Where The Truth Lies by MJ Lee - Book Review

The first line had me hooked, “ I always bites the heads off babies. Dunno why. The orange ones first, then green, red, pink and finally yellow. Always save the yellow for last, I do. Never eat the purple ones though.”

DI Tom Ridpath is back at work after 9 month of treatment for Myeloma. He is seconded to the Coroner’s office as a coroners assistant. He helps investigate a potential serial killer when bodies start being found. An inquest is reopened in to an old case but Alice’s body is missing. Was James Dalbey, the Beast of Manchester innocent after all ?

This is a really gripping thriller, with a mix of gruesome details of torture and murder alongside a police procedural.

M J Lee has clearly done a lot of research into not only the workings of the police, the forensic investigation and the coroners office, but the emotional effects of cancer treatment giving a feel of realism to the story, reminding us Policeman are human after all with their own troubles.

There is some great descriptive writing, one of my favourites being : “ She smelt her fingertips and then touched them to her tongue. Metallic. Rusty. An aftertaste she couldn’t describe, like someone’s soul in liquid form.” It brings a real sense of menace and an insight to the mind of a killer. 

I hope this is a series and will be looking out for the next ‘Ridpath’ novel.

I would like to thank the Author/the Publishers/NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a fair and honest review

Title: Where the Truth Lies

Author Name: M J Lee

Previous Books (if applicable): The Murder Game and The Killing Time

Genre: Crime Fiction

Release Date: 22nd October 2018

Publisher: Canelo