Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

A good read, which kept my attention throughout. I would recommend this as a good holiday reading book. Very enjoyable.

I am addicted to these detective series. A Place Called Fear is the second book in the Maggie Novak Thriller Series, and it may just be better than the first. Keep them coming Keith Houghton.

Absolutely brilliant and so gripping. I read it in one evening as i was totally hooked. Can't wait to read more from the author.

Fabulous plot which I could not put down. Brilliant characters, and twists and turns. Highly recommend to other fans of this genre!!

I haven't read the first in the series but wow this was a great book. Good storyline, well written, and intriguing. I need to read the first in the series now and am hoping for more. Recommended.

I love the cover of this novel and the inside." A Place Called Fear" is an suspenseful novel by Keith Houghton. A page turner for sure.

The second outing for Maggie Novak, and another gripping read from Keith Houghton, Will be interesting to see where these characters develop. Decent twist, but a tad too far out of left field for me.

Well written as all Mr. Houghton's novels. This is the second of the Maggie Novak thrillers out of four. Have read all and make sure I don't have much to do the next day as stay up most of the night reading.

Read them all, you won't be disappointed.

The characters in this book were well developed. The story was good but the ending was a bit unbelievable.
It wasn’t as good as the first book

Another great book from this excellent police crime thriller series
A great main character and a plot that twists and turns will keep you quickly page turning all the way to the final chapter
I highly recommend this author for all the books he has written

A great, fast paced mystery. Back with Maggie Novak for her second mystery, this one starts on New Year's eve when Maggie receives a phone call asking if she's seen Clay. She hasn't, but she's been drinking and at a party and took the time off, so although she is a little curious, she isn't worried. Besides, she has some exciting things happening at the party too.

But the mystery starts from there. First you are looking for Clay, then searching to understand why. After murders, car bombs, secret club owners and marriages, you learn so much more about the officers in Maggie's co-workers. It's fast story, one that's hard to put down.

I enjoyed it, although I did hate that the crux of the story hinging on hiding the one thing that everyone was just so scandalized by. It made me sad but I liked Steve's take on it. I wish others felt the same.

I read the first book in the series which I really enjoyed and this one was just as good this book packs a punch from early on and keeps you enthralled all the way through. . I love the way the story line flows and the description ,makes s it seem so real that you can visualise it . It is a fast paced gripping story .Maggie Novack is one of my favourite characters and can't wait to read the next book

i liked maggie as a character and really enjoyed the detective work in the book. I'd be interested in reading more from the author and more from Maggie.

Great choice in a cover. Really makes people want to choose this book. However with that being said, the book was really a good read. It kept my attention at all turns and the story with Maggie and her detective work was really very well written. Houghton did a great job of telling a story as if you were a part of it and made you want to continue to another 2nd book. Hope there is one around the corner and Maggie can have another opportunity to keep me guessing.

Well written thriller.
A good read, interesting storyline with many twists that keep you turning the pages.
My first time reading that author and certainly not the last.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book. This is my honest review. All opinions are my own.

This was a good storyline, it held my interest to get to the end. It was a little slow in parts but it was a fairly enjoyable read.

The beginning of this book was extremely gripping and riveting. I really enjoyed the relationship between Novak and her partner Loomis. It was enjoyable and funny at times to read their interactions. Some things were off about this novel though. Such as the ending. The motive was too far-fetched for my liking. It was completely unexpected, and I understand the author was most likely trying for huge shocker, but it was too much of a stretch. Overall though this was a fast-paced and exciting read and I'm looking forward to the next one.

This is the second instalment of the Maggie Novak detective series. It was a very enjoyable read. On an evening run to the nearest shop her colleague disappears. She sets off on the trail to uncover what happened and discovers that he was killed and she fears that she may be next. The path to his killer uncovers many surprising facts, but the truth is difficult to find and they find that many people are barring their way to getting justice for their colleague. This was a really engaging read and kept me guessing right up until the end. I'm looking forward to the next instalment already.

This book had a lot of twists and turns that kept me turning the pages. I really liked this book and will be looking for this author in the future.