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syren1532's review
4.0
A young woman is found dead in a Samford car park. Now that Natalie Ward is a DCI her protege DI Lucy Carmichael will head the investigating team - her first major case since her promotion. The victim was Amelia, a runaway from Nottingham. It’s clear she’s been working on the streets. The only lead the team have is the name Tommy - possibly her pimp. Then another young woman is found dead - another of Tommy’s girls. Is Tommy killing his girls or is someone killing off sex workers? The identity of the next victim throws the investigation into chaos - is it the same killer or does Samford have two killers on the loose?
A brilliant book right from the start. Love this series by Carol Wyer.
Thanks to Netgalley, Bookouture and Carol Wyer for the ARC of this book in return for an honest review.
A brilliant book right from the start. Love this series by Carol Wyer.
Thanks to Netgalley, Bookouture and Carol Wyer for the ARC of this book in return for an honest review.
jecarson's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
robinlovesreading's review
5.0
Natalie Ward's life has had a lot of changes, including a tragedy that causes her grief and pain more often than not. She has been promoted to DCI and has moved in with Mike Sullivan, who his head of Forensics. Though she might spend more time behind her desk, when she gets a call about the body of a teenage girl being found, she immediately goes to the scene.
Oh how this reminds her of her daughter Leigh...but, no, she cannot think of Leigh at this time, she must begin looking for any clues that will lead to the killer. As per usual, the family of a murdered victim is always questioned, and so when Natalie talks to the girl's father, she begins to see that the pain of the girl's death goes even deeper when it is quickly discovered where the girl had been living and the activities that she was involved in, which no doubt led to her murder.
When another girl is found murdered, Natalie and her team immediately see an undeniable connection. But then another woman is found murdered, and the MO is different. Meanwhile, Lucy Carmichael has also been promoted and she is Natalie's DI, and plays a huge role in helping to solve the murders.
Throughout this engaging story by Carol Wyer, readers are given interest to Natalie's private life, including her relationship with Mark, while trying to get close to his daughter, Natalie's teenage son Josh and also how she feels about her promotion. In addition, there is another hidden element to Natalie's life that has become revealed, and no doubt readers will see more of that in the next book in the series. Again, this is another thrilling book in the DI Natalie Ward series. Book 8 cannot come soon enough!
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
Oh how this reminds her of her daughter Leigh...but, no, she cannot think of Leigh at this time, she must begin looking for any clues that will lead to the killer. As per usual, the family of a murdered victim is always questioned, and so when Natalie talks to the girl's father, she begins to see that the pain of the girl's death goes even deeper when it is quickly discovered where the girl had been living and the activities that she was involved in, which no doubt led to her murder.
When another girl is found murdered, Natalie and her team immediately see an undeniable connection. But then another woman is found murdered, and the MO is different. Meanwhile, Lucy Carmichael has also been promoted and she is Natalie's DI, and plays a huge role in helping to solve the murders.
Throughout this engaging story by Carol Wyer, readers are given interest to Natalie's private life, including her relationship with Mark, while trying to get close to his daughter, Natalie's teenage son Josh and also how she feels about her promotion. In addition, there is another hidden element to Natalie's life that has become revealed, and no doubt readers will see more of that in the next book in the series. Again, this is another thrilling book in the DI Natalie Ward series. Book 8 cannot come soon enough!
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
bantambookworm's review
5.0
I am a massive fan of the Natalie Ward series and Somebody's Daughter could well be the best book yet! Following on from the events of The Secret Admirer, we see that the team has undergone a slight reshuffle. I enjoyed seeing how Natalie, Lucy and Murray reacted to the new team dynamic and how they got along with the newer members of the team. There is a lot of potential in this team and I look forward to finding out more about them.
Somebody's Daughter is darker than its predecessors and. Wyer has tackled some interesting subjects such as prostitution L, rape and drug use. It made uncomfortable reading at times but the topics are handled with sensitivity as Wyer reminds us, as the title suggests, that the victims are always somebody's daughter, no matter what they have done or what their circumstances may be.
The investigation takes some time to get off the ground, but this gives Wyer the time to let the reader know a little more about the people involved. I appreciate this approach as it helps me to think about what may have motivated the killer and who the killer may be. The slow burning plot doesn't last forever though, as towards the end of the novel, there is a definite sense of tension and danger and I was on the edge of my seat!
In Somebody's Daughter, Wyer begins to answer some of the long held questions of this series and there is definitely more to come out of these revelations. I look forward to seeing what happens next!
Somebody's Daughter is darker than its predecessors and. Wyer has tackled some interesting subjects such as prostitution L, rape and drug use. It made uncomfortable reading at times but the topics are handled with sensitivity as Wyer reminds us, as the title suggests, that the victims are always somebody's daughter, no matter what they have done or what their circumstances may be.
The investigation takes some time to get off the ground, but this gives Wyer the time to let the reader know a little more about the people involved. I appreciate this approach as it helps me to think about what may have motivated the killer and who the killer may be. The slow burning plot doesn't last forever though, as towards the end of the novel, there is a definite sense of tension and danger and I was on the edge of my seat!
In Somebody's Daughter, Wyer begins to answer some of the long held questions of this series and there is definitely more to come out of these revelations. I look forward to seeing what happens next!
faysieh's review
5.0
Natalie Ward, my favourite detective, is back with the advent of book 7 in the series, Somebody’s Daughter. Newly promoted to Detective Chief Inspector Natalie has Lucy Carmichael to head up the elite team operating out of new premises in Samford, Holborn House.
And the pressure is on to prove to the community and the local media that they can get the results.
Wondering how much of a back seat Natalie was going to take, I was pleased to discover that her presence is still a vital force in an investigation that turns out to have a lot of murder in it! Whilst she has every faith in her newly formed squad of detectives, especially Lucy who has risen from the rank of detective sergeant to detective inspector, Natalie’s skills guide all that happens, and we get to learn even more about this fabulous woman behind the police facade, one who has many changes to embrace, still grieving Leigh’s death and the break up of her marriage to David.
It is an action packed crime thriller which moves at a deadly pace, with a complex plot that touches upon the heart of humanity. There are parts that are hard to read because the reality is distressing, brutal, cruel and unforgiving but always necessary to help the reader empathise with the characters.
Carol is a master at creating characters who are often unpleasant and even vile, but who are so vivid and believable that you can’t help but understand, on some level, the trauma and history that makes them who they are. There is a clear distinction between good and bad in this novel, in that the police officers working round the clock to catch a violent and disturbed killer are on the right side of Good, and the victims and suspects are firmly on the other side of the divide; they are Bad.
As always I enjoyed reading about the personal lives of the team, with old favourites and new additions. Lucy is doubting her abilities in her professional role and at home, and someone in Holborn House is talking to journalist Bev Gardner which could threaten the case.
Tense, twisty, and heart pumpingly good, Somebody’s Daughter is trademark Carol Wyer with an added boost of terrifying, taking the novel to the next level in shocking. I was hooked from the beginning to the end. No need to read the blurb, just get the book because I can promise you a thrilling and exciting journey into infidelity, prostitution, danger and death.
It should never have taken until book seven, but after reading this I am going to have to officially declare The Natalie Ward Appreciation Society now open by me, founding member, SuperFan Fay!
And the pressure is on to prove to the community and the local media that they can get the results.
Wondering how much of a back seat Natalie was going to take, I was pleased to discover that her presence is still a vital force in an investigation that turns out to have a lot of murder in it! Whilst she has every faith in her newly formed squad of detectives, especially Lucy who has risen from the rank of detective sergeant to detective inspector, Natalie’s skills guide all that happens, and we get to learn even more about this fabulous woman behind the police facade, one who has many changes to embrace, still grieving Leigh’s death and the break up of her marriage to David.
It is an action packed crime thriller which moves at a deadly pace, with a complex plot that touches upon the heart of humanity. There are parts that are hard to read because the reality is distressing, brutal, cruel and unforgiving but always necessary to help the reader empathise with the characters.
Carol is a master at creating characters who are often unpleasant and even vile, but who are so vivid and believable that you can’t help but understand, on some level, the trauma and history that makes them who they are. There is a clear distinction between good and bad in this novel, in that the police officers working round the clock to catch a violent and disturbed killer are on the right side of Good, and the victims and suspects are firmly on the other side of the divide; they are Bad.
As always I enjoyed reading about the personal lives of the team, with old favourites and new additions. Lucy is doubting her abilities in her professional role and at home, and someone in Holborn House is talking to journalist Bev Gardner which could threaten the case.
Tense, twisty, and heart pumpingly good, Somebody’s Daughter is trademark Carol Wyer with an added boost of terrifying, taking the novel to the next level in shocking. I was hooked from the beginning to the end. No need to read the blurb, just get the book because I can promise you a thrilling and exciting journey into infidelity, prostitution, danger and death.
It should never have taken until book seven, but after reading this I am going to have to officially declare The Natalie Ward Appreciation Society now open by me, founding member, SuperFan Fay!
alikena's review
4.0
I was pulled into this book from the first page and could not put it down. It is a fast-paced race to catch a killer and I was along for the ride. This is the first book in the “Natalie Ward” detective series I’ve read from Carol Wyer, and I did not feel lost, or like I was missing information. I will however be going back to read the previous books in the series, because this one left me yearning for more.
Natalie Ward and her team are on the search for a killer. Natalie is struggling in her new role and want to get back to the streets. She has faith in her team, and that never falters. She backs them up when needed and is there to lend a helping hand. Partly because she loves her work, and partly because she is avoiding going home. This is the first case to come into the new super crime units’ grips and they are all eager to bring in the killer. Especially when more murders arise.
Lucy is second guessing herself after her promotion. She knows she can do it, yet she is met with dead ends and little to work with. There is a mole on the team leaking news to the press and she has the big wigs breathing down her neck to solve this case quickly. There is little to connect the victims. Can her team catch the killer before more bodies turn up?
Thank you to the author, Carol Wyer, publisher Bookouture, and Netgalley, for providing me with the ARC copy in exchange for my honest written review.
Natalie Ward and her team are on the search for a killer. Natalie is struggling in her new role and want to get back to the streets. She has faith in her team, and that never falters. She backs them up when needed and is there to lend a helping hand. Partly because she loves her work, and partly because she is avoiding going home. This is the first case to come into the new super crime units’ grips and they are all eager to bring in the killer. Especially when more murders arise.
Lucy is second guessing herself after her promotion. She knows she can do it, yet she is met with dead ends and little to work with. There is a mole on the team leaking news to the press and she has the big wigs breathing down her neck to solve this case quickly. There is little to connect the victims. Can her team catch the killer before more bodies turn up?
Thank you to the author, Carol Wyer, publisher Bookouture, and Netgalley, for providing me with the ARC copy in exchange for my honest written review.
charlottesomewhere's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
Another brilliant book from Carol. I loved the developments in Natalie's personal life and seeing how the promotions had affected the team. The crime storyline had me guessing all the way through. Loved it.
elvang's review
4.0
Somebody’s Daughter is the seventh book in Carol Wyer’s Natalie Ward series and the first one I have read. I’m a big fan of Wyer’s DI Robyn Carter police procedurals and am grateful to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this Natalie Ward novel. I would highly recommend starting the series from the beginning as there are potential spoilers from previous books in this novel.
DCI Natalie Ward is overseeing the team now led by newly promoted DI Lucy Carmichael. It’s clear that not all members of the team are happy with this promotion but they must put aside their differences when one murder investigation becomes two then three in three days. The pressure is on for this new crime fighting unit to perform. As the body count climbs, Lucy faces pressure from her supervisor along with a team member leaking information to the press. This is a complex case involving runaway teens caught up in prostitution and a young wealthy woman found dead with “guilty” written on her forehead. Is there one killer or two? Are the multiple murders connected somehow or is it a coincidence that all have been strangled?
I enjoyed this dark and challenging investigation and found this book difficult to put down. I liked how Natalie’s past impacts her view of the cases to be solved and will be picking up The Birthday, book one in the series. Lucy doubts her skills and does make some rookie leadership mistakes. I’m sure she will find her feet as the series continues.
DCI Natalie Ward is overseeing the team now led by newly promoted DI Lucy Carmichael. It’s clear that not all members of the team are happy with this promotion but they must put aside their differences when one murder investigation becomes two then three in three days. The pressure is on for this new crime fighting unit to perform. As the body count climbs, Lucy faces pressure from her supervisor along with a team member leaking information to the press. This is a complex case involving runaway teens caught up in prostitution and a young wealthy woman found dead with “guilty” written on her forehead. Is there one killer or two? Are the multiple murders connected somehow or is it a coincidence that all have been strangled?
I enjoyed this dark and challenging investigation and found this book difficult to put down. I liked how Natalie’s past impacts her view of the cases to be solved and will be picking up The Birthday, book one in the series. Lucy doubts her skills and does make some rookie leadership mistakes. I’m sure she will find her feet as the series continues.
rogue_raven's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This has been a solid series. Solid writing, solid stories, solid characters. I'm not sure if the end is here.. I mean, it could end here but I hope there's another couple to close things out with Natalie and the others properly. Wyer has become a popular author with me