I found this book hard going at first and tbh was u sure of what was happening and who was who and what the back story was......the book imo is too much of the main charctarrs past and not enough about the current murders and story,I did winder if I had missed a book and checked that this was book 1 as I thought and not book 2!!! A very dark book with lots of twists and turns and very deeply damaged main characters,after the i itiitial ‘what is happening’ it turned into an interssting read with good potential for furyer books.

I really wanted to love this book, the title, the cover all drew me in but unfortunately I found the first half of this book a bit frustrating. I get that a lot of thrillers have a back story that unfolds over time but with this it felt like I should already know the story, the way it was referred to was jarring. I had to check back a few times to see if I had missed something, I felt at one point that maybe there was a book previous to this one that told the story but there wasn’t so for me personally I found it hard to get a flow and I just didn’t gel.

I kept going with it thought because I did like the characters and obviously I wanted to figure out what was going on and it did pick up in the second half. I think I would have liked to see these characters in their prime when they first started working together and not as shells of who they once were muddling through and second guessing themselves. If there was another book that had Katie and Nathan straight out solving murders and less of the personal issues I would definitely read it because they are good characters.

If you’re looking for something a bit different with more of a back story and less on the actual murders, with really interesting characters then I would say give it a go. Dark Lies (previously called In The Blood will be published by Bookouture on the 26th March and is currently available to preorder on Kindle.

A very unique voice in the crime genre with an incredibly dark storyline and a collection of seriously damaged characters. Undoubtedly an absorbing read the simplest way to describe this book is bizarre.

I liked Dark Lies for the plot and the characters. Both protagonists are flawed with dark secrets of their own and the suspense is maintained till the end. I would have definitely liked the book much better if it wasn’t written in the present tense throughout. Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the Publisher, Bookouture for this review copy. My review is honest and unbiased, and based on my own personal opinions. Also thank you to Noelle, from Bookouture for organising the Blog Tour.

For information, this book has previously been known as “In The Blood”.

This is book #1 in the Detective Rhodes and Radley series. DI Kate Rhodes is investigating the case of a young mother found dead in her home. She finds that the clues left behind somehow link to her old partner, Nathan Radley. Nathan was one of the best criminal psychologists in the force but has, for the past year, lived in isolation, tormented by the fact that he got into the minds of the murderers he investigated. Kate knows she has to make contact with him to ask him to help with the case, despite vowing never to have anything to do with him again. As the body count rises, can they work out who the killer is?

My first book by this author. I have to admit, I did struggle initially with this book. It’s quite a ‘dark’ book and I didn’t really understand the relationship between Kate and Nathan or even who Nathan was. But….this is one of those books where you really need to persevere with it. The confusion I had at the beginning starts to lift as the book goes on and the back story between Kate and Nathan becomes clearer. Nathan himself is a very strange character, obviously having been through some horrific scenarios when he was working as a psychologist and Kate also seems to have lots of personal history which, again, you don’t get to find out what this is until later in the book.

Lots of twists and turns in this cleverly written serial killer story, but also lots of brutal murders. A great beginning to the series and now I understand the characters more I will look forward to the next book to see how their characters are developed further. You will definitely not guess the ending to this one so don’t even try! Sit back, concentrate and enjoy this edge of your seat thriller.

Shocking! Captivating! Wow! Those don't even describe this book adequately. This is a "can't put down" "what is gonna happen next" book. This book was so hard to put down that I read well past my bedtime and actually fell asleep with
my book on the bed with me. I never do that so that should tell you how good this book is.

Katie Rhodes is a "on her way out" detective that is trying to solve a murder. She used to partner with Nathan Radley until one case was too much for the criminal psychologist and Nathan went into isolation because of his "dark desires". Once the main story line starts and you meet the two of them you automatically are drawn into the story so much that it is hard to put down.

Though at times it felt like there should be more of a back story you find out that back story the more you read the book. It is amazing how Nick Hollin managed to make you feel like you need to know more of the previous case that broke Nathan but by the end of the book you learn why & how it broke both Nathan and Katie.

I can not say enough good things about this thriller. Though I do admit it is not up to Stephen King's short stories, it is close enough to give you chills. I give this book a solid 5 stars! Please, pick it up and read it, I don't think you will be sorry you did.

It took me a while to get to grips with this one. But I'm glad that I did. It also took me a lot longer to read than a lot of other books. I found the beginning very hard to get my head around and to follow but I'm honestly glad I did. A debut novel and an author to watch out for. I would recommend it. Thanks Netgalley and Bookouture for allowing me to read this book.

In the Blood was an enjoyable debut by Nick Holin, he is a new writer who I am keen to read more from. It follows Detective Inspector Katie Rhodes and her former partner Nathan Radley, a criminal psychologist, as they investigate the death of a young woman which may be linked to a previous case they both worked on. This brings back haunting memories for them both, but they soon realise that the best chance they have of catching this killer, known as ‘The Cartoonist’ is by working together and facing their fears. There is plenty of intrigue in this book to keep people engaged and I'm looking forward to finding out more about Katie and Nathan. 

I’m always excited to start a new crime series. I have to admit that when I first started this book, I did have reservations about the main characters, it did take me a while to connect with them, but as the novel progressed, Katie and her former partner grew on me. In the Blood is very much a character driven drama, rather than a straight forward police procedural and this was one of the reasons why I really liked it. I enjoyed getting to know Katie and Nathan as Nick slowly peeled back their layers, and I’m interested to see where he’ll take them next. I found Nick's writing really addictive, he did keep me engaged throughout the story and I wanted to find out who the killer was, and what connection the killer had to Katie and Nathan. 

I am interested to see how Nick will develop Katie and Nathan's characters, they are pair who work well together and their personal relationship will be interesting to see explored further. Katie's relationship with her father was also intriguing; her father is a retired police officer and a very much respected one amongst Katie's colleagues, and this is something that Katie is often pulled up on as she fights to make her own mark. But there is something in their past that has built up a barrier between them, and this is something that I hope we'll find out more about. 

Overall this was a good start to a new series; I think this is a series that I will definitely be sticking with. Thank you to Bookouture and Netgalley for providing me with a copy to read.

After reading over 40 books in January my reading has slumped a little, but sadly that is due to real life rather than choice. In the Blood was a truly gripping read that I would ordinarily read in one sitting but which took me longer than I wanted!

I don’t even know where to start with talking about it. It features some of the most intriguing characters that I’ve read about in a crime fiction novel recently. The book opens shrouded in mystery as we meet Nathan, a man clearly damaged, he is living in the arse end of nowhere seeing out his final days. Then, Katie arrives, a detective from his old life and he is soon on his way down to London to offer an insight into the crimes that nobody else could offer. When we first met Nathan and Katie I got a bit of a Wire in the Blood vibe about it all, however that soon changed once we see just how damaged and different Nathan really is.

It’s impossible to discuss the plot except to say I’ve always been a little wary of these characters that can put themselves into the mindset of a killer. I understand those who want to kill themselves being able to relate to people like that, but for a mind to be able to do what Nathan is able to do just makes me uneasy and I’m not entirely sure how believable it is, but it does make for gripping reading. The scenes between him and Katie are electric, the feelings between them palpable, and I was reading and honestly had no idea what to think or who to trust. These are two of the best characters I have read about in a long time.

I did work out quite a few of the plot twists as I read but I don’t think there was any great secrecy there. This story is all about the characters, and shows just what damaged minds are truly capable of. The story of both characters is both shocking and gripping in equal measure and I can’t wait to read about them again. The conclusion I felt delivered on everything it promised during the build up to the final reveal and it certainly left me eager for more from this fantastic duo. Given that this book affected the two of them personally, I can’t wait to see how the story continues in future novels and whether that personal focus continues or we move away to just them working on a case. Both characters are so damaged that I’m not sure how their story could continue and that’s why I am so excited to read more. Highly recommended with no comparisons because this isn’t like any story I’ve read for a long time.

I liked this book but I had difficulty connecting to the main characters which is why I am giving this book a 3 star review. I enjoyed the twists and turns in this novel! There was a lot of suspense that many readers will love in this first installment!

Dark and disturbing police thriller. Red herrings and twists. Two very complex and disturbed main characters.

Thank you Net Galley. I did not enjoy the book. The narrative was disjointed and did not hold my interest. The plot had a lot of potential but the author was unable to realize it. Not recommended.

Wow - what an explosive start to a new crime series! This was a real edge of your seat page turner that had me gripped from the start. Initially I didn't take to either of the two main characters and in fact I was desperate for Katie especially to have a good shower and some clean clothes! But this set the scene for how both Katie and Nathan were both battling their demons. Lots of twists and turns and an ending that wasn't guessed until the final few chapters. This first book in the series did a lot to establish the characters of Katie and Nathan and their turbulent pasts and showed their desire to solve some of the most brutal and violent crimes together. I look forward to reading more in this series and to seeing the due tackle crimes that are not so personal to the two of them. Certainly a series to watch.

This is the first installment in the Detective Rhodes and Radley series. It follows the lives of a detective and a criminal psychologist and we’re dropped right into a gruesome murder case, that leads them into some dangerous situations.

Detective Katie Rhodes has been on a downward spiral for a while now because of a previous case. A new case has come up and a few of the details have caught her attention. She believes these murders have something to with her and her old partner Nathan. The problem is, he is in seclusion and has been for almost a year. She is desperate for his gift to get deep into the minds of murderer, and maybe they would be able to solve them.

Nathan Radley has a brilliant mind when it comes to the psyche of criminals. To be able to think as if he was in their shoes, seeing crimes through their eyes. I think at some point the lines were blurred for him, I could see how he would start to question himself and some of his thoughts. He’s unshaven, hasn’t spoken to anyone in a year, he acts aloof. So, Katie even had her doubts about him, once these new murders have taken place. The clues did point to him, so I even wondered if he’d given into the dark thoughts.

The story is filled with dark and gruesome murders and they were just heart breaking for the families left behind. There are little things found during the investigations that link the murders somehow to both Katie and Nathan and they keep coming up, and with Nathan being so mysterious still, I have to admit I was starting to think he might have been involved in someway, but I was happy when the story took a different turn. Away from him atleast, but now the question still remained, who is murdering these women, and why? And how do they link with Katie and Nathan? While we learn more about Katie and Nathan and their pasts, pieces start to fall in place and suspense builds, twists pop up at all the right places and it kept me turning the pages right up till the last page! What an ending!

It’s a fantastic start to the series and I am looking forward to more from Katie and Nathan and to see what new case might land on their desk next. In the Blood was a dark and twisted psychological thriller that can’t be missed.

An impressive, incredibly taut debut from a writer to watch, who I am convinced is going to become the next big name in crime fiction. An assured tale which in the hands of this extremely talented author, does not let up in pace, taking the reader on a breath-taking, thrilling ride until the absolutely blindsiding denouement. I could not out this book down - it was a satisfying, brilliant read that left me wanting for more from this fabulous author.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Bookouture for an advance copy of In the Blood, the first novel to feature DI Katie Rhodes and criminal psychologist Nathan Radley.

When Katie is called to a murder scene she is sure that they have a serial killer on their hands and one with links to both her and Nathan. Nathan has been living in isolation for the past year and Katie feels she has to break her promise to him to leave him in peace and force him to work the case with her.

I thoroughly enjoyed In the Blood which is an exciting read with plenty of twists and action. It is a pulse pounding read as both Katie and Nathan have to learn to trust again and slowly reveal the secrets that have torn their lives apart. Objectively it is difficult to believe much about the plot, both the motivation and characterisation are difficult to swallow, but it doesn't really matter during the read as it is so compulsive I just took it all in and kept reading to see what would come next.

Both Katie and Nathan are self destructing, she with a risky lifestyle of booze and one night stands, he with the fear that he will kill someone, anyone when the blood lust is upon him. What becomes apparent over the course of the novel is that they need each other and their working relationship to lose the self destruction. This is the most believable part of their relationship rather than the various other reasons given.

I must admit that I found all the psychology and broken characters rather tiresome but by the end of the novel there are some green shoots so I'm looking forward to the next novel where perhaps they can bring their formidable skills to solving a less personal case. I would like to see what they can do in those circumstances.

In the Blood is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending.

I have a love/hate relationship with cop novels. Luckily within the first few chapter I knew this would be a page turner.
Our protagonist Katie is flawed and full of spunk and oh so realistic. Her ex cop partner Nathan is introduced as a monster, essentially.
Their dynamic was original and creepy. We know he is dangerous and it was so neat how the plot rolled out around him. I kept needing to turn pages because the build up was incredible and I needed to know what happened to him!
All the while these two try to solve two murders - grisly murders.
Then we learn Katie and Nathan are connected to the murders as are they and their families.
It got a little too twisty in the end. But one definitely won’t be able to guess the ending so there is that aspect of a suspenseful read.
I’m pretty excited to read more by said author.

Twists .. turns .. suprises! Great first novel. I look forward to reading more by this new author and seeing how the characters he introduced evolve.

A terrifying thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat! Trust no one!
This story was very well written.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own!