Left for Dead

Left for Dead by Caroline Mitchell
A DI Amy Winter Thriller #3

DI Amy Winter was raised in a house of horrors and her memory of those days have followed her into her job as a Detective Inspector of murder cases. I am sure that more of her past was mentioned in the first two books of the series. Not having read those books did not impede my enjoyment of this book but it did make me wonder what I had missed.

The story begins is predominantly the finding of a serial killer but also has the understory of what is happening with Amy’s murderous mother and her attempt to get out of jail. Will they find the one fiend and stop the murders AND will the fiendish killer mother stay in jail or get out?

What I liked:
* Amy: a bit of a wild card and show more maverick that doesn’t play by the rules with the instincts that set her apart in sussing out murderers. She is good with her team and might have a bit of romance coming her way.
* Donovan: I think I like him though he seems a bit weak to be in charge and rein Amy in. Still, do like him and want to get to know him better
* The plotting, pace and writing of the story
* Police procedural aspects
* Knowing who the murderer is but finding out how the police find out
* That the victims were not “weak”
* That the protector of the Sugar Babes seemed to have the women’s interest at heart
* That evil did not win…at least not entirely
* Being left wondering what will happen next

What I did not like:
* The serial killer: amoral and rotten to the core – could have been so much better than he actually was
* Lillian: Amy’s mother was evil through and through – really wonder what she will get up to next
* Being reminded that evil people really do exist in this world and some are no doubt worse than the ones in this book.

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series/by this author? Definitely

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4.5 Stars show less

Thank You to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for this ARC!!

Shopping with her sister, DI Amy Winter is admiring a Valentine’s Day window display of a perfect bride encrusted in diamonds and resplendent in lace—until she notices blood oozing from the mannequin’s mouth.

A post-mortem reveals the victim was left to die on her macabre throne for all to see with a heart carved in her chest. When a second victim is found, it emerges that both women were ‘Sugar Babes’ arranging dates with older men online—and Amy finds herself hunting an accomplished psychopath known as "The Love Heart Killer" .

This is my first book in the DI Amy Winter series and I wonder why on earth didn't I ever read this series before!! I really enjoyed this show more book and it kept me hooked right till the end. The killer is revealed in the beginning itself but the way he operates gives you the creeps. There are so many twists and turns that you don't see coming. Overall an amazing mystery. Highly recommended!! show less

Left For Dead by Caroline Mitchell is a British murder mystery and police procedural and the third entry in the DI Amy Winter series. The lead character is a dedicated and strong-willed police detective whose past interferes with her work and personal life. In a store window a mannequin in a bridal gown turns out to be the corpse of a young woman. She was posed there in lace and diamonds while she bled to death. Soon another young woman is attacked and left for dead, posed again. The hunt is on for a serial killer who preys on women who are Sugar Babes from a website promoting sex for hire. Having not read the two previous novels, I found it difficult to keep track of Amy’s life. I also found the storyline to be somewhat unrealistic. show more I stayed with the book till the end but I admit it was a long read for me. This is only my opinion and I am sure that most people enjoyed Left For Dead. Thank you to Amazon Publishing UK and Net Galley for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. show less

3.7 rating