I love all of Michael’s previous books , especially the Matilda Darke series so I was over the moon to be approved to read and review this exciting new story.

The opening chapter had me absolutely terrified, poor Phoebe.

A serial killer is escalating fast and Detective Inspector Jessica Sheffield has been asked by her boss to do the one thing she said she wouldn’t do ask her best friend Dr Olivia Winter for help in an active case because of her horrific past Olivia only works on Cold Cases, until now.

I didn’t really gel too much with the characters to start off with but I really enjoyed the story of Olivia’s father and what he did etc.

After I had read around 35% of the book that’s when I thought the book and the storyline really came together, then it was FANTASTIC and I was hooked. The story was so good I was engrossed.

The dynamic between Olivia & DI Foley was absolutely perfect and they made the perfect duo, both broken and both needing another person.

Towards the end the story was so thrilling and fast paced it was like being on a runaway train!.

I’m excited to see what’s next for Olivia and Foley.

I really enjoyed this book. It sets the scene for a new series. Dr Olivia Winter is an expert in serial killers and what makes them tick - she should know , as her father was one. A killer is at work in London and the police are at a loss. Olivia doesn’t usually get involved in live cases but this killer is too close to home to ignore. There are a few suspects along the way and the ending is perfect. Great writing, great momentum and just enough gory details without being gratuitous. Looking forward to the next episode. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC ebook.

Dr. Olivia Winter #1

A DARK PAST

Dr. Olivia Winter is a forensic psychologist whose job it is to understand the minds of serial killers. There's only one monster she can't understand, her father.

A NEW IDENTITY

Notorious and brutal, he held a reign of terror until he was caught. His nine-year-old daughter was supposed to be his last victim, but she survived.

A SERIAL KILLER WHO WILL STOP AT NOTHING

Now, a serial killer is stalking the streets of London. As the body count rises, the police need Olivia's help to profile him before he can strike again. But to do so, she will need to confront her own demons.

Having survived a brutal attack at the hands of the Riverside Killer, Dr. Olivia Winter went on to become a forensic psychologist studying the minds of serial killers. The Riverside Killer was Olivia's father, he attacked and killed her mother and sister when Olivia was just nine. She was the only survivor of the attack. There's a serial killer stalking the streets of London, and the police have asked Olivia to help profile him before he strikes again. Olivia doesn't usually work on active cases, but she agrees to work on this case.

This is an intense read. I could feel the fear of the victim coming through the pages. It's dark, and gritty with well-developed characters. There were some surprises along the way. A most enjoyable start to a new series.

Dr Olivia Winter is a forensic psychologist who has interviewed many serial killers and having written a number of books on the subject is renowned in her field. However, she will only investigate serial killers who have been caught. All this is set to change when she is asked to assist the police when a serial killer is killing single women in London.

Initially she says no , because when she was 9 years old her mother and sister are murdered by her father and whilst she escaped she was severely injured and discovered her father was a serial killer. When a friend of hers is murdered by the serial killer she agrees reluctantly to work with the police and closely with Detective Amyas Foley.

She has not been in contact with her father who is spending the rest of his life in prison but he sends her cards and flowers on birthdays, Christmas and Valentines day. He has a heart attack and is in hospital. She agrees reluctantly to see if he can give her insight into the mind of a serial killer.

This book is a really page turner and draws the reader in. I don't want to put it down. I have read all of the. DCI Matilda Darke series by this author so when I was accepted to review this book ahead of it's release date I was delighted. I highly recommend this book and the DCI Matilda Darke series.

Thanks to Netgalley UK and the publishers HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for an ARC in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.

This book was recommended to me, and I'm so pleased it was especially as I've not read the Matilda Darke series. I like Dr Olivia Winter's character, and look forward to watching it grow in the next book. It was interesting to read the story from her point of view and her background. I found the characters very believable, and will be recommending this book to my book club.

The Mind of a Murderer asserts itself as a standout thriller of 2024, delivering a riveting, chilling, and utterly engrossing narrative that solidifies Michael Wood's position as a master storyteller. From the opening pages to the jaw-dropping conclusion, Wood's storytelling prowess captivates readers with its twists and turns, leaving them on the edge of their seats.

Wood expertly crafts a multi-layered narrative, seamlessly weaving together Olivia's professional endeavors with her personal struggles. As the tension escalates and the body count rises, Olivia finds herself confronting her own demons while racing against time to catch the killer. Along the way, unexpected twists and turns keep readers guessing until the final, shocking reveal.

In summary, The Mind of a Murderer by Michael Wood is a testament to the author's mastery of suspense and intrigue. With its gripping plot, intricately drawn characters, and surprising twists, this debut in the series has left me anxiously awaiting the next installment..

I thought this book was brilliant. It has so much tension and excitement that I couldn't stop reading!
Dr Olivia Winter is a forensic physiologist who interviews serial killers to try and understand what makes them kill.
The story was very well written, excellent twists, and strong characters.
I haven't read many Michael Wood books but will definitely be reading more.

Thank you to Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter and Netgalley for an advance copy to review.

This is the first in a new series, and it is an exciting one. Olivia Winter studies serial killers, driven by the desire to know why they kill. It isn't just out of curiosity or fascination, it is deeply personal. When she was 9 years old her father stabbed her multiple times. He was on the verge of being arrested for a string of serial murders and his final act, before facing justice, was to kill his wife and young daughters.
Now, Olivia is a world renowned expert on killers, though her past is a closely kept secret. Only very few close friends know. That includes DI Jessica Sheffield, her childhood friend. Jessica knows not to ask Olivia to work on an active case, but there have been three women murdered in London and Jessica knows it is the work of a new serial killer. Olivia says no, but when she looks at the files for the three victims she realizes these can't be the killer's first victims. Reluctantly, she decides to consult with the police on this killer.
I'm not going to go into story specifics, to avoid spoilers. It is an exciting read and I "almost" figured out who the killer was. Right logic wrong suspect 🤣.

Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Collins UK for the opportunity to enjoy this series starter e-ARC

The Mind of a Murderer is a dark, gripping, psychological thriller that I found hard to put down.

The characters are very well written and the protagonist, Dr Olivia Winter, is extremely likeable, although I think she makes some very unwise decisions throughout the book, which irritated me as she is more intelligent and professional than she has been portrayed by making those silly mistakes. I deducted one star for that! 4*

There are plenty pf twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat. Some of the crimes are disturbing so TW for gore and violence.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review.

This one is tough for me. I enjoyed the overall concept and idea, but the execution wasn’t fully there. I couldn’t get myself really invested in it. It took far too long to get a true and detailed introduction to Olivia and her past, I felt like I should already know who she is, and felt dumb for not knowing her. There was a lot of sub-plots, making the book very long and tedious. I unfortunately wasn’t connected to the characters.

I’m sure others will enjoy it, as I said the overall concept and idea was good, but it just wasn’t for me.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this informative, thought-provoking, intense, and exciting book. Dr. Olivia Winter is a renowned specialist in forensic psychology. She travels the world interviewing incarcerated serial killers and teaches insights into their motivation, demeanour, appearance, background, home life, and education. She has divided serial killers into several categories. The one that is significant in this story is the 'thrill killer.' The 'thrill killer' kills out of boredom with his life and enjoys the thrill of frightening the victims and watching them die. There is no sex attack, and the killer often uses a knife. Olivia is famous for writing books explaining various categories and debating the old question of Nature versus Nurture. Although she insists she is not a criminal profiler, she often gets requests from police departments for help in identifying those committing ongoing killing sprees. She is highly successful in pinpointing their characteristics.

Olivia's father was a notorious serial killer and has been in prison for twenty-five years. When she was nine, he killed her mother and sister and was charged with the previous killings of six women. Olivia bears the physical scars from knife wounds he inflicted after stabbing her mother and sister to death. The emotional scars still disturb her. She has no social life and has one friend, Jessica, a police officer in whom she confides. Olivia has random, casual sex but no lasting relationships with men.

She lives alone and is very aware that solitary women are being attacked in their homes. They are victims of a new serial killer who seems to be copying her father's type of crimes. Her house is well fortified by locks, deadbolts, an alarm, and a high-end security system. Yet, she carelessly leaves her keys and alarm fob in plain sight and gives a copy of her keys and security password to a young man she barely knows. The latest woman killed was her friend Jessica, who was a detective in the local police department. The police have brought a man in for questioning. He is heavily tattooed with piercings and is of slovenly appearance. Olivia insists they have the wrong man. The killer often emerged from a noisy party or crowd to murder, and the accused would have been noticed. They implore Olivia to visit her father and interview him for his insights. The recent killer seems to be trying to surpass her father's total number of murders. Olivia is very reluctant to do so. She has not spoken to her father since he went to prison and destroys any mail or gifts he sends. Only Jessica's murder makes her agree to talk to him.

Her visit goes badly. Her father does nothing to endear himself to her. He taunts her and says he follows her career and is proud that his killings still haunt her. When it is reported that she is working with the police to find the serial killer, she becomes in grave danger herself. Unfortunately, her success in identifying the killer's mind, motives, background, and education is way off the mark this time. There are many possible suspects and many twists and turns before the killer is identified. The story contains disturbing descriptions and plenty of fear and action. Parts are exceptionally intense and troublesome.

It seems to be a trend in recent thrillers to give the lead investigator emotional problems or addictions. Olivia's emotional issues are well-understood, as she experienced severe trauma in childhood. Several years ago, I read a book where the detective was stable, likeable, and good-natured. There was no further book, so I guess that sort of leading character does not appeal to readers. Recommended. The publication date is set for March 28.

Strong but damaged heroine, great start to a new series😯🔪

I loved the way British heroine Dr. Olivia Spring's past as the survivor of a serial killer is so integrally incorporated into the present day string of graphic murders hitting London town. Olivia's murderous father is locked up but not out, taking inordinate amusement from manipulating her life and inspiring more killing. Dad is a really chilling character, morbidly fascinating in his amoral cruelty.

As for Olivia, she's a traumatized, complex and lonely character, which, in view of what happened to her at a tender nine years of age, is not surprising. She's driven to study serial killers and what makes them tick to try to head them off and save innocent lives. I liked her combination of driven crusader and rather cool, detached academic researcher with no family and barely any friends to unload on.

The serial killer plot is graphic but fascinating and well done, maintaining suspense through to the climax. Altogether a gripping story beginning to end.

I fell hard for the author's Matilda Darke series and this book promises a new heroine just as dedicated and strong-willed.

Thanks to HarperCollins UK/One More Chapter and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

I have to wait until 2025 for another book?!! I was captivated from the start through the end. This crime thriller exceeded all expectations. I felt like I was reading an episode of Criminal Minds. I absolutely cannot wait for the next installment with Dr. Olivia Winter.

The concept of this one was great creating a unique plot. The characters were well written and fit their roles well. The story line kept me guessing till the end.
I did find this dragged out a lot and I found myself skimming at parts. It didn’t slow down enough for me to give up the read but it took me longer to get through than most as that desire to pick the book up was lacking due to the pace and some of the laggy spots.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this ARC publication for an honest review.

This was my first book by this author, and I will definitely be looking into other writings. I have read other books about a surviving victim of a serial killer...this time our survivor is the daughter of the killer who murdered her mother and sister, leaving her alive with scars from his brutal attack. That dark spin on this storyline gave an even darker, ominous feel. Olivia is now a forensic psychologist who studies serial killers. Her father is in prison and sends her cards on holidays and her birthday. The whole twisty family dynamic is chilling especially when Olivia must reconnect with her father to help get a grasp of another serial killer's mind. This book is beyond dark. There is so much palpable tension that pulls you even deeper into the pages that it is suffocating. The reader can't help but be fully invested in Olivia and her heartbreaking backstory and present-day turmoil. And, oh, Amyas Foley...I really enjoyed the character development and the partnership (albeit reluctant on Olivia's part initially) between these two. I hope the next book doesn't turn into a love triangle situation with the two men who have showed interest...

The ending leaves a perfect beginning for the next book! Looking forward to where this series leads.
4 stars

A brilliant new series from Michael Wood, darker than his Matilda Darke series but equally gripping. The main character is Dr Olivia Winter, an expert on serial killers who has travelled extensively interviewing them across the world, gaining insight into their minds - and there is a killer operating in London. I was hooked from the first page throughout all the twists and turns to the final revelation, which I didn’t expect! Such good charactisation also so that you care about the characters and the pace and tension keep you reading. An excellent start to the series and one I. would recommend to all crime fans.

This was so good guys!! I've never read a book by this author and I'll definitely be picking up more of his after this one. It about Dr. Olivia Winter who is a forensic psychologist in London, whose job involves getting into the minds of serial killers to find out what makes them kill. But she was also a victim of a serial killer….her own father. She was intended to be his last victim, but she narrowly escaped. Now she must face the demons of her past to help police track down a serial killer who is on the loose in London, before he kills again.

This crime thriller was fantastic. I was completely sucked in right from the beginning. It's tense and fast paced which is exactly how I love my thrillers!

Out March 28.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own. My review will be posted on Instagram, Bookbub, Goodreads, and Amazon once it publishes.

I can't believe I haven't read anything by Michael Wood until now. I can't believe I didn't read this author's books before - this is one of the best books I've come across in 2024. I’m on a mission to find out more about the author.

“The Mind of a Murderer” was my kind of book. London is where Dr Olivia Winter practices as a forensic psychologist. She investigates the minds of serial killers to unravel their motivations. She is a survivor. When she was only nine, her mother and sister were killed by her own father, but she managed to get away. It's important for her to find out why he would behave in such a way.

London has a new serial killer on the loose. Dr. Olivia Winter is being called upon by the police for help in catching him. Despite her hesitation, she agrees to cooperate closely with DI Foley in order to apprehend the ruthless murderer. As Olivia tries to identify the killer, she will face the past that have haunted her for years.

This book was so good. Michael quickly grabbed readers' attention with this gripping and shocking book. I really enjoyed the constant activity. The pacing was spot on. Having family from the UK over for a few days was a bit of a nuisance I was so engrossed in this incredible book and couldn't find time to read (I hope they don’t read this review lol). I was completely engaged in the storyline. This book captivated me from the very beginning of its fast-paced plot. The action starts in the very first chapter! I enjoyed the characters. Olivia's father was devious, shrewd, and intelligent. He was a character that readers will love to hate and believe me I haven’t hated a character as much as him!

While I wait for the return of Olivia (coming 2025), I'll check out DCI Matilda Darke.

My thanks to Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Dr Olivia Winter is a forensic psychologist asked to help the police profile and find a killer before he kills again.

Gripping and fast paced

I loved it

I'm a huge fan of Michael Wood's writing and his Matilda Darke series is amongst the greatest police procedural series of this generation, so naturally I was a little hesitant at the prospect of a new protagonist, but Dr Olivia Winter didn't take long to steal my heart.

She is a warm, complicated and likeable character who you root for instantly. I loved her relationship to the case and how she worked alongside the police whilst giving her own personal insight into the psychology of the criminal. I loved it, such an interesting case and I couldn't put it down. I can't wait to read what Olivia gets up to next!