Dead Secret (Maggie Jamieson thriller, Book 4)

Noelle Holten

Apr 2021 · Maggie Jamieson thriller Book 4 · Sold by HarperCollins UK

About this ebook

‘Enthralling from the first page to the last. Devoured in one sitting. Noelle Holten has become one of my must-read authors’ Angela Marsons, bestselling author of the Detective Kim Stone seriesPsychopaths can take root in the unlikeliest soil...

DC Maggie Jamieson crosses paths once again with Probation Officer Lucy Sherwood when a domestic violence survivor stumbles into her new refuge, unable to speak, desperate for help.

Then another case hits Maggie’s desk. A young man has been murdered, and a curious constellation of black dots has been inked onto his cheek.

That’s when DCI Hastings goes missing and Maggie uncovers a shocking connection that turns the case on its head.

Every family may hide secrets, but not every family buries them...

Ratings and reviews

As if DC Maggie Jamieson’s last case wasn’t tough enough, she is now faced with an even tougher one when her colleague DCI Hastings and his family go missing after the gruesome discovery of a young man. Is there a connection? Maggie and the team most certainly have their work cut out for them to find out in this gripping 4th instalment of the DC Maggie Jamieson series. Noelle Holten has crafted another thrilling read that is so fast paced my poor kindle struggled to keep up with the speed at which I was flicking those pages. I was completely consumed and engrossed in this story, which I have to say is my favourite so far in the series. Noelle Holten has definitely upped the ante with this one and is on fire! With each book I just love Maggie more and more. She has been so well nurtured over the course of the four books and really is such a strong protagonist, right up there as one of my all time favourite female characters. We see her insecurities laid out bare this time as we get more insight into her personal struggles. It was also great to be reacquainted with Lucy Sherwood again as one of the cases has herself and Maggie crossing paths again. I have always thought that Noelle Holten could write, but there is something with this instalment that sets it apart from the other books. It is just flawless and commands your attention, daring you to try and pull yourself away, which I couldn’t do! I was gripped from beginning to end. Oh and speaking of the end, holy you know what!! I need the next book stat! There isn’t really much more I can say that I haven’t already mentioned in previous reviews about how fabulous Noelle Holten and this series is. You really need to just experience it for yourself. A breath of fresh air in the crime thriller genre, she has done such an outstanding job with it and has added another brilliant addition to it with Dead Secret, which I highly recommend.

DC Jamieson has her hands full. She meets Probation Officer Lucy Sherwood again when a domestic violence survivor is once again in need of help. Another case ... a man has been murdered and he's found with a multitude of black dots inked on his chest. And then her DCI goes missing. This one is full of action ... twists and turns around every corner. It's a well-plotted police procedural with surprise after surprise. There are suspects roaming everywhere .. some more evil than others. As the book blurb says ... Every family may hide secrets, but not every family buries them. Although 4th in the series, this is easily read as a stand-alone, however, I do recommend reading in order. DC Jamieson is a unique character to follow. Many thanks to the author / Harper Collins UK / One More Chapter / Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

Dead Secret by Noelle Holten DC Maggie Jamieson #4 Ruthless murder of a young man is the introduction to a story that is dark, grim, and filled with horror. Who murdered the young man? Where has DCI Hastings and his family disappeared to and are they in danger? Who is the young, battered woman that appears at the shelter to traumatized to speak? Are these individuals related or separate cases and how will Maggie and the team figure out what is what? What I liked: * That the book is able to stand alone if you have not read previous books in the series. I missed books one and three and was fine. * Maggie: dedicated, professional, focused, good sister, loving daughter, keeps part of herself hidden, team player, might be warming up to a potential love interest, intriguing. * Andy: Maggie’s brother, lives with her, seems to be a good guy, helpful, humorous, there for her. * Julie: journalist, aggressive, intent, eager, interested in Maggie, tenacious. * Maggie’s colleagues: Nathan, Rutherford, Kat, Bethany, Medical Examiner (I think) * The dynamics and discussion on the job. * Lucy Sherwood and the people in her sphere: Vicki & Mark * The police procedural aspects of the story * The twists and turns and surprises * That the cases were concluded by the end of the book and the lead into book five was indicated. * The plot and writing * All of it except… What I didn’t like: * What I was meant not to like – the killer – definitely needs to be incarcerated forever! Did I like this book? Yes Would I read more in the series? Yes Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins – One More Chapter for the ARC – this is my honest review. 4-5 Stars

About the author

Noelle Holten is an award-winning blogger at www.crimebookjunkie.co.uk. She is the PR & Social Media Manager for Bookouture, a leading digital publisher in the UK, and worked as a Senior Probation Officer for eighteen years, covering a variety of risk cases as well as working in a multi agency setting. She has three Hons BA’s – Philosophy, Sociology (Crime & Deviance) and Community Justice – and a Master’s in Criminology.