Never Look Back

Three young women are found brutally murdered, no apparent connection between them. DI Mike Lockyer is head of the Murder and Serious Crime Squad in South East London and works the case, trying to find the missing link between these women. At the same time his lead detective Jane also investigates a complaint of harassment of a woman named Sarah Grainger. She is really scared, feeling watched all the time and she’s just a shadow of the person she used to be. Of course the two cases become massively tangled.

This is the debut thriller novel by Clare Donoghue and what a brilliant debut it is. It’s well paced, well-written and suspenseful. DI Lockyer feels like a real person, he’s a great character, not perfect but very likeable. His show more lead detective Jane has potential to be explored further. There are a few twist and turns that even took me by surprise. At the end of the book there’s a teaser of her second book to be released soon and it left me wanting to read more so I look forward to following this series of Lockyer and Bennett. show less

Another book that received great reviews from on-line bloggers, but ended up being a disappointing read. I figured out who the serial killer was from the moment he was introduced in the story.
The Det Insp was supposed to be extremely sharp and clever. I found him to be neither. He's myopic when it comes to suspects, doesn't listen to what's being said to him, ignores blatant clues, begins an affair with a victim that in real circumstances would be potentially career ending.
And then there's the overused plot device where he's so focused on his job that he ignores his family. He has problems communicating both with his family and at work. These are the same emotional problems that have been used in so many other, better, novels.
I found show more this story to be too predictable and the characters too cliche and shallow. I won't run out to buy Ms. Donoghue's next book. show less

Never Look Back by Clare Donoghue is a debut novel and it’s a pretty fair start to a series (I’m sure it’s going to be a series). Detective Inspector Mike Lockyer is head of homicide on the South London police force. He’s called early one January morning because a young girl has been found murdered.

His second in command, Jane Bennett, upon Mike’s getting to the scene of the crime, tries to warn him before he looks at the body, but it’s too late. This girl bears a remarkable resemblance to his seventeen year old daughter, Megan.

Unfortunately, the bodies start to pile up.

In a separate incident, another young woman, Sarah Grainger, reports that she is being stalked. Whoever it is has intensified his silent phone calls in the show more middle of the night.

Lockyer and his team investigate both crimes. Are they related?

In a side story, Lockyer deals with his younger autistic brother, in a group home. He never knew he had a brother until his parent’s passing, five years earlier.

There’s definitely action and suspense in Never Look Back. Lockyer and Bennett are good characters. They work well together and obviously care for each other.

I said at the beginning that Never Look Back was a pretty fair first novel–which I meant in a complimentary way. But if you were to ask me what would make it a great first novel, I wouldn’t be able to answer you. While I wouldn’t mind reading a sequel, I wouldn’t run to put it on my “do not miss” list.

Let me know what you think. show less

Brilliant Debut Thriller

Never Look Back is the debut thriller novel by Clare Donoghue and what a brilliant debut as this is a book that ticks all the boxes and makes you want to know whodunit. Donoghue keeps you on your toes all the way to the end, there is no telegraphing who the prime suspect should be this is a thoroughly excellent novel.

Detective Inspector Mike Lockyer is head of the Murder and Serious Crime Squad in South East London and he has his hands full with two murders by the same perpetrator when a body is found at the side of a Tesco’s Metro that reminds him of his own daughter Megan. The perpetrator seems to be speeding up when another body appears within a shorter time frame and now it becomes a race between time to show more find the man and get him off the streets of London.

While the murder investigation is ongoing Sarah Grainger attends Lewisham Police Station to make a complaint that she is being stalked, getting stranger phone calls through the night and she feels like she is always being watched. Detective Sergeant Jane Bennett takes the complaint and gets Lockyer involved as the stalker could very well be their target the perpetrator of the murders.

Things start to spiral out of control for Lockyer when he gets involved with Sarah Grainger while her stalker case is still ongoing and his autistic brother has to be investigated when one of the victim’s ear rings appears in his brother’s room at an assisted living home. He is under pressure for results he needs to finder the murderer as he seems to be toying with the police trying to show that he is far superior to them. Time is running out will he be able to track down the killer in enough time to protect those closest to him. You do not find that answer to that question until the end of the book when he reveals who really is the killer but will he still be able to save his nearest and dearest. The only way to find out is to read the book and take the twist, the turns and psychological warfare on Lockyer, and you will not regret it.

This is a brilliant, exciting and pulsating debut novel by Clare Donoghue and I really cannot wait for her next thriller if this is anything to go by then it will be brilliant. show less

Excellent suspense read! Donoghue blends two plots, that of a murderer preying on women who have had abortions and a young woman terrorized by a stalker. DI Mike Lockyer heads the investigation into the murders, while also trying to support Sarah, who brings the police evidence that she is being stalked. Lots of surprises along the way, a very compelling journey to find a killer. Didn't care for the ending, however, a real letdown. Can't say why here, don't want to spoil it for other readers. Overall, good reading!

Very well done. I was impressed with her portrayal of the interior life of the protagonist/detective. I will be looking for future books from this author.