3.5 out of 5 Stars

Thank you to Joffe Books and Books n All for involving me with this tour!

Synopsis

Looking for a gripping crime thriller which you won’t want to put down?

DISCOVER THE NEW MYSTERY FROM BEST-SELLING AUTHOR JANICE FROST

Businessman Russell Marsh is found shot dead in his home. Russell’s ‘angel investment’ company had made him many enemies. His business was struggling and his family and friends were not all on his side. But did any of them really want him dead?

DI Jim Neal and DS Ava Merry are called in to investigate a very complex murder.

Then another body is found in the woods and the case gets much murkier.

There are some very dirty secrets hidden behind the seemingly happy lives of the families involved.

And the trail will lead them into a dangerous world of crime.

Great for fans of Angela Marsons, Rachel Abbott, Ruth Rendell, or Mark Billingham.

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

My Thoughts

We all want to know how the other half lives.. Well, unless you are the other half, in which case, lucky you. 😉

This is a story of two upper class families who both have their “dirty secrets”. After the patriarch of one of the families is found shot (is it murder? Or is it suicide?) the investigation begins, and no one is safe. Murder, drugs, abuse, money laundering… It’s all fair game!

The story is definitely slower paced and the conclusion was fairly obvious, but it was the writing kept me interested, and not every story needs a shocking twist! Everything is tied up nicely and the progression is quick enough to keep you interested.

Beyond the actual murder mystery, I found myself more invested in the lives and relationships of the investigators involved. I was worried going into this one, as it is not the first of the series, but I could easily discern the personalities and relationships of the characters without backtracking and boring recaps. Janice goes full steam ahead hinting at possible relationships blooming while other’s fall apart. I’d really love to continue the series to find out what happens next with Neal, Ava, PJ, and Tom!

The Author

JANICE FROST

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.

Dirty Secrets is Best Served with

a Dirty Little Secret Cocktail

I found this one over at The Nest! What a perfect pairing!

Ingredients:

• 5 z Olive Brine
• 1 oz Dry Vermouth
• 2 oz Vodka
• 2 dashes Celery Bitters
• Less than the back of a bar spoon of A.1. Steak Sauce

Directions

1. Combine all of the ingredients in a tin shaker and shake to combine.
2. Strain into a martini glass and garnish with olives.
3. CHEERS!!