Vengeance is Mine by Michael Wood is a stand alone thriller about a man convicted of the death of a young 13 year old girl, who is about to be released after serving 20 years of his sentence still proclaiming his innocence and stating that it was because of being given a drug which caused his behaviour to change, as had been proven in other cases.
The character, Dawn Shepherd takes up the first half of the storyline and she is told before the killer, Dominic Griffiths is released from prison, that she is his daughter, although her mother, Rita brought her up on her own. It is only in the second part of the book that the reader can follow logically what happens when Dominic is released from prison and what happens to all of the people affected by the death of Stephanie White, the 13 year old girl.
It makes compelling reading, as to who did what and why and whether justice then was served.
Highly recommended

Dominic Griffiths is released from prison early after serving 20 years of a 25 year sentence for killing 13 year old Stephanie White. Dominic always maintained he didn’t kill her.
Dawn Shepherd never knew her father her mother had told her that she fell pregnant as a result of a one night stand. Dawn’s mother lied and when the news broke of Dominic’s imminent release she felt she had no choice but to tell Dawn the truth about her father.
When I was offered the chance to read this book I knew I would enjoy it. I’ve read all Michael Woods books and he has become one of my favourite authors. He is up there with the best crime/police procedural writers.
This standalone novel has everything you want in a great crime book. Characters who you feel sympathy for and others you don’t. Twists and turns you just don’t see coming. I read and listened to this and thought the change of narrator from part 1 to part 2 worked really well. If you haven’t read any of Michael’s books and you enjoy this genre you don’t know what you are missing. Thank you to NetGalley for the early copy to review.

Michael Wood is one of those authors I drop all other books for. He has such a talent for creating relatable characters and dark stories that I love. I instantly connected with sweet Stephanie trying out her new skates and football shirt on her birthday and then later with her bereaved parents. I’d guessed a completely different ending which is always a bonus as I love to be caught off guard by a super twist!

Thank you Netgalley, Harper Collins UK and Michael Wood for this ARC.

When Dawn finds out her absentee father was not the one night stand her Mum had always told her but a murderer, she is shaken to the core. Twenty years prior thirteen year old, Stephanie, disappeared and her body was found at Dominic’s house. Being released early on a technicality can Dawn bond with him wondering if his DNA is running through her veins.
I am a massive fan of Michael’s books and the Matilda Darke series remains one of my top tier police procedural series. This was different but the trademark dry humour one liners were there and I devoured the book quite happily.
Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

I did not see that coming! Another brilliant book by Michael Wood. Vengeance is mine is a standalone thriller and absolutely outstanding.

Firstly, many thanks to the publishers for reaching out to me with early access to this book.
This is a standalone read by the author of the great Matilda Drake series.
This was a well crafted story filled with moral dilemmas galore. Each character is well written with their own flaws that make them all the easier to relate to.
A compelling page turner with an unexpected plot twist at the end.
I really can't recommend it enough.
Many thanks to Harper Collins One More Chapter for the ARC.

I like Micheal woods book so thought this would be a good read.

it did feel a bit slow in places and you really do feel some empathy towatds Dawn but overall an interesting read and i didnt see the end coming

What a absolutely brilliant story this is, wow. From the first page to the last I was hooked and couldn't put it down. One of my top reads this year!!!!! Amazing.

I'm really pleased to have the opportunity to review Michael Wood's, Vengeance is Mine. I first listened to this story when it was released on audible only a while ago now. I was delighted to see it is being released in ebook format. As with all of Michael's books the story is very, very clever with lots of twists and turns. The characters are fully formed and easy to identify with and care about. A thoroughly enjoyable read with a satisfying ending. And as an added bonus I didn't remember who the murderer was!!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

4-5 stars
A standalone novel

It’s February 1999, the location is Newcastle, Tyne and Wear and it’s Stephanie White’s 13th birthday. She gets rollerblades and much to her excitement a Newcastle United shirt signed by the one and only Alan Shearer. On her first wobbly and rather painful outing on her rollerblades and wearing her new football shirt, she encounters a man in an alley who promises her a programme signed by Shay Given, of course, as a passionate Toon fan, she can’t resist the lure.

It’s now January 2019 and twenty something Dawn Shepherd is in for more than one shock when Stephanie‘s killer, Dominic Griffiths, is released from prison having served 20 years. Maybe she can find out exactly what happened and lay ghosts to rest. What will she find in her quest of discovery? Who is the real Dominic Griffiths and whose “vengeance is mine “?

This hooks me in straightaway and Dominic’s case has plenty of twists from the start. Dawn is a likeable central protagonist and she becomes driven by this, which has an impact on those around her, especially her lovely mum. I enjoy questioning who the real Dawn is as she transforms in several ways. Her confliction is a strong element in the book and the author entices you to join the Dawn in her search for the truth. Equally intriguing are all the varying representations of Dominic which adds a great deal to the mystery of him and piles up the number of what ifs.

I really like the approach Michael Wood takes in this as it examines the impact of serious crimes on all the families of those affected by it. Here are ruined and shattered lives, some are in a state of inertia and also serving life sentences. It’s very moving and emotional in places, souls are tormented and some are full of hate with the case itself being a shocker. It also questions justice and leaves you to decide and is therefore very thought provoking.

I like the contrast between the first and second parts of the book and the discoveries which either shed light or further cloud the issues. The second half , the author up is the ante, there are plenty of twisty twists and several OMG moments and as for the final twist, oh yes.

Overall, this is a genuine page turner but then I kind of knew it would be good.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Harper Collins, One More Chapter for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and author for the invite to read this eARC.

I am a big fan of this authors books and was pleased to be given the opportunity to read Vengeance is Mine.

I enjoyed this book although the first half of the story felt quite slow paced and it took a while for me to become fully invested in the story and characters. Dawn is shocked when she is told who her father is and what he has done. I like Dawn, who is determined to find out all she can about her father before deciding if she wants to meet him. The second half of the story really picks up pace and I like how the plot line goes off in a very unexpected direction. Can Dawn forgive her fathers actions knowing how they have affected others? Michael Wood writes a very good story here although the wow factor and thrills I am used to from him are missing.

Nevertheless Vengeance is Mine is still a good and enjoyable read and I had so much empathy for the White family. The story ends in a surprising way that makes you think. If you're a fan of this author I'd recommend this although in my opinion it isn't as good as the Matilda Darke series.

3.5 stars

As a fan of the DCI Matilda Darke series, I was pleased to be able to read this standalone book. Dawn Shephard knew nothing about her father, so when she found out that he was a convicted murderer, her world changed in an instant.

This is a thought provoking book. Shock, betrayal, querying your mother’s love for you and would you really want to meet him. It also explores the devastation such a crime causes, not just to the victims family but everyone around them too.

The book is in two parts, and I thought the 2nd part was a better read, where it’s more of a police procedural than the first but is also more twisted, darker and more interesting. I certainly didn’t expect the turns it took.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

this new novel by Michael Wood is a standalone thriller. it did not disappoint and it gave me chills. I loved it and couldn't stop reading til the very last page.
Definitely recommended by me!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy of this book.

When Dawn receives a phone call in the middle of the night, the truth about her father comes out. He is a convicted murderer about to be let out of prison. Dawn wrestles with getting to know him but decides she needs to and starts to doubt that he is guilty.

Wow Michael Wood is a genius! Another book that I could not put down. Started reading yesterday and finished less than 24 hours later. This one kept me guessing right up until the unexpected ending. The suspense had me on edge. If anything., it was too good and I have devoured it far too quickly!

100% recommend to anyone who wants to read a chilling, thriller which will challenge your sense of right and wrong.

Vengeance is Mine by Michael Wood is a standalone novel. It is published on 29 June. Thank you to Netgalley, One More Chapter and the author for the advance reader copy. I’m a big fan of Michael’s work. This was certainly different to his other books, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. It was a very clever story. In 1999, a 13 year old girl, Stephanie White, disappears on her birthday. A man, Dominic Griffiths, was jailed for her murder. We move forward 20 years. Dominic had a daughter who finds out who her father is just before he is released. All the emotions Dawn goes through having to process it. I was drawn into it as I was carried along emotionally. Dawn tries to come to terms with the situation and she decides she wants to know the truth as she tries to make sense of it. It made me feel sad, the number of lives that the murder touched, the lives it destroyed. It made me question what I would do in the same situation as Dawn, whether I would want any contact with my father if he was a murderer. This situation puts husband against wife as feelings boil over. Great writing and a great pace. It was hard to put down.

When this appeared in my inbox, I couldnt download this quick enough and it went straight to the top of my TBR. I did force myself to make this last as long as possible (so hard!) as it’s far too long to wait for the next Darke edition.

With this author, I have learnt not to think about what the plot is and to expect anything, he gives so much to readers, the unexpected being the ‘most’ much.

I love how this all unravelled, I was hooked from the get go and the intensity of the book didn’t wan once. A set of amazing characters, I found myself asking ‘what I would do’ In each of the characters part of the plot. The character development is interesting, especially seeing how they were linked,

Of course there were twists aplenty and I really didn’t see that ending coming! This needs to be added to your TBR, I cannot recommend it more.

Wow! I did not see that coming !
I’m a huge fan of Michael woods if he’s writing I’m buying.
Yet again he’s smashed it this book was amazing I love how I instantly connect with the characters and am completely invested.
This was an amazing page turner I couldn’t put down it was full of twists and turns.
I was on edge and felt it really hit the bar high I was trying to guess what was happening but my imagination is no where near as good as Michael’s.
Couldn’t have loved this more. Fantastic mystery/thriller a definitely must read

Another gripping novel from Michael Wood that kept me reading ‘just one more chapter’. A stand alone novel that has the hallmarks of the excellent Matilda Darke series, including great characterisation, a detailed and well constructed plot and intriguing developments that lead to a satisfying conclusion.
A definite recommendation for any fans of crime fiction. Thanks to Netgalley and One More Chapter books for the opportunity to read and review

4.5 stars which I will gladly round up to 5 well deserving stars as I could not put the book down.

Vengeance is Mine is one of Michael Wood's earlier books that is being released and I am so glad it is.

When Dawn Shephard learns her dad she never knew is a murderer her world is turned upside down.

We follow Dawn's journey as she pieces together the horrific murder of a young 13 year old girl.

Everyone is a victim and you cant help thinking girl you should run, don't meet your dad.

Michael Wood is a master of leading the reader down a twisted path that has you holding your breath and Vengeance is Mine is no exception.

Don't be fooled or be complacent as Michael always has a trick or two up his sleeve.

Highly recommend you get your copy and settle in for a great read.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter for the opportunity to read and review one of my favourite authors books.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter for this Advanced Reader’s Copy of Vengeance is Mine by Michael Wood due to be published June 30, 2024.
When a young girl vanished twenty years ago, the neighborhood was shocked. When the murderer is about to be released from prison, Dawn Shephard is shocked herself. Her mother reveals to her that the murderer is her father, whose identity her mother has kept a secret all these years. Is Dawn normal, or does a killer’s blood run through her veins?
This was a new-to-me author, and I loved this book! Dawn visits relatives, friends, and enemies from her father’s past to try and prove his innocence or see if the jury of his peers came up with the correct conviction. Vengeance is Mine takes you on a ride of twists and turns that kept me interested from Chapter One. I couldn’t wait to see what Dawn uncovered about her father.
I look forward to reading more books from Michael Wood!
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