I would like to thank Netgalley and Joffe Books for an advance copy of The Secrets, the second novel to feature DI Mike Croft, originally published in 1996.

Mike is busy dealing with Eric Pearson, a persecuted man with big secrets and investigating the appeal of a convicted paedophile when he is sent to investigate a body found in a field. It is up to Mike to make the links.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Secrets which is a fast moving procedural with a few surprises. I must admit, however, to being surprised at some of the praise in the blurb as it is not a particularly profound novel. It tries to touch on the effects of sexual abuse on the victims but is more interested in the plot which centres on Eric Pearson and his persecution and Mike Croft’s efforts to solve the murder. It seems to me that the novel is very much a reflection of the preoccupations of the time.

I like the way the author builds her plot with hints of Eric’s problems and Mike nibbling at various questions as it arouses the curiosity and keeps the reader intrigued and only gradually unveiling the secrets. I loved the big twist at the end but was disappointed with the police investigation which seemed to tail away with a whimper rather than the expected bang.

I found the period detail fascinating as we have come so far in the past twenty years that 1996 seems like the dark ages with film negatives and no mobiles, DNA or computers. How did we get by?

The characterisation is not very strong except Eric Pearson who is disintegrating mentally in the grip of an obsession. It is an interesting portrayal in light of another character dismissing him as a nobody and it made me wonder about his motivations and truthfulness. This is a subject I could discuss much further but won’t as it would involve spoilers.

The Secrets is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you NetGalley.

suspensful, drama-filled, great read.

good characters, good plot. hooked from the start!

The Secrets was a throughly enriching psychological thriller, which follows Mike as he investigates the chilling children abuse claims brought forward from the Pearson’s case. As you go through the book, there is evidence of a cover up and misdealings which are happening within the police force, that are attempting to cover up who was involved in these claims. As Mike investigates the Fletcher case files, Pearsons has an unfriendly welcome to the neighbourhood, as frequently young children came to the house to throw stones and other materials through the windows of their home. Pearsons reacted by throwing out homemade petrol bombs, calling the police, and a newspaper company called Chronile. One thing that stuck out to me, was why Pearsons was acting in such a way to cause trouble, when he was trying to proclaim his innoence (not being involved in the child abuse claims). Fletcher, whom is in prision, gave Pearsons a journal filled with information of people who were involved. As Mike realises that Fletcher was telling the truth, he finds himself a victim of an car accident as a result of digging deeper.

When I was reading this book, I was kept on the edge of my seat as I didn’t know what the next page, or chapter was going to bring! I really enjoyed the fact, that Jane Adams wrote just enough in each chapter to give you information that answers queries, but creates new questions.

Mike Croft #2

Eric Pearson claims he is being persecuted because he has the journal of the late Simon Blake JP, which exposes a child pornographic ring that could topple powerful figures.

This book was first published as Cast The First Stone. The second book in this series has DI Mike Croft involved in a legal appeal of a convicted child abuser. Eric Pearson and his family lived in a commune called Children of Solomon but was asked to leave due to his mistreatment of boys. The author has done a great job dealing with this delicate subject. She has also covered the effects on people who have to investigate these types of crimes.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Joffe Books and the author Jane Adams for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and Joffe Books for the eARC.
Eric Pearson and his family have just moved into a quiet neighborhood in England. Within a short time he's compelled to call the police - he's being persecuted. He believes it's because he has journal that exposes a ring of pedophiles and could ruin the lives of high-powered people. DI Mike Croft is called in to handle the case and shortly thereafter the body of a young boy is found by poachers.
This is a difficult read at times, paedophilia is not an easy subject to read about. That said, it was written sensitively and the mystery and ending quite satisfying. I liked the character Mike Croft, which always adds to the enjoyment of a book. Recommended!

I really feel like I missed something in this book. Like maybe I got a version with missing pages or something.

On the one hand, it kept me reading. I desperately wanted to find out what was going on with Pearson and see the paedophile ring brought to justice.

On the other hand … it kind of just fizzled out. The point of the plot seems to have been whether or not Pearson took the photos he was accused of taking however many years ago. We never properly find out what that whole thing between him and the residents of the close was about. What the new photos he took of them were for. And the police don't solve any crimes in this book; they are wholly reactive, depending on various criminals giving them bits of information rather than figuring anything out for themselves. Plus there are scenes, like the odd conversations between Mike and Maria, that don't go anywhere or add anything to the plot.

Overall, I found it unsatisfying and rather disappointing.

Books about child abuse are always difficult to read. Eric Pearson is trying very hard to prove his innocence of abuse as, although he has never been prosecuted, mud sticks. At the trial of a man called Fletcher it was said that there was journal giving details of some very high up people who were part of a paedophile ring. It was destroyed when the solictor's office where it was kept was destroyed by arson before the trial, Eric Pearson says he has a copy of it and will bring it out at Fletcher's appeal. DI Mike Croft has to sort out the wheat from the chaff in regards to that appeal, and so it begins.

Very enjoyable. Thank you netgalley for the ARC.

A good creepy and dark thriller. Kept me hooked till the last page. A little different from others of the same genre. Good story xx