Looking back to my review from Wyer’s first DI Natalie Ward novel, I have come to like Natalie a lot more. In this second novel she has handled herself in more of a professional way and more motherly than she did in the first novel and I was really loving that. She had more time spent with her kids (even though it’s not enough time being a cop) and more time for her husband.

This novel was written so well. When I look at how suspects come across in a book, I feel like those characters are a huge part of the story. I love when I get thrown for a loop and second guess myself when I choose a suspect of my own. In this novel that happened. Every suspect DI Ward interview came up with a solid alibi. BUT one of them committed these murders. I ended up figuring out the right suspect but it wasn’t until a chapter or two before she released that information.

Once again, Wyer’s novel is a very fast paced read that I did not want to end. It’s a good thing I just requested book three (The Dare) on NetGalley so Megan and I can start reading when we are approved! The ending was shocking for Natalie’s home life but it wasn’t something I didn’t expect to happen. I’m just hoping that she will be able to work through it for her children and the sake of her sanity.

Probably a 3.5./5.
I enjoyed the police procedure aspect of this book - and I really enjoyed the plot. It just went on too long, with some parts feeling like they had just been added for word count! Then the ending seemed mega rushed!
I love Natalie and her team and can’t wait for the next story, because even with the negatives it was still a great read!

I've enjoyed reading this second instalment of the Natalie Ward series
It was an exciting ride through this case and I'd completely backed the wrong suspect as to who I thought was the serial killer and would never have guessed the outcome, though it did feel as if it took time for the team to reach its correct path and then rushed to the conclusion faster than I'd have normally expected from this author.
There were interesting developments in the characters background stories too and it will be great to see the outcomes to these storylines in book three

From my blog: Always With a Book:

This is the second book in Carol Wyer's Detective Natalie Ward series, and it was just as good as the first book in this series...just as addicting and thrilling! I was a huge fan of Carol Wyer's DI Robyn Carter series and while I was bummed to see that series come to an end, I can absolutely say I am now a huge fan of this new series, especially since it has another strong female lead!

I totally love Detective Natalie Ward. I love that not only is she a dynamic, fully developed character, but she is a flawed character. She is strong and tough, yet she has her issues and that is what makes her a good, intriguing main character. I not only want her to solve the cases that she is presented with, but I want to delve deep into her background, and find out what drives her. She's got family issues, mainly there are issues going on with her husband, and as that ending shows us...I think this is going to be a driving force in this series...which makes me quite happy! I also love that there is something - I'm not quite sure exactly what - but something going on with her and Mike and that is another avenue I can't wait to see develop more.

This case really kept me guessing and totally absorbed in the book. I was frantically flipping the pages to see what would happen next. And those chapters between the killer and their therapist were downright chilling. But darn-it if I couldn't figure out the killer's identity during these sessions...I kept guessing, but my guesses got me no where!

This is turning out to be another crackerjack of a series and I cannot wait to get my hands on the next book. If you like addicting, page-turning thrillers, you need to give this series a try!

Omg I loved how twisted and messed up this story was! And the characters were good, the pacing of the story was stable and I was hooked! Definitely going to check all of her other works too!!

Detailed review coming soon!

I really enjoyed this book. It was brilliantly written with a great cast of characters and intriguing plot that kept me turning the pages. Perfect read to escape from day to day life. A great read.

DI Natalie Ward is kickass awesome! I loved getting to know her more in this second book of the series.
Absolutely as well written, gripping, and heart pounding as The Birthday. I was addicted.
I felt we got to see more of DI Wards personal life/struggles as well as those of her team.
I’m not usually into series but I will be first in line for Book three!

Thank you to #Netgalley, Carol Wyer, and Bookouture for my the free ARC in exchange for my honest review. Ten stars! 🌟

A gripping read for the 2nd book revolving around Detective Natalie Ward, her struggle to maintain a family life with two teenagers, a work at home Husband and a killer targeting young mothers... a husband discovers his wife's horridly beaten body in their bedroom whilst their young son screams in the next room for his mothers arms.... a friend discovers the body of a young mum horribly stabbed to death and her toddler sobbing inconsolably...…………. The race is on to find the link between these young mothers before the killer strikes again


Highly recommended

This is the second book in the series by Carol Wyer featuring DI Natalie Ward.

Natalie had taken some time off work when a murder gets reported. A young mother of a six month old is discovered murdered. Natalie and her team have their task cut out. Soon they realise that they are being played by a serial killer. All they need to do is find the connection.

A fast paced book with well rounded characters, be it the police officers who are juggling complicated personal lives or the victims or suspects who all have a credible back story.

A book I would thoroughly recommend for those who like this genre. And certainly looking forward to the next in the series.

Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for the review copy of this book.

Thankyou to NetGalley, Bookouture and the author, Carol Wyer, for the opportunity to read a digital copy of Last Lullaby in exchange for an honest, unbiased opinion.
What an engrossing storyline. I thought this book was well written and it kept me hooked from start to finish. I can't wait for more from this author.
Well worth a read.

This is the second book in a new series by the author and, although it can be read as a stand-alone, the series should be read in order in my opinion.

Natalie finds herself caught up in a case which keeps the reader guessing throughout.

I didn’t think this series could get better, but it has. I look forward to seeing what the author brings us next.

Many thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for providing a copy.

Well written psychological thriller and characters that keep your attention. I have not read the first one but find I need to. Keeps your attention . I would read this author more.

Really enjoyed this twisty tale. Great characters and palpable tension kept me reading.
Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC.

Charlotte Brannon has been murdered in her bedroom - her six month old son was unharmed in his nursery next door. The prime suspect is her husband Adam - he’s not b ring entirely frank with the police about his movements that evening. DI Natalie Ward and her team struggle to find another suspect and then another murder occurs. Absolutely fantastic read - had me gripped from the beginning. This is the second in the Natalie Ward series by Carol Wyer and I do hope there’ll be more.

Thanks to Netgalley, Bookouture and Carol Wyer for the ARC of this book in return for an honest review.

Really enjoyed this book. Had not read the first one in this series, but the book was well written and very exciting.
A murderer killing woman with a child, the women looked like his. Mother.

The investigation leading up to the capture of the killer was very exciting, and I will definitely look out for another book in this series
Thank you netgalley for the opportunity to read this very exciting book.

When you are reading a good book, you should be allowed to continue doing so without having to stop and occupy yourself with details such as eating, sleeping, etc. But life happens and that's why I was not able to finish the book as fast as I would have liked to. On the other hand it only increases the reading pleasure because once you have devoured the last sentence, the wait for the next part of the series starts.

The author has done it again. She has captured my attention from the very beginning and it never wavered.  I love her writing style and the way she can create a story. The cover was a gem as well.

Little by little we get to know Natalie's team. We are treated to some personal details about each of them. But we may not forget we are reading a thriller and the focus has to stay on the case in order to keep the suspense level as high as possible. The author has done this perfectly. She gave the reader a breathing space here and there before she threw us in the deep end again.

I hope I can meet up with Natalie and her team again real soon. 5 stars.

Thank you, Carol Wyer, Bookouture and Netgalley.

This is a brilliant series from Carol Wyer featuring the detective Natalie Ward. She has home troubles of her own and has to work on a horrific new investigation where mothers are being murdered whilst their child is locked away. Just what is the connection between the women and who is targeting them and why?
It is a real page turner – you can’t wait to read more to find out just what is going to happen next. I love this series.

This Ginger Book Geek is a huge fan of Carol Wyer and her books. I greedily devour each one that she releases. I love the Robyn Carter series and the Natalie Ward series. I couldn’t wait to get my hands on a copy of ‘Last Lullaby’ and I started reading it as soon as I could. Wowzers ‘Last Lullaby’ is one bloody good read and I thoroughly enjoyed it but more about that in a bit.
I took to Natalie Ward from the first time I met her in ‘The Birthday’. Opening the pages of ‘Last Lullaby’ literally felt as though I was reuniting with old friends. Natalie is a career detective who goes above and beyond the call of duty. She does her very best for those who are affected by crime and she strives to put the guilty behind bars where they belong. I would love to work for somebody like Natalie. She is a very fair boss, who does her equal share of the workload and she has your back. She pitches in to help those who need assistance and she plays by the rules. The case in ‘Last Lullaby’ gets to Natalie and I could understand why. A mother cut down in her prime and her young baby is left without a mother. I didn’t doubt that Natalie would collar the guilty party. If something doesn’t seem right to her, then she will not hesitate to investigate until her own satisfaction has been satisfied. Natalie does have problems in her home life with her partner losing his job and the fact that Natalie is the chief bread winner. Her dedication to her work often intrudes on her home life and she doesn’t always have an equal work life and personal life balance.
Bloody nora, ‘Last Lullaby’ was one hell of a fast paced story which had me on the edge of my seat. It was a case of ‘sit down, buckle up and enjoy the ride’. That’s what I think anyway. The book starts in such a shocking way that ensures that I will not forget it for a hell of a long time to come. I became addicted to this book from the moment I read the synopsis, never mind when I began to read the book itself. I just knew that this was going to be one very well written book. The author’s writing style is such that she entices you in from the first word and she reels you in much as a fisherman reels in a catch. Before you know it you are hooked and you might as well cancel any plans you have because you will not be able to put the book down. Indeed I found it nigh on impossible to put the book down. I just couldn’t stop reading and if I did have to put the book down, then I would count down the time until I could pick it up again. The author uses such powerful and vivid descriptions that I actually felt like an invisible member of Natalie’s team. I found that I would read certain passages and make mental notes of the questions I would ask if I was the interviewer. I get far too involved in reading books as you can probably tell.
Reading this book felt like being on a scary and unpredictable rollercoaster ride with twists and turns aplenty- some of which you will be expecting and others which creep up on you and have the same effect on you as would a punch to the gut. There were certain moments that had me gasping out loud because I could scarcely believe what I had read. There were also times when I almost had to read through my fingers because I feared what was going to happen next.
In short, I bloody loved this book and I would definitely recommend this author and her books to other readers. I can’t wait to read what she comes up with next. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.

The second book in the Detective Natalie Ward series. I loved this book just as much as the 1st.
We start by meeting a family and the woman and her husband are arguing we follow the woman home where she is murdered but who has done it? We are introduced to lots of characters and there are lots of twists and turns to keep you guessing who the murderer is.
We also learn more about Natalie’s family and I love the way that she doesn’t just have a perfect home life and she really has to juggle her time and as the main income earner put work first sometimes.
Another great book and I look forward to reading about Natalie’s next crime to solve.

Last Lullaby. One scary word, one comforting word. As long as I am not the one singing, lullaby is the happy word (just so we’re on the same page!) I tried my best to come up with a review written like a lullaby, but I encountered two obstacles: the first one is that I am not good with lullabies. The second involved the images that the book created in my mind. Vivid as a nightmare that wakes you up drenched in sweat, heart-wrenching as the cry of a child for their mother, impossibly addictive. I had no words!

Darkly brilliant, Last Lullaby was my first Carol Wyer book but it won’t be the last! I don’t mind grisly murders, I love blood and complex investigations. Give me a powerful and intricate plot and I’m in heaven. Well, I was in heaven with this novel!

In previous reviews, I mentioned how important the main characters are for me to connect with a narration. But this time, what kept me utterly and unconditionally engrossed was the plot. The first chapters… I was in. Thanks to the author’s brilliant characterization, I was interested in what was going to happen to the couple we meet at the start. Terrible idea to get attached, I should know! The violence of the crime didn’t just stem from the brutal murder of a mother in the room next to her kid. No, it was in the setting, in the shadows, in each word carefully chosen by Carol Wyer. It was in the unfairness. I clinched my fist, the knuckles of the hand holding the Kindle went white around it. It was like being at the receiving end of a massive blow! I even stopped breathing! I am not going to forget this book any time soon! Adrenaline was racing through my veins!

When it was all over, and the police case began, (and when my heart recovered enough), I discovered what felt like authentic police work. Realistic descriptions of the scene through cops’s eyes is always a sign of a good book to come, and the author made sure we got plenty of details, accurate and precise, to feel right in the moment. Then came the game. The lying game. I am used to witness hiding things, lists of suspects that you can’t crack, and taut interviews but Carol Wyer set a new record! This case is a giant ball of entangled wool!!! Like a cat, I kept pulling threads that led nowhere. I took one step forward, two steps back. I had a feeling everyone was hiding something, that everyone was protecting themselves and it was so frustrating! I was a cop in front of a 5-meter high wall. I loved how each suspect, each witness had a whole life, background, that I discovered one page after the other. Again, like a cat in front of a tennis game, I was going back and forth to try and figure out what the motives behind the murders were.

Along the investigation, we get clever and frightening chapters of an unknown character and their psychologist. Another smart move from the author as she keeps giving clues and red herrings galore, keeping the reader on their toes until the very last moment!

Last Lullaby is the second book in the Natalie Ward series. I liked Natalie but I felt I didn’t spend enough time with her to really get to know her. I really enjoyed the fact that she is a wife and mother trying to juggle with her personal and private lives, and I am very curious about her. I want to know more! I guess that, just like during a real case, you don’t get to spend enough time home, so I am hoping the first and later, the third book, will help me understand Natalie better, both as a cop and as a woman.

Last Lullaby is an unputdownable cat-and-mouse game with enough twists to keep you awake!