The Secret Voices

I really enjoyed this book, it was well written with a punchy and engahing storyline and well developed characters that I didn't know whether to trust or not. It was gripping, full of twists and unpredictability that had me guessing until the end. I couldn't put it down.

Wow! What a fantastic story. I was intrigued by the description of this book and it certainly delivered! I read it in a day, just couldn’t put it down. A really great start to a new series, already looking forward to the next book.

I’ve read many books by this author under the name that we usually know and love her by (Miranda Dickinson, for those that aren’t in the know!). I love her books, so was keen to see how her first venture into the crime/thriller genre worked out! We get to meet Dr Cora Lael, a psychologist with an ability to pick up on emotions, feelings and even voices on discarded items which people have touched. Cora’s skills are mind-blowing and, like some of the characters in the book, I treaded carefully as an open-minded sceptic to all things “kooky”! I needn’t have worried though as I was completely won round by the author’s fantastic explanations of how Cora’s condition worked and how it could be used in the investigation of missing child, Hannah Perry.

The story is told from various perspectives throughout, although mainly from Hannah, Cora and Acting DS Rob Minshull. Minshull, like Cora, is a great character and whilst at the beginning he seemed a bit moody and didn’t appear to have a good connection with his team, as the book and investigation moved on his character grew and I really liked him. The investigation is a tricky one, with startling similarities to a case of a missing boy several years before, but the difference this time is that they now have Dr Cora Lael who brings a whole new perspective to things. The storyline cleverly twisted and turned its way through the investigation, and by only a few chapters in I was well and truly hooked. I loved how the book focussed primarily on the investigation as opposed to what Hannah was experiencing and Hannah’s chapters were short and snappy, without revealing too many details, leaving us in suspense for longer! We aren’t given many clues as to who may be responsible for her going missing, but there are a handful of suspects which we can ponder on as the story moves on. As with all good crime books, I found myself waiting for the big reveal, confident that I had guessed correctly, only to be proved completely wrong, and I was left open mouthed as to who was behind it all.

As this author is so good at writing romantic fiction, I had no doubt at all that another genre would be a walk in the park for her! However, I wasn’t expecting it to be THIS good!! It was an excellent police procedural story with the right amount of tension and suspense throughout the book and added to it that a little bit of something different with Cora’s unique abilities. The writing was well researched, the storyline gripping, and the characters were spot on! Once started, I knew I wasn’t going to get anything done until I’d finished it, and I was right! If you think authors can only write one genre of book, then think again! This was fantastic! Would definitely recommend!

Good book! This book was a little different for me, it had a little bit of paranormal, sort of lol I usually don't really like that type of genre but it wasn't so much that it overtook the storyline! This book also has suspense, intrigue, great police work and a great storyline! It definitely had my heart pumping in a few chapters! I will definitely recommend reading this book! It was well worth reading! Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

You can trust me Hannah they said,they said she'd be safe IT'S LIES ALL LIES.
8 year old Hannah Perry goes missing in the small village of St Just,it has all the hallmarks of when a young boy disappeared 7 years ago,the search for him ended in terrible circumstances.
Acting DS.Rob Minshull is now in charge,his hoping and praying that history doesn't repeat itself.
The kidnapper is playing game's with the police sending items belonging to Hannah and cryptic messages but all the police have is dead ends.
Dr Cora Lael has a unique ability,a rare gift,she can sense emotions attached to discarded objects.She is helping the police and when given the first of Hannah's belongings she hears the girls piercing scream.
With little to go on could Cora be Hannah's only hope can she help find her before it's to late.
A really great read,gripping and full of tension.
The start of a new series that I'm looking forward to reading.
Highly recommended.
Thanks to Netgalley and Hera Books for the ARC

This is the first venture into the crime genre by the author. Cora is a psychologist with the uncanny ability to pick up on emotions from items people have touched. She is assisting the police with a missing girl and DS Minshull has his first major case to investigate. The story is told from different perspectives, Cora, Minshull and Hannah, the missing girl. It works well throughout and is well written and researched with good characterisation. A good, steady read and a promising new series. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

This was excellent and I can’t wait to get my hands on a physical copy! I will be rereading it to catch any misses! There were many twists and I loved the plot development here…truly deep and well thought out writing. I will pick up anything by this author in the future!

Truly could not put this down. Such a brilliant opening chapter and then so many twists and turns. This book is brilliant, really well written, good story which kept me interested from the beginning. Great characters which are also believable.

This book had me gripped from the moment I started reading it! The characters were relatable and believable and the chapter length was perfect for anyone who is short on reading time. I truly enjoyed this book and I'd highly recommend it to anyone! One of the best thrillers of 2022 so far. I hope to see more of Cora in the future

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book for an honest review.

The Secret Voices is a well written psychological thriller. A little girls goes missing 7 years after a boy was kidnapped and murdered in the same village. The police are desperate to find the little girl , not wanting to have a repeat of the first horrendous crime. Dr.Cora Lael has the unique ability to read emotions from discarded items and become involved in the case to help find the missing child. This is an emotional story on many levels, the downtrodden mother, the abusive step father, the police inspector not yet recovered from the loss of the first murdered child even after 7 years, the new inspector desperate to solve the crime and Dr. Lael living with constant voices in her head accused of being a charlatan. The press is out for blood. Read this book you will not be disappointed 5 stars

4.5 stars

The Secret Voices is a gripping read that draws you and has you holding your breath from the first page to the last page.

Hannah 8 years old has gone missing in the town of St.Just. This brings back to the community and the police the reminder of a another missing child that did not have a good ending.

DS. Rob Minshull is in charge .

Dr Cora Lael has a unique ability and the team is desperate to find Hannah so Cora is brought on board.

I found myself reading late into the night as I had to know what would happen to Hannah.

Twists and turns keep you guessing.

I can't wait for Book 2 in this series and I will be first in line to read it.

Thanks to NetGalley and Hera Books for an outstanding new series.