fact be a self-publisher support operation. There's so much snobbery in the publishing industry about self-publishing authors, and it's a pity, because all too often excellent writers like Harry Fisher just disappear under the radar.
323 reviews15 followers
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November 8, 2021
At first I felt so sorry for Ross as his life went from being perfect to a complete nightmare. But I began to cheer him on as he became a man with a mission. The interaction between Ross and his best friend Martin is strongly written and I could sense the brotherly love between them. In Way Beyond A Lie you also meet DS Mel Cooper and DC Andrew Young for the first time. The way they bounce of each other and their repartee is wonderful. There are many other brilliant and devious characters, great action scenes and the thrill of will he won’t he discover the truth. As the book neared it’s climax I found myself turning the pages quicker as it wasn’t a case of wanting to know how the book ended, I needed to know.
Way Beyond A Lie for me can’t be anything less than a 5* read.
156 reviews3 followers
November 11, 2021
An ordinary, everyday event- going shopping with his wife, yet Ross McKinlay loses her in the shop. How could that possibly happen? Running parallel with Ross’s story is the story of a criminal gang. Quite where the paths will cross, and what will happen when they do, just increases the tension in the story.

An exciting read with lots of twists and turns. Just why did Ross’s friends react to Carla’s disappearance as they did, what happened to the money, why does a mysterious stranger arrive on his doorstep. Fascinating storyline, witty writing, excellent police duo (glad to see they get their own book) and a very fitting ending – loved it!

Thanks to Hobeck Books for a review copy.
Profile Image for MoMo Book Diary.
434 reviews62 followers
January 10, 2022
Bloody Brilliant!!!

Very fast paced which just means you can’t put it down in case you miss something!!

I made the mistake of reading the opening pages of the book as soon as it arrived on my kindle and that was the end of my evening. After reading a good few chapters I took myself off to bed but couldn't get the book out of my head so back up, got into a comfy reading position and read on... and on... and on... (yes, it is that good!). I eventually gave in and got some sleep but the book had a hold on me.
The author gives us a main character that is very easy to take too and that is what I found grabbed my attention from the offset. The story is different to any other I have read and whilst you are reading and thinking of what could be happening you are never sure as there are many twists and turns throughout. The story held my attention right to the final page and even afterwards!
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a crime novel and this is up there with the big Scottish authors you already know and love. For me, I'd say if you enjoy Owen Mullen, Doug Johnstone, Chris Brookmyre and of course Ian Rankin, then I am sure you will love this author too!
1,111 reviews23 followers
September 26, 2021
Not my usual go to kind of book but it's my next work bookclub pick and as it's on Kindle Unlimited I downloaded and it wasn't too bad a read!
There was quite a lot of twists and turns and at the start I was quite lost with what on earth had happened but thought the last 40ish% was really fast paced and kept me intrigued.
I did notice a couple of typos through the book so another edit wouldn't go amiss.
I did guess who the 2nd person was as soon as it was mentioned but still it was written well.
Ended on a bit of a cliffhanger but I'm not sure exactly where it can go next to be honest. Not sure if I will follow it up but maybe!
Profile Image for Lexie Conyngham.
Author 46 books121 followers
March 25, 2020
This is an impressive debut, and if there are one or two elements that you feel you may have seen before, the whole comes together well and the writing is very good – you really feel as if you’re there and with the characters. Has the missing wife been kidnapped? Did she run away? Did she exist at all? The plot is full of action and you’re not quite sure who to suspect and who to trust. Very good, entertaining book.
9 reviews
April 27, 2020
Compulsive Read

Intriguing opening and plot with lots of twists and turns . Witty realistic dialogue. Engaging characters , particularly the main character. Settings well described. Excellent first novel Definitely has dramatization potential. Looking forward to the next novel . Perhaps reappearance of some of the characters - the police duo in further novels. Only downside, in chapter 37 some details too grotesque for my taste.
282 reviews1 follower
February 1, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed the first two books in this series. This one is a prequel which is supposed to introduce us to DI Mel Cooper but she barely features. The storyline focuses heavily on the victim of a nasty scam and his reaction to it. It isn’t actually a murder mystery but I will not explain why as it might be a spoiler. I found it much heavier going than the first two and nearly gave up a couple of times but I am glad that I didn’t
Profile Image for Linda.
1,063 reviews42 followers
May 27, 2024
Ross's bride raided his bank accounts, took the family jewels and left without a trace. Ross, not about to lose the jewels, was hot on her tail. Then the story took a sinister turn when Ross realized he was chasing the mob.

I could not could not feel anything for the characters. There was way too much going and coming for me to find and enjoy the storyline.


Is this not the worst review ever written?

Thank you, Mr. Fisher, for the read.
756 reviews
October 27, 2022
Way Beyond A lie

Yeah, "Way Beyond" believability. There was great potential in this book but unfortunately it was totally unbelievable. The author used lame gimmicks you'd expect in a made for TV movie (ie. the protagonist's phone runs out of battery just as people are trying to warn him of impending doom, etc).
Profile Image for Chris.
566 reviews
November 9, 2023
Even though....

I must've downloaded this BEFORE I started "taking a look inside" to make sure the book I was downloading wasn't written over seas.... I am giving this one 5 stars. It was an amazing story. I couldn't stand the language (English?)... but I WAS able to read the story.
1 review
February 23, 2021
Good read

First book I've read in a while and certainly enjoyed it, partly because of the storyline and partly because of its principle location. Just got a wee bit bored with fruitless standouts, hence the 4 stars. Look forward to reading more.....maybe even a follow up?
475 reviews
October 3, 2022
Way Beyond

Another writer who is attempting to write but has no compunction about profaning that which is sacred to others and flipping f-bombs around like candy. There’s better offerings elsewhere.
234 reviews
October 11, 2022
I would recommend it

This was a free book on book bub, so I took a chance and it kept my attention. At times it dragged on, but I kept with it and was surprised at the ending. Give it a whirl.

4 reviews3 followers
October 13, 2022
Riveting thriller!

This book deserves 10 stars!!!! Congratulations Mr. Fisher! Wonderful story. Great characters. Make this book one of your 'must' reads. You will not be disappointed

1 review
December 17, 2022
This is the first Harry Fisher book I've read and I can't wait to start the next one. lts been a while since Ive been so engrossed in a book that I couldn't put it down. Well written and a great storyline. A refreshing change
Profile Image for Viragored.
166 reviews
February 1, 2023
A well written, quality story that reeled me in from the start.
I enjoyed the way the different threads at the beginning were inevitably going to come together, and when they finally did the outcome was excellent.
I'll look for some more by Harry Fisher!
PS: the torn beer mats...
855 reviews9 followers
November 18, 2023
Clever

A great read. Crafty, clever and well plotted. Held my interest throughout. Key words are cunning, scams, deceit, trust. A friendship that holds no bounds. There is a lot of travelling in this story, I'm exhausted! But well worth the journey.
Profile Image for Kendra.
15 reviews7 followers
November 26, 2023
Had to DNF at about 50%. It was a poorly written self-insert about some guy in his late 50s that’s so hot every woman he knows is throwing herself at him (and they’re all super hot and 15 years younger). The actual plot wasn’t interesting enough to power through.
Profile Image for Morag McConnell.
3 reviews
July 11, 2019
Worth a read

A Quick read. Lots of twists. A Great wee holiday read. Characters were well developed. I would recommend. Good ending.
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