Liam Dempsey drops everything when his friend, Owen, calls and says he needs Liam's help. Owen's wife, Valerie, has been abducted. Is this a straightforward kidnapping as Owen is wealthy? Or is the reason darker? Years ago Valerie's sister died a tragic death. It was determined to be suicide but the family never believed that; they think she was murdered. Is this crime linked to that one?

Liam and Owen became friends in police academy. Owen had thought he would become a policeman but later changed his mind and moved back to his hometown where he became a lawyer who is now running for mayor. Liam is not a policeman anymore either but in his case it's the result of a case that went wrong and caused his dismissal. But he is still the best detective Owen has ever met and he wants Liam there.

The police working the case are not thrilled to have Liam show up but Owen insists on him being included. As Liam works with them and helps turn up leads, they become resigned to his help. Other murders start to occur and each seems to be linked to that of Valerie's sister. Can they find her before she is killed?

Joe Hart is a prolific thriller writer. This is the second Liam Dempsey novel but the series seems to stop here. Liam is a sympathetic character with a girlfriend back home and a newly adopted son from the first novel. He sees through the plots and secrets of the kidnappers and finds clues that the police on the case miss. This book is recommended for mystery readers.

I received a free copy from NetGalley. Number two in the series, you do not have to read one to understand this second book. The past comes back in many ways in this mystery where death hits again and again.

Liam Dempsey is called by a friend to help him find his wife. He is still haunted by the case that ended his police career but decides to come on as a consultant for his friend, Owen, who's wife Valerie has disappeared after a home invasion. Liam has trouble being accepted but when his hunches begin to add up to clues, his opinions and actions become more appreciated. He is determined that the kidnapping of Valerie has something to do with the suicidal death of her sister years before because some of the people that were involved in her sister's life seem to be linked to this.

I wish I hadn't put off reading this book for so long. It is the first in the series I have read. Now I have to hurry and read the first book in the series so I can continue! I have already recommended it to several coworkers who are looking for a well thought out and written mystery!

I was given the opportunity to read this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a really good mystery. I love the character of Liam and find him to be likeable and realistic. There were several twists to the story and suspects to choose from.
Many thanks to Thomas & Mercer and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is another one of those books that seem to get lost in the kindle never never land.
Well I found it, and i'm pleased I did. An interesting read,
A good story that will drag you in, and keep you reading.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for this free readers edition. In exchange I am providing an honest review.



Joe Hart writes a good crime thriller. In this series his main character, Liam Dempsey, is a former cop turned cold case detective - of sorts. While he's trying to solve cold cases he keeps getting pulled into live ones. In this second title Dempsey is called by an old police academy friend whose wife has been kidnapped. As Liam and the team of detectives try to find the wife, bodies start stacking up and Liam has a feeling everything is connected. Trying to connect the dots before more people are killed Liam himself becomes a potential victim - just because he's in the way of whatever the murderer is trying to accomplish. Can they all find the wife in time and stop more people from being killed? Liam is willing to die himself trying...he thinks.

I really like Hart and his writing style. His storylines are fast paced and engaging, his Liam Dempsey character is quick and bold, and he sets up future storylines for the series in a very seamless way. I'm looking forward to book 3.

To be honest, I really liked this book. As far as suspense books go, this one had multiple layers. The story begins with Liam Dempsey, a man who is no longer in police work (after what happened to him in Book #1), and he gets a phone call from a politician friend whose wife has been kidnapped from their home. He is seeking Liam's professional help. Liam and his girlfriend Dani have just adopted a son and are beginning their new life together, so this couldn't come at a worse time. Dani relinquishes any control over Liam and gives him her blessing to help with the case.

The story immediately jumps to Liam meeting with his friend, Owen, getting the details of what happened, and jumping into action, alongside a very hesitant Detective Denise Perring.

Owen's missing wife, Valerie, had a sister who committed suicide years earlier, and Liam can't put to rest that that one incident may have something to do with Valerie's disappearance for ransom. The book reads well, is intense in some areas, and as serial killings begin as a "countdown" to the possible killing of Valerie herself, Liam, Perring and other officers are on the clock to figure out who the killer is.

The only surprising part of the story, in my opinion, is how many encounters Liam seems to have with the actual killer, only to lose the killer over and over again. A little unrealistic. But the ending revealed whom I had my eye on throughout the whole story, and even though I figured it out, I was not disappointed. There are a few twists to throw you off track, and it's done well! I would read another book by this author, and encourage you to start with book #1 in this series from Joe Hart before jumping into this one. It flows nicely.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer Publishing for the opportunity to read this incredibly suspenseful novel for free, in exchange for my honest review.

Joe Hart writes really good, intense novels. A great story that grabs you from the start and keeps you turning the pages until the end.

I enjoy this series a lot. The main character is very likable and you understand his pain for his past mistakes. With each new story I am constantly drawn in and Mr. Dempsey always keeps me entertained.