Murder, kidnap, torture — not words usually associated with Britain’s beautiful New Forest National Park.
When local author Grant Mason has a heart attack, he makes a dying wish: he wants his loyal assistant to burn his beautiful house down.
WHY DID HE MAKE SUCH A BIZARRE DEATH BED WISH?
Meanwhile, Detective Jeff Temple is hunting for a young couple who disappeared in the forest.
THE POLICE LAUNCH A MASSIVE MANHUNT FOR THE UNFORTUNATE PAIR
DCI Jeff Temple and his Major Investigations Team take on their most disturbing case yet, and in the process they uncover vicious depravity and horror that was meant to lie hidden forever.
WHAT IS BURIED IN THE FOREST?
This is the fourth book by James Raven in the hugely successful DCI Jeff Temple series.
FULL OF TWISTS AND TURNS
Perfect for fans of D.S Butler, Angela Marsons, Kimberley Chambers, Patricia Gibney or Mark Billingham
DCI Jeff Temple heads up Hampshire’s Major Investigations Team based in Southampton. He’s a no-nonsense copper who relishes the challenges presented by the most brutal and high-profile cases. But at the same time he’s still struggling to get his personal life back on track following the tragic death of his beloved wife. Things are looking up, but it’s an uphill struggle.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT DYING WISH
“Read it in two sittings as I couldn’t put it down, great read!” Steve
“Such an addictive read – highly recommended” Suzan
“I was totally blown away by the twist that the author spectacularly throws in towards the end.” Sarah
“This one kept me on the edge of my seat” Books and Ladders.
THE BEST-SELLING DCI JEFF TEMPLE SERIES Book 1: Rollover Book 2: Urban Myth Book 3: Random Targets Book 4: Dying Wish
Today is my turn on the Blog Tour for this absolutely stunning new release by Janice Frost. Although it is book 6 in the series it will work perfectly as stand-alone. All I can say is WOW what a brilliant book this is.
CAN MERRY AND NEAL EXPOSE THE KILLER WHEN NO ONE IS WHO THEY SEEM?
TWO BRUTAL SLAYINGS AT A BARN DANCE
Detective Ava Merry goes to a forties-themed dance at Northfields Farm on Valentine’s Day.
A young couple, Nick and Samantha are found murdered.
Nick is found in a wartime ambulance with and Sam is found stabbed multiple times in the glamping tent they were staying in.
DS Ava Merry is confronted by a man fleeing the tent. Who is he and is he really innocent?
SECRETS THAT SOMEONE WILL KILL TO KEEP
Then another frenzied murder ups the stakes still further.
Can DS Ava Merry and DI Jim Neal expose the killer?
Great for fans of Angela Marsons, Rachel Abbott, Ruth Rendell, or Mark Billingham.
PRAISE FOR JANICE FROST “A very good storyline with so much happening in the family to keep the reader engrossed.” Viv
“Really enjoyable read.” Nerys
“Good entertaining read, with heart in the mouth moments.” Carole
“A fast-paced mystery with plenty of suspects.” Barbara
“I just had to keep reading to see what was going to happen next.” Dawn
THE DETECTIVES DS Ava Merry is a young policewoman, recently promoted to detective sergeant. She is fitness fanatic with a taste for dangerous relationships. DI Jim Neal is single dad who juggles his devotion to his job with caring for his son.
DS MERRY & DI NEAL SERIES Book 1: DEAD SECRET Book 2: DARK SECRET Book 3: HER HUSBAND’S SECRET Book 4: THEIR FATAL SECRETS Book 5: DIRTY SECRETS Book 6: MURDEROUS SECRETS
Ava and PJ go to a
Barn Dance at a remote retreat. Everyone
is having a great time. Ava goes outside
for some fresh air and spots some lads messing about she moves closer to investigate
expecting nothing more that to have to reprimand the boys for drinking or
smoking. What they discover in the barn
will haunt all of them for some time to come.
And that is not the worst crime scene.
As the investigation
begins the team are wading through treacle tying to uncover the secrets that
everyone seems to be hiding but do these secrets have anything to do with the
murders? That is the question everyone would
like answers to.
It is an intriguing
story with a lot of twists and turns and events from the past impacting on the
future the team has its work cut out unravelling the lies and secrets.
This is book 6 in
the ‘Secrets’ series but it does work very well as stand alone. The author makes a first class job of filling
in the blanks without it being repetitive for the readers who have read the
back list.
Jim Neal is a single
parent but has had help from his sister in caring for his young son but Maggie
has got married and is now on honeymoon in Australia. Handling a complex double murder while
juggling parental commitments and handling the day to day chores that Maggie
used to do is putting him under a lot of pressure with nobody to lean on. He is a private person but an excellent
detective and a caring boss to his dedicated team.
Ava Merry is looking
after her younger brother so can relate to the problems Neal is facing. She is falling for her boss which is making
things complicated and struggling with her emotions while trying to work her way
through the case is putting her under a lot of pressure.
As the story
progresses we find several likely suspects each with their own axe to grind and
I can honestly say I didn’t have a clue who the murderer was until the very
end.
I love Janice Frost’s book but she has really hit the ball out of the park with this one. Adrenaline pumping suspense, intrigue and red herrings are all interwoven with the nitty gritty of detective work. This is one of the best books I have read for a long time and well worth the 5 stars.
Janice Frost author bio
Janice was born and grew up in West
Lothian, Scotland. After completing an English degree at St Andrew’s
University, she moved to London where she lived for ten years doing an
assortment of jobs. Her passions are reading, writing and walking in
Scotland and the Lake District. She lives in Lincolnshire with her
husband and two sons.
