This is book six in the Detective Natalie Ward series. Natalie is back at work after the murder of her daughter and is called to investigate the brutal murder of a young girl. The team uncover lies, jealousy and more murders in the race to find the killer. There were so many suspects and twists in this book, it was a real page turner and kept me engrossed until the end. I can recommend this series of books to crime thriller lovers. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

This is book six of what I think is a cracking series. As with all series books, to get the most out of them with regard to character development and backstory, it is best to start from book one and read in order. That said, the main story contained herein could be read as a stand alone.
We start with an acid attack on 18yo student Gemma Barnes which tragically ends in the loss of her life. Her mother Sasha is devastated to say the least. Enter Det. Natalie Ward and her team to investigate. They start at the house Gemma shared with other students both searching her room and interviewing her housemates and friends. In her diary, they find a note from a secret admirer. But who is this person, is it someone they already have on their radar, or is it a stranger? And, if so, who, and why? And then... as with most of the rest of this series, things get a bit too close to home for Natalie as, once again, her family is dragged into the case. And then there's another body...
Well... talk about a convoluted plot and then some. This one had me spinning around chasing my tail all the way through as the finger of suspicion had more action than a "spin the" bottle at a student party! Maybe there's too many secrets, lies, too much duplicitous behaviour along the way for it to feel completely real, maybe, but that said, it did make for an interesting and intriguing read nonetheless which kept me on my toes throughout. Back and forth - accusing and eliminating, and accusing once again on more info gleaned... Dizzy doesn't cover it.
This all meant that characterisation was, shall we just say, interesting. With all the shenanigans going on, it was hard to get to grips with most of them along the way, let alone connect to them properly. Although that said, the plot was strong enough to keep me going throughout.
But, when all was said and done, all the lies exposed and the secrets outed, an ending that both completed the book and satisfied me as a reader. Really can't wait to see what the author has in store next time. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Ms. Wyer has crafted an engaging story that I found incredibly difficult to put down. It was a bit difficult to read because it was my first in the series and there were references to previous events that I was not aware of but the book was so well written that it didn't detract from my enjoyment of the book.

I was skeptical at first when the main character was killed off in the first chapter but it set off an impressive roller-coaster ride that quickly made it evident why she chose to write this book the way she did.

The main characters are Gemma Barnes and her flatmates - Hattie Caldwell, Lennox Walsh, Fran Ditton and Ryan Hausmann. Rhiannon Williams lives in a house a few doors down with her flatmates. She is Fran's friend and very key to the story. A character that isn't identified until the end of the book but who is a strong thread throughout is simply called "An Admirer" and later on "An Ex-Admirer".

The story takes place between November 16th and November 22nd. Several murders take place that all seem to be linked somehow to the young people. DI Natalie Ward leads the team at Samford HQ trying to figure out the reasons for the attacks. She is joined by DS Murray Anderson, DS Lucy Carmichael, PC Ian Jarvis, forensic specialist Mike Sullivan and pathologist Pinkney Watson.

The twists and turns are plenty - are these random attacks or did the victims know the perpetrator. Also in the mix are the young people whose stories don't add up, cars that are impossible to locate, a dating website and a catfishing scam. Once the pieces fall into place the story takes a dramatic turn that highlights jealousy, greed, insecurities....

I'm very much looking forward to the next book in the series as this one was absolutely brilliant.

Book 6 in the DI Natalie Ward series. Yet again Carol Wyer has smashed it with another brilliant story in this great series. After all that went on in the previous book I really wasn’t sure how this book would pan out. Well there was no need to worry it was another super read. I just love everything about this series. The storylines and the characters. Can’t wait for book 7.

How does Detective Natalie Ward keep going in her increasingly devastatingly difficult world? My heart goes out to her. Yes, I’m sounding as if she is real and in human form, and not just a character in an extraordinary police/thriller series. Well, this is book six and I know her, respect her and live in fear for her health and safety as I want to be reading book one thousand in the series. A five star review, as usual. Maybe Carol Wyler can be protected in bubble wrap.

Another cracking instalment in the DI Natalie Ward series.

When popular university student Gemma is targeted in a vicious acid attack and dies from her extensive injuries outside the university library Natalie and her team pick up the case to bring the perpetrator to justice. Matters are further worsened when 2 housemates of Gemma’s also die in suspicious circumstances bringing more pressure on the team from the higher ranks to solve the case.

Entwined in this story is Natalie’s personal life and the effect of her grief from her recent bereavement.

These books are always a pleasure to read many thanks to the publishers and netgalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I've made no secret of how much I love the DI Natalie Ward series and The Secret Admirer does not disappoint! After the events of The Blossom Twins I was interested to see how Natalie would cope, but she's still the feisty detective I've come to love. She obviously has a great deal of empathy for Gemma's mother who has lost her young daughter, and I loved the relationship between them. It was good to see a different side to Natalie throughout this novel.

I also loved being back with Natalie's team and finally being able to meet Lucy and Bethany's baby, Aurora. I love the team dynamics and the way they work with each other to solve their cases.

In each book in the Natalie Ward series, Wyer takes the reader to a different setting with a new group of characters. The Secret Admirer is centred around the University and the student lifestyle and I felt that Wyer transported the reader to this environment brilliantly and I quickly became immersed in the lives of the victims and their friends and family. The characters are well drawn and easy to relate to and I loved how Wyer gives the reader the opportunity to get to know them all, even the minor ones.

The investigation that forms the plot of The Secret Admirer is complex. There are several different strands to the plot but this does not distract from it. It's still fast paced and there are plenty of surprises.

The ending of The Secret Admirer sets Natalie's situation up perfectly for the next book and I can't wait to see what happens!

It's been three months since the shocking events at the end of book 5 and Detective Natalie Ward is back at work in another complex investigation that begins with a brutal acid attack on a young girl. As per usual she has to balance the stress of the investigation with a family situation that has blown up since we last saw her. As painful as it was what happened in book 5 (I won't spoil it for those who haven't read it yet) I think that from a narrative point of view it was a breath of fresh air in the series and I can't wait to see how she deals with her new situation.

Absolute page turner with lots of suspects and twists that made me unable to stop reading, keeping me in the edge of my seat for the most part.

I can't recommend this series enough to all those fans of fast paced police procedurals.

4.5 well deserved stars!

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Wow, wow, wow!!!!! After reading this book I want to climb the tallest building and shout out how much I love this author and her books. I can’t get enough of this series and crave more and more. It’s like an addiction I don’t want to break away from. I really hope there are many more to come.

This book was about a young, beautiful woman who had a secret admirer that would stop at nothing to hurt her. It’s up to Natalie Ward to figure out who would kill this woman and want her dead so bad. What did this woman do to deserve such a horrible punishment? Did she deserve it or was it done horrible mistake? Was this woman really as nice as she seemed? These questions are answered along with many more.

I want to start off by saying I love Natalie Ward and the way her team works together to solve the case. Each one of them contributes and puts their personal life on hold in order to catch the bad guy. Nothing matters to them until that happens. I have read all of this series and it keeps getting better and better. I feel like I’m right there with Natalie Ward and going through the same emotions as she was. I got so invested in these characters and their lives. What an ending that was. I thought I had it all figured out but I was wrong, dead wrong. I never would’ve guessed who did it and especially why they did. It was such a shock to me and will stay with me for a long time. The one theme I will take with me after this book is never trust anyone no matter what. Have your guard up at all time because you never know what someone is capable of.

Between the plot, characters and all the twists in this book it made it an easy and fast read. I would definitely recommend it and happily give it 5 Hearts❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

I’d like to thank Bookouture and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘The Secret Admirer’, the sixth in the Detective Natalie Ward series written by Carol Wyer, in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Nineteen-year-old Gemma Barnes has a secret admirer but this person doesn’t think she’s appreciative enough so decides to throw acid at her and spoil her good looks. Detective Natalie Ward has been on compassionate leave following the death of her daughter Leigh but she’s needed back at work to investigate who threw the acid and Gemma’s subsequent death. Can she place her private life on a back burner while discovering more about Gemma and the reasons behind her attack?

Carol Wyer has given us yet another amazing police thriller following on from ‘The Blossom Twins’ and has exceeded my expectations. ‘The Secret Admirer’ has been cleverly written with drama, suspense and excitement, it’s fast-paced and tense with twists and turns, a red herring or two, and a number of possible suspects. We learn more about Natalie’s private life, her failing marriage to David, son Josh and her relationship with Mike, which all add to enrich her character. This is an excellent thriller with an ending that ties up all the loose ends, and I can wholeheartedly recommend it for anyone who loves an addictive and action-packed thriller. I can’t wait for the next in the series.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for this ARC.

This book is a really, REALLY absorbing and great read. There are references to events in the previous book, and I think whilst this book can be read on it’s own I would recommend you read the books in order. It had everything - several murders, many suspects, lots of twists and turns in the story, and little glimpses into DI Natalie Ward and her personal home life, her feelings and how she and her family are coping with a tragic event. I love the main character and her working relationships and friendships with her colleagues are written very well. I would recommend this book and series.

Loved all this series so was really pleased when got the chance to read this one. Brilliant book like the rest cant wait to read some more

This is an excellent series. Natalie Ward has been through some tough times in the first five books in the series and things don't get any easier for her, either personally or professionally. The action is centred on a university campus and housemates start disappearing or turning up dead. Working out the motive proves particularly testing for Natalie and her team. As always the characters are well drawn and the plot is fascinating. I loved it!

I really enjoyed this book! A great story line that kept me hooked and excellent main characters. I would highly recommend this book.

Another fantastic read from Carol Wyer, I just can't get enough of Detective Natalie Ward and her problems. This held my interest throughout with so many twists and turns and such well developed characters I was completely at a loss who the culprit was.

I can thoroughly recommend this book and I look forward to number 7 in this series.

Thank you to Bookouture for giving me the opportunity to read this brilliant book.

I absolutely love this series. I have been with Detective Natalie Ward from the beginning. I was so excited when her new book landed in my inbox. This book carries on where the last book finished. This read had me gripped from the first to the last page. Creepy, atmospheric and utterly bloody brilliant. I was glued to my seat, tapping my kindle like a demented wood pecker. A real who dunnit and so much more. Another fantastic five star read in a gripping and very addictive series.
Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for the ARC.

I am always excited to see a new Carol Wyer book available on Net Galley.
I have read all of her others and especially enjoy the Natalie Ward stories.

This book started out really well for me - dealing with an issue with Natalie's daughter from the last book, her marriage, new relationship, etc. I couldn't figure out the mystery until almost the end. Will definitely buy this on Audible when it comes out.

The only downside I see to this book is that the end was very quick for all story-lines.
It felt like it was "story, story, story aaannnnd END'. I hope this isn't the end of the Natalie Ward series - I will continue to read them!

A well written and compelling crime mystery. This is a great addition to the series and keeps you guessing throughout.

I enjoyed reading this book and I felt that the story was well executed.

The characters had depth and added a lot to the overall sense of the book and it was very enjoyable to keep turning the pages.

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book in an amazing series

natalie is still trying to get over the murder of her daughter, she is estranged from her soon to be ex husband david and their son josh has just asked to move back in with her...

but natalie is asked to oversee the acid attack on a student and she goes back to work with her team, who are glad she is back

but can her team find the acid attacker before anymore bodies turn up...

brilliant series...great to catch up with everyone and where they are, so easy to read and plenty of red herrings before the person/persons are unveiled...

love this series and cant wait for the next one