This is the 3rd novel in the Detective Ruby Preston series. I have read most of Caroline’s other books and this one doesn’t disappoint.
Ruby and her team are sent to investigate a copycat killer. Who meets his victims who have contacted him through a dark net website called Debauchery? Where the killer’s victims are all rich, married and up for a bit of fun. But, when the victims meet, things don’t turn out what they expect. They are drugged, tied up, kept alive for three days. Has their wedding ring finger amputated and then murdered? Whilst this is going on, the killer takes photos of the three stages of their ordeal and each one is sent to their partners. There is a race to catch the killer before there is another victim is killed. Ruby has help from the original killer Mason Gately who is locked up. Who makes Ruby squirm every time she visits him.
This is another excellent instalment from Caroline Mitchell. That gripped me from the start. I loved every minute of it. I loved the ballsy character of Ruby and I am so glad that she continued the story of her family Nathan and their daughter Cathy and her partners at the station Downes and Ludy. And the ending wow I wasn’t expecting that at all.
Thank you Bookouture, Caroline Mitchell and Netgalley for a copy of this book.

Murder Game is the third and final installment in the Ruby Preston series. This book is as entertaining as the previous two and I found this particular case fascinating. While my favorite is still number one, I quite enjoyed Murder Game as well.

Ruby is investigating a series of kidnappings and murders of women who seem to share a weird connection. What I liked about this case was that it was seemingly connected to an older one: "The Lonely Heart Killer" murders, which makes Ruby and her team believe that they're dealing with a very dangerous copycat killer. In a "Silence of the lambs" style, Ruby starts interviewing famous serial killer Mason Gatley and tries to gather clues.

The only part that I didn't enjoy as much was Ruby's relationship with Nathan. I know this couple has a lot of fans and I loved them in Death Note, but I lost interest in the last book and this one didn't make me fall in love with them either. The novel is still interesting without their troubling relationship. I especially love DI Dowes. He's flawed but so interesting!

Something that it's common in all three books is that Caroline Mitchell always manages to surprise me with her last twist. They're not *mind-blowing* twists that change the whole book's perspective, but you gotta admit she's great with "whodunnits" and I miserably failed this time too.

Caroline Mitchell 3 -- Annie 0

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I must start off by saying that this one of my favourite Crime series. I love the main character, she is so brave and always fights for justice for the victims even if it means not playing by the rules sometimes. The series just seems to get better and better.

There is a killer on the loose. He captures his victim and then sends three pictures of them to their loved ones. One picture is before they are tortured, the second one is while they are being tortured and the last one is already dead. The pictures offer up very few clues which makes it very difficult to get to the victims in time. This was an explosive book. I was hooked from the first page. What I liked about this book is that the main emphasis was on the case and not so much on the personal lives of the character. If you are looking for a spine-tingling thriller, this is the one for you.

Many series start off great but seems to lose steam midway, but this one just seems to get better and better. I would advise first reading the other books in the series, but I think it could be read as a standalone.

Another excellent book from Caroline Mitchell. This one had the right balance between the crime and the backstory with Nathan.

As always Caroline spins a tale of intrigue that keeps you guessing all the way through.
Character development is coming along at a good pace throughout the series and I look forward to more

DS Ruby Preston is back! Murder Game is the gritty new thriller from Caroline Mitchell and it’s guaranteed to have you hooked from the very first page.

A killer is playing twisted games with his victims. He captures them, then begging a deadly countdown complete with photos: alive, tortured and dead. Ruby and her team must race against the clock to catch him before the number of victims increases. But they’re feeling a sense of deja vu as this case has all the similar marks of the Lonely Hearts Killer. Mason Gatley was incarcerated ten years ago so do they have a copy cat killer?

I was totally enthralled from the very first page of this book. I couldn’t put it down and ended up whizzing through it in a couple of days. The plot builds with every turn of the page into a fantastic ending. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and giving it 5 stars I can definitely recommend it and can’t wait for book four in the DS Ruby Preston series.

Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and Caroline Mitchell for the chance to review.

Absolutely love this Ruby Preston series. Ruby's task is to catch a copycat serial killer. To catch the killer, her way of thinking is to meet the original killer who is currently in prison. I couldn't put this book down as the killings and the plot escalated. I was certain I had fathomed who the killer was. But oh how I was wrong. Brilliant book!

Brilliant fast paced and gripping story that keeps you on the edge of your seat . Ruby is fast becoming a favourite detective

Having read seven of her books now - all absolutely brilliant - for me, the name Caroline Mitchell has become synonymous with excellent, nail-biting thrillers. With a supernatural element added to the mix, I thought the DC Jennifer Knight series was fantastic, but I must say that I like the Detective Ruby Preston one even more.

In Murder Game, the third book in the Ruby Preston series, the wife of a prominent figure in the media goes missing. The husband does not receive a ransom note, but a series of photos showing his wife bound and gagged, and in the third, looking like she's dead. In another package he's horrified to make a gruesome discovery. Where is his wife? Who has done this to her? DC Ruby Preston of the Shoreditch Serious Crime Unit and her superior DI Jack Downes rush to the man's house to begin their investigation. It is immediately evident that this case bears many similarities to a series of murders that took place a decade earlier by a serial killer dubbed The Lonely Hearts Killer. But this killer is now in prison. He couldn't have done this. Is this the job of a copy cat? But how is this killer copying details that were never made public? Why was this woman targeted?

"She deserved to be punished. All of them do."

When another woman goes missing, and still without any leads or evidence, Ruby becomes desperate to find the killer. But in order to do so she needs to understand how the mind of a killing machine works. There's only one individual that could help her in this... The Lonely Hearts Killer, from prison. But this killer is cold and shrewd and won't give her the answers she needs unless she dances to his tune. He wants to play mind games with her and offers her only cryptic answers which Ruby must try and decipher. Will Ruby be able to outwit this dangerous criminal that could lead her to the monster running free? Will she be able to bring the killer's reign of terror to an end before more victims are claimed?

Phew! What a dizzying roller-coaster ride. Now that I've finished this book, I can finally take some deep breaths and allow my heart beat to return to normal. The author took me through twists, turns and an intricate and fast-paced plot, making it very hard for me to stay away from the book for long periods. I wanted to know who the killer was and why they were doing this. And I was curious to understand how Ruby will manage to extricate the clues she needs from the evil Lonely Hearts Killer.

All characters are very realistic and complex with backgrounds and depth. Ruby is a bold, strong-headed sergeant who's not afraid to bend the rules in order to achieve results. Her close relationship with the notorious Crosby criminal family is not exactly a badge of honour she proudly wears at work. I like Downes and love the unique underlying feeling and special bond that exists between him and Ruby at work.

​I compared the scenes where the killer terrorises his poor victims to when a spider catches a fly and starts to mercilessly spin it in its web before delivering the final mortal bite. These scenes sent shivers down my spine. The ending just made me gasp.

This author has once again managed to keep me engrossed in a suspenseful story till the very end. This is another absolutely brilliant addition to the series and I highly recommend it. Caroline Mitchell roll on the next one please!!

With thanks to Bookouture for approving my request to read and review this book through NetGalley.

I have to start this by saying, I just love the book covers for this series of books. A book this good deserves an awesome cover.
​This book was a first class gripping read. I absolutely loved it. 
​We are faced with a very twisted Killer in this book, he prays on women who are 'playing away, Cheating on their husbands. 
​This is proving one tough case, and one Ruby and her team need to tackle head on as the kidnapped women seem to be mounting up.
It doesn't take long to realise this could actually be a copy cat killing. this is a similar case to one ten years previously, where killer Mason Gatley was finding his pray via lonely hearts columns. Things have moved on now and it seems Dating app's are the new way to find prey. 
Melissa Phillips  is this killers first victim. Photographs of her are sent to her husband, and it's not all he receives in the post.

​Gripping, Twisted and sometimes Gruesome, if this doesn't tell you how bad playing away can be, well it's your own fault when you get caught. First class read as always. 
Make sure your bottom is firmly on the seat when reading this, or this edge of your seat read will see you getting hurt. 
​
​Caroline is certainly giving this series her all, and I'm so excited to see what comes next. Each book has just got better and better and I'm loving the character of Ruby Preston

Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the chance to read an electronic ARC of this novel, in exchange for an honest review.
“The Murder Game” by Caroline Mitchell, is the third in the Ruby Preston crime series. In this story, Ruby is on the hunt for a murderer who not only strangles victims, but also cuts off their ring fingers. This case holds similar traits to a murder from years ago, but the perpetrator of those crimes has long been in jail. Ruby must investigate the past crimes and the current crimes to determine the link, if there is one, before more women are killed.
I enjoy police crime dramas a whole, both in book and television form. I love the investigating and trying to figure out “whodunit”. “The Murder Game” had all of these things, including an unpredictable ending, but this novel was far too similar to other police procedurals (especially Robert Bryndza and his Erika Foster novels) that it did not engage me as much as I would’ve liked.
Ruby is a great character and of course, she’s dating an ex-criminal and has recently been reunited with her long-lost adult daughter, so she has plenty of personal drama to keep her interesting, balanced with the drama that comes with being a crime fighter. Mason Gatley and the copycat murderer were very entertaining as well, as Ms. Mitchell details their obsessions and their backgrounds.
I was engaged with this book enough to want to know how it ended, and although the ending was merely mediocre, it was unpredictable and definitive.
Ruby is a strong female character who will generate a fan base among female fans of police procedural crime fiction. The storyline has enough to keep you engaged and interested in determining the killer, but it is not an original anymore, and there are many similarities to other books in this genre.
This novel has crime, police investigations, drama and suspense and is worth a read. It is also not necessary to read the other novels in Mitchell’s “Ruby Preston” series in order to follow along with this story (I, in fact, have only read the second and third), which also expands a reader base and earns bonus points in my opinion.
I am always grateful for the chance to read Mitchell’s work, and I sincerely hope to see more of it.

Oh my goodness... Caroline Mitchell!! What a book! I devoured this book this afternoon, I could not stop reading it. I love Ruby Preston and her team... she is strong and relentless. This is the 3rd book in the series and it is only getting better as they go. Absolutely 5 stars all the way for me. Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for a copy of this book to read and review. Hurry up with book 4 Caroline!!

Wow! Caroline Mitchell really outdid herself here! This was better than the normal whodunits... I wasn't able to guess who the killer was until Mitchell had it flashing on a sign for me at 92%, but of course, that wasn't all... she threw a massive twist in on top of it! Hold on for the wild right she'll pull you through with the Murder Game.

I think what I like most about these crime book is that Ruby isn't just some struggling work-obsessed cop that has no personal life or what she does have is miserable. There's more to Ruby than her job and I love that we get to see more of that in this book and more of the Cathy.

I would recommend any book Caroline Mitchell writes... she's going to grip you and completely fascinate you. I was so engrossed in this book.

I received an ARC of this series with the hope that I will leave an Unbiased Opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that... my opinions.

Murder Game is the third book in the Detective Ruby Preston series. I would recommend reading the books in order as there is some history you need to know about Ruby which would be better explained by having at least read the first book in the series plus it’s a great series so why wouldn’t you want to?

I really don’t know how the author comes up with the cases that Ruby finds herself working on. Whether it’s from the authors own background in the police force or not I have no idea but she manages to come up with truly nail biting cases that I can’t get enough on. This one was no different.

The case reminded me slightly of Silence of the Lambs. Mason Gatley could easily give Hannibal Lecter a run for his money. He will certainly mess with your mind never mind poor Ruby’s! I have to admit to really relishing the parts where Ruby visits him in prison.

Murder Game is a story where the author really plays with her readers. It was like a game of snake and ladders, thinking you are getting close to who the murderer is then to be dropped from a height and back to square one again. Such a deliciously twisted read. Loved it.

I am really enjoying this series of books. I like the characters and the plot is always twisted and suspenseful. Ruby is a great policewoman and she, along with her team, work hard to solve the case. The murderer in this novel is very twisted and is killing people who are willing to cheat. It's quite interesting to read his POV, which we mostly get through his calls to a suicide help line. I had no idea who the killer was and was surprised to find out.
I find it quite refreshing that Ruby is involved with a man who is basically a criminal and whose family is involved in criminal activities. It makes for good reading watching her juggle her dedication to her job and her love for Nathan.
I look forward to the next book in the Ruby Preston series...

I absolutely loved this third Ruby Preston book, in my opinion the series is best read in order but Caroline does put lots of background information on the characters and previous storylines into the book so it could be read as a stand alone. I found that I was drawn into the story on the very first page and I knew it was going to be another winner. Fortunately I have no experience on police procedures but what is written is believable and credible. I'm sure I will never tire of reading this series and look forward to the next book. Thank you for the ARC, I couldn't resist requesting it even though I have it on order.

I love this author's writing - she is versatile and her stories addictive and page turning and this wonderful book was no exception! Ruby Preston is as amazing a detective as she is a flawed human and over the series I have grown to care for and root for Ruby. She is such a complex character, someone we feel for and want to shake sometimes, entirely and unapologetically human. It is the author's great skill to make us care for her characters so much, to invite us into her stories and get us so involved in the lives of her characters. This book was another amazing read, unputdownable , fast paced and thrilling all the way to the brilliant end. Caroline Mitchell is an exceptional author and I absolutely cannot wait for more from her.

Full disclosure: I love this series. Ruby Preston is finding her stride and the string of murders at the heart of this volume is a doozy. A married woman gets murdered while stepping out on her husband. Said hubby gets pictures of her: before, during and after - torture, plus an extra envelope with contents so gruesome that no one would want to open it. As more victims keep being abducted, Ruby is racing against the clock to save them. Ruby is as competent as always, but it's nice to see that she is finally happy in her personal life. And I must say that sometimes the chapters devoted to detectives' home lives are a little boring. In this case, it's the opposite. The drama caused by who her lover is (the head of a criminal family) adds an extra element that I enjoy. With regards to the case, the tension keeps mounting and the climax is fantastic. Caroline Mitchell is a great storyteller and I'm looking forward to following Ruby wherever she goes next.

Murder Game is the third novel of the DC Ruby Preston Crime Thriller Series.
It`s readable as a stand alone.

This book was my first glimpse into this series and I loved it!
DC Ruby Prestion is a very interesting strong female character. Add her longtime criminal boyfriend Nathan Cosby and you get an interesting added bonus.
The twists and turns of this thriller are gripping. Till the end there is no clue who the killer is.
It`s an fantastic read!

You can tell Caroline is a former police detective, as there is just that je ne sais quoi about the books she writes. Details are one thing, but it’s the emotions and language for me that grabs and kicks.
The premise was chilling and it makes you wonder what else goes on in hotels and on dating websites. A man who is targeting women, keeping them in a hotel and then photos of their bodies to the husband who they’e cheated on. The site in question is called Debauchery so you get the idea.

IF you have such a case on your hands and a deranged killer on the loose then Ruby ‘Gangster’ Preston is your woman. It’s a solid police procedural and just goes to show that there are some sick people in the world.