Firstly I would like to thank netgalley and HarperCollins one more chapter and the fantastic author Michael wood for an early copy of his book.


This is one of my favourite authors, This is the first book,This read was fantastic, thrilling,exciting read love reading about serial killers. Dr Olivia Winter is a forensic psychologist her intrest is serial killers,Her father behind bars for wiping out her family she has flashbacks of her terrible past...now involved in a case of women being murdered as her friend dies by this killer. How is this murderer getting away with this terrible crime.?will she help find the culprit...Another brilliant read from this author,I look forward to his next read.Highly recommend this book.


This book will be reviewed on goodreads and Amazon uk and waterstone's.

My Rating: 1⭐️ lonely star, I had issues with this one!!

Dr Olivia Winter forensic psychologist is the serial killer whisperer. It is her job to get into the minds of killers and find out what makes them tick. Olivia has a monster in her closet though, one she can’t and doesn’t want to understand… her serial killer father who butchered her mother and sister and almost killed her when she was only 9 years old.

In the present day there is a new killer in town who is racking up a body count and is eerily similar to Olivia’s father… the police need her help. Dr Winter who usually doesn’t like the limelight and won’t work active cases is dragged into the fray. Will she be able to catch a killer before she becomes the hunted…

Ok… it sounded good. It’s got good reviews so far, the author has another really popular series that I haven’t read yet so I figured lets do it. Unfortunately for me this one fell way short and at this stage I don’t think I could say I would go back for book 2 in this new series I am not curious enough to go through the motions.

The premise was intriguing and I think if done differently it would have been great. I don’t know if its that I didn’t enjoy the authors writing style (I didn’t) or if the story just wasn’t for me… but I had some big issues and icks with this book.

In terms of what I did like… it was very meh for me… so there wasn’t too much standing out… as mentioned above I liked the premise, the idea of what it had to offer I just didn’t like the execution (hahaha pun intended). I thought the story was too repetitive, we listen to Olivia’s whiny monologue about how she doesn’t work active cases (those words are used repeatedly throughout), all the while she continues to work said active case and it felt like a competition for her to be on point with her predictions or profile. But as she was profiling the killer she kept reminding us she wasn’t a profile… so which is is Olivia are you in or out …

Now I won’t go into massive spoilers but some of the things I am going to mention might be minor ones so skip ahead or close down now if you actually want to read this book…




Olivia’s best friend (her only real friend) is killed by this new killer… she finds out had a tiny cry then after complaining about how she doesn’t work active cases she immediately goes to the scene of the crime but sheds no more tears for her very best friend in the world… and seemingly makes eyes at the guy her very best friend in the world was last imitate with… really!!! Come on… time and a place guys.

Speaking of making eyes at guys.. now I have nothing against Dr Winter getting down and dirty with whomever she pleases but in the middle of the chase for a killer? When her life is on the line… is that really the time and place… the sex scenes ALSO WHY ARE THERE SEX SCENES IN A THRILLER … JUST NO!!! But the sex scenes were pretty gross to be honest… I am not ashamed to say I am a bit of a prude… but honestly we don’t need to have the ins and outs (heheh did it again) of her rough and wild sex life laid out right when someone is trying to kill off everyone its just not the time.

ALSO while I’m here why TF is every man immediately in love with Olivia…shes so beautiful, shes so smart and cute and everything every man ever wanted… throughout this book I think at least 3 dudes want to bang her all over town. Come on… this isn’t an erotic novel it’s meant to be a thriller. It was cringe and I really didn’t like it. I got to this point in my review and changed from 2 to 1… I have to be honest.

I can’t think of any redeeming parts that make me go but… I really liked this. Olivia is whiny and annoying and we get plenty of her inner self telling us how broken and sad and lonely and whatever she is. How many times do we have to find out she knows Kraft Maga (cringe), how many times do we have to hear she hates London traffic so she rides a cool scooter everywhere (puke who cares), how many meals and outfits do we need described to us… I am gonna go with not many but we get them all.

I am cutting myself off… this will be popular… I am glad it will be cause I am going to be a major outlier. I can see why many many many others will love this and thats great but for me its a massive NO.

Overall, I recommend it if you love this author I suspect its similar to his other novels. I recommend it if you are new to thrillers, and also if you love a don’t think about the inconsistencies and just go with it style… unfortunately its not for me.

Thank you to Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter, NetGalley and the author for an advanced e-copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Was eagerly anticipating this and I was not disappointed. This author is one of my favourites in the crime/thriller genre. He can just pull you straight in-the way he writes characters and their interactions are so clever, they give enough not to frustrate but not enough to spoil the suspense.

I highly recommend this book and the rest of the authors back catalogue.

I was really excited for this book and at first it lived up to my expectations but I did not feel hooked all the way through unfortunately.

It was hard getting my head around a new character from this author.

It was enjoyable and did grip me and draw me in, great serial killer psychological book

I wanted to like this more than I did. There was nothing original, a storyline used so many times before. Lots of things didn't make sense. Disappointed.

Highly recommend. This kept me wrapped up from the first page. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Absolutely fantastic. I am always looking forward to a new book by this author. This one did not disappoint. Full of plot twists and great characters. I just loved my reading experience. Highly recommend for fans of mysteries and Michael Wood.

This was exceptional I have read all the Matilda Darke books so was a bit wary of someone new but Dr. Olivia Winter definitely is just as good as Matilda Darke. I think she is super intelligent to delve into the mind of a killer it starts with a serial killer targeting young women in their homes.

The Police ask Dr. Olivia Winter for help in finding the killer but not sure she would have helped if she had known what would actually happen,

Can’t wait for the next Dr. Olivia Winter

Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Collins for an ARC

I was over the moon when I saw that Michael Wood has a new series coming out. I love, love, love his Matilda Darke series and had high hopes for this book. I was not disappointed; in fact, I was extremely impressed with this book. Michael Wood hit it out of the ball park with The Mind of a Murderer, the first book in the new Dr Olivia Winter series!!! Woohoo!!!!! This book is excellent! It's gripping, shocking, dark, tension filled and had me on the edge of my seat the entire time!

Dr Olivia Winter is a forensic psychologist whose father was a serial killer. Now her job is to get into the minds of killers. She survived after being stabbed multiple times by father who succeeded in killing her mother and sister. She bears the emotional and physical scars of that attack. She is an intelligent, tenacious, strong yet flawed character. I appreciated how Michael Wood showed how being almost killed by her father not only affected her physically and mentally but also how it shaped her relationships with others and her chosen profession. I thought this was very nicely done.

There is a new serial killer in London. The police need help catching him and call on Dr. Olivia Winter for help. She reluctantly agrees and works closely with DI Foley to catch this vicious killer. While working to identify the killer, Olivia will have to confront parts of her past that have haunted her most of her life.

Wowza! This book was so good. Michael Wood wasted no time in setting the stage with this gripping and shocking book! I loved how there wasn't any down time. The pacing was spot on with no down time. I kept trying to find time to read to get back to this book that knocked my socks off. I was fully invested in the plot. I loved that this book didn't take any time to build. It's on from the first chapter! I enjoyed the characters. I rooted for Olivia and DI Foley. Her father was sinister, crafty, and smart. He was a character that readers will love to hate.

I loved the tension that flowed throughout this book. There is a mounting sense of danger that is palpable and increases as the book goes on. What a treat this book was to read. It was this reader's dream read! I can't wait to read the next book in the series!!!!! After reading the Matilda Darke series, I know he is an expert in character development, creating relationships between the characters and his plots are out of this world!

Highly recommend!!

The Mind of a Murderer is written by an author who makes readers sit on tenterhooks and hold their breaths out of suspense. The narrative revolves around forensic psychologist Dr. Olivia Winter, who has a dark secret: her dad is a notorious serial killer.

The book begins in a whirlwind as Olivia is awoken by the Police forcefully calling her and asking for help tracking down their newest serial killer, who has left London quaking. As the body count increases and Police seek answers, Olivia must confront her demons.

Olivia is very complicated and imperfect; her personality should be watched closely. She is a forensic psychologist who has dedicated all her life to studying the minds of serial killers, but she does not know how to understand her father.

Throughout the book, Wood uses such a biting and haunted tone of narration that it imprints uncertainty and suspense. Here, the tension builds up slowly as the death toll rises, and Olivia gets closer to the actual reason behind it. This is just perfect pacing. The storyline is highly inventive and full of surprises that get the reader thinking all the way through.

The biggest strength of "The Mind of a Murderer" is Wood's ability to delve into what makes up minds belonging to serial killers; several weaknesses lie within it. It is evident that the author has done his research and accurately represents what happens.

To summarize, "The Mind of a Murderer" is an interesting and exciting book in the thriller genre. It may be fascinating for readers until the end. Thus, the franchise for this genre is interesting due to its detailed portrayal of characters, setting, and plot, and it is a must-read for all fans. Prepare yourself to be exhilarated and creeped the hell out.

Thank you to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter, and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.

I admit to being worried that I wouldn’t give Michael Wood’s new novel a fair chance because I love his Matilda Darke series so much, but in Olivia Winter he has introduced a new character who is just as complex and three dimensional. The plot is of course deliciously dark and complicated and full of twists. I’m looking forward to see what comes next. Thanks to Netgalley and One More Chapter for the chance to review this excellent book.

As a fan of the Matilda Darke series I was intrigued to discover the author creating a new character and couldn’t wait to get inside The Mind of a Murderer.

Set in London rather than Sheffield, psychological profiler Olivia Winter is clearly a damaged character with an apparent strength of mind and determination to understand why serial killers act as they do. It soon becomes apparent that her childhood gives good reason for that.

The story rattles along and establishes a number of folk who I’ll look forward to seeing in book 2 (those who are still alive anyway!)

The Mind of a Murderer by Michael Wood is book 1 in the Dr Olivia Winter series and a new series by the author. He is well known for his fabulous Matilda Darke series. Dr Winter is a Forensic Psychologist and her speciality is serial killers. Thank you to Harper Collins UK, Netgalley and the author for the request to read and review this book. It is a great name for the book. There is a serial killer at work in London and DI Jessica Sheffield asks her friend Dr Olivia Winter, to help them catch this killer, as he is escalating and the body count is rising. Olivia has had personal experience of being attacked by a serial killer and has since written books on the subject and lectured around the world. Loved the way the story unfolded, with information about Olivia’s past almost being drip-fed to us along the way. This was a terrific read and so hard to put down. It was well-written and it pulled me right in. I liked how well the author portrayed the conflicted feelings of Olivia as she worked her way through what had been done to her. I kept thinking I knew who the killer was but kept changing my mind. I look forward to reading the next in the series.

Solid procedural that will keep you hooked. Some common tropes woven in and actually deliver through strong sub-plots and nicely scattered red herrings. Definitely worth the read

Thank you to the publisher, author and NetGalley for my ARC. I have heard plenty of this author but I haven’t got round to starting his Matilda Darke series as of yet.

This book kick off the start of a new series and I can assure you I will be chomping at the bit to read each next one as it’s released. It is a brilliant start to a series focusing on forensic psychologist Olivia Winter, mid 30s single and childless she had made her career focusing and interviewing serial killers all over the world, now there is one on her doorstep and although she doesn’t work active cases she is pulled into this one. We get to meet some detectives she is working alongside and also her work partner which I’m looking forward to read more about too as the series progresses.

First of all, I hate sex scenes. Not my thing. Thrill me with the mystery, thank you very much. There are 2-3 not-tame sex scenes in here, and I won’t be reading anymore of this author’s work. Have your characters make out and close the bedroom door behind them.

Now, to the actual story. It’s well-written, but there was something about the characters that made me not fully invested in them. I can’t really pinpoint why, but it kept me from rating this higher.

Trigger warnings: Extremely disturbing homicidal scenes, as well as multiple depraved insights into the mind of a serial killer. This is sick and twisted. There’s also an attempted rape (ugh, that whole scene made me so upset…why would this person have done that??!)

I love thrillers, but this one was a little too graphic for me.

I’m shelving this under “one and done”. I need a shower…but first let me double-check my locks.

I received an eARC from NetGalley, Harper Collins UK and One More Chapter. All opinions are my own.

Tense, tight, twisty! Michael Wood has written an excellent thriller. The Mind of a Murderer held me captive throughout the story. Surprises, suspense, serial killers galore!

Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Its hard too put into words the emotions that this book brings.
I've been following Michael Woods Matilda Darke series so when i found out he was writing a new character i was bervous and excited at the same time i have to say this did not dissapoint.
Olivia Winter is a strong independant woman who has issues and a serial killer father there are so many layers too her and i cant wait too read more about her and also just want too climb into the book and give her a hug.
Her dad richard is actually quite scary i dont like hime (i font think your meant too)
I like Foley too i think they work well together and he will be calling on her more...
This book definately leaves you in suspense wanting more and hoping her dad gets an ending he deserves hopefully wont be waitong too long for the next one.

The Mind of a Murderer first in the Dr Olivia Winter series is a pulse pounding, tense, well written book that keeps you guessing.

Olivia a forensic pathologist who has her own battle scars reluctantly agrees to help DI Foley and team to track down a serial killer roaming the streets of London.

Bodies are piling up .

Twists and turns, red herrings coupled with all the suspense has you guessing to the end.

Olivia I must say had me holding my breath a time or two.

That's all I am saying as the reader needs to take this compelling journey on their own.

Michael Wood is a master of suspense and surprises and The Mind of a Murderer is no exception.

I will be first in line for Book 2 of the series ( and anything Michael Wood writes actually.)

Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter for the sheer pleasure of reading and reviewing my new favourite series.