Even though this is book 7 in the series it is possible, although not advised, to read this book as a standalone.

I have read most of the previous books in this series, except Deadly Lies, and this book is just as good, if not better, than the other ones.

This time Mariner is acting DCI and half his team have left to either go on Maternity leave or to join another team, leaving Mariner short-staffed but with a serial killer on the loose.

The book starts off slowly with a lot of scene setting but once the body count rises so does the action.

The story starts off with an 18 year old going missing and it is assumed she has just run off to get away from her father, until her clothes are delivered washed and ironed to DCI Mariner. A couple of days later the clothes of another woman appear, leading the team to start searching for the bodies and the killer.

There appears to be nothing linking the murders and as they struggle to piece everything together the bodies turn up.

From here it is a race against the killer to try and catch him before he kills again, but there are so many red herrings that it is really hard to work out who the killer was whilst reading the book.

Overall the book was a brilliant read, which kept me guessing throughout, although I did have an inkling about who the murderer was.

If you love a good plot with great charactors then you will love this,i like to become absorbed into a book and feel as if i am there and this book delivers.well worth 5*

If you like a plot with lots of twists and turns this is a book you shouldn’t miss. Lots of action, several parallel threads running through and a strong lineup of characters. Superb

This book actually managed to surprise me on who did it, which doesn't happen often. I had, however, figured out the where well in advance. They had a very blatant clue to it also but didn't follow through.

Missing Lies turns out to be a later volume in a series, but reading it cold was no issue at all. I wasn't made to feel left out of the story or like there were pieces I wasn't being told, which often happens in series of this nature.

The main character is interesting and very humanized by his personal situation. He has inherited responsibility for a very autistic man who was the brother of a former lover and has to try to incorporate providing him with stability and routine and compassion in his hectic life as a police detective.

While many readers of mysteries are satisfied with a purely plot-driven story, I at least need a main character to care about and follow. DCI Tom Mariner provides this. He's human and humanly imperfect, but he's struggling to do his best in some difficult situations. And he develops an awareness through his own experience of how difficult the job can be for others.

The biggest negative I see for a "regular reader" is the number of POVs included from the beginning. It is difficult initially to see how they all will come together. All those quick shifts make the opening a bit challenging initially. However, it is worth it to persevere and once you get into it a bit further, all the pieces start to fit and it all makes sense.

So if you're a normal reader, stop here. It's a 4 star read to me, who is pickier than average, so if it's a genre you like, you're probably good to go.

As a writer working to improve my craft, I notice some things normal people don't notice that tend to make me aware that I could at least enjoy the writing slightly more than I did. The biggest one of these with this book was dialogue tags. My experience is that action beats often provide a deeper sense of characters, especially side characters.  But the writing here relied heavily on dialogue tags and some of the side characters still feel like cardboard to me, even having read all of it and even having had some scenes in their POVs.

The other thing only writers would notice is a midscene POV shift late in the book in a very busy scene. I noticed because I got a bit confused about who I was when it happened. More normal readers probably would have an easier time going with the flow and not think about it twice.

Beyond those few concerns, the book was well written and edited, had an exciting plot line, and had interesting characters. I'm sure someone who had read more of the series would have more attachment to the side characters than I was able to develop within these pages, but I was never left feeling left out or behind.

Definitely worth recommending to readers who enjoy a good mystery puzzle like I do.

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley.

This is the seventh Tom Mariner book, and I enjoyed it much more than the last one. Tom is looking after Jamie and back at work, investigating the disappearance of a young woman called Grace. Then Rosa doesn't return home to her small daughter and parcels containing their clothes are sent to the police. This was a good read, with lots of red herrings and twist and turns. However, I'm deducting a star for the way the last quarter links the (by then) preposterous number of deaths and sub-plots together tidily and in a supremely unlikely fashion. Even Mariner's sitter's son and Millie's baby group friend's family are neatly incorporated. Surprisingly Mariner's love life seems to be on the up (should we remember Suzy? Have we met her before?)

I'm also tempted to deduct a star for the pointless and unnecessary ridicule of the effective and efficient Charlie for having become a Christian, and for the portrayal of academics as rude and unable to engage with normal people. But I will relent...

Wow - talk about launching the reader straight into the action. After a creepy sinister prologue we catch up with (acting) DCI Tom Mariner. The police are preparing to stage a reconstruction of the night that eighteen year old Grace Clifton disappeared on her way home from work. Grace just happened to be the daughter of Council leader Bob Clifton,a wealthy and overbearing man who doesn't hold back on his opinion on police incompetence. The more time Mariner has to be spend with the man,the more convinced he becomes that Grace has ran away of her own accord.

Then the police receive a package containing Grace`s clothes,neatly pressed and laundered,even her shoes have been polished. Then a second woman disappears and the police receive a second package.

It appears that there is a serial killer stalking the streets of Birmingham. Mariner who is still adapting to a new investigation team and is struggling to pull its members together is about to tackle one of his strangest and most challenging cases yet.

As well as struggling to adapt to a new team,Mariner is missing his right hand man DS Tony Knox who has been seconded to Operation Athena. A task force that is clamping down on the circulation of illegal firearms in the city. Mariner is also struggling with his decision to move severely autistic Jamie Barham into his home. Jamie is the younger brother of Mariner`s ex partner Anna and Mariner was positive that he had made the right decision at the time especially considering the conditions that Jamie was living in at his previous residential facility. Now Marriner is in charge of a major investigation,he feels guilty about being over reliant on kindly Mercy Brown who takes care of Jamie when he is not in day care. So Mariner has to seriously rethink his decision and is wondering wether he should find Jamie a new residential facility. Although Tony Knox is in this book,he only appears every now and again and like Mariner,I missed the banter and camaraderie that the two characters share when they are investigating a case together. Mariner still had Charlie Glover and the new addition to the team Vikki Jesson fitted in well with the team but the banter and camaraderie that the usual team share was missing. Jamilla (Millie) Khatoon is currently off on maternity leave and although she loves her new baby,she is also missing her colleagues in CID,the sense of belonging and the sudden bursts of energy when they go on a shout. Little does she realise the life threatening situation she will find herself in,all because she makes a new friend at the health clinic.

This intricately plotted thriller is told from the points of view of Mariner,Charlie,Millie and poor little eight year old Dominique who`s mummy doesn't come home from work. Dominique`s chapters were heart breaking as we witnessed the poor little girl try to take care of herself,getting herself to school and being bullied because she couldn't wash herself or her clothes properly. It was ingenious how the author made all the threads of the story pull together and the identity of the killer who was actually hiding in plain sight was revealed. The killer was a sick,twisted but very clever individual who's identity took me completely by surprise,I definitely didn't see that twist coming.

Missing Lies is a gripping page turner,packed with twists and turns and keeps the reader guessing throughout. It also contains are moral message which is that some people in different professions might be heroes but that doesn't mean everyone is. Although this is the seventh book in the series,it can be read and enjoyed as a stand alone. I really enjoyed this book and link forward to whatever Mariner`s next case is going to be,hopefully,fingers crossed,Tony and Millie will be part of his team again.

This is the 7th book in the DI Mariner series by author Chris Collett. I love this series and always look forward to the next instalment which has an additional interest to me with it based in Birmingham an area I know very well.
I find this series to be of a consistently high standard, full of strong interesting characters and believable plots. This latest book is no different and guaranteed to keep the reader entertained throughout.
Eighteen year old Grace Clifton disappears on her way home from work and is thought to have run away from home, but when a second young mother disappears, it is deemed to be a kidnapping. The clothes of the two women are sent to the police, dry cleaned and when the bodies are finally found, they were wrapped up in bed sheets.
A very good read that you will find difficult to put down.
I would like to thank Net Galley and Joffe Books for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and Joffe Books for this arc.

Another very solid and satisfying entry in the Tom Mariner series by Chris Collett.

The pace of the primary plot line was a little start and stop in the beginning. But that was balanced out by a second, seemingly unrelated mystery that Millie found (while on maternity leave --- you Go Girl !). But it was a great twisty mess and all came together in the end. Tom's former team members Tony and Millie are both in this story as Tom is getting to know new members Charlie and Vickie. Tom finally seems to be sorting out his home life / love life. All of these are likeable and engaging characters.

4.5 stars rounded up

Another great story by Chris Collett, DI Tom Mariner at his best! An intriguing case , lots of twists and turns full of suspense until the very end. Well recommended to read

An enjoyable DCI (acting) Tom Mariner book. He never has much luck with women, but he certainly stepped up to the plate with Jamie after Tom's ex's death. Young women are disappearing, only to be found later murdered and wrapped in a sheet. Tom has a, mainly, new team - and Jamie living with him - so it's all a little fraught.

A good story - strong as ever.

This is a great series of police procedurals featuring the loner DI Tom Mariner set in Birmingham. This is a revised edition of Dead of Night, published earlier featuring one of the oddest cases, with intricate plotting, fast paced and full of action. When 18 year old Grace Clifton disappears, Tom is left thinking that she has run away from her unbearable father. That is until a package addressed to him arrives with Grace's clothing, and a message for him. As other women go missing, a baffled Tom finds himself hunting a possible serial killer with a depleted police team, and Maggie is on maternity leave. Struggling to find leads, looking into a host of suspects, Tom finds himself with the strangest of investigations whilst having to handle personal issues as well. This is a wonderfully twisted story that is hugely gripping. Many thanks to Joffe Books for an ARC.

Acting DCI Tom Mariner of the West Midlands Police has his hands full. Missing women, two of his team members away from the job, a new romantic relationship that doesn't seem to be going anywhere, and an autistic charge at home. Whew -- he's definitely busy in this book, #7 in a long-running detective series.

Grace Clifton, 18-years-old, was on her way to meet friends after leaving her job at Symphony hall when she vanished. Mariner receives a package of her clothing in the mail so the police know this indicates probable foul play. Then another woman disappears and her clothing is sent to the station as well. What's interesting is that the clothes have been washed and pressed. Mariner, Jesson and Glover are stumped. The hunt is on to figure out who took these women and why. As the investigation continues, more deaths occur as first one suspect and then another is eliminated. Keeping all the characters and their relationships straight is a bit difficult as the case expands and the tedious process of seeking information and clues helps them narrow their focus. NO SPOILERS.

What a great police procedural! I can't believe I haven't read one of Collett's books before as I love crime thrillers with good detail and complicated cases. Although I have no clue about the development of Tom Mariner as a character from the first book to the present, I felt this worked OK as a standalone. That said, I fully intend to go find the others in the series. I liked the writing style, the perspectives from different points of view, the action and the relentless hunt for the perpetrator. I prefer little to no romance in books, so this lack within served me well. I can't wait to get to know the team members better. Basically a straight-forward detective mystery.

Thank you to NetGalley and Joffe Books for this e-book ARC to read and review. I understand that it was previously published by Severn House in 2014 as DEAD OF NIGHT.

Found this a little hard going at first , but soon got engrossed, 3 girls have been killed but what is the link ?
I did find the ending a little strange also but would still recommend this novel

Definitely one of the best British crime novels I have read, with a great plot that twist and turns. Very well written with smooth language and very interesting characters. Everything is easy to follow, and you will not want to put the book down before you're finished.

THIS IS A REVISED EDITION OF A BOOK FIRST PUBLISHED AS “DEAD OF NIGHT.”

DI Tom Mariner is back in action .. with a few changes. His long-time partner, Maggie, is still out on maternity leave. Mariner worries that she won't ever be back. He's still dealing with his autistic brother-in-law and keeping him home while awaiting a home in the center is really challenging Mariner on a daily basis.

If that doesn't keep him busy, his current investigation will. A young woman disappears on her way home. Mariner thinks she may have just taken off ..maybe with a boyfriend or to getaway from her father. But when a package is delivered to Mariner with her clothes, freshly washed, folded and cleaned, he changes his mind.

Days later another woman vanishes into thin air and once again a package of her clothing reaches Mariner.

When a third woman goes missing, Mariner understands that what he's dealing with is a serial killer. But without any evidence, DNA, clues to motive, Mariner doesn't even know where to begin.

This is an action-packed page turner, full of suspects with twists and turns that had me reading until the wee hours of night. The ending was surprising in a way I never saw coming.

I enjoy the professional, as well as personal life revealed about Mariner. I really enjoyed seeing what Maggie was up to since she's not officially working right now. I'm looking forward to the next adventure this author may treat us to.

Many thanks to the author / Joffe Books / Netgalley / Books n All Promotions / Jill Burkinshaw for the digital copy of this 7th book of a terrific series. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

Another fantastic instalment in the DI Mariner series, I must admit I can be quite biased when it comes to these books as I'm a big fan having followed the series from Book 1!

When the daughter of a local councillor goes missing, most people are convinced it's of her own volition due to an over bearing strict father until a package arrives at the police station with all her clothes washed, neatly folded & shoes polished.....strange eh? So ensues an investigation of another nature! When another woman goes missing having left her 8 year old daughter alone to go to work, is it the work of the same person?

Mariner has to pull his new team together whilst also dealing with the care of Jamie (the autistic brother of his ex-girlfriend). When the bodies of the two missing women are found, can Mariner piece together the puzzle to find the culprit before the body count rises?

A brilliantly well thought out mystery with plenty of red herrings thrown in to put you off the scent...if you even were on the scent....I know I was nowhere near to figuring it out, fantastic twist to round it off.

As always I'll be definitely recommending to my friends/family, keep up the tremendous work Chris Collett, loving it 😊

Many thanks to Netgalley & Joffe Books for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Another compelling instalment in this well established series with the return of several characters despite changes in the team. Unexpected twists and a killer who really does remain a mystery until the conclusion.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Joffe Books for an advance copy of Missing Lies, the seventh police procedural to feature DCI Tom Mariner of the Birmingham Police.

When teenager Grace Clifton vanishes without trace from the city centre nobody is sure if she has engineered her own disappearance or if something more sinister has happened and when her clothes, neatly ironed and pressed, are delivered to the police station the mystery only deepens until another woman disappears. It then becomes clear that, at best, the women have been abducted.

I thoroughly enjoyed Missing Lies which is an absorbing read with some good twists. The novel is narrated from several different points of view although thankfully none of them is the perpetrator’s (can’t be bothered with the generic “psychology” that goes into most of them). Often this approach can be distracting but in this novel I found it intriguing as I tried to work out where each character slotted in to the overall plot, mostly unsuccessfully as the twists kept coming and changed the direction I believed it was heading. The only downside to the novel is the slightly sloppy procedures, like not trying to trace the victims’ mobile phone signals, but this is a minor criticism of a page turner of a read.

Tom Mariner is still a bit of an enigma to me after seven novels. He is a solitary man, more comfortable in his own company than that of others and yet he has a girlfriend whom he neglects and impulsively has a severely autistic man, Jamie, living with him. In this novel he is Acting DCI, normally a more administrative role, but he’s still leading the investigation actively, from the front. A mass of contradictions but his heart is in the right place so you can’t help liking him.

Missing Lies is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending.

Thank you NetGalley and Joffe Books for the eARC.
This 7th book in the Detective Tom Mariner series is my favorite so far. A bite your nails, on the edge of your seat read, I loved it.
Previously published as 'Dead Of Night', DI Mariner is involved in his most perplexing case yet. It starts with a missing young woman who is thought to have run away from home, but when a 2nd young woman, mother of a little girl, disappears, it's obvious it's a kidnapping. No way would she have left her daughter, she was a loving mother. The perpetrator sent the 2 women's clothes and shoes back to the police in pristine condition, except their tops. When the bodies are finally found, they were wrapped up in a shroud-like manner in bedsheets.
This is an intricately woven story and very hard to put down. In the previous books I didn't know if I liked Mariner, but I certainly do now. He has evolved into a kind, caring man and I can't say enough about this book, it's so good. We also get more insight into Millie, who's on maternal leave, but integral to the plot. An excellent read, highly recommended!