The Secret Child

This is the second DI Amy Winter story and it’s as fast and furious as the first (Truth and Lies). Two child kidnappings open the curtains on a scientific institute in the 1980s. Someone is seeking revenge. This is an interesting study of childhood trauma, comparing and contrasting the kidnapper’s with Amy’s own. It’s a fresh look at an old subject and given Amy’s background, she’s uniquely equipped to investigate. I’m really enjoying this series. Many a fictional DI is portrayed as deeply flawed and it gets a bit samey. Amy Winter is burdened by her genes. Her fear of her parents’ flaws. A very good story and refreshingly different.

I absolutely loved the first book in the DI Amy Winter series and thought it would be pretty impossible to match it, never mind surpass it. The author has though, surpassed it that is.

There are so many things going for this book, especially for a crime thriller fanatic like me. I know Amy is still struggling with coming to terms with her true parentage, but I am loving it. It makes for some truly gripping reading. There isn’t just that though, the case that Amy and her team are working on is such a compelling read also. I was fascinated with the chapters in the past to do with Luka. It made me have mixed feelings about what was happening in the present day that’s for sure.

The Secret Child is a highly addictive read. The author has excelled what I would expect from a crime thriller by giving me way more than I could ever have imagined. The nature of the story line grabs hold of the reader from the first page. The author held me captive through out, not that I wanted to go anywhere as I was enjoying myself way to much to even think of putting this book down! A totally brilliant crime thriller.

This is the 2nd book in the DI Amy Winter series by author Caroline Mitchell. I have to say I really like reading this authors books and this is another exceptional addition to her growing list of books. I will admit to having an added reason for liking this series in that I was thrilled to have my name used for one of Amy's team, DC Gary Wilkes. Who knows I might have a leading role in one of books in the future.
In this second book four-year-old Ellen is snatched by a stranger leaving her mother Nicole distraught. Later Nicole receives four identical phials with a threatening note that one of the phials is poisoned and if she drinks one, the kidnapper will notify the police of her daughters whereabouts. The kidnapper claims to be Luka Volkov who was supposedly killed in a fire years ago.
DI Amy Winter recently discovered that she is the daughter of a serial killer and her past childhood trauma only makes her more determined to bring Ellen home. When another child is taken Amy faces a race against time to locate the kidnapped children before they come to any harm.
Caroline Mitchell writes great thrillers that are fast paced, well thought out and obviously great characters. Do yourself a favour if you haven't already read any of her books start now I am pretty sure you won't be disappointed.
I would like to thank Net Galley and the author Caroline Mitchell for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

I am expecting Mitchell’s star to rise to the top of the police procedural/thriller genre anytime now. She’s that good. And with DI Amy Winter, she’s created the perfect heroine, a sharp and determined cop who’s discovered that she’s the daughter of a serial killer. Whatever her inner conflict might be about her parentage, Amy doesn’t let in stand in her way in her search for a missing four year old girl. If anything, her past may be giving her an even bigger push to find the little girl while she still can. Cryptic clues and a threat to the missing child’s mother only serve to muddy the water and Amy may have to contemplate the unthinkable to save a child’s life. This series is top notch, if you haven’t read the first book, I highly recommend you do. Mitchell’s background in law enforcement is evident in this thriller and makes the story vivid and authentic

I got totally stuck into this book from the start. I really thought we had been spoiled with Truth and Lies but knew we wouldn't be disappointed with this 2nd DI Winter novel. Caroline Mitchell's work is utterly gripping and a fantastic pleasure to read.

The character's as always ,are really soon established in your mind and they very quickly become part of you whilst you are reading, Mitchell has a great skill that always allows you ,'in' to her world of words.

Four year old Ellen is snatched in the dead of night, her mother Nicole receives four identical phials with a threatening note that one of the phials is poisoned and if she drinks one, the kidnapper will notify the police of her daughters whereabouts. The kidnapper claims to be Luka Volkov who was supposedly killed in a fire years ago. Is he back?

This is a trail of fear, distress and abhorrence full of apprehension and many moments of "that sinking feeling" "whAt the hell!" And times when you actually stop reading to gather the situation and realise we have DI Amy Winter!

we have learned that DI Winter has discovered she is the daughter of a serial killer. This makes her more determined to work harder on her cases.

My favourite character in this. Book is the kidnapper, Mitchell has brought him to life,which gave me the feeling that his character was as strong as Hannibal Lecter in Silence of the Lambs. I held my breath when he spoke!
I will recommend this to everyone and anyone I meet.

Thank you for bringing this totally awesome piece of literature to our eyes and minds.

I didn't read the first book in this series but I enjoy reading this book and I'm so going to get the first book.

DI Amy Winter is still struggling with recently discovering that she is the daughter of a serial killer.

As she deals with this a four years old girl named Ellen has been snatch leaving her mother Nicole devastated but when she get four identical phials with a threatening note that one of the phials is poisoned and if she drinks one, the kidnapper will notify the police of her daughter whereabouts.

Amy races against time to locate the missing four year old as there are cryptic clues and kidnapper claiming to be Luka Volkov who apparently died in a fire years ago. Amy may have to do unthinkable in order to save a child life.


I ARC received via NetGalley and in exchange for an honest review.

I’m not usually a fan of books where the detective’s lives are just as important as the crime they are investigating. However, this is so well written that it works perfectly. I feel invested in Amy’s story, and as I was reading I kept thinking “I can’t wait to read the next book and her story to continue”. I then got dismayed as I realised this is the latest book that hasn’t been released yet and there won’t be another for some time yet. It will be exciting to see what path Lillian’s appeal will take in the future, so I will definitely be keeping my eye out for the next book.
The back story of Luka was heartbreaking; he was so trapped and unable to escape the hands of purely evil people. I guessed the twist that came at the end, but this didn’t stop me enjoying the unveiling any less.
I would have liked to see more trials presented to the people he despised; I think it only touched the surface with the phials, and this could have been explored a little more. Dr Curtis didn’t really suffer enough.
Overall, a really captivating crime read with an element of psychological thriller included.

I found this to be a well developed story, a cleverly written plot and a good paced psychological thriller with interesting characters which kept me on the edge of my seat.

I can strongly recommend this book and thank you to Netgalley and Amazon Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

I love Caroline Mitchell, but I’m late to the DI Amy Winter party. This is the second book in the series and my first, but the author does a great job of recapping the events in the first volume, so that I didn’t feel like I was missing any backstory. Likewise, the characters are so well defined, that I never felt like I needed more context and their dynamics were clear enough. Amy is the daughter of serial killers to, understandably, she is damaged. It’s a good thing that she has a support network that helped her become who she is… a great police officer. This case involves missing children, something that touches Amy deeply. But the kid’s parents are clearly hiding something and Amy needs to figure out what it is before she can find them. The chase to find them in time is so suspenseful that I couldn’t stop reading. The twists are unpredictable, which makes the book addictive. Ms. Mitchell has added another great heroine to the pantheon of tough female detectives.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, NetGalley/Amazon Publishing UK!

Loved this second Amy Winter book, I remember last time saying couldn't wait for more of her and this one doesn't disappoint, I couldn't put it down.
Amy is a brilliant DI despite constantly being forced to face all the traumas of her past, , Firstly she needs to help save two kidnapped children where the kidnapper will only talk to her he thinks she understands him. Her birth mother is still trying to take control from prison with the hint she had her appeal agreed. I'm hoping this means there's another one to look forward to

Thank you NetGalley, Amazon Publishing UK and Thomas & Mercer for this arc.

I loved Truth and Lies -- the first on this series -- and was prepared for a minor letdown reading The Secret Child.
There was NO letdown. This was just as twisty and fast paced as the first DI Amy Winter story, but this time there were a lot of familiar characters along for the ride. Plus some new evil ones as well and a whole host of victims. While there were some convenient coincidences in the story, it didn't detract my reading enjoyment.

One of the best book series this author has written. DI Amy Winter is a complex and compelling heroine. The ongoing plot involving Lilian is intriguing and full of suspense. This latest book involves a mystery full of action and twists. The solution is one you won't quite see coming. I can't wait for the next book! I really want to see how things are going to change now.

WOWSERS... this is the second book in the DI Amy Winters series and after the first one, I really didn't think it could get any better.... Boy was I wrong!!! I would recommend reading the first book before this one as there is a lot about the previous case where the personal life of Amy Winters came out, the daughter of notorious serial killers "the Beasts of Brentwood"!!!

Four year old Ellen Curtis is kidnapped from her home, who took her and why, will there be a ransom note. Her mother Nicole is beside herself and when a courier on a motorbike calls to the door with a box, she's terrified of what it might contain. Inside were four phials, three blue and one red, she must choose one and drink it to try save her daughter was the note attached..... it is signed "Luka" who apparently died in a fire in the Curtis Institute back in the 80s!

DI Amy Winter is called in as Dr. Curtis is a renowned in his profession and this case is to be handled with kit gloves! As the investigation moves along, all is not what it seems, what happened at the Curtis Institute, was he carrying out illegal drug testing on children?

Amy's ex Adam who is a reporter is granted an audience with Lillian Grimes, Winter's biological mother asking him to write a story about her in order to gain public empathy for when she appeals her case that she was a bystander while her husband was carried out the atrocities which put them both away! Adam ran the story on the front page, humiliating Amy, now hounded by the press, can Amy keep her inner turmoil under wraps to get the job done and find the children?

No matter what I say about this book, it won't do it justice, you have to read it, it will grip you from the getgo, its a fast paced police procedural thriller with a few twists along the way. Can't wait for the next one!!! Highly recommend it.

Thanks to Netgalley and Amazon Publishing UK for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion

Loved this book, refreshingly different & do well written. Just wish I’d read the first book in the series first but that didn’t take anything away from this book. Would highly recommend. Amazing!

The Secret Child is Caroline Mitchell's second book in her DI Amy Winter series( the first being Truth & Lies). Amy has a special place in her heart for children, as before she was adopted, she was the daughter of a serial killer. She saw horrific things at an early age, but the love shown to her by her adoptive parents, made her the person and the DI she is today.
When four-year-old Ellen is kidnapped, DI Winter's will do everything in her power to save her. While Amy is still struggling to come to terms with her past, she is playing a game of cat and mouse with the kidnapper. Why does her mother think Ellen has been kidnapped by someone from her husband's past when everyone else believes he is dead? If he isn't the kidnapper, then who is and who would want to hurt Ellen? It is a very engaging mystery and one that takes you back to the past to see all the lies that lead up to the present. I think the author has a great new series( and heroine) in the form of DI Winters, as this was as engaging and fast-paced as the first. I flew through this as I wanted to know how this police procedural would end( and maybe find out a bit more about Amy's tragic past). If you like this type of book, I highly recommend it.

Caroline Mitchell does it again! Another outstanding novel with a fast paced storyline and complex characters, as always written with that rare authenticity that she does so well. A definite must read.

Can not recommend this book highly enough, what a rollercoaster of a book, this story takes you in from the first page and doesn't let go. Love Amy's character brilliantly written and amazing narration thank you Caroline Mitchell can't wait for more.

I confess I could be accused of neglecting those nearest and dearest to me during the reading of The Secret Child, but I place the blame firmly on author Caroline Mitchell for producing such a riveting read in this, the second in the DI Amy Winter series!

This time around, the story deals with the distressing subject of experimentation on children. It primarily focuses on Luka Volkov, an intelligent and promising little boy, brought from his home in Russia to England in 1984 by doctor Hugh Curtis, on the promise of a first class education, food and board, and with the added bonus of numerous sightseeing trips thrown in - a dream come true for this inquisitive child. Luka is accompanied by his mother Sasha, but his father Ivan stays in Russia and warns his wife that the offer seems too good to be true. - his words will prove to be very prophetic!

The experiments, carried out in the name of medical science, would turn any child from a sweet and loving character into a vengeful adult. Fast forward to the present, and someone claiming to be Luka, is planning to make the staff at the Curtis Institute pay for their cruelty and indifference, and if it means hurting their families too, well, that’s no more than they deserve! Just one problem here - Luka was killed in a fire at the Curtis Institute!

When Doctor Curtis’s four year old daughter Ellen is snatched in the middle of the night, it’s only the beginning of the perpetrator’s highly sophisticated game of cat and mouse.

DI Amy Winter has an eclectic team supporting her, each of them bringing their own unique perspective to the table, but they will have reason to question her motives when they discover a secret that Amy has only recently discovered herself - that her parents are serial killers! With the mother of all cases to investigate they really need to pull together as they normally do, especially as time is of the essence. The clock is ticking!

This is a wonderfully balanced police procedural, featuring characters good, bad and innocent, where motivations vary from pure, to malicious, to bordering on insane. With Amy and her team in hot pursuit of the perpetrator, the action is truly relentless, with many twists and turns.

The narrative picks carefully at the scabs of fractured and damaged personalities, where old wounds are opened anew, and old hatreds spew forth into the present, creating a truly heart stopping and compelling read!

The Secret Child is the second book involving D.I.Amy Winters and is another excellent read.
In Russia in the early 1980’s Luka is given the chance to come to London with his mother to attend an institute run by Dr Hugh Curtis, thinking it will lead to a better life they find the complete opposite being treated little better than laboratory animals as Dr Curtis performs terrible experiments on Luka in his drug trials.
Fast forward 30+years and Amy is on the case when the 4 year old daughter of Dr Curtis is kidnapped, then the son of a male worker at the institute is also kidnapped. Despite Luka and his mother being killed in a fire at the institute years previously all evidence points to Luka orchestrating these events.
Add to all this Amy’s evil mother a serial killer serving life in prison and an ex fiancé manipulating Amy’ life for their own rewards she has her work cut out for her, as she works tirelessly with her team to find these children.
A fast paced exciting thriller with a final twist I didn’t see coming, enjoyable and well written.
My thanks to net galley and publisher for the opportunity to review this book honestly.

4.5 stars. I have read the first book in the series and loved it so I was looking forward to this one. It kept me hooked from start to finish with some good twists. Great ending which left it open for the next in the series which I am definitely looking forward to reading

The first book set the background and my review was lukewarm, unfairly so I now believe having read this one. This is setting itself for one of the best crime series with an intriguing psychological background which will totally keep the readers interest

I am looking forward to reading further books in this series

With thanks to Netgalley, publishers & author for ARC in return for an honest review

This book had a little bit of a Stephen King feel with it’s institute that runs tests on children. Add to that the suspense of the DI having to race against time to try and save the characters and you have a different twist. A strong second book in the series.

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for allowing me to read this arc.
This is the second book in the series. Caroline Mitchell has surpassed herself once again! You think she can't but she just does it!!
A little girl is kidnapped and her kidnapping is linked to horrible, cruel testing done on children years previously by her father!
DI Amy Grant is on the case and is linked to the crime by events in her own childhood! These events are brought to light by the press!
Another kidnapping, and the race is on to solve this one!
Absolutely riveting!

DI Amy Winter has a lot on her plate in this the second DI Amy Winter Crime Thriller. It all starts when Ellen, only four years old, is snatched from her bed whilst her babysitter is distracted for a few moments. Her mother and father are out for the evening, but they are obviously holding something back when they first answer questions posed by the police. Her mother Nicole only just escapes death when she receives instructions from the kidnapper to choose and drink one of the four phials delivered by a mysterious motorcyclist. Just what is going on?
The kidnapper swiftly establishes contact with DI Amy Winter and so begins a dialogue where he claims to be Luka Volkov, a boy who was certified dead years ago whilst in the care of Ellen’s scientist father. He will only communicate with Amy, because he empathises with a recent press disclosure that Amy is in fact the product of two heinous murderers. He sees her as an outcast just the same as he is. The evidence points to a crime of revenge, and the theory is substantiated when another child is kidnapped in plain sight and with approval of a teacher. The links is established at last.
So the investigation gathers pace. The kidnapper is highly intelligent and enjoys playing mind games. He sends Amy on a wild goose chase, trying to locate and free the two young prisoners. Amy senses that time is running out and that she may not be able to reunite the two children with their parents. That they will die. This novel conforms to Caroline Mitchel’s tried and tested formulae; tense and terrifying, fabulous storytelling, tight and complex plot, a plethora of skilfully crafted characters for you to engage with and plenty of twists and turns that will keep you guessing right until the very end. With inside knowledge of police methods and procedure, gleaned during her career as a serving detective, and with meticulous research this novel is both authoritative and very enjoyable.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel from publisher Thomas & Mercer through my membership of NetGalley. Thank you for my copy sent in return for an honest and unbiased review. This story was absorbing and a real page-turner. I’m very glad that I had an opportunity to read it. It’s a 4.5* review from me.

This book was provided to me by #netgalley for an honest review.

I read the first DI Winter book in one day. It was the definition of page turner. I was disappointed that this instalment wasn't as gripping. We are back with DI Winter on another high profile case uncovering misdeeds. Her biological mother is still trying to pull her strings and her slimy ex makes an appearance. It's all very surface and I didn't feel as engaged as I did with the first instalment. Even the core who/why dunnit wasn't compelling. Further the middle third sagged and there was a pacing issue. It still gets 3 stars because it's a solid thriller just not as good as the first.

Great book will be reading other books by this author.
Will also recommend this book to others.
Great work

Thank you to Netgalley, Amazon publishing UK and Author Caroline Mitchell for the digital ARC of this book in return for my honest review.

Here comes the blurb as they say it better than I ever could!

DI Amy Winter knows evil. She’s lived through it.

Four-year-old Ellen is snatched by a stranger in the dead of night. Her devastated mother, Nicole, receives four identical phials and a threatening note in a familiar scrawl that chills her to the bone. But she always knew this would happen. She’s been expecting it for years . . .

According to the note, one of the phials is poisoned. Nicole is given a deadly challenge: if she drinks one, the sadistic kidnapper will notify the police of Ellen’s location. The sender claims to be Luka Volkov but Luka is supposed to be dead, killed long ago in a fire that haunts all those involved.

DI Amy Winter is still reeling from the discovery that she is the daughter of a serial killer, and her childhood trauma only makes her more determined to bring Ellen home. When another child is taken, Amy finds herself in a race against time. To rescue the children, must she seek help from the one person she wants to forget?

This is the second DI Amy Winter story and I am now gutted that the first has never made it to my TBR list, trust me that has changed now!!

The Secret Child is a twisty, turny fast paced thriller with what I guess from the first DI Amy Winter story are a lots of familiar characters, plus some fantastically evil ones as well. Very much enjoyed! just wish i had read book 1 first!

Love this series! Love DI Amy Winters!

I was hooked with "Truth and Lies", the first in this series and couldn't wait to read "The Secret Child". Caroline Mitchell does not disappoint in this second installment featuring DI Amy Winter! I do highly suggest you read the first one first as there is so much background given on Amy that I feel cannot be missed!

The daughter of the notorious serial killers known as the "The Beasts of Brentwood", just how much did Amy witness when she was a child, how does it affect her today? This series is addictive and intriguing!

4 year old Ellen is kidnapped from her own home. Someone is seeking revenge. Treated like lab rats, Dr. Curtis shows no empathy towards the children he uses in his experiments and drug trials. 30 years later, he now has a child of his own. Childhood trauma, I think Amy may be able to relate to this one! DI Winter's will do everything in her power to save Ellen.

5 stars! Lilian adds to the intrigue of this series playing her mind games from jail while trying to get an appeal. What will happen if she is released?! Consider me fully hooked! Page turner, well written, full of suspense, cannot wait for the next one!

A huge thank you to Amazon Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book!

I loved the first DI Winter book and I was prepared to be slightly let down by the sequel...am I glad to be wrong! The Secret Child is a whirlwind of evil thrills and chills and put the rest of my day on hold by the third chapter. A clear 5/5 and I eagerly await the third book!

A tense and well written novel.

The moment I read the blurb I knew this was something that I really wanted to read. The story itself is well executed and the characters are interesting and full of life.
I would recommend this for sure!

This is a brilliant follow up to book 1 of the DI Amy Winter series and just as good if not better. The writing is just superb and the plot lines complex, the characters continue from the first book and are well rounded and believable making it a book not to be missed. Amy continues being harassed by her past and the evil Lillian Grimes making her life as a DI at times very difficult but she continues to rise above it and do her job even though she is still finding it very difficult to come to terms with being the daughter of a serial killer.
If you haven’t read the first book I would urge you to do that and then read this one it’s a fabulous series and one not to missed if you love a good thriller.
My thanks to NetGalley, Amazon Publishing and Thomas and Mercer, not forgetting the wonderful Caroline Mitchell for giving me the chance to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

There is so much going on in this book which is the second in the Amy Winters series, it is a truly amazing read and I absolutely loved it. Having been a serving police officer you know that the author will make sure every little bit of the police procedural will be spot on which brings the book to life. I am the sort of reader who can't just pick a book up and read for a few minutes here and there, I throw myself into books especially ones of this caliber and everything around has to stop until I reach the end. It has a brilliant ending, not so much of a cliff hanger but one that leaves you wanting more.

Fantastic, totally had me gripped! Great writing, her plots always impress me!
Caroline Mitchell is one of those authors that goes to the top of my reading pile. Always fast-paced and very, very clever. It really was edge-of-your-seat stuff.
The old institution where scientific trials were done was at the core of the story. This was destroyed in a fire a long time ago. One of the institution’s subjects, Luka, was killed in the fire along with his mum. Was Dr Curtis more sinister than we thought? After all it’s his daughter Ellen who is kidnapped. One of the other members of staff from back then also has his child snatched. Some of the experiments on the children were awful but totally intriguing to me, seriously dark and scary stuff.
Amy’s background is very interesting indeed and I think she has a fear sometimes how her feelings and anger may escape. The ongoing saga with her real mother carries on, Lilian is a truly twisted character. The front page story written by her journalist ex, Adam, doesn’t help matters and the press descend on the police station.
It really is a race against time. Will she find the children? And will she and her team track down the kidnapper as he gives them the runaround?
I cannot recommend all her work enough.
Thanks to Amazon Publishing UK, Thomas & Mercer and Caroline Mitchell for the review copy in which I give my honest opinion.

Publisher: Thomas & Mercer (7th March 2019)



ISBN: 978-1503905023



Source: Netgalley



Rating: 5*



Synopsis:


Four-year-old Ellen is snatched by a stranger in the dead of night. Her devastated mother, Nicole, receives four identical phials and a threatening note in a familiar scrawl that chills her to the bone. But she always knew this would happen. She’s been expecting it for years.



According to the note, one of the phials is poisoned. Nicole is given a deadly challenge: if she drinks one, the sadistic kidnapper will notify the police of Ellen’s location. The sender claims to be Luka Volkov but Luka is supposed to be dead, killed long ago in a fire that haunts all those involved.



DI Amy Winter is still reeling from the discovery that she is the daughter of a serial killer, and her childhood trauma only makes her more determined to bring Ellen home. When another child is taken, Amy finds herself in a race against time. To rescue the children, must she seek help from the one person she wants to forget?



Review:

In the first novel in the D.I. Amy Winter series, Amy learns that she has a notorious serial killer for a mother. If you've not yet read Truth and Lies I urge you to pick up a copy. Although The Secret Child reads well as a stand alone, there are references to events that happened in first book, (though they are well explained) plus it's the perfect introduction to the character!



In this second outing for Amy, we are plunged into tension immediately as the kidnapper strikes, spiriting little Ellen away. I was on the edge of my seat straight away, not knowing what was about to happen. Caroline Mitchell is fantastic at conjuring up an air of menace and keeping it palpable throughout, whilst simultaneously juggling several other interwoven storylines. Her finger never wavering off the pulse for a second as she seamlessly ties all the invisible ends together in one fell swoop that just made me gasp and shout 'Nooooo!' very loudly at my kindle! I will never tire of reading Caroline's books because they are simply unputdownable and I can never forsee what is going to happen.



Special thanks to Caroline Mitchell, Thomas & Mercer for providing a review copy via Netgalley. This is my unbiased review.

Another good story in this series of DI Amy Winter. The Secret Child is a highly addictive read. Thoroughly enjoyable

Four years old was Ellie taken from her bed
Nicole has to receive a parcel with a phial to drink because some of them are poisonous
When another child goes missing Nicole has to make sure that she gets to the children
I had an ARC from Thomas and Mercer

I love a prologue especially when it is one which sets the scene and grabs you and this one did just that. A four-year-old child, Ellen Curtis, is snatched from the safety of her home and right away it becomes clear that she will not be the last.

And so Amy Winters is back. The Secret Child is the 2nd in the series and can be read as a stand-alone. However, you seriously want to know Amy’s back story so read Truth and Lies first (You can find my review here)

DCI Pike, Amy’s boss and she don’t have the strongest relationship but the two women rub along with a streak of competitiveness keeping both on their toes. Amy is tasked with heading up the missing child investigation, which she assumes is a kidnapping given the status of her family. Incidents involving children are close to her heart and Amy is determined to find the girl before it’s too late. The Secret Child will discover just how much Amy can trust Pike and those around her as her relationships with her colleagues and friends are called to task.

Once again Caroline Mitchell marries past and present effortlessly to bring readers a nail-biting chiller of a read. Without giving away any spoilers, Amy’s own past is never far behind her and this case is no different as she struggles to let go of her own demons in her battle to save Ellen. Her birth mother, Lillian Grimes, continues to exert her power over Amy. This is a fascinating concept and one that keeps me on the edge of my seat as I am desperate to uncover what the final outcome will be.

Crossing the time span from now to a poverty-stricken family in Russia in the 1980s, ethics, and psychology are explored alongside coercion and control within relationships.

Amy’s internal turmoil and conflict are agonizing in this novel and it gave a real insight into her character. As a reader I found myself drawn to her, I empathised with her while the same time feeling frustrated at the barriers she put up. I connected with her on many levels and find her an intriguing character to read about.

The Secret Child is full of twists, turns, and dark delights. It kept me hooked throughout and definitely kept me reading way past my bedtime. And that ending! WTF! Caroline Mitchell, I need the next installment now!
Review will be on my blog the day prior to publication day

Four year old Ellen is taken from her bed by a stranger in the middle of the night, when her mother Nicole receives a package containing four phials, one of them supposedly poisonous with a note telling her to choose a phial to drink in exchange for information of where her daughter is being kept captive, she knows the nightmare of what her husband did in the past, is about to become a reality. The kidnapper claims to be Luka Volkov, but Luka is assumed dead, killed in a tragic fire with his mother many years ago, or is he? Could he have survived the fire and is back to exact revenge on those who wronged him?

DI Amy Winter and her team are brought in to investigate the case and, having suffered trauma as a child herself, she is determined to bring Ellen home and for it to be a happy ending for the Curtis family, but Luka is not going to make it easy for her and when another child disappears she knows they are in a race against time to save these children.

This is the second in this series and is just as tense and nailbiting as the first. Once again the story alternates between past and present and kept me guessing all the way through, it's packed full of twists and Lillian, Amy's sadistic birth mother is always there lurking in the background ready to cause more problems for her daughter. I was hooked from beginning to end with this one and the ending leaves it open perfectly for another book in this incredible series. Bring it on Mrs Mitchell!! I highly recommend that you read these books in order to get a true understanding of the characters and their backgrounds.

I would like to thank Amazon Publishing and Netgalley for the auto approval and will post my review on Goodreads now and on Amazon on publication day.

I enjoyed the first book written by this author so was looking forward to the second in the series. We continue to find out more about the characters. The story line was good and I enjoyed the interweaving of past and present narratives. I look forward to the next in the series and finding out what happens next.

Wow I had just finished the first book in the series Truth and Lies and decided to read the second one The Silent child and this like the first one doesn’t disappoint. I have read most of Caroline Mitchell’s books and the quality of her writing gets better with every book.
After finding out and trying to come to terms with that her birth parents were series killers, DI Amy Winters is called to the case of 4-year-old Ellen who was kidnapped but no one knows why until a ransom note is delivered with 4 phials to her mother Nicole. Who is told to drink one of them to save her child? Included is a burner phone with a video message of little Ellen. Nicole drinks one and falls ill. So, the police are called. Nicole is the wife of Dr Curtis of the Curtis Institute who in the 80’s held tests on young children.
The story then continues telling of one certain child Luka Volkov. Who was brought from Russia with his mother Sasha thinking that he going to go to school in England. When he ends up being tested on. But a fire starts, and he and his mother perish. But in the present day, the kidnapper reveals himself to be Luka and he is seeking revenge for the cruelty he himself, his mother and the other children suffered in the hands of Doctor Curtis.
This was another brilliant instalment of the DI Amy winters series. With its fast paced, intriguing plot. Great characters especially Amy Winters. With every stacked against her, Amy still seems to get through it all. I like her determination.
Thank you NetGalley and Amazon publishing for an ARC of this book for an honest review.

3.5 stars

Police procedural about a Detective Inspector who happens to be the child of notorious serial killers. This is book two in the DI Amy Winters’ series--it is a character-driven, fast-paced read with a suspenseful mystery and compelling lead character.

DI Amy Winter finds herself drawn into a game of cat and mouse with a kidnapper. At the same time, she must deal with the fall out from the exposure of her past. She finds herself in the public spotlight with her every move being evaluated. She also can’t escape from her deranged birth mother, who will do whatever it takes to remind Amy where she comes from!

While I enjoyed this book, I didn't love it as much as I loved the first book in the series. I wanted more interaction between Amy and Lillian. The dynamic between these two characters is fascinating. I found the mystery interesting, but I didn’t really care that much about it--it was quite an intriguing premise, but there was something about it that just failed to grip me. Perhaps, I was just more interested in Amy’s personal life. However, I was still engaged and by the end I found myself thinking that I couldn't wait to read what happens in the next book in the series!

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK in exchange for an honest review.

DI Amy Winters is back to find a missing child.
Imagine finding your child is missing. Taken from your home.
Ellen’s mother is distraught whilst her father seems less so. Both parents give Amy the impression they know more than their letting on.
Have they been expecting this to happen.

Luka Volkov has been dead for many years but why do the parents think he is responsible?
And what are the secrets that connect the family to the kidnapper?

Then another child goes missing and time is running out for Amy to find whose responsible.

It’s no secret I’m a huge fan of Caroline Mitchell. I love her style and her thrillers have an edge to them.

I loved the flashback to help picture the supposed reasons for Ellen’s abduction.
It was gripping and chilling at the same time.
I’m glad in this book we didn’t overly concentrate on Amy Winters mother, who just happens to be in prison for murder.
I’m feeling this is a slow buildup for another great story as we continue with this series.

Has someone returned from the dead to seek revenge against those who ruined his childhood ?? Can D I Amy Winter come to terms with the knowledge her parents are convicted killers ???

Two children are taken from their parents, parents that hold a deadly secret that is becoming revealed from the grave... or is it. Is the killer the same young boy who died in an horrific fire or is it someone pretending to be him ….

May more secrets come to life in both the kidnappers family and in Amy Winters

Highly recommend this book to all Caroline Mitchell fans new and old

As a thriller fan, every time I see Caroline Mitchell's name pop up my heart skips a beat. She has become one of my trusted thriller authors and her stories haven't failed to entertain me yet... Last year I was able to meet a new detective with a fascinating past, DI Amy Winter, and it's time for a second date in The Secret Child. I have a weird obsession with serial killer stories and the main character's past is definitely one of the things that stands out most in this new detective thriller series. Things can be said about her difficult past and flawed personal life being quite cliche, but Lillian will get under your skin and will give Amy Winter an original twist. The writing is more than solid, draws you right in and will make you reach the final page before you know it. It's something I've become used to with Caroline Mitchell's thrillers and one of the reasons I would pick up one of her titles without even reading the blurb first. The Secret Child has a fascinating premise though and I love that part of the plot is set in the past and in the Soviet Union at that. This international twist makes the plot all the more interesting and gives the story an original touch. Past and present are mixed in a way that adds maximum suspense and intrigue about what really happened to Luka and the other children all those years ago. There are quite a lot of different elements in the story, with the 1984-1985 flashbacks, the present kidnapping and Lillian Grimes... I did feel they were better balanced than in the first installment, and the story will definitely have some plot twist bombs and surprises for you in store. All in all I had a great time reading The Secret Child and I'm already looking forward to discover what will happen next.

DI Amy Winters is back again and this time she has to investigate a twisted case and try to hold her life together. Amy is different kind of detective, you see, her parents were notorious serial killers. This is something that she recently found out and has been trying to keep a secret. However, it is not so easy especially since her birth mom is trying to ruin her life from behind prison walls.

The current case is presented through two timelines. One timeline takes us back twenty years ago and the second follows the events after Ellen’s disappearance. The two timelines helped in building the case. They made this different from most cases because they added a ‘humane’ angle to the villain. My heart was broken by the past narration while the present timeline had me curious about the case. How far will the villain go? Will the kids survive? How will Amy solve the case?

This was a fast-pace, entertaining read. Amy is great lead detective and I love how her back-story. I think that her personal life actually adds to the tension in the narrative without taking focus away from the main story-line.
For lovers of crime thrillers, this is definitely a series that you can’t afford to miss.

Intense, captivating, twisty and surprisingly poignant, The Secret Child is a great addition to the DI Amy Winters series. I can’t wait to read the next book already.

# The Secret Child # Netgally
Wow. Bloody wow. Omg this book is absolutely phenomenal piece of writing. Feeling very ill.at this moment but I genuinely forced myself to stay awake. I just literally could not put this one down. AMY WINTERS. is a brilliant DCI yet coming from her biological serial killer parents. Being adopted at 4 she keeps her past life a secret. However she for class Lillian Grinds as her family. In book one Lillian finds away to get Any to visit. Amy decides against her real feelings decides to actually pay her a visit she needs information on 3 bodies are buried so Any can give some piece to the families who have not been able to lay there children to rest yet Lillian doesn't do anything for free. She hell bent on being her youngest daughter down because Any despised !Lillian. Caroline Mitchell certainly created a monster of a character in Lillian Grimes. Amy is leading her team into a kidnapping of a four year old girl Ellen.. She's the daughter of Dr Curtis who's quite a prominent DR however Luke who supposed to have died as kidnapped her in revenge of how DR Curtis conducted experiments illegally on young children . I am not saying more I genuinely do not want to spoil this masterpiece of writing and story.
We have ourselves anyone masterpiece of a female author. This needs to be read it's a fast paced novel with some twists you just genuinely don't see coming this is a must must READ. You will be missing out of a superb masterpiece of a boom.
I

t feels like I have been waiting ages for this book after reading Truth and lies and loving it, well I am pleased to say that The Secret Child was certainly worth the wait. The main thing that I love about this series is the fact that DI Amy Winter is the daughter of a serial Killer you can't get no more original than that.

So what did I think of the second book in the series you must be wondering?! Well just when I thought this series couldn't get any better, the author has totally excelled herself this book is sure to blow your socks off!

Caroline has clearly used her CID experience and brings us another unputdownable read when we follow Amy on a case on the hunt for a sadistic killer when a four year old is taken and mother Nicole receives a threatening note….with the sender to claiming to be someone that is dead. With chapters that take us back to the past, I am thinking is this Luka dead or not! The suspense was killing me. I couldn't read this fast enough to find out the answers, the more i read the more I wanted to know.

Not forgetting that the author has weaved this plot into the fact that Amy is still coming to terms with the discovery that she is the daughter of a serial killer….so we get to know more about her past…...bloody love it!

This is one hell of a nail biting read that ticked all the boxes for me giving it all the stars.

Thank you to Caroline Mitchell and Netgalley for a copy in exchange for a honest unbiased review.

Love all of Caroline's books. This is no exception. Hooked from the start! .





.... .

The Secret Child by Caroline Mitchell is a wonderful thriller. It's part of The DI Amy Winter Series. I like that it's a part of this series because Amy Winter has such a back story. My biggest problem with reviewing books in series is that I usually have to read them in order or face being utterly confused. This was not a problem with this book at all. While it's part of a series, this book has it's own story that is fully completed within this book.

This book follows DI Amy Winters after Ellen, a young child, has been abducted. The abductor identifies himself to Amy Winters as Luka, a man supposedly dead. He claims he has been wronged and that these wrongs must be brought to light. This man will only speak to Amy, making her the only one who can save Ellen. However, Amy Winters has a lot going on already. Her birth father was a serial killer and now her birth mother is contacting her from prison. This, coupled with the new case, brings up her dark past of living in a house with a serial killer.

This book is a wonderful thriller. Although a couple of it's twists are a little predictable, I still found it an exciting read. The characters are the best part of this book. They are extremely well thought out and wanting to learn more about them is what will have you turning pages so fast. Luka's past is just as mysterious as Amy's and it makes for a thrilling read. While I did call a twist or two before they happened, the ending had me completely surprised.

I suggest this book to anyone with a love for thrillers. This book will leave you wanting to read the rest of the books within this series. I'm truly hoping to get my hands on another DI Amy Winters book.

This is a brilliant follow up to book 1 of the DI Amy Winter series and honestly I felt this series has gotten better after reading this book. The characters created by Caroline Mitchell feel real and the writing just elevated them. And oh, I just hate Lillian Grimes. She's an evil person, a proper psychopath! The fact that she's actively trying to destroy Amy Winter (Poppy Grimes) makes her even more evil. But Amy is holding strong and fighting back with all her strength and also with the people rallying around her makes this book just better. But in my opinion, the most hateful character in this book is Adam Rossi. He is the character I detest the most in this book. And the fact that Amy is not only fighting Lillian but also fighting the resurfacing Polly Grimes from taking over her completely makes this book a very compelling read.
If you haven’t read the first book I would urge you to do that and then read this one as it’s a fabulous series and one not to missed if you love a good thriller. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this book.
And a big thank you to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer (Amazon Publishing UK) and the wonderful Caroline Mitchell for giving me the chance to read the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I am a big fan of Caroline Mitchell books, especially the police procedurals. DI Amy Winter is such a complex character and one that I truly can't get enough of. I am really looking forward to seeing where she goes in the next books in this brilliant series. I did not want to put this book down, completely sucked into the story.

Amy is still trying to come to terms with the bombshell revelations from the first book. She is trying to keep it a secret from her colleges and the public but it has changed the way that she sees the world. She is single again and throws herself into her work. The case is is time is challenging, 2 kids have been taken and the kidnapper will only talk to Amy. As the investigation continues it seems that the parents are hiding deep dark secrets from their past. The book jumps from the present to the past as we learn about these secrets and find out who would want to hurt these families.

If you haven't read any of these books then I strongly suggest that you grab them now. Thanks to Amazon UK Publishing and NetGalley for my advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased

I really enjoyed this. It’s clear that this is part of a series, but I was able to follow everything as a new reader - plus, I want to go back and read the previous novel. The author did well conveying a sense of urgency, particularly at the beginning when describing the intruder. I felt some of the descriptions were long and winding, but overall, it was a good story.

Caroline Mitchell has o e if the best imaginations and experience to write crime books.

Amy winter is strong and powerful and she always shows so much I'm how she works
Love this book and the characters

Have read and enjoyed all of Caroline's books. This series/character isn't my favourite but would still recommend it to everyone.

I really enjoyed this book and love this series.
Amy has a dark secret and a few close to her know about her past, but thanks to her twisted mother, who is in prison, everyone finds out her secrets.
Lillian is not seen as a mother in Amy’s eyes as she was fostered from age five, and she tries to put her early years behind her.
Lilian is manipulative though and gets her story in the papers much to Amy’s horror.
Whilst this is happening two children have been kidnapped and the killer is playing games with Amy.
He uses her past to try and worm his way round her and the newspaper article helps him to do this.
We get flashback episodes to the past when Luka was used by Dr Curtis to test drugs, and whilst it’s heartbreaking to read, it doesn’t excuse what he does.
Luka wants to play games with Amy up until the end but Amy becomes wise to his plan and it’s a race against time to find the children.
This is a great crime thriller and I can’t wait for the next book in the series.
Thanks to Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

I am always excited when there is a new book by Caroline Mitchell to read! They never disappoint and The Secret Child is no exception. This is the second book in the DI Amy Winter series and I hope there will be many more to come.
You could read this as a stand-alone, but I would recommend reading book 1 first as there are aspects of the story which follow on. This book does feature a different investigation though and this one was extremely chilling. I felt the tension throughout as Amy and her team race against time to save the lives of two children who have been caught up in one man's determination to seek revenge. How can this man be who he says he is though, as he is supposed to have died in a fire years before! The team really do have a mystery on their hands and they have absolutely no time to waste in trying to figure it out before anyone else gets hurt.
An absolutely gripping crime thriller/police procedural by one of my most favourite writers. Very cleverly written, as always. Full of suspense and highly emotional. You can't help but feel some empathy towards the kidnapper as his story unfolds, although his actions could never be condoned. I can't even begin to imagine the suffering he endured as a child. I truly hope this sort of thing has never happened in the real world, but I feel it probably has somewhere at some point in time, sadly.
Amy Winter is one of my favourite detectives. She is passionate about her job, but struggles with the truth of her biological parentage and how it impacts on her as a professional adult. She is flawed and this makes her very real. Her quirks are quite understandable and make her very believable although I have no idea how I would feel/react in her situation. Her circumstances make her a very unique character, especially given that she is a detective. The whole concept is quite fascinating and I can't wait to see where her story goes in Book 3.
I can see this series going from strength to strength and I'm very much looking forward to catching up with DI Amy Winter, and her team, again.
Many thanks to Caroline Mitchell for my ARC via Netgalley. I highly recommend!

Caroline Mitchell is an amazing thriller/suspense writer. I immediately get sucked into every single one of her books. DCI Amy Winter is one of my favorite police procedural books lately. I generally read these types of books and through the first 1/3 to 2/3 am bored out of my but never ever does that happen with Caroline Mitchell’s books and even more so with DCI Amy Winter’s two stories this far.

I realized on Monday that I needed to have this read by Thursday, preferably a bit earlier so I could write a coherent review too, I stayed up into the night reading until the very last page! This is a fabulous story! This is a story nightmares are made of for parents. Your daughter is taken right outta her home. The two parents seem to be keeping secrets. There’s flashbacks that go back in time to help us understand and see the larger picture of Ellen’s abduction. I was just entranced I go the story with the way Mitchell sets the story up and unfolds it oh so achingly slowly so you can feel the buildup.

I was pleasantly surprised that we did get some personal info on DCI Amy Winters and her crazy momma but it wasn’t a retelling of the first book. However, I did like catching up. I really like how Mitchell gives us these personal touches but still makes this story about the kidnapping. The Secret Child is just what I’ve come to expect from Caroline Mitchell. Perfect writing with her claws sinking right into me.

I received an ARC of this book with the hope that I would leave an Unbiased Opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that... my opinions.

DI Amy Winter is back! This book I can honestly say is nothing like I have read in awhile. The story line is so different then anything I have read. It wasn't your typical mystery of who is the serial killer. Luka is out for revenge but is he a killer? Every time you think you have it all figured out believe me you don't! There is a totally shocking conclusion to this book. I enjoyed this book alot it kept me interested. Amy Winter is a great character and the story line kept me captivated. Love this series and hope there is many more books to come in the future. Loved it!

Recently, DI Amy Winter has had a very bad, awful, no good time of it. Her beloved father has died. Amy then found he was her adoptive dad, and that she was the child of Britain’s most notorious serial killers; Jack and Lillian Grimes, the Beasts of Brentwood. To add to her joy, her finance cheated on her the day before the wedding. He then aids her jailed mother in further tearing her life apart. To add to the fun, some planted evidence in the Beasts case may help free Lillian. Her birth family being rediscovered, with one exception is another nightmare.
In The Secret Child Amy can only feel life is looking up when Dr Hugh and Nicole Curtis’s four year old child, Ellen, is kidnapped. This is what Amy does. She finds people, she handles high profile murders. She has always thought she had an affinity for the darkness of others. Now she knows why and she decides to fully embrace her former self, four year old Poppy Grimes, to keep others from suffering.
The story is told in alternating time-lines, the recent story of the kidnapping, then the older story of the thought-to-be dead kidnapper, Luka Volkov losing of his soul, as a victim of Dr Curtis and others.
A second child, Toby, is taken. Wheel-chair bound Toby is the son of a former employee of Dr Curtis at his facility where Luka spent time as a child.
Concerning the second child, a star is being deducted because there is a huge information gap. Amy suddenly has knowledge of the second kidnapping without any clue to the reader of how she gained this knowledge. A child being taken would garner a huge amount attention, but nothing is said about this. Just suddenly Amy asks to speak to Toby in a phone call from the kidnapper. I reread this section of the book several times, and consulted with another reviewer. Nope, no explanation.
Mitchell develops especially inventive plot lines, dealing with grotesqueries we would rather not confront. Using a four year old child as bait to commit psycho sexual murders? Check. (view spoiler) Giving parents the choice of drinking poison to save their child? Check. Oh yeah, Mitchell can do it all.
The Secret Child is all about the story, not so much the characters, although the villains are terrific. Amy is a prickly pear, pushing friends away; she might pay for this in the next book.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review
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Ever since I read Truth And Lies (the first book in the DI Amy Winter series), I’ve been eagerly waiting for The Secret Child to be published, and freaking hell it was definitely worth the wait. Amy’s biological parents are notorious serial killers, not the best background for a Detective I must admit! But that’s what makes this series refreshingly original and highly compelling. Before you ask “Yes” The Secret Child could be read as a stand-alone, but would I recommend it? No, personally I think you need to read the books in order, Amy has such a fascinating and original backstory it would be a shame if you didn’t follow her disturbing tale from the beginning.

Amy is the Detective leading the case of the kidnapping of four-year-old girl Ellen, taken from her home in the middle of the night. Days later Ellen’s mother receives a parcel, along with a note, nothing strange about that you may think but the person who sent the parcel has been dead for years! Told across two timelines the author reveals a sorry tale, but my god it made for a nail-biting, heart thumping read. Although I would never condone kidnapping, I couldn’t help but feel empathy for a character whose own tortured childhood shaped the adult they become.

This book is as much about the characters as it is about the crimes committed, the author has created some fabulous characters, Amy, the kidnapper and her serial killer mother all added to my overall enjoyment of this read. Even from behind prison bars Amy’s evil mother Lillian Grimes continues to manipulate Amy and those around her, she’s one twisted mother ****** that’s for sure, and yet I couldn’t help being fascinated and disgusted in equal measures by her character, what makes a mother turn into a feared killer? How can she possibly consider herself to be a victim? Amy has her flaws like many a fictional Detective, but it’s hardly surprising when you consider who her parents are! The author gives an in-depth insight into Amy character, as she reveals more details of Amy’s very disturbing past, you can’t help but feel her pain and confusion, her constant dissecting of her personality looking for any psychopathic traits she may have inherited from her parents.

There is so much I loved about this book, the characters, the plot which draws on real events making it even more shocking, the shifting between past and present. Add to the fact The Secret Child is one of those reads that reels you in with a promising prologue and keeps you in its grips with an intense and captivating read, it’s definitely a series I would recommend to crime thriller lovers. I’m eager to see where Caroline Mitchell’s twisted imagination takes her next, and that’s the beauty of her writing no two books are the same, so roll on the next book which I will read come hell or high water.

This review maybe altered slightly and edited prior to publication on my blog

The Secret Child by Caroline Mitchell. Just Wow....what a twisted story line. Getting to know more about DI Winter and the team. DI Donovan is an interesting addition. Fast paced, twisted and reprehensible "bad guys/gals" and bit of a cliff hanger ending, one case solved with more drama to come. Please write fast Ms Mitchell, ready for the next DI Winter case.

Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

What a brilliant read this is, even if a little uncomfortable (I am really not keen on having small children as characters) however, this is a must for the story, making it even more hard hitting and real! Believable characters with some great twists, back stabbing and a little romance thrown in for good measure. An absolute all round fantastic read

DI Amy Winter is still dealing with information she learned about her deranged birth mother when she is drawn into attempting to solve the kidnapping of Ellen, a four-year-old child. After Ellen disappears, her mother gets a delivery with a threatening note. Surprisingly, she isn’t terribly surprised since she has always feared the past would catch up with the experiments that went on several years ago.

The sender of the package claims to be Luka Volkov, who is supposed to have died long ago in a fire. A fire that several people have tried to bury and forget.

The story and the fire deal with a difficult subject: experimentation on children. Years earlier Luka Volkov came from Russia to England by invite of Dr. Hugh Curtis (the father of the four-year-old who was kidnapped). The promise was of education, food, and opportunity. Luka’s mother, Sasha accompanies him, but his father stays in Russia. He has warned his wife that this offer seems too good to be true and he’s against them going.

DI Amy Winter gathers her team to solve this mystery. But the more she works on it the more it becomes personal and relatable.

When Amy realizes her birth mother might be able to give her some insight into this case, will she reach out to her?

My Thoughts


What Concerned Me: Though this does work as a stand-alone book, I highly recommend that you start with the first book in this series: Truth And Lies. That book gives a lot of history regarding the relationships. Plus, it’s a 5 Star book by my rating! You won’t be disappointed.

What I Liked Most: While I enjoyed this book, and will certainly continue the series, I wasn’t quite as taken by it as the first. But that doesn’t make me any less anxious for the third book to become available! Caroline Mitchell's writing is something you'll want to follow.

*Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas and Mercer, and Caroline Mitchell, for my ARC. I have given an honest unbiased review in exchange *

Another brilliant book by the hand of one of my favourite authors, and what a subject. Even though Luka had kidnapped the children , my heart went out to him, and you could see from the beginning that Amy felt the empathy too. These sort of experiments should not be done on animals or children, but the lowlifes of this world! That’s my opinion anyway! Poor Luka he really did suffer, strange country, no-one to care for him properly, and no escape.

As the story unfolds Amy is dragged into the headlines, and everyone now knows what went on in her earlier life, and she feels she can’t trust anyone, which gives her an edge with Luka.

I have to say, for once I didn’t see the ending coming either. I’m so looking forward to the next one.

My thanks to Caroline for the ARC. It was a joy to read.

Having read Truth and Lies, the first book in this series, this was a must read follow-up for me and although it can be read as an independent story, I recommend that you indulge in both books. Amy is still coming to terms with a horrific past that she still gets flash backs from, with only a few need to know people that she has shared her secret with.
When a phone call comes in from a concerned grandparent reporting her missing grand-daughter Ellen aged four, alarm bells begin to ring as to why the parents haven’t reported it themselves. D.I. Amy Winter has a very uneasy gut instinct that there is more to this than any ‘normal’ kidnapping, especially after meeting the very edgy Nicole, the mother of the little girl and her intimidating husband whose concern for his daughter is pretty flat lined. This is a belting story where a dead man’s name makes nightmares seem like a walk in the park to a small group of people. Beside this belting story line of abducted children, there is also Amy’s personal past winding its way back into her present day life again, as she becomes a modern-day Clarice to a scary as hell Hannibal Lecter substitute. Wow this is one play with your mind lady that you don’t want in your head. My skin really crawled with the smugness of this woman. She is very devious and knows exactly how to play on one particular person’s ego. At this point I was almost pulling my hair out shouting at my book with a real string of blasphemous words like something from the exorcist! My blood was boiling but to see this lady doing what she does best is Oscar-winning. A superb character of sheer brilliance!
There are so many very unlikable characters in this story as the sins of the fathers (and mothers) are falling on their children to bear the brunt of someone’s rage. The story drops back in time, with a menacing build up of sheer horror.
The wheels have been set in motion for more of this outstanding series as Amy’s career has never been under so much pressure while someone else has definitely got her foot in the door…………… frighteningly on the way out!
If you like your books to get under your skin and stay there, then look no further this series is for you, from former detective Caroline Mitchell as she takes you into a real dark place!

I've read a number of books by this author and they are all engaging, this one was no exception. The plot is taut and clever, the writing solid and the characters well-developed. Already looking forward to see what Mitchell comes up with next!

When four year old Ellen is kidnapped from her bedroom, it becomes clear quite early on her parents aren’t telling the police everything. This kidnapper is on a mission and Ellen was targeted for a reason. But what dark secrets are hiding in the past? Amy and her team find themselves in a race against time to find Ellen before it’s too late.

The Secret Child is the second instalment in the DI Amy Winter series and I felt it was even stronger than its predecessor. The storyline is pretty intense, helped by the fact I could never quite figure out what the kidnapper’s endgame was going to be. There are quite a few parallels throughout, between the kidnapper’s past and Amy’s. Hoping to find some common ground with the kidnapper, can Amy keep her past a secret though?

I must admit that Amy got on my nerves quite a bit this time around. It’s not surprising she has issues, obviously, and she’ll do whatever it takes to protect herself from getting hurt but some of the moments where she was lashing out angered me. I felt like grabbing her and shaking her and telling her to get a grip, focus on what’s what or who’s who. I quite enjoy it when a character can get to me like that though.

Speaking of characters that do that, the character calling himself Luka is one of those as well. Obviously I can’t give anything away but his background is so incredibly devastating, it’s hard not to feel for him. Even if the things he’s doing now are wrong, you understand why he’s doing them. It all begins in the eighties but those events have a lifelong impact on all those who were involved.

With a topic like childhood trauma and its effects, The Secret Child quickly becomes a tense, fascinating and gripping read. This isn’t just your average awesome crime thriller as there’s a remarkable depth and psychology to it that adds that little bit extra. It had me hooked from start to finish and I can’t wait to see where Caroline Mitchell takes this series next.

The Secret child by Caroline Mitchell was a thriller that kept me hooked from the first page. I enjoyed the first book in this series and was eagerly awaiting this sequel and it did not disappoint.
DI Amy Winters is in a race agents time to find a missing four year old girl.
The kidnapper is in contact with her but is playing a deadly game.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is my review of arc from netgalley. The book is very complex, many things going on at once. Children dissapear and the main object of the book is to find them. There is medical experiments carried out in the past and all the people involved get drawn into the result of these actions. It delves into the psychology of those involved. Especially the lead of the case to find them. In the end everything gets drawn together. This is the 2nd book in a series, sorry I have not read the first. The ending allows for a 3rd. Can't wait. Thank you netgalley.

a page turning, compulsive read!!! this is the second instalment in the Amy Winters books and one not to be missed.

many thanks to netgalley and the publishers for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Yes!!!! DI Amy Winter is Back and what a Cracker of a Book The Secret Child by Caroline Mitchell was!
This is the second book in the DI Amy Winter's series and it was a Brilliant read. Just like the first Book in this series Truth and Lies. I loved it. I was gripped from the first page and it was just excellent throughout.

When four year old little girl called Ellen was snatched by a compete stranger in the dead of night. Later Ellens's distraught mother opens her front door to a courier. They have a package for her. This package contains four identical phials, one of them contains poison! and there's a threatening note telling her to drink "only one of the phials" If she drinks one of them and survives the sadistic kidnapper will notify the Police of her daughters whereabouts and she will be found safe.
The sender claims he is Luka Volkov..........But, Luka died years ago when he was a child in a fire with his Russian mother.

Ellen has been dreading this for years! Has her past caught up with her?!

Is Luka alive? Will Ellen's past be discovered?

DI Amy Winter is still reeling from the discovery that she is the daughter of a serial killer Lillian Grimes, the Beasts of Brentwood who is in prison. Amy's childhood trauma only makes her more determined to bring Ellen home.

Another young child is taken. This time it's in full day light and from his school, he has no medication on him and he needs it.

Amy finds herself in a race against time to rescue these children, she has to seek help from the one person she wants to forget…?
Is she strong enough to ask these painful questions to her mother?

Will Amy and her team save these children in time?

What will Amy's past get in the way?

What a Book and a must read......If I could give Caroline more than 5 Stars I would.

If you've never read a book by Caroline Mitchell I would Highly Recommend all her books. They are just Brilliant.

*** Big Thank you for a copy of this book was kindly provided to me by Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer in exchange for an honest review. ***

This is the second in the series featuring DI Amy Winter and you could do yourself a favour and read book one, Truth and Lies, first. Although the action that happens in this book is self-contained, Amy is a bit (very) complex and to get the best from her, and indeed the other main characters, it's best to have the full background.
So in Amy's second outing she is tasked with finding a missing child. Ellen, the daughter of a prominent doctor and his wife was taken in the night. Then a package containing for vials was sent to the wife with instruction that he will tell the police where Ellen is if she drinks one - but one has been poisoned; a one in four chance to save her child. The package appears to be from Luka Volkov but he is supposed to have died in a fire. Then a second child goes missing and Amy and her team have their work cut out for them. But then they start to dig more into the parents's pasts and make connections to experiments on children that point back to the parents of the missing children. But can they cut through the noise and find the children and bring them home before the worst happens?
Amy has her work cut out for her in this book. She is still reeling from the personal discoveries of the first book; her real parents and her life before she was adopted. And, at times, the case she is investigating in this book comes a bit close to home. But she has a good team and good support so she weathers the storm as best she can.
I have to admit I am a bit of a fan of this author and can thoroughly recommend both this and her other series of books. She has a no nonsense writing style that really suits what I need from a book to make it a great read so I'm always happy when I see she has a new book out and try and clear my decks so I can read it pretty much uninterrupted. Once I start a book by her I know I will want to devour it in just a few sittings so it's always best to be prepared!
Amy's interaction with her birth mother in this book is chilling to say the least and I really felt for Amy with regard to some of Lillian's latest attempts at manipulation. She's a great baddie! But their pasts are intertwined and, as we also find out, not something that can be severed simply. Which is great for me as a reader if not so good for Amy herself!
Plotting is tight, there are the usual twists, turns and reveals along the way, culminating in a shocking ending both for the case and the series going forward. Pacing is perfect. The story gets on with itself very well without the need for any superfluous padding and distraction.
All in all a cracking follow up to a great series opener. Roll on book three. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

A four year old girl is kidnapped. Could the kidnapper really be Luka Volkov, who was supposedly killed by fire years ago? Luka, who as a child, was the subject of a psychological experiment run by the father of the kidnapped girl.
The story vacillates back and forth between the kidnapping and Amy's personal story. In Truth and Lies, Amy learned she was the daughter of a husband-wife pair of serial killers. Her father is dead but her mother is in prison and is seeking a re-trial. And to make matters worse, her biological mother is using Adam, Amy's ex-fiancé to cause even more trouble for Amy.
Amy is a haunted, driven soul. Because of her background, she finds it difficult to have personal relationships. And Adam is such a jerk it's no wonder she's continuing to have trust issues. Flip side, I loved that Mitchel painted Luka as an almost sympathetic character.
Mitchell keeps the story moving at a fast pace. it's one of those books you keep finding an excuse to keep reading rather than getting on with life. And yes, I knew how this was going to end but that didn't affect my enjoyment of the book. And Mitchell left us with a few loose ends to ensure a book three.
My thanks to netgalley and Amazon Publishing UK for an advance copy of this book.

An excellent theiller that draws you in and doesn't let go. Highly recommended ! I especially enjoyed the description of the characters, all of which were fascinating in their own way.

This is the second in the DI Amy Winter series, the first being Truth and Lies. Both of these books have blown me away. This is a fast and furious read, the tension is palpable and kept me reading late into the night. It got my heart racing and tapping my kindle like a demented wood pecker. As I said before this is the second in this series and I honestly could not put it down. This author knows just how to hook you then reel you in leaving you wanting more long after you have finished the last page. If you read the blurb for this book and think it is not for you, think again I promise you will not be disappointed. All I can say is DI Amy Winter has a past that is so dark it is beyond belief. I can't wait to see what Amy Winter gets upto next. This is turning into another explosive and very addictive series. I loved it and want more now PLEASE!!!!!!!
I would like to thank the author, Amazon Publishing UK and Netgalley for the advanced copy in return for giving an honest review.

A wonderful read!
Caroline Mitchell does not disappoint! 4 year old Ellen, the daughter of Dr. Curtis and his wife, Nicole, has been kidnapped. Suspicions lie already is in the mind of DI Amy Winter since the grandmother called the police. Why not the parents?

Back to 1984 - We learn of the background of Luka, born in poverty in the Soviet Union in the late 70's. His mother is British and wants to take Luka to Britain for a doctor's research on bright children.
Meanwhile, we are reminded that DI Winter's natural parents are/were serial killers. Her father, Jack, is dead and her mother, Lillian, is in prison. Amy had her name changed from Poppy Grimes to Amy Winter.This all happened when Amy was 4 years old - and then she had been adopted. Now, Amy lives with her adopted mother, Flora.

Amy is put on the case of Ellen's kidnapping. First, she visits Dr. and Mrs. Curtis - when Nicole tells them she knows who took Ellen, he says - that it can't be - the man is dead.

Talking to family members and anyone else who may be able to help find Ellen, Amy and her team are led on a number of wild goose chases. Throw in another kidnapping by Luka (and more of his background) and we still get nowhere fast until Luka goes live on a midnight broadcast...

Great read! Suspense is high and character development well done!

Many thanks to Thomas and Mercer and NetGalley for a super read!

Was delighted to receive an ARC of this book. Having read a previous book about DI Amy Winter, I am pleased to say that this thriller is as good, if not better than the last. Very edge of your seat plotting and an enthralling back story, this is top class. I can't wait for the next one.

This is a good police procedural with a difference, as the lead DI (Amy Winter) deals with a child abduction, she’s also still coming to terms with her own devastating discovery that she is the daughter of a serial killer.

It’s well written and the character of Amy is excellent, as well as the complexity of her relationships.

A solid 3.5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley, Thomas and Mercer and the author for the opportunity to preview in exchange for this honest review.

This is book two of the DI Amy Winter series . Just WOW ! I loved this book !
This is a deliciously intense page turner that is exquisitely plotted ! The characters are so realistic and believable that you feel as if you are there ! I highly recommend ! Thanks to Netgalley and Amazon Publishing UK for the digital copy in exchange for honest review ! #Netgalley #AmazonPublishingUK #TheSecretChild

The Secret Child

The second book featuring DI Winters. I really enjoyed the first one (Truths and Lies) but I found this one to be even better. A really fast moving page turner. Loved it and can’t wait for the next instalment.

Caroline Mitchell burst onto the detective/suspense scene with her debut thriller, Truth and Lies. Now she is back with the second installment in this gripping series with The Secret Child. While I am nearly always leery of second books, this one is just as good as the first and had me glued to its pages from the very first page!

DI Amy Winter is still reeling from the shocking revelations that she uncovered in the first book, Truth and Lies, all of which are explained fully in this one but I won’t reveal them here. With no time to fully process what is now her explosive, in-the-headlines life, she is thrust into a kidnapping/murder/arson case when four-year-old Ellen is snatched from her bed and the home is set on fire and her mother, subsequently is murdered. The kidnapper claims to be Luka Volkov, a child prodigy of Ellen’s father who came from Russia to participate in a special study for children just like Luka. The problem is that Luka is supposed to be dead, the victim of a tragic fire many years before. When a second child is taken, DI Winter is forced to call upon all of her resources in order to solve this very sordid, convoluted case which will bring more personal harm to herself with possible repercussions for her entire team.

I love police/detective stories. They are, by far, my favorite genre even above thrillers/suspense. For Mitchell to keep me intrigued, surprised, even gasping out loud at certain points, is a testament to her exceptional writing abilities. There is, quite literally, so much going on with the story. Every single character, every member on Winter’s team, is an important player. Each person who worked at the “school” where Luka lived, every victim and their family, everyone who comes in contact with Winter becomes a fully developed character. In most books, that’s a downfall as too much information has to be processed. Mitchell, however, seamlessly weaves each of these characters together, blends their stories into one just as you might do so in your own life. There is no gap, no hole, just a steady flow in the narrative with one surprise and twist and terrifying turn after another. It is utterly brilliant.

The Secret Child can, absolutely, be read as a stand-alone. There is enough back story so that you never will wonder what is happening or who is who. However, both of Mitchell’s books are outstanding works and I highly encourage you to read Truth and Lies as well as The Secret Child. I will now be waiting anxiously for Mitchell’s next incredible book in this series!

The Secret Child is available via Kindle now or in paperback on April 18th. My gratitude to #Netgalley, #AmazonUK, @AmazonPub and @Caroline_writes for my copy of #TheSecretChild

This is the second book in the Amy Winters series and i would probably go as far as to say this one was even better than the first book, even thought the first book was brilliant. Caroline is a great writer of thrillers, I enjoy the fast pace of her novel which also have really interesting characters. This book was full of twists which saw it written in the present but also visiting the past. I counting down the days until book 3 comes along. If you haven't read a book by Caroline Mitchell you need to pick one up......NOW!!.

The Secret Child by Caroline Mitchell is the second thriller of a series centred on DI Amy Winter. Having not read the first book of the series, I felt almost as if I had walked into the middle of a conversation, athough enough background details are provided to piece together a rough idea of what has already transpired. Once I had my bearings, this novel became nothing short of a thoroughly compulsive read.

DI Amy Winter is still struggling to come to terms with the fact that she is the biological daughter of the 'Beasts of Brentwood', a pair of serial killers. When the call comes that four year old Ellen Curtis has gone missing, Winter and her team are in a race to locate the daughter of the head of the Curtis Institute, a facility that carried out unethical psychological experiments on children in the eighties. One of these children was Luka Volkov, who was believed to have died in a fire at the institute along with his mother, Sasha. So when the kidnapper of the missing girl identifies himself as Luka, Winter knows that if he survived the fire, he will have revenge on his mind, and time is quickly running out for young Ellen.

The novel is presented in alternating timelines between the mid-eighties and present day. This is highly effective in providing a solid background to explain Luka's motivations, and it is difficult not to empathize with his horrific past, in much the same way that the reader feels Amy's ongoing pain over past trauma.

This is a fast-paced and well-executed plot that has more than peaked my interest in the series. I will be adding the first installment to my 'to be read" list. I believe that Ms Mitchell has left the door wide open to continue the stories of these characters, particularly those of Amy and Lillian.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for this ARC.

I really loved this book. It's edge of your seat stuff and I found myself constantly reaching for it whenever I had a spare moment. The story is really interesting and the characters well developed and multi faceted. There was never a dull moment and the twists and turns meant I was constantly guessing. Highly recommend and look forward to reading more.

The Secret Child is the second book in the DI Amy Winter series but worked very well as a stand-alone novel for me.

DI Amy Winter and her team are investigating the case of four-year-old Ellen who was kidnapped from her home in the middle of the night by a stranger. Her Mother is in the hospital after drinking from a vial she received in her home, telling her if she chooses one of the four vials she received to drink, her daughter would be freed. Shortly, thereafter, another child goes missing. His father also received vials with instructions to choose one to drink. The sender is supposedly a man who was believed to be dead. Is he alive? Is someone using his identity? What is the endgame?

While investigating the case, DI Winter's past becomes known to the public and while she struggles with the public and her co-workers, knowing her link to serial killers, she continues to investigate the missing children who have links back to psychological/scientific studies conducted in the past.

This was an interesting cat and mouse book. The story is told using two timelines - Luka and the study conducted in the past, and the investigation in the present day. Through this storytelling the reader learns, the connections between some of the characters and what might have motivated the current kidnapping of the children.

I enjoyed the police procedural and how the author balanced DI Winter's professional life and her private life. I thought this book had just the right amount of both. I am sure I missed some of the relationship connections and background from the first book, I feel I was given enough information to make inferences and did not feel that missing the first book in this series, hampered my enjoyment of this one at all.

This was another engaging and riveting police procedural featuring a female lead detective with flaws, intensity and strong nerves. I found it to be quite enjoyable and a captivating read.

Thank you to Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

Good, but not as good as the first. I like the character of Amy. She is interesting, a bit odd, aloof, complex, understandably so...

The mystery was almost a side story to Amy’s additional backstory and relationships. Don’t get me wrong, interesting and quite sad, it’s quite the story. I did manage to figure it out prior to the conclusion, but not by much!

I wanted to see more interaction between Amy and her mother, Lillian. She is quite the character and continues to rattle cages.

This series is a good one. I’ll be looking forward to see where it goes from here.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and Amazon Publishing Uk for a copy in exchange for a review

I have read books by this author before and love the detail of her novels. However, when I got this book I did not realize it was the second in the series. Fortunately for me, it worked as a standalone novel. I even went back and read this first book after I finished this one. The main character is so genuine, well developed, and relatable. I totally got sucked into the story and am so excited to see where Mitchell takes this character and this series.

Second time I've tried to read this book and I still can't get into it. I can't get interested in the characters enough to keep going.

What an unbelievable story. This was a book by a fabulous writer that everyone should be reading I couldn’t get enough.

The Secret Child by Caroline Mitchell
is the second book in the DI Amy Winters series, i haven't read the first one but think i will go back and read it now.
Wow what a great read this was.
Amy's father has recently died. She's grieving her beloved father only to find out he's her adoptive father, her actual parents are notorious serial killers Lillian and Jack Grimes. While amy is trying to come to terms with this news. A 4 year old  girl, Ellen, is kidnapped during a house fire. This leaves Ellens parents confused as to who would do this.  Until her mother, Nicole, receives a package from the kidnapper, with instructions on what to do and if she follows through the kindapper will contact the police.
Nicole follows through and the kidnapper who says he's Luka contacts the police and insists that he only communicates with DI Amy Winters. Luka knows that she's the daughter of child serial killers. Amy's bioligical father is dead but her mother is still causing havoc from behind bars.  Lillian is awaiting a retrail and is using Amy's ex boyfriend Adam to publish her version of the serial Killings bringing unwanted attention to amy as she's trying to solve the kidnapping.  Amy isn't sure if this is actually Luka, he burned to death in a fire at the curtis institute  while he was undergoing psychological experiments as a child by none other then Dr.Curtis who happens to be Ellens father.  While Amy and her team are investigating another child goes missing who also has ties to the curtis institute. Could this be the work of Luka afterall? Amy is a driven DI and is confident her team will find the answers and bring the children home safely
Mitchell  did such an amazing job in this fast paced read, it was definately a book that i didn't want to put down it started off with a bang to grab my attention then I found myself needing to keep going to find out what was going go happen next. Can't wait to see what DI Amy Winters is  up to next.  I give this book 4🌟
Thank you to Amazon Publishing UK and netgalley for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Secret Child, the second book in DI Amy Winter series, is another fast-paced crime suspense/thriller. Once again, I was sitting on the edge of my seat and reading this quite entertaining book. Caroline Mitchell did not disappoint, and I am happy to say that she still is one of my favorite authors in this genre. If you are looking for a gripping suspense that has some police procedural theme in it, and if you are ready to neglect some of your housework then you should definitely read this book. In addition, there is a cliffhanger at the end, so I think we will see next book in the series soon.
Thank you NetGalley, Amazon Publishing, and the author, Caroline Mitchell, for giving me an opportunity to read and review this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

I really enjoyed the first book in this series, so was keen to read this one. It certainly didn't disappoint. DI Amy Winter found out that she was actually the child of serial killers Jack and Lilian Grimes (based on the real life monsters Fred and Rose West). In this book she is trying to keep this knowledge from her work colleagues, although her ex fiancé, a journalist, has been talking to Lilian about publishing her story ahead of an appeal. In the meantime, Amy and her team are trying to find a little girl who has been kidnapped. She is the daughter of Dr Curtis, who it soon transpires was responsible for some illegal drug trials on children back in the 80s. Could the kidnapper possibly be Luka, who was brought from Russia as a small boy to participate in Dr Curtis' experiments? This is a real page turner that will keep you guessing to the end. Thanks to NetGalley for a preview copy.
Copied to Goodreads.

The Secret Child is the second book in Caroline Mitchell's DI Amy Winter police procedural series and like the first book this is a very good and entertaining read.

The story moves along at a pace and there are plenty of twists and turns which keep you hooked until the ending.

This series is proving to be a good one and The Secret Child is definitely recommended

I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review.

Last year I read Truth and Lies, the first novel in Caroline Mitchell's DI Amy Winter series. My eyes started to hurt so I took a break and realized I had read the first 16 chapters without stopping.

The Secret Child is the second novel in Mitchell's DI Amy Winter series. I learned my lesson from binge reading the first book and set a timer to remind myself to take a break from reading. I forced myself to take a few breaks but finished reading it in one day. It is not a very long book, 330 pags, but I just could not find a place to stop reading for the day. I just had to keep reading!

Detective Inspector Amy Winter returns with her high-priority crime unit tracking down a kidnapper. He is using the kidnappings to extract revenge on those who had used children for dangerous and illegal experimentation years ago. Also returning is Lillian Grimes, Winter's biological mother who is imprisoned for being half of a serial killer husband and wife team known as the Beasts of Brentwood.

The Secret Child is as riveting as Truth and Lies. Both are character-driven and fast-paced, suspenseful, and well written.


Review published on Philomathinphila.com, Smashbomb, Goodreads, and Amazon on or before 4/2/19. Will publish on Twitter, Facebook, and Barnes and Noble on its release date, April 18, 2019.

I received an ARC of this book thanks to Net Galley and publisher Amazon Publishing UK in exchange for an honest review.

I was so excited when I saw this book was coming out. I read the first book in this series, Truth and Lies, only a few months ago and I found it to be a really enjoyable thriller. I am pleased to say that the sequel continues this trend.

My main concern upon finishing the first one was that I wasn't sure where the story could go. The main plot of Truth and Lies is that a detective discovers her birth mother is a serial killer and she must work with her secretly to uncover the locations of victims' bodies to give their families closure. This plot actually follows neatly on from this and the crime that must be solved involves a secret facility that experimented on children. One of these children supposedly died in a fire years ago but now someone claiming to be him is kidnapping children in the modern day and forcing their parents to play a deadly game to ensure their child's safe return. This plot wasn't quite as compelling to me as the first one but it did neatly incorporate the themes of children being lied to about their past and it offered some nice character moments for Amy, our main protagonist.

The writing in this continues to be of top quality. It was engaging and well-paced, although the plot was a lot more linear than the first book. While the first one had various intriguing subplots going on, this lacks pretty much any. That's not really a huge negative quality, it was just something missing that I had really enjoyed. There is sort of a subplot involving Amy's reporter ex-boyfriend but it's largely downplayed. Her serial killer mother is clearly going to play a large part in the next book but her presence in this one was a little intrusive and mostly seemed to serve to make sure we didn't forget who she was.

Overall, this is still a really enjoyable police procedural series and I am definitely excited for the next ones to come out. I appreciate police procedurals with consistent themes and interesting characters which this provides in spades. The crime of this could have been stronger but it was a great thriller on the whole.

Overall Rating: 3.5/5

The second in the DI Amy Winters series did not disappoint me. A fast paced, well written book with excellent character development. While Amy investigates the case of two missing children, her own past comes under the spotlight when the public discover her mother is a serial killer. Amy is a great lead character and this would make a fabulous TV programme. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC. Reviews on Goodreads and Facebook with Amazon to follow on publication day.

This is the second book in the DI Amy Winter series but it can be read as a stand-alone. It is set around London and features child abduction. Can DI Amy Winter and her team bring back 4 year old Ellen quickly to the safety of her home? Will Amy drill down to the bottom of this mystery? Get ready for another British crime thriller from Caroline Mitchell.

I liked the research that Caroline has done to build the plot of her latest novel. I liked how she used the tale of the Little Albert Experiment from 1920 and the use of drugs like Methylphenidate to bring a sinister side to her story.

I liked once again how Caroline captured the cultures within the police service, the interview techniques they use and the procedures involved complying with PACE.

I found it lovely that Amy’s pet, Dotty the Pug was included as part of her home life. However, I did not find Amy’s private life as interesting as in the first book, Truth and Lies. Once again there was dialogue between Amy and her birth mother Lillian Grimes but this became a frustrating drag and I thought just why does Amy, or for that matter, Caroline bother?

Oh and onto pet hate time. Frustratingly this novel went back and forth between 1984 and the present time. Caroline even mentioned boring Brexit to give it an up to date feel but then chapter after chapter she floated back to 1984. Then you are in the situation of knowing more about the background to this story than DI Amy Winter and her team investigation the child abduction.

With Amy and her mother Lillian droning on and on about their past, I started to loose empathy with Amy. Nothing exciting really happened in her private life and I feel her character has become a little tired.

I have read 4 other books from Caroline Mitchell, including Truth and Lies which was the first DI Amy Winter novel. Each of those books for me was a 5 star OUTSTANDING read. However, although I found The Secret Child to be a GOOD read, I did not enjoy it as much as the others, so it gets a highly respectable 4 stars from me.

When Nicole’s 4-year-old daughter is kidnapped she receives 4 phials instead of a ransom. One is poisoned, three are safe. If she drinks one her daughters location will be revealed. To add more mystery the kidnapper is supposed to be dead. DI Amy Winter is desperate to save the kidnapped child, especially as she failed to save the children her serial killer parents murdered when she was just a child herself.

I fell in love with Caroline Mitchell’s work last year and she is fast becoming one of my favourite authors. The first book in the Amy Winter series was incredible and I highly recommend picking that up first to really learn about Amy and her horrendous childhood.

As for this book, it did not disappoint. It’s well written and I could not put it down. It makes you switch between rage and true sadness for how a group of children were treated. Caroline makes you empathise with the bad guy and my heart honestly hurt for him. I did guess the supposed twist but it didn’t ruin the story.

I love that we get to learn about Amy's personal life as well as her work and the balance is perfect. The characters are all very human and Amy’s team are extremely likeable. I cannot wait to see what lies in store for Amy’s personal life.

Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review

This is a really impressive series. DI Amy Winter is a fascinating creation; the daughter of a serial murderer, her personal life is in turmoil and yet she has to cope with incredible challenges in her professional life. When children are kidnapped and the suspect is a Russian who is reported to have died years before, Amy and her team are faced with a daunting and chilling case. Well-written and gripping, I look forward to further instalments.

The suspense and multiple POVs always keep the story moving forward and the reader from putting the book down without knowing what happens. I can't wait for the next one to know more about the cases DI Winter takes on as well as uncover more of the past that haunts not only her, but her sister Sally-Ann.

This was the first book from this author and although I enjoyed it I didn't realise that it was the second book about DI Amy Winter. I feel that maybe if I'd started with the first I would have understood the backstory of the character a little more. That being said, it was a very good gripping novel that kept me engaged throughout.
DI Amy is a strong-minded and brave person despite her horrible childhood, and she hunts down criminals whilst battles her demons.

I would definitely recommend this book, however, start with the first one 'Truth and Lies'.

This is the second book in this new series by Caroline Mitchell, a police procedural with a twist. I really liked the first book in the series, Truth and Lies (five stars) and was excited to continue the series. DI Amy Winter is an interesting main character, and her back story as the child of serial killers is fascinating. Although it is not necessary to read the first book in the series to enjoy this book, the reader may want to read the first book for much more depth. This is a compelling story, going back between the mid-1980s and present day. It is a fast, easy read, and I can’t wait to read more of this fascinating story. I am also looking forward to reading other books from this wonderful author.

This is one of those books that you just can’t put down. It is the sad story of a little boy who was snatched from his parents and used for cruel experiments in the name of medical research by an unscrupulous doctor and the chilling consequences. What a brilliant idea to have a detective inspector who is also the daughter of a pair of infamous serial killers! The story is a riveting and fast paced police procedural told in alternating timelines. The chase through the streets of London was totally heart-stopping, and I was actually holding my breath hoping for a favourable outcome!.

Although I have read several of Caroline Mitchell’s books in the past (loved the Jennifer Knight series!) I had not read the first in this DI Amy Winter series, and I wish I had. Although the back story is adequately explained in this second book, I felt that I would have enjoyed the book even more (if that is possible!) if I had read Truth and Lies first. It is now next on my TBR pile.

My thanks go to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed this second book with DI Amy Winter, the topic was completely different to others in this genre, and it was interesting seeing it from the perpetrators view,

I hope this series continues for a good few books to come, seeing Amy settle more within her team, despite her horrific family background, and proving she is deserving of her job is fab, especially when she gets one up on the bad guys!

Highly readable, one where you have to read just one more chapter and find you’ve read half the book in one sitting!

I really like where this series is going and I particularly like how DI Amy Winter’s character is evolving. I have recommended this series to a few people already. This book is fast and furious and although the ending of this was a little predictable I really didn’t care! Roll on book 3!

Thanks to Amazon Publishing UK for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review.

A great book!
I read the first one of Amy Winters books and it was good. This one is a carry on and it gets better. A lot of links to the previous book, so I think it's helpful to read it first.

A lot of depth in this book, and there was a fair amount of edge of seat moments!

I can recommend this book

I love how Caroline Mitchell makes you wrestle with issues. She doesn't shy away from tough subjects, but rather forces you to look and think. Now that's not to say that she can't write a good yarn, because she can do that too. It takes a special author to dig at deep issues and entertain at the same time. I absolutely will be on the lookout for the next one in the series. I only wish this one had more Paddy. I love him!

This is the second installment in the DI Amy Winter series.
This is a superior psychological mystery thriller unlike any ordinary police procedure.

The plot is pacey, mysterious, and full of unexpected surprises.
The characters are well developed, real and engaging, so we care that much about them all the way.

This a highly recommended read without any reservations. This series is also best read in order to get a full sense of the characters and their development.

Thanks #Netgalley, the publisher and the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is the second instalment of DI Amy Winter and if you loved the first book you won’t be disappointed with the second.

DI Amy Winter is the child of a notorious murdering husband and wife but from the age of four she was raised by the Winter family and given a loving stable home.

This latest case covers a kidnap of 4 year old Ellen Curtis, the daughter of Dr Curtis, who ran trials on children back in the 1980’s. The kidnapper claims to be Luka, a child from the trials who was thought to have died during a fire whilst attending the trials. Did Luka really die in the fire ? If he did why is someone pretending to be him and cause pain and distress to Dr Curtis ?

This is a great read and you will have trouble not warming to the characters in this book, especially Amy !! This is very much a police procedural book but with so much more. A definite must read, along with the first in the series !!

Thank you to Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley for a digital copy of this book.

I absolutely loved the first book in this series, Truth and Lies, so was excited to receive an ARC of the sequel , but unfortunately did not find it quite so compelling. At the risk of sounding like the cliché “it’s not you it’s me”, I think part of the problem was that I am completely sick of missing child plot lines, and am actively avoiding them, but they keep sneaking in even when it’s not mentioned in the blurb, and so my aversion has grown stronger since requesting this a couple of months ago. It is a good book so I’m trying not to let my churlishness affect this review.

DI Amy Winter and her team are called in to investigate the kidnapping of four year old Ellen, daughter of a prominent medical researcher in the field of child psychiatry. The perpetrator appears to be a Russian boy who was lured to London in the eighties to be one of his experimental subjects, now grown up and intent on seeking revenge by subjecting the family of his captors to twisted games, but Luka died in a fire at the institute. Meanwhile Amy’s biological mother, the serial killer Lillian Grimes, continues with her malignant schemes to be freed from prison by involving Amy’s ex, narcissistic journalist Adam.

You don’t have to have read the first book to follow this, but it helps to know the background especially the tense relationship between Lillian and Amy, as well as some of the issues with her team. One of the things I really liked about the first book was how surprisingly undamaged Amy was - too many fictional detectives really should not be in their jobs - whereas here the pressure is starting to show and Amy behaves like an arrogant diva, pushing away those who are trying to help. I found it hard to believe that she would be so gullible as to let the baddie lead her on a kind of treasure hunt around London, not once but twice, or that she would engage with Lillian at all, knowing what happened last time. As for Adam, he certainly needed a dose of karma, hopefully that’s coming in the next book!

I personally didn’t enjoy having quite so much of the story told from the point of view of Luka, although the flashbacks to his past were necessary to explain his motivations. This is my third book recently to feature unethical medical research, and again I found the scenario pretty unrealistic given it’s set in the UK. I found the reveal to also be implausible and was frustrated that the ultimate guilty party apparently gets off scot-free. One of the problems with missing children scenarios is the lack of suspense as unlike with an adult victim, you know they will almost certainly be rescued. There are also some continuity errors that should’ve been picked up by an editor.

Overall, despite my quibbles, this is still a good solid thriller and I would be keen to read the next in the series. 3.5 rounded up for fluid writing and intriguing villains.

How incredibly devious can someone be? The villain in this well written and suspenseful thriller/procedural not only kidnaps, he/she also sends parents vials of poison. I had not read the first Amy Winter book so I was not familiar with her back story but quickly caught up thanks to good references by Mitchell. There are some fascinating (and at times creepy) interactions between Amy and her birth mother Lilian. Amy must find who is wrecking revenge on Dr. Curtis through his daughter and stop it before more kids- and parents-are hurt. She's got a good team- I enjoyed the way they worked together. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A very good read.

** spoiler alert ** Book 2 featuring Amy Winter,and it's as easy to read as the first.
Following straight on from where we left everyone,but progressing nicely as the book goes on.
There are still some questionable police practices (do you go talk to a serial killer about a kidnappers mind set,or an actual professional? Even if she is your mother???)
I really like the characters in this,and think I'll be reading the books for some time if only to find out what becomes of above mentioned mother.
Told over two timelines,a story of child abuse and revenge that didn't really offer any surprises,but was well paced and I finished it in one go on a long train journey.

This is a good book. I loved the gritty main character and the straightforward mystery.
This was such a good mystery.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review this book

DI Amy Winters is the child of serial killers but after being adopted into a loving home she's now a detective inspector heading a team of police on her second big case. Someone had kidnapped a child. The only problem is the kidnapper is supposed to be dead.
This book picked up where the last seemed to leave off. Amy's mother is still appealing her murder convictions, trying to mess with Amy's head and interfere in her life. The most important thing to Amy is finding the missing child and solving her latest case.
The kidnapping case is an interesting one. The backstory leading up to the present day kidnapping was a page turner by itself. The continuation of Amy's dramatic life will keep me reading this series. The way her mind works and the wrongs she feels she wants to right knowing the evil her birth parents caused.

Thanks to Netgalley for my copy to honestly review.

DI Amy Winter is back with a mystery crime to solve. This time someone kidnaps the kids and this someone has dark past which is linked to the kids’ parents. Very good crime suspense/thriller, fast paste page turner without any boring conversations and scenes.

Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

With thanks to Netgalley and Amazon publishing for this ARC in exchange for an open and honest review.

I was drawn into this book from the first page. The story began with an intruder walking into four year old Ellen Curtis bedroom. The intruder told the little girl her house was on fire, the man then picked Ellen up and drove her away in his car.

The next morning Amy and her team were called to Ellen`s house after her babysitter saw she was missing. Her father was Dr Hugh Curtis a celebrated child psychologist and her mother Nicole Curtis.

When Amy asked why the Curtis`s did not ring the police the night before they were reticent to answer. Hugh then explained he suspected an Ex patient called Luca Volkov, who supposedly died in a fire when he was 11 years old. Later Nicole received a mysterious parcel delivered by courier. Inside were 4 vials of liquid a message explained three were safe to drink and the fourth contained ethanol. To see Ellen again she had to drink one of the vials.

Then Luca goes further a kidnaps Tony the disabled son of an ex employee of Dr Curtis. Luca starts to ring Amy to provide clues to the children's whereabouts but can she find them on time.

The Secret Child is the second book in the DI Amy Winter series. Although Amy`s biological mother Lilian Grimes only made a fleeting appearance in the book , I still felt grubby after her reading her scenes.

I felt so sorry for Amy when the press discovered she was Lilian Grimes daughter. Especially when her father had been a highly respected policeman and her brother a fellow DI.

The plot was fast paced and you feel the tension mounting as the team looked for the missing children. The story was told from the present day and went back to 1984 when Luca won a 'scholarship' to the Curtis Institute.

This was a dark tale indeed which tackled unethical medical practices.

I highly recommend this series and hope Amy will be able to separate herself from four year old Poppy.

An exciting and ,on the edge of your seat book,I didnt read the first book in the series but this was fine as this book can be read as a stand alone,I will definitely read the first book now
A really well written book, full of suspense

A gripping thriller a little girl is kidnapped and her Mum is given a choice of phails to drink one to find out information about her daughter. Unfortunately she picks the wrong one and is poisoned will her daughter be found alive. DI Winters has a tough case to crack firstly is Luka a young boy who died back in the 80’s still alive and responsible or is it someone else. A fast paced read following DI Winters as she struggles with her personal life as well as this case. A great read.

I was gripped by this story from the start. This was definitely a page turner. I read this book in one go. I really like the characters and Amy's back story is fascinating and something I want to find out more about. Both books in this series are well worth reading.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

Another great book from Caroline Mitchell and even though it took me longer to read it than normal because of my work shifts, I found it impossible to leave down. Without ruining the story for anyone, it's compelling and full of twists and some heartbreaking moments. I'm just hoping that there will be more of the Amy Winter series as it did end on a cliff hanger. I would like to thank the publishers and netgalley for letting me have the book to review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own views and are completely unbiased.

I confess that THE SECRET CHILD is the first book I have read by Caroline Mitchell despite it being the second in the DI Amy Winter series. And yet, the book works well as a standalone. Though for more of an insight as to Amy's history and what has lead her to where she is now, then I advise reading the first book before this one as it sets the tone for the series. Although I have yet to read it, from all I can gather it really does marks the beginning.

THE SECRET CHILD begins with four year old Ellen being taken from her bed in the middle of the night, kidnapped by a stranger. But the parents delay in reporting her disappearance. Why? Then her mother Nicole receives a package containing four vials with instructions that one of them is poisoned but she must drink one for her daughter to be freed. However, Nicole drinks the one that is poisoned and when her husband, the famed Dr Curtis, arrives home he discovers his wife on the floor bleeding and unresponsive. Luckily, DI Winter and her team arrive with the intention of questioning the couple and Amy jumps in performing CPR in an attempt to resuscitate Nicole. Had they not arrived when they did, Dr Curtis would have seemingly let his wife die! And he, a doctor!

It soon becomes clear that Dr Curtis headed up the Curtis Institute where, in the 80s he was paramount in the psychological experimentation of children. And one of them is back for revenge - but is he? The kidnapper claims to be Luka Volkov, the once six year old child prodigy of the doctor who came from Russia with the promise of a scholarship and a better life. Only to be imprisoned to participate in a study for children like Luka. The problem is...Luka is dead, the tragic victim of a fire that destroyed the institute, along with his mother Sasha. Could Luka really be alive?

Soon after, another child goes missing on his way home from school. But the kidnapper was faced with a conundrum. Little Toby was in a wheelchair - and he had not bargained on that. But it was too late, the wheels were in motion, the regular taxi driver was unconscious in the boot and the kidnapper was in his place. Then Toby's father receives a couriered package, also with four vials, also with the same instructions to choose one to drink for Toby to be freed.

It seems the kidnapper "Luka" is working his way through those who worked at the institute - Dr Curtis, his assistant Deborah Macauley, and orderlies Stuart Coughlan and Christina Watson - and targeting their children.

But the kidnapper is playing a game. And his pawn is DI Winter. Sending her on random journeys across London with the promise of finding Ellen and then Toby...but always to arrive too late to save them. As the net closes in, he admits he set her up to fail. She was never going to find the children for he was never going to let them live.

While investigating the case, DI Winter's past comes to light via a complete published account written by her journalist ex-fiance Adam Rossi, still smarting from her refusal to give him another chance, and hand-fed by convicted serial killer Lillian Grimes with her own axe to grind. Despite being under scrutiny from her team and the public, Amy continues to investigate the missing children and the links to the experimental studies in the past endeavouring to solve what has turned out to be a very sordid and convoluted case.

THE SECRET CHILD is by far an interesting cat and mouse thriller. It is intriguing, compelling and incredibly intense as the reader follows the investigation alongside Amy and her team but also the taunting by the kidnapper as he leads them on a merry chase through London.

Told in dual timelines (a real favourite of mine) with Luka as a child and the psychological experimental study conducted in late 1984 and early 1985, and the investigation - and all that surrounds it - in the present day. There is so much going on in the story with every every character playing an important role. Even those involved in the experimental studies in the past, every victim, everyone in both timelines is a fully developed character. Each have their parts to play and they are played well as each character is seamlessly weaved into the story. I couldn't find a gap throughout, as everything blended seamlessly together in a steady narrative.

I really liked Amy, and I am not usually a fan of female leads but she is what I call real. Not a beefed up female version of bad cop and even badder cop. She is flawed, yet she has strength that doesn't make her a bitch, with a past that makes this series one with a difference. Although I have not read the first book, I was given enough background to make the necessary connections and it certainly didn't deter my enjoyment.

While I have not revealed just what Amy's past contains and how it has serious repercussions on her personal life as well as coming to terms with it, it is no secret in this book. And I feel the reader is given enough information without having to read the first book. That said, although this book can be read as a standalone I believe it would be made better by reading both.

A solid police procedural with a definite difference, THE SECRET CHILD is a compelling, thrilling and completely intriguing you won't want to put it down! Even piecing together the breadcrumbs scattered throughout the story and drawing my own conclusions as to the identity of Luka and who else was involved did in no way deter my enjoyment. It was utterly brilliant!

I would like to thank #CarolineMitchell, #NetGalley and #AmazonPublishingUK for an ARC of #TheSecretChild in exchange for an honest review.

Who are Amy and Pike? What kind of work do they do for a living? What do we learn about Amy's family and background? What do we learn about Amy that makes her good at her job? Who are Ellen, Hugh, Nicole, Deborah, Stuart, Christina, and Luka? What do they have to do with this whole thing? This thriller has a huge air of mystery to it. The things that were happening, people who died, who gets kidnapped and why? Who is Dr. Curtis? What does he have to do with everything? read and see.

DI Amy Winter is put on the case and investigations reveal a very tangled story which has to be slowly unravelled if the Curtis's want to see their daughter alive. The fact that they are slow to give information, albeit reluctant to talk at all points the finger at them squarely but this is discounted with a second child, this time a disabled one is taken away from school. The links have to be linked and then Amy may find who is responsible.

Many of those close to the children say it is Luka who is the kidnapper but Luka and his mother died in a fire years ago. No autopsy was done, no remains can be found so the suspicion is now rife that Luka is very much alive and he is seeking revenge for the experiments that Dr. Curtis carried out on him and other young children in his care. All for the sake of science and for the benefit of humankind, but at what expense to those who were experimented on..

Uncovering a story of monsterish proportions DI Amy is working against time and against a kidnapper who seems to know her every move, and only wants her involved in the case. A cat and mouse game begins and the end is surprising.

Very good suspense/thriller/mystery holding the audience captive.

A fast-paced, riveting read! Book 2 definitely lived up to my expectations and has solidified my readership for Caroline Mitchell's DI Amy Winter series.

In The Secret Child DI Amy Winter's latest investigation finds her in a cat and mouse race against time with a kidnapper bent on revenge. The story opens with four year old Ellen being kidnapped from her bedroom. Her mother receives a package containing four vials from "Luka". She must drink one in order for the kidnapper to contact the police with information on Ellen.

It's not long before we find that her father the esteemed Dr. Curtis is the real target. Why? What secrets are the people connected with the Curtis Institute hiding? Who is behind this devious plot to destroy them?

When a second child is abducted, Amy's team are in for a fight against time to uncover deeply buried secrets in order to save them.

The story was fast paced, filled with secrets and twists and made for a gripping read! I can't wait to see what book 3 brings our way!

The Secret Child by Caroline Mitchell is the second in the DI Amy Winter mystery series.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Thomas & Mercer, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Series Background:    (Warning – May contain spoilers from previous books)
DI Amy Winters is a strong, rather competitive, independent woman, responsible for running a team to handle high profile cases. Her team includes DS Paddy Byrne, DC Molly Baxter and DC Steve Moss. Although Amy was fostered by wonderful people, she has recently learned that her biological parents are serial killers, and she has a new family. This is not common knowledge, and she wants it kept that way...

My Synopsis:   (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
Four-year-old girl Ellen Curtis is missing, taken from her bedroom, and her parents are sure they know the identity of the killer. The problem – he died in a fire many years ago.

When a second child is taken, it becomes apparent that the kidnapper is targeting Ellen’s father and his work at a facility many years ago. The kidnapper starts playing a game with Amy, and she has no choice but to play along.

Meanwhile, Amy can’t seem to get away from her biological mother, who, even from a jail cell interferes with her daughter’s life. Adam Rossi, Amy’s ex-boyfriend is a journalist, and still in love with her. So when convicted murderer Lillian Grimes invites him to come see her in prison, mentioning a connection to Amy, he is curious. But he wouldn’t do anything that may hurt Amy, would he?

Amy’s frustration is starting to show.

My Opinions:
I am really enjoying this new series. The author continues to add depth to all her characters, including her villains. I like how Amy continues to struggle with her identity, but stays focused on her current case. As well, she takes time to look after her team members. The author has created a very likable protagonist.

Caroline Mitchell overlapped the topic of child endangerment across the kidnapped children, the kidnapper and Amy. The story is told from their different perspectives. They all suffered, and I was left feeling sorry for each of them.

Although I figured out a great deal of the plot and the end twist beforehand, this fast-paced thriller had me from the start. Caroline Mitchell is a smooth writer, and her books are easy to read.

Definitely recommend this. The author left me with hints of things to come…I can’t wait.

My first Caroline Mitchell book and it certainly won’t be my last.
In this second DI Amy Winter instalment, Amy and her team are investigating the sudden disappearance of 4 year old Ellen, who was kidnapped in the middle of the night by a stranger.
This was a truly riveting read, well written, great twists and kept me guessing.

I look forward to exploring more of this author.

This is the second in the DI Amy Winter series and follows on with a new case for Amy and her team involving a kidnapped child. With snippets back to a time in the past concerning the kidnapped girls father, the story slowly unfolds to reveal the who and why. Amy's past is also not far from it all after the revelations in book one, and it is touch and go as to whether it is going to help or hinder her investigation.
While this probably could work as a stand alone if you are happy to just get a quick recap of what happened in the first book, to get the full impact of the story, I definitely recommend reading book one before this one.
Looking forward to seeing how Amy's story continues!

What a great author Caroline Mitchell is. This is the second in the series and I Now need to go back to read the first one. This book is a total stand alone story but with such a great story I need to continue reading this author. I Look forward to reading more of her books. I did gather some of the twist before the end but no way did I get into the real depth of the why. A gripping twisty story that I highly recommend to anyone wanting an enthralling mystery.

"The Secret Child" by Caroline Mitchell.

My first time reading that author. I didn't read the first book.

I liked it a lot. Well written and captivating. Good characters and pace and interesting storyline.

Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for letting me read this ARC. This is my honest review. All opinions are my own.

The author wrote a thriller that started with a bang and just kept going! The twists kept coming, so I couldn't put it down. I cannot wait to read more from this author!

Fantastic novel. Really love the DI Winter series and have enjoyed both books. Great characterisation by Caroline throughout

This is the second book in the DI Winter series, and wow, what a ride it still is. I loved the first book and couldn't wait to get my hands on this one. In this novel Amy has to investigate a serial criminal with a change. He's dead.... or is he. While dealing with her past that is coming to haunt her in shocking ways. This was a brilliant book and I will be a fan ms Mitchell forever. Highly recommended.

Fast paced, hard hitting and well written. I struggled to put this down after finding out that it was a sequel had to read the first one first I then returned this one. brilliantly written and excellent characters who are believable and likeable. recommendations coming from me most definitely

Book Review: The Secret Child (DI Amy Winter #2) by Caroline Mitchell

To enjoy this book, it is a must to read the first book in the series, "Truth and Lies" (DI Amy Winter #1).

This excerpt from my review of Book 1 gives a glimpse:

"1986. It was the scratching noise that bought Poppy down to the place where she wasn't allowed to go.." - the basement. This was where 12-year old Poppy witnessed her father strike her sister, Sally Ann, now crumpled and lifeless....

September 2018, the protagonist, Detective Inspector (DI) Amy Winters, daughter of Detective Chief Inspector (DCI) Robert Winters, a highly respected police officer - recently deceased, receives a letter from a convict, half of a serial killer team, notoriously known as the "Beasts of Brentwood", which addresses her directly as "My Poppy. My Child."

End of excerpt.

In book 2, "The Secret Child", DI Winters has her hands full, confronted with a series of child-kidnappings, scientific experiments with "gifted children" gone awry, a seemingly deranged manchild from Russia (risen from the ashes?), and by her own past as the biological daughter of notorious serial killers which haunts her to the core.

All pretty straight-forward, all in a good day's work - the mysterious "resurrected" criminal revealed and shackled, ghosts of the past confronted, and all that.

Or not?!!!

What makes Caroline Mitchell's stories authentic and compelling may stem from her own real life experience as a former Crime Investigation Department (CID) specialist dealing with vulnerable high-risk victims of domestic abuse and serious sexual offences.

For a crime thriller, the author's narrative is rather smooth, calming and familiar - you know you'll getting a good story, not unlike a typical hot "meat and two veg" English roast beef supper. Satisfying!

Review based on an advance reading copy provided by NetGalley, Amazon Publishing UK and Thomas & Mercer.

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
It was good! I enjoyed it a lot. Some of the inner dialogue was a bit repetitive, but it was paced well to keep me interested. There seemed to be a new twist at just about every turn. There wasn't a ton of page filler, which was good. I think I'd have enjoyed it a little more if I'd read the first book, but there was enough information on our key players to fill me in. Overall, a good read, and it was enough to make me want to track down book 1. 3.5/5 stars

Loved this! Hadn’t realised it was book 2. So had to read first one before I could get to it! Thought it was great. Full review up soon on the blog !

The Secret Child is the 2nd book in the DI Amy Winter series. I just read the first book, [book:Truth and Lies|37881225] before reading this one. It's really important to read the books in order. I'm in the minority here, but I just couldn't get into this book. I found almost all the characters irritating especially Amy, Adam and Pike. I felt like Amy was a teenage girl, throwing a temper tantrum and running to mummy for answers. Also, there was no big twist at the end and it seemed flat to me. It was difficult to get through the book and at times I just wanted to add it my dnf shelf.

Thank you to Netgalley and Amazon Publishing UK for a copy of Caroline Mitchell's "The Secret Child" in exchange of an honest review.

Most days, I only read while settling my son to sleep. My kindle paper white is my best friend for a couple of hours each night. Before I was half way through this book, I had found I was reading at the table, in the bath and in my own bed, too.

Each chapter left me with more questions I was desperate for the answers to, The ending didn’t disappoint, either! If you’re a fan of crime thrillers. I’d definitely add The Secret Child By Caroline Mitchell to your reading list

The follow-up to the thrilling & chilling book one, Truth and Lies, in the addictive DI Amy Winter series!

"The fire he’d lit had caused a diversion, sending the babysitter spiralling into panic downstairs. Nobody saw him slip out the side door with the child in his arms. It wouldn’t stop there. He was on a mission. Soon more children would be silently taken from their homes. Thoughts of justice finally being served spurred him onwards and he deposited the child in the back seat of the rented car. ‘Where are we going?’ Ellen said as he strapped her in. ‘On an adventure. Now be quiet. I need to concentrate.’ He could not afford for his migraine to return. When pain closed in, sanity took a back seat and his actions were driven by a stronger force. The scream of sirens cut through the night, hastening his movements as he jumped into the driver’s seat. Starting the car, he floored the accelerator and gravel rattled against the undercarriage as he sped away."

********
The Secret Child|40678553] by Caroline Mitchell is a suspence thrilling series at it's finest, full of twists and shocking events, this second installation definitely lived up to the first one! I recommend reading the books in order as there is much that happens in book one that it crucial to the storyline in the second.
Both books in this series made my nerves feel like a high tension power lines on the verge of snapping! I've recently been reading some series back to back but I think this one is my favorite this year! I received this book from NetGalley which introduced me to the talented [author:Caroline Mitchell and prompted me to get my first taste of her books in Truth and Lies! I have a new favorite author and I'm happy I have others on my shelves just waiting to be read!
I love DI Amy Winter and I can't wait to read book three as there is a brilliant cliff hanger leading up to the next story!
Don't miss out on this addictive DI Amy Winter series!

With thanks to NetGalley, Thomas and Mercer publishing, and Caroline Mitchell for this advanced digital copy for me to read and review.

A police procedural/thriller and book #2 in the Amy Winter series. DI Amy Winter brings a little something extra to the table when it comes to fighting crime. She was adopted at age 4, and while she's always known she was adopted, she didn't find out she was the child of "The Beasts of Brentwood" Jack & Lillian Grimes until just recently. Notorious serial killers (who bear a striking resemblance to real life Fred & Rosemary West) that lured girls and women in using their adorable little girl strapped into the backseat of their car, did unspeakable things to them at home, and then buried them in the back garden or basement. She was saved from this by "the social" (that's CPS for us American folk) and adopted out and blocked all of this until a letter arrived in book 1. In book 2, she's helping to solve a kidnapping that has ties to a Dr doing awful psychological experimentation on children that no one reported missing, and years later one who escaped a fire that was supposed to have killed him, is back for revenge. Two children end up kidnapped, and Winter is in a race against the clock to save them. There's not as much interaction with Winter's mother Lillian in this book which is a little disappointing, but I think it's setting us up for the appeal in the 3rd book, which Lillian is trying to manipulate a women's group into helping her get out of jail by saying her now deceased husband made her cooperate in the murders under threat of killing her children. Pretty great read, and I'm really looking forward to the 3rd book in the series.

Looking for a new and intriguing thriller series? Look no further, Caroline Mitchel has a great story to share with you.

DI Amy Winter finds herself in the middle of a cat and mouse game with a ghost. After two kids have gone missing, Amy and her team take an interest in a study that took place in the early 80s. People, who were involved in the study have a big dark secret they are hiding. And on top of that, suddenly they are being targeted by Luka, a child who has died in the fire two decades prior. Has Luka returned from the dead to get revenge? Or is someone simply playing a very cruel game with them?

Decides a case that is escalating with every pacing day, Amy Winter has a personal matter to deal with. Her past is hunting her. Amy is a child of two serial killers, and after being rescued and adopted by a new family, she thought her traumatic secret was all behind her. Unfortunately, her callous mother who has been imprisoned keeps reaching out to her. Will Amy have enough strength to deal with her past and help struggling victim bring a monster to justice?

Good phycological thriller, with many twists and turns that grips reader's attention. Thank you, NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer publisher for a free and advanced copy of the book.

Unusual thriller series featuring Detective Amy Winter, who is the daughter of serial killers. A gripping read in this second in series, emotional too.. A superb plot which kept me on the edge of my seat throughout . Looking forward to reading more in this series. A 5 star crime thriller.

This is the second book featuring DI Amy Winter. It would stand alone on its own merit, however if you can read the books in order it will help you to understand more of the back story.

Caroline Mitchell manages to create fast moving stories. In this instance the story is told in two time frames, with the jumps between, helping to maintain interest and put different characters into the spotlight as the real villain.

I like the style of her writing and characterisation. Her experience as a serving police officer shows through with some pithy dialogue between DS Amy Winter and her colleagues. There are some witty one-liners.
Plenty of suspects.
Plenty of twists.
Tension throughout.

The story builds to a dramatic conclusion with sufficient plot twists to maintain interest. I for one look forward to future instalments in the DS Winter series.

My thanks go to Netgalley and the publisher, Thomas & Mercer for a copy in exchange for this review.

This is book 2 in the series. It is a police procedural thriller
It is a fast paced read with a fascinating lead character.
I liked this book but the previous book was much better.

Thankyou to NetGalley, Amazon Publishing UK and the author, Caroline Mitchell, for the opportunity to read a digital copy of The Secret Child in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.
I really enjoyed reading the first book in the Amy Winter series, so was intrigued as to whether book two would be as good. I am happy to say , it certainly was.
I thought this book provided a great read. The storyline was well thought out and written with well developed characters and a rollercoaster plot. I read this book in one sitting. Was well worth the sleep deprivation. I certainly can't wait for more from this author. 4.5 stars.
Well worth a read.

Gold Standard! That's what this series is.
I was completely blown away by Truth and Lies and now The Secret Child is just as compelling, dark and twisted.
After learning of her true parentage DI Amy Winters is struggling with repressed memories and dark thoughts. She is the child of serial killers Lillian & Jack Grimes, the "Beasts of Brentwood" who kidnapped, tortured and killed many girls. Just as she was coming to terms with her harrowing previous case deeply tied to her past and believing that the worst is truly over, Amy encounters another heart-breaking case. Four-year-old Ellen has been kidnapped from her home. Her devastated mother, Nicole, receives four identical vials and a threatening note in a familiar scrawl that chills her to the bone. According to the note, one of the phials is poisoned. Nicole is given a deadly challenge: if she drinks one, the sadistic kidnapper will notify the police of Ellen’s location. The sender claims to be Luka Volkov, a boy from Russia. But Luka is supposed to be dead, killed long ago in a fire that haunts all those involved with Ellen's father Dr. Curtis.
The plot is intriguing and the characters are fabulous. I'm totally in love with Amy Winters (and her team). Despite her troubled start, she's tenacious, bold and not afraid to get to the bottom of things however difficult they may be. At times, it felt I was in the middle of a "Stranger Things" episode while reading the flashback chapters, but it was highly suspenseful and gritty. I'm happy that we see a bit more of Amy's private life, her work life and what makes her tick. The book keeps you guessing till the very end; I did not see that ending coming.
Amy Winters is now one of my fave detectives! Go Amy! Go Caroline!
Thanks, NetGalley, Caroline Mitchell & Thomas & Mercer fr an arc.

I thought that The Secret Child was not as good as the first DI Winter book.
It wasn't one I found myself drawn to if I am honest.

OMG what a thrill ride of a read this book was! Caroline Mitchell's style of writing grabs you and doesn't let you go until the very end of the story, and this title is no different. I was on tenterhooks throughout and did not see the antagonist until the very end! Fantastic, gripping, and disturbing - cannot recommend this enough!

After the thrilling Truth and Lies, I couldn’t wait to read the second book in the DI Amy Winter series, and this book did not disappoint.

Caroline Mitchell is a fantastic writer, and the books just keep getting better and better. Her inside knowledge of police procedures helps create realistic stories with interesting characters. Amy’s relationship with her mother is fascinating.

This book carries on from Truth and Lies so if you haven’t read it I recommend you do that first, although it can be read as a stand-alone as enough of the back story is gone over without being tedious.

Thank you #NetGalley for an advanced copy of #TheSilentChild!

So this book was just average for me. It wasn’t necessarily bad but it wasn’t speculation either. Some of the plot twists were a little too predictable and there weren’t any “wow” moments. This is the second book I’ve read in the DI Amy Winter series. This book is about two children being kidnapped by someone a lot of people suspected was dead. The chapters alternated between what happened to Luka, the kidnapper, back in 1985 and what DI Winter and her team are doing to catch him. I felt at times there were chapters that probably weren’t really needed. There was a lot about DI Winter’s background, as she found out in the last book that she was the biological daughter of a serial killer couple. Maybe if I hadn’t read the last book certain things in this book wouldn’t have sounded so repetitive...

A dark psychological read. I always worry when young children are involved in a plot line, but this book is well-written although it did have a touch f Fred & Rosemary West about it. Don't read it alone. Recommended.

This is great writing. I absolutely love Caroline Mitchell ever since I read Truth and Lies. If you get a chance, read it first before this as its a continuum, but its not really necessary. Its fast paced so expect to read it in one or two sittings.

Great plot? ✔
Great characters?✔
Great ending✔

Looking forward to more DI Amy in my future. And looking forward to reading the books I have missed. Will be reserving a bookshelf aside for Caroline Mitchell's books.

My Goodness, what an amazing and intensely satisfying read Caroline Mitchell’s new thriller was!

An addition to her ‘DI Amy Winter’ thriller series, I really enjoyed reading "The Secret Child."

While this book is the second instalment of the series, it really worked as a stand-alone novel as the author provided enough contextual information to pick up the series without interrupting the flow of the story.

I found Caroline Mitchell’s writing style very solid, as was the plot development. Her characters were all strong and dynamic and I particularly liked the way she made them believable and likeable. Also very commendable was her gift for revealing the subtleties of their personalities and relationships.

The plot itself was extremely engrossing and intriguing and I didn’t want to put down my e-reader once I had started reading this. It had me enthralled until the very fulfilling and fabulous conclusion.

This book was so good that I will be adding Caroline Mitchell to my list of newly discovered authors, for sure!

Packed with loads of thrilling suspense and highly emotional, this was, most definitely, a very worthwhile read.

Thanks to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer and the author, Caroline Mitchell for my complimentary copy of The Secret Child. My honest review is entirely voluntary.

When four year old Ellen goes missing from her bed, her distraught parents will do anything to get her back, so when a messenger delivers a package with four vials of liquid - one of which is poisoned; her mother is told she will get her daughter back if she takes one of them. She is unlucky & is soon fighting for her life. Another child goes missing with the same 'clues'. It would seem that these children belong to people involved with an illegal experiment on children many years ago.

DI Amy Winter is still struggling to come to terms with the story of her past. Discovering she is the child of the notorious 'Beasts of Brentwood' child killers haunts her, making her all the more determined to bring evil doers to justice. This case will need all her skills so that these children find their ways safely home.

This is the second in the series. I loved the first one & there is always the worry that the second won't live up to first. I needn't have worried. This was every bit as gripping. The characters are well written and believable. I can't wait for book 3! Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book.

This is the second book in the DO Any Winter series, I haven't read the first (but will be!) so occurred I didn't know anything about Any and her past. There was enough of an explanation for this not to be an issue however.
Little Ellen is kidnapped from her wealthy parents, but why didnt they report her missing sooner? And what are they not telling the police?
As the story unfolds, there is a comparison between the kidnapper, his family story and Amy's background which is cleverly written.
Another child goes missing and the links start to become clearer. Can Any and her stranger to the bottom of things before time runs out for the children?
Really enjoyed this book and looking forward to the next one.

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I finished this book a few weeks ago but completely forgot to review it at the time. But even now i still remember how engrossing and face paced it was. Caroline Mitchell is fast becoming one of my favourite authors because of her work like this.

The Secret Child by Caroline Mitchell follows DI Amy Winters in her second outing.

After four year old Ellen goes missing from her home, her distraught parents are desperate to get her back and willing to do anything. When they receive a package with four vials of liquid - one of which is poisoned - and a note saying the mother will get Ellen back if she drinks one of them, she goes right ahead. She is unlucky and ends up fighting for her life. Another child then goes missing, and the family s faced with the same clues. What links them? And how will they get these children back to their homes?

This book is the second in the series. I would recommend reading the first as there were a lot of things I felt like I'd missing by starting with book 2. I think If had read the first, I would have preferred this. It was an exciting and intriguing idea and I think I will try the first book to gain more from the series.

I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Woah let me just tell you go and buy the book! I’ve akready gone and bought the 1st in the series (this is the 2nd) and I’m halfway through it...

Excellent author and book, 2 children have been taken from their home and have been taken and the kidnapper will only talk to DCI Amy Winters, both sets of parents seem to have secrets and don’t want them getting out, and so your not quite sure who to trust and what they’ve got to hide or why anyone would want to take their kids, is there a link between them?

DCI Amy Winters is fab and a brilliant character, you really end up rooting for her, she’s had a terrible time recently losing her Dad and finding out she was adopted (can’t say more than that) and so you really get to know her well in this book and I loved her!

It’s shaping up to be a fantastic series!! Buy it...!

Really enjoyed this fast paced thriller... excellent characters and writing from start to finish... I look forward to the next book already to follow Amy's story! A must read !

The Secret Child by Caroline Mitchell has a storyline based in the past about experiments using children for drug trials, which were not authorised. Dr Curtis, was responsible for carrying out these experiments and became a wealthy, successful married man, until his four year old daughter is kidnapped and the revenge begins.
It is up to D.I. Winters with the help of her team to find Ellen and then Jody, will she manage in time or will the children die? The storyline is thought provoking and you emphasise with the person who has kidnapped the children but you also know that both children are innocent, it is the parents who were to blame.
Recommended.

*thank you to Netgalley, Thomas & Mercer and the author for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

3 stars.

This was good and I did enjoy it for the most part. I was not so fussed with the main character, D.I Winters. Yeah she wasn't so bad as a character but I didn't feel that connected with her. Still I enjoyed her enough to be able to quite like this book. It is the second in the series and I haven't read book 1 yet and I can't help but wonder if this is one of those series that you do need to read the first to be able to fully get the most out of this. 

The whole way through it kept my interest. I did enjoy reading the chapters that were about Luka's past and I did keep wondering how the story was going to turn out. The twist in this was not expected so I'm glad about that. It shows to me that this was well written. I will be looking out for the next book in this series. The ending, which I won't go into details of, has spiked my interest to see how this new change will play out. I would recommend this.

Really enjoyed this book. Had read the first Amy Winters novel so was excited to read this one and it doesn't disappoint. Looking forward to reading more in the series.

The story starts when a child is abducted and our DI is called to action. Her actions are influenced by her desire to "make up" for the crimes of her parents. The kidnapper believes their story will only be answered by punishing the parents of these children.
A well written story that works back and forth in time to build the tension and explain the actions of the main characters. Caroline Mitchell made her characters brave but flawed as most humans are. She keeps the mystery yet gives us enough clues to almost anticipate the ending...notice I said almost. As the second book in a series, the central characters are becoming more developed. let's see where she takes them next.

I loved meeting Amy Winter in Truth and Lies, what an opener for a new series!! How could The Secret Child follow such a fab book? With a seriously sinister opening of the kidnap of a child – that how, and that feeling did not disappear as the book went on. I was hooked from the start, keen to read on.

Not only is there a creepy kidnapping lunatic on the loose but Amy’s personal life come crashing into the limelight. Her ex Adam returns to her life and what a sleaze bag; he gives Italians a bad name! The lengths he won’t go!! Shocking! Amy is so better off without him by her side!

Now then Luka – is he who he says he is? I wasn’t so sure. I thought he was a delusional psychopath but then there were the horrifying flashbacks to his childhood and the clinic. Bejeezus….those #poorpoorchildren. All in the name of science and research, the experiments push the child to the limit and no wonder Luka turns out as he did.

The Secret Child is a dark crime thriller with a twist in its tale. This is a prime example of why I love Caroline Mitchell’s writing! I hope there is more to come from Amy Winter!

I love Caroline Mitchell books and this second book in the Amy Winter series is a real page turner and I cannot wait for the next book.

It was fast paced and thoroughly engaging, a four year old goes missing from her home and they receive a package with 4 vials of liquid - one of which is poisoned - and a note saying they will get the child back if they drink one of the vials.

I would recommend reading the first in the series before this one

I think I liked this book even more than the first in the series. The premise that DI Winter is the daughter of a serial killer was still present, but as more of a side story. Winter is dealing with the after effects from the events in the first book while working on a psychological case. I love the involvement of a questionable psychological study. I found that very interesting. Great read! Looking forward to continuing the series.

A well respected doctors 4 year old daughter is kidnapped, and due to the high profile Amy Winter and her team are given the case. But why did her family wait to report her missing? And why are they so fearful of a boy who died in a fire years ago. Amy soon realises the doctor isn't all be seems and that he's about to learn something she already knows - the past will always catch up with you.

Part two of the Amy Winter series, the first was a blinder and this doesn't disappoint. The plot is pacy and well constructed, as always a highly enjoyable read from Caroline Mitchell.

3.5 stars.

It was great to get back into DI Amy Winter’s life! I love her character and immediately reconnected with her in this book. She is a strong yet vulnerable character whose take charge personality had me rooting for her team to solve their case.

The main case itself was interesting but lacked the tension and build up I felt in the first book in the series. I was invested, but not gripped by the story. Having Amy face her serial killer mother in jail was a brilliant addition to the novel that I wish would have had a stronger focus throughout.

Overall, this was an entertaining and enjoyable book. I love Amy’s character and look forward to what may come next.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.

I really enjoyed Truth and Lies the first book in the DI Amy Winter series and I was fascinated with the storyline here with our main character DI Amy's background. The baggage she carries is different from most characters with secrets from the past. Lilly was one fascinating character, and I was excited to see more of that dynamics here in The Secret Child. The story here in this one focuses more on the crime and it's a disturbing one but didn't really take off for me. It starts off as a cat and mouse game and I love a good one but then turned more into a wild goose chase. I also wanted more with Amy and Lilly and was disappointed I didn't see the dynamics between them as I did in the first one.

I love Amy and she is an interesting character and I liked her drive, compassion and strength she has for the victims here in the story. When her pasts catches up to her I loved how her drive kept her focused on what she needed too. The dynamics between her and her team are interesting and I enjoyed that.

Overall I enjoyed this one and look forward to future books in this series

I shared this reading experience with my reading sister Lindsay!

DI Amy Winter is at it again....a child has gone missing and she has to find her before it is too late. This is a terrific story, well-paced and well written. My only issue with this book is that I didn't read book one first, which I believe would have made it even more enjoyable. I love these English crime thrillers and this one does not disappoint.
#TheSecretChild #Netgalley ##AmazonPublishingUK

Four year old Ellen Curtis is kidnapped from her home in the middle of the night. Her mother Nicole receives a parcel with four vials. One contains poison, the others are harmless, to get her daughter back all she has to do is pick one.

DI Amy Winter gets assigned to the case but feel like she’s getting blocked at every turn. A second child goes missing and they’re still no closer to finding the elusive kidnapper when suddenly, she finds herself as front page news, her history and serial killer mother displayed for all to see. Can Amy put her feelings aside and find the kidnapper?

The Secret Child is a fast paced, tension packed mystery that once you pick it up, it’s hard to put down again.
So this book is the second in the series, I would highly recommend that you read the first just so you don’t miss out on any of the story and it happens to be a really good book too.

I really enjoyed the cat and mouse game that the kidnapper plays with Amy and her team through the novel, it really kept me on my toes. It’s been awhile since I’ve read a book that really keeps up the tension throughout like The Secret Child did.

I still love the character of Amy too. We get to see more of how the bombshell of being the daughter of serial killers affects her self esteem and how she’s trying to balance it within herself, really adding to the realism of the character.

I have to be honest, I think it suffered slightly from second book syndrome, not quite living up to the first story wise. I also did sort of figure out how the ending would play out a little earlier than I would have liked but that didn’t spoil my overall enjoyment of the book.

The Secret Child is an addictive police procedural that left me eagerly awaiting the next in the series.

I really loved this book! I had requested it without being aware that it was part of a series but I enjoyed it so much that I full well intend on catching up.

Amy is the kind of heroine that I adore. Strong willed yet compassionate. A woman that isn’t afraid to speak her mind. She’s the best.

Great to catch up with Amy again and this case is a riveting one. Tense and gripping. I raced through it! Can't wait for the next one.

Absolutely enjoyed from start to finish, u didn't want the book to end. Highly recommended, if you like books that keep you guessing and on the edge of your seat.

THE SECRET CHILD is the second book in a new series by bestselling author Caroline Mitchell, a police procedural, featuring DI Amy Winter, the daughter of a serial killer.

The books in the DI Amy Winter Series include:
Truth and Lies (Book 1)
The Secret Child (Book 2)
Left For Dead (Book 3)

DI Amy Winter knows evil. She’s lived through it.

In the second novel of the series, DI Amy Winter is recovering from the revelations that she discovered in the first book, Truth and Lies. As everything is explained fully in this novel, it can be read as a standalone, but I recommend that you take advantage and read the novels in sequence to get a full appreciation of the storyline.

Now DI Amy Winter is assigned a case involving a kidnapping, murder and arson case when four-year-old Ellen is snatched from her bed and the home is set on fire and her mother, Nicole, subsequently is murdered. The kidnapper claims to be Luka Volkov, a child prodigy of Ellen’s father who came from Russia to participate in a special study for children just like Luka.

But Luka is supposed to be dead, the victim of a tragic fire many years before. When a second child is taken, DI Winter is forced to call upon all of her resources in order to solve this complex case.

A race against time…but to rescue the children, will Amy resort to get help from the one person from her past that caused her childhood trauma?

Another fast-paced thriller that is sure to please. On to book three.

This made me go and seek out the author's previous Amy Winter books, and I was pleased to see them on Kindle Unlimited.
I enjoyed the novel, a sinister premise which had plenty of suspense. Well developed characters meant that there was a pleasing depth to the story.

I really loved this book in a new to me author. The characters and location really and to the story. I can't wait to read the next one. This book keeps you guessing until the end.

D I winter is a kick ass officer, fearless and fierce. The story races along at pace and creates a tense and exciting game of cat and mouse! He’s supposed to be dead…. Yet he’s terrorising previous encounters.

The Secret Child is the first book I have read by this author.

In this novel, we have Ellen, a four-year-old who has been snatched by a stranger. It's a riveting and engrossing thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

This is book #2 in the DI Amy Winter series.

I read book #1 (Truth and Lies) a while back and had loved the book but had completely forgotten about this series until I started reading this one. I was like “wait a minute – the detective’s name rings a bell!” and then I realized I was reading the next book in the series. It was a good surprise! I was then very excited to dig in!

This book was pretty good! It digs more into Amy’s past, since she is the daughter of a serial killer, she is constantly questioning the age-old question between nature versus nurture. I love her character so I will definitely keep reading this series, maybe I just won’t wait three years in between reading the books.

I would consider this a medium pace police procedural. There was action, but it was mostly digging in the kidnapper’s past in order to gain an understanding of why he’s doing what he’s doing. Due to this, the book goes back and forth between past and present.

The ending was quite a surprise, I actually hadn’t really predicted how the ending would unfold. It was a decent book; this series is very highly rated on Goodreads. I recommend starting at book #1 and then devouring the next three books afterwards!

Omg......... this book was amazing I flew threw the pages with Olympic speed I was hooked from the very first page. I found it full of twists and turns threw out and it kept me on the edge of my seat all the way threw  I would defiantly recommend this book if you like a good book to keep you reading threw the night hopefully you enjoy it as much as I did

Four year old Ellen is taken from her bed by a stranger in the middle of the night, when her mother Nicole receives a package containing four phials, one of them supposedly poisonous with a note telling her to choose a phial to drink in exchange for information of where her daughter is being kept captive, she knows the nightmare of what her husband did in the past, is about to become a reality. The kidnapper claims to be Luka Volkov, but Luka is assumed dead, killed in a tragic fire with his mother many years ago, or is he? Could he have survived the fire and is back to exact revenge on those who wronged him?
DI Amy Winter and her team are brought in to investigate the case and, having suffered trauma as a child herself, she is determined to bring Ellen home and for it to be a happy ending for the Curtis family, but Luka is not going to make it easy for her and when another child disappears she knows they are in a race against time to save these children.
This is the second in this series and is just as tense and nailbiting as the first. Once again the story alternates between past and present and kept me guessing all the way through, it's packed full of twists and Lillian, Amy's sadistic birth mother is always there lurking in the background ready to cause more problems for her daughter. I was hooked from beginning to end with this one and the ending leaves it open perfectly for another book in this incredible series. Bring it on Mrs Mitchell!! I highly recommend that you read these books in order to get a true understanding of the characters and their backgrounds.