A victim on display. A detective on the rails.

Shopping with her sister, DI Amy Winter is admiring a Valentine’s Day window display of a perfect bride encrusted in diamonds and resplendent in lace—until she notices blood oozing from the mannequin’s mouth.- Goodreads

This is the third book to the DI Amy Winter series. I did not know this when I requested this arc on Netgalley. With that being said, you need to read at least the previous book. On top of the current murder investigation, a previous issue, that takes up 90% of Amy's head space, is extremely prominent within this novel.  Although I enjoyed this read, I would have loved it if I read the previous novel. So go do that before reading this review and the book :)

I was sucked into this book fairly quickly. It is told in multiple point of views and it was great. It wasn't great because Amy wasn't a good voice to read but it was great because each perspective gave actual insight to the case and everything else that was going on. Yes, you do get the killer's point of view and its creepy. Like he is a creep but that isn't what made it creepy.

Beyond this the book is fast paced but it was a hard read for me because I didn't read the previous books. When I realized this was a third, I expected there to be some reference to the previous books not chapters about them. It took away my interest and it also made the current murder seem so small.

Despite this, I really enjoyed this book. The writing style is captivating. How everything moved together behind everyone's eye took a lot of talent.  Do I plan on reading the previous novels? Not sure. Since I know how some things end, it might not do me any good. 

Overall, would continue this series. 

3.5 Pickles

Left for Dead is a solid police procedural that follows DI Amy Winter and her team's pursuit of a serial killer who carves hearts the victims. The case, as well as her biological mother's appeal of a murder conviction, stretches Amy to her limits. She suspects a seemingly innocent advertising executive to be involved in the murders but can't prove it. The story moves along fairly quickly but doesn't stand out from other books in this genre. I would recommend this book to people who enjoy the typical police investigation book.

I am really enjoying this series, this book is fantastic. It had me gripped till the last page and I'm looking forward to reading the next book.

Left for Dead by Caroline Mitchell is the first book I’ve tried from Netgalley, I wasn’t quite sure what I was getting into - especially as it is the third book of a series and I hadn’t read any of the others.

What I liked: crime stories in general keep me reading, the writing made it clear the author had a background experience with police investigation and the plot felt realistic. There were a few plot twists towards the end, not super obvious twists either which is always great and the last chapters introduced the next steps to future books. The nature vs. nurture debate throughout was interesting and the main characters uncertainty of her motivations throughout kept me reading.

What I didn’t like: sometimes the main character feels unlikeable - especially when we hear her inner thoughts. Not sure if it was hindered by the fact I hadn’t read books 1 or 2.

I’d pick up the book series to read. 4/5

Amy finally comes into her own. Lillian's trial comes to ahead. I liked that we know who the killer is at the beginning of the book then we follow Amy and her team as she tracks them down. There are some twists. There are also some revelations. If you have enjoyed the first two books then you will really like this one. I look forward to seeing what happens to Amy, her team and her birth family.


*I received a copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.*

Another brilliant read in this great series. You need your wits about you as there's lots going on but that's why I love the books, never a dull moment. There is just enough background information on the characters but if you get the chance, read the other 2 books as it adds depth to the story as a whole. I can't wait to read what's in store for Amy in future books. Highly recommend

Absolutely superb read. This has kept me interested and engaged throughout.
I can’t wait to highly recommend this one to other readers.

Absolutely fantastic! I love the Amy Winter series and this did not disappoint it was an excellent story that kept me engaged from page 1 right through to the end. There several OMG moments which had me frantically turning pages because I couldn’t get enough. Read this late into the night because it was a tough one to put down. Totally deserves 5 big fat ones, loved it!

Chilling and mindbending.

I had a difficult time during this one as I found it too eerie to read. I felt disturbed at times and had to put this down.

A truly outstanding read!
This series has been brilliant from the outset but every instalment is better than the last, I went without sleep to read this book in one sitting.
While publicly battling her personal dealings Amy is forced to deal with a twisted, clever murderer in this gripping read.
I can't wait to find out what happens next!

This was my first Caroline Mitchell novel, and I am obsessed now. Left for Dead was like Olivia Benson of Law and Order SVU meets the UK.

I immediately knew I was going to like the protagonist as I could tell she wasn't an easy character and had an interesting perspective. I loved when she went against procedure as she was a fierce detective that would do anything to solve a case. The relationship between Amy and her sisters was so interesting, and I can't wait to see how that's explored in the next book. My favorite characters were Ray, Amy, and Mama Danielle.

I loved the structure of this book as the chapters shift between four perspectives, but it never feels like too much and each perspective gives you insight into the story and the past and present murders. The prologue had me immediately disturbed, and I found it so interesting getting to be in the killer's mind throughout the book. It was deeply disturbing, yet I couldn't get enough. Every chapter ended with a great hook that made you want to read the next chapter and yet as I got to the end I kept having to take breaks because it was getting too good, and I didn't want it to end yet as I wasn't prepared for everything that was going to happen. I didn't expect there to be so many twists and even when you think you know the whole picture, the author always has something else up her sleeve.

Although I haven't read the other books in this series, I think the author gave just enough information for you to understand Amy Winter and her past. I can't wait to go and read the others though as I need more Winter (and Donovan). It's similar to a crime show where there's the main story and then there's sub plots that are interesting, but you need to watch the previous episodes if you want to be able to put it all together. Overall, this book amazed me with how well done and interesting the plot and characters were.

i didn't read the last two books before this one but i must say this book by itself didn't make me feel like i was missing anything from the other two i understood everything from this one book alone. the way the best book ever !! this book had an excellent plot while dealing with all of the other personal problems Amy was going through in her daily life.this book had me gripping every edge of my phone while reading it,i couldn't stop myself from reading but all i got to say is Caroline Mitchell .she out done her self this time with this excellent dark edgy book and i would read it all over again in a heart beat.

A book that leaves you chilled to the bone, gripping and deliciously creepy, Left For Dead is the third instalment in the DI Amy Winter Thriller book series.

The book opens on a chilly February day in the office of Samuel Black who, after having scratched his way to the top, now lives in a large home in Notting Hill. Itching to release his hidden desires, he unlocks the second draw of his desk, and with the help of a little black notebook, he is thrust from his mundane life into the bowels of a secret society.

DCI Hazel Pike is retiring and Donovan, toned and muscular and without a tie, has been transferred from Essex Police to take over her role. Dubbed as the psychopath-whisperer and with fan-mail to boot, it’s a bitter pill for DI Amy Winter to swallow. But I love Donovan, in fact, I quite fancy him myself.

A shopping trip with her sister down London’s Oxford Street on a Saturday morning, starts the ball rolling on the most bizarre case yet. A widow display with the distinctive scent of death and a dummy, left on a throne, ice cold with blood dripping from her mouth. A small heart-shaped wound had been cut in her chest, reminiscent of Claire Lacey’s murder twenty years ago— nicknamed The Love Heart Killer.

With all the ingredients of a fabulous plot, this book definitely delivers on many counts. The antagonist is deliciously creepy (which I love) and the protagonist is a pitbull of a crime fighter, whose punchbag sessions in her basement gym make up a small part of her amazing strength. The word ‘no’ doesn’t exist in her vocabulary and wedging a boot in a closing a door demonstrates her prickly dedication. Reluctant to discuss the Beasts of Brentwood with the likes of Samuel Black, she will have to atone for Lillian’s crimes, the true reason why Amy does what she does. But with tainted blood running through her veins—or you could say a foot in both camps—I wonder if this makes her twice as intuitive. Her nemesis in this case may refer to her as ‘same dog, different fleas,’ but he doesn’t know what he’s dealing with.

On the final stretch of the crime, the twist in the tale had me reeling. I thought I might have it all worked out by about the three quarter mark, but I hadn’t. A twenty-year-old murder told from two perspectives, with a cruel and perverted outcome. What’s that Harper Lee saying? “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view... Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it.”

I always have my go-to crime writers and I’m happy to say, Caroline Mitchell is one who never disappoints. Edgy, dark and showcasing one of the finest detective characters in modern fiction, it’s exciting to note that the series has been optioned and will soon be on our screens to watch.

Many thanks to the author, the publisher Thomas & Mercer, to blog tour organizer Sarah Hardy at Books On The Bright Side, and to Netgalley for an advance reader copy of this book.

A serial killer is posing his victims as mannequins, on display for all to see. DI Amy Winter learns the women belonged to an online group of women looking for older men, or sugar daddies. The head of the online dating agency is fascinated with Amy’s parents, serial killers themselves and his attention raises her hackles. With her biological (and crazy) mother appealing her conviction, Amy is caught between her newest case and her own dark past. This series is pure dynamite, each entry more exciting than the one before

Amy Winter is a young D.I. and the biological daughter of famed serial killers Jack and Lilly. Jack is deceased and Lilly is in jail up on appeal. When a young women is found murdered in a dept. store window display Amy and her team try to find connections between this murder and one committed years ago -both young women had a small heart shape carved onto their chests. When a second victim pops up Amy and the team must race against time. Meanwhile Amy is trying to navigate her relationships with her sisters who want Lilly to be released, her feelings for her boss Donovan and solve the murders.
Amy is positive that Sam Black of Black Media is behind the murders but their is no evidence against him and all the evidence points to one of his employees Billy. Amy is caught between trying to solve the deaths as fast as she can, being a team player but wanting to go out on her own when she becomes frustrated.
A well written fast paced novel that makes you want to read more books about Amy and her team.

I would give this more than five stars if it was possible. I love Amy Winter she is a feisty no nonsense cop who is very appealing as a character.

An action packed, tension filled thriller that is definitely a must read.

DI Amy is out shopping with her sister Sally-Ann when she stop to admiring a window display and notice the mannequin is bleeding from the mouth. We learn the victim name is Stacey and she was escort for a site called Sugar Babes she was having money problems.

As DI Amy starts to investigate she also dealing with her birth mother getting out of prison who is a serial killer and also having a new boss Donovan who in previous books she work with and has been flirting with.

This was a good mystery we had different POV that kept the story going I’m looking forward to the next book especially with how she going to handle her birth mother Lillian being out of prison and trying to trusts her sisters who in my opinion are I’m just going to say it idiots I know they their reason but still.

I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.

I want to thank NetGalley, Amazon Publishing UK, and author Caroline Mitchell for providing me with an ARC of this novel!

Wow, wow, wow! I have never read this author’s work and I have been missing OUT! I had no idea this was part of a series, but that didn’t hurt my connection to the book at all. This read perfectly as a standalone to me.

We follow DI Amy Winter as she is out shopping with her sister. While stopping to admire a Valentine’s Day window display of a perfect bride, Amy notices what looks like blood oozing out of the mannequin’s mouth. We come to find out that this isn’t a display, it’s a dead body.

If you aren’t pulled in by that alone, YOU CRAZY! This novel was amazing and I couldn’t put it down once I started it. The writing was so smooth and the character development was spot on. I loved the twisty, dark murder investigation and enjoyed how the case progressed to the point of resolution. If you’re a fan of the mystery/thriller genre, READ THIS!

Thank you to those named above for allowing me to read and review this novel!

I did not read the previous two books in this series however I didn’t need to. I was able to read this book without any issues or feeling like I was missing something. This was a great mystery book! I enjoyed reading from various characters POV and delving into separate interpretations of events. I really liked Amy Winter (our protagonists) and found her to be a level headed and relatable character. The main mystery was interesting and I really liked the way in which the case progressed and was resolved!
*thank you netgalley for sending me an arc!*

Wow! As usual this author doesn’t disappoint.........
Another great instalment of Amy Winters. Great plot involving Amy looking deep inside herself to find the real essence of her being. Also another great twisty murder investigation.
Highly recommend and eagerly awaiting the next adventure.
A****