Book #5 in the DC Maggie Jamieson series. Each book can be read as a stand alone. This series started out with excellent characters who have grown and matured as it continues to draw more fans into Noelle Holten's fan club. DEAD MERCY finds our resourceful DC investigating some particularly gruesome murders. The killer follows a set of rules that only he can see. As the deaths multiply, DC Jamieson's team must work quickly to sort through the clues and follow the evidence. The solve comes after the killer has thrown the team some major twists, leading them to the wrong conclusions as he continues the hunt. With stories like this one, Holten will remain on my TBR list. 5 easy stars.

This is book 5 of a series. I love the main character. It is full of tension and suspense. The pace is fast and furious. The story is full of murder.

I love being given the opportunity to update our school library which is a unique space for both senior students and staff to access high quality literature. This is definitely a must-buy. It kept me absolutely gripped from cover to cover and is exactly the kind of read that just flies off the shelves. It has exactly the right combination of credible characters and a compelling plot thatI just could not put down. This is a great read that I couldn't stop thinking about and it made for a hugely satisfying read. I'm definitely going to order a copy and think it will immediately become a popular addition to our fiction shelves. 10/10 would absolutely recommend.

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

My ohh My, how did I fall behind on this series. The good news is, i'm now up to date and eagerly awaiting the next instalment.
Not only is this book written by a talented author, that author is also a book blogger so has a good understanding of what readers want and my goodness she delivers.
I've enjoyed getting to know some of the characters and really liking them. The stories are fresh and more exciting with each book. I could see this becoming a long standing series.
Anyone who enjoys a good gripping crime thriller will enjoy this book.

I have been enjoying this series. Tho I started at 4 I believe so I need to go back and read the first ones. I feel like that can be stand alones also. This one's has some pretty gross murders. And child abuse as triggers.

This is the fifth book in the DC Maggie Jamieson series and once again Maggie finds herself in the middle of a puzzling at times grizzly case. When the body of a man is found in the offices of someone she knows Maggie is not looking forward to investigating. Whilst initial identifications may have been wrong she senses that there is still something going on that is not quite right, but she also knows that she has to concentrate on the murder case. When another murder takes place with similar traits the struggle is on to find the connection between the victims or establish if there will be more. What follows are investigations into historical events that show that these may just be revenge killings, but the team are stumped as to the identity of the perpetrator,
At times Maggie can come across a bit like Marmite, you can either love her or hate her for the exact same reasons. Her determination to do a good job and solve the crime whilst admirable can also niggle especially when she is determined that she is in the right and goes against her superiors. That being said I would certainly want someone with her drive and tenacity working on a case that affected me. She still has a love/hate relationship with journalist Julie Noble although they do seem to be putting a little more of the distrust to one side and at times even manage to compliment each other on a work front and towards the end we finally see that maybe Maggie is finally realizing she is not as superhuman as she thinks she is.
Whilst the murders are quite horrific at no time are they portrayed in a way that is gratuitous but be sure that they will leave the reader in no doubt as to what happened. At the heart of this book is unfortunately a story that is all too believable, and you may find you have some sympathy for the killer and understand their motives it still does not make their actions right, not that I worked out who the killer was until they were actually revealed.
Noelle Holton has created a series that has some intriguing characters, using her knowledge and experiences to their utmost best and although you can read each book in their own right you will miss out on seeing the team grow if you don’t start from the beginning

It's been a while since I have read a Dorothy Koomson and I am now very glad I decided to pick this one up. The main storyline focuses in the beginning on Cece who has oved to Brighton with her three children following her husbands job opportunity. Cece is so easy to engage with as our main character and she is desperately trying to find her feet and meet new people in the area. She meets some of the school Mums namely Maxie, Anaya and Hazel but she soon realises there is something going on. All she knows is that it involves their other friend Yvonne.


What starts out as Cece just trying to meet new people seems to start a chain reaction that has consequences for everybody involved. I don't want to say too much more about the storyline for fear of spoiling it for other people. What I will say is that this absolutely gripped me. As the chapters went by there seemed to be only more questions raised and the intensity seemed to rise with each chapter I read.


By the time I finished this I was truly sorry I had read so quickly. This was an all encompassing read that was absolutely brilliant and I would highly recommend

Noelle does it again! Wow wow wow! A superb thrilling read. Can't wait for the next book! A must read !

My first book, that I have read by this author, absolutely brilliant! Highly recommended, and I will definitely read others written by this author!

This has been on my shelf for ages and I picked it up yesterday while trying to clear some space. I have read some amazing books so far over the last few months, and although this was a great read, I can’t give it 5 stars.
I love the character of Maggie and I love her team, and I think the series will get stronger.
Called to an arson site, the victim appears to be the husband of someone she knows.
With the POV of the person involved being included, we get an insight into their personality and what is motivating them.
A solid 4!

This is an enjoyable series and this installment was a great addition. It is an intense police procedural with twists that will keep you guessing. Maggie is a very strong and complex character.
Many thanks to Harper Collins UK and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I already knew this was a 5 star read for me because it’s written by Noelle Holten, but I didn’t know it was going to be this incredible!! Dead Mercy is more than I could have asked for and my favorite from this author to date.

Immersive is the word I’d use to describe this book. I couldn’t put it down because I forgot I wasn’t there, watching everything unfold. I’m so incredibly impressed with how this book plays out. Surprises around every corner, you simply need to understand that if you pick this up, you will finish it that same day.

I just want to go on and on about how absurd incredible this book was for me, but I think you should grab a copy and find out. I kind of want to read this again because it just blew me away. Favorite read of 2021, so far. Hands down. Highly recommended!

Thank you to BOTBS Publicity for the free review copy and the tour invite. All opinions are my own and unbiased.

When Maggie is called to the scene of a murder, she’s shocked to find that the body might be the husband of one of her probation colleagues…….With not much to go on, the investigation starts but before the team know it they have another murder on their hands. Again, the body has had teeth removed and has been set on fire. But what links these two victims? As Maggie starts to dig, she discovers a despicable crime that was never resolved. But there are so many pieces of the puzzle missing. Maggie, along with her colleagues, must put the pieces together before more bodies turn up……
As I’ve come to expect from Noelle, this is an absolutely brilliant, suspenseful thriller that had me completely hooked! Having read all the previous books I already love the characters, and thoroughly enjoying coming back to them each time to see where they’re at. It was wonderful to see Maggie taking some brave steps in her personal life in this too.
The plot is an absolute belter! Some of the chapters are narrated by the killer (although we don’t know who it is) and as they describe the murders, you will feel like you’re watching it playing out on screen. Teeth being pulled is a definite no-no for me and I was cringing along like I was there! It was absolutely fantastic and fully sucked me in. The story kept me constantly turning the pages, trying to figure out what had gone on in the past, who the murderer was and who might be next! There’s also something that happens towards the end which has completely left me hanging so will see what happens in the next one!
I really enjoy Noelle’s writing style. It’s clear, fun and easy to read and always leaves me wanting more! So honestly, if you’re looking for an absolutely gripping crime/serial killer, then you will LOVE this! You can definitely read this as a standalone, but I have loved every single one of the series so would highly recommend reading those too. Another absolute smasher – well done Noelle.

Police procedural,dark and gripping. Great cast of characters,especially Detective Maggie Jamieson. Lots of twists and turns. A good read.

Maggie Jamieson is one of my favourite modern detectives, and Dead Mercy delivers once again!

If you love a good crime thriller, this is the book for you to read

This series is getting better and better with each new instalment and DEAD mercy didn’t disappoint at all.
While DC Maggie is called to investigate a murder of the probation officer husband, more bodies show up and they look to be related in some way . Here comes the heroine to crack this code with lots of more suspenseful moments and unpredictable twist .
A must read suspenseful story!

This was a brilliant read and is being featured on my blog for my quick star reviews feature, which I have created on my blog so I can catch up with all the books I have read and therefore review.
See www.chellsandbooks.wordpress.com.

Oh my goodness, how is it possible that Noelle Holten has done it once again? Dead Mercy is the fifth book in her brilliant police procedural series featuring DC Maggie Jamieson and, yet again, is even more thrilling than its predecessors. In a series that keeps on going from strength to strength, Dead Mercy is a fast and exciting thriller that keeps you on your toes throughout. In this fifth book in the series we join Maggie as the burned body of a murder victim is found. But it soon becomes apparent that the victim could be even closer to home than Maggie could ever have imagined…

.What follows is a fast paced, exciting and heartstopping thriller that really does keep you guessing throughout. Noelle Holten’s writing just keeps on getting better and better with every book and, as I’ve said in previous reviews, the author draws on her own extensive knowledge of the criminal system, adding an authenticity to the story that is as realistic as it is exciting. In Maggie Jamieson she has created a strong female character who becomes more and more fascinating with every story, and I can’t wait to learn even more about her in future installments of this brilliant police procedural series.

Dead Mercy is a dark and intense read that drew me in from the very first page and didn’t let go until the final, thrilling page had been turned. Noelle Holten’s writing just keeps on going from strength to strength, with DC Maggie Jamieson and her team becoming more and more interesting as each new story begins to unfold. Powerful, exciting and filled to the brim with tension and suspense, this is a book that held me in its grip from beginning to end!

With an outstanding cast of supporting characters and a story that has you hooked from the very first page, this is a crime thriller that I thoroughly enjoyed from beginning to end. Dead Mercy does work well as a standalone, but with past events mentioned and the personal lives of characters evolving, I would recommend reading the previous four books in the series first.

Dead Mercy is an exciting addition to a series of books that are getting better and better with each one, I’m already eagerly awaiting the next installment and can’t wait to see what Noelle Holten has in store for DC Maggie Jamieson and her team next.

Highly recommended.

Thank you to netgalley, the publishing house and the autor for the opportunity to read a complimentary copy of this book in return for a review based upon my honest opinion.

This is the fifth book in the DCI Maggie Jamieson series; it could easily be read as a stand alone book.In this book, Maggie is called to the scene of a gruesome murder, a body tortured and burned, in the office building of a probation officer she knows. As more bodies are found over ther ensuing days, Maggie suspects a link to children's home for boys. Can they find the link before more people are found tortured and murdered and what happened to these boys to make one or more of them turn to murder to seek justice.

As always I enjoy this series, this was not my favourite of the series but it was definitely worth a read.