I actually read this a while age but it's taken me time to process before I write a review! This is definitely a completely different book than what I usually read. It's more complex, nuanced and dark! A lot of police procedural or serial killer books are surface level but this so cleverly written and multi faceted. It's a book you really need to focus on and can't be skimming it whilst you watch netfilx, you really won't want to miss even a second. It's engaging and completing. There are so many plot lines that converge perfectly and some fabulous characters and insights into human nature. Sheer genius

I am a big fan of the authors Mathilda Darke series, so was a little hesitant to start a new series as can sometimes be a disappointment. But I didn’t have any worry with this one.

Another great character with one hell of a history, lots of scope for development.

I did find that the murderer almost telegraphed his guilt as they appeared, or maybe I have read too much!

There were a few other possibilities, but it was interesting to to read on and see if I was right.
Hopefully there will be more Olivia Winter books, alongside more Mathilda Darke books.

4 stars mainly as the murderer was so easy to identify.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher.

Michael Wood fans will be excited to know that this popular author has a new series coming out. In the first book, The Mind of a Murderer, we are introduced to a forensic psychologist, Dr. Olivia Winter, who has built a reputation getting into the minds of serial killers. What very few people know about her, however, is that she is the survivor of an attack by a serial killer. Yes, a man who is her own father.

When she was 9 years old, her father, Richard Button, brutally murdered her mother and her sister. He attempted to kill “Livvy,” but she escaped. She was not unharmed; she still bears scars, both physical and emotional. As we get to know Olivia, who changed her name to avoid publicity, it becomes apparent that therapy did not erase all the effects of the trauma. She attempts to compensate, it appears, by studying serial killers, and she’s had a successful career thus far. But there is one killer she does not understand, nor does she want to try: Richard Button.

When a vicious killer is slaying women in London, the police are stumped. Olivia has never participated in an active investigation; she is not a profiler. Her job involves interviewing convicted murderers to discover what makes them tick. When asked by a DI Amyas Foley to assist with the investigation, Olivia agrees only reluctantly when her close friend, a coworker of Foley’s, becomes one of the victims. The DI insists on being called Foley, as he’s embarrassed by his given name. Winter uses his name, Amyas, at times to get his attention, however. As an aside, the name is Latin for “loved,” and it made me wonder if this working relationship would develop into something further. The two work well together, and after the case is solved…? Who knows?

Speaking of that, Olivia has no shortage of male admirers, and vice versa. Not all admirers prove to be welcome, but for those who are, I wonder what a psychologist would say about Ms. Winter. She has unresolved issues throughout the book that she struggles to ignore. Readers’ opinions may vary as to the value of some scenes that depict sexual innuendo and sexual activity.

The plot development speeds up as publicity increases. Mr. Wood does a great job misdirecting with red herrings, and the suspense builds rapidly toward the end. The Mind of a Murderer is the first in a series, so I wonder where we will see Olivia Winter next. She certainly has some unfinished business. I was struck by her youth; her exact age is not given, but she despite her accomplishments in her field, she seems young, at times, too good to be true. It will be interesting to see what she does next.

I received a digital copy of The Mind of a Murderer in exchange for my honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Thanks to NetGalley, One More Chapter, and Michael Wood.

4.5 stars

Excellent novel. loved Dr Olivia. Expected nothing less from Michael. Looking forward eagerly to the next in the series

Fantastic! This one kept me entertained from the very beginning! It reminded me a bit of Prodigal Son, although the killer in that was weirdly likeable. Olivia’s father… not so much. I did enjoy the unraveling of the case, although I knew who the killer was as soon as they entered the story. Still, I do love to watch good characters figure out the puzzle. And speaking of characters, Olivia and Foley make a great team. I love the friendship they’ve developed. Overall, I can’t think of a single thing I didn’t like about this book. I’ll be first in line when the next one comes out!

Huge thanks to HarperCollins UK and NetGalley for sending me this ARC for review! All of my reviews are given honestly!

This was an interesting dark thriller about a serial killer’s daughter, Olivia Winter, who is now a famous forensic psychologist. Although she’s sworn never to have further contact with her father, she’s forced to reconsider to gain insight into a serial killer whom she was asked to help locate. Now, this isn’t the first story I’ve read that involves the family member of an infamous murderer, and there are many others available. So there needs to be an edge or hook – something to make this one of many stand out, and I just don’t know if this book has it. I enjoyed it, don’t get me wrong, but I’m not sure it would stick in my mind several months down the road if I had to recall it.

It's a realistic story and there are a few moments that just catch you off guard out of nowhere, and those are great. Other moments are a bit of a stretch, like how Olivia is very famous in her field, yet no one connects her with her father simply because she changed her last name. She met and interviewed several infamous killers throughout her career, and it stuck out to some people that her father wasn’t one of them. And then knowing he left one daughter alive, digging for that little girl’s first name wouldn’t be that hard. And 'Olivia' being the same name as a forensic psychologist who meets with murderers…compare a picture of her to him and there you go. But I mean, it’s possible, I suppose.

And of course, every man she interacts with falls for her, which always happens in these stories. Not so realistic, but no surprise, as the author is a man. The sexual situations just felt out of place, too, and really weren’t necessary.

But I did truly enjoy the story, I figured out the killer, and if you pay attention, you will, too. It took the characters a bit too long but there wouldn’t be a story, otherwise! I think more Olivia Winter books are coming and I’ll definitely read them. Give this one a go, and you may be pleasantly surprised!

Oh how I thoroughly enjoyed The Mind of a Murderer by Michael Wood.

I love his novels so when I got the opportunity to read this novel I could not wait and dived straight in.

We meet main character Olivia Winter, with a dark and terrifying past, her father was a serial killer and killed Olivia's mother and sister and attempted to end Olivia's life when she was younger.

Olivia is now 30-something and a renowned author and forensic psychologist and she is asked to look into a serial killer who is stalking lone women and killing them viciously in their home. The killer has striked too close to Olivia and her best friend has become his latest victim.

Oliva is pulled onto the case and this is when she agrees to visit her father whom she has not seen for many years and is currently in hospital.

There are other characters in the novel which makes for good background story which is a great touch. The story is told mainly through Olivia's point of view but also the killer, which was hauntingly terrifying and some other characters.

I really enjoyed Olivia's character, I thought she was the ultimate strong independent women and really looking forward to any more novels with her in.

Thanks to Netgalley, Michael Wood and the publishers for allowing me a copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

I am a huge fan of the author’s Matilda Darke series so was very excited to see he has started a new one with Dr Olivia Winter whose own father is a serial killer.

It’s fair to say that Olivia has her own demons. Not only is her father a serial killer but he also tried to kill her, leaving her scarred for life. He is a constant reminder every time she looks at her scars but it has also mentally scarred her, so much so she is a recluse and distances herself from everyone.

I love how the story is set out with Olivia having her hand forced somewhat into helping the police due to a recent spree of murders. It pushes her out of her comfort zone and doing things she swore she would never do. Foley is the one in charge and they soon become a good team although tensions are fraught throughout.

I was feeling smug throughout as I thought I had it all worked out as to who the killer was. Boy was I wrong! When I realised it couldn’t be who I thought it was, I was frantically searching my mind as to who else it could be and was grasping at straws. When the identity of the killer is revealed, wow what a shocker! Totally blew my mind as hadn’t seen that one coming.

The Mind of a Murderer is a superb start to a series but then I expected nothing less from Michael Wood. His books are taught, very dark with plenty of jaw dropping moments. I really liked Olivia and this story gives you an insight into a killer’s mind, and it isn’t pleasant! I have to mention Stanley the sausage dog being a dog lover myself. Was totally smitten with him. Very excited for this new series and what will come next for Olivia. Deliciously twisted!

Becoming a forensic psychologist may have been Dr Olivia Winter's way of coping with the knowledge that her father was a serial killer. And that he had planned for his 9-year-old daughter to become one of his victims.

But perhaps understandably, despite all her success in assessing the way the criminal mind works, a clear grasp of her father's thinking processes remains out of reach for Olivia. Still, that has not made her any less in demand as far as the law-enforcement authorities are concerned when they are attempting to hunt down this type of killer.

When her best friend is attacked, tracking down one particular serial killer becomes personal, as far as Olivia is concerned. But will she be able to revisit her own past traumas in order to catch this murderer?

This is a gripping story, suspenseful throughout and more than a little grisly at times. If you like reading about serial killers, this might well be one for you. It gets 3.5 stars.

I could not put this book down. I love the characters who interconnect very well. My favourite is the forensics which isnt overwhelming, just the right amount, same for the police procedure. The story was brilliant and flowed well, I cant wait to read the next book, Amazing

FNtastic book! Like seriously this one was fantastic oml would recommend a lot srsly. I loved the vibe, I loved the charsc, I loved the reveal. Thanks for the arc

I enjoyed this book, despite the plot-holes. Having read most of the Matilda Darke.series, ( I gave up reading, as she really should have been sacked early in the series!)
I was ready for some hard to believe aspects. But, as Olivia was portrayed as paranoid, security conscious, highly solitary and almost reclusive, her character wouldn't leave spare house keys on show, wouldn't allow a virtual stranger into her house and wouldn't 'go it alone' rather than informing the police...
The dialogue was a bit repetitive and the book could probably be improved by being about 10% shorter. Having said that, I did enjoy reading it and will read the next in the Olivia Winter series.

Forensic psychologist Olivia Winter becomes involved in the hunt for a serial killer when her best friend becomes one of the victims. Olivia has a special insight into serial killers having been a victim herself. Helped by D.I. Amyas Foley they will try to find the killer before he kills again and for them it is personal.
The characters are interesting and yet for some reason, I failed to connect with the main character.
The book has a leisurely pace and I wasn't hooked until almost half way through when the plot starts to pick up in intensity and pace. However, I am sure I will give this new series a second chance.

Thank you to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter, and NetGalley who provided me with an early copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was the first novel I have read by Michael Wood, but it certainly won't be the last.

I enjoyed the writing style of this book. I stayed interested, I was kept guessing, I made assumptions, I was wrong. It has all the makings of a great thriller.

I found the characters to be quite interesting. I look forward to seeing more of them in future books in the series. Especially the dogs. There can never be enough dogs.

All in all, I highly recommend giving this novel a read.

Thank you to Chloe Cummings at One More Chapter and Harper Collins for the opportunity to read this book ahead of release.

I did not expect this book to blow me away in the same way as Matilda Darke does (and continues to do), but it did. There were red herrings galore and I was completely stumped until quite late on. The uncomfortable relationship between Olivia and her father made me feel queasy, he gave off Hannibal Lector vibes from the start.

A most enjoyable start to a series, and I'm very much looking forward to seeing what comes next.

The Mind of a Murderer by Michael Wood is the first in a new series; Dr Olivia Winter and after having read the DCI Matilda Darke series I was apprehensive about starting a new series, I shouldn’t have been because it was very good and I look forward to reading the next in the series.
The characters were very interesting and the storyline was excellent and I really enjoyed reading this book.
Highly recommended

Dr Olivia Winter #1

Dollis Hill, London, Thursday 15/2/24
Phoebe Harper arrives home from a double shift to find her next door neighbour’s 40th birthday party in full swing with her evening interrupted several times by revellers. However, only one has evil on their mind and it seems they’ve killed before - a serial killer is stalking the streets. The Metropolitan Police hope that forensic psychologist Dr Olivia Winter’s insights will help them catch the perpetrator before more victims pay the ultimate price. Olivia is reluctant, resisting for personal reasons that continue to torment her, it seems she has her own very specific demon to confront. After a great deal of thought she takes a look at the files and prepares to give her thoughts to DI Amyas Foley.

Wowza, if not a treble wowza! I admit to some concern that this wouldn’t be as good as the brilliant Matilda Drake series but Michael Wood has blown that thought right out of the water. In fact, he’s knocked number one in this compelling new series right out of the park and then some. Powerful? Phew, I need a breather after completing this as it’s so intense. Fast paced? You need to strap yourself in for this one. Twisty? Well, I’d say you’ll feel like you’ve ridden the Kingda Ka rollercoaster and probably be just as dizzy and reeling. Tightly plotted? Of course, it’s complex and has more inside layers than a matryoshka doll as more facts reveal themselves. Red herrings? More blind alleys and snickleways than York but I don’t fall for one, Mr Wood! Chilling? The dial on the chill factor is turned up to maximum with added spine tingling creep and moments of breathtaking fear. A shocker of a finale and a cracking good ending? Oh come on, this is MW we’re talking about here so that’s a given. He’s the master of the cracking end, often on a cliffhanger. Tension and suspense? Yes indeed, you’ll be uttering yikes or much worse.

So, what of the new characters his fertile imagination has created? My heart positively aches for Olivia once you read and comprehend her backstory which is a belter in terms of a fiction plot, less so if it’s your actual story. Her past has seriously impacted on her in several ways and I’m full of admiration for what she has made of her life as a forensic psychologist. The insights into the mind of a serial killer blows my mind as you witness how this thrill killer has grown in confidence and wickedness. There are some scenes that are so tense I find myself holding my breath, it seems to freeze the blood. It’s horrifyingly fascinating and feels authentic and well researched. I really like the character of Amyas Foley too, he’s one of the good guys and I look forward to these two teaming up in future.

A big thank you to the author for introducing us to Stanley the dachshund who provides some heartwarming light relief and for an utterly immersive read from start to finish. To future readers, I’d advise a block of time as this is a glued to the pages, just one more chapter read even though your eyes feel as if lead weights on them! An easy five stars.

With thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins, One More Chapter for the widget in exchange for an honest review.

Olivia Winter is a forensic psychologist who specialises in understanding serial killers; having a connection herself with a serial killer, her father. A new serial killer has hit the streets of London. Will Olivia work with the police to discover who this is?

This is my first book by Michael Wood and having heard a lot of positive things about his Matilda Darke series I was keen to read the first book in a new series. After reading this I understand now why his books are so popular. This was a great start to a new series and was thrilling, dark and disturbing. I found the psychological element, exploring the minds of serial killers, fascinating and I really enjoyed Olivia’s character, I would love to read more featuring her. The overall story was fast paced and the ending surprising. The only thing that slightly niggled was Olivia’s response to certain things did not seem entirely believable but I won’t say anymore for fear of spoilers. Even so this is definitely a series I will be following. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.

After being a huge fan of the Matilda Darke series by Michael Wood I was eager to read his new book featuring Dr Olivia Winter.

The book certainly hit the ground running and grabbed my interest right from the start and lured me straight into the story. It took time to get used to the writing style as the focus is on what makes someone kill over the actual police investigation, although here the author has managed to combine both elements really well and with great effect. The writing style is still good and engaging, just different which I think really complements the story. Dr Winter is a forensic psychologist who is asked to assist a police investigation into a serial killer and give insights into the type of person they should be looking for. I really liked DI Foley as a side character, although it took me a while to warm towards Dr. Winter. There are quite a few story threads here that definitely piqued my interest where I needed to know more and carry on reading. The plot line is good and well thought out and the story is fast paced and at times full of tension and suspense. Overall a very good start to a new series and I'm looking forward to the next book, and I hope DI Foley will feature in it. If you like murders, crime with the focus being more on what makes a killer tick, then I'd recommend this.

4 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and One More Chapter/Harper Collins for the ARC of this book.
I absolutely loved this book!! Michael Wood is a fantastic writer and this story was just perfect for me. I really like this type of subject and the characters were so believable and well formed that I couldn’t put it down at times. His understanding of the subject made it totally mesmerising and the victimology was on point.
Will certainly be watching out for more of his books.