This book is fantastic! I've loved every single book in the DC Maggie Jamieson series but Noelle Holten has really excelled herself with Dead Mercy and I think it's her best one yet. Although Dead Mercy is book 5 in the series, you can totally read it as a standalone and any new readers of the series at this point are sure to become huge Maggie Jamieson fans.

Noelle Holten never shies away from tough subjects but they are always dealt with sensitively and realistically. Without giving away too much of the amazing plot, Dead Mercy centres around a serial killer who is meting out justice to people who were not prosecuted in a historical abuse case. I did sympathise with the killer as nobody should get away with any form of abuse and of course I had no idea who the killer was so it was fun to gather the clues along with Maggie and her team.

The writing is outstanding, creating levels of suspense and intrigue that kept my eyes firmly glued to the page. The pacing is fast, the plotting is perfect and the whole book could be the subject of a crime writing masterclass.

Dead Mercy is a dark, gripping and tense edge of your seat thriller. It's an exceptional novel that I wouldn't hesitate to recommend.

I received a digital ARC to read and review for the blog tour; this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

. I was so happy to revisit DC Maggie Jamieson. This is a thrilling read and another great addition to this series.. Maggie is in the hunt for a sadistic killer and can she find him before more murders are committed? This book is very well paced and has a great cast of characters.

Another excellent book from Noelle Holten.

Read if you like a good police procedurals. This is a series but can be read as a stand alone. Maggie is a great character and the supporting cast is also very well written and developed.

Well written and the plot keeps you reading.

I really enjoyed this book. Character development was good. The plot was very interesting. Not a lot of typos.

OMG! Dead Mercy by Noelle Holten is the 5th book in the brilliant DC Maggie Jamieson Series and I have loved this series. I look forward when Noelle brings a new book out, all activities for few days all go on hold and the take away leaflets come out of the drawers! I am not cooking!!!! lol...........

One thing i just loved about this latest book you could read this as a standalone but I do recommend you go back and read the other 4 books! They will not disappoint! This book is full of great twists and turn and is fast pace throughout that will have you hooked from the beginning! I loved this book.

Can't wait for the next book by Noelle! No rush x

I highly recommend this book. Another 5 star read!

Big thank you both Net Galley and Harper Collins UK for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review

Dead Mercy is book 5 in the Maggie Jamieson thriller series. It doesn’t seem five minutes ago since I read the first one Dead Inside. I have to say that I do love the titles and the covers of this series and I always look forward to the next book. When we are left on a cliffhanger.

Anyway I bet your all wondering what I think of Dead Mercy……this one is now my new favourite! I bloody loved it. Dead Wrong was my firm favourite, which I still love. Noelle has gone from strength to strength and totally smashed this one.

I was totally hooked from start to finish when the story carries on from we were left totally shell shocked. That’s just the start in this story we follow Maggie on the hunt for a brutal killer. When I say brutal I mean brutal. Noelle has ramped it up a notch with this terrifying plot that is skillfully woven into this awesome story. That cover some emotion and sensitive subject matters.

Knowing that Noelle was a probation officer she adds all her experience into this story and it makes me question if Noelle went through this herself or if she just has one hell of an imagation. I love that her writing does this to me. This series also has plenty of characters that I personally know. Which makes it even more enjoyable for me.

I am loving the more gruesome twisted side of this story. It will certainly have you on the edge of your seat….racing through the pages. Dead Mercy is a winner, it is a must read which I highly recommend giving it all the stars.

Noelle Holten has done it again! Dead Mercy is amazing. Great to see old faces back and new relationships blossoming. I highly recommend all books in this series

Love this series
D.c Maggie Jamieson and her team are once again hunting a murderer
There are plenty of twists and turns in this book as always
Can’t wait for the next in the series
Thanks NetGalley

5 Stars 

Literally buzzing with excitement to open the blog tour for Dead Mercy, the latest instalment in the DC Maggie Jamieson series by the lovely Noelle.

In this book I found myself conflicted by my sympathies with the killer. This lent a lovely  moral air to the story with it being harder to empathise with the 'victims' than with the perpetrator.

Maggie's love/hate relationship with journalist Julie flits in and out of the story, it hits just the right notes and keeps a frisson of excitement in the air.

I love the relationship between Nathan and Maggie and he seems to have grown into his role. His care for her is obvious and the team within their acronym filled unit feels really well established; with each individual's personality standing out.

I felt for Maggie during a conversation with her parents, they really are quite the dysfunctional bunch aren't they... I can't help feeling we've got more to come from her troublesome brother.

Maggie's bravery is as ever at the forefront of her actions as she follows the clues in her dogged determination to catch the killer. Even when the commonality between the 'victims' starts to show, she and team are relentless in their pursuit of the murderer and in their race to save lives. This side to the force is actually quite beautiful - I really don't think I could be so selfless and robust in my pursuit of 'the Scorcher'.

The subject matter of the main thrust of the story is deeply personal and distressing yet Noelle has handled it with sensitivity and avoided sensationalising it. There are several reassurances woven subtly in to remind the reader of the many agencies and routes into reporting historic abuse which I thought was a lovely touch.

Cleverly plotted, well thought out and with layer upon layer of human warmth and compassion, Dead Mercy will have you at hello.

Got to say, I love the swearing, the fag breaks and the 'real' side of the characters in this book. Noelle has done such a wonderful job of making them in to believable people.

Maggie Jamieson is back and this is one hot case! When I say hot it’s smoking…. Burnt bodies!! BRUTAL! This is a nasty case for the team with evidence being burnt with the body. Who and why are the questions at the centre of it all!

So the Who – he is a man of vengeance. His attacks are brutal, both to the victim and to those investigating – they come away reeking of his crime. I’ve had a tooth pulled when the anaesthetic hadn’t quite taken but to have one pulled without anything, I winced and shuddered at the thought. He is a man with a plan but as I read , I couldn’t decide which character was acting out these vicious crimes. And as for the why 🤐🤐🤐

I loved the return of Dr Kate to the team. Her insights into the killer’s mind and the victimology are fascinating. Her tempered thought process brings an extra dimension to the investigation.

Dead Mercy is a dark and twisted read with a killer who really gives me the creeps. Holten drew me into Maggie’s world and made me almost want to be a detective in that fictional team (I did say almost). Another cracking and addictive investigation in the Maggie Jamieson series 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

Dead Mercy is book Five in the DC Maggie Jamieson series and although you could read it as a standalone I recommend reading the previous books to get the back story.

This time around Maggie and the team are investigating some brutal murders that may or may not be connected with historic abuse and negligence from agencies involved in child protection.

This is a well written, gritty, fast paced and compelling read with lots of action and enough twists and turns to keep you guessing.

This is fast becoming my favourite police procedural series and I can't wait to read book number six.

Dead Mercy is the fifth book in the DC Maggie Jamieson Series. Though the fifth book in the series, each book deals with a separate case and can be read as a standalone. Having said that there is a parallel track of Maggie’s personal life and the way she deals with office politics which you will miss out on a lot of backstories. So it is advisable to read it right from the start of the series.

When a burned body is found with its teeth missing, DC Maggie Jamieson soon discovers more killings. As the body count rises, Maggie and her team start wondering if the cases are somehow related. In a race against time, Maggie must piece together the cases and find the killer before the time runs out.

The story is told from the dual perspectives of the killer and the police points of view alternatively. The story is action-packed, full of twists and turns and captures the atmosphere of a police procedural perfectly. As a police procedural, the story offers an interesting insight into the working of the UK police force and also how the British criminal justice works. Unlike much another police procedural, this story is all about teamwork and all other team members and the office politics also play a role, which adds another dimension to the story.

I have not read all the other books in the series and I felt like I lost out on lots of backstories and as a result, I felt less connected to the characters. So at the cost of repeating myself, it’s better to read the series from the start. This case deals with a serial killer and there are some extremely graphic violent scenes Trigger Warning. I did enjoy the characters especially Maggie and Kate as well as the team working together to solve the case.

Overall, This is an excellent police procedural with a dark and intense crime story, and some brilliant characters, all blended together with some excellent writing. It has several twists and turns that will keep you hooked right till the end. If you are looking for a great police procedural series, this series is a superb read.

Many thanks to the publishers HarperCollins and NetGalley for the ARC.

This is the fifth installment in the Maggie Jamieson series and it just keeps getting better and better. The author has firmly established herself as a must read crime writer.

After the cliff hanger of the last book we finally get to find out who has been murdered and it hits close to home for Maggie and the team. Again the author’s knowledge shines through and adds the all important authenticity.

Maggie finds herself up against a really brutal killer and again the author does not hold back in her descriptions of crimes and crime scenes. The series as a whole really stands out in the genre for tackling hard hitting issues.

I cannot wait for the next one.

Dead Mercy is another excellent edition to the Maggie Jamieson series. I’m so glad I had this to read straight after finishing book 4!
I have thoroughly enjoyed every book in this series, and this has been no exception. I think each book gets better as the series progresses if that’s at all possible. I find myself quite invested in the main characters throughout a series I love, and Maggie Jamieson is one of my favourites.
This isn’t the easiest of reads due to the subject matter. There are some horrific scenes which must be horrendous for police officers to be faced with. There is also a much deeper, heart-wrenching story behind these seemingly random murders. A story which sadly highlights incidents which have occurred far too often in the real world. The psychology aspects of this story, and others like it, fascinate me.
I know I’m being vague. I could happily chat away about this book for ages, but I don’t want to spoil it for anyone. I can’t recommend this book highly enough though. It ticks all the boxes for me from a crime/police procedural perspective. It is a chilling and emotional read. Relevant and thought-provoking.

Dead Mercy is Noelle Holten's fifth instalment in her gripping police procedural series and heralds the return of DC Maggie Jamieson of Stafford Police. This instalment is every bit as exciting as the others. I was once again completely hooked by the brilliant plot and the characters, and the tension levels are high as Maggie, along with DC Kat Everett, leave no stone unturned. As I galloped through the pages in my haste to reach the end of the line, I marvelled at the disturbing and truly gritty writing by Noelle Holten who consistently shows she understands the mind and behaviours of evil, conning individuals. After a perilous denouement to an excellent, and hard-hitting story, that left me open-mouthed I am now waiting with (im)patience to see what Noelle Holten has in store for us crime readers and DC Maggie Jamieson, next!

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from One More Chapter via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

Dead Mercy is the fifth heart-stopping thriller by Noelle Holten featuring one of crime fiction’s most fearless heroines: Maggie Jamieson.

The discovery of an incinerated body found with its teeth missing sends shivers of alarm and apprehension racing down everybody’s spine. It’s not that the police are not used to macabre and disturbing crimes, but this particular murder hits far too close to home for Maggie and her colleagues as there is a distinct possibility that the victim might be the husband of one of her probation colleagues. Maggie intends to dig deeper and get to the bottom of this particular mystery, but she needs to brace herself because this investigation is going to be anything but straightforward…

As more bodies are found, Maggie realizes that she’s got no time to waste. She needs to stop a killer in their tracks before more lives are lost, but what could possibly be linking all these murders? The more she investigates, the more brick walls Maggie finds herself coming up against, but could the clue she is looking for be found not in the present, but in the dark and distant past?

All the victims seem to be connected to a historical case that was never prosecuted. Maggie finds herself getting closer and closer to piecing all the pieces together, but somebody is watching her and they are prepared to do whatever it takes to keep their secrets dead and buried.

In Dead Mercy, Noelle Holten delivers a fast-paced edge of your seat thriller that will send your hear rate soaring through the roof. Maggie is at the top of her game and she is an inspirational and ballsy heroine who uses her skills, intelligence, humanity and tenacity to get to the truth and solve this case.

A gritty and terrifying chiller definitely not for the faint-hearted, buckle up for another exhilarating Noelle Holten thriller featuring the redoubtable Maggie Jamieson: Dead Mercy.

OMG - what a fantastic, gripping read
With threads that skilfully interweave -
Ones from the past with dreadful , dark history
Entwine skilfully with this present day mystery.

This is so much more than a police crime thriller
Dealing with dreadful issues and a determined killer.
An enthralling read that had me turning the pages
And had me guessing again and again for ages.

The secrets from the past are the key
But getting them released isn't easy you see.
It shows how different agencies protect their data
Even when sharing it could save lives sooner or later.

The police, social services, probation and more
All hold information from before
That could identify the perpetrators and show why
So many of the victims were chosen to die.

DC Maggie Jamieson is the lead detective who
Has a lot going on in her personal life, too.
With her relationships with colleagues at the fore
It was great to catch up with them and her once more.

The characters in this series are all brought to life,
Sharing their news, relationships, troubles and strife.
All this makes it easy to empathise with them so
You're concerned for their safety wherever they go.

If you're a fan of chilling crime thrillers
With an unexpected serial killer
I can't recommend this highly enough and so
I really hope you'll also give it a go!

For my complementary copy of this book, I say thank you,
I throughly enjoyed reading it and this is my honest review.

Dead Mercy by Noelle Holten
Maggie Jamieson #5

Dark and compelling, gritty and grim, fast-paced story that had me rooting for the murderer and wishing he had not been thwarted in his mission. I wonder what that says about ME?

I see that I have now read three out of five books in this series: 2, 4 & 5 and that is interesting because having missed one and three I still felt fine reading and not out of the loop at all…well…perhaps there were mentions of people and events from those books I was a bit clueless about but the book was definitely a standalone story – I had no trouble picking up with Maggie as she pursued the killer.

What I liked:
* The killer: I know…I know…one should NOT like the killer, but I did. I felt empathy for him, understood his pain and his need to kill.
*I wished that the killer had succeeded completely even though I knew that it wasn’t really “right” to feel this way.
* Maggie: focused, professional, skillful, great instincts, team player for the most part, has a temper, in between relationships, intriguing, want to know more about her.
* The team: It was nice to see their interaction and be reminded of who they were and how they worked together
* The police procedural aspects of the story
* The writing: well-plotted and skillfully written
* That even though I read the end first I was surprised about who the killer was
* That the backstory of the killer and others who suffered as he had was not explicit but detailed enough
* The red herrings
* Catching up with Maggie’s family
* Wondering if Maggie might have a bit of a social life/dating in the next book
* All of it really except

What I didn’t like:
* Knowing that the abuse experienced by the killer is all too real.
* Knowing that abusers too often get away with the crime(s) they commit

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series/by this author? Yes

5 Stars

The storyline in Dead Mercy had me go on an emotional roller coaster of a ride. Do you know how sometimes even though you are totally against violence and killing, you still find yourself having empathy for the killer? Well this was very much the case here. The further into the story we go, the more understanding of why the killer was doing what they were and it does make for some heart wrenching reading.

The murders themselves were both chilling and horrifying. I kept putting myself into the victims shoes at what was happening to them and it was a terrifying place to be and definitely something that could easily give you nightmares! Maggie and her team are working around the clock to solve the case and as they close in, it send my heart racing!

Dead Mercy was bone chillingly brilliant! I had to take some deep breaths when I had finished it as I had been holding my breath for so long at events that happened towards the end. Whilst the murders freaked me out, it was also quite a harrowing and emotional read. I’m desperate for more in the series not only to see what other cases the team will be working on but for where things will go in Maggie’s personal life also. Roll on book 6!

Dead Mercy
This is book 5 in the Maggie Jamieson series, I have read and loved all 5 books, although had to do a double take when I realised I was onto book 5!
Noelle creates the right amount of tension and always keeps me guessing. This book had my heart pounding with its gruesome storyline.
Noelle I am ready for number six whenever you are!!
A great read