Stone Cold Killing

Detective Dove Milson #4

by D.E. White

The baby was in the middle of the road. Cocooned in a car seat, tiny face suddenly, violently, illuminated by the headlights.

Detective Dove Milson has to swerve to avoid the baby’s car seat in the middle of the road. Ten metres up the road, a car has crashed in a ditch. Detective Steve Parker rushes to the car, while Dove attends to the baby.

But the baby is just a doll, and the driver is missing. There is a trail of blood leading into the woods.

As they’re searching the scene, gunshots are fired. A shadowy figure crashes through the woods. Steve is shot. Then a body is found nearby.

Alice Cartwright, the driver of the abandoned car, has been murdered, a carved stone heart placed in her mouth.

She’s not the first victim. And she won’t be the last.

A stone cold killer is on the loose. Detective Dove Milson is in a race against time to stop them killing again.

Genres: Crime, Mystery, Procedural

289 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 9, 2022

About the author

Pseudonym for author Daisy White

Librarian's note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

The fourth of the detective Dove Milson series, Stone Cold Killing by A D E White is another fine police procedural. As Dove is driving along, she narrowly misses a baby in a car seat in the middle of the road, only to discover a crashed car and blood at the scene. The unfolding investigation reveals family tragedy, more bodies, and the police team’s own struggles personally and with the case. An enjoyable police procedural read with realistic characters, flowing narrative and intriguing Major Crimes tangle web to solve. This tale is a good standalone crime story read with a four star rating. With thanks to Joffe Books and the author, for an uncorrected advanced review copy for review purposes. As always, the opinions herein are totally my own and freely given.

[Alan Cotterell · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Stone cold Killer" is the fourth book in the series featuring Detective Constable Dove Milson. Not for the faint hearted, as it revolves around child cruelty babies, drugs, rape and of course murder.
This is an action-packed rollercoaster. I know she is a policewoman, but she does get into some scrapes. I think 4 or 5 attempts on her life! Not all of them related to the case.

The story moves at quite a pace and with shortish chapters it is difficult to put down. Just sneak another chapter in during meetings. The story is mainly told from Dove's point of view, but the chapters were interspersed with generally one or two page chapters, from an unnamed characters point of view. These were a little tricky to get to grips with at first as they were filled with anxiety, and random events that didn't seem to make sense. But as I bounded through the book, they began to make sense. Each one revealed a little bit more I loved the intrigue as you try to piece the puzzle together and evaluate and eliminate the red herrings.

I would like to thank the author and Joffe Books for an advance copy of Stone Cold Killing. Can’t wait for book 5 in DC Dove Milson series.

[Danielle-Gemma💜 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very sad that I’m about to start the last book in this series!

[Kat (Katlovesbooks) Dietrich · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Stone Cold Killing by D.E. White is the fourth in the DC Dove Milson crime series.

First, I'd like to thank NetGalley, the publisher Joffe Books and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.


Series Background: (Warning - May Contain Spoilers from Previous Books)
DC Dove Milson, once a handler of police informants, is now a member of the Major Crimes Team.   Her partner is DS Steve Parker, their boss is DI Jon Blackman, all under the rule of DCI Kevin Franklin.  Her friend, Jess Meadows is a Crime Scene Manager, and one of the few who knows her background.  Dove's fiancé is a paramedic named Quinn.   She has two sisters, Ren (whose husband is now in jail) and Gaia (who owns a strip club). They all grew up on a commune.  Dove has a photographic memory.



My Synopsis:    (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
Dove has to swerve to miss the car seat in the middle of the road.  She is sure there is a baby inside it.  While she checks it out, Steve checks out the crashed car.  Dove finds a very life-like doll.  Steve finds blood on the seat of the car.  When a shot is fired, they dive for cover.

The driver of the abandoned car is Alice Cartwright, and she is found dead in her trailer, not far from the crash, a carved stone heart in her mouth.

They find the car contains drugs, but when a friend of Alice's dies, and her ex starts talking about lost babies, things get a little confusing - and a lot more dangerous.


My Opinions:
Although I liked the last book better, this was quite good.   It did, however seem quite long, and despite all the action, I felt it moved slowly.  Topics include mental illness, domestic abuse, kidnapping of children,  murder, and drug gangs.  At times...usually when Dove was being attacked (3 or 4 times) it was fairly graphic.  The book is also about a rather dysfunctional family.

The story is told from both Dove's perspective in solving the case, and an unknown narrator which was difficult to identify, and sometimes seemed like two different people.  I didn't particularly like those chapters.

Overall, there were a lot of characters.  I still like Dove, Quinn, and Steve.  I'm still trying to get used to Dove's family.

So, with all of that, I still think it was a good book.  The plot and writing were very good,  and that kept me plodding along.



For a more complete review of this book and others, (including the reason I chose to read/review this book, as well as author information and contact details), please visit my blog: http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/

[Siobhan · Rating 5 out of 5]

It has been a while since the last one of this series came out but I clicked right back into the series after a few chapters. I do recommend you read this series from the start. I love Dove's character and Dove and Steve make the perfect work partners. Another thrilling read from this series, it is quickly becoming one of my favourite series. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Amanda Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a huge fan of D.E. White’s Detective Dove Milson series, and couldn’t wait to read STONE COLD KILLING. The thought of a child’s car seat in the middle of the road grabbed my attention from the off, and the novel played out like any of the best TV police dramas. With excellent attention to police procedures, and a fast-paced, exciting plot, I highly recommend the fourth in the Dove Milson series.

[Booklover BEV · Rating 5 out of 5]

D. Dove Milson is back!!!!! Book four.
And it's been well worth waiting for.
Dove and Steve Parker just miss a baby car seat in the middle of the road but it's a doll and blood leading into the woods and abandoned car in a ditch the driver Alice Cartwright is found murdered.
A carved stone is in her mouth heart shaped so they are now on a mission to find a stone cold killer and this is not the first murder.
I just love this detective in her books, there's never a dull moment, always plenty of action, and the author grips you right in there right till the end.
Amazing, Fantastic, gripping, Incredible, Mind-blowing. The best book ever in this series.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Dove's 4th case and a particularly emotive and harrowing one as it involves babies, child cruelty, murder, drugs and red stone hearts! I found it thoroughly engaging and suspenseful and I liked the twists and turns which kept me guessing.
This is an addictive read, one not to be missed.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story:
When DC Dove Milson and colleague DS Steve Parker of the Major Crimes Team discover an abandoned car, it first appears to be a straight-forward traffic accident. But when a shot is fired at them from a mystery assailant, and a murdered woman is found just a few miles up the road, it’s clear that something more sinister is afoot. And not only that, a heart-shaped pebble is found at both crime scenes, one actually in the mouth of the victim…

The MCT swings into action, but when a key witness is also found murdered, again with a pebble placed in their mouth, it seems the team has a serial killer on their hands. But what is the motive that links the victim, and can it be related to a child abuse case from many years before?

My thoughts:
This is the fourth story in the Detective Dove Milson series by DE White, but the first I’ve read, and I had no trouble reading it as a standalone. The reader quickly gets to know Dove as a dedicated and hard-working officer (with a slight caffeine dependency!), determined to get to the bottom of the case and find justice for the victims.

The plot is complex and engrossing, with several lines of enquiry and flashbacks to the past that begin to offer some explanation of what’s happened. Dove and the team have plenty to untangle, with the possible involvement of organised crime, but these feel like very personal attacks, and as the team piece things together it reveals a more personal, and tragic, story.

Something I appreciated in this book was the fact that the characters had grey areas to their personalities and actions — with ‘good’ people doing questionable things for what they thought were good reasons, and the perpetrator with experiences that led to their actions, offering an explanation, if not an excuse. This was definitely a case where no-one wins.

Overall I found this a twisty and engrossing story, to be enjoyed by existing Detective Dove Milson fans, or those discovering her for the first time!

[Bridget · Rating 5 out of 5]

An intriguing story and a brilliant read!

Daisy White has delighted me with this clever and gripping crime thriller and I was not in the least disappointed with this superb, briskly-paced tale. Detective Dove Milson and her (work) partner DS Steve Parker are driving when they are forced to rapidly swerve to avoid a crashed car and a baby in a carseat in the middle of the road, on a torrential rainy spring evening. There's blood at the scene, sounds of cracking twigs and shadows in the nearby woods...

I warmed to protagonist Dove in the first novel of this compelling series, Glass Dolls and also from very early on in this novel, Stone Cold Killing and I was rooting for her throughout the story. The deft and masterful writing skills of D.E. White anchored the storyline solidly in reality and the plot itself was very believable. Stone Cold Killing was so full of drama and suspense that it had my heart racing. Daisy White gave the reader a mixture of excellent characters with some great interaction, contributing to the strength of the narrative.

The book was a commanding read and the author’s talent made this a wonderful story that I thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated for the entertainment it was. This is a little gem and a book that I'm pleased to have read.

I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel at my request from Joffe via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

[Nicola Hancock · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this as part of a Readalong last month with instabooktours and it’s the 4th book in the Detective Dove Milson series but can be read as a stand-alone. I read a-lot of detective based books but for me this was unique with flashbacks where by you don’t know which character it’s from. I loved this so much because it kept me second guessing everything throughout. I loved Dove and Steve as characters and they worked so well together. The initial murder and the surroundings of an investigation stood out to me and I could feel myself becoming the third part of the team. My theories throughout were so wrong and I didn’t sum up anything correctly I’m rubbish at the guessing game.

There’s a few characters to get your head around and you can never predict what way they’re going to turn. (No spoilers) but you will be shocked. I liked the little side steps with Doves partner and the storyline that escalated for them because again your left questioning motives and involvement. The murders and hijacking were brutal but very well described. I was left on a bit of a cliff hanger and was curious to whether or not there will be another book and I had a lot of questions left unanswered I need to know what happened with Quinn. Brilliant read.

[Kim J · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those books that after those first few pages, you don't want to put it down! DC Dove Wilson is at it again in this forth book in the series. This was an interesting story that really drug me in from the first chapter, and didn't let go until the last page. The case they are working also involves an unknown cold case that had to do with children. For the most part this was Dove's story, but we also hear from an unknown (until the end) person talking about now they should have been the one chosen. This book does have some triggers in it. So if you're sensitive to child abuse, rape,and violence, just beware it is in this book. But it's written so well that it was easy to get passed all of that, I just wanted to know what happened! D.E. White writes a good, original album storyline, and has a way of bringing you in to her characters lives, and you like them! I now can't wait to read the fifth book in the series lol!! Thank you to Net Galley, the author,and Coffee Books for an advanced copy of this book. Read it, you won't be let down!

[Misfits farm · Rating 4 out of 5]

DC Milson and partner are driving towards a road accident when they see a baby in a carrier in the middle of the road. As they go to investigate, shots are fired. Very soon afterwards there is a 999 call to a woman fairly close by who has been fatally stabbed in her caravan. Surely this isn't a coincidence? There are drugs found in the car and the victim is an elderly woman. How on earth can they be connected? Dove is also having her own private issues-she has seen messages she wishes she hadn't on the phone of her fiancé Quinn.
I love this series (they will happily stand alone) and the author's style of writing. I'm quickly into the heart of the drama and ensconced between the pages. Dove is a very realistic likeable character- tenacious with a sense of humour and a very determined streak. The personal subplot works very well with the main plot line and to me gives the characters a wonderful depth of reality. A book that kept me glued to the pages and a well thought out crafted plot. A highly enjoyable read with lots of twists and turns right to the very end.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Stone Cold Killing (Detective Dove Milson #4 by D.E. White, Detective Dove Milson and her partner narrowly avoid hitting a baby's car seat in the middle of the road. Up the road, a car has crashed, and a trail of blood leads into the woods. This is book 4 in the Detective Dove Milson series. As the description states, it is an addictive crime thriller.

The storyline held my interest and had the right mix of police procedural, action, murder, and suspense. I really liked the Dove character and felt she was quite realistic in her dialogue and actions. The whole team was good together and provided the right blend of characters and depth to the story.

I would recommend this book and this series.

#STONECOLDKILLING #NetGalley @JoffeBooks

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been a fan of D. E. White and her work for a while now. I have read, loved and reviewed every single book that she has released to date. When I heard that she was due to release another book, I knew that I had to grab a copy at the earliest opportunity and hibernate until I had read the very last word on the very page. Well ladies and gents, the wait is over because the fourth book in the series featuring Detective Dove Milson is called 'Stone Cold Killing' and it was released on 9th November 2022. It's another cracker of a read and then some. I thoroughly enjoyed reading 'Stone Cold Killing' but more about that in a bit.

This book seemed to develop a hold over me from the moment I first opened the cover. From then on I found that I just couldn't put the book down. My Kindle wasn't exactly glued to my hand but it might as well have been because it travelled everywhere with me. I couldn't bear to miss a single second of the story. I was intrigued by the characters and I was interested to see in which direction the story was going to go. I had my own suspicions as to what was going to happen so I had to keep reading to see if I was on the right track or if I had wandered down another path entirely. The more of the book that I read, the more I wanted to read and the quicker the pages seemed to turn. I became so wrapped up int he story that I lost all track of time and just how quickly I was getting through the book. All too quickly I reached the end and I had to say goodbye to Dove Milson and the rest of the characters. I found 'Stone Cold Killing' to be a gripping, tense and dramatic read, which certainly kept me guessing and which kept me on the edge of my seat.

'Stone Cold Killing' is superbly written but then I have come to expect nothing less from D. E. White. D. E. White has an easy going writing style that is easy to get along with and easy to get used to. D. E. White certainly knows how to grab the reader's attention and draw them into what proves to be one heck of a read. Foe me, the story hits the ground running and maintains a brisk pace throughout. The author clearly cares about her characters and this shines through in the very vivid and realistic way in which she describes them. She makes her characters seem just as real as you and I. Reading 'Stone Cold Killing' felt like being on an at times scary and unpredictable rollercoaster ride with several twists and turns along the way. I love the way in which the author makes the reader feel as though they are part of the story and at the heart of the action.

In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading 'Stone Cold Killing' and I would recommend it to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of D. E. White's work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.

[Alyson Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

DC Dove Milson is still working in the Major Crimes Team in Abberley under DI Jon Blackman and DCI Kevin Franklin with longstanding partner DS Steve Parker who is loving life with two small daughters. Dove herself is now happily living with fiancé paramedic Quinn after finally getting over the dreadful events she experienced while working as a confidential informant handler. Her younger sister Gaia now has three successful strip clubs and older sister Ren still runs her coffee shop with the help of daughter Eden who is back home with her young son Elan. They are all gradually getting their lives back on track after the recent devastating events. It’s nice to see other old faces back as well, such as Dove’s friend Crime Scene Manager Jess, DS Lindsey Allerton and DC Josh Conrad. A murdered woman is pursued from her crashed car to her caravan where she is tortured and stabbed to death, an unusual heart shaped stone left in her mouth together with another sinister item. Dove and Steve stumble upon the car forced off the road near a lifelike baby doll in a car seat and find themselves under attack from a fleeing man. One good suspect emerges, a real nasty piece of work with a criminal record and links to the stone. Could he have been set up or is he a ruthless murderer? Another death follows quickly with connections to the first victim. Now they have four carved stone hearts and if the detectives’ suspicions are right and someone is taking revenge for past crimes, there could be many more deaths if they don’t catch this killer soon.
As I have come to expect from this series, there are bizarre killings and twisted histories and secrets, and a wealth of puzzling clues laid out by the author in a wonderful dark and suspenseful plot that kept me hooked and guessing all the way through. With great characters, easy to get to know and already well introduced in the first three books, this is an extremely well told story which I can highly recommend. I can’t wait for more books in this series. 5*

[Elaine Tomasso · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would like to thank Netgalley and Joffe Books for an advance copy of Stone Cold Killing, the fourth novel to feature DC Dove Milson, set somewhere on the English south coast.

Dove and her partner DS Steve Parker are driving down a country lane when they have to swerve to avoid a baby in a car seat in the middle of the road. They can see a crashed car and blood a few yards away. Steve investigates the car crash and Dove discovers that the baby is a life like doll. Then they get shot at and the women in the car that crashed is found murdered with a heart shaped stone in her mouth.

I enjoyed Stone Cold Killing to a point, but I don’t think it is the best novel in the series for various reasons. The novel is essentially told from Dove’s point of view, but there are short chapters from an unnamed character full of anxiety and ramblings that are initially difficult to make sense of. They didn’t add anything to my reading experience, except a desire to get past them as quickly as possible.

The plot is a strange mixture of action packed and muddled. Dove escapes four (yes, four) life threatening situations in this novel, and not all of them are related to the investigation. The plot of said investigation is the muddled bit. The current murder investigation has its roots in alleged historical crimes that no one knew about and the victim may have perpetrated, the killer certainly thinks so. I never felt that the novel had a clear focus where A leads to B etc. and instead is a series of theories looking for proof. I also think that the author throws in unrelated incidents to create a little excitement in what is quite a dull plot.

I understand what the author is trying to say and agree on the links made, but I wish that it was more direct.

[Sharon Rimmelzwaan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another new book from D.E White makes me feel like Christmas has arrived early! I love the Dove Milson series and Stone Cold Killing looked amazing! I was dying to jump into the book as soon as it arrived.

Another suspense filled instalment which starts with a baby in a car seat in the middle of the road in the dark. After having to swerve so they don't hit it. Dove and Steve check it out, discovering it's a doll. They further find a car in the ditch so go to see of anyone's in it. As they do a gun is fired. All this during the first few pages! They have their work cut out for them as they try to get to the bottom of this and more, much more.

This is a twisty, action packed and fast moving story that handles sensitive issues and does it well. D.E White knows how to write a book that will keep you reading, with short chapters that easily make it a 'one more chapter's type of read.

Told from mainly Dove Milson's perspective with several chapters told from an unknown characters view too. This increases the tension as the story unfolds even more. I couldn't leave this book alone, from start to finish.

This author always creates characters that are so well fleshed out and unique, so you don't get confused between them all. You can guarantee if you pick up a book by D.E White, you are going to be entertained well. She brings plenty of red herrings, turns and twists to the plot without a doubt.

With a conclusion that I couldn't have guessed, this is another excellent addition to the Dove Milson series.
Thanks to Jill Burkinshaw of Books N All Promotions and Joffe Books.

[Books 'n' All Promotions · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great addition to the Dove Milson series one that is packed full of suspense all the way through. A very intriguing read with a mind blowing ending.

What is a baby doing in a car seat in the middle of a road in the dark? That is what Dove and Steve ask themselves after having to swerve to avoid hitting it. Investigation reveals that it is just a doll but then they see the car in a ditch and when they go to check it out a shot is fired. What IS going on? The answers are going to be a long time coming and the investigation will lead the pair along many false leads along the way.

It soon becomes clear that secrets are being kept but what are they and how are they going to crack this case if they can't work out what it is all about.

The book alternates between the investigation from Dove's perspective and the point of view of victims of an abusive father.

The characters are well defined and realistic and although there are many of them the author makes a brilliant job of keeping the reader up to date along the way.

Violence, secrets, revenge and relationships all play a part in this gripping story that will appeal to anyone who loves Crime Fiction.

[Mary Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the fourth outing for Dove and her partner Steve and begins with them finding a car in a ditch and a baby seat in the middle of the road . While checking for the driver, they are shot at and then a 999 call comes in with a nearby victim.

It appears that this has a connection to historical events concerning abused children and possible illegal adoptions. At the same time, there is trouble on the home front for Dove and Quinn so there's a lot going on. It never felt disconnected though and I wanted to keep reading to see how things unfolded. The one part I didn't particularly like was the POV chapters from the perpetrator. It felt a bit unnecessary to me and I didn't think it added to the story but that is probably just me.

My thanks to Joffe Books for an advance copy of this and this is my honest review.

[Oldbookishwoman · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's book four in the Detective Dove Milson series.
Although I hadn't read the previous three books it certainly didn't spoil my reading of this book. I am also very keen to read the previous books.
It starts with a break up then moves on to an accident which very quickly turns into something more serious.
Detectives Dove and Steve are on hand it's raining they found an abandoned car with what initially looks like a baby but then when they rescue the baby turns out to be a life-like doll.
Trying to pick up clues and evidence before the rain takes everything.
This is a methodical detective story with a strong female lead and told from two points of view.
There is tension, danger it also felt like it would be a very good TV series. It's a well written and well thought out story. I look forward to reading more from this series.

[Louise Allan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy of this book.

Detective Dove Milson and her partner Steve Parker swerve to avoid a car seat in the middle of the road. But there’s no baby. Then they hear gunshots and a woman is found murdered.

This seems a senseless murder as Alice appears a well liked, retired midwife. Then Sarah her friend is also found murdered. Are the murders related anc to the stem back to the smiling man?

I haven’t read any others in this series so I didn’t know Dove’s back story. For me it was a bit frustrating that things were hinted at but this is my own fault.

Reading it as a stand-alone book, I enjoyed it. The story is told from Dove’s pov with chapters from a mystery character threaded in. The suspense was built and it was never obvious who did it. A decent read.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A police procedural, part of a series, but fine as a stand alone. Dove and her (work) partner Steve are driving when they come across a crashed car and a baby in a carseat in the middle of the road. Nearby a woman has been murdered. This centres around children brought up in a run down housing estate , some were rescued by being adopted . Now adults, with memories of those times, Dove and Steve try to get to the bottom of what happened, then and now.
I like the characters , the plot is mostly well written with plenty of action and a couple of twists in the story along the way. It all seems fairly believable and is a good read
Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

[KAY BOSHIER · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read, but

The Detective Dove Milson books are a generally good read, but there are few repetitive or predictable plot repetitions. Dove inevitably finds herself in physical trouble but manages to escape with her life. Generally she doesn't make rash and silly decisions that puts her life at risk, she just seems to get caught out....every one of the novels.

She is continually 'chewing her thmb nail" and this gets a bit irritating. Her determination to continue working through exhaustion and the inevitable lack of sleep, or interrupted sleep, can seem predictable, too.

However, the generally cheerful and supportive relationships between her colleagues is a welcome, as is the positive and understanding relationship with Dove's fiance.

[Renko Dekker · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book will be out on the 9th of November and is published by Joffe Books.

This one took a bit longer for me to finish. The book started out quite strong. A scene that draws you in so you want to keep reading. But, the further I got, the less I cared for it. Too many events and too many characters are described and that made it somewhat difficult to follow. The story itself was alright, but it was all just too elaborate. Too many different things happened for it to be a great thriller. The many storylines changing from the present to the past was just too much.

The idea was alright but the execution failed a bit.

2/5⭐

[Aileen (Ailz) Grist · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always find it odd when books follow a lowly Detective constable rather than a higher ranking officer, but I suppose that the DCs and DSs are on the front line and see more of what is going on, on the ground. This book is exciting and very readable. Well thought out characters - especially the police officers.

Loved it - couldn't wait for the ending but didn't want the book to finish.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher I read a free advance review copy of the book. This review is voluntary, honest and my own opinion.

[Martha Brindley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book 4 in the Detective Dove Milson series but easily read as a stand alone. The characterisation is excellent with very clever plotting involving murder, drugs and child cruelty. Reader beware, but the topic is sensitively handled. I like the team dynamics, the fast pace and the short, snappy chapters. The unnamed character's point of view was interesting as I tried to work out all the dynamics. It's a very good, well written thriller which I would recommend to fans of the genre. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

[Alyce Gibson · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent police procedural. Thank you Joffe Books and D.E. White for the ARC copy
The is the fourth book in D.E. White's Dove Milson series. Dove and her work partner are heading out on a call when they narrowly miss a baby seat on the road. While searching for where the baby seat came from, they come across a vehicle with a body in it. How does it relate to the child's seat. And does it relate to the initial call out?
The book deals with children, rape, and murder so not for the faint of heart. All in all an excellent police procedural.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

While enjoyed the whodunnit aspect of this book, it moved a little slow for me. I feel like I missed a lot of defining moments in Dove’s character by not having read the previous books. There were parts of this, like Connie, that were unresolved because they felt important to the story at the time. There was missed opportunity for the killers identity. Despite these personal preferences, I enjoyed this.
I received a copy through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Nicola “Shortbookthyme” · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a intriguing and complicated murder mystery!
Though this is the 4th book in the Detective Dove Milton series, I feel it can be read as a standalone read.
I did have a bit of a hard time keeping up with all the characters. Especially all the inspectors!
Trigger warning: child cruelty
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.