Title: Dead Inside
(DC Maggie Jamieson #1)
Author: Noelle Holten
Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Crime
First published: May 31st 2019
Publisher: Killer Reads
Finished reading: May 17th 2019
Pages: 352
“He turned her from a confident, carefree, intelligent woman, into a shell. She felt like nothing. Like she was in someone else’s body, skin, mindset.”
*** A copy of this book was kindly provided to me by Netgalley and Killer Reads in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ***
Holy bat in hell, what a read! Now excuse me while I go pick my jaw off the floor… I already had a feeling I was going to enjoy this crime thriller by fellow book blogger and now debut author Noelle Holten, and my expectations were more than met. I literally cancelled all plans, settled down in my favorite reading chair and flew through Dead Inside in one sitting. It was simply brilliant! I loved that we not only have the typical detective (Maggie) to follow, but that we also have a probation officer (Lucy) in the spotlight. It definitely shows in the little details that Noelle worked as a senior probation officer herself for eighteen years, and it was fascinating to see a lesser explored angle being used in a crime thriller. The same goes for criminal psychologist Kate, who brings another refreshing angle to the investigation and it’s these three women together that makes this story work so well. It’s true we don’t get to see all that much of Maggie yet, but I’m having a feeling we will be getting plenty of her in the sequel.
Dead Inside is all about domestic abuse and what effects it has on the victimis and those around them. Signs of abuse are often not easy to see and the victims often feel that the situation they are in is impossible to escape. Psychological abuse is still abuse and harder to discover for outsiders… As someone who has been in a toxic relationship in the past, I know how hard it can be to let go. Trigger warnings are in place for the mentioned abuse, rape, violence and alcoholism. Dead Inside shines a light on domestic abuse from the point of view of both victims and (in a less direct way) abusers. At the same time, we also have an active murder investigation going on with ‘victims’ who don’t exactly arise sympathy. This angle alone is a very intriguing as it makes you wonder about right and wrong and if certain people just had it coming and karma came looking for them, or if even those dirtbags have rights… This story is lightning fast and isn’t afraid to go dark and messy. There are various twists and turns involved in Dead Inside, and while I did see part of it coming, I definitely didn’t guess the final reveal. And what a way to end the story! The whole Bill Raven case sounds fascinatingly disturbing… I already can’t wait to read the sequel and Dead Inside hasn’t even officially been published yet. Crime thriller fans, you have found a new title for your wishlist! Trust me, you don’t want to miss out on this outstanding crime thriller debut.
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OMG YAY!! What a brilliant review. Thank you so, SO much! I will share it when I am not in work, but wanted to thank you…and I just love the HOLY BAT IN HELL!! Woohoo!!!! xx
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Anything to help spread the love!! ❤ I had a lot of fun writing this review. 😉 xx
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Ooooo this sounds so good! I haven’t read a novel with a probation officer’s angle before! Fantastic review Yvo!
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Oh you should try this story! I’m sure you would love it.
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This does sound really intense!
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Without a doubt!
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Agree agree agree!!
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Great minds think alike. 😉 Looking forward to read your review in a bit.
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I didn’t know that Noelle used to be a PO. I am so excited to start this one this weekend. Glad you enjoyed it so much, Yvo. Fab review.
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I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did!
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Wow fantastic review! I pre-ordered this months ago and can’t for it to arrive on my Kindle soon.
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I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did! 🙂
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So glad you enjoyed it 🙂 Wonderful review!
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It was just my kind of read. 😉
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i definitely want to check this out! Great review!!
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I can highly recommend it!
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Wow! This sounds fabulous.
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It was without doubt a fab read.
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Fab review, Yvo! I just finished this one- such a quick read- and loved it too!
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I’m glad to hear you loved it as well!
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Brilliant review! I’ve seen such high praise for this debut novel and I’m now really excited to read it!
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I hope you will have a wonderful time with it!
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