I was drawn into Truth and Lies by the premise – the idea of a Detective inspector being, unknown to her, the biological daughter of a serial killer was too intriguing to pass up. Unfortunately, the delivery didn’t really do it for me. I was expecting a police procedural – and it would be entirely fair to say that my expectations are what let me down here – but there wasn’t really much sleuthing done. Everything came together a little too conveniently, and I wasn’t entirely convinced by the story or its conclusion.

I really enjoyed the flashbacks to Poppy’s life in the Grimes household at the age of four, but I felt that the suppressed memories came back a little too conveniently, and it raises the questions of memories being unreliable without really exploring this in full.

I thought that the characters were well done, particularly Lillian Grimes and Amy Winter. Lillian is one of those absolutely fantastic villains that you love to hate, and she was extremely convincing as a manipulative psychopath. Amy and the dilemma she finds herself in was also very convincing.

A great read and a really good introduction to what I gather will be a series involving DI Amy Winter. Really liked Amy's character and her past was both horrible and intriguing. I was drawn in from the very beginning and it made me want to keep picking it up again and carrying on. Nice twist at the end too!

It’s very exciting when an author you love has a new series to sink you’re teeth into and I couldn’t wait to start this book.

D.I. Amy Winters receives a letter, after the death of her police officer father and discovers her real parents are the notorious serial killers “beasts of Brentwood”. Lillian her mother is in prison and will give her the location of 3 bodies, Only if she jumps through hoops for her!!

A wonderful story that depicts good and evil beautifully and has plenty of twists. An ending that leaves you wanting more. Looking forward to the next book in this series.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review.

I have to admit, when I heard about this new series, I wasn't sure what to expect. Mitchell is a wonderful author but I adored her Ruby Preston series and was gutted when it ended, I suppose I wasn't sure how I'd gel with this new officer. And the lack of my #bookboyfriend Nathan Crosby wasn't something I was looking forward to either.
I needn't have worried.
At all.
DI Amy Winter is bloody brilliant and what an introduction to her we have!
Recently promoted to head up a new team in the force, Winter is a firecracker of an officer all set to follow in the footsteps of her late father, until a letter arrives which changes everything.
Lillian Grimes is the remaining half of serial killer duo, the Grimes, who back in the eighties were responsible for the murders of an unknown number of young women.
Lillian is the author of Winter's life-changing letter … and reveals that she's her biological mother.
Grimes starts blackmailing Winter to visiting her under the promise of information that will allow the families of her victims some closure. Winter has no choice but to do as she's told.
From the off, Truth and Lies takes us on an emotional rollercoaster. I was immediately hooked to the characters and Winter is set to be a favourite. A strong woman who has made it in a "mans' world", she has earnt the respect of those around her and is confident in her abilities. Until that letter arrives.
Mitchell has taken the police procedural to another level with this one and I can't wait to see what else she has in store for DI Winter. What a bloody brilliant idea … a police officer who is the daughter of not one, but two serial killers but who was brought up by a high ranking police officer.
The nature vs. nurture argument is evident throughout this one and it's fascinating. Winter has repressed all her memories of her time with her parents, but as soon as she discovers the truth of her parentage, she starts to question everything about herself, and those around her. Is the goodness of the parents who raised enough to outweigh the evil which runs through her veins?
ARRRGGGHHHH!!!!! I need book two now!
As the plot moves forward with the police investigations, Mitchell adds in chapters which take us back in time as Winter starts to remember her childhood … we discover what it was like or her growing up in the home of two serial killers. And it wasn't pleasant. It's no wonder she has buried those memories as deep as she could.
With hints of the true crimes of Moors murderers Myra Hindley and Ian Brady, Truth and Lies is a gritty and harrowing read in places but Mitchell deals with it sensitively. It's one my favourite books of the year and I cannot wait for the nest one!

I loved this novel!! I am always one for suspense and thriller novels and this one did not disappoint! Highly recommend to anyone who wants a suspenseful and exciting read! The characters were amazing and really drew you into the story.

While I enjoyed the store, I found the first half of the book slow. I felt the story picked up in the second and I wanted to know what was coming next.

I would like to thank Thomas & Mercer Publishing and the Netgalley website for this partnership.

I was immediately attracted to the summary and cover: you see Amy looking at her back and this catchphrase that makes you want to read the book: you can't change the flesh and blood.

We find Amy daughter of a serial killer, a detective who wants to follow in her father's footsteps. When one day a letter arrives from Lillian Grimes' prison cell, everything will change.

She committed heinous murders years ago, it's the absolute evil, it's his mother. She's ready to reveal where she hid three bodies if Amy plays her twisted game with her. Her colleagues will investigate the kidnapping of a young girl while Amy faces her dark past. Will she be able to defeat her demons to prevent further murders?

A book read in one go so much I hooked on the story so moving, captivating and full of suspense and twists and turns.

The author takes us back in Amy's dark past with brio too eager to read on.

Read a few Caroline Mitchell books not, and this one for me was the best yet. This is a real game of cat and mouth and at times it pulls you right into the story. Loads of twists and turns and trying to figure out who to believe. The book was a real page turner and i found myself up until the early hours trying to get this book finished. Loved the twist at the end too! Really looking forward to the next book. If i could give this book more than 5 stars i would. Thanks Caroline. This book was one of the best books i have read this year.

I’m a huge fan of Caroline Mitchell’s books so when I heard she had a new series coming up I was over the moon and what a cracking start to it Truth and Lies is.
DI Amy Winters was adopted as a small child, never knowing who her real parents were she has made a good career for herself in the police force following in her adoptive fathers footsteps. Everything is put on the line though when she receives a letter from her birth mother and Amy’s life will never be the same again.
Amy’s a cracking character, she’s strong, very focused on her job and works with a good team but she has this huge secret about her parents that she really doesn’t want her team finding out about and rightly so. It would change everything and everything Amy has worked for. It’s quite a bombshell for her to take in without everyone judging her as well.
Lillian Grimes is a despicable character that gave me chills and made my skin crawl but oh boy what a fantastically evil character she is. She’s a manipulator as well as a serial-killer and down right psychopath. I’ll admit that after reading this I did have a couple of nightmares and Lillian was right in the middle of them *shivers*.
The story is set in the present with some chapters going back to the past with Amy’s memories. These are probably the ones that set my nightmares off, some are very chilling indeed. The story flows though, it was so easy to read and had me totally gripped from beginning to end.
Truth and Lies is a story I will definitely be recommending, it has everything and more you could ask for in a crime fiction story and I seriously can’t wait for the next spine chilling instalment.

WOW! What an absolutely cracking start to a new series!
I have loved meeting DI Amy Winter. She's a very likeable character who is mourning the death of her father. He was also a very well known and respected police officer and she is proud to have followed in his footsteps. When she receives a letter from serial killer Lillian Grimes (one half of a murdering couple), her life is turned upside down. Lillian wants to confess to the burial sites of three of their victims who were never found, but of course she wants something in return and Amy has no choice to play along.
At the same time a teenager goes missing. They need to find her and find her fast. Could her kidnapping have anything to do with Lillian? What possible connection could there be?
Truth and Lies is an extremely fast-paced police procedural which grabbed my attention from the very first chapter. Lillian Grimes is the most heinous female character I think I have ever come across. Chilling is a massive understatement! I don't know what it is about women killers. Murder is murder, but somehow it always seems worse when it's a woman, especially where children are the victims. Maybe that's just me. From a psychological point of view though she is a fascinating character. Caroline Mitchell does have the knack for writing the most shockingly real and believable monsters who literally make your skin crawl. Imagine discovering you're related to one!
Cleverly written, as always, with shortish chapters which add to the pace and tension of the story you can't help but be drawn in. I was desperate to find out what exactly was the truth and what in the end was just lies. I was gobsmacked! Just awesome! I can't wait for book 2. I highly recommend!
Many thanks to the author and publisher for my review copy.

This was a very good mystery; I had a hard time at first but I am very glad I kept reading! There are just the right amount of twists and turns to keep you guessing. I enjoyed the characters and look forward to reading more in this series.

The start of a new series by Caroline Mitchell featuring D.I. Amy Winters.
Amy is grieving the death of her father when out of the blue she receives a letter from Lillian the wife of a murdering duo responsible for the brutal murders of young girls and women!
Lillian also reveals a shocking fact about Amy's childhood.
Lillian then proceeds to offer to tell Amy she will reveal the burial sites of the remaining undiscovered bodies of three victims in return for a personal visit from Amy. Just what is about to be revealed??
A fantastic crime thriller which I've just finished at 4am!!!! I just couldn't put it down. Brilliant as always Carol Mitchell.
Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for allowing me to read this book.

The idea of a Detective Inspector who is also the daughter of a serial killer was too good to resist. Maybe having such high expectations at the beginning is what left me feeling a little disappointed. The story was enjoyable but not quite as thrilling or exciting as I expected. I liked the dual storylines but I don't think the kidnapping mystery was well executed. The big reveal felt like it came from left field. There weren't enough clues to lead the reader to even suspect the eventual perpetrator. I'm not sure if I will read any other books from the DI Amy Winter series but I will probably try another Caroline Mitchell book.

Really good book. Had me turning the pages. I havent ready anything by this author before and I'd recommend the book and author. Suspensful.

Truth and Lies is the first book in a new series featuring DI Amy Winter. Amy is the daughter of a well-known, highly respected police officer. Still trying to cope with his recent death, Amy now finds herself trying to fill the shoes and legacy of her father more than ever. However, after a letter arrives to Amy from a prison cell.. that may be hard to do.

The letter arrives from the prison cell of Lillian Grimes. Lillian is the wife of a now deceased Jack Grimes and is rotting in a prison cell. Lillian and her husband Jack were the sickest, most twisted serial killing tag team couple. Jack died, but his wife has spent years in prison paying for her half of the damage done. The letter DI Amy Winter receives is from Lillian Grimes, and reveals the insane truth that Amy is the daughter of her and Jack. Adopted from a young age, Amy was taken in by police officer Robert and his wife Flora. Never told about her past, Amy had no idea of the sick truths behind the blood that runs through her veins. As if finding out that your biological parents are 2 of the most famous serial killers ever known wasn’t enough…

Lillian wants Amy to pay her a visit to prison for a proper reunion. If she agrees to meet, Lillian will reveal the long awaited locations where 3 of the young girls her and husband kidnapped and murdered are buried. Is visiting her mother and learning the truths about her past worth discovering the locations of these girls? Is delivering the long-awaited news to these girls’ families worth her co-workers and DCI discovering the truth about her past? Does Amy have more of her biological, serial killer parents’ blood running through her than she thinks?

Amidst all of the craziness, another kidnapping has happened involving a beautiful young girl named Hermione. Could this case be tied to Lillian Grimes? Does she have information on where this little girl is located? DI Amy Winter vows to find out the truth, all while discovering that her life’s been filled with lies.

If you’re in the mood for a fast-paced thriller that will keep you guessing its ending until you turn the final page, read this book. A unique plot, interesting characters, and twists and turns throughout, Truth and Lies needs to be your next read. If I wasn’t drowning in school, I’d have finished this one in a day!

Follow DI Amy Winter in this psychological thriller set around London and neighbouring Essex. This novel is a mixture of Police procedures, cold case reviews, the quest for justice, kidnapping, murder, identity and psychopaths ALL within the murky borders of Truth and Lies.

I really enjoyed reading Truth and Lies. It is very different from your usual crime thriller because of it’s very strong psychological aspect. Having said that, it is also very different from most psychological thrillers too. Generally with psychological thrillers, the characters are having their minds disturbed as they try to cope with their situations. In Truth and Lies, the reader is having their mind disturbed as warning flags spring up ALL the time, forcing you to second guess what is going on. Caroline really engages the reader as her plot unfolds. I thought the plot was great and when I got to the end my head was buzzing - but in a good way, as I thought “if only”.

I liked the way Truth and Lies was told, with short chapters and from different points of view. Characterization was spot on with everyone involved. Many issues were explored to make Truth and Lies a FULL story, not just a plot driven thriller. I liked how recovered memories were used and how our brains can distort reality. I liked how the psychopath gave their insight to normalize their behaviour.

What was really OUTSTANDING was the exploration of the concept of Truth and Lies. We now live in a world of fake news and this novel highlights how murky the gap between Truth and Lies can become. People can accept things as fact and the psychological workings of our beliefs are complex.

Truth and Lies was a pleasure to read because of it’s complexity. I really engaged with the story and think it would make an ideal TV drama. Caroline is clearly at the top of her game and I can find nothing wrong with this book. Truth and Lies is yet another 5 star read from Caroline Mitchell.

Another brilliant book from this great aut
Keeps you on edge
Couldn't put it down
Highly recommend this author , the books keep getting better if that's even possible

I was drawn into this book immediately and it didn't disappoint. This was a well written police procedural book with serveral different storylines running throughout. This is the first book in a new series. It was left on a bit of a cliffhanger and I certainly look forward to the next one.

Oh wow! In my opinion this is Caroline’s best book yet. DI Amy Winters is a complex character and the way the story unfolds is mesmerising. Unlike some police procedural books it kept me intrigued and guessing all the way through. I liked the way Caroline built up the other characters in the story too. It kept me guessing right up to the end, where I cried! Well done Caroline - I cant wait for the next in the series ...

What do you do when you come from evil? This book really delved into what makes a person good or bad. Is it genetics, environment? Amy Winter is raised for four years by serial killer parents. Amy constantly questions if she has inherited or absorbed any of her parent's traits. I feel the book did a good job of raising the questions and making you think about it. Paddy's story was a bonus. You don't often see domestic violence against men. I thought this was a great book to start what I think will be a great series. I would recommend to anyone who loves a good British police procedural.