This debut novel has me looking forward to the next in the series. Maggie Jamieson is a strong, smart, and capable DC who just started with the collaborative task force who is dealing with domestic violence as well as the homicides of some of those domestic abusers. Lucy is a probation officer who is stuck in a situation that even she feels she shouldn't be in given her background. Well-written characters and a mystery that takes you for a ride equals success for Ms. Holten.

My thanks to Harper Impulse Killer Reads for an eARC via NetGalley of Noelle Holten’s debut, ‘Dead Inside’, in exchange for an honest review.

This is the first in a planned series of police procedurals featuring D.C. Maggie Jamieson. At the start of this novel Maggie has been seconded to Staffordshire’s Domestic Abuse Homicide Unit. It’s made clear that this transfer has occurred due Maggie’s link to a difficult case. Holten doesn’t say much though it’s indicated that it will feature in future books.

The main plot involves a series of murders where men known to the police as domestic abuse perpetrators are found beaten to death. One link between them is Probation Officer Lucy Sherwood, making her a person of interest.

Despite being an intelligent, capable woman whose work as a probation officer means that she has contact with violent offenders on a daily basis, Lucy herself is in an abusive relationship. She keeps this a secret from her colleagues.

There is certainly a great sense of authenticity in this novel. I wasn’t previously aware of Holten’s background but she includes an end note stating that she had been a senior/probation officer for eighteen years. She has endeavoured (and in my opinion succeeded) in portraying domestic abuse realistically.

Certainly a well written novel that was very gripping throughout. The subject matter doesn’t make for easy reading but it’s an important social issue and I felt it was handled with sensitivity.

‘Dead Inside’ was a powerful debut that bodes well for the series, which I look forward to reading in due course.

Well, well, well. What a debut this is. This book is going places. Thrilling from the first page to the last, brilliant story, brilliant characters, turns you wouldn't expect, wow, this book has it all. Everything you need for an unputdownable read.
It's hard to believe that this book is actually a debut. it's written like it's by an author who has many, many books under their belt.
For a crime thriller it was great to see not only what goes on with the Police, but how some things worked in the probation side of it. I also loved the Characters, so many familiar names in there that I felt I already knew the characters and had their image in my head each time I read about them.
I loved that the chapters were kept short, it gives you the chance to just keep saying one more chapter. There is just something I love about books with short chapters.
Lucy was an amazing character to follow. Working for probation and specialising in Domestic abuse, Lucy is very good at the job she does. She is assertive and in control. If only this was the case in her private life. Lucy is the victim of domestic violence, you would think this would be something Lucy would get away from but her husband Patrick seems to have such an influence over her it's scary. It's almost like Lucy is playing the part of two different people. You have to read the book to fully understand this, Its amazing the effect Domestic Abuse has on people and how people can find ways of hiding it. Being fearful of her husband is something I really couldn't imagine for myself, as they say you never know what goes on behind closed doors.
Patrick is a man you just want to hate, although he does seem to have a nice side somewhere it's a shame that side of him isn't the real Patrick. His character really got on my nerves, I don't mean in a way that put me off the book, I mean he was someone I could have happily done harm to. He frustrates me so much that he could be like he was with his wife.
There are a whole host of other characters in this book that I really did like, and i'm hoping to meet them again when Noelle's second book comes out in November.
The overall story of this book, even though it was based around a not so good subject of Domestic Abuse it was done fantastically. A fast paced plot, and a story you just lost yourself in. If you are going to read this book then please, clear your diary first.
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I eagerly awaited this debut novel by Noelle Holten, aka Crime Book Junkie. It certainly did not disappoint! The subject of domestic abuse is sensitively and tactfully handled by Noelle and there are two main characters. DC Maggie Jamieson and Probation Officer Lucy Sherwood. A serial killer is murdering victims who are all violent domestic abuse offenders and in the care of Lucy. The book is very fast paced, with plenty suspects and an unforgiving plot. I have no hesitation in recommending this book to lovers of the crime thriller genre. I look forward to book two. My thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for my ARC. reviewed on Amazon, Facebook and Goodreads.

As far as debut books go this is something extremely special indeed. The story had a wonderful way of capturing my attention and holding it steadfast throughout which I think was down to the fast and frantic pace that never dropped momentum once. The dark world that was created before my eyes left me feeling a range of deep emotions as the story whizzed across the pages with short and snappy chapters that left me wanting more. The character creations were all encompassing and I was enthralled by the heartbreaking story lines weaving their way throughout the book. Domestic abuse is brutal and unforgivable on any level and my heart went out to each and every victim that set foot on these pages.

The narrative featured hard to digest moments of graphic detail in its quest to catch a killer. But my morbid curiosity was completely engrossed and due to the nature of the story line I felt no remorse for the murdered victims in the slightest. I don't want to dive into any details of the plot for fear of giving away any hints or spoilers......I think it is better to experience the story in the way that Noelle intents, layer by layer, second guess after second guess, to see if your amateur detective skills prove right at the big reveal moment of the plot. But in a boasting bout of glory I just want to interject and state that my theories proved positive on this occasion and I received some extremely strange looks screaming 'I knew it' into the screen of my kindle in Central Park.... there's never a dull moment in the life of a book blogger!!

If this is the standard of storytelling straight off the debut starting blocks then I'm extremely excited to dive into book two. I know for a fact this will be a series that will grow from strength to strength and I for one can't wait to see this in motion. Dead Inside is a must read on every level, if you haven't got this on your tbr pile then rectify this error immediately you won't be disappointed.

Dead Inside came highly recommended on Goodreads and after all the hype surrounding it, I succumbed to the temptation. This dark and twisty thriller is Noelle Holten's debut novel and is the first in the DC Maggie Jamieson series. This one of those books that will grab you by the first chapter and won't let you keep the book down, no matter the place or time. It's that good!
When three vicious wife-beaters are found brutally murdered, DC Maggie Jamieson a brilliant and diligent officer of the law is faced with what is probably the toughest case of her career. Probation Officer Lucy Sherwood – who is connected to all three victims – is hiding a dark secret. Then a fourth man is brutally murdered - Lucy's husband. Will Maggie be able to catch the cold-blooded killer?
Dead Inside provides a true and difficult-to-digest insight into victims of domestic violence..Given that Noelle used to be a probation officer, the events in this book, while fiction, sound brutally honest. The plot of this book is very clever; I couldn't guess who the murderer was in this ruthless cat-and-mouse game. All characters are well-defined and sound so realistic. While, I did find that the number of characters that the story follows more than what I am comfortable with (I found myself confused few times, at the start), I like how all of them pull their weight and contribute to the case. In all, this was a fantastic read!
Thank you, NetGalley, Killer Reads & Noelle Holten for an arc!

Well I started it and it was an engrossing book that I had a very late night and an early morning as I desperately wanted to finish it.
I found the main protagonists to be interesting and I felt for Lucy, but she also irritated me, so I guess I was invested in the story.
I found the ending a bit abrupt and felt that it was rushed.
I will definitely be looking out for the next one to see how DC Maggie Jamieson's character develops.

All in all a good solid start to what seems to be a promising series.

Thanks to NetGalley, Noelle Holten and Harper Impulse Killer Reads for the opportunity to read and review this book.

First I want to thank NetGalley and Noelle Holten for giving me the chance to read her debut novel!
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Dead Inside the first in a series. It took me a bit to get through only because life got in the way this month but I really enjoyed it. I found myself hooked from the very beginning. It felt like an emotional roller coaster between hating the abusers and feeling sadness for their victims, as well as trying to figure out who the killer was. The reason I gave it a four was because to me it felt a little rushed at the end. However, despite that I loved it and can’t wait to read the next book! Noelle is definitely an author I look forward to reading more from.
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After three gruesome murders of domestic abuse offenders, DC Maggie Jamieson must rush to find out who the killer is. Are they a previous victim or a vigilante? The only link between them is their Probation Officer, Lucy Sherwood, who is hiding a dark secret of her own. When Lucy’s husband ends up being the fourth murder victim all signs point to her being the killer. Can Maggie solve this case before someone else ends up dead? Is Lucy the killer or is she hiding something else?

I need to sit for a while and breathe this brilliant book in!!

Dead Inside by Noelle Holten is a debut novel and was a big hit with me. I was gripped and 100% hooked from the first few pages. This book is the first in the DC Maggie Jamieson Series and it was just everything you want from a book! Fast paced, gritty, powerful, twisty, and very dark in places, that will have you completely glued to your kindle and your chair.

WoW what a brilliant book..............it's a real to life; about domestic abuse, the abusers and their victims. their relationship they have with their family and the Police and the Probation workers. How they all fits together. Plus, it can be Shocking and very dark and emotional in places.

Three domestic abuse offenders have been found dead they are found beaten to death. DC Maggie Jamieson knows she is facing her toughest case yet.
The police suspect that Probation Officer Lucy Sherwood – who is connected to all three victims – Lucy is hiding a dark secret. I wonder what it is?

Then a fourth domestic abuser is brutally murdered. And he is Lucy’s husband.

All the characters were true to life and play a great part within this book.

The ending of this book, just took my breath away and I was lost for words. I Just want the next book to come out now.

I Highly Recommend this book and so looking forward to read more books By Noelle when she writes them......No pressure Noelle Holten!

Big thank you to NetGalley, Harper Impulse & Killer Reads and the author Noelle Holten for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

DC Maggie Jamieson has recently transferred to Staffordshire’s Domestic Abuse & Homicide Unit, following on from working a difficult case involving someone called Bill Raven. The team are a little surprised at the use of the American ‘Homicide’ term, but as someone points out, using murder instead would have produced an unfortunate acronym….

Lucy Sherwood is a probation officer who works with domestic abusers, a difficult and demanding job which requires her to come face to face with some pretty violent criminals, so you know she’s no shrinking violet. Yet Lucy herself is in an abusive marriage to Patrick Quinn. Lucy is capable, intelligent and holding down a very responsible job. So why doesn’t she leave?

Here Holten shows her extensive experience as a probation officer with knowledge of domestic and sexual abuse as she authentically portrays the different kinds of relationships that abused women are in and why they are often caught between a rock and a hard place when trying to work out what to do.

Lucy works closely with the police, reporting on offenders who have breached their parole orders and ensuring that when that happens, abused women are checked on.

Then clients start to show up murdered in the most brutal of ways. It’s clear early on that their partners can be cleared of any involvement and so for murdered, Maggie and her team the puzzling question is – who else had a motive?

Holten portrays with stark and haunting accuracy the relationships between abused and abuser and her understanding of the passing of the generational baton from father to son is both horrifying and emotionally harrowing.

As Maggie and Lucy, together with a compellingly drawn cast of the DAHU team members, investigate the lives of the murdered abusers, it is impossible not to speculate that this is a killer with a vigilante purpose, intent on taking revenge.

Holten creates an interesting team. I especially loved the portrayal of criminal psychologist Kate, with her flamboyant personality and the rest of the team are well drawn and set the scene for the establishment of this newish unit struggling with trying to make the multi-agency approach work, at the heart of Staffordshire’s criminal justice system.

Holten’s portrayal of the lives of the (sometimes barely) survivors and abusers is harrowing and feels deeply rooted in reality; these are women from all walks of life whose personal circumstances are forever blighted by the relationships they are forced to endure.

As Maggie and her team investigate the murders, one more takes place. This time it is Lucy’s husband, Patrick. Suddenly Lucy herself is in the epi-centre of police enquiries. Not only did she have first-hand knowledge of each of these men and their crimes, the case can be made that her own experience caused her to snap and take action.

Lucy herself is saying nothing, claiming to barely remember the moment when her husband Patrick died, but there’s no escaping her access to motive and opportunity.

Holten skillfully creates an atmosphere that is tense and full of mistrust. Lucy, in particular, comes across as capable, yet unable to reconcile her tough working persona with her abusive relationship.

I’m looking forward to learning more about DC Maggie Jamieson, whose character will undoubtedly be further fleshed out in the next in the series, which Holten has cleverly set up at the end of this book.

Verdict: A terrific well-paced debut that is tense, dark, claustrophobic and in places very harrowing.

So murder is a bad thing? It’s a sin, illegal, morally wrong, evil. Right? Well, reading this book, I found myself wondering whether it can be justified. Four domestic abusers are found murdered. These men were vile, violent, scum of the earth. However, the law is the law and a special unit led by DC Maggie is working to apprehend the vigilante.

This book has multiple narrators and I mean, multiple. It took time to keep track of the shifting POVs but once I did that, it became easier to follow the story. My favorite character was Lucy, a Probation Officer who also happened to be a victim of domestic abuse. She was sympathetic and easy to root for.

Dead Inside is mainly about domestic abuse. Following a number of characters, we get to see different sides of abuse. We even got to hear from the abusers. I think one thing that stood out for me though is the fact that anyone can become a victim. We also shouldn’t judge those who stay in abusive relationships since it’s not always easy to walk out. Reading about the abuse wasn’t easy but I applaud the author for tackling such a hard, sensitive topic.

This ended up being a captivating read. I thought it would be more about the investigation and DC Maggie but maybe that will happen in the next installment. Nevertheless, I enjoyed meeting Lucy and having a Probation Officer as one of the narrators made this a unique read for me. I look forward to the next book.

ᎴᏗᏒᏦ. ᎴᎥᏕᏖᏬᏒᏰᎥᏁᎶ. ᏰᏒᎥᏝᏝᎥᏗᏁᏖ.

Noelle Holten’s debut was dark, disturbing, and brilliant. This is the first book in the DI Maggie Jamison series but it really centered on Lucy a probation officer. Three men have been murdered, three men that were convicted of domestic abuse, three men whose probation officer was Lucy sherwood. When Lucy’s own abusive husband is killed, she becomes the primary suspect. But could Lucy possibly be a killer? And is murder ever justified?

This was less of a crime investigation and more of a dark character study of abusers and the abused. Noelle worked for 18 years as a probation officer and I thought this really shown through in this book and gave it some major authenticity. Abuse is a dark and difficult subject, but I think it was handled with a careful hand in this story. I thought it was important that the book really showed you that abuse doesn’t discriminate, anyone regardless of their background or Socio economic status is vulnerable. It is easy to say why don’t you just get out, but unless you have been there I don’t think that is a fair statement. Lucy was such a complex character she had so much strength and yet was so vulnerable. Maggie is a character I am really looking forward to getting to know even better in future books.

This was a well told story with a large cast of characters. It took me a while to get all the characters straight. Additionally if you are a book blogger or follow book blogs there are lots of familiar names in this book. This distracted me and took me out of the story quite a few times in the beginning, until it didn’t. And Noelle i’m certain there is a Berit in the next book, right? Murder victim, murderer, best friend of the murderer, I’m not picky! The murder mystery in this book even though it wasn’t as prevalent as I thought it would be it was compelling and I was super surprised by the outcome. Simply put this was a compulsively readable dark tale that will have you coming back for more. Well done Noelle!

*** thank you to Harper Impulse for my copy of this book ***

In the first in a new, exciting police procedural series, DC Maggie Jamieson finds herself at the centre of her most challenging case yet in which the line between good and evil is blurred adeptly. The police are deeply suspicious that there is corruption within the probation service. They aren't sure how high it may go but they believe Probation Officer Lucy Sherwood, who has links to all four of the men found brutally murdered, is hiding a huge, dark secret. So is Lucy really involved, and if so, how? Can Maggie work it all out quick enough to stop a fifth victim being killed?

This is a tense, race-against-the-clock and the subject at the centre of it — domestic violence — is tough to read about but the story importantly raises awareness of what many women have gone through or are going through. It is treated sensitively and carefully. Given the author is a former probation officer herself it's safe to say that the parts about Lucy and procedure surrounding her job are set in fact. To muddy the waters even more Lucy is herself a battered woman and is broken and vulnerable because of it.

It's a real page-turner, moves at a decent clip and the writing is very readable and easy to follow. My only slight issue was that there was a humongous cast of characters which could get confusing at the beginning but it also could be seen as a positive as it makes it impossible to predict the killer and those involved. It's a compelling, emotional, dark and gritty read which I thoroughly enjoyed. Many thanks to Harper Impulse and Killer Reads for an ARC.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Harper Impulse and Killer Reads for an advance copy of Dead Inside, the first novel to feature Staffordshire Police’s DC Maggie Jamieson.

Maggie has recently transferred to DAHA (Domestic Abuse and Homicide unit), a multi-jurisdictional team tasked with combatting the high level of domestic abuse in Staffordshire, from Major Crimes after her previous harrowing case. Unfortunately her first day is little different from her old job when one of the unit’s “nominals” is found murdered and he’s not the last.

Dead Inside is a different novel from what I expected and, to be honest, not really to my taste. I expected a police procedural as the novel is advertised as the debut in a series featuring DC Maggie Jamieson but in some ways Maggie is peripheral in the novel which is mostly concerned with probation officer Lucy Sherwood and her abusive husband, Patrick. I don’t want to belittle domestic violence which is far too prevalent but it’s a difficult subject to read about for entertainment. To give Ms Holten her due the scenarios she describes are realistic and the perpetrators’ thought processes so ugly in their twisted logic they are both off putting and totally believable.

The novel suffers from some debut teething problems that I am sure will be ironed out in future novels. There is a large cast of characters, most of whom give their perspective at one point or another. It makes for a choppy read and prevents the reader from fully identifying with any one character and getting absorbed in the narrative. As a result I found it easy to put the novel down in favour of doing something else. It is also slow to start with a lot of character introduction and scene setting. In fact the murder investigation, despite the blurb, is very much a secondary strand to the novel with the solution appearing almost out of the blue.

I must admit that I didn’t really take to Maggie. She seems pushy with an inflated opinion of her role but that is an initial opinion as her character isn’t particularly well developed and I don’t feel that I got to know her.

Plenty of readers will like Dead Inside but it didn’t appeal to me.

I have great respect and admiration for the author, who I first started following as a blogger and watched her journey to published crime author. Congratulations on her debut novel, which has already gotten rave reviews! It is therefore difficult to admit that this book and I did not really gel. It probably has a lot to do with my current disillusionment with thrillers and my reading slump, so take this with a large grain of salt.

I loved that the main characters of the book are all part of a large multi-agency team and especially found probation officer Lucy interesting, even though it infuriated me to watch her quietly suffer abuse from her nasty husband. It was immediately evident that Noelle Holten had insider knowledge into the workings of the system, having been a probation officer herself. It was curious to see how capable Lucy appears at work, whilst her own home life is so utterly depressing and dysfunctional! Which definitely made Lucy a multi-dimensional character and the one that I found the most compelling.

My main problem lay with the sheer number of characters, and I soon lost track of who was who. Personally, I gel better with books where I can identify with a main character, but I found this difficult here, as we never get to spend quite enough time with any of them. Secondly, all the murder victims are nasty, unlikeable people who I found it hard to care about. With lots of background information about the domestic abuse the female characters suffered at the hands of their tormentors, the actual murders took a background role. As terrible as it sounds, I felt absolutely nothing except relief that an abuser was taken out of the picture, which somehow diluted my sense of curiosity to find out the identity of the killer. Perhaps it all hit a bit close to the bone, as I see the fallout of domestic abuse at work as a nurse, and have little empathy for the abusers who destroy many lives in the process. I especially hated Lucy’s husband’s voice, who is a nasty piece of work but also came across as a bit of a stereotype– I think I would have preferred not having to get into his head at all. It was interesting to question my own morals as one part of me was secretly cheering as the abusers were “taken care of”, whilst the other was reminding me that there may be a good reason for their actions (usually abuse suffered themselves) and they too had basic human rights (like the right to live). Very conflicting at times!

Lovers of dark, gritty crime fiction featuring a cast of many different protagonists will enjoy this one, as the reviews on GR reflect already. Even though I struggled with some aspects of the story, I am not deterred to pick up the next book in the series to see how these characters develop. Hopefully my zest for dark gritty thrillers has returned by then!

Dead Inside is certainly an impressive debut, Noelle’s knowledge and personal experience shines through and you can’t help but be pulled into the world of DC Maggie Jamieson. No punches are pulled in this story, it is gritty, realistic and really gives you an appreciation of what domestic abuse victims are put through and how not every case is black and white. You are also given an insight into the abuser and while I was glad that they met a grisly end I couldn’t help but feel a little sorry for some of them; violence begets violence after all. I’m in no way excusing this behaviour just saying that this book gives you a fuller picture of the development of a person’s behaviours and actions.

As this is the first in a series we are introduced to a large cast of characters which I initially struggled with but soon settled in to. It was interesting to get a behind the scenes look into how a multi-disciplinary team works in this situation and I enjoyed the interaction between the different groups of staff involved. I really felt for Lucy Sherwood, a probation officer who deals with domestic abuse daily, not only at work as she is a victim at home. Her husband Patrick is possibly one of the most vile characters I have encountered! You really get an insight into how manipulative these people can be and how hard it is to escape that situation. But has Lucy resorted to being a vigilante…Maggie Jamieson certainly begins to suspect as much as men are being murdered and the only link appears to be her! When Patrick is brutally murdered there is even more suspicion, is Lucy capable of such grisly acts?

An enjoyable read and I have already pre-ordered the next in the series!

"Dead Inside" by Noelle Holten

Several men are found dead. What they have in common? They were abusers...

5 stars.
WOW !
Good pace, well developed characters, interesting story full of emotions from page one.
Some people you want to hug, some you want to hurt really bad for things they've done, things they're doing...
The attention to details, police procedure... everything perfect !
Perfect crime thriller. Everytime you think you know who might have done it, you're wrong...

Warning : deals with domestic abuse.

You never know what someone is going through, it can be your friend, neighboor, sister... and that nice man you are talking to, your friend or brother... may just be violent with his partner and appear nice and kind, looks may fool you.

Beautiful cover, well chosen title.

Well done, Noelle ! I can't wait to read more from you !

Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Impulse and Killer Reads for the ARC of this book. This is my honest review. All opinions are my own.

What a fantastic debut book by Noelle I’m looking forward to reading book two. Lucy was living a double life, at work she was a probation officer helping with domestic abuse and violence, but at home she was a victim herself. Why wouldn’t a strong woman like Lucy get out of that dangerous situation straight away, the answer was her step children, Lucy couldn’t leave them with her violent husband. This is a great read where you see both sides of the story. How the services try to help, and how people get trapped in difficult situations. A real dark and gritty read with a serial killer as well. I highly recommend this book to anyone that loves this genre. You won’t be disappointed.

The book goes deep into character development for many of the main players in this book right away. Of course there is the killer, and those around them, but then you start to get to the point of the teaser, It felt almost about 1/3 from the end. From there if your head wasn't already spinning, it will be. It took one incident and comment for me to loathe a single character. Only for them to step up and redeem themselves in the end. What you thought you knew, guessed you knew, plotted you knew about the way this book goes, you absolutely don't. This was just a fun read. I look forward to the next in the series. Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my non-biased opinion.

I can’t believe this is Noelle’s first book – I just loved it! What I really liked, although the storyline centres around the police, specifically DC Maggie Jamieson, there is an equal focus around another key character: Lucy, a probation officer who oversees the probation of domestic abusers – whilst also being a victim herself. The book takes a really dark turn when some of Lucy’s parolees are found murdered, and the teams must work together in order to piece together the puzzle. This book was a real rollercoaster – it had it all; it was gruesome, emotional and twisted. There were many parts that were hard to read, and the book kept me gasping and wincing throughout. Noelle did a fantastic job at character development. I loved everyone and felt a strong connection with them all.