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Anna McColl Mystery #1
Datod Gwe
When social worker Karen Plant was found murdered in her Bristol flat, the prime suspect was a simple-minded client who used to do odd jobs for her. However, before the case could come to court, the young man hanged himself. His grief-stricken sister is convinced of his innocence and when she is referred to psychologist Anna McColl for bereavement counselling, she begs her to find the real killer. But Anna's attempts leave her dangerously vulnerable to a psychotic killer who has her in sight as the next victim...
- GenresCrime
240 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 1996
15 people are currently reading
102 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
March 19, 2020
This is a slow paced mystery come thriller.
I’ve joined in the reading challenge for choosing books you’ve had on your shelf since before 2020, this one definitely fit that.
The main character chooses a line of work that helps people. She chose that line of work too because she had an invested interest in something her brother was accused of years ago which in the end resulted in his death.
I have to say, it’s not a book I’d emphatically recommend any time soon.
I got a bit bored, a bit disinterested come the end. But I did finish it.
This one didn’t have the umph or pace that I would look for in this kind of storyline.
I’ve joined in the reading challenge for choosing books you’ve had on your shelf since before 2020, this one definitely fit that.
The main character chooses a line of work that helps people. She chose that line of work too because she had an invested interest in something her brother was accused of years ago which in the end resulted in his death.
I have to say, it’s not a book I’d emphatically recommend any time soon.
I got a bit bored, a bit disinterested come the end. But I did finish it.
This one didn’t have the umph or pace that I would look for in this kind of storyline.
September 28, 2016
Anna McColl became a psychologist because she wanted to help. But not everyone wants help .. and those that do generally tell a partial truth, not the whole truth.
One of her clients wants Anna's help in clearing her brother's name. He was accused of strangling to death Karen Plant, a social worker. The brother confessed and then hung himself when he was jailed. The sister says there is no way he would have killed Karen.
Anna, herself, is working through a break -up with her boyfriend. They are friends with another couple who , Anna discovers, knew Karen Plant personally. Was her husband having an affair with the woman?
Anna had to terminate a client, Rob, who was becoming unruly and maybe even dangerous.
Someone is breaking into Anna's home and sometimes leaving something or moving things around. Whoever it is, they are also leaving postcards .... creepy postcards. But who has a key to her home? Or maybe picking the locks, even though there are no signs of a break in.
Anna believes that these things are happening because she's asking questions about the murdered social worker. And the killer may be closer than she thinks.
This is a slow paced mystery loaded with dysfunctional characters. Most of them seem to be hiding things for one reason or another. It's really hard to like any of them ... even Anna.
The story line is good, just slow and a bit unexciting.
Many thanks to the author / Endeavor Press / NetGalley who provided a digital copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
One of her clients wants Anna's help in clearing her brother's name. He was accused of strangling to death Karen Plant, a social worker. The brother confessed and then hung himself when he was jailed. The sister says there is no way he would have killed Karen.
Anna, herself, is working through a break -up with her boyfriend. They are friends with another couple who , Anna discovers, knew Karen Plant personally. Was her husband having an affair with the woman?
Anna had to terminate a client, Rob, who was becoming unruly and maybe even dangerous.
Someone is breaking into Anna's home and sometimes leaving something or moving things around. Whoever it is, they are also leaving postcards .... creepy postcards. But who has a key to her home? Or maybe picking the locks, even though there are no signs of a break in.
Anna believes that these things are happening because she's asking questions about the murdered social worker. And the killer may be closer than she thinks.
This is a slow paced mystery loaded with dysfunctional characters. Most of them seem to be hiding things for one reason or another. It's really hard to like any of them ... even Anna.
The story line is good, just slow and a bit unexciting.
Many thanks to the author / Endeavor Press / NetGalley who provided a digital copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
December 11, 2016
Anna McColl became a psychologist because she wanted to help.
Someone is breaking into Anna's house moving things around and leaving postcards creepy ones.
Anna thinks these things are happening because she is asking questions about a murdered social worker.
Anna struggles with her own anxieties everyday and delves into other peoples to avoid her own but not everybody is willing to except help.
There are lots of different characters some are interesting some not so.
Thank you Netgalley the Author and publisher for a chance to read this book,
Someone is breaking into Anna's house moving things around and leaving postcards creepy ones.
Anna thinks these things are happening because she is asking questions about a murdered social worker.
Anna struggles with her own anxieties everyday and delves into other peoples to avoid her own but not everybody is willing to except help.
There are lots of different characters some are interesting some not so.
Thank you Netgalley the Author and publisher for a chance to read this book,
September 20, 2016
I received a copy of this book free from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Please see my full review at www.coffeeandtrainspotting.wordpress.com.
Please see my full review at www.coffeeandtrainspotting.wordpress.com.
June 30, 2017
This book was kind of dull and not very exciting.
September 23, 2016
Thank you Netgalley, Endeavour and Penny Kline for this digital ARC for an honest review.
Anna McColl is a psychologist who gets too involved with her patients. To the extent that when one of them is convinced her brother was wrongly blamed for the murder of a social worker and asks her to look into it she begins to investigate.
There is a slow burning menace at the heart of this story, as Anna gets more involved in looking into the murder she starts to receive postcards detailing her life.....someone is obviously watching her closely.
There is a strange sort of normalcy to the story telling, you feel like you are witnessing a real persons day to day life. And yet at the same time it's hard to believe in the story. Would someone even as dissatisfied with life as Anna start to investigate a murder at the say so of a character who is something like an extra from Shameless? Especially a murder that was confessed t0. Also the links between the characters throughout the novel seem to be just a bit too convenient. All that been said I think there is a lot of promise to this character, and I'm interested to see where the author can take her next.
You can read all my reviews at dejaread.simplesite.com
Anna McColl is a psychologist who gets too involved with her patients. To the extent that when one of them is convinced her brother was wrongly blamed for the murder of a social worker and asks her to look into it she begins to investigate.
There is a slow burning menace at the heart of this story, as Anna gets more involved in looking into the murder she starts to receive postcards detailing her life.....someone is obviously watching her closely.
There is a strange sort of normalcy to the story telling, you feel like you are witnessing a real persons day to day life. And yet at the same time it's hard to believe in the story. Would someone even as dissatisfied with life as Anna start to investigate a murder at the say so of a character who is something like an extra from Shameless? Especially a murder that was confessed t0. Also the links between the characters throughout the novel seem to be just a bit too convenient. All that been said I think there is a lot of promise to this character, and I'm interested to see where the author can take her next.
You can read all my reviews at dejaread.simplesite.com
October 31, 2016
In essence this novel is about a psychologist, Anna McColl, who carries out an investigation of her own into a murder committed a few months earlier. Her investigation resulted from a client expressing her doubts during a clinical session on the guilt of the alleged murderer, who by hanging himself in prison whilst in custody, effectively closed the police file on the case. It isn't long before the psychologist begins to believe that the police charged the wrong person and that a murderer has effectively got away with the crime.
The novel is narrated from the perspective of the psychologist which makes it a somewhat different read. Unfortunately that perspective wasn't always good as I felt like throttling Anna McColl myself at times because of her patient tolerance of the actions of her clients, friends and partner. Anna as a character always seems on the defensive: blaming herself for the shortcomings of others. She possesses an apologetic personality. Yet such characters exist in real life and chances are we all know one.
The book is an easy read with a surprise ending. I found it difficult to rate this book and thus would advise potential readers to pay particular attention to the review comments of others rather than the star ratings. At the start I thought the book was not for me, but I persevered and am the better for having finished it. The author, Penny Cline, throws in many interesting clients on Anna McColl's client list and provides an insight into the world of a Consultant Psychologist. Although these clients are not necessarily relevant to the main plot, it does mean that a lot of names are mentioned but you soon get a grasp of the persona essential to the plot and those that are not.
The novel is not solely about resolving the murder but is also about resolving several other issues affecting Anna McColl's personal and professional life. I could identify very closely with many of the everyday frustrations faced by McColl. The book is very much reality based.
For those readers who are interested in reading a novel which deals with a murder from a different angle then this might be the book for you. This is not a book filled with police procedural and forensic detail. Indeed the police only feature fleetingly. It is a pleasant book to read with an absence of any four letter words or passionate sex scenes (that might of course put you off). At around 200 pages it doesn't take long to get through. The real test I suppose is whether or not I would read the next book in the Anna McColl series. And the answer is "yes". "Dying to Help" is on balance a good novel.
(My review was based on an eBook file provided to me free of charge by the publisher through NetGalley. My review is totally independent.)
The novel is narrated from the perspective of the psychologist which makes it a somewhat different read. Unfortunately that perspective wasn't always good as I felt like throttling Anna McColl myself at times because of her patient tolerance of the actions of her clients, friends and partner. Anna as a character always seems on the defensive: blaming herself for the shortcomings of others. She possesses an apologetic personality. Yet such characters exist in real life and chances are we all know one.
The book is an easy read with a surprise ending. I found it difficult to rate this book and thus would advise potential readers to pay particular attention to the review comments of others rather than the star ratings. At the start I thought the book was not for me, but I persevered and am the better for having finished it. The author, Penny Cline, throws in many interesting clients on Anna McColl's client list and provides an insight into the world of a Consultant Psychologist. Although these clients are not necessarily relevant to the main plot, it does mean that a lot of names are mentioned but you soon get a grasp of the persona essential to the plot and those that are not.
The novel is not solely about resolving the murder but is also about resolving several other issues affecting Anna McColl's personal and professional life. I could identify very closely with many of the everyday frustrations faced by McColl. The book is very much reality based.
For those readers who are interested in reading a novel which deals with a murder from a different angle then this might be the book for you. This is not a book filled with police procedural and forensic detail. Indeed the police only feature fleetingly. It is a pleasant book to read with an absence of any four letter words or passionate sex scenes (that might of course put you off). At around 200 pages it doesn't take long to get through. The real test I suppose is whether or not I would read the next book in the Anna McColl series. And the answer is "yes". "Dying to Help" is on balance a good novel.
(My review was based on an eBook file provided to me free of charge by the publisher through NetGalley. My review is totally independent.)
September 30, 2016
Thank you to Netgalley and Endeavor Press for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for a review.
Psychiatrist Anna McColl is having relationship issues. She knows he's bad for her- they don't make each other happy, and she can't trust him to stay away from his ex. Add to that she is having trouble connecting to her friends and has a couple troubling new clients. Dianne is convinced her brother died in jail for a murder he didn't commit- and she wants Anna to help prove it. Then there's Jenny, a troubled young woman that she can't seem to get through to. While all this is whirling around, she is getting disturbing postcards and her home has been broken into- but nothing is ever actually taken. Plants get watered, things get moved... just enough to make their presence known. Lastly, she keeps seeing one of her old patients around. As she moves through life, trying to help everyone and keep herself above water, it is clear that not everything is as it seems.
I must admit, I didn't care for this book. There were so many side things going on, and while some tied together well in the end it wasn't enough to save the book for me. I couldn't connect with Anna, or really any of the characters, which always makes it difficult for me to become engrossed in a book. I will say that I loved the premise, and that the writing style had a steadiness. The book, while juggling many things, never seemed choppy. It just wasn't my cup of tea. Three Stars
On the adult content scale, there is language, violence and drinking. None were over the top... I give it a four.
Psychiatrist Anna McColl is having relationship issues. She knows he's bad for her- they don't make each other happy, and she can't trust him to stay away from his ex. Add to that she is having trouble connecting to her friends and has a couple troubling new clients. Dianne is convinced her brother died in jail for a murder he didn't commit- and she wants Anna to help prove it. Then there's Jenny, a troubled young woman that she can't seem to get through to. While all this is whirling around, she is getting disturbing postcards and her home has been broken into- but nothing is ever actually taken. Plants get watered, things get moved... just enough to make their presence known. Lastly, she keeps seeing one of her old patients around. As she moves through life, trying to help everyone and keep herself above water, it is clear that not everything is as it seems.
I must admit, I didn't care for this book. There were so many side things going on, and while some tied together well in the end it wasn't enough to save the book for me. I couldn't connect with Anna, or really any of the characters, which always makes it difficult for me to become engrossed in a book. I will say that I loved the premise, and that the writing style had a steadiness. The book, while juggling many things, never seemed choppy. It just wasn't my cup of tea. Three Stars
On the adult content scale, there is language, violence and drinking. None were over the top... I give it a four.
March 25, 2009
This is a detective type story, without the detective. Someone dies and the main character finds herself trying to put the facts together and come up with the truth. The title of the book suggests that the main character finds herself targeted because of it. This is true, but there was no real fear, no urgency and, unfortunately, no real action.
The details of the murder were put together quite nicely and the writing itself is good, but reading the story was dull. After 200 pages I could have easily put the book down, but I forced myself to keep reading. Having read fantasy for so long, I wanted to ensure I had given this other genre a genuine chance.
Upon reaching the final page, I felt happy that it was finally over. The actual “action” scene lasted all of a single page and I felt disappointed by that.
I have nothing else to say about this book, except…I don’t recommend it!
The details of the murder were put together quite nicely and the writing itself is good, but reading the story was dull. After 200 pages I could have easily put the book down, but I forced myself to keep reading. Having read fantasy for so long, I wanted to ensure I had given this other genre a genuine chance.
Upon reaching the final page, I felt happy that it was finally over. The actual “action” scene lasted all of a single page and I felt disappointed by that.
I have nothing else to say about this book, except…I don’t recommend it!
September 24, 2016
Is it risky to be a social worker or a psychologist ?
Anna, a psychologist, is interested in a murder case, trying to do some research on a totally different issue, being stalked by an ex-client and trying to leave an unfaithful lover.
This novel scratches several psychological issues on the surface but it's always just kitchen sink psychology.
On the other side the crime isn't really gripping or believable and the story unfolds so slowly and without suspense that I was quite bored and not really interested any more to learn who was behind the crime.
There are lots of different characters, all described with a love for detail especially in regard of their clothes, but they all seem somehow unreal.
I want to thank Netgalley for th free copy in exchange for my honest review.
Anna, a psychologist, is interested in a murder case, trying to do some research on a totally different issue, being stalked by an ex-client and trying to leave an unfaithful lover.
This novel scratches several psychological issues on the surface but it's always just kitchen sink psychology.
On the other side the crime isn't really gripping or believable and the story unfolds so slowly and without suspense that I was quite bored and not really interested any more to learn who was behind the crime.
There are lots of different characters, all described with a love for detail especially in regard of their clothes, but they all seem somehow unreal.
I want to thank Netgalley for th free copy in exchange for my honest review.
September 21, 2016
Dying to help by penny Kline is a mystery and thriller and general fiction read.
Anna McColl became a psychologist because she wanted to help…
Struggling with her own anxieties and silly rituals, she delves into other people’s problems to try and avoid facing things happening much closer to home.
However, not everyone is willing to accept help, and interference can soon breed resentment as Anna is soon to discover.
Following a messy break, Anna seeks to distract herself by re-investigating the murder of a social worker Karen Plant.
This was a very good read with good characters. Although slow I managed to read it. Still a good book. 4* from me. Thanks to netgalley for the arc.
Anna McColl became a psychologist because she wanted to help…
Struggling with her own anxieties and silly rituals, she delves into other people’s problems to try and avoid facing things happening much closer to home.
However, not everyone is willing to accept help, and interference can soon breed resentment as Anna is soon to discover.
Following a messy break, Anna seeks to distract herself by re-investigating the murder of a social worker Karen Plant.
This was a very good read with good characters. Although slow I managed to read it. Still a good book. 4* from me. Thanks to netgalley for the arc.
January 2, 2017
Unfortunately I gave up on this book at 27%. I tried reading it a couple of months ago but gave up, but thought I'd give it another go. This is the first time that I have not completed a book for Netgalley and I do feel bad however I just couldn't continue. The plot didn't reel me in enough for me to try and decipher what the author was trying to say.
I completely understand that the copies we receive are unedited but that shouldn't mean that they aren't at least proof read. Different sentences mixed and matched together, random words in random places etc...
I may try and read the published version at some point
I completely understand that the copies we receive are unedited but that shouldn't mean that they aren't at least proof read. Different sentences mixed and matched together, random words in random places etc...
I may try and read the published version at some point
October 12, 2016
This book was okay. It has interesting plot but to me didn't flow as well. Could have been me. Anna has someone breaking into her house leaving her creepy postcards but how are they getting in? Andy why did it start after she started asking questions. Give it a shot and see what you think. I am glad I read it. Im glad I read almost any book. Thank you to Penny Kline and her publishing company for letting me review this copy for them.
January 21, 2017
This mystery is about Anna, a psychologist who wants to help others...but sometimes that backfires. The plot was good, but a bit slow. The characters weren't likable, and I have to like at least one to be able to be truly interested. It's good, but could've moved a bit faster in pace. Thanks go to NetGalley and Endeavor Press for an e-ARC of this title in exchange for my honest review.
January 29, 2017
I was pulled in 1st off by the cover, suggested to me from Amazon ... Kindle Unlimited. Such a great read. Following a messy break up, Anna distracts herself by investigating a murder of a social worker, Karen Plant. Anna struggles with anxiety, silly rituals, She tends to deal with others' problems instead of facing her own. I enjoy the read, fast & edge of your seat excitement!! ( ;
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