★ ★ ★ ★ 1/2 (rounded up)
An expanded version of this originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
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Last year, Noelle Holten blew my socks off with her debut, Dead Inside . It was the first of the Maggie Jamieson novels—although, I mentioned at the time "you'd be excused if you didn't pick that up until the last chapter," because it focused so much on a side character. This time out, the focus is almost exclusively on Maggie—her professional side as well as her personal life.
Before Dead Inside, Maggie had been part of a Homicide investigation team but had been reassigned to help her decompress after a stressful investigation that resulted in Bill Raven, a confessed serial killer, getting a life sentence. It ended with Maggie getting a voice mail from her old boss:
‘Your secondment is over at the DAHU. Raven has appealed his sentence, claimed he’s innocent. Timely I’d say as there has been another murder. Either a copycat or the real killer picking up where they left off. Get your arse in here.’
It turns out that it's a bit more than "another murder." It's actually the murder of the woman Raven claimed was his first victim. Which doesn't seem like a big deal, everyone knew she was dead. The twist comes when the report comes in that she's been dead two days.
Say what you will, being locked up already for someone's murder is a pretty good alibi for their actual murder. Many people—including fellow police officers and detectives--and the Press are outraged. Maggie's previous work is being scrutinized, she's having to defend her actions in the past while investigating the new murder (okay, it soon becomes murders—including more women that Raven claimed to have killed). She's also doing everything she can to keep Raven behind bars—but that's an unofficial goal. Officially, she's supposed to stay away from revisiting the original investigation.
Now, the idea of a detective having to deal with an old investigation being re-opened because the convicted killer is making a case for their release isn't new—Bosch had to deal with it in Two Kinds of Truth , Poe dealt with it in Black Summer , even the great Capt. Raymond Holt had to endure this kind of thing. But none of them had to explain how some of the victims turned out to have been recently alive. There's more to differentiate Maggie's challenge than that, but it's a good start. Whoever is behind these killings is clearly some sort of monster, and sussing out the motive and means may prove as difficult as finding whoever's responsible.
While the brass are inclined to believe Raven's claims that he was delusional from drugs and a psychiatric condition when he confessed, Maggie only has a couple of sympathetic colleagues—an old friend who is now her DS and a psychologist she befriended on her temporary assignment, Kate Moloney.
Kate ends up consulting for the investigation for the new murders, helping the team think of their evidence in new ways, and helping Maggie better understand Raven and who he may have been working with while incarcerated to do the killing.
We see both women at work and at home—their home situations are almost as troublesome and stress-inducing as the hunt for the "real killer." But, relying on each other, and their respective strengths, they're able to muddle through—and even have a little fun. It's an early Tony Hill/Carol Jordan-type relationship (I want to stress the "type," because they're all very different people and Holten isn't trying for a clone in any sense).
I should add quickly that we do get to see Lucy, who is still working through the issues revealed in Dead Inside, but seems to be doing really well (all things considered). We don't spend much time with her, but the way it's done leaves the possibility for her to return to the books.
What about Bill Raven, our potentially falsely-convicted killer? It's pretty late in the book when the reader gets a firm answer about his guilt. But we learn a few things about him right away. He's arrogant, confident, enjoys playing with Maggie (and other detectives), and there's just something about him that's "off" (for lack of a better description). Whether or not he's ultimately found to have committed the crimes he enjoys the attention and is hopeful for what the new murders mean for his release. The source of his derangement, and exactly why he's doing what he's doing is hinted at—and I think he alters his approach during the novel (or maybe I just don't understand him enough).
Unlike most of the British Police Procedurals I've read the last few months, Dead Wrong primarily uses three characters for the Points-of-View (Maggie, Raven and Kate)—making it really easy to keep track of everyone. We do see a little from Maggie's DI, and a couple of the victims in their last moments, too.
I really enjoyed this book—it's a real slow boil of a book, things start bubbling pretty soon, but you have to wait and wait and wait for that to become a full-fledged rolling boil. Holten's great at making sure you know there's tension and malfeasance afoot, even if she doesn't allow it to take over the novel. It's well-plotted and well-executed, allowing the momentum to build so the reader is fully hooked before the plot really gets moving. Dead Inside concluded with a sentence or two past that voicemail. Dead Wrong ends on a similar note, propelling the reader on to the next book.
I'm sure this is going to go down as one of the best things I read in 2020. I'll wager the same is true for you.
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Reviews with images
Dead Wrong? Yes, please!
"Dead Wrong" hits the ground running picking up right where "Dead Inside" left off! As a back-to-back reader, I appreciated the smooth transition into the depths of DC Maggie Jamieson. Luckily, even if I hadn't just read book one, book two more than stands for itself. This second novel in Noelle Holten's debut crime thriller series keeps readers spinning circles around the previously convicted serial killer, Bill Raven.While the initial Chopper Case was heavily reliant on Raven's murder confession, the missing women's bodies were never found. That is, until recently, when their chopped up, body parts began surfacing all over town. It doesn't take long for Maggie to suspect that Raven was at the root of these horrific deaths. Yet, seeing as he has was in jail when their bodies were found, how could he have done it? Many are questioning the detective's objectivity, especially the media. Determining Raven's involvement is exactly what Maggie aims to find out, even while under strict orders to branch out and scour every possible person of interest, reinterview past connections, and play nice in her on-going prison meetings with said convicted serial killer.Maggie is one hell of a character, and I just loved her! She felt real and raw. Sure, she overstepped a few times for the sake of the case, letting her gut feelings guide her, but that didn't make her any less of a detective. She followed her hunches and accommodated her orders, all while navigating her own life and sexuality. Oh, and let's not forget her cat, Scrappy!The multiple narrations between herself, a few of her teammates, criminal psychologist Dr. Kate Moloney and Bill Raven himself really brought this story full circle. It was interesting to see how Raven's mind worked, the banter between him and Maggie, and each of the Chopper Case connections along the way. I don't want to give too much away, though, so I'll just leave it at that.I would recommend this novel to those interested in crime thrillers with a heavy emphasis on the actual police procedural. As stated in my review of "Dead Inside," it's important to note that this book is a part of a series and does end with a cliffhanger. Rest assured that all of this individual story's I's are dotted, and t's are crossed; the ending scene purely leaves you wanting and ready for the next installment! If this is your kind of read, then get to chopping at those pages!I'd like to take a moment and thank the author, the publishers at One More Chapter, a division of Harper Collins UK, and NetGalley for my complimentary ebook copy of "Dead Wrong." I enjoyed this ebook right alongside my purchased paperback and audiobook copies. I have voluntarily and honestly reviewed this title.
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on March 17, 2020
Reviewed in the United States on July 23, 2020
Reviewed in the United States on October 15, 2020
"Dead Wrong" hits the ground running picking up right where "Dead Inside" left off! As a back-to-back reader, I appreciated the smooth transition into the depths of DC Maggie Jamieson. Luckily, even if I hadn't just read book one, book two more than stands for itself. This second novel in Noelle Holten's debut crime thriller series keeps readers spinning circles around the previously convicted serial killer, Bill Raven.
While the initial Chopper Case was heavily reliant on Raven's murder confession, the missing women's bodies were never found. That is, until recently, when their chopped up, body parts began surfacing all over town. It doesn't take long for Maggie to suspect that Raven was at the root of these horrific deaths. Yet, seeing as he has was in jail when their bodies were found, how could he have done it? Many are questioning the detective's objectivity, especially the media. Determining Raven's involvement is exactly what Maggie aims to find out, even while under strict orders to branch out and scour every possible person of interest, reinterview past connections, and play nice in her on-going prison meetings with said convicted serial killer.
Maggie is one hell of a character, and I just loved her! She felt real and raw. Sure, she overstepped a few times for the sake of the case, letting her gut feelings guide her, but that didn't make her any less of a detective. She followed her hunches and accommodated her orders, all while navigating her own life and sexuality. Oh, and let's not forget her cat, Scrappy!
The multiple narrations between herself, a few of her teammates, criminal psychologist Dr. Kate Moloney and Bill Raven himself really brought this story full circle. It was interesting to see how Raven's mind worked, the banter between him and Maggie, and each of the Chopper Case connections along the way. I don't want to give too much away, though, so I'll just leave it at that.
I would recommend this novel to those interested in crime thrillers with a heavy emphasis on the actual police procedural. As stated in my review of "Dead Inside," it's important to note that this book is a part of a series and does end with a cliffhanger. Rest assured that all of this individual story's I's are dotted, and t's are crossed; the ending scene purely leaves you wanting and ready for the next installment! If this is your kind of read, then get to chopping at those pages!
I'd like to take a moment and thank the author, the publishers at One More Chapter, a division of Harper Collins UK, and NetGalley for my complimentary ebook copy of "Dead Wrong." I enjoyed this ebook right alongside my purchased paperback and audiobook copies. I have voluntarily and honestly reviewed this title.
While the initial Chopper Case was heavily reliant on Raven's murder confession, the missing women's bodies were never found. That is, until recently, when their chopped up, body parts began surfacing all over town. It doesn't take long for Maggie to suspect that Raven was at the root of these horrific deaths. Yet, seeing as he has was in jail when their bodies were found, how could he have done it? Many are questioning the detective's objectivity, especially the media. Determining Raven's involvement is exactly what Maggie aims to find out, even while under strict orders to branch out and scour every possible person of interest, reinterview past connections, and play nice in her on-going prison meetings with said convicted serial killer.
Maggie is one hell of a character, and I just loved her! She felt real and raw. Sure, she overstepped a few times for the sake of the case, letting her gut feelings guide her, but that didn't make her any less of a detective. She followed her hunches and accommodated her orders, all while navigating her own life and sexuality. Oh, and let's not forget her cat, Scrappy!
The multiple narrations between herself, a few of her teammates, criminal psychologist Dr. Kate Moloney and Bill Raven himself really brought this story full circle. It was interesting to see how Raven's mind worked, the banter between him and Maggie, and each of the Chopper Case connections along the way. I don't want to give too much away, though, so I'll just leave it at that.
I would recommend this novel to those interested in crime thrillers with a heavy emphasis on the actual police procedural. As stated in my review of "Dead Inside," it's important to note that this book is a part of a series and does end with a cliffhanger. Rest assured that all of this individual story's I's are dotted, and t's are crossed; the ending scene purely leaves you wanting and ready for the next installment! If this is your kind of read, then get to chopping at those pages!
I'd like to take a moment and thank the author, the publishers at One More Chapter, a division of Harper Collins UK, and NetGalley for my complimentary ebook copy of "Dead Wrong." I enjoyed this ebook right alongside my purchased paperback and audiobook copies. I have voluntarily and honestly reviewed this title.
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Top reviews from other countries
Kerry Parsons
An easy five stars for me!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 16, 2020
Kelly Van Damme
compelling and entertaining read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 14, 2020
Hayley C
A brilliant and compelling crime novel!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 6, 2020Jacob Collins
Noelle's best book yet!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 17, 2020