The Secret Admirer by Carol Wyer is the sixth in the Detective Natalie Ward series.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Bookouture, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
 

Series Background:    (Warning – May contain spoilers from previous books)
DI Natalie Ward is a strong female detective, who has had a rough time lately.  Her husband's gambling and lies finally destroyed their marriage, but the loss of their daughter was the final straw.  Everyone blames Natalie, and she blames herself.  She has not been back to work since her daughters death.  Natalie’s team consists of: DS Lucy Carmichael, DS Murray Anderson and PC Ian Jarvis.  Her boss is Dan Trasker, and she is in love with Mike Sullivan, her husband's one-time best friend.




My Synopsis:   (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)

Natalie decides to return to work, realizing that if she doesn't do this soon, she never will, but it won't be easy.  She sees her daughter's face everywhere.  Her death is still fresh in Natalie's mind, but she knows work is a necessary step to healing.

When college student Gemma Barnes is found dead, the result of an acid attack, Natalie and her team are horrified.  After repeated interviews with Gemma's housemates, mother and professor, the team are no closer to finding answers.   What have they missed?

Then the unthinkable, Natalie's ex-husband David becomes one of the prime suspects, and although she cannot quite believe that David is capable of murder, she knows he has changed, and she knows he is hiding something.

It seems like everyone is withholding something from Natalie, and another dead body confirms that at least one person has lied.


My Opinions:  

The author continues to surprise me with plot twists.  I love it!  I was sure I knew who the perpetrator was, and then I changed my mind....repeatedly.  This is so much fun!

Natalie's strength has been tested again and again, and yet she prevails.  David's idiocy continues to irritate me, and although I should probably feel sorry for him, I do not.  Remember - you must read the books in order, or you will never understand the relationship between Natalie and David.

The book really took a look at families.  The book showed how grief can affect people differently, even within the same family.  It showed how a relationship between a loving couple with a new baby can turn sour if not tended.  It was a rather sad book, as even the college students had poor relationships with their families.

Overall, this was a really good book, and the series is definitely one of the better police procedurals out there!

From my blog: Always With a Book:

This is the sixth book in Carol Wyer's Detective Natalie Ward series, and I'm not quite sure how it's possible, but this series gets better and better with each book. Carol Wyer sure knows how to write an addicting and thrilling series for sure - I was a huge fan of her DI Robyn Carter series and I am loving this one just as much.

While I won't say that you necessarily have to read this series in order, as each book contains a self-contained case that is solved within the book, I do strongly suggest reading it in order for the character development. And to me, that is where this series is so strong. There are so many threads that have been carried through from the start of the series that really play a factor in understanding Detective Natalie Ward and if you like that part of the series - the character development - then do yourself a favor and read the books as the author wrote them.

I've always felt that one of the reasons this series is so strong is because Detective Natalie Ward is such a strong character and never have I felt that to be the case than in this particular installment. Coming on the heals of a terrible tragedy - and again...if you are new to this series, at least read the previous book before picking this one up - Natalie is just returning back to work and the case the team gets called to is really going to test her. But in true Natalie fashion she is going to give it her all and then some.

This is why I love this series...Carol Wyer doesn't shy away from the hard stuff and believe me when I say she doesn't give Natalie Ward an easy go in this installment. She tests her again and again and we really she her come to her breaking point on a few occasions for a number of different reasons, but this just makes her more real and relatable. Her team is there to help as well as Mike and I like that not even that is going to be easy. Again - real life here!

This was a good follow-up to the previous book and a good installment in this series. And once again, we are left with quite a cliffhanger...one that I am so curious to see how will be played out. I sure hope we don't have to wait too long to find out!

I would firstly like to thank Netgalley and the publishers for allowing me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Blossom Twins was a truly spectacular read, and while this one wasn't quite as gripping (it was close!), it definitely was intense, emotional and highly enjoyable.
With many suspects, threads and secrets to the case; there is no shortage of police work, investigating, and excellent writing. Carol Wyer has, yet again, delivered a flawless story that had me guessing constantly, and intrigued throughout.
The character development continues to be outstanding, and their personal lives are the highlight of this book, in my opinion. Most of the characters were working the case, as well as dealing with their individual lives.
From grieving the loss of a child, to adapting to work life with a newborn at home, to a troubled ex, the stories remained genuinely emotional and completely realistic!
Absolutely can't wait for the next book!

I have read & enjoyed all the books in this series. After the horrors of 'The Blossom Twins' where Natalie Ward's daughter was a victim of a vicious killer, I wondered how she could possibly pick up her life again. Book 6 starts when Natalie decides to return to work. She is thrown into the deep end when a student dies after a horrific acid attack. When investigating she finds a note from 'A Secret Admirer' but before she gets much further another student is dead & her ex has been seen talking to these students- could he really be involved?

Like all in this series this is a well written police procedural with strong characters. I'm already looking forward to the next in the series- maybe Natalie will at last get a bit of a break!

Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book.

The Secret Admirer

This is the sixth in the Natalie Ward series and wow Carol Wyer certainly puts her characters through their paces.

If ever a book shows that actions have consequences then this is it.

The book starts with an horrific attack on a young girl called Gemma and quickly escalates to more bodies being found.

Natalie and her team are under immense pressure to find the killer before they strike again.

As always the momentum of Carol’s books carry you along so fast and really make you feel part of the investigation and I’d say that from midway until the end my heart was pounding as I teetered on the edge of my seat as various channels of investigation were exposed.

What I’ve enjoyed most about this series is watching how Natalie has evolved as a person as each book takes her to a different stage of her personal life. When she speaks to Gemma’s mum she is able to communicate with her on a completely different level because of sharing the same type of loss.

Natalie is constantly being pulled in so many different directions as she tries to be the best detective, mother, wife and eventually lover but she never ever gets a chance to find out who she is as she never has time to herself. Natalie has always been a flawed character from the beginning but I think she’s learned a lot from what’s happened to her and in some ways although heartbroken for ever she seems to have found some sort of peace.

I’ve completely loved this series and as it’s been left on a cliffhanger I wouldn’t be surprised if more came out in the future.

Well done Carol Wyer this series has been incredibly heartbreaking, gripping and left with a sense of hope that Natalie can pick up the pieces of her life and move on to a happier future.

The Secret Admirer is a gripping, twisty & emotionally- charged book. The book starts off with a creepy prologue that hooks you in, The subsequent chapters are good but then the pace slows down. Contrary to popular opinion, I did not enjoy this book as much as the previous books in this series. This book was emotionally-intense and there was a cloud of sadness following the events in the last book.

Sasha’s eighteen-year-old daughter Gemma was all she had in the world. So when Gemma’s burned and broken body is found, Sasha’s world ends. What kind of person would want her beautiful daughter dead?
Leading the case is Detective Natalie Ward, scarred by her own recent tragedy. When she finds a note in Gemma’s diary from a ‘secret admirer’, she moves quickly, determined to unmask them. But interviews with Gemma’s devastated ex-boyfriend, and her charismatic teacher, who has been seen embracing his student far away from the classroom, don’t give Natalie the answers she’d hoped for… But when Gemma’s housemate is found murdered, Natalie thinks the killer could still be at large. Is she right to trust her instincts about David and can she discover the truth before another precious life is taken?

The characters in this book are very good. I liked Sasha, Gemma, Fran, Hattie & the rest. They were interesting characters who kept the book going for me. But when the book switched to Natalie's life it became all too predictable. I personally feel Nat is a bit selfish & has double standards. I was shocked to see her continue working after the incident with David, considering everything. Even more shocked when she did nothing with Josh's fallout with his father. When it comes to her personal life she's been so very indecisive & for so long, it's starting to get a bit annoying. I liked the parts between Rowena & her. I just hope that by the end of the next book everyone move's on, considering this has been dragging for over 6 books now.
I like how Nat's team banded together to solve this case. We also get a glimpse of Lucy's life, now that baby Aurora is here. I wish there was more about her than making this all about Nat & her grief.

Thank you, NetGalley, Bookouture & Carol Wyer for an arc!

The Secret Admirer is a gripping crime fiction. It starts with an acid attack and then goes on as a crazy ride. Too many leads. Too many suspects. It doesn't confuse you. It keeps you guessing, jumping from one suspect to another. It keeps you tensed, however it meanders, at times.

I liked the lead Detective, Natalie. However, sometimes I thought she was being really selfish, as the story also tells about Natalie's personal life and her great loss (maybe it's about the previous book in this series).

Other characters are interesting too, with significant roles. I liked the writing style.

Overall, a gripping, unpredictable read.

Wow ! A deliciously intense and addictive thriller filled with secrets and many twists and turns ! A must read ! Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read and review this book ! Opinions are solely my own ! #Netgalley #Bookouture #TheSecretAdmirer

This book was absolutely brilliant! Carol Wyer keeps getting better and better with her Natalie Ward series, so the mystery is absolutely gripping, but also the emotional dilemma of her main character is just as powerful. I love that she doesn't shy away from hard choices an an author. Her books deliver on every count--emotion, mystery, surprise, and depth! Thanks, Carol, and keep them coming :)

Wonderfully crafted novel. This is the 6th in a series but stands alone. It hooked me right away and I will definitely be checking out the rest of the series.
Highly recommend.

Thanks Netgalley.

The 6th book in the Detective Natalie Ward series doesn’t disappoint. After reading the last book (The Blossom Twins) I was completely shocked and broken and have been eagerly awaiting the return of Natalie Ward.

A university student is the victim of an acid attack, on her way to the library, and unfortunately dies as a result of the attack. There is only one detective (and her ever faithful team) to call upon but is Detective Ward fit to return to duty, after the death of her daughter only a few months ago.

Who would want the young pretty university student dead ? After being questioned one of the girls housemates suddenly goes missing. Has she run off or is there more to her disappearance ?

As well as her work Natalie suddenly has her son living with her, after he can’t cope with his Dad’s behaviour. But suddenly Natalie finds David, her estranged husband, being connected to the victim, could he be capable of attacking someone ?

This 6th instalment is another great book in the series and although you could read it as a stand-alone you would be missing out on so much. So you definitely need to read the previous 5 to appreciate the whole series. I absolutely love this series and am already looking forward to what’s in store for Natalie in the future. A definite must read series !!

Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for a digital copy of this book.

This is my first outing with Carol Wyer as a crime novelist and I was not disappointed. The story pulls you in right from page one when a university student is the subject of an acid attack - something which ultimately causes her death. Natalie Ward and her team have very little to go on, but as the story progresses it appears there are many with motive as well as those who cannot account for their movements on the evening of the attack. It's a wonderfully crafted novel which at times made me feel I was watching a TV crime drama. I'll definitely go back now and catch up with Natalie Ward's other books. A fabulously entertaining read - highly recommended.
My thanks to NetGalley for a pre-publication copy.

I never repeat the blurb. A long time since I'd read the others in this series, so it took a little while to catch up. However, despite reading it at a very difficult time, it did help me through. Good plot and character development with many possible suspects. Good stuff.

Absolutely Wonderful Detective Series With A Heart!

A beautiful college students is viciously attacked on her way to the university library. Gemma lives with four other roommates, one of whom she had dated and they are devastated by the news when DI Natalie Ward informs them of the attack and now they will all be suspects along with several others while Natalie and her team begin a heartbreaking investigation along with more bodies being discovered whenever they start to make headway in this case. They are pushed backwards and if they don't solve the case soon they may not have any suspects left to charge. Someone was stalking Gemma but why are other people dying who knew Gemma?

After reading The Blossom Twins, I just didn't know if this book could hold it's own next to such a powerful and emotional book. Carol Wyer waylaid any reservations that I had and wrote another wonderful book for her series. The emotions of Natalie were tastefully addressed and the author didn't try to compete and overpower this story because that would have been disappointing and instead she just wrote another terrific book that only makes me hope there will be many, many more Natalie Ward books to look forward to.I

I want to thank the publisher "Bookouture" and Netgalley for opportunity to read this terrific crime novel and any opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!

I highly recommend this terrific detective story and have given 4 1/2 Shining 🌟🌟🌟🌟✴ Stars!!

This is Detective Natalie Wards latest investigation. Thrilling, chilling and lots of surprising revelations along the way.
A college girl is found murdered and whilst interviewing her house mates various threads of the investigation are followed. Disturbing updates keep you turning the pages.
I can't wait to read more.

This is the 6th book in the Natalie Ward series. Please don’t read review unless you have read the previous books.

After the tear jerking emotional fi ale to book 5 it would come as no shock to any that I had trepidation in picking up this book.

Suffice it to say it didn’t disappoint as a book. This is a slow burn book at the beginning but the pace picked up at the halfway mark.

Natalie is such a strong character but you can see such inner fragility. She has to be strong for her son and for her family who are all hurting.

This book has a lot of triggers to it. I do t get triggered but I was in tears a few times reading this book. The story deals with a lot of college girls getting attacked. It hits very close to home for Natalie after the death of Leigh.

Carol Wyer is a master at making things emotional for us readers. I am in awe of her talent. She writes such wonderful characters and the drama that is their lives.

What I really like about the Natalie Ward series (and this one is no exception) is the fact that her main characters are flawed, but not in a melodramatic, overly drawn way. Natalie Ward has her faults and is believable as a lead character. The books are also a decent length but full of action and drama that is both relevant to the storyline and relevant to the background of the characters. Short scenes, like Natalie's interactions with her son or Lucy complaining about her baby daughter disturbing her sleep, give a depth to the characters without being overly long or detracting from the case. The latest book in the Ward series by Carol Wyer is focused around a university shared house in the UK, a scenario that many British readers can probably identify with. The characters in this story behave believably as well. I enjoyed the length of this book - it wasn't so short as to feel rushed but it's nicely long enough not to feel drawn out. The writing doesn't feel churned out or rushed like other series writers. Six books in, the characters in this series are fairly well sketched out so new readers might be better off starting at book one but you won't be disappointed at jumping in at book six. I am very excited to see what book 7 brings too. Highly recommended.

This 6th installment in the Detective Natalie Ward series picks up several months after the traumatizing events in the previous book. Natalie is getting herself back together, has moved to a flat closer to Samford HQ, and decides that it's time for her to return to work. Almost immediately, she gets a call from Superintendent Dan Tasker -- there was an acid attack on a young woman who was heading for the library at Samford University. The victim is 19-year-old Gemma Barnes. There are no witnesses. Natalie and her team jump into the investigation, interviewing Gemma's housemates and everyone who knew her. Frustrated at the lack of forward movement, Natalie is stunned when yet another young coed is found dead. The only clue is a typewritten note found in Gemma's diary signed, "An Admirer." Are these cases connected? NO SPOILERS.

Fast-paced and easy to read in a single sitting. I'm familiar with all the characters and, watching all that they are constantly going through, it's a wonder any of them can have a personal life, be good parents, or have a relationship. They all pretty much work 24-7. Lots of changes for Natalie and she's still dealing with David and reeling from the tragedy. Although I haven't yet really warmed to Natalie as a person, I still like the stories and can attest that she is very single minded in her pursuit of justice. No comment on her budding romance and all the baggage there. Looking forward to the next book with yet even more adaptation required.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book ARC to read and review.

The Secret Admirer is another fantastic and gripping installment in one of my favourite series. Once again Carol has written a tense, electrifying and emotional read that had me hooked from the first page.

After 19-year-old Gemma Barnes is killed in an acid attack, Detective Natalie Ward and her team are called in to investigate. It is Natalie’s first day back since a personal tragedy and she is still struggling with her guilt and grief. There are few clues and when Gemma’s housemates start to disappear, the race is on to find who is behind the murders.

Natalie and the team are back investigating a complex case filled with a multitude of characters and suspects. I loved that there wasn’t a clear culprit and that you feel like it could be anyone, giving a sense of frustration that matches what is felt by the team. You can feel the pressure mounting as the numerous motives, clues, red herrings and twists keep both the reader and the team on their toes right until the very end.

The letters from the secret admirer were the key to the case, and the mystery of who was behind them was the biggest of all. Including letters or chapters from the mysterious culprit is one of my favourite tropes in this genre and this author always executes it to perfection. I enjoyed the glimpse into the mind, feelings and perspective of such a twisted individual and how you could see them losing control as the letters went on and they began to become threatening.

Each time I read an installment in this series I love the author even more. Her writing is always brilliant and full of the perfect mixture of suspense and sentiment. In this book, there is a lot of focus on Natalie coming to terms with losing someone close and the end of her marriage. Just reading about the aftermath of the events of the last book had me in pieces all over again. As someone currently undergoing trauma therapy, I found Natalie’s trauma to be sensitively and expertly written. It was clear it was well researched and felt very real, my heart breaking for Natalie as she battles to move on with life after such a devastating tragedy. However, I was ready to be mad and bereft all over again when Natalie’s ex-husband David came into the frame as a suspect in this case. How could you do this to us and Natalie after all she’s been through? It had me on the edge of my seat praying that he wasn’t the culprit. You’ll have to read it to find out if Natalie’s world is broken even more by the events of this book.

The Secret Admirer is a riveting, compelling and heart-rending thriller that is perfect for anyone who enjoys this genre. You can read it as a stand-alone but I would highly recommend reading the whole series, not only because it’s fantastic, but because it gives you an insight and connection to the main characters. Now I just have to wait impatiently for book seven!

The Secret Admirer is the sixth instalment in the Detective Inspector Natalie Ward series, based in Staffordshire, UK. When nineteen-year-old student Gemma Barnes is brutally attacked with acid on the way to the library having had the liquid thrown over her by the warped perpetrator in an attempt to maim culminating in her losing her life Natalie is called back from compassionate leave (after the untimely death of her daughter Leigh) to investigate her most gruelling case to date. The problem stems from the lack of witnesses and not a single scrap of forensic evidence to guide them towards viable suspects. They scour the house Gemma shared for clues of who would wish to harm her and discover she mentions having a ”secret admirer” in several entries in her private diary. It is an impossible case even for the most seasoned of investigators and as bodies begin to pile up the team quickly realise they must get a handle on the situation pronto to save more lives being lost.

This is a simply brilliant, complex police procedural and Ms Wyer knows what her readers demand and provides it in spades with a well-crafted story and a cast of developed and highly engaging characters. It begins with a bang and continues as it means to go on providing plenty of drama, a plethora of twists and turns, a rollicking pacey narrative and a twisted perpetrator. The use of acid as a weapon is very much highlighting a topical issue and could've been ripped from the headlines from the past few years making it all the more riveting. I must admit that from the moment I turned that first page I tore through it in express fashion as everything just came together moving in sync to keep you completely captivated; I was well and truly under the author spell and not for the first time. An entertaining, exhilarating thriller that shows that the series is still as fresh now as at any other point. Highly recommended. Many thanks to Bookouture for an ARC.