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Will Traynor #1
Dark Truths
Introducing criminologist Will Traynor in the first of a gripping new forensic mystery series from an expert in the field.
When a headless body is discovered on a popular jogging trail, Detective Inspector Bernard Watts and his team are plunged headlong into a baffling murder investigation. Why would someone stab to death a young woman on her daily run - and take her head?
When a close examination of the crime scene results in a shocking discovery linking the present murder to a past crime, criminologist Will Traynor is brought in to assist the police. Aware of Traynor's troubled past and already having to deal with inexperienced rookie PC Chloe Judd on his team, Watts is sceptical that Traynor will bring anything useful to the investigation.
He's about to be proved very wrong ...
When a headless body is discovered on a popular jogging trail, Detective Inspector Bernard Watts and his team are plunged headlong into a baffling murder investigation. Why would someone stab to death a young woman on her daily run - and take her head?
When a close examination of the crime scene results in a shocking discovery linking the present murder to a past crime, criminologist Will Traynor is brought in to assist the police. Aware of Traynor's troubled past and already having to deal with inexperienced rookie PC Chloe Judd on his team, Watts is sceptical that Traynor will bring anything useful to the investigation.
He's about to be proved very wrong ...
240 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2019
1426 people are currently reading
393 people want to read
About the author
A.J. Cross
20 books86 followersA.J. Cross is a forensic psychologist and frequent court-appointed expert witness. She obtained her Masters Degree and PhD at the University of Birmingham, the latter relating to children as witnesses within the criminal court system. Her professional experience has included consultancy work for the Probation Service within its sexual offender unit in her home city. She currently lives in the West Midlands with her musician husband.
Librarian’s note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Librarian’s note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 115 reviews
September 12, 2019
This is the first in a series featuring criminologist Will Traynor although the subtitle is a bit of a misnomer. The crimes/investigation we follow are set in Birmingham & while he is part of the investigative team, the story focuses much more on local DI Bernard Watts & the shiny new PC he's saddled with.
It all begins with the body of a headless jogger. That would be more than enough to kick off any investigation but unfortunately the site has a few more surprises in store. When links are made to past crimes, Watts & his crew are soon overwhelmed by an increasingly complex case.
Like police forces everywhere, Watts’ station is suffering from a lack of funding & manpower. He’s desperate for help but less than thrilled with the chief’s solution. Joining the team are Will Traynor, a criminologist with a tragic past & brand new recruit PC Chloe Judd. Thank goodness he has ace pathologist Dr. Connie Chong to lean on.
Watts is an old fashioned copper who ran the cold case unit until it was disbanded. This is his first active case in a while & he provides the steady hand & experience needed to guide the investigation. He & Connie are compelling characters I enjoyed spending time with. Both are intelligent & committed to getting the job done.
The plot is layered & well written but a couple of the main characters let the story down. Will is a man on the edge & by his own admission, AWOL much of the time. His mental state is due to an event in the past that has him seeing ghosts everywhere & I found it hard to believe he’d be deemed fit for service. The other would be Chloe. Her uniform is barely out of the package but that doesn’t stop her telling Watts how to run things. For me her inexperience was not an issue…everyone has to start somewhere. It was her OTT behaviour & tendency to pout that made her come across as childish & inappropriate instead of as a professional young woman.
Despite an abundance of creepy discoveries, this is not a fast paced read. Much of it is taken up by to-ing and fro-ing from various locations & pouring over the same information again & again. But I guess that’s what you do when an investigation stalls. It’s the grunt work that eventually makes a difference. Most of the action is reserved for the last couple of chapters when everything suddenly falls into place & our killer is unveiled.
It’s decent start to a new series & after the ending, I have a feeling Traynor will figure more in the next instalment.
It all begins with the body of a headless jogger. That would be more than enough to kick off any investigation but unfortunately the site has a few more surprises in store. When links are made to past crimes, Watts & his crew are soon overwhelmed by an increasingly complex case.
Like police forces everywhere, Watts’ station is suffering from a lack of funding & manpower. He’s desperate for help but less than thrilled with the chief’s solution. Joining the team are Will Traynor, a criminologist with a tragic past & brand new recruit PC Chloe Judd. Thank goodness he has ace pathologist Dr. Connie Chong to lean on.
Watts is an old fashioned copper who ran the cold case unit until it was disbanded. This is his first active case in a while & he provides the steady hand & experience needed to guide the investigation. He & Connie are compelling characters I enjoyed spending time with. Both are intelligent & committed to getting the job done.
The plot is layered & well written but a couple of the main characters let the story down. Will is a man on the edge & by his own admission, AWOL much of the time. His mental state is due to an event in the past that has him seeing ghosts everywhere & I found it hard to believe he’d be deemed fit for service. The other would be Chloe. Her uniform is barely out of the package but that doesn’t stop her telling Watts how to run things. For me her inexperience was not an issue…everyone has to start somewhere. It was her OTT behaviour & tendency to pout that made her come across as childish & inappropriate instead of as a professional young woman.
Despite an abundance of creepy discoveries, this is not a fast paced read. Much of it is taken up by to-ing and fro-ing from various locations & pouring over the same information again & again. But I guess that’s what you do when an investigation stalls. It’s the grunt work that eventually makes a difference. Most of the action is reserved for the last couple of chapters when everything suddenly falls into place & our killer is unveiled.
It’s decent start to a new series & after the ending, I have a feeling Traynor will figure more in the next instalment.
February 23, 2021
DARK TRUTHS (A Will Traynor Forensic Mystery Book #1) by A.J. Cross is the first book in a new series with criminologist Will Traynor. This book is a police procedural/mystery/thriller mash-up that takes the reader through a step-by-step investigation of a horrific murder.
DI Bernard Watts is assigned the case of a female body found on a jogging trail stabbed several times in the chest without a head. As he walks the scene with the new rookie, PC Chloe Judd they discover a skull without a body which does not belong to the body on the trail. The body is recent, but the skull is at least a decade old.
With the possibility of a serial killer, Watt’s boss informs him that criminologist Will Traynor will be joining his team, but Watt knows of Traynor’s troubled past and is not happy with this decision.
Will Watt be able to keep his inexperienced and brash rookie in line and learn to trust Traynor’s theories to bring a successful conclusion to this present murder which seems to be tied to several missing persons from the past?
I really enjoyed all the characters introduced in this book: the experienced detective, the abrasive rookie, the intelligent and kind pathologist and the criminologist with a tragic past. They all worked together well in the story to bring the clues and plot twists to a satisfying conclusion in the past and present mysteries. My problem was that DI Bernard Watts was more of a lead character than Will Traynor, who the book and new series is supposed to feature. This fact does not detract from the story itself; it just does not lead where I thought it would. I am looking forward to a return of all these characters in the future.
Overall, a strong investigative story to begin the series, but I will be looking for more of a lead role from Will Traynor in future books.
DI Bernard Watts is assigned the case of a female body found on a jogging trail stabbed several times in the chest without a head. As he walks the scene with the new rookie, PC Chloe Judd they discover a skull without a body which does not belong to the body on the trail. The body is recent, but the skull is at least a decade old.
With the possibility of a serial killer, Watt’s boss informs him that criminologist Will Traynor will be joining his team, but Watt knows of Traynor’s troubled past and is not happy with this decision.
Will Watt be able to keep his inexperienced and brash rookie in line and learn to trust Traynor’s theories to bring a successful conclusion to this present murder which seems to be tied to several missing persons from the past?
I really enjoyed all the characters introduced in this book: the experienced detective, the abrasive rookie, the intelligent and kind pathologist and the criminologist with a tragic past. They all worked together well in the story to bring the clues and plot twists to a satisfying conclusion in the past and present mysteries. My problem was that DI Bernard Watts was more of a lead character than Will Traynor, who the book and new series is supposed to feature. This fact does not detract from the story itself; it just does not lead where I thought it would. I am looking forward to a return of all these characters in the future.
Overall, a strong investigative story to begin the series, but I will be looking for more of a lead role from Will Traynor in future books.
December 21, 2019
Will Traynor #1
In the car park next to the jogging trail, a headless body has been discoverd. The case has DI Watts and his team baffled. They find more heads than they have bodies for. Will Traynor is the psychologist that's brought in to help the police.
Will Traynor's wife was murdered ten years ago. The case has not been solved. Will spends most of his time trying to rectify this. Acting Chief Inspector Brophy puts DI Watts as the man to lead the investigation into the murders of the headless victim. Quickly, the count rises to four. Brophy also assigns police constable Chloe Judd, a young inexperienced officer to assist DI Watts. There is a few characters to try and remember and the pace is quite slow. The plotline is complex. There is one gory scene throughout the book. Overall, a great start to a new series.
I would like to thank Netgalley, Severn House and the author A.J. Cross for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
In the car park next to the jogging trail, a headless body has been discoverd. The case has DI Watts and his team baffled. They find more heads than they have bodies for. Will Traynor is the psychologist that's brought in to help the police.
Will Traynor's wife was murdered ten years ago. The case has not been solved. Will spends most of his time trying to rectify this. Acting Chief Inspector Brophy puts DI Watts as the man to lead the investigation into the murders of the headless victim. Quickly, the count rises to four. Brophy also assigns police constable Chloe Judd, a young inexperienced officer to assist DI Watts. There is a few characters to try and remember and the pace is quite slow. The plotline is complex. There is one gory scene throughout the book. Overall, a great start to a new series.
I would like to thank Netgalley, Severn House and the author A.J. Cross for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 15, 2021
It starts with a headless body.. not something that DI Bernard Watts and his team see everyday. The victim was doing her daily run along a well used jogging trail when she was stabbed to death and the killer took her head with him.
That's troubling enough, but while doing a ground search, they don't find the victim's head...but they do come across other heads ... linking the present crime to a past crime.
Determining that the crimes were all committed by the same man over a period of years, it becomes imperative that the skulls are all identified .... and finding what links them all together.
Watts already has his hands full with a new rookie detective ... one who is young, brash, outspoken, but determined. She's right where she wants to be ... for the moment. Watts and PC Chloe Judd butt heads, and although Watts is dubious that Judd will be much help, he's determined to do his best by her.
Added to the turmoil, the big boss has informed Watts that criminologist Will Traynor will be joining their team. But Traynor may not be the expert that he once was. His wife was brutally murdered years ago and her body never found. Mentally, he's never let go of the idea that she might still be alive. Unfortunately for Watts, his investigation comes second to Traynor's personal problems.
There are many suspects, both past and present, and watching how this team goes about investigating is full of twists and turns ... a few surprises along the way. Forensics, as the title implies, plays a huge part of the story. However, Will Traynor is more a secondary character, while Watts and Judd takes center stage.
I enjoyed how the characters related to each other, and I really look forward to seeing more of Watts and Judd. Traynor was okay as a character, but I'm hoping his story is more developed in the upcoming series.
As a bonus, this author has a history of over 20 years experience as a forensic psychologist. She brings a lot of credibility to her storytelling.
Many thanks to the author / Severn House Publishers / Canongate / Black Thorn / Netgalley /for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
That's troubling enough, but while doing a ground search, they don't find the victim's head...but they do come across other heads ... linking the present crime to a past crime.
Determining that the crimes were all committed by the same man over a period of years, it becomes imperative that the skulls are all identified .... and finding what links them all together.
Watts already has his hands full with a new rookie detective ... one who is young, brash, outspoken, but determined. She's right where she wants to be ... for the moment. Watts and PC Chloe Judd butt heads, and although Watts is dubious that Judd will be much help, he's determined to do his best by her.
Added to the turmoil, the big boss has informed Watts that criminologist Will Traynor will be joining their team. But Traynor may not be the expert that he once was. His wife was brutally murdered years ago and her body never found. Mentally, he's never let go of the idea that she might still be alive. Unfortunately for Watts, his investigation comes second to Traynor's personal problems.
There are many suspects, both past and present, and watching how this team goes about investigating is full of twists and turns ... a few surprises along the way. Forensics, as the title implies, plays a huge part of the story. However, Will Traynor is more a secondary character, while Watts and Judd takes center stage.
I enjoyed how the characters related to each other, and I really look forward to seeing more of Watts and Judd. Traynor was okay as a character, but I'm hoping his story is more developed in the upcoming series.
As a bonus, this author has a history of over 20 years experience as a forensic psychologist. She brings a lot of credibility to her storytelling.
Many thanks to the author / Severn House Publishers / Canongate / Black Thorn / Netgalley /for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
November 29, 2019
Interesting that this is billed as Will Traynor no1 when he is probably the 3rd most important person in this story. The majority of the book is told from DI Watts perspective. Nether the less I enjoyed both characters and new police woman PC Judd. She reminded me of me - not in age, description but in jumping to conclusions and getting over excited trying to solve a mystery! I believe she is about 19-20 years old and I think she comes across really well on page of that age. I'm looking forward to seeing how she progresses. It was refreshing to read someone so new to the job.
Traynor is grieving for his missing, presumed murdered wife and often derailing investigations assuming every killer must have killed his wife too. It will be interesting to see how he develops especially as by the title he has the top billing. Watts is the older cop, and the one who leads the show but probably has the least character development.
It's a really good story, one woman murdered but the area she is found throws up several long buried skulls. Is there a link between them all? It's quite fast paced, the frustration trying to solve the crime in a short space of time before potentially osing the case to someone else comes across really well. I really liked it and am looking forward to the next one.
Traynor is grieving for his missing, presumed murdered wife and often derailing investigations assuming every killer must have killed his wife too. It will be interesting to see how he develops especially as by the title he has the top billing. Watts is the older cop, and the one who leads the show but probably has the least character development.
It's a really good story, one woman murdered but the area she is found throws up several long buried skulls. Is there a link between them all? It's quite fast paced, the frustration trying to solve the crime in a short space of time before potentially osing the case to someone else comes across really well. I really liked it and am looking forward to the next one.
January 30, 2025
This book is a well thought out police procedural. It isn’t fast paced, but it reads smoothly. The main character is Watts not Traynor so the summary confuses me. I really liked Watts and much prefer he being in the following books in this series. I found Will to be obnoxious and not really that helpful. There is also a fresh police officer who is part of the investigating team. She is very rude, and insubordinate to her boss-Watts. All in all, I enjoyed the mystery. If Watts isn’t in the next books, I probably won’t read them. I prefer a little more action.
Read
May 31, 2021DNF for me.
Wasn't holding my interest.
Wasn't holding my interest.
January 7, 2020
“Dark Truths” by A.J. Cross is book one in the new “Will Traynor Forensic Mysteries” series. The story opens with a precise detailed investigation that sets the tone for the no-nonsense investigation that follows. However, it turns out that nothing is business as usual in this police department or in this case. Police department politics, community interest, interpersonal relationships, family dynamics, and the pressure of the case all influence the investigation
Cross introduces “supporting” characters so readers get to know them before introducing the title character with some fanfare and controversy. William Traynor, an expert criminologist, has been diagnosed with severe post-traumatic stress following his wife’s murder. He is the antitheist of what readers usually find in police procedure book, so he adds controversy and tension to the traditional mix of characters.
The narrative expertly balances the pursuit of a criminal with the every day activities of participants. This adds realism to the story and helps readers understand that the characters are ordinary, regular people; and one must not forget the cat whose snoring makes sleep impossible. Conversations are casual, friendly, and professional. Events proceed in an orderly fashion, and the pace is steady and documented by dates on chapter headings. Details are revealed little by little as clues gradually emerge. More victims are found to complicate the investigation. Just when readers think things are just going along on schedule, something unexpected is thrown into the mix.
Cross developed a focused, precise, planned investigation, and yet within it, skillfully placed a surprise. I received a review copy of “Dark Truths” from A.J. Cross and Severn House Publishers. The characters are complex, and the narrative is compelling. This is the start of what should be a great series.
Cross introduces “supporting” characters so readers get to know them before introducing the title character with some fanfare and controversy. William Traynor, an expert criminologist, has been diagnosed with severe post-traumatic stress following his wife’s murder. He is the antitheist of what readers usually find in police procedure book, so he adds controversy and tension to the traditional mix of characters.
The narrative expertly balances the pursuit of a criminal with the every day activities of participants. This adds realism to the story and helps readers understand that the characters are ordinary, regular people; and one must not forget the cat whose snoring makes sleep impossible. Conversations are casual, friendly, and professional. Events proceed in an orderly fashion, and the pace is steady and documented by dates on chapter headings. Details are revealed little by little as clues gradually emerge. More victims are found to complicate the investigation. Just when readers think things are just going along on schedule, something unexpected is thrown into the mix.
Cross developed a focused, precise, planned investigation, and yet within it, skillfully placed a surprise. I received a review copy of “Dark Truths” from A.J. Cross and Severn House Publishers. The characters are complex, and the narrative is compelling. This is the start of what should be a great series.
January 18, 2021
A lot of chasing clues in this new series that will mainly focus on forensic science through the character of Will Layton. He is introduced but we get to know SIO Watts and his green side kick. The case as it evolves focuses on a headless body found on a popular trail. The victim was out running. More victims are found in the same area and.The investigation takes off. Lots of police procedural moments but mostly a mess. I don't think I will follow this series.
Copy provided by the publisher and NetGalley
Copy provided by the publisher and NetGalley
August 10, 2021
There was very little I enjoyed about this novel. I admit I am having an incredibly stressful life at the moment so perhaps I am more harsh in my opinion than the book actually deserves. Overall, I found the novel disjointed and the characters annoying or unlikable. A few of the minor characters were so flat and undeveloped that they weren't irritating but filler does not make compelling characters.
The main problem I have with this book however is the portrayal of the investigation. This police force would never find their way out of bed in the morning, much less to the police station and to a culprit's door. This police force doesn't follow up clues, they are busy being angsty and doing tasks which probably should not be in their purview.
It just wan't for me.
The main problem I have with this book however is the portrayal of the investigation. This police force would never find their way out of bed in the morning, much less to the police station and to a culprit's door. This police force doesn't follow up clues, they are busy being angsty and doing tasks which probably should not be in their purview.
It just wan't for me.
February 29, 2020
This 2019 book from author A.J. Cross is my first reading of this author's work. She published a 5-part series prior to the debut of this new series. The book cover indicates this to be the first of a Will Traynor, criminologist, series. We don't meet him immediately and he takes little space in the telling of this murder investigation. The story is told crisply with plenty of police procedure by the Thames Valley Police. It kicks off at the funeral of the former Chief Inspector when Acting Chief Inspector Brophy grabs Watts as he is trying to depart with urgent request to get to a site.
The main figures to follow are DI Bernard Watts and his rookie assistant, young PC Chloe Judd as well as Pathologist Connie Chong.
Action is tracked from August 15 to August 28 with a windup meeting August 30. Brophy wanted faster results, but it was a challenging case that started with the discovery of one female killed on a running path that was soon to be revealed as a killing field of headless corpses.
Frankly, the book reads like a progress report with dated headlines per chapter.
The forensics part was good as one would expect since the author is a forensic psychologist. What is lacking is 1) humour, 2) descriptive text of landscape, people, landmarks of area and transitional prose.
Nevertheless, I may look for the second book and/or try her earlier series. Characterizations are done well enough to cause the reader to invest in outcome.
Library Loan
The main figures to follow are DI Bernard Watts and his rookie assistant, young PC Chloe Judd as well as Pathologist Connie Chong.
Action is tracked from August 15 to August 28 with a windup meeting August 30. Brophy wanted faster results, but it was a challenging case that started with the discovery of one female killed on a running path that was soon to be revealed as a killing field of headless corpses.
Frankly, the book reads like a progress report with dated headlines per chapter.
The forensics part was good as one would expect since the author is a forensic psychologist. What is lacking is 1) humour, 2) descriptive text of landscape, people, landmarks of area and transitional prose.
Nevertheless, I may look for the second book and/or try her earlier series. Characterizations are done well enough to cause the reader to invest in outcome.
Library Loan
May 19, 2021
DARK TRUTHS: A Forensic Mystery by A. J. Cross is a very good mystery! We follow Detective Watts and criminologist Will Traynor as they investigate the murder of a woman. I really enjoyed how each of the characters were so distinct. Watts is a veteran police officer who does things by the book and cares about his team, Traynor is preoccupied with his own disturbed past and rookie cop Chloe Judd is a good foil to Watts as she’s inexperienced and impulsive. I found the setting to add richness to the story. It being the hottest summer they were all dealing with the added element of heat during their investigation. At times I found it hard to keep track of all the side characters introduced as there were so many but it worked as I was kept guessing until the end who the killer was. This is definitely one to pick up if you like classic police procedural mysteries!
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Thank you to PGC books for this review copy!
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Thank you to PGC books for this review copy!
December 31, 2019
Veteran detective DI Bernard Watts was running the cold case unit until budget cuts forced the closure of that department. His new boss assigns him to be the lead investigator on a murder case involving the death of young woman who had been out running. The investigation becomes more complex when a skull from a prior death is found very close to the crime scene. The pressure is on for Watts and his designated team to solve these crimes as soon as possible, but as the investigation proceeds, the case continues to get more complicated.
Even though this book is described as the first in the "Will Traynor" series, DI Watts is actually the main character of the story. I really like his intelligence and insights he brings to the case based on his years of experience. He is forced to partner with rookie PC Chloe Judd. I found Chloe to be as annoying as Watts did in the beginning, but she becomes more likable toward the end of the book. Dr. William Traynor is a criminologist who is called in to consult on the case. Will is very intelligent and is an excellent profiler. However, he is not at his best for most of the investigation because he is obsessed with solving his wife's murder from a decade ago.
If this team is the focus of future books, I would gladly read them because once they got used to each other, the skills of Watts, Chloe, and Will complement each other perfectly. I would classify the book as a police procedural but the story is very interesting and I was engaged from the very beginning. There are enough possible suspects in the crime to keep the reader guessing. I was eager to see how things would turn out, but hated saying good-bye to these characters. I would rate the book 4.5 stars and look forward to future installments.
I received this book from NetGalley through the courtesy of Severn House. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
Even though this book is described as the first in the "Will Traynor" series, DI Watts is actually the main character of the story. I really like his intelligence and insights he brings to the case based on his years of experience. He is forced to partner with rookie PC Chloe Judd. I found Chloe to be as annoying as Watts did in the beginning, but she becomes more likable toward the end of the book. Dr. William Traynor is a criminologist who is called in to consult on the case. Will is very intelligent and is an excellent profiler. However, he is not at his best for most of the investigation because he is obsessed with solving his wife's murder from a decade ago.
If this team is the focus of future books, I would gladly read them because once they got used to each other, the skills of Watts, Chloe, and Will complement each other perfectly. I would classify the book as a police procedural but the story is very interesting and I was engaged from the very beginning. There are enough possible suspects in the crime to keep the reader guessing. I was eager to see how things would turn out, but hated saying good-bye to these characters. I would rate the book 4.5 stars and look forward to future installments.
I received this book from NetGalley through the courtesy of Severn House. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
September 19, 2019
I always enjoy novels featuring Criminal Profilers so I took a punt on this one - Dark Truths- and it was a really good read, great page turning quality and some intriguing characters.
It's also somewhat of a serial killer thriller adding to the idea that I would like it - the plot is cleverly achieved so it stays unexpected.
I loved the Will Traynor character, obsessive yet insightful with a dark past that distracts him from the present. The police team he works with here is well rounded and bring their own personalities into the mix and the killer is suitably obscure and dangerous.
Overall a great start to a new series and I look forward to the next.
It's also somewhat of a serial killer thriller adding to the idea that I would like it - the plot is cleverly achieved so it stays unexpected.
I loved the Will Traynor character, obsessive yet insightful with a dark past that distracts him from the present. The police team he works with here is well rounded and bring their own personalities into the mix and the killer is suitably obscure and dangerous.
Overall a great start to a new series and I look forward to the next.
February 9, 2021
A good start to crime and police procedural book. You have your main officer DI Watts and rookie PC Judd, I really enjoy how these two character bounced off each other with Watts being the old timing thinking he knows how things are going to pan out and Judd being the rookie cop that is so eager to succeed. The added bonus of Will Traynor, the forensic psychologist, brought in to help with the case give the story depth, Will also has he own history off horror that is explored. I look forward to the next book!
April 25, 2020
Quite enjoyed this! It's a rare treat for me to find a NEW British mystery author so I'm excited to read more by this author. The story was more compelling than the characters for me, at least in this book, so we will see if the characters grow on me. Looking for a new police procedural? Check this out!
October 1, 2019
Full review at classicmystery.blog
February 19, 2021
Dark Truths – billed as a ‘forensic mystery’ – is the first in a new series featuring criminologist Dr Will Traynor. Those familiar with A. J. Cross’s previous Kate Hanson series will encounter some familiar faces – despite being a Will Traynor mystery, the majority of Dark Truths is told from the perspective of DI Bernard Watts, formerly of the same Cold Case unit as Hanson – but, for those (like me) new to Cross’s writing, Dark Truths provides a perfect jumping off point in the form of a solidly crafted police procedural with an interesting focus upon the forensic aspects of police work.
Opening with the disturbing murder of a young woman on a popular Birmingham jogging trail, DI Watts and his team are plunged into the investigation of a possible serial killer when further body parts are found nearby. Suddenly finding themselves with a recently killed headless corpse and a killing field of historic skulls, Watts reluctantly seeks the assistance of forensic psychologist Dr Will Traynor. Traynor has a well-deserved reputation for brilliance – but the tragic murder of his wife ten years prior has also left him lacking in focus, difficult to work with and, on occasion, entirely unfocused on the matter at hand. Adding to Watt’s problems is rookie PC Chloe Judd. Keen, clever and overly quick to jump to conclusions, Judd’s constant questions and outspoken personality make her a challenging partner for the observational and somewhat stoic Watts. Aiding Watts and his team are pathologist Dr Connie Chong, head of forensics Adam Jenner and geoscientist Jake Petrie – supporting characters that, along with Traynor, help add the forensic element to this forensic mystery.
Cross combines a largely likeable and interesting mix of personalities with a skilfully plotted drama that offers plenty of revelations and twists. I enjoyed the focus on the day-to-day aspects of police work, from the manning of tip lines and organising of public appeals to the painstaking fingertip searches of fields and hedgerows. It was refreshing to read a book in which an investigation is depicted in real-time – forensic evidence can take days, even weeks to process, and the post-mortem results are not instantaneously available to the investigating team – as well as one where the pressures of man-power, office politics, and budgetary constraints limit the action that can be taken at any one time. This realism is well-handled however and is never allowed to slow the plot down – instead it gives characters an opportunity to interview key witnesses, or allows a moment during which their backstories or personal interactions can be developed.
I did have one minor niggle with Dark Truths – PC Chloe Judd was, for me anyway, an annoyance every time she stepped onto the page, especially at the beginning of the book. Whilst she mellowed by the end, it was frustrating to see a determined and career-focused female character somewhat stereotypically depicted as abrasive, difficult and, at times, downright unprofessional. She also seemed somewhat inconsistent – veering between making some good analytical points and jumping to increasingly rapid and wild conclusions – and it wasn’t until about halfway through the book that I began to feel as if her character was there to be anything more than either a sparring partner for Watts or a way of integrating exposition of the finer points of forensic police investigation. I hasten to add that Judd’s portrayal by the end of the book is much better – she mellows as a character and develops as an investigator to the extent that I’d like to see her return in future books in the series – but I’d be lying if I said that her initial characterisation did make getting into the initial chapters of Dark Truths more difficult for me.
The forensic aspects of Dark Truth might not be for everyone – those who enjoy their crime with a heavy thriller twist might find the action a tad slow in places – but personally I found the depiction of these aspects one of the most fascinating aspects of the book. A. J. Cross is an experienced forensic psychologist herself and her experience in the field really comes across in this novel – although, crucially, she never lets the story become bogged down in detail, instead adding just enough to add depth whilst also moving the plot along. I also really enjoyed the ‘cold case’ aspects of the book and the way the present-day murder added to the discovery of more historic crimes – and increased the complexity of the case that Watts and his team are handling. Having read Dark Truths, I’m keen to go back and read Cross’s earlier mysteries which, I believe, focus more on this cold case aspect.
Overall Dark Truths is a solidly constructed and skilfully written police procedural with an interesting focus on the forensic aspect of police work. It introduces a largely likeable team of investigators who, by the end of the novel, have begun to work together in a way that bodes well for future instalments in the series – and with one of two mysteries within the character’s personal backstories remaining tantalisingly unsolved. Fans of Val McDermid’s Tony Hill and Carol Jordan series, Ellie Griffith’s Ruth Galloway books – and of TV shows such as Criminal Minds – will find much to enjoy in Dark Truth‘s intelligent blend of forensic mystery, psychology, and police procedural, and I for one am looking forward to seeing what the future holds for Will Traynor, DI Watts, and their colleagues.
NB: This review first appeared on my blog as part of the blog tour for the book at https://theshelfofunreadbooks.wordpre.... My thanks go to the publisher for providing a copy of the book in return for an honest and unbiased review.
Opening with the disturbing murder of a young woman on a popular Birmingham jogging trail, DI Watts and his team are plunged into the investigation of a possible serial killer when further body parts are found nearby. Suddenly finding themselves with a recently killed headless corpse and a killing field of historic skulls, Watts reluctantly seeks the assistance of forensic psychologist Dr Will Traynor. Traynor has a well-deserved reputation for brilliance – but the tragic murder of his wife ten years prior has also left him lacking in focus, difficult to work with and, on occasion, entirely unfocused on the matter at hand. Adding to Watt’s problems is rookie PC Chloe Judd. Keen, clever and overly quick to jump to conclusions, Judd’s constant questions and outspoken personality make her a challenging partner for the observational and somewhat stoic Watts. Aiding Watts and his team are pathologist Dr Connie Chong, head of forensics Adam Jenner and geoscientist Jake Petrie – supporting characters that, along with Traynor, help add the forensic element to this forensic mystery.
Cross combines a largely likeable and interesting mix of personalities with a skilfully plotted drama that offers plenty of revelations and twists. I enjoyed the focus on the day-to-day aspects of police work, from the manning of tip lines and organising of public appeals to the painstaking fingertip searches of fields and hedgerows. It was refreshing to read a book in which an investigation is depicted in real-time – forensic evidence can take days, even weeks to process, and the post-mortem results are not instantaneously available to the investigating team – as well as one where the pressures of man-power, office politics, and budgetary constraints limit the action that can be taken at any one time. This realism is well-handled however and is never allowed to slow the plot down – instead it gives characters an opportunity to interview key witnesses, or allows a moment during which their backstories or personal interactions can be developed.
I did have one minor niggle with Dark Truths – PC Chloe Judd was, for me anyway, an annoyance every time she stepped onto the page, especially at the beginning of the book. Whilst she mellowed by the end, it was frustrating to see a determined and career-focused female character somewhat stereotypically depicted as abrasive, difficult and, at times, downright unprofessional. She also seemed somewhat inconsistent – veering between making some good analytical points and jumping to increasingly rapid and wild conclusions – and it wasn’t until about halfway through the book that I began to feel as if her character was there to be anything more than either a sparring partner for Watts or a way of integrating exposition of the finer points of forensic police investigation. I hasten to add that Judd’s portrayal by the end of the book is much better – she mellows as a character and develops as an investigator to the extent that I’d like to see her return in future books in the series – but I’d be lying if I said that her initial characterisation did make getting into the initial chapters of Dark Truths more difficult for me.
The forensic aspects of Dark Truth might not be for everyone – those who enjoy their crime with a heavy thriller twist might find the action a tad slow in places – but personally I found the depiction of these aspects one of the most fascinating aspects of the book. A. J. Cross is an experienced forensic psychologist herself and her experience in the field really comes across in this novel – although, crucially, she never lets the story become bogged down in detail, instead adding just enough to add depth whilst also moving the plot along. I also really enjoyed the ‘cold case’ aspects of the book and the way the present-day murder added to the discovery of more historic crimes – and increased the complexity of the case that Watts and his team are handling. Having read Dark Truths, I’m keen to go back and read Cross’s earlier mysteries which, I believe, focus more on this cold case aspect.
Overall Dark Truths is a solidly constructed and skilfully written police procedural with an interesting focus on the forensic aspect of police work. It introduces a largely likeable team of investigators who, by the end of the novel, have begun to work together in a way that bodes well for future instalments in the series – and with one of two mysteries within the character’s personal backstories remaining tantalisingly unsolved. Fans of Val McDermid’s Tony Hill and Carol Jordan series, Ellie Griffith’s Ruth Galloway books – and of TV shows such as Criminal Minds – will find much to enjoy in Dark Truth‘s intelligent blend of forensic mystery, psychology, and police procedural, and I for one am looking forward to seeing what the future holds for Will Traynor, DI Watts, and their colleagues.
NB: This review first appeared on my blog as part of the blog tour for the book at https://theshelfofunreadbooks.wordpre.... My thanks go to the publisher for providing a copy of the book in return for an honest and unbiased review.
January 18, 2025
Having read all the Kate Hanson series and discovering that it had sadly come to an end, I was really excited to find that this author had a new series featuring one of my favourite detectives – DS Bernard Watts. The other exciting aspect was that she has introduced a new criminologist – Dr Will Traynor – who makes an excellent replacement for Dr Kate Hanson. At the beginning of the story, a brutal murder is committed and DS Watts and his new assistant, DC Chloe Judd, are called to the scene to investigate, only to be met with a gruesome discovery. On return to Headquarters, Watts is called into his superior’s office to be told that the force has requested the help of renowned criminologist Dr Traynor, to help them catch the killer. This decision is met with concern as Watts is worried that Traynor’s trauma of his wife being killed three years previously, her body never found the killer never caught, would impact his involvement in this investigation. Despite this, the pair begin the investigation, only to find more human remains and an ever-increasing list of suspects. The case becomes increasingly complex and confusing, and all avenues of interest are exhausted as they hunt extensively for this dangerous killer. At first, I wasn’t sure if I would warm to Traynor and, like Watts, I found Judd a little irritating, but as I continued through the book, I found that I began to understand their characters and by the end I was sad to see them go. This story is very fast paced and kept me turning the pages well into the night with an eagerness to solve the case that seemed to match that of DS Watts, who was being threatened with removal from the investigation if he didn’t bring in quick results. I am always keen to try and work out who the killer is before it is revealed but, for once, I had absolutely no idea and was extremely surprised – having been certain that it was a totally different suspect. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes gripping and fast-paced crime thrillers with a difference, and I am so pleased that there is much more to come from this team.
November 22, 2019
When the body of a jogger is discovered minus her head, criminologist Will Traynor is brought in to aid the investigation. DI Bernard Watts has enough on his plate having just been returned to an active crime case after working cold cases and still has to deal with new recruit Chloe Judd and with Will Traynor, who is obsessed with finding out what happened to his wife a decade previously.
Although Dark Truths is billed as the first in a series about criminologist Will Traynor; the plot actually has more to do with Watts and Chloe Judd with a sideline of Traynor's distractions on his own investigation into his wife's murder.
I would read the next in the series to see if the focus is on Will Traynor and his abilities as a criminologist. At this point, I'm not invested, but often the second entry in a series is the one that truly engages my interest.
Read in Sept.; blog review scheduled for Nov. 22.
NetGalley/Severn House
Police Procedural. Jan. 7, 2020. Print length: 240 pages.
Although Dark Truths is billed as the first in a series about criminologist Will Traynor; the plot actually has more to do with Watts and Chloe Judd with a sideline of Traynor's distractions on his own investigation into his wife's murder.
I would read the next in the series to see if the focus is on Will Traynor and his abilities as a criminologist. At this point, I'm not invested, but often the second entry in a series is the one that truly engages my interest.
Read in Sept.; blog review scheduled for Nov. 22.
NetGalley/Severn House
Police Procedural. Jan. 7, 2020. Print length: 240 pages.
January 7, 2020
This starts with a headless corpse found near a jogging trail. DI Watts is brought in to solve the case. Because of a shortage of manpower he is given a rookie to help him. More heads are discovered near the site of the joggers body which complicates the case.
This was an entertaining read but I didn’t like all the characters. Rookie PC Judd was very annoying, she was immature, overly eager, had no respect for experienced investigators and pouted if things didn’t go her way. This is not a fast paced book, a lot of it involves going over the facts of the case multiple times. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.
This was an entertaining read but I didn’t like all the characters. Rookie PC Judd was very annoying, she was immature, overly eager, had no respect for experienced investigators and pouted if things didn’t go her way. This is not a fast paced book, a lot of it involves going over the facts of the case multiple times. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.
February 22, 2021
Dark Truths is such a page-turner. I was very much taken by the characters of Watts and his young, enthusiastic Police Constable, Judd. Her lack of experience but eagerness to please and solve the crime made this duo quite comical at times. I loved how Watts brushed Judd's opinions aside most of the time, getting her to focus on the facts and grounding her. And then enters Traynor, a troubled individual, a highly experienced criminologist but haunted by his past and in discovering his wife's body and her killer.
What Cross does really well in this Police Procedural is provide you with realistic characters that you cannot help but warm to. Although the novel's crime dominates the storyline you are following the case closely alongside the investigators and the forensic team and get little snippets into their personal lives. Which I loved.
The headless body of a woman found left by her car gripped me from the outset but when other skulls are found nearby the pace quickened and the investigation started to heat up. As family members, witnesses and suspects are interviewed I had no idea who was responsible for the death of Zoe Roberts or how there could possibly be a link to the other skulls that were found in the same location. I felt for Watts as the investigation seemed to be going nowhere and pressures from above meant he would have to leave the case to others if it wasn't solved within a set deadline. I was rooting for him to find those involved and to close the case.
A well written novel, with unexpected twist and turns; a thoroughly enjoyable read. As this is the first book in the Traynor series I cannot wait to read more, I just hope that Watts and Judd are also featured in the series.
What Cross does really well in this Police Procedural is provide you with realistic characters that you cannot help but warm to. Although the novel's crime dominates the storyline you are following the case closely alongside the investigators and the forensic team and get little snippets into their personal lives. Which I loved.
The headless body of a woman found left by her car gripped me from the outset but when other skulls are found nearby the pace quickened and the investigation started to heat up. As family members, witnesses and suspects are interviewed I had no idea who was responsible for the death of Zoe Roberts or how there could possibly be a link to the other skulls that were found in the same location. I felt for Watts as the investigation seemed to be going nowhere and pressures from above meant he would have to leave the case to others if it wasn't solved within a set deadline. I was rooting for him to find those involved and to close the case.
A well written novel, with unexpected twist and turns; a thoroughly enjoyable read. As this is the first book in the Traynor series I cannot wait to read more, I just hope that Watts and Judd are also featured in the series.
August 17, 2025
Full of twists and turns. And easy read that keeps you guessing until the end
April 22, 2021
Suspenseful
October 25, 2020
Audio version of this book 📚- Wow I struggled with this one 😬 it was so slow and hardly any storyline to it could’ve been better
February 4, 2021
Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
Dark Truths is a series police procedural by A. J. Cross. Released 4th Feb. 2021 by Black Thorn, it's 352 pages (print edition) and available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.
This is a very well written, taut, and engaging procedural with a nicely balanced cast of characters: detectives (one experienced and cynical and one completely green and full of enthusiasm), a forensic expert battling his own violent loss, and the whole apparatus which comes into play after violent death. The first death in the book is grisly; a stabbing and beheading which exposes yet another murder in the same location.
The disparate plot threads wind ever more closely and the resolution is clever and very well engineered. The entire read is finely rendered and surprising. I didn't manage to figure everything out despite being given all the information along the way. I'm impressed and will be looking forward to more from this author.
Four stars. This would be a great selection for fans of the genre, possibly also book-clubs and library acquisition.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Dark Truths is a series police procedural by A. J. Cross. Released 4th Feb. 2021 by Black Thorn, it's 352 pages (print edition) and available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.
This is a very well written, taut, and engaging procedural with a nicely balanced cast of characters: detectives (one experienced and cynical and one completely green and full of enthusiasm), a forensic expert battling his own violent loss, and the whole apparatus which comes into play after violent death. The first death in the book is grisly; a stabbing and beheading which exposes yet another murder in the same location.
The disparate plot threads wind ever more closely and the resolution is clever and very well engineered. The entire read is finely rendered and surprising. I didn't manage to figure everything out despite being given all the information along the way. I'm impressed and will be looking forward to more from this author.
Four stars. This would be a great selection for fans of the genre, possibly also book-clubs and library acquisition.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
March 18, 2021
Really enjoyed this book, first one I've read fro A J Cross, but I'll definitely look out for more. Might be a bit gruesome for some people, so beware if you're a bit squeamish.
February 12, 2021
I love crime fiction and was intrigued by the idea of a forensic psychologist being involved in a murder mystery – mainly, I think, because I’m not sure what a forensic psychologist is, but it sounds interesting!
This is the first in the series featuring Will Traynor helping the police with investigations and is an extremely promising start. Thanks to NetGalley for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
This book opens with the brutal murder of a jogger on a popular trail. Her head is removed from the scene in a gruesome and horrifying twist, but forensic investigations of the nearby area uncover a whole host of other problems that need dealing with too. Detective Inspector Bernard Watts is put in charge of the investigation with an inexperienced rookie police officer, PC Chloe Judd, for support. Together, they begin to uncover the truth about the crime, aided by criminologist Will Traynor – who seems to have his own agenda.
This is a well-paced and engaging police procedural. I found that there were plenty of events and twists to keep me reading and enjoyed the interaction between the main characters – including a fabulous and likeable forensics expert, Dr Chong, who I hope features in future books. PC Chloe Judd is also an interesting character and I liked the fact that she is still learning – it was good to see a more insecure and relatable police officer starting to find her feet.
I was less sure about the character of Will Traynor. I thought that he would be more central to the investigation, but actually Watts and Judd are the key figures. He made some interesting observations on the investigation, but also seemed a bit of a liability! I’d be intrigued to see how his story is developed in future books.
Overall, this is a well-written and cleverly-plotted crime novel. I am certainly looking forward to the next book in the series by A J Cross and would recommend this to those who love a twisty police investigation.
This is the first in the series featuring Will Traynor helping the police with investigations and is an extremely promising start. Thanks to NetGalley for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
This book opens with the brutal murder of a jogger on a popular trail. Her head is removed from the scene in a gruesome and horrifying twist, but forensic investigations of the nearby area uncover a whole host of other problems that need dealing with too. Detective Inspector Bernard Watts is put in charge of the investigation with an inexperienced rookie police officer, PC Chloe Judd, for support. Together, they begin to uncover the truth about the crime, aided by criminologist Will Traynor – who seems to have his own agenda.
This is a well-paced and engaging police procedural. I found that there were plenty of events and twists to keep me reading and enjoyed the interaction between the main characters – including a fabulous and likeable forensics expert, Dr Chong, who I hope features in future books. PC Chloe Judd is also an interesting character and I liked the fact that she is still learning – it was good to see a more insecure and relatable police officer starting to find her feet.
I was less sure about the character of Will Traynor. I thought that he would be more central to the investigation, but actually Watts and Judd are the key figures. He made some interesting observations on the investigation, but also seemed a bit of a liability! I’d be intrigued to see how his story is developed in future books.
Overall, this is a well-written and cleverly-plotted crime novel. I am certainly looking forward to the next book in the series by A J Cross and would recommend this to those who love a twisty police investigation.
September 21, 2019
Everything Seems To Be Stacked Against DI Watts Solving This Case
The novel opens with an amorous couple on a remote trail decides to leave when they believe that someone is watching. The next morning a body of a young woman was discovered in the parking lot of that trail. The acting Chief Inspector Brophy appoints Detective Inspector Watts as the senior investigative officer. For the past five years or so, DI Watts headed the now defunct cold case unit. Due to the lack of available officers, Brophy assigns Police Constable Chloe Judd, a young inexperienced officer, to assist Watts. Once at the scene, the body already is being processed by pathologist Connie Chong. Watts and Chloe learned that the victim was stabbed and decapitated post mortem, and the head is missing. There is a blood trail leading off into a field. Soon a partially buried skull is found in the field. The skull was identified as a woman who disappeared ten years earlier. Brophy now arranges for criminologist Dr. Traynor to assist Watts. Watts and Dr. Traynor have a troubled history. The novel takes are off from here.
The main storyline quickly escalates in complexity with more victims and sparse leads. The pressure to solve the case from Brophy escalates just as fast. Young Judd’s inexperience causes multiple problems. Lastly, Dr Traynor’s search for his dead wife’s body keeps him focused on tying her death into this investigation.
As expected for the first novel in series, the B-storyline is extensive, rich, and well integrated into the main story line. For all of the major characters, Watts, Judd, Chong, and Traynor, the reader learns their history and how they have arrived at this point in their lives. Also, the interactions between them reveal much into each’s unique personality. I really felt I knew these characters and could empathize with them and their situations. The novel secured my attention and kept it throughout the novel.
There less than ten instances of vulgar language in this novel. There are not any sex scenes. The few scenes involving violence do not emphasize the violence. One scene is gory but quickly described. Based on this there should not be anything objectionable for a reader from these areas. Now, the setting of this novel is in central England. There is use of much British informal language. I used the embedded dictionary in my e-reader quite often. For some words even the dictionary was found lacking. Easy access to the Internet provided understanding of those words.
I enjoyed reading this novel, and it secured my attention but not as strongly because of the main storyline complexity was a step above most police procedurals I have read. This may result in the reader needing to pay a little more attention. The series is titled as A Will Traynor Forensic Mystery. To me Traynor was a supporting character in the novel. These issues were the worst aspects of the novel for me. I enjoyed the extensive in intertwined B-storylines that made the characters very real for me. Lastly, I liked the last two paragraphs of the novel, a real nice touch. Based upon my experience, I rate this novel with four stars. I am eagerly waiting for the next novel in this series. I believe that you will have same experience after reading it.
I have received a free kindle version of this novel through NetGalley from Severn House with an expectation for an honest, unbiased review. I wish to thank Severn House for the opportunity to read this novel early.
The novel opens with an amorous couple on a remote trail decides to leave when they believe that someone is watching. The next morning a body of a young woman was discovered in the parking lot of that trail. The acting Chief Inspector Brophy appoints Detective Inspector Watts as the senior investigative officer. For the past five years or so, DI Watts headed the now defunct cold case unit. Due to the lack of available officers, Brophy assigns Police Constable Chloe Judd, a young inexperienced officer, to assist Watts. Once at the scene, the body already is being processed by pathologist Connie Chong. Watts and Chloe learned that the victim was stabbed and decapitated post mortem, and the head is missing. There is a blood trail leading off into a field. Soon a partially buried skull is found in the field. The skull was identified as a woman who disappeared ten years earlier. Brophy now arranges for criminologist Dr. Traynor to assist Watts. Watts and Dr. Traynor have a troubled history. The novel takes are off from here.
The main storyline quickly escalates in complexity with more victims and sparse leads. The pressure to solve the case from Brophy escalates just as fast. Young Judd’s inexperience causes multiple problems. Lastly, Dr Traynor’s search for his dead wife’s body keeps him focused on tying her death into this investigation.
As expected for the first novel in series, the B-storyline is extensive, rich, and well integrated into the main story line. For all of the major characters, Watts, Judd, Chong, and Traynor, the reader learns their history and how they have arrived at this point in their lives. Also, the interactions between them reveal much into each’s unique personality. I really felt I knew these characters and could empathize with them and their situations. The novel secured my attention and kept it throughout the novel.
There less than ten instances of vulgar language in this novel. There are not any sex scenes. The few scenes involving violence do not emphasize the violence. One scene is gory but quickly described. Based on this there should not be anything objectionable for a reader from these areas. Now, the setting of this novel is in central England. There is use of much British informal language. I used the embedded dictionary in my e-reader quite often. For some words even the dictionary was found lacking. Easy access to the Internet provided understanding of those words.
I enjoyed reading this novel, and it secured my attention but not as strongly because of the main storyline complexity was a step above most police procedurals I have read. This may result in the reader needing to pay a little more attention. The series is titled as A Will Traynor Forensic Mystery. To me Traynor was a supporting character in the novel. These issues were the worst aspects of the novel for me. I enjoyed the extensive in intertwined B-storylines that made the characters very real for me. Lastly, I liked the last two paragraphs of the novel, a real nice touch. Based upon my experience, I rate this novel with four stars. I am eagerly waiting for the next novel in this series. I believe that you will have same experience after reading it.
I have received a free kindle version of this novel through NetGalley from Severn House with an expectation for an honest, unbiased review. I wish to thank Severn House for the opportunity to read this novel early.
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