Amy, a Detective Investigator, finds out that her biological parents are serial killers and her adoptive father had helped put them away. One day she receives a letter from Lillian (serial killer mother) saying that she will tell Amy where the last 3 bodies are buried if Amy comes to visit her. This pulled me in because it sounded like the TV show 'Blacklist', but I quickly found that it is very different and that I'd rather ride in a car with Raymond Reddington than the despicable Lillian.
There are subplots that include domestic violence and a kidnapping. Though I feel like most of the book is centered around Amy and Lillian's relationship and reliving the past. It has to be good writing if I hate the characters, right? Lillian and Amy's sister Mandy are the worst. Mandy has children and grandchildren, so she and Lillian keep making these snotty remarks to Amy about how they've been neglected and that she should make it up to the kids for missing all of their birthdays (she didn't know they existed!!) Every time something happened and Amy would "shake her head in disbelief" I was always there saying "me too girl."
Even with how much I hate Lillian, it was a pretty good book that had me guessing and twisting and turning. I never predicted correctly who the kidnapper was. I definitely had a lot of guesses...and they were all wrong. There were so many chapters that ended with cliffhangers that I had to keep reading. It definitely got me out of my reading slump, which I was in before this book.
A note on the domestic violence plot. I thought it was quite interesting because at first I didn't see the point of the chapters, I didn't understand why we were following this person around, so obviously I figured they were the kidnapper. It shed some light on domestic violence because usually you think of the woman as being a victim, but it can be men also.
In conclusion I will definitely check out the next book in this series. There is still a twist at the end after the kidnapper is found out.

Loved it.
Caroline Mitchell is really up there now with the big boys. Gripping and tense until the last page. Amy Winter is a great character. Imagine finding out your parents were serial killers, how would you cope with that information?
I was engrossed with Hemmy's story and Paddy's too. Great characters, great twist and great ending.......

After highly enjoying Caroline Mitchell's thrillers in the past, of course I couldn't resist the request button when I saw this title pop up on Netgalley. Although I still wish I could have another dose of Ruby Preston, it was great meeting a new detective. And boy, does she have an explosive past! I love a good serial killer thriller and the husband-and-wife serial killer team described in Truth And Lies will give you goosebumps. 200% twisted and Amy Winter's background definitely sets the tone for this first installment of a new detective series... The writing is solid, and will make you fly through this story. There are a lot of different elements incorporated into the plot, including the serial killer duo, their victims, Amy's past, a new kidnapping case and domestic abuse. While each element on it's own is intriguing and adds something to the story, I do think it was a little too much. Why too much? Because there were so many different elements, I felt some of them lacked the development and attention it deserved. Also, I felt that some elements and subplots were kind of abandoned halfway and simply cut off instead of neatly ended. As for the credibility... I'm still on the fence about that one, but I don't think I was completely convinced. There were a few surprising plot twists though and I will be curious how things will continue, because Truth And Lies ended with a pretty big cliffhanger with mayor consequences for the main character's private life. All in all Truth And Lies wasn't my favorite, but still an entertaining serial killer thriller.

I am a big fan of Caroline Mitchell, especially her Ruby Preston series. So, I was anxious to read about her new DI, Amy Winters. Amy has just lost her adoptive father, a respected police supervisor. Early in the book she learns her birth parents were serial murderers. Her birth mother, still alive and in prison, promises to reveal the whereabouts of three unfound victims if Amy visits. Mitchell does a great job of painting Lillian as a true psychopath. Her promises to provide the information will come at a cost for Amy.

There are multiple storylines here. Not just Amy’s, but her DS Paddy also has his own secrets. And they’re handling a high profile kidnapping.

This book raises interesting questions about the whole nature vs. nurture issue. Does Amy really have tainted blood? I also like seeing Amy in comparison to her siblings who weren’t fortunate enough to be adopted by a loving family.

It’s also a timely book with sexism in the workplace rearing its ugly head.

This is a well done police procedural. Amy is a well defined, three dimensional character. Mitchell isn’t one for fancy writing but she hits the nail on the head with some of her observations. “The two women were lost. Powerless. Whoever had taken Hemmy had robbed them of everything. Involuntary spectators, all they could do was stand by and watch events play out.”

The pace of the book is fast and the story is engrossing. As with so many mysteries, you get the sense early on how the stories will come together, but that didn’t dampen the appeal for me. It also didn’t mean that I had any clue who the kidnapper was or how the ending was going to play out. I’ll be anxious for book two in the series.

My thanks to netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for an advance copy of this book.

Truth and lies certainly is a book that holds true to its word. Caroline Mitchell writes about macabre things like it is something that happens everyday. This sent chills down my spine and had me wondering how it was going to end from the start. A well written and easy read story that will get your pulse racing and you won’t want to put it down.

Thanks netgalley

5 stars ⭐️ out of 5

I'm afraid this just wasn't for me. Very difficult and disturbing subject matter and if it hadn't been so well written, I couldn't have finished it. But it is a well written dramatic story, with the lead character of Amy so well drawn, you really care for her and that's what kept me reading.

It's got twists and turns and I'm grateful to netgalley and Thomas and Mercer for the opportunity to preview, I just found the disturbing subject matter too much.

Thank you NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for the eARC.
When I started the book I got into it at first, but by the time I was one third through, I began to feel depressed. The crimes were so awful and with the news being dire every day, getting me down as well, I decided I didn't want to read anymore of the story. However, needing to know how it ended, I did read the end, which was fairly uplifting.
The reviews were very positive on the whole, so I 'm sure readers will enjoy it, it just wasn't for me. Right now serial child killers are not on the menu for me. Sorry!

Absolutely stunning! Wow this book kept me engaged and on the edge of my seat rapidly turning the pages., I really couldn’t get enough of it. A really really good book, loved it. Full of tension, suspense, twists and angst that made it hard to tear myself away from the book, and that ending, just wow! Highly recommended just brilliant.

First of all I normally enjoy Caroline Mitchell books, This book however reads like the life of Rose West, I could not get into the plot without thinking about it being too similar, not for me im afraid.

Great writing, her plots always impress me!
Caroline Mitchell is one of those authors that goes to the top of my reading pile. Always fast-paced and very, very clever. She creates some seriously dark and scary stuff. I found it exciting in a dark way, I couldn’t stop reading.
The end of chapter five, goosebumps! The last chapter, double goosebumps!! Oh my word, it’s going to be a great series, getting to know a new team is always enjoyable too.
Amy’s background is very interesting indeed, and I liked how her thoughts and dreams became more meaningful as more about her past was revealed.
I liked Paddy and his side-story. And how his story fitted in as a piece of the jigsaw totally caught me out…brilliant.
Loved Dotty the Pug.
I cannot recommend all her work enough.
Thanks to Amazon Publishing UK, Thomas & Mercer and Caroline Mitchell for the review copy in which I give my honest opinion.

I enjoyed this one, but it wasn't my favourite by Caroline Mitchell.
That said it was a good solid read, that I didn't want to put down, and couldn't wait to pick up again when I had to.
I'm intrigued to see what's next

Having read and loved all of this author's previous books, I was quite excited to see that she had started a new series. Even more so when I read the blurb. Even with the prevalence of the top cop having "family issues" relating to their current cases, I knew that given her track record, the author could pull it off; give me something that others lack.
Amy Winter just wanted to be as good a cop as her father. And, to date, she has been doing very well, reaching the rank of DI. But her world shatters when she receives a letter from Lillian Grimes, currently in prison for her part in a serial killer duo, responsible for a string of deaths along with her husband. It claims that she is Amy's biological mother and it is to her, and her alone, that she will divulge the resting places of her final three victims. But there are conditions...
Meanwhile, Hemmy, a young girl goes missing and Amy's colleagues go all in to try and find her. Amy is distracted, still reeling from the shock of the revelations of her personal life. When the two collide with the kidnappers demands for Lillian's release, Amy is torn between keeping her secret, bringing peace to Lillian's victim's relatives, and bringing the young girl home.
Well, this book hit the ground running and didn't let up until the end; delivering shock after shock as Amy's life is turned upside down and inside out. Forced to revisit a past that she has previously blocked, and reconnect to a family she didn't remember she had. All through emotional blackmail from her mother in exchange for information of where the bodies were buried. This stirs up memories and dreams in Amy as she comes to terms with who she was. There is definitely a lot going on and that's not even touching on poor Hemmy's plight. Where the past is important, a young girl's life is still at stake and Amy faces a race against time as she is forced to play Lillian's depraved games.
Everything you'd expect to find, and indeed need, in a book of this genre is present here. There are power struggles with some colleagues within the force and support from others. There is some great banter and humour which keeps the book balanced, especially with the crimes within being so nasty. Pacing is darned near perfect and I did like the part where the author recognises that there are actually more people working a case than are ever identified, working in the background, meaning that what is being told is kept moving in the foreground for the reader. That I guess stems from her real life experience, making the overall story feel more real.
I could also say so much about Amy but I think that it is best that other readers find her in their own time. She really does go through so much in this book and her development, even just within this first outing, is quite vast. Personally, I took to her from the beginning and, by the end, I had really got to like her and was quite sad when I had to leave her; well, until next time.
I mentioned already that there are a lot of books of this genre that feature the personal lives of the investigators infiltrating the cases that they are trying to solve. Personally, I am not the biggest fan of this, especially as it seems to be becoming the norm rather than the exception. But, here it is done very well indeed and with the way the past is brought into the present seamlessly, it really didn't matter to me. What will be interesting however is where the author takes the character of Amy in the next book. I for one will be very interested to see.
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

Caroline Mitchell has done it again!! DI Amy Winters is amazing and I love her already.... I hope this is the first of a long series about this strong but real detective with a past. If I could give it more than 5 stars I would not hesitate... this book is brilliant!!

This is a police procedural with a twist. Amy Winters wants nothing more than to follow in her highly respected police officer fathers footsteps. She has recently been promoted and life is going well for her. Until she gets a letter from Lillian Grimes - one half of the husband and wife serial killing team from prison. In this letter she tells Amy that she is her biological mother. She also says that she will tell her the location of 3 of her victims, but at a cost to Amy. Lillian is pure evil and likes to play mind games with people. Her world is rocked, so soon after losing her father she must decide what to do now.

Such a great story and a ending that has me hanging for book number 2. Thank you to Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley for my advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased

Truth and Lies builds suspense from page one. DC Amy Winters is reeling from the loss of her respected police officer father when a letter from a serial killer arrives. Amy's biological mother is one half of the couple labeled the Beasts of Brentwood, responsible for the deaths of nine young women. Amy struggles with her identity, wondering if her genetics disqualify her from police work. Lillian manipulates Amy into family reunions and unwanted memories while leading her to the burial sites of the still missing women. Each uncovered memory is a kick to the stomach as Amy remembers her traumatic first four years. A new high profile missing case is tossed to her team while Amy is jumping through hoops for the psycho who gave birth to her. The writing runs smooth, draws the reader in, and leaves you emotionally invested in the characters. Full of twists and unexpected surprises, the pages fly by before ending way too soon. Ms. Mitchell will be on my to read list for the foreseeable future and I am already impatient for the next DC Amy Winters novel. My voluntary, unbiased review is based upon a review copy.

Wow, Wow, Wow.......More twists and turns than an alpine pass.
This is the first Caroline Mitchell book that I have read and I am already searching for her previous books.
Cant wait for the second in the series.

You have to read this book :)

This is the first book in a new series featuring DI Amy Winter.

As if the unexpected death of Amy's father, who she has loved and tried to emulate by going into law enforcement, isn't enough, she receives a letter that is even more upsetting. The letter is from a notorious serial killer named Lillian Grimes. Both Lillian and her husband, Jack, were sent to prison years ago for killing several young girls and women. As Amy reads the letter from Lillian Grimes she learns that both Lillian and Jack are her biological parents.

Amy is well aware that she was adopted, but since it happened at a young age, she's been able to block past memories. Her biological mother has agreed to reveal the spots where three of their earlier victims are buried in return for a few tasks directed by the twisted psychopath. Amy, the prominent DI, has no desire to have her true bloodline revealed, but at the same time is torn between wanting to do the right thing and protecting herself.

What Concerned Me: Absolutely nothing

What I Liked Most: This is an excellent author who knows how to develop characters, gives just the right amount of description, and keeps the story moving. Perhaps because Caroline Mitchell is a former police detective, the book rings true in many ways. This is the first thing I've read by Mitchell, but I'm sure it won't be the last.

Truth and Lies was very hard for me to put down, plus kept me jumping for answers. If you like thrillers you won't go wrong with this book! I highly recommend it.

Blog Tour Review will be published 21/08/18 - http://readingruby.co.uk/truth-and-lies-by-caroline-mitchell

Caroline Mitchell is a seasoned author in her own write, having previously written an entire police-procedural series, which I have never read. However, when given the chance to join the Blog Tour for her newest release, ‘Truth and Lies’, I couldn’t resist.

The plot was enthralling, especially for a police procedural, which I am usually not the biggest fan of. However, this was a FAST moving thriller, which kept you on the edge of your seat! The race against time to find a missing teenage girl kept you needing to keep reading, and I absolutely devoured this one.

The jokes between Gladys and Paddy made it all the more enjoyable, and I actually laughed out loud at the line: “I want my headstone to offer free Wi-Fi, then they’ll come and visit me more often”.

Overall, I’d highly recommend that you check ‘Truth and Lies’ out if you’re looking for a new crime/thriller fiction to get into, especially as this is only the beginning of, what is shaping up to be, an incredible series.

A bit 'Fred & Rose West' but still a really good book. Compelling writing. Will definitely be reading book 2.

With thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the book in exchange for an honest review.
This is the first in the D I Amy Winter series and it was an excellent start to a police series. The book and storyline was totally engrossing and I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I will read more by Caroline Mitchell.
Highly recommended.

Book one in a new series featuring DI Amy Winter and a promising start to this crime series. I love the author's books and this did not disappoint. I loved the character of Amy but Lillian left me wanting to murder her! A great cast of characters, just waiting to be developed, with enough twists and turns to keep the reader enthralled. Another sure fire winner from Caroline Mitchell. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC. I have no hesitation in recommending this new series of crime thrillers. Reviewed on Goodreads and Facebook with Amazon to follow on publication day.