So much going on in this book! It was slightly annoying me as their was a lot of people's views and I was getting a little confused at certain points! But once I got to grips with it, oh my!!! It was amazing. Written so well and had me up until the early hours as I just couldn't put it down! Will be checking out the authors other books!

Another great installment in the Detective Natalie Ward series! At first, Natalie and her team believe that someone is targeting young girls who are working and/or living on the streets. In just two days, two girls are found with the same manner of death, both runaways. But then, another body is found and it completely throws everyone as her lifestyle is the polar opposite - she's the daughter of a wealthy and influential member of the community. However, she was found in the same area as one of the other girls and killed in the same way, except her body holds a tantalizing clue - the word 'guilty' written on her forehead in ink. Does that mean all of the victims were 'guilty' of something only the killer knows? Or is this even the same killer?

As usual, the team doesn't have it easy trying to determine what's going on. It's even worse now that Natalie has been promoted to DCI and the investigation becomes DI Lucy Carmichael's first time in the spotlight. It's as if everyone is waiting for them to fail. They are under extreme pressure not only from the wealthy victim's family but also their superiors who seem more inclined to appease the powers that be rather than trust in Natalie and Lucy's methods. Lucy's new role is also taking its toll on her home life - spending even more hours on the job leaves little time at home with her baby and her partner doesn't hesitate to remind her of that. Can this investigation get solved without Natalie and Lucy losing their sanity?!

I quite enjoyed this book, just when you think you have a handle on things, another piece of the puzzle comes in to shake it all up. Pay attention to the little details and don't discount anyone as innocent. Natalie knows how to get it done, but do you?

This is definatly an edge of your seat book to read, that grips you with the story and the strong characters.this book sent shivers through my blood.5*

Interesting and more complicated plot than usual. l
Lucy takes the lead in this one so we see less of Natalie and Mike in action. With Lucy's promotion I do miss her and her partner's interplay and I don't care for Andy or Poppy but that could change. Once we know the emotionally charged motive for the killings I felt as if the only character I truly despised was Whitey & pals that is not a spoiler by the way
Thank you netgalley and the publisher for this arc

The latest book in Carol Wyer's Natalie Ward series does not disappoint. Unlike some crime mysteries, which have a simple mystery that is solved too quickly, this book's plot has more twists and turns than a roller coaster. Things have changed for Natalie. She is now a DCI and living with her lover and friend, Mike Sullivan (also her ex-husband's best friend). On the domestic front,. she is trying to win over Mike's daughter while making time for her son, Josh, and Mike. There is a new crime team that is touted to be the best of the best at solving violent crimes, which Natalie oversees, and her protege, Lucy, is the new DI. A series of murders involving hookers, drug dealers, and the wealthy are all somehow tied together, but before the team can make any headway, another body is found. We are carried along with the investigation by the varying voices of Natalie, Lucy, the victims, and an unknown killer. A near-death experience convinces Natalie that she's ready to be the DCI and not involved int he dangerous action. As a tease, Natalie is also contacted by her twin sister, and she must decide if she will accept the olive branch. There is more to come in the next book, and I can't wait.

As always, Carol Wyler has written a fantastically gripping book. Her characters are like old friends now, so slipping into her story is like a reunion. Natalie has been promoted now and should only have an oversight on this case, but that isn't her style, so she gladly joins in. This series is always a joy, with the detective's private lives as important as the mystery. I really enjoyed reading how Carol had been inspired to write this book and the research she did where she found so much kindness.

I’d like to thank netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. I have been a fan of Carol Wyer’s work ever since I read the first Natalie Ward thriller and from that first book, I was hooked. Natalie is a multi faceted character with flaws, loves her family and her job, although sometimes her job takes over her life. This is the 7th book in the series and I find each book just keeps getting better and better, you want to read it as fast you can so you can find out what happened and as always, you’re left with a cliff hanger, wanting more. Can’t wait for book 8.

I’m a fan of Carol Wyer books and this was no exception. I like the character of Natalie Ward and the team but I do wonder how the series will progress now she’s a DCI and becoming less hands on with the investigations.
In this case two young girls are found strangled and the team starts to investigate when a third body is found. What seems like a simple case becomes more complicated as the case progresses. There is still little insights into Natalies home life and your interest is piqued to what will happen in book eight.
I did struggle with how quickly everything was resolved and I wanted to know the repercussions for some of the characters.
Can’t wait for book eight.
Thanks to Bookouture andNetGalley for anARC in exchange for an honest review.
#NetGalley

I absolutely love this series and was so excited to have the opportunity to read an early copy of the 7th book.

The problem with starting a book that you have been really looking forward to is that expectations are extremely high, but Carol Wyer has never let me down yet. By this point we have really got to know the detectives in the team and Carol always manages to get the balance just right between focusing on the case and giving us insight into their personal lives.

In this book things are a bit different as Natalie and Lucy have been promoted, their HQ has moved and there are new members of the team. I'm withholding judgement on these new members for now as I don't really feel like we got to know them much.

The case itself in this book was really interesting. I couldn't for the life of me work out how the murders were all linked and I really enjoyed following the investigation. The resolution was good as it surprised me but it wasn't shoehorned in out of nowhere either.

I cannot wait for book 8, this series just keeps getting better and better. I would definitely recommend it but please start with book 1, I don't think the books would be as good if read as standalones.

I was so thrilled to receive this as an ARC from Carol and the publishers, as this “Natalie Ward” series is one of my favourites. I really like her as a policewoman and although life has thrown major hurdles her way, she’s still out there fighting crime.

I did think (being a clever dick) that I’d worked it all out, reading between the lines, but no, I’m rubbish, once again Carol outwits the readers and pulls the rug from underneath us, faster than a flying carpet. I, of course, have to say that it takes a skilled writer to perform like that.

This book is different from the previous ones, in that Natalie has been promoted and Lucy also. There are new members to her team and we need to get to know whether we like them or not! David isn’t so needy and desperate in this book and Josh is settling down nicely, after the recent traumas. I don’t want to say any more, in case I spoil the story.

Theres a couple of things at the moment troubling Natalie, one is Mikes daughter Thea, who I’m afraid is a bit too precocious for me! I suppose she’ll settle down eventually. The other is the re-appearance of a family member. Not sure if I would accept her back into the fold, I’m not as forgiving as Natalie. As they say life is too short, yes, it is, but equally so, I’d find it very difficult in her situation, so the answer to Carol, at the end of the book is no!!!

My thanks to Carol, the publishers and Netgalley for the very welcome ARC. Hope it’s not too long until the next one!

So happy i was given chance to read book 7 in this series and while you may think book 7!!! yes it really is but don't be put off thinking its dull or boring as even after seven books Carol has not took her foot off the gas on this speedy tense car chase of the Natalie ward series! love the story where it leads, twists and turns as well as the catch up in all the lives and relationships of the characters. well done Carol and yet another addictive ending to keep you waiting eagerly for another install of Natalie!!!

Newly promoted to DCI Natalie Ward is in at the deep end as murder victims pile up, young girls who all have the same pimp, a teacher and a store manager all have met a grisly end. with no obvious motive or lead the team struggle to find a suspect

Love this series and the murder count in this latest novel is seriously high

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for allowing me to read this Arc.
Carol Wyer does it again. Another absolutely gut gripping read from this amazing author. The murders are are happening one after the other. No suspects, no way to see if they are connected.
Pressure is mounting from the powers on high to get results from the newly reformed task team.
I didn't see the ending coming.
Also can't wait for the next one and to find out what happens with Natalie and her sister!!

Things are changing in Detective Natalie Ward's life. Now heading up a newly formed serious crime squad in an historic but recently refurbished building she has a team of dedicated officers around her determined to reduce the crime rate in Samford and its surrounding areas. She is also trying to find a way of connecting with boyfriend Mike's daughter, Thea, now she has moved in with the head of the local forensic science department.

Natalie is just putting the final touches to their first firework party when she is called to a quiet parking lot where the body of a young teenage girl has been found. The new team begin work knowing the press attention will be intense as well as their senior officers watching every move. Then Natalie receives a letter which stops her dead in her tracks and, as the body count rises, she finds herself struggling to keep focused.

This is a series of the highest quality with no give away clues or reluctance to involve the main protagonists in the centre of the action. Once again Carol Wyer has written an amazingly, compulsive and brilliantly executed novel where the atmosphere is tense almost immediately and remains that way until the final word is read. The changes in circumstance and discovery of the reasons for a long hidden secret could indicate the end of Natalie's journey. I hope not but if it's wise to bow out at the top of your game then with this book the author is definitely doing that.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers in exchange for an unbiased review and would recommend it to anyone who has read the series so far or wants a tightly written murder mystery from one of our best authors. You can't go wrong with this series of books.

Somebody’s Daughter. Carol Wyer

In about 6 weeks I will be taking part in the blog tour for the publication of SOMEBODY’S DAUGHTER by Carol Wyer, but having just finished it I thought I’d do quick, short, review to let people know just how good it is.

Yes it is the latest in a series but this book can easily be read as a stand-alone, in fact it’s almost a fresh start for the main character as she has recently been promoted and is now Detective Chief Inspector Natalie Ward.

The star of this book is the crime and the victims. I try to never give spoilers and this all happens in the first few chapters so I’m not giving much away. Two young girls who fall for the wrong man, a drug addict who grooms girls, then forces them into prostitution to feed his habit, are murdered.

The investigation team is led by the newly promoted DI Lucy Carmichael, but with so many possible strands to the investigation where does she start. Is this case too big for the new boss.

The story looks at, family relations, bullying, grooming, sex work, drug taking, and that’s just the crime.

Then it looks at the problems caused by new dynamics. Lucy’s new dynamic of being the team leader and dealing with the petty jealousies of some subordinates, whilst worrying about what her superiors think.

Natalie’s new dynamic of being the DCI with a less hands on approach whilst mentoring Lucy through being in charge of her first major investigation. All the time dealing with her new dynamic at home.

The way Carol Wyer keeps it real has always let me enjoy her books more than most others.

Pages: 329

While I still haven't forgiven the author for what she did to Leigh in a previous book it is good to see Natalie begin to heal and rebuild.
This book is very much a sad reflection of today's society with the most vulnerable being used and abused.

I was lucky enough to receive an advance copy of this book thanks to Netgalley. As with all of Carol’s books, I found myself unable to put this one down. I love how Carol effortlessly weaves from the characters’ home lives to the crime without anything ever feeling forced.

Carol makes you feel for the characters and cheer them on. Their never say die attitude keeps you invested and always coming back for more. I can’t wait to see what she has in store next.

Well you did it again Carol Wyer and gave us another winner !!
This is the seventh instalment of the superb Natalie Ward series and well what can I say it’s just brilliant and I have said this about all of the last six books and I can honestly say this is a series that is hard to fault. We are back with the fabulous team of characters and in this book Detective Natalie Ward has been promoted to DCI and we have Lucy Carmichael taken the position of DI and this works really well.
I love the character of Natalie she has grown throughout the series and it’s been hard, if you haven’t read the previous books I would urge you do do so as it’s been one heck of a journey and so well written. This is as always an excellent police procedural with a well thought out plot line that keeps you guessing to the end and yup it’s a great read and one I can highly recommend.
My thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for giving me the chance to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

When a missing teenage girl's body is found, Detective Natalie Ward thinks of how this girl is somebody's daughter. Then another runaway girl is found dead and Natalie's team try to find the killer of these innocent young girls. When a wealthy woman is found dead next, the team begin to wonder how the deaths are connected. As the bodies pile up, the team race to catch the unknown killer.

Another great entry to the Natalie Ward series. The story is thrilling and tense and you are kept guessing until the end. As usual I loved getting to know the team more and seeing what is going on in their personal lives too. Recommended.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of the book in return for my honest feedback.

I am such a fan of these series and especially the last two have been such stand out reads for me so i was really excited for this one, after Natalie experiencing such a turbulent time i really was ready for her to have a some good luck.



Heading a new "super" team Natalie is going to be less hands on now with her promotion. Yet, when a young girl turns up dead - all Natalie can consider is the fact this is someones daughter. Struggling to get past the tough time she has had with the murder of her own daughter its a case of focus on the task ahead and assist the team ahead.



What starts as one girl turning up dead soon escalates and the team have a lot of dead bodies on their hands and no idea where to start. As with any investigation by this team though, simple tasks turn up clues and they set about solving the mystery. Determined to establish the connections Natalie begins to realise this could be alot more complex than first thought.



I read this in record time, i started it one day and by lunch the next door i had finished it. I loved it. I did worry with Natalie been promoted would she play such a key role, and boy she did. She was still the character i loved and still not having the best of luck. This book was filled with tension and was so thrilling.



It really was a complex and detailed case that was so interwoven with all the characters. I honestly couldn't solve this one at all. I loved how it was so intricately written that each word was so relevant to the case. It was very dark and handled some horrific topics in a way that gives them the respect they deserve, nothing is underestimated.



I felt for the girls in this, we spend a little time starting to know some of them, and as it all unfolds we discover more about them from those around them. Their history, their lives and feelings are addressed throughout this and it gives the victims real depth, they are not just a body.



Carol writes in such a gripping way that you just devour the book, you are invested in the narrative and along with Natalie end up determined to solve the investigation. I loved this, and i love how Carol continues to hit this out the ball pack and top each read.