| Title | : | These Little Lies (D.I. Siv Drummond #1) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 178931240X |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | 321 |
| Publication | : | First published November 5, 2019 |
It’s Detective Inspector Siv Drummond’s first day back on the job, joining a new team in a new town. This fresh start isn’t going to be easy. Still mourning the death of her husband, she must push aside her grief to focus on her first case.
Lauren Visser and Matis Rimas are found stabbed to death in the idyllic woodland by the River Bere. Their mutilated bodies lie within feet of each other. A photograph of an unknown girl sits on Lauren’s chest.
She was an activist and wild swimmer. He was fishing illegally.
What is their connection?
Siv and her team start ruling out suspects, but no one tells the truth when everyone has something to hide.
What will be dredged up by the investigation?
Can DI Siv Drummond fight the current of lies or will she be swept away?
These Little Lies (D.I. Siv Drummond #1) Reviews
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Gretta Mulrooney is well known for her brilliant police procedurals and you all know how much I love those! Now she is back with a brand new series featuring a tough, smart female Detective Inspector, Siv Drummond, a character you will thoroughly enjoy!
There are two dead bodies lying next to each other, one with a photograph of a young girl placed on top. The bodies appear to be totally unrelated to one another but their proximity would suggest otherwise. As DI Drumond begins to investigate she finds more questions than answers and dark secrets that no one in this small town want revealed. These Little Lies is action packed and so well written that I didn't put it down from start to finish. Then, I hated that I was finished because I loved Siv! This is one series where I will be stalking the author to see when the next book is going to hit the shelves. If you are new to Mulrooney's writing, These Little Lies is a great place to begin. I adore new series, especially when they are this well written. -
First in a new series, These Little Lies was a bit of a slow burner, which is often a feature of Gretta Mulrooney's books. I did enjoy the book once it got going and I'm hoping things will speed up a bit in the second in the series, which I'm now reading.
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A few months after the loss of her husband, and relocating to her small hometown, DI Siv Drummond is looking forward to a much less stressful job. What she gets on her first day is two dead bodies.
A young man and older woman were found stabbed to death next to the river. A child's picture is placed on the woman's chest.
Siv is lead investigator, working with a team she's not familiar with. The woman was just reported missing a few hours earlier by her husband. There has been no report on the man. Eventually when both have been identified, the real work begins.
Who wanted these people dead? Who is the child in the picture? How are they all connected? They seem to have nothing in common.
Questioning the families, friends, co-workers, and neighbors reveal conflicting opinions, especially of the woman. One by one suspects or those of interest are eliminated .. others seem to have secrets covered up with lies.
While Siv is trying to solve this crime, she is also trying to earn the respect of her team. Not easy when one of her superiors would rather have someone else in her position. Can she convince them she's got what it takes?
This is a new series by this author featuring a strong female lead who is tenacious in her search for justice for her victims, but also closure for the families.
This is more a suspenseful mystery rather than a fast-faced thriller. The suspense starts on the very first page and doesn't let up until the surprising and unpredictable ending. The author has skillfully defined the characters, lending credibility to the story line. I look forward to the next book in this series.
Many thanks to the author / Joffe Books / Books n All Promotions / Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own. -
Detective Inspector Siv Drummond #1
DI Siv Drummond is currently living in a Gypsy caravan in Sussex. It's her first day in a new job and the day does ot start off well. Two bodies have been found in the woodland. The bodies, a man and a woman, found separately, have been stabbed. The womans body had a photograph of a child. Who is the little girl? Why was the photo left there?
This is the first book in a new series. Siv is just back at work after mourning the death of her husband. There are numerous suspects who are all harbouring secrets and lies. There are lots of twists in the plotline. The story is told from several points of view. It's a bit slow in unfolding. I couldn't quite take to Siv. Maybe because she is still in mourning, but she came across as a bit off a wet blanket. This book does show potential for what could come in the future.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Joffe Books and the author Gretta Mulrooney for my ARC in exchange for an honest review. -
This was a page turner.
Detective Inspector Siv Drummond is facing demons of her own. Just back and on her first day, two murders come up. Seemingly random the two victims found close to each other by a river in an isolated spot are not connected to each other at all. One a young woman a nursery school teacher and the other a Polish immigrant working as a carpenter.
One link which is that Lauren one of the victims is a conservationist and objected to a signboard put up near the river which stated that no Poles allowed fishing in this area brought on her ire and she did clash with the angling club over this. But this did not connect her to the other victim in any way.
Upto the detectives to connect the dots in this seemingly inexplicable murder is not easy.
All the suspects seem to have something to hide. All of them provide false information and false alibi for the time of the murders. They give seemingly worthless information which send the detectives on a wild goose chase, but within the rubbishy conversation the DI knows that there will be one careless slip and something will be of use.
This was one of those where I never had a clue as to who the murderer was till the very end. The story and reasoning was convoluted and sick but very feasible and believable. It reiterates the fact that psychiatrists will never go out of business!
Fast paced, energetic with a good bunch of characters and descriptive surroundings this is a good one. -
★★ 2.5 stars
In THESE LITTLE LIES we are introduced to DI Siv Drummond who has left the Met after the death of her husband and moved to the slower pace of the seaside town of Berminster. Siv and her sister grew up here, having been raised by their father after their mother ran out on them to take up with another lover, so it's with mixed emotions that Siv returns to her old home town.
But she has no time to ponder on the past as she is thrust deep into a murder investigation on her first day on the job with the discovery of two bodies found by the River Bere. The first is of Lauren Visser, a nursery worker who had a fascination for "wild swimming", while the second turns out to be a young Lithuanian, Matis Rimas who was fishing illegally and got a little more than he bargained for. Both have been stabbed viciously with a photo of a young girl left on one of the bodies.
Having identified the victims, Siv and her team struggle to find a link between the two who appear to be of very different backgrounds. Any witnesses are being less than truthful it appears so the team have to dig deeper to find any hidden skeletons.
It doesn't take long before the detectives begin to find a few secrets hidden beneath the surface. But are they enough reason for murder? The deeper they dig, the more they probe, the more it seems that many people are harbouring secrets and being somewhat economical with the truth.
Can Siv and her team sift out the lies and eliminate the suspects down to uncover the truth before it's too late?
THESE LITTLE LIES is a slow moving procedural that I felt almost glacial at times, but once you get into the story it does begin to move at a more even pace. I'm not sure about Siv just yet...I guess we have to learn more about her to get to know her better. But this does have all the makings of a promising new series.
Recommended to those who love their crime fiction and police procedurals.
I would like to thank #GrettaMulrooney, #NetGalley and #JoffeBooks for an ARC of #TheseLittleLies in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at
https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/. -
"Good murder mystery in a crowded market"
This was well-written, with good dialogue. The plot held together nicely, and although there were more descriptive passages padding out the story than I prefer, it all came together in a satisfactory finish. My only reservation was that a lone, female detective with a troubled past has plenty of opposition in a dozen other well-established series. Hard to see what makes Siv Drummond stand out from the rest. Hence, only a 4*. -
This is the first book in an exciting new series featuring Detective Inspector Siv Drummond. Recently widowed and still grieving, despite attempts to start to get her life back, Siv has moved from a high profile role in London's Metropolitan police to take up a post at a slower pace in her old home seaside town of Berminster. This was where she and her sister were raised by their father after their chaotic Finnish mother Mutsi dumped them for one last time to run off with yet another lover. It is a baptism of fire as, on her first day back on the job, two bodies are found by the river Bere. One is identified as Lauren Visser, a nursery worker and conservation volunteer who had a passion for "wild swimming", and the second turns out to be a Lithuanian plasterer called Matis Rimas who was fishing illegally in the river. Both have been stabbed viciously and a photograph of a young girl has been left on one of the bodies. Having identified both victims, Siv and her team of DS Ali Carlin and DC Patrick Hill struggle to find a link between the two very different people. One victim seems to have been a very good and straightforward person, as does the other until the detectives start to dig and find all sorts of issues and different opinions festering under the surface. But are any of these things a good enough reason for murder? As their interviews proceed it seems that a lot of people are harbouring secrets and telling lies, but the detectives only seem to be doing a great job of ruling suspects out. Finding someone who has means, motive and opportunity is proving difficult until they finally establish who was really the intended victim and with great teamwork discover that one elusive clue that could help them get to the truth before it is too late. I liked the detectives in the team, particularly Ali Carlin who provided a good solid opposite to Siv when her anxiety got a bit too much. They were well introduced and easy to get to know as the story went on. Siv is clearly a fighter and comes across as having quite an old head on her shoulders, not surprising considering her history but she makes a good boss and leader. Despite pressure from DCI Will Mortimer who wanted his own protégé to get her job, she is able to hold her own and I think she will get stronger as the series progresses. The plot was great and kept me guessing all the way through to the end, which was not overly frantic, but a solid piecing together of all the evidence to an ending I did not expect, even though there were some clues there. Highly recommended and I am looking forward to reading more books in this series. 4.5*
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A new series from one of my favourite authors is always exciting.
Siv Drummond - her husband and soul mate has died in an accident leaving her bereft and broken. She moves to Berminster to try to move on with her life. A new home, a new area, new colleagues, boss and everything that goes with it is a big challenge for someone who is lost but Siv is basically strong and is determined to find her way.
She is paired with Ali an overweight diabetic but one with a big heart and compassionate nature he is just what Siv needs. Someone she can instinctively trust and rely on even if they need to get to know each other.
The story begins with a polish man finding the body of a young woman while doing a little early morning fishing. The discovery costs him his life and there we have it, Siv Drummond thrown in the deep end with 2 dead bodies no motive and no clues. The only clue is a photo left on the woman's body the photo is a young child but nobody knows who she is.
This is a complex story with many false leads and unexpected twists as the team slowly unravel the clues and lies. It appears everyone is hiding something but is that something relevant to the case?
A very intriguing story with characters who develop well. I am looking forward to reading more in this new series. -
This read like an episode of law and order inasmuch as every witness managed to provide answers to the police's questions in a way that was both comprehensive and concise. I find that wildly unrealistic, but pressing on: The larger problem is that the whole tome is weighed down by paragraph upon paragraph of completely useless detail. These were not scene setting details, they were lists of facts that are never brought up again.
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Basically this was an interesting read, although I found the plot to be just a bit muddled. Maybe it was just me because the opening was good and really stirred my curiosity but then I got a little lost during the investigation. It might just be "1st in a series" syndrome or I just haven't gotten into the rhythm of her writing style. What originally looked to be 2 really separate murders actually did end up having some connections...but did the murderer know that?
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DETECTIVE INSPECTOR SIV DRUMMOND IS LOOKING FOR A FRESH START. WHAT SHE GETS IS TWO DEAD BODIES.
It’s Detective Inspector Siv Drummond’s first day back on the job, joining a new team in a new town. This fresh start isn’t going to be easy. Still mourning the death of her husband, she must push aside her grief to focus on her first case.
Lauren Visser and Matis Rimas are found stabbed to death in the idyllic woodland by the River Bere. Their mutilated bodies lie within feet of each other. A photograph of an unknown girl sits on Lauren’s chest.
She was an activist and wild swimmer. He was fishing illegally.
WHAT IS THEIR CONNECTION?
Siv and her team start ruling out suspects, but no one tells the truth when everyone has something to hide.
What will be dredged up by the investigation?
CAN DI SIV DRUMMOND FIGHT THE CURRENT OF LIES OR WILL SHE BE SWEPT AWAY?
This is a brilliant read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believeable.
Great suspense and action with wonderful world building that adds so much to the story.
Can't wait to read more of these.
Recommend reading.
I was provided an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher. This is my own honest voluntary review. -
In 2018, I read two books by Gretta Mulrooney and enjoyed them, so when NetGalley offered the first in a new series by Mulrooney, I was pleased.
DI Siv Drummond, still grieving over the loss of her husband, finally decides to get back to work. Her new job thrusts her immediately into a double murder, and she hopes she is ready.
A photo of a child left on one of the bodies provides the only clue. The killer left no other evidence for Siv and her team to work with. The interviews with the husband of the murdered woman and and her coworkers leave questions and quite a few interviews are interspersed with lies or omissions.
In much the same way as the previous books I've read in Mulrooney's other series, These Little Lies focuses on the investigation, the interviews, the lies and deceptions. Mulrooney also begins developing the characters that will carry into the next Siv Drummond book--a nice beginning to a new series.
NetGalley/Joffe Books
Police Procedural. Nov. 5, 2019. Print length: 284 pages. -
A solid mystery thriller by an author I will definitely read again. The ending had quite a surprising twist!
DI Siv Drummond lost her husband in a tragic accident and she decides to make a fresh start in Berminster. Instead of easing herself into her new job she gets thrown in at the deep end when two bodies are discovered on her first day on the job.
The one body was that of the 25 year old Lauren Visser who was stabbed, possibly with scissors. On her body the killer also left a photo of a young girl. The second body was that of the 20 year old Matis Rimas who was originally from Lithuania. How are these two people related or was it just random killings? Who is the young girl in the photo?
Siv must not only find out who is telling the truth and who is lying but she must also fight her own demons.
A really enjoyable read.
Thank you to #netgalley and #joffebooks for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion. -
DI Drummon had a difficult new beginning after the death of her husband, even while keeping busy by doing her job she was grieving deeply. I was amazed at how she battled her loss while investigating a double murder. She is a strong character who didn’t let her deep trauma deter her from doing an excellent job in this murder mystery. She and her team had to dig deep for clues to fit the puzzle. Although they lead them astray sometimes that didn’t hinder their progress. Due to their diligence in seeking the truth and justice, they came through in the nick of time.
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Thankyou to NetGalley and Joffee Books for the ARC for a fantastic read.
This book was definitely a page turner with plenty of twists and turns. I kept thinking I knew who the killer was only to be steered in another direction. A great new series, I would highly recommend for those who like mystery thrillers.
I will be keeping an eye out for the next book in the series or something else by Gretta Malrooney -
DI Siv Drummond has just moved to Berminster from London to start her new job as DI with Berminster CID.
When two bodies are discovered by the River Bere at Lock Lane, Siv’s boss DCI Mortimer asks her to handle the case as SIO. He also assigns DS Ali Carlin and DC Hill alongside four other officers.
The police believe the victims were attacked by the same person and a photo of a child was left at the scene on the female victim’s chest. She’d gone wild swimming judging by the wetsuit she had on. The other victim had fishing paraphernalia including already caught carps 🎣
Three months before moving to Berminster, Siv’s husband was hit by a lorry while cycling to work. He didn’t make it. Siv now lives in a circus wagon 🎪—much to her estranged mother’s dismay.
When a third body turns up, Siv and her team have to stop the killer before they strike again.
Interesting police procedural. Would recommend. -
These little lies by Gretta Mulrooney.
This is the first book for detective inspector Siv Drummond.
When theres a detective you know theres murder. I do love my murder mysteries. Great story. 4*. -
These little lies by Gretta Mulrooney.
This is the first book for detective inspector Siv Drummond.
When theres a detective you know theres murder. I do love my murder mysteries. Great story. 4*. -
Gripping
The first book in the D.I. Siv Drummond series and what a cracking read. matis Rimas comes to England for a better life, living in Sussex but its short lived while out fishing carp finds a dead woman, taking out his phone, he feels a sharp stabbing pain and knows no more. Its Monday morning, and Siv sets off for her first day at work with working partner D.S. Ali Carlin a man who never stops talking both are assigned to work on both murders.The girl Lauren Visser, married no children is found with a photo of a child on her chest who is it, and why was she swimming alone on lock lane. Lots of suspects to question to keep you guessing. A great start to a new series that you want to carry on reading, finding out more about all the characters lives. An ending that will shock you. This was a great read. -
Rock, Paper, Scissors
Book 1 of the Div Drummond series was a little slow for me. So. With her own demons is asked to investigate the murder of a man and a woman. The difficulty is in establishing why? Then who was the culprit. With many possibilities the story drills down into all of 5he
suspects lives to see who has done and then why. Jealousy, Greed, revenge all fall into the pot to be stirred. Well written but for me too long to make it a complete page turner. Have read other Greta Mulrooney books and enjoyed them more. -
I loved this book!! Great story!! Pretty good thriller!! Received this book from joffe books from netgally!!
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Thank you NetGalley and Joffe Books for the eARC.
I loved this first in the DI Siv Drummond series, may there be many more to follow.
Siv, starting her new job, has immediately caught the case of two murders. One is a young woman and the other a young man, both in the same area on the bank of a river and both stabbed by scissors.
Siv is still mourning the death of her husband and nervous about being able to do a good job. Ali, who is her second in command, is a good, cheerful man who lifts her spirits...she feels she can trust him and that he has her back. The investigation is slow going, a tough one to crack with the likely suspects all falling by the wayside. A photo of a young girl was left by the female victim, Lauren, but who is the little girl, why was her photo left there?
Lauren at first sounded like a sweet woman, but became a character who seemed quite annoying.
I very much liked Siv and Ali and the mystery was a treat, really well written and absorbing, couldn't put the book down, but tried to read slowly...didn't want it to end. It's great having a book that you can't wait to get back into. Highly recommended and am very much looking forward to the next in the series. -
DI Siv Drummond gets back to work after a long while getting a double homicide first thing. She must unveil the long thread of lies to solve the murder of Lauren Visser and Matis Rimas.
It felt slow paced at the beginning then started to get a fast pace -just for a little while- and again it went, changing it now and then. Even so, it is beautifully written, Gretta Mulrooney did an excellent job in character development and gave an unthinkable plot twist at the end. I’d never expect something like that to happen.
Perhaps this -sometimes slow, sometimes fast- pace is what gives you those feelings of needing information and makes you start to suspect some things that may or may not be correct.
I definitely recommend this book, though it could have been more suspenseful or even have more wicked twists. -
The book was a solid three star read.
DI Siv Drummond's character could have been developed more. The storyline begins with a nursery teacher and a Lithuanian being found dead, lying side by side, near the river. After all the natural suspects came out clean, I was flummoxed! One suspect led to another suspect who led to another suspect and so on. That style of writing got tedious. There was very little vulgar language and no overt sex scenes.
Thank you, Ms. Mulrooney, for a good read.
This book was free on Bookbub. -
A captivating mystery!
What a tangled web of a mystery! Just when you think that you’ve figured out who the murder edits another lead pops up! I’d read “Never Came Home” , the 2nd book in the series, and was eager to read this book to see how Siv Drummond started out her career. Now I’m on to the 3rd book in the series!
