I don't insist that a book's characters be likeable. I only ask that they be believable. If that's not the case, then any number of a writer's other talents are wasted.

This is the second Miranda Rijks book I've read, and I had the same experience here with Fatal Fortune that I did with I Want You Gone. In both books, there was one flurry after another of frenetic activity in search of the answer to an urgent question: The main character must find out who wants to ruin, and possibly end, her life.

In Fatal Fortune, that character is Pippa Durrant, a psychologist with a private practice. There are some clever plot devices, such as the title-referenced win of an obscenely high lottery jackpot, and the central issue of mistaken identity. But the pace and a few unique literary tricks couldn't bring me back from my constant mental refrain: EVERY ONE of these characters acts so impetuously, with no rhyme, reason or logic other than the requirement to move the plot forward a notch.

It was easier to swallow an unceasing stream of rash, flaky behavior in the previous book (with the main-character real estate agent) and in this book (with the young mother and her dysfunctional parents). I dug in my heels, however, when a seasoned detective and an experienced mental health professional -- both of whom should have their protocols and boundaries trained in so deeply as to be almost reflex -- each do one inexplicably impulsive thing after another, apparently just to serve as a segue to the next scene.

Thanks to NetGalley for giving me a second try at this new-to-me writer.

This is the first book in series featuring Dr Pippa Durrant.

Pippa is a psychologist and has gained a good reputation for herself, but then her photo is all over the media identifying her as the murdered lottery winner, Leanne Smith.

The police had issued the photo to the press as it had been found on the brutally murdered Leanne…but why? Is Pippa linked somehow?

“I look down at my handiwork and smile. The bitch is unrecognisable “

DS Joe Swain is investigating the murder and there is definitely a spark between him and Pippa, but is he just using her for her skills as a psychologist and micro expression reader?

Donna, is Leanne’s daughter and is distraught at her mothers death, her husband Ricky is supportive and caring….for now!

Mike is helping Ricky complete an extension on their home and he becomes close to Donna, when as Ricky starts behaving oddly, disappearing for hours…..and her Dad has been arrested for the murder…

Pippa tries to find out what’s going on and does her own bit of investigation, which leads nowhere but raises more suspicions, at the same time she is struggling with her own personal issues, her estranged son has come home, but things are still a bit fraught and then he is involved in an accident, her dog is let out of the house by someone and she has a client, the troubled Brent who needs to talk……and then another person is murdered!

I loved this book, so cleverly plotted, with many suspects and secrets to keep you guessing with never a dull moment…..it all comes together in a final, nerve shredding finish….brilliant writing by Miranda Rijks.

Thank you to Netgalley, The Author and publishers for the opportunity to read a free copy of the ebook. This is my honest, unbiased review.

A good solid mystery but I just couldn't relate to the characters, had a hard time finishing the book. Probably won't read the next one. I received an e-book from NetGalley in return for an unbiased review.

The reader certainly jumps in at the deep end of this gripping, psychological thriller. There are three narratives running concurrently - the smallest being intervals of "thoughts from the murderer" in the first person, the second from the point of view of the heroine psychiatrist, Pippa, drawn into the murderous plot apparently inadvertently, also in the first person, and the narrative of Donna and her family, in the third person. Plus, of course, the police procedural "stuff" but this is not the main thrust of the book at all. There are twists and turns as to how the characters interact and the feelings of the characters themselves are well portrayed. Donna's desperate missing of her murdered mother and consequent problems in her own family, The reader feels for her. Pippa trying to work out how she has become so linked with the murder victim, as well as her own family history. and the associated media trolls' words. You feel her frustration and anger, and hesitancy in belief of herself. The plot races along, descriptions of place are good and, for once, I got to the end without being aggravated by the lack of descriptions of the main characters involved.! The story was sufficiently engrossing for this not to matter. It also seems that some first person narrative amongst third person is de rigeur these days and sometimes that feels contrived. Not so in this book. An engrossing read.Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Inkubator Books, for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

This was a great book that was fun to read and hard to put down! There are many characters woven into the story and you have the perspective of not just the main character, but also some people that you probably don't even trust. Any one of them could be the killer! The main character is Pippa Durrant, psychologist who used to work in tandem with the police but gave that up several years back when her college age daughter disappeared from South Africa. Her husband had left her soon after, along with her son who took off to parts unknown, leaving her lonely and better suited to private practice.

Now though, she has been thrust into a new murder investigation because her photograph was found on the dead body. She has no idea why, as she doesn't have a clue who the victim is or how they could be linked to one another. Of course, because of this photo, everyone in town and online begins to question her innocence and she starts losing her private clients left and right. She maintains a wary connection with the detective in charge of the case, who initially appears not quite trusting of Pippa. As they grow closer, she asks to assist in the case because she is specially trained to detect deception through scientific methods like micro movements and speech patterns. The passages describing these techniques are fascinating. I've read up on the same topics before and was delighted at the role they played in the story.

The twists and turns that the narrative takes will definitely keep you on the edge of your seat. My only complaint is that the story has ended and there is no more to read! I look forward to the next book in this series, because this just has to become a new series!

Dr. Pippa Durant works as a psychologist in the small town of Storrington, England. She is having a normal day grocery shopping after work when she notices people in the store stop to stare at her. Unbeknownst as to why, she gets a call from her brother on the way home saying to check the evening news. Leanne Smith is found murdered in her home after winning the lottery two months prior. Her face is beaten beyond recognition. The police mistakenly use the picture of Dr. Pippa found on top of Leanne's body at the crime scene to identify the victim and now her face is on every major news channel.
Dr. Pippa comes forward to police saying she has no connection to the victim and the only information she has is that Leanne's town is ten miles away from her home. Detective Sergeant Joe Swain focuses on Dr. Pippa as the prime suspect. Who could possibly want her framed for murder?

My Thoughts

Dr. Pippa is a likeable character and the supporting characters made the novel a fun read. The novel had plenty of twists and turns to keep me intrigued. I am looking forward to the next two books in the series.

Okay, I had to DNF this but at no fault of the author or the book. I'm just a really big scaredy-cat when it comes to thriller/horror and rarely read it. This blurb sounded interesting so I decided to give it a shot. Big mistake. The book is fine. I just wasn't in the mood for this plot line.