.

This book is part of a series so go ahead and read twisted first because when this book comes out you will be ready! The scenes are described as if you could see them right in front of you. You will want to read this book in one day because I did. Very few books keep my attention that long. Wicked is a book about the good and bad of the pharmaceutical industry and how the division becomes blurred. Go ahead to your tbr.

This thriller/mystery novel is told from multiple POV with clearly labeled chapters. While this is Book 2 of a series, it can be read as a stand-alone, however I sometimes felt like the number of characters was overwhelming to keep track of as I was reading.

The roles of some of the characters is clear from the beginning and for others the reader has to wait to uncover the truth. The chapters are short and quick to read, so I felt that the pace of the novel really fit with the thriller genre. Some of the twists and turns I didn't guess and it made for a captivate plot.

Thank you to the author, Rising Action Publishing Co. and NetGalley, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is the second in a series, and unfortunately I overlooked the publisher's note that this is not a standalone. However, this quickly became apparent due to the innumerable references I did not understand, the cast of well-established characters with no backstory given, and the plot that went through so many contortions just in the 30% I read before giving up, I got dizzy. I am reluctant to rate this as I did not read the first book, and also DNFed. The writing came across as amateurish, with a tinge of ChatGPT and a side of potboiler/soap opera, and I definitely would not read the first to get the background needed for the second.

This is the second book in this series, and it starts with an exciting bang. There’s action throughout, and the storyline is engaging and keeps you hooked the entire time.

I read this book in one sitting, because I HAD to know what was going on and who was who.

This story is a mystery/thriller concerning robberies and murders, a conspiracy for a drug that should never have been released, a need for revenge, a need for answers, a need for things to end. Detective Boone can’t let this case go. Boone, through another detective, meets Cora. She used to be a detective, but now works in forensics, she is a ‘single’ mother raising her child with her ex-husband who has addiction issues. Despite Cora not being a detective any longer, Boone is willing to work with her to locate his suspect, Blaine Roche. Blaine has been an enigma and Boone believes he is a key to the whole conspiracy.

My one criticism for this book was I didn’t understand the introduction of a romantic relationship between two characters. I thought it was unnecessary. I don’t know if it is a setup for a future story or something, but in this book I could have done without it because I don’t think it added anything to the story.

To some this story will feel unfinished. There seems to be a lot of loose ends which potentially are left for a future book, but still, when you get to the end it’s like real life: these characters go off to do this, those characters are going to do that, these ones are probably going to go on as has already been said and because of that, I think some might feel like it’s open-ended. This wasn’t an issue for me. I enjoyed the ending.

Given the reason for the drug, there are a lot of ‘characters’. I had no problem keeping track, but I think a few people might have issues, or claim to have gotten lost.

I know some readers found this difficult to read because they hadn’t read the first one. I didn’t have an issue with this. I think enough backstory was provided for me to be able to follow along and understand people’s motives.

The short chapters kept the pace moving and the twists and turns kept me turning the pages wanting to get to the bottom of things.

Thanks to NetGalley and Rising Action Publishing Co for access to this title. All opinions expressed are my own.

Ottawa Canada is the central setting for a police investigation into a murder that is linked to a company that has been using an experimental drug on people with Dissociative Identity Disorder. The chapters are from the perspective of several characters, some of whose roles are clear at the beginning and others, the reader has to wait and see how everything will come together. The short punchy chapters give an atmosphere of desperation that the police feel in trying to locate all the major players and I was hooked on the narrative. There were some interesting twists, even if I sometimes felt I needed a bulletin board with yarn pointing to how all the characters connected.

This was my first read of Maggie Giles and this book isn't out until April 2025. Never am I this early on an ARC but it was the cover that screamed to me on this lazy Saturday morning.



Expected Publication Date 22/04/25
Goodreads Review Date 12/10/24

#Wicked #NetGalley.

thank youuu netgalley snd publisher for the arc
loveeee detective ryan boone so much actually
obsessed with how the writing style is in this one , i don’t know why but it’s somehow even better than the first one. i don’t know if ryan is coming back for another book but he should lowkey

Wicked is the second installment to the Twisted Truths series. It follows several characters in the same timeline, as they all attempt to unravel the mysteries surrounding the effects of a pharmaceutical drug. What I liked about this book: multiple POVs, Canadian, challenging pharmaceutical companies, and the characters, Cora Porter and Ryan Boone. What I found challenging: the merging character storylines, the telling of dissociative personality disorder, the underdevelopment/unfinished stories of some of the characters, and the lack of a true climax in the book. It is all quite predictable, and perhaps that is to leave the door open for a third book. This was not my favourite novel by Giles. Would I read a third novel in this series? Undecided.
Thank you to #NetGalley and #RisingActionPublishingCo for the ARC of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

An intoxicating and riveting thriller indeed. Although I haven't read book 1 yet (twisted) and would want to read that one soon.

2.5 rounded up.

I know some reviewers found this a tough one to read without the first novel, but to me it was easy enough to put together key elements, and paint a picture of the past. My problem came with the mutli-POV structure. I personally had trouble keeping track of who is who, what they want, and why they are motivated to do what they're doing. Getting to know so many people left me unable to connect with any of them.

An interesting concept that would be better if focused and refined.

Definitely some cool twists, but I have been captivated more by others. I will still give the first in the series a go.

Thank you NetGalley and Rising Action publishing for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I just finished Wicked by Maggie Giles, and it was quite a ride! This sequel to Twisted takes us on a fascinating journey into the world of murder and conspiracy. Following Detective Ryan Boone and forensic expert Cora Porter, the story dives into a case that hits home and feels incredibly personal. The tension builds beautifully as they uncover secrets that not only affect their lives but also hint at national repercussions.

While I didn’t find it as gripping as Twisted, Wicked still delivered some amazing plot twists and introduced new characters that kept things mostly fresh. However, I can’t deny that I found the pacing a bit uneven at times, which made parts of the story feel dragged out.

On a positive note, I really enjoyed the dynamics between Ryan and Cora; their relationship added depth and kept the book interesting. Overall, it was an okay read. The plot was strong and the characters were fun, so it definitely grabbed my attention, but it struggled to hold onto it for long periods.

I struggled with this book as I had not read the first and didn't realize it was a sequel. It doesn't always matter but I felt this time it did as I was so lost I could tell there were things I SHOULD know and didn't. It's about a new drug, Solydexran that has been approved but apparently is affecting patients differently and landing some in the hospital. There are doctors, conspiracy theories, and prisoners...but that's all I got as I needed the backstory to understand completely.
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

This book had a great plot with intriguing characters. I’ll definitely be looking out for more from this author.

i am incredibly bored. the first book was fine, but this sequel left me wanting more. everything was just so bland, but the writing was cute. so. there's that

thank you so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc in exchange for a honest review

Wicked was a great read for a someone who likes to follow a tangled web all the way through to the complicated end. The multiple personalities, as well as the different POVS made it fantastic for someone who wants to be immersed in a mysterious thriller.

I cannot ethically write a real review for this because there is literally no way I won't spoil it. It was a wild ride, I have a lot of questions, you do not need to read the first book to enjoy this one (although I may seek that one out now), and I am frustrated with the ending. All in all though, a very entertaining read!

"Wicked" by Maggie Giles is a continuation of Detective Ryan Boone’s saga, blending mystery with intricate character dynamics. Boone’s relentless pursuit of justice takes him to Ottawa, where he uncovers a conspiracy with chilling national implications. Meanwhile, former detective Cora Porter’s transition to forensics adds a compelling layer, especially as she navigates both personal and professional challenges.

The narrative is fast-paced and suspenseful, with a well-drawn antagonist in Blaine Roche, whose motivations add depth to the plot. Giles expertly weaves together themes of revenge and redemption, keeping readers on their toes with unexpected twists.

Thank you Maggie Giles, Rising Action Publishing Co., and Netgalley for the advanced copy!

This was a strong sequel in the Twisted Truths series, it had what I enjoyed from the first book. It improved on the first book and still had everything that I enjoyed from that book. The characters were written perfectly and thought it was suspenseful. I enjoyed the way Maggie Giles wrote this and left me wanting to read more in this series and author.

I felt really lost as I read the book. It’s not bad, just wished I read the first book. I don’t want to get the book a poor rating.

I didn’t enjoy this one as much as twisted but it was still an amazing book, I loved that we got to meet new characters aswell as an incredible plot twist regarding identity.

‘Sorry, I'm not great at reading social cues and tend to overshare. I sometimes forget that not everyone is used to’ this was so relatable and did make me laugh

If you want to find out the truth of the drug that caused the girls to become murderers then this is the book for you.

Also love that Ryan got a happy ending and if the author ruins that I’ll be so sad for him, he deserves happiness

*full disclosure I was given this book in exchange for an honest review through NetGalley*

Maggie always had a way with characters and makes you come back for more! This is the second book in the series and I think it helpful if you read that one first.