I have never read a book by this author before but had heard good things so was keen to dive in.
The subject matter is difficult but it was handled in a clever way I felt, a good twist in that the 'perpetrator' is female and the 'victim' is a male.
You are drawn in quickly and left constantly unsure who is telling the truth! very twisty and unexpected.
Really clever and great writing, I will read more of her books.

Has there ever been a more fitting title for a book than The Whole Truth? That’s what this story is about, the many different connotations of the term truth and what it means personally to each of the characters.

This book begins with Fawley and his team investigating an alleged sexual assault at a prestigious university. The victim is a male student and he’s accusing one of the schools high flying female professors. I found the different take on the student/teacher theme refreshing and written with great care to a sensitive subject. I went back and forth so many times on who I believed and really enjoyed the red herrings and unfolding mystery.

The second major storyline in the book involves Fawley, his wife Alex and the ongoing spectre of Gavin Parrie who has sworn revenge on them. He is out of jail and a very pregnant Alex is living in fear. I won’t go into further detail as I don’t want to spoil some of the most thrilling and edge of your seat twists I’ve ever read. I wasn’t expecting any of them and my jaw was on of the floor for many chapters.

I really enjoyed the inclusion of the podcast as a different way to propel the plot and also to remind the reader of important details. The supporting characters are always written well and I look forward to seeing how their stories continue in the next book. The theme of truth was present from start to finish and I love how Hunter explored its many forms. A brilliant story.

The Whole Truth is number five in the DI Adam Fawley series and it is brilliant! I have enjoyed this whole series and I feel like we find out more and more with each book, the characters are so familiar and believable after being with most of them through 5 books.

Cara Hunter presents a very interesting case in this book, we have a male student accusing his professor of sexual assault. The professor does not remember what happened that evening and there seems more to the victim’s story than he is letting on.

As the team begin investigating we also learn that many of them have a lot of stress in their personal lives too. Especially Fawley whose wife Alex is heavily pregnant and is also sure that she is being watched by somebody from her and Adam’s past who has a large grudge.

I love how Hunter has continued with the same style in this book, we have chapters from different character’s perspectives interspersed with interview transcripts, newspaper articles, postmortem reports and Whatsapp conversations. I think it is this aspect of the book that makes Hunter stand out within this genre, this technique really brings the story to life and makes it so realistic.

The Whole Truth is fantastic as is the rest of the series, you will not be disappointed.

I love Cara Hunter she is a fabulous writer. As always a riveting read, really believable situations and characters. She gets the balance between bizarre human behaviours and real life and how they two overlap all the time. Thanks for sharing it with me!!

𝘼𝙣 𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙪𝙙𝙚𝙣𝙩. 𝘼𝙣 𝙤𝙡𝙙𝙚𝙧 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙛𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙤𝙧. 𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙠 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮? 𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙠 𝙖𝙜𝙖𝙞𝙣.

This book is the 5th instalment in the Detective Adam Fawley series. I hadn’t read any of the previous books in this series but that didn’t matter because at the beginning of the book, there is a catch up section which briefly introduces the characters and their stories so far, making this book work well as a stand-alone, as well as part of the series. Which is great because I now feel the need to read the previous 4 books after reading this one, so it definitely pulls you in.

This book is a great read! It had a bit slow to start but that doesn’t interfere with the quality of the book. Once the interviews begin, it’s pace increases and you become more and more lost in the pages. And I must say WOW! What an ending! I wasn’t expecting that!

The authors style of writing is compelling and engaging. It is told from the perspective of different characters in each chapter, which in parts made me laugh, like where it mentions Somers coming home to some beautiful flowers and moving on to Everest and how she was welcomed by a disgruntled, hungry cat. As the story progresses, you really begin to feel the emotions of the characters, especially their frustrations, which for me, made it an emotion led and suspenseful read.

There are 2 separate stories going at once. The story involving the student and the professor, and one involving Fawley and his wife, with their past catching up with them. They both work well in the book without overpowering one-another.

I love how the book has me questioning the characters involved in the scandal. One minute I’m believing Caleb, the next Marina. The plot is great with how it’s switched the usual roles of the victim and abuser. It’s not often you hear about a woman being the abuser in this way to a male. So, that had my intrigued from the start. Then onto the trouble Fawleys found himself in (which I can’t go into without spoiling the book for others). Absolutely, despised King. As the book went on I hated him more and more. And another added character when the truth is revealed at the end! I love when a book gets me hating characters!!

Overall, a great read! If you enjoy crime thrillers full of twists and turns, that keep you guessing right up until the end, then this book is for you!

I look forward to reading the previous books and catching up with the characters history. Especially learning the circumstances around what happen to Fawleys son!

** I received an advanced copy of this e-book to read and review. Thank you NetGalley, the publishers and the author for allowing me the opportunity. **

Another excellent novel by Cara Hunter about her team of detectives in Oxford. In this book DI Adam Fawley’s mind is elsewhere, his wife Alex is in the latter stages of her pregnancy and it’s a baby both of them need after their young son committed suicide, so perhaps it’s not surprising. At work a young male student Caleb Morgan accuses his lecturer Marina Fisher of rape, it’s a high profile case as Caleb’s mother is a local MP. Meanwhile Emma Smith a friend of DI Fawley’s wife Alex is found dead on a railway line, at first it is thought to be suicide but as the investigation continues they discover that she was raped and dumped on the railway line. My thanks to Penguin the publisher and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this novel and give it an honest review.

I'm going to give this 4/5...I was initially going to go for 3, but it was very well written. Nice summary of the Police 'team' at the beginning...it needed it, coming in fresh at Book 5 of a series! Not many authors do this, so kudos to Cara for this. There are no spoilers to previous books in the series either. Ok, I thought there were maybe too many 'main' characters, or at least the book didnt benefit from so many in my opinion. Also, I didnt find the stories (there are two main 'cases' within this volume) that rivetting...that said, it had twists, was impeccably written, and Cara is an established and very popular writer for very good reasons...I think at least one of the previous books in the series will be better for me than I found this, and I may well look out for others. Many thanks to Netgalley.co.uk, Penguin, and Cara Hunter for the chance to read an ARC of this book.

This book is part of a series but works well as a stand alone, the author gives the reader a catch up on characters as well as making it easier for a first time reader to follow. The plot follow two stories than run together, the writing is good and fast pasted. very easy to read and keeps the reader hooked through out

The introduction to who each character is and their place in the story is a great addition for both newcomers to the series and for long time readers who need a quick refresh.

Cara's books always flawlessly interweave the narrative with mixed media and I really love how she does this. It adds phenomenal value to the story.

I couldn't figure out the ending before we got there, which I always feel the hallmark of a good thriller.

However, at times I found this quite slow and didn't always see myself reaching for it. I also didn't love some of the language around suicide.

Blew me away!
I was also literally biting my knuckles for the predicament Adam Fawley finds himself in, dreading the outcome, convinced everything was lost and yet still hoping Good would triumph over Evil!
I love Cara Hunter books and I particularly love this series, although I have not read them all, just 2 in fact.
I like Adam Fawley as a detective, his home life, his relationships and his troubles, as well as the personal stories of his team. I like the dynamics between, and the different roles each police officer plays, and the way the team work together to bring justice, capturing and convicting those guilty of crime.
This latest offering is an absorbing and captivating read. Based on a sexual assault scandal at the University, this plot will challenge your preconceptions about male and female perpetrators and victims of abuse.
This case is far from straightforward and has the reader switching from one impression to another, never quite sure exactly who is guilty and who isn't.
Running alongside the main investigation is the worrying news that Gavin Parrie, a convicted rapist has been released. This affects Adam Fawley and his wife Alex on an extremely personal level and adds a heavy duty helping of tension.
Somehow the two stories will collide leaving everybody unsure, desperate and determined to find a connection that will lead to a safer community and a happier ending.
I am going to have to read the books in the series that I haven't yet picked up, to fill the gaps and feed my Fawley addiction.
Highly recommended and I just wish I hadn't devoured this one so quickly!

The Whole Truth is a gripping page-turner you will not be able to put down. Clear your schedule so you can read it in one go.
It's plot is sadly something we hear a lot of, but flipped on its head and a fully original take. which will have you unable to stop reading to see what happens next and how it all plays out.

🥂 Blog tour 🥂

The team are facing a very delicate, difficult case, there's an accusation of sexual assault at the University, but they'll have to leave their assumptions behind on this one as the victim isn't who they're expecting. Meanwhile, a case from Fawley's past is being dragged back up again which is no good for him, his team or his heavily pregnant wife.

The Whole Truth weaves together stories and plot twists with skill, using changing styles of writing, utilising social media, podcasts & news articles to provide a completely different feel to the narrative.

These books just keep getting better. I think it's the combination of the development of the characters, the relationships of the team and, obviously, the skill of Cara Hunter in weaving together really compelling stories. I particularly enjoyed the tension created throughout the secondary storyline, it was truly gripping & the reintroduction of Gallagher was a great move as you know things are in good hands with her there.

The Whole Truth comes with a handy character guide at the start of the book allowing you to read this book as a standalone, but I would recommend reading the others, mainly for your enjoyment but also because the secondary storyline is a continuation from the previous book so they work nicely as a pair within the series. In fact, it looks like Cara has already started to set up another secondary story ready for the next book for fans of a linked series.

In the fifth book in the terrific DI Adam Fawley series, Adam and his team are called to investigate a delicate case. A college student accuses his professor of sexual assault, while she claims that she doesn’t remember what happened. In the meantime, when an apparent suicide turns into homicide, the team’s loyalty and trust toward Fawley is tested and a true crime podcast threatens to reveal the truth about an old case that involves Alex, Adam’s wife.

I ADORED The Whole Truth! What a read! First of all, we learn more about the characters’ personal lives. Adam is worried about his wife pregnancy. Her age, the stress of their son’s death a few years back, the resurface of an old case, and Alex’s claim that someone is watching them don’t make for an easy time. DC Quinn is still trying to prove himself from a mistake in a previous case and, for once, he is in a stable relationship. DC Verity Everett is worried about her father’s declining health. DC Erica Somer is struggling with choices she has to make. Luckily, DS Chris Gislingham is there holding the fort for everyone.

And the plot is gripping and intriguing. I raced through it. I read it during a busy time and I tried to sneak in a few pages every time I could and I stayed up late at night to finish reading it! This series written by Cara Hunter is one of my favourite, I always look forward to the next book, and The Whole Truth is probably the best so far, although the previous books are close behind. The twists, the suspense and the tension, the mystery, the wondering (did he do it? did she do it?), the addictive writing, the incredible and complex characters kept me on the edge of my seat and made it impossible to put the book down. A must-read!

The fifth book in the D I Adam Fawley series.
Fast paced, lots of tension, twist and turns. Brilliant and cleverly told with the podcasts, text messages in amongst s the story.
Adam Fawley’s wife Alex is 8 months pregnant, and stressed, as Gavin Parrie has been released from prison and he wants revenge Alex was one of his victims.
D.i Fawleys team are investigating a he said/she said sex crime, where the predator is a female university professor, her 7 year old son is a witness.
Then a young woman is reported missing, her body later turning up, Adam is the main suspect in her murder.!,
Very cleverly written book, exciting read from start to finish
Throughout the book we get to know more about Adam’s team of colleagues, with a summary of each character at the start of the book.
Outstanding 5th book Cara Hunter’s fans will not be disappointed.
Meant thanks to Net Galley & Penguin General UK for an ARC of this book in exchange for a review

Dear Penguin.
Thank you for making this title available to me to read and review. After starting this title today I wanted to let you know that unfortunately I've decided not to proceed with it. At the time that I requested this title I didn't realise that it was book number 5 in a series. I haven't read the other books. I also didn't realise that it was a crime procedural, being a genre that is not one that I gravitate towards. For some reason I thought that this book was a thriller.
I have many more Penguin titles on my shelf to review and so I've decided to move on to another one.

Thanks
Kim

This was so good!! The Whole Truth is the 5th in the DI Fawley series but can also definitely be read as a standalone which is what I did. It took me a few pages but once I got into the story I was hooked. This was a fast paced book with two mysteries taking place and this was done beautifully.

The Whole Truth has a murder mystery and a she said/he said sexual assault allegation. I really didn't know who to believe and loved how unpredictable it was!

If anyone is after a thriller to get you out of a slump, this could be it. The Whole Truth is the 5th in the Detective Fawley series, however, as someone who is late to the party, I didn’t feel like I’d missed anything. Cara also includes a little background information at the start to set up the characters which was great. Consider it the family tree of this police unit.

What worked:
✨Good pacing
✨A range of excellent characters
✨Different media types within the chapters e.g. notes, evidence reports etc
✨Plot twists


There are two storylines that run parallel to each other, both engrossing in their own way. If you’re into police procedural novels that are easy to read, pick this one up.

The fifth book in the DI Adam Fawley series. Don’t let this put you off though as at the beginning of the book there is a very helpful ‘who’s who’ page for those of you that have not read the previous books. Although I would recommend reading the rest too if you can.
There are two storylines in this book running alongside each other, one of which is a continuation of the Roadside Rapist case featured in the authors previous novel.
A good read as usual, and always enjoy catching up with Adam Fawley and the rest of his team.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and of course the author for the advance reading copy in exchange for an honest review.

Kept me page turning until 1am to get to the end. This series grows and grows in the quality of stories; a great set of characters and plots.

I’ve just finished reading an ARC of the new Cara Hunter ‘The Whole Truth’ (due for publication on 29th April) thanks to NetGalley and Penguin.

This is the 5th book in the Fawley series which made me a little sceptical as I’ve not read any of the the previous books. However, I needn’t have worried as at the beginning of the book you’re provided with a ‘Previously in the Fawley Series’ introducing you to all the main characters.

There are 2 story lines running throughout. One being a student/professor sexual abuse claim and the second being a murder that appears to be linked to a case Fawley worked on 18 years before, which also involved his, now, wife.

The biggest hook for me was when I started reading about my local area. I had to continue to see if there were anymore mentions and although there wasn’t, I was already fully committed and wanted to know how the story would end.

I really enjoyed the pace of the book which had plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing until the end. I enjoyed it so much that I have now downloaded the first 4 in the series.

I’ve currently given this book 4 stars but I think this could be a 5 star once I’ve read the first 4 in the series and know the characters a little more.
(I have now read the other 4 books in the series and have now rated The While Truth 5*. What a great series!)