Who Cares if They Die: A compelling psychological thriller you won't want to put down

Wendy Dranfield

Sep 2018 · Ruby Fiction

About this ebook

 Did she jump or was she pushed? It starts with the hanging woman in the Maple Valley woods; the woman with no shoes, no car and no name. On paper it’s an obvious case of suicide – but to Officer Dean Matheson, something doesn’t add up. 

Then there are the other deaths, deaths that also look like suicides – but are they? The victims are all women living on the fringes of society, addicts and criminals. Who will miss them? Does anyone really care if they die? 

Dean Matheson is making it his business to care, even if it means he becomes a target … 

Ratings and reviews

Officer Dean Mathieson wants more than anything to become a detective. When the current detective has a heart attack, Dean has the opportunity to solve a crime ... and shorten his wait for a gold star. A woman is found in the woods, hanging from a tree. No one knows who she is ..and remains unidentified. Dean suspects the suicide has been staged. And then another woman is found dead of a drug overdose. Although totally separate ways of killing occurred, this one also looks like a staged suicide/accident. When more bodies are found, Dean starts looking at what ties them all together. They are all women ... with children ... what they call the dregs of society. They are addicts, criminals, and they have all abused their children in one way or another. The killer is identified early on the book, which came as no surprise. Without spoilers, Dean's personal life plays a big part of the mystery. Not everyone is who they say they are .. and the motive is blurred. This is more of a procedural in crime detection rather than mystery. Dean is a multi-layered character. His personal issues overshadow all his professionalism which is a big challenge for him ... and those who are close to him. Many thanks to the author / Choc Lit - Ruby Fiction / Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

Read in two hooked sittings. It would have been one, but I fell asleep reading having pulled an all-nighter the evening before. Delivered to my kindle by the team at choc-lit and ruby fiction in return for an honest review. Synopsis: The first scene starts with a hanging woman in Maple Valley woods. A Jane Doe without shoes, it looks like a suicide, but to Officer Dean Matheson, something doesn’t add up. Soon after, there are two other apparent suicides; a drug addict and an incarcerated criminal, both female. Outwardly there is no one to challenge the circumstances of the deaths but forensics uncover evidence of a possible murder, so Dean Matheson is making it his business to care, even if it means he may become a target. Review: A pacy read that had me hooked from the start. The main character and dog lover, Dean Matheson, is a flawed human being and therefore easy to empathise with. His marriage is hanging by a thread and his job is hindered by an overbearing and slothful boss. Something many of us can relate to. Ordinary fella he may be, but it turns out that there are secrets that will jeopardise his marriage and ultimately his life. I really enjoyed reading this book. I like a thriller, and even better one which gives away the ‘baddy’ towards the beginning. By doing so, the author runs the risk of the big reveal not being the pivotal outcome, but here, you are led through the back story of the characters and kept avidly reading to the end and climatic finale. Very well constructed and thoughtfully planned. There are painful secrets, haunting memories and loves lost. Family relationships are explored, so too is small town mentality. Last but by no means least, there is a Rottweiler called Rocky. Rocky is both lovable and flatulent, the pancake shenanigans are an ingenious addition! Not wanting to give away any spoilers but, I am not big subscriber for a happy ending, I like more plausible conclusions, and this tale brings that balance into play, beautifully. At the end of the book, we are told this is the first of a series of stories involving Dean Matheson and asked, by the author, what we may like to see come along in future episodes of his life. Well I for one, would like to see him find a bit of solace, but not too easily and have many adventures with Rocky at his side but maybe, with less pancakes! Rating: 5 STARS - A Great Read!

This seriously involved crime story is really gripping. A small town in USA has a mysterious suicide. Things then really start to happen! The local police department is shown in full glory, their dogged determination to find out what is happening in their town but also their human frailty. The oh so very human star of the book, Dean, strikes up a friendship with newcomer Beth and we read about the development of this romance. I don't want to write more as it would be too easy to open the sack and let out one of the many cats! Suffice it to say this is a brilliant crime story with romantic overtones which I am sure everyone will thoroughly enjoy.