This was unusual as it combined psychology and a missing person investigation. I enjoyed the plot and will be looking out for more novels by this author.

A very well written debut novel, with some intricate plot twists.

I felt quite smug identifying one of the attributes for one of the main characters, but even then I did not get to the correct depths to fully appreciate the clues given.

I felt that this book was not the first in a series and that there will be more to follow. I was pleasantly surprised to find that it is the first, but really hope that there will be more.

Congratulations to Ms Deakin for this.

There is much to like in Leona Deakin's debut crime thriller, elements of it make for an exciting and compulsive read. I am uncertain as to whether this is the first in a series, but I was engaged with the main protagonist, a dispassionate and analytical Dr Augusta Bloom, a psychologist who specialises in psychopaths, dangerous and otherwise, and a private investigator. She works with the ex-intelligence services, Marcus Jameson, the polar opposite to Bloom as a personality. Jameson brings in Bloom on the odd circumstances surrounding the disappearance on her birthday of a military mother, Lana, suffering PTSD, whose teenage daughter, Jane, has often been looked after by his sister, Claire, when Lana has been on military tours. Lana left behind a birthday card she had received, strangely to celebrate her 1st birthday, with the following inside the card, Your gift is the game. Dare to play?

It turns out there are others, just like Lana, who have received the same birthday card and disappeared on their birthdays too, but the police are unwilling to take this seriously, and only family and friends left behind are desperately worried. As Augusta and Marcus begin to investigate, it becomes clear that the picture they had built up of those disappearing is less than accurate, and what they have in common is a range of traits that raise deep concerns, something that results in a family tragedy. This has the police taking a greater interest, led by Chief Superintendent Steve Barker and his team, working with Bloom and Marcus. It soon becomes apparent more than a 100 people have been lured into playing the 'game', invited on their birthdays, and it turns out one of them is a high ranking police officer with a shady reputation. Who is behind these sinister mind games and identifying people with such personality traits, and what is their aim?

I read a lot of crime fiction and thrillers, and whilst this is an enjoyable and entertaining read which many readers will like, for me there were some problematic issues with it, unfortunately many of which are spoiler territory. What I can say is that when measured with the best writing in this genre, this crime read needs significantly tighter plotting and the characterisation feels a little on the weak side. Having said all that, I would like to underline the fact that I am certain many crime fiction readers will love this unconditionally, and I will definitely read whatever Leona Deakin writes next. Many thanks to Random House Transworld for an ARC.

This is a good, exciting crime thriller with well researched criminal psychology components.
The story is solid and original, the characters likeable and credible.
At times I found it a little predictable and the ending was unfortunately quite disappointing because of this, but overall this is a well written and gripping story worthy of 3.5 stars.

Wow this was awesome!!!! A very messed up story with lots of twists and turns keeping you on tenterhooks throughout!!!

Mind Games

Brilliant debut. Addictive, tense and gripping. Read it in two sittings. Highly recommended.

This is one of the most addictive books that I have read for some time. An excellent debut novel.
An excellent story beautifully written with great characters

With thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC, which I have enjoyed reading.
Mind Games is the author’s Leona Deakin’s debut as a thriller writer and I found it was very interesting and clever book. It was an engrossing read and the storyline was fascinating. The main characters, Augusta Bloom and Marcus Jameson were an interesting team who worked together well and it would be great to read other books in a series with them as the main characters again.
Highly recommended.

This was a slow starter for me and I wasn't sure if I should continue however it then became a gripping debut novel.
The psychological thriller Mind Games ticks all the boxes and keeps you guessing until the very end with twists and turns and double bluffs to create a brilliant book.
I look forward to leona's next novel.

This is an intriguing psychological thriller which will keep you engrossed throughout. Well written and full of interesting characters. Well worth reading.

I don't even have the words to describe how much I enjoyed this book.

It was psychologically horrifying. The story flowed so easily and the twists were impossible to see coming.

The premise of the book is fascinating alone but the story itself was just incredible. The end hints at possibly a second installment and I truly hope it isn't a long wait for it. I couldn't put this book down once I'd started, I just needed to read more and more. I'm devestated that it's over because it's been a while since I've wholeheartedly enjoyed a book like this.

All other psychological thriller authors need to move over because Deakin has taken the crown.

Well what can I say apart from this book is fantastic, addictive and so damn clever I can’t praise it enough I just loved it. The characters are captivating especially the wonderful Augusta Bloom and are so well written and real combined with a unique plot line this makes it a book that is surely going to be a big big hit. Oh and how could I forget Seraphine she is one hell of a character and a huge favourite of mine. A game of Dare, people seemingly going missing after a birthday card, psychopaths well wow this is an intriguing mystery full of suspense I really do hope we see more of Augusta, Marcus and others in any future books by the fabulous Leona Deakin.
So it’s hard to say more without giving things away so I will say no more than read this riveting book it’s one definitely not to missed and a big 5 star read for me.
My thanks to NetGalley, Leona Deakin and Random House UK for giving me the chance to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

BRILLIANT DEBUT
which will keep you gripped
read it in one sitting
It's everything you want from a psychological thriller,
suspense, tension and completely chilling
with an ending that will make you gasp

Thank you netgalley, Leona Deakin and Random House UK for allowing me to read and review this book.

Brilliant!!! Outstanding debit novel which is a real page turner... I couldn't put it down. Very pacy, a really original read. Scary... But in a good way loved it ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I loved this book, and having finished it I want more! well-written and wonderful mixture thrills and suspense brilliant well worth reading.

Wow if ever there was a perfect title for a book, as the saying goes, "it does exactly what it says on the tin".... if you love psychological thrillers that will blow your mind literally! People disappear and in their wake a birthday card is left "your gift is the game, dare to play?"... hmmm intriguing from the off, it grips you from the getgo, WTF is going on? Psychopaths collecting psychopaths..... the premise of this book will have me looking at people differently now given the odds of how many people display traits of a psychopath... without even knowing!!! I thoroughly enjoyed this story, it was riveting, dark, thrilling and the twists!!!! Seriously guys, you need to read this!

Many thanks to Netgalley and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

gripping. Chilling. People receive a card on their birthday inviting them to play a game and then they disappear. Held me enthralled from beginning to end.

I really enjoyed this book, it's such a clever premise; people are disappearing and leaving behind birthday cards with the message 'Your gift is the game, dare to play?' What follows is the interesting tale of a psychologist and ex MI6 agent, who decide to solve this puzzle.

The characters are well written and interesting and I thoroughly enjoyed the Yorkshire setting.

Overall, a good, satisfying read.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Random House UK, Transworld Publishing for an advance copy of Mind Games, a psychological thriller set in London and Yorkshire featuring psychologist Dr Augusta Bloom and her PI partner Marcus Jameson.

When teenager Jane asks Jameson, a family friend, to help find her mother he is determined to help but Augusta is less convinced until she learns the details. Lana received a first birthday card on her birthday saying “Your gift is the game. Dare to play?” then she disappeared and she isn’t the only one. A social media appeal has given Jane the names of three other people who have disappeared after receiving a card.

I must admit that I found Mind Games to be a compulsive, thrilling read in terms of the plot and action but there were other parts that I really didn’t like so overall it is a bit of a mixed bag for me. I have erred on the plus side in my rating because the plot is exciting and has an unusual premise - not anything I was expecting. I found myself turning the pages feverishly to find out what was coming next and walking away for a few minutes when it got tense. Initially the book was hard to get in to with constant changes of perspective, Augusta and Jameson, Lana and the mysterious scenes between Augusta and her teenage patient Seraphine which do not have any obvious relevance although it’s fairly obvious what Seraphine is. I did, however, like the way Augusta’s past and Seraphine’s role in it are slowly revealed, again it’s quite unexpected.

My main reservation about the novel is the labelling and generalisation of one class of people (I can’t say more without issuing spoilers) but it made me deeply uncomfortable. I prefer to see people as individuals rather than one of many with the same characteristics.

The characters are interesting. Jameson an ex British Intelligence Officer is smart, warm and caring. Augusta is cool, private and fiercely analytical. Aspects of her past are explored but we learn little about him. This and the way the novel ends rather inconclusively lead me to suspect there may be a sequel in the pipeline.

On the whole Mind Games is a good read. 3.5*

Wow I loved this. Clever & original. Likeable characters. Plenty twists I would recommend this book to anyone.