Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Left for Dead by Caroline Mitchell Narrator: Elizabeth Knowelden
Series: DI Amy Winter #3
Published by Brilliance Audio on July 8, 2020
Genres: Mystery
Length: 10 hours, 4 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Publisher
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible
A victim on display. A detective on the rails.
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.
I bought the first one in the series, Truth and Lies, as an Audible Daily Deal. When I saw Left for Dead available for review, I wanted to catch up. I owned the first, then the second The Secret Child I was able to listen to on Kindle Unlimited. The whole series is in KU, both ebook and audio are available.
I love a mystery, a police investigation and even more when it is in England. Amy’s early childhood was traumatic but on the surface, she was too young to remember much when she was adopted. Her new family was wonderful and she thrived. Now after her adoptive father’s death, the past comes back to bite her in a big way.
Amy has a sort of PTSD over the childhood violence and is slowly remembering pieces of things. Meeting biological siblings she didn’t remember well is difficult. Amy is a detective inspector with a lot of responsibility at work. She is smart and extremely hard-working. Unfortunately, her ex-fiance was a cheating creep. Her new DCI is someone she thought she wanted to date and now she feels betrayed when she didn’t know he was in the running to be her new boss. So Amy has a lot happening.
The case is a serial killer. He is smart and careful. He sets up someone to take the fall for him. But he wants credit and possibly more. We know from the beginning who the killer is, so the story is more about Amy and how she solves the case and deals with her life.
Amy puts herself into a tenuous position. She does take more risk than she should, because she is so determined to save the innocent. She shows some growth in this story and while her challenges will continue, she finds her balance.
I’ve really enjoyed all of the books and was thrilled to hear the author is at work on the next book, Flesh and Blood for a 2021 release.
Narration:
I have listened to this narrator once before this series. I’m comfortable with her voices and pacing. I love these on audio because of the British setting. I was able to listen at my usual 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip:
About Caroline Mitchell
Caroline originates from Ireland and now lives with her family in a pretty village on the coast of Essex. A former police detective, Caroline has worked in CID and specialised in roles dealing with vulnerable victims, high-risk victims of domestic abuse, and serious sexual offences. She now writes full time.
Set in Shoreditch, London, her DS Ruby Preston trilogy is described as terrifying, addictive serial killer thrillers. Caroline also writes psychological thrillers. The most recent, Silent Victim, has been described as ‘brilliantly gripping and deliciously creepy’. Her new DI Amy Winter series is published by Thomas & Mercer.
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I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- COYER-20
I actually like mysteries/police procedurals where you know who the killer is up front. Love the sound of this series!
I also like the British accents.
excellent cover. i love stories about serial killers and this sounds right up my alley
I find it interesting how things are done in another system. The author actually worked in the CID so she has some real idea.
me too. adds that something extra when the author is so knowledgable
Oh it’s a series I should try! I think I would love it too
I would read it in order because of all the personal issues and growth. I enjoyed it and hope you do too!
Ooh, this sounds right up my alley. Killer cover too!
I enjoyed it. I didn’t even notice the cover but it is pretty great.
I read the first book in her Ruby Preston series and enjoyed it. This sounds like a great series, too. Love police procedurals with interesting characters. I’m happy to hear you can get both the audio and e-book through Kindle Unlimited. I’ll give this series a go! Wonderful review, Anne!
Thank you! I noticed she has other series and I’d like to try them at a later date.
I would enjoy this one Anne. I marked it for the next time I join KU
I’m a total sucker for these British police stories.
This sounds like such a good series, Anne, and I love how the reader knows some things up front. Fab review!
Thank you Jennifer. This is a genre I really enjoy.
Oooh, this cover is giving me hard Memoirs of a Geisha vibes, and I love it! I’m not typically into police mysteries, but this one does sound intriguing. I think it’s high time I’ve given the genre another try!
It’s a go to genre for me. I like British ones on audio. Amy the main character has been through the wringer in the 3 books so far.