Intense suspense, lovable characters and a shady death.
Bernie is called to the scene of a rape and possible homicide - the victim barely breathing. A neighboring county LCI assists Bernie - Leigh's perp possibly escalated.
Dougie is involved in a cross county lines drug bust, the operation lead by Bernie's previous DCI from the Met - only to have the suspect hit by a truck while trying to escape. Dougie is held responsible and suspended while an internal investigation begins.
And of course the question of paternity is never far from Bernie's mind as her bun continues to grow.
Love these characters. I had to put this down a few times - the suspense was intense throughout.
Highly recommend.

Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture for this arc. I wish I had known this was the third of a series before I read it, Because I hadn't read the first two books, I felt a little lost. The writing didn't grab me until almost halfway through, and that was short-lived. I didn't like any of the characters, maybe because I was 'meeting' them so late in the game and I missed so much backstory. If you have read the other two books, you would probably like this book, but it was not the book for me.

Oh dear, I’ve done it again - joined a series at mid stream, this one was book 3 but worked very well as a stand alone. It was a straight up police procedural but it was very well done. After a slightly pedestrian start the pace soon ramped up and the investigations became very complex and interesting. It was a good cast of characters too. I found them all very relatable. The chief protagonist was DI Bernie Noel who was pregnant to either her current or former boyfriend. Bernie and her team are investigating the brutal attack of a young woman, 19 year old Keira who had been raped and bashed on the head and left for dead. The boyfriend, Dougie Anderson, also a DI is investigating a ‘county lines’ case with the London Met about organised crime moving into the area.

Leigh Roberts, a civilian kcal crime investigator, was drafted in from a neighbouring station as she had been investigating a series of escalating attacks on women and they appeared to be related to Keira’s attack. She is an interesting character - she is on the spectrum but makes very astute observations.

Things soon escalated as a raid by Dougie’s team goes wrong and he is facing potential disciplinary charges. But in the way of these stories things were not as they seemed and soon both cases are turned on their heads. At one point Bernie doesn’t know who to trust (apart from Dougie) and she is placed in a very difficult position, investigating things she shouldn’t be touching due to a conflict of interest but the orders come from the highest levels so she cannot refuse even though it makes her very uncomfortable.

Suspects are dangled in front of us and red herrings abound so it is little wonder that things start to smell a bit fishy. I really enjoyed how the story played out and I was pleasantly surprised to be surprised by the twisty and unexpected ending. This was a good story and I would be happy to read more by this author! Many thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the much appreciated arc which I reviewed voluntarily and honestly.

There just something about this series that I'm loving, it cold be because with each case you see how close the characters are, their strengths , and how each character plays an important part for the story. Other thing it could be is that with each turn of the page, i'm always on the edge of my set wanting to see what happens next and to see if i can figure out who is the bad guy but I never do. I do have to say that this one made me fill more in love with Dougie Anderson , with how he handed himself though out his own challenging case and how even though things looked bad for him , he was always there for Bernadette.

I was happy to discover this series earlier this year and so excited to read this book, the third in the series. I really like the character of DI Bernadette Noel and how great a leader she is, even when she's facing both personal and professional obstacles. I like the compassion she shows a temporary member of the team who thinks about the case in her own unique way. 

This book is an intriguing procedural with a complex plot. The details of the investigation kept my interest and the continued new developments in the case kept the pace of story fast and the plot moving. There is way more to the investigation into the brutal assault of a woman who is "left for dead" than it first appears, and Bernie's career and her life are on the line. Her romantic partner, DI Dougie Anderson is facing a challenging case as well and the higher-ups are keeping important details from both Dougie and Bernie. 

Once I started this book, I didn't want to put it down. I like how the case turned out, as well as how things are shaping up for Bernie outside of the job. I would rate it 4.5 stars. I'm hopeful there are more books to come in this excellent series. 

I received this ebook from NeGalley through the courtesy of Bookouture. An advance copy was provided to me at no cost, but my review is voluntary and unbiased.

I am really enjoying this series. Left for Dead is the latest book in the DI Bernadette Noel series by Joy Kluver and I really enjoyed getting back together with Bernie and her team. This time around, as well as having a complex case to investigate, Bernie is also pregnant. This has left her with a lot of complex issues in her relationship with her boyfriend, Dougie. Left for Dead makes for a really intriguing addition to the series.

Bernie and her team face another complex investigation when a young woman has been found after being brutally attacked. It sparks fear that there is a serial predator at work here following a spate of similar attacks on women. It becomes a race against time to track down the woman’s attacker.

What I really liked about this book was how Joy Kluver explored Bernie’s relationship with her boyfriend, Dougie. I thought this development in her character was done really well and I was wondering throughout the book how things are going to pan out for them. This made for an intriguing sub plot and now that I’ve read it’s left me wondering what’s to come in the future.

Another character who Joy Kluver introduces us to is Leigh, who is a new member of the team. Leigh has autism and I thought that Joy Kluver explored this well and sensitively in her writing. I think Leigh makes an excellent addition to the books and I’m looking forward to seeing how her character develops further.

I didn’t expect the twist which came at the end and it really drove the tension up a notch as Bernie and her team raced to bring the case to a conclusion. I thought Joy Kluver wrapped the plot up very well.

I’m really hoping that there are more books to come in this series. It really is becoming one of my favourites.

Another great add to this series. Bernie's life is about to change, but with an interesting twist. She's also in a pickle at work, especially with her London contacts. She has some strange cases regarding sexual assaults.

I felt like Bernie was growing as a character in this book. It was also great to learn more about her relations in life in general. The case or cases were also intriguing. I could not put down the book once I started reading it. I found the balance between person and work life work very well in this book. It is a really good series, and now I am looking forward to the next book!

A very well put together crime novel. The lead detective is interesting and there are plenty of suspects brought into the plot to keep you guessing, the reveal at the end is certainly satisfactory. There are so many books similar to this, that a novel needs a USP to stand out. For me, Joy Kluver has managed this with the creation of the autistic police officer Leigh. For me, the pages crackled with interest whenever she appeared and I would love to see her character developed in future novels.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing me with an Advance Reader's Copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

This was the third book in the series and just as enjoyable as the first two. I really like Bernie as the main character and her team dynamics. They all work well together and add their own elements to the book with some sub plots of their personal life adding to it.. A good unique storyline that all tied together well. Can’t wait for the next in the series.

This ARC was provided to me via Kindle by Bookouture and #NetGalley for my honest opinion. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

Great characters and fun story.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Bookouture for an advance copy of Left for Dead, the third novel to feature DI Bernadette Noel of the Wiltshire Police.

Keira Howard has been brutally attacked and left for dead. Most detectives think she is the latest victim of a serial predator but Bernie isn’t so sure. There are similarities to the previous attacks but there are differences too, so when DNA analysis offers a suspect everyone is stunned. Unfortunately that is not the end of the story.

I thoroughly enjoyed Left for Dead, which is a novel full of twists and unexpected developments. It is mostly told from Bernie’s point of view, so the reader knows what she knows, but it didn’t do much for this particular reader, who was clueless throughout.

The plot is fairly convoluted, not so much in terms of motive or difficulty in understanding, but in the relationships between the characters and their refusal to tell all they know. I found myself turning the pages rapidly to see what was coming next and how the characters slot into the overall story. I would never have guessed the way it turns out or how it moves from an attack into something darker and more emotional.

There are a couple of subplots to keep track of, as if the main plot and its convolution wasn’t enough. Bernie’s partner, DI Dougie Anderson, is suspended after an arrest goes wrong and then there’s her pregnancy and the question of paternity. Both are quite stressful as I am fully invested in Bernie and her life, but I liked the resolutions.

Bernie is obviously pregnant in this novel and her fast charging attitude to work is playing havoc with her health. It’s realistic but over emphasised.

Left for Dead is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.

I remember the first part of this series where we were introduced to DI Noel. I also remember I enjoyed the book very much, but I was not a big fan of the leading lady though.

When the second book was released, I wanted to read it too and I was so happy that I did. Not only was it another amazing story, but I really liked DI Noel now.

This is book 3 and now I was even more happy. I could read the next instalment of this great series and I could meet one of my now favourite detectives and her team.

What I like about series too is the fact you get the chance to really start to know and connect with the police team. In every book you get a little more info about them and it feels like they are people you would not mind invite to diner or spend an evening out with.

The case they have to deal with is a complicated and complex one. For DI Noel it’s reliving a part of the past, but she also has something very nice to look forward too. Unfortunately a dark cloud is hovering. What is It going to be? Rain or bright sunshine?

A great story that I enjoyed very, very much. 5 stars

Thank you

A fantastic read, great character development and I enjoyed meeting Leigh. A fast paced read that had me guessing wrongly all the way.. More please

Book #3 in the DI Bernie Noel series. Thanks NetGalley and publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Book 3 picks up a few months after the end of book 2, and again while they can be read as standalone’s to get the most of the storyline it’s good to have read book 1&2.

This book feels like there was character growth for Bernie, between the end of the last book and this one. She had matured in her role as DI and in her progress towards motherhood. It’s refreshing to see Bernie progressing towards motherhood as so many of these types of books you don’t see this element played out.

A women is found assaulted and Bernie and her team set out to figure out who attacked her. Dougie has his own challenges as his case goes array. So many interconnected plot points in this book it keeps you guessing till the end.

Looking forward to the next book!

I was so excited to receive this arc through netgalley and started reading straight away.

We catch up with DI Bernie who is half way through her pregnancy when a young girl is attacked and left for dead. Bernie and her team work well together and eventually get to the bottom of things.

Im already looking forward to the next book in this series.

Detective Bernadette Noel is on the case of Keira Howard, a girl found left for dead, who may be the latest victim of a serial assaulter of women. She remains unconscious in the hospital, unable to provide any information on her attacker, so it's up to Bernie and her team to hunt him down. Bernie's assisted by a civilian investigator, Leigh Roberts, who is convinced that this is the latest assault by the groper she has been chasing. But Bernie's adamant that they have to keep an open mind and can't assume this is the same perpetrator. And when Keira's friends eventually reveal that she has a secret lover (because they always do in these stories), Bernie feels justified in doubting that her and Leigh's cases are linked.

Meanwhile, Bernie's pregnancy is taking it's toll on her, as she's used to a frenetic pace while working an investigation, not sitting down and resting whenever she's pushing herself too hard. It's not just physical stress affecting her - she doesn't know who the father of the baby is, and her partner, Dougie, seems set on finding out before the baby is born. Will she be able to focus on solving the case or will her personal issues prevent her from finding justice for the Kiera?

This is another good entry in this series, I liked Leigh's character and hope to see her in a future story. The suspects they uncover aren't what they seem and that throws in some good twists. I look forward to the next book in the series which I hope introduces a new arrival!

Joy Kluver has done it again!

DI Bernie Noel is easily one of my favourite literary characters I've ever come across. What a treat book 3 is! Such beautifully complicated storylines throughout that finally start to unravel, not to mention a few answers I've been waiting for since the first book.

It's wonderful being back with the team, plus a couple of new people, Leigh was wonderful - so much so I'd love to hear more about her in another book series.

Being a police officer is a hard enough job itself, even harder when you're heavily pregnant and your partner is also a police officer. It took so long of 'will they, won't they' for Bernie and Dougie to finally get together it was nail-bitingly tense for a while, even when you think things are on track there's still a chance everything can go wrong.

I'd love to know the rest of their story, hopefully we've not see the last of Bernie and the team (Joy - i'm looking at you! Don't leave me hanging!)

The 3rd installment of the DI Bernie Noel series, but all books can be read as standalone novels.
The series just goes from strength to strength.
In this novel DI Noel is called out to a vicious sex attack where Kiera Howard is left for dead, but there are comparisons to previous attacks so the team have to decide if the cases are linked. When another police incident happens the teams are thrown off course and have to dig deep to solve the case before time runs out.
I love all the characters, very interesting to read that the Author has incorporated an officer on the Autism Spectrum and how well written and empathetic her character is shown. Would love to see if Leigh is brought back to assist with more cases.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read and review this advanced copy. My opinions are my own

Didn't enjoy much about this book, except the dynamics between the characters in the police department. The author *did* surprise me with the ending, though, so I'll give credit where credit is due.

Di Bernie Noel and DOUGIE are very happy she wont have test yet to see who father is , Bernie is woken buy her phone going Ds Kerry Allen a women has been left for dead and very similar to the sexual attacks that have been happening . Bernie Keira Howard is the women she is taken to hospital she still alive , but Leigh Roberts has been investigating the last six months and she thinks should be her case she not like it that it is Bernie s case but is put on it , i not saying no more but i so love this series cant wait for next one very twisty and is Bernie being used ?