An open field is the site of a horrific scene. A burned body is lashed to a cross and Dr. Harrison Lane who works for the Ritualistic Behavioral Unit has been called to the site. As he endeavors to find the motive and the killer, he encounters a mysterious house that houses ex-cons, an enclave of cult members and villagers who are not what they seem. A mysterious read with red herrings, clues and plot twists to keep you interested to the end. Thank you Netgalley and storm Publishing for an early copy. This review is my own perspective on this interesting book.

Although this is book nine in a series, it works well as a standalone novel. The plot was very clever, with multiple possibilities as to who killed Louise Swift in such a macabre way . The exploration of people’s perceptions and vulnerabilities was really well done, especially the techniques that Louise used to interact with the villagers. The backstory of Harmony House was also an interesting read. I enjoyed the way Harrison Lane worked, and would like to read more of this series. Thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for an opportunity to read and review this book.

Such an intriguing plot! A witch burning in modern day. A really horrific crime being investigated by what I felt were amateur detectives.
I enjoyed the ride and the misdirect but maybe because I don’t personally like third person narrations I never got hooked to the book.
The main ‘expert’ Harrison wasn’t impressive enough for me. The ending left me feeling like the book ended abruptly and didn’t resolve the mystery satisfactorily.
This is a good book to read in between other books.

A gruesome tale of witch burning. Plot thickens and is interesting. Good story line and characters. Interesting read

Could not put down!!! Read this in one sitting, the most unputdownable book I've read this year! Captivating and engaging the entire time!

As far as mysteries go, it's okay. I guessed the twist at the end, despite the many red herrings but I wasn't bored while reading it. I didn't care much for the repetitive description that Harrison Lane is buffed and not like the other psychologists and every man is intimidated by him and full stop. Honestly, being large and solving ritualistic crimes is his only personality.

I also didn't like how Sherlock Holmes-like he was. He doesn't really do much detective work or psychoanalyzing, he just takes a look at the crime scene and exposits a bunch of jargon I can't help but roll my eyes at.

I love mysteries and I love the art of solving mysteries but this didn't have much of the latter. Plus, the ending was just so meh and I'm left wondering what the point is. I don't wanna spoil it but there is more than one way to make sure someone gets their comeuppance, js.

That said, this is a much more intriguing mystery than the ones I've read this year so far. I'd recommend giving it a shot.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy in an exchange for a review.

A little drawn out for me in place but with some great characters and an interesting premise - who could possibly have killed the beloved community member in such as way without anyone noticing?
The investigation dwelled in places but the pace overall is good and the resolution great!

Thank you NetGalley for letting me read this ARC for my honest review.

This book is hands down one of the best in the series. There’s so much going on which means there’s so much to distract you from the plot twists. You’ll have yourself wondering if you’re ever going to get it right. This story has everything - small town, intertwined relationships, history, and so many lies. Who is there to trust? You’ll be obsessed once you pick this book up!

Dr Harrison Lane returns to help with another case. This time he is asked to assist a police team dealing with a case in a small village. Harrison has to clear is mind of is own issues to focus on the facts of the case.
Yet another winner for me. Was hooked from start to finish.

Things really aren't what they seem in this perfect little village! Dr Lane, a specialist is brought in to sort through the lies. This is my first Dr Harrison Lane Mystery and I love it! Well paced, interesting murder mystery story that keeps you guessing til the end. Highly recommend!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGallery for the advanced copy in return for an honest review.

Dr. Harrison Lane, Head of the Ritualistic Behavioral Crime Unit, faced his most challenging case yet when he was called to the quiet English village of Thistleford to investigate the brutal murder of Louise Swift, who was found burnt at the stake. Harrison learned that she was a gifted psychic and was loved by the entire town. His investigation took a strange turn when he became aware of a web of deceit that existed among the town members. When another body was discovered at the Harmony House, a home for ex-convicts seeking to change their lives, Harrison suspects there may be a connection between the two deaths.
As Harrison continues his investigation, he suddenly finds himself surrounded in a town full of evil and lies. Will he be able to uncover the truth and find the killer before there are any more deaths?

This was a really good read. It was like a mild "Criminal Minds" storyline. I loved that it had both the crime story but also followed the MMC's personal story as well.

I also liked that there was multiple suspects/groups in the story leaving me guessing and trying to figure out what actually happened. I will definitely read more in this series!

Thank you Storm Publishing and NetGalley for letting me read this ARC for my honest review.

#BurningLies #GwynBennett #StormPublishing #NetGalley

Although I've never read any of the Dr Harrison Lane series before, I was totally captivated by this book and i know it would work brilliantly as a standalone. Once I started I couldn't put it down! With slight comedic elements and loveable characters, Burning Lies is an easy read for anyone who wants a quick escape.

Set in a "sleepy little village called Thistleford where apparently nothing happens, until now", Dr Harrison Lane assists in a murder mystery in which a woman has been burnt as a witch! In such a close knit village no one knows how it was all planned out but at the end it becomes unraveled.

With a satisfying ending, this book is one that i would highly recommend.

Thank you to Net Galley and Storm Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read this advanced copy of Burning Lies.

The term "page turner" was invented for this book! Harrison Lane is one of the best investigative leads out there, unique and complex - just like the mystery. Small town secrets, lies, history, and ego twist in all directions after someone is burned alive and suspects are everywhere. You won't put this one down until the end - guaranteed.

I have not read any of the other books in this series but it didn't put me off. In fact I want to go and read the previous 8

I really enjoyed it

Thank you for the opportunity to review

ritual-killing, crime-fiction, thriller, suspense, PTSD, obsession, forensic-consultant, forensic-psychologist, due-diligence, procedural, local-law-enforcement, secrets, lies, investigations, riveting, cults, family-history, medium, small-town, rehabilitation, murders, unputdownable, sleight-of-hand, scam-artist*****

Dr. Harrison Lane is a psychologist and Head of the Ritualistic Behaviour Crime Unit. He also has a dramatic past, remains obsessed with finding his mother's killer, and has a deteriorating personal relationship.
The first murder appears to be a ritualistic ending for someone convicted of being a witch but is of a woman who refers to herself as a medium. The investigation of a couple of obvious answers keeps going nowhere. The next is a man who is part of a post incarceration rehab farming estate. lots of suspects and theories, but a real shortage of prosecutable evidence. Unputdownable.

I requested and received a free temporary EARC from Storm Publishing via NetGalley. Thanks

I don’t know where this series has been all my life, but I’m so glad I discovered it! It’s not often you can jump into Book 9 of a series and not feel completely lost, but that’s the case here. I mean, how can you read a description of a suspected witch burned at the stake in a field and not be immediately intrigued? Dr. Harrison Lane is an interesting character, a bit of a cliché, but I guess it takes a certain type of person to head a Ritualistic Behavioural Crime Unit! Now, I did find it a bit of a stretch that in the town where this burning occurred, they had not only a place like Harmony House, a suspected cult but also the Thistleford Community Church…another suspected cult! I mean, really? But if you can suspend your disbelief of that, you’ll appreciate the plethora of suspects they bring to the table.

So, between the small group of villagers and the two outlying groups, there are plenty of people to interview and study to determine who would have been responsible for such a horrific crime. Harrison is one of those types who looks at crimes and just sees what others miss. And he never jumps to conclusions or accepts the easy answers. It’s fun to see not only how he unravels each mystery, but also how he convinces local officers to trust his methods and appreciate that he knows what he’s talking about. Now, I did have the ending figured out early on, but the story still kept my interest the whole way through. There are dark themes kept light with the author’s amusing story-telling and dry humor.

As soon as I finished this story, I immediately went back and began reading the series starting from Book One. I’m now on Book Four and continue to happily binge. Whether you start there or with this book, you won’t be disappointed!

Burning Lies finds independent psychologist, Dr. Harrison Lane, seeking to understand the mindset of a person, or persons, who would bind a woman to a cross and set fire to it. Working alongside the local police in the small English village of Thistleford, he questions various inhabitants of the village. They seem to all tell the same story, and point fingers at a local estate where convicted criminals have taken up residence. When a body turns up there as well, can Dr. Lane expose the dark forces of the quaint town?

I love most books set in quaint, English towns, and this one was no exception. The mystery grows throughout the story, and leads to an unexpected revelation. There may or may not be justice in the end.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

A decently well written and executed book that’s good for anyone with an interest in mysteries. It was tough to get into but once you did you were in.

Fantastic addition to the series, a gruesome murder sets off a chain of events that exposes the sinister underbelly of a seemingly idyllic English village. a small-town mystery, where nothing is as it seems, and the truth is shrouded in deceit. I was on the edge of my seat.