An enjoyable start to a new series which I am sure I will go on to like a lot. Good characters and plot. Highly recomemnded.

The best book I have read this year .Gripped me from the start, didn’t disappoint throughout and I was sorry when I finished it .Highly recommend for crime lovers.

Fabulous thriller that kept me eagerly turning the pages!! Fantastic characters and plot, could not put it down.

Detective Megan Thomas' first day on the job leads her to a body. Two women in the nearest house claim no knowledge of who this body was ..or how it got there. Both women are extremely nervous.

Megan has spent years undercover .. and is paying for it, It cost her husband, her home, and she's been diagnosed with PTSD and sees a therapist to try to control the panic attacks. Being enclosed in a dark place and then seeing rats leads to one of her worst panic attacks ever.

A few days later another body is found close to the beach where she swims daily.

How are these murders connected? That's what Megan is determined to find answers before anyone else is killed.

This is the beginning of what looks like an exciting new crime fiction series. Megan is not your run-of-the-mill detectives. She was once held prisoner by a psychopath who left her in a dark basement room to die. Somehow she escaped, but it left her with a lot of issues.

Being brand new with department is a gift. Her previous supervisor went to great lengths to get her transferred ... and she's going to have to prove her worth in short order. Her colleagues are a diverse and intriguing bunch. I really enjoy how they all relate to each other. There's plenty of action from start to finish. The intricate plot holds varied suspects. The conclusion comes unexpectedly surprising.

Many thanks to the author / Bookouture / Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

A very promising new crime series, with protagonist Detective Megan Thomas suffering from panic attacks and ptsd after traumatic experiences. I enjoyed this very much and look forward to more books in the series.

The first in a new detective series - Megan Thomas worked undercover for several years, until she was held captive, an event which has scared and scarred her.
Megan is back as a detective, following some time off and the break up of her marriage. Living with her sister’s family and swimming as a form of therapy - her first assignment, she’s called to a body discovered in a septic tank and the sight brings back all her old demons, resulting in a panic attack in front of her colleagues. She worries she can’t handle being in the force any more.
In the meantime, a 14 year old girl , Kerry, is raped and whilst Megan is convinced she is hiding something and knows her attacker, she cannot break down the girl’s defences.
The two cases move on side by side, Megan is desperate to help Kerry’s family find her attacker, she is removed from the case as it’s become too personal.
So she becomes embroiled in the world of Georgia O,Brien, the famous actress, and the body in the tank. Someone is lying, but who and why?
There are so many intricacies in this story, it’s really cleverly told and weaves together well, with just the right amount of suspense.
I am really looking forward to the next installment.

There's nothing worse than coming into a series partway and feeling as though you have missed something. However, I am lucky enough to catch the new DS Megan Thomas series by Susan Wilkins from the beginning with the first book BURIED DEEP (previously titled "Damage Done" ). I wasn't sure what to expect from it going in but I found that I did indeed enjoy it.

After four harrowing years spent undercover with The Met, DS Megan Thomas transfers to the Major Crime Team in Devon, moving in with her sister and family, to begin life as normal police detective...as opposed to one that is undercover. The prologue opens with a disturbing scene that we later discover to be Megan believing that she was about to die. It is this memory that continues to haunt her now as she attempts to get on with the job and her life. But her first case is one that will bring the memory of that scene rushing back to her, leaving her wondering if she is even up to the job anymore.

A body has been discovered in a septic tank on Winterbrook Farm, a property owned by washed up actress Georgia O'Brien. Megan's boss has tasked her and a couple of new DCs to investigate but the owner, Ms O'Brien, is proving to be a difficult character with an odd powerplay between her and her so-called paid companion Shirin Khan, employed to ghost write the children's books Georgia's name is attached to. She kicks up a fuss when it is determined that the death is suspicious and she and Shirin must move out of the house for time being. But after a little tantrum, Georgia, Shirin and her little boy Noah move in with Georgia's elderly mother, also a former actress Dame Heidi (whose last name escapes me). The women put on quite an act in front of police and neither are entirely forthcoming.

When Megan first arrived on the scene and police had to ascertain if there was indeed a body in the tank, rather than call out CSI and waste their time if it wasn't, Megan decides to take a look herself. Laying on the ground and dropping her head through the narrow opening, she is greeted with the sight of rats feasting on the remains of what most definitely is a human body. This scene brings the memory of her near death experience undercover as she screams to be pulled out and thereafter goes into a full blown panic attack. She has seen plenty of dead bodies before...but the sight of those rats. And it is then that Megan wonders if she up to the job anymore.

Soon after this, 14 year old Kerry Waycott is brought to the station with her grandmother to report a rape. Kerry claims it was a stranger but refuses to be co-operative. Megan's attention becomes focused on Kerry's case rather than the suspicious death her boss has tasked her with as she pays a visit to Kerry at home and questions her more informally. Kerry gives her a name, but something still doesn't seem right. Is she just attention-seeking, as the school is claiming, or is she a genuine victim?

Then Kerry's only friend turns against her and begins slut-shaming her on social media, Kerry sees no alternative. When a call comes in of a young girl about to throw herself off a cliff, Megan jumps into action and talks her down. She is sure now, more than ever, that something did happen to Kerry...even if she isn't telling her the whole truth. Megan seeks to uncover the truth, but her boss has pulled her off the rape case and tasked her with the suspicious death and a suspected case of cuckooing.

Within days Megan has faced a dramatic clifftop rescue, a savage beating, a murder, a rape, washed up actresses and legal eagles grandstanding, a missing young boy, a teen kidnapped, a barrage of lies, coming face to face with a killer and as well as all that, facing her own demons. When the body is identified, the rapist exposed and false identities uncovered, Megan then realises she is dealing with a psychopath and draws on her experience undercover to outsmart them.

BURIED DEEP is a fast paced procedural thriller featuring everything from peer group pressure and social media to cuckooing drug dealers and murder. The short snappy chapters make for faster reading and "just one more chapter" right up to the nail-biting climax.

The narrative is in the third person mostly from Megan's perspective with the odd inclusion of other's perspectives which always keeps things interesting. I like how it is not solely a police procedural from the investigative side but also from the outside looking in of those involved in the case.

While Megan may be a little flawed, she is capable and caring and quite likable. Her camaraderie with Vish and Brittney is welcoming unlike the headbutting with her DCI, Laura Slater. I was somewhat surprised at how much I did actually enjoy this debut, as I didn't relish the inclusion of gangster underworlds in sleepy Devon. While Megan's past is paramount to her character now, I don't think it should come back to play a part and ruin what potentially is a promising new series.

BURIED DEEP is the first in the DS Megan Thomas series and I look forward to reading more in the future.

I would like to thank #SusanWilkins, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #BuriedDeep aka #DamageDone in exchange for an honest review.

A tense, well-crafted read that kept me turning the pages until the end! Thanks to the publisher and to Netgalley for the ARC,

Damage Done is the first book in the Detective Megan Thomas series by British author, Susan Wilkins. Detective Sergeant Megan Thomas has left the London Met to return to more usual police work with Devon and Cornwall Police. Four years undercover may have been exciting, but the Queen’s Police Medal doesn’t really compensate for the after-effects of the ordeal she suffered at the hands of a psychopathic drug dealer-murderer.

Regular consults with the police-appointed psychiatrist are part of the deal: anger, and doubt about her ability to keep doing this job need to be overcome. Her first day, and her first task, a dead body in a septic tank, triggers a panic attack, but two capable constables cover for her.

There’s definitely something funny about the residents of the house: a famous former actress turned children’s author, who puts on quite an act for Megan; and her ghost-writer-assistant; neither are entirely forthcoming.

Soon after, the alleged rape of a young teen takes her attention: the fourteen-year-old is clearly not as innocent as she pretends, but is she attention-seeking or a genuine victim?

Within days there has been a dramatic cliff-top rescue, a savage beating, a murder, some legal grandstanding, a small boy missing, a teen kidnapped and many lies told; it is only through some excellent detective work that the body is identified, the rapist discovered and false identities uncovered. When she finally realises she is dealing with another psychopath, Megan’s earlier experience becomes her weapon.

This series debut features paedophiles, cuckooing by drug dealers, underage drinking, peer group pressure and social media; it is tightly plotted, fast-paced and thrilling, with a nail-biting climax. Wilkins’s protagonist is perhaps a little flawed, but credibly so, and smart, capable and caring into the bargain. This is brilliant crime fiction and more of Megan Thomas is most definitely welcome.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Bookouture

Totally gripped with this story! Megan Thomas starts a new job and is thrown i at the deep end on her first day. I really related to her. She had problems we all seem to have buried deep as well, self doubt, trauma and change. This made me really engrossed in this book.
A dark and fast paced story that I loved, am happy to see its the beginning of a new series! Happy Days!

Wow
what an excellent new police procedural!!
Susan Wilkins introduces us to Megan Thomas in this, what I hope to be, a new police procedural series.
I was hooked from the first couple of chapters and I loved Megan.
This is a great storyline. The book moves at a fast pace. And I really enjoyed the way that Megan was investigating two crimes. The author made the storylines intertwine without fail and I was heavily invested in both crimes.
I did not guess who the rapist was and I enjoyed all twists.
I can't wait to read the next instalment in this series!

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for allowing me to read this Arc.
I have to say that I was absolutely hooked from the beginning!!
Definitely a brilliant psychological thriller. I can't wait for the next one!!

Review featured at www.books-n-kisses.com

I really enjoyed this story. With it being a first in a new series I expected a lot of getting to know the characters but I was totally wrong. We dive right in to Detective Megan Thomas and learn of her history as the story progresses. She was undercover but moved to Devon and is now a detective. Feeling like it is a step down but her first day doesn’t go slowly.

She is set on to two cases, which I loved since usually books and tv shows act like officers only work one thing at a time, one of murder and one of rape of a teenager. And with her PTSD it is a heck of a 1st week.

I really enjoyed each of the characters in this story. The reader knows exactly who each of them is and didn’t need chapter after chapter of how they got to this place in life. And I liked that I couldn’t figure everything out.

I can’t wait for the next in the series. And more interesting characters.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

A cracking start to a new series. Meaghan has been undercover for years and has to adjust to front line policing
I am looking forward to the next book in this series.

I wasn’t sure about Megan to start with but she grew on me. She’s very human which makes a change from a lot of the super cops out there. She struggles with panic attacks after her years undercover and is trying to get to grips with being back as a detective. Her team are super supportive and her family are adorable.

I did find the flow a bit disjointed and the ending was wrapped up super quick. However, the two cases were both intriguing. A lot of the characters weren’t particularly likeable which added to the suspicion, although I did guess who it was. There were still a few surprises though. I’d definitely be interested to read more in this series

I received a copy of the ebook via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

A well written and disturbing first instalment in a new series. Well defined characters and cleverly plotted.

The first book in a new series usually has a slower pace as the author gives us the history of the characters and the community that surrounds them. This one has a different tone, an introduction to the series that kicks off with a bang.
Detective Megan Thomas is an experienced police officer who has been through so many violent investigations that she now suffers PTSD from the trauma. She has transferred to a smaller, hopefully quieter, police station to give herself a chance to heal and decide her future. She is now living in the same town as her sister. That is the basic premise of the series opener.
Of course, you cannot have a police mystery/ thriller without a considerable amount of crime. When her first crime scene investigation triggers a flashback, Det Thomas's future looks bleak. This sets up the series perfectly. We are given small pieces of information that will us going back and forth as we work through the "who done it". This is an excellent start to what looks like a series to follow.

Review for 'Buried deep' by Susan Wilkins

Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Bookouture publishers.

This is the first book that I have read by this author. I hope to read more of her books.

This is the first book in the 'Detective Megan Thomas' series. I am really looking forward to reading more books in this series.

The book itself consists of a prologue, 76 chapters and an epilogue. The chapters are short with just a few pages which makes it easier to read 'just one more chapter'.

This book is set in England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿, UK and has a strong female lead which always gives books bonus points from me being a female in Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

'Buried Deep' is written from several characters perspectives which I always enjoy as you can 'see' more of what is going on.

What an explosive start to a new series!! I thought the book was brilliantly written especially as it had two main plots running together. This must be quite challenging to do as there are different characters working in different leads but Suzanne Wilkins pulled it off fantastically. Throughout the book there are clues and snippets given. I had my suspicions of who the killer may have been but was pleasantly surprised at how everything was wrapped up nicely. I can't really say any more than that as it may spoil it for future readers but I will say what a brilliant plot twist!

The characters were all well defined and although I struggled at times with Detective Megan's character it didn't spoil my experience and I look forward to reading more about her. The rest of the characters I liked and all of them were realistic and strong.

I couldn't put the book down and was up until the early hours reading it. There's never 'just one more chapter' for me when I get sucked into a novel which this well and truly did.

This page turner is filled with suspense, crime, red herrings, murder, mystery and is a great psychological thriller.

I was originally drawn to this book by its mysterious and colourful cover and interesting blurb. I also chose it as the publisher is Bookouture and I have yet to read a book published by them that I haven't enjoyed. It didn't let me down and I feel the cover and blurb relate well to the plot.

I will add that this book was previously called 'Damage done' as to avoid any confusion if you come across the same book with a different title.

I would recommend this book to fans of crime, psychological thrillers, murder, mystery and of Angela Marsons.

360 pages

£1.99 to purchase on kindle. I think this is a fantastic price for this book!

Rated 5/5 (I loved it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon.Com and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.

Feel free to add me on Goodreads for more reviews

#BuriedDeep #SusanWilkins #DamageDone #Bookouture #NetGalley #BookReview
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Buried Deep by Susan Wilkins.
Megan has to climb round and step across the body to get a proper view. What’s left is like a chalk white mask in the rough shape of a face.
Really enjoyed this book. Great story and some good characters. Hope there is more to come. 4*.

This gripping story is the first in the series and I will definitely be looking for the second.

Megan Thomas has been undercover for too many years. It's cost her mental health and her marriage and resulted in a transfer out of the big city. The good/bad news is that she gets to live with her sister and her sister's family. This is both a joy and a struggle.

It seems that everything is a struggle now especially fitting in. When a body is found Megan struggles with following her iniatiative versus going off at a tangent, putting her at cross purposes with some of her colleagues and her boss. Her biggest struggle though, is trusting her own instincts and skills. Is it murder or not? Is there really something hinky going on in the home of the glamourous celebrity or not?

At the same time Megan is convinced that there is something off about the report given by a young girl about her sexual assault. Although she feels she has made a good connection with her, there is something very strange going on.She starts to lose sleep worrying about what might happen next. And she is right.

I really enjoyed this book. It has an excellent portrayal both of PTSD and the way it effects the work of professionals. More than that though, it is just an excellent story with a great denouement.

HIghly recommended.