Nothing Left Behind
by Hannah Brennan
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Pub Date Apr 23 2026 | Archive Date Apr 23 2026
Avon Books UK | Avon
Description
‘Emergency. Which service do you require?’
‘He’s trying to burn down my house. He’s going to kill me.’
They thought it was another false alarm. They were wrong.
This page-turning crime thriller is perfect for fans of Nadine Matheson, Sam Holland, and Helen Fields.
‘Emergency. Which service do you require?’
‘He’s trying to burn down my house. He’s going to kill me.’
Anne Evans was a 'nuisance caller'. She would repetitively dial 999 in desperate panic, screaming down the phone that 'he' was going to burn her alive…
But after years of false alarms, people stopped listening.
Now, as the smoke clears, DCI Liz Field can only watch helplessly as Anne’s charred home collapses, her body still trapped inside.
The blaze leaves scant evidence behind, but the more Field's team uncover in the rubble, the more disturbing the case becomes. This wasn't merely arson, it was murder, tailored to the victim’s worst nightmare.
Everyone thought Anne was just a paranoid recluse. But is it really paranoia, if all that you feared comes true?
Readers love NOTHING LEFT BEHIND!
- 'I don’t think I’ve ever physically winced so much reading a book' *****
- 'I’ll be honest: after the first few chapters of Nothing Left Behind, I found myself double-checking my own front door locks' *****
- 'One of my all time favourite book detectives' *****
- 'Such a page turner. The pacing is sharp and relentless' *****
- 'There's a real sense of how human these characters are' *****
- 'Fast-paced, tense, and full of shocks' *****
- 'The story just keeps tightening, layering dread with urgency, and it honestly reads like a one-sitting kind of thriller' *****
- 'This series is just getting better and better' *****
- 'Can absolutely be read as a standalone novel but also builds on book 1 which I appreciated' *****
Available Editions
| EDITION | Ebook |
| ISBN | 9780008778101 |
| PRICE | £2.99 (GBP) |
| PAGES | 384 |
Available on NetGalley
Average rating from 60 members
Featured Reviews
This series is just getting better and better
First I adore Liz I love how real she is she’s one of my all time favourite book detectives
This was definitely twisty i actually thought I had it figured out but I was wrong. I love how professional. The crime is investigated it feels so much more real.
It’s so well thought out and executed perfectly.
I completely enjoyed it
louisa t, Reviewer
I don't remember much about the first book (I never do), other than I enjoyed it
I enjoyed this one too.
It had me guessing all the way through, if the strands were connected, and if so how.
There's a real sense of how human these characters are, their feelings shine through.
The key players are all very relatable,
Their empathy for the victims.
A twisty case that had me guessing to the end.
It's a series I hope we see a lot more of.
Thanks to netgalley for the free digital copy.
I couldn’t put this book down. I had so many theories to how the story would end, it kept me guessing and it just begged to be read in one sitting which I did! After reading that first chapter I was hooked and that was my plans disrupted!
I really enjoyed this one, I enjoyed this one more than the previous book. This one was definitely more engaging and it flowed much better.
This is a tense, emotionally charged crime thriller built around a woman everyone dismissed—until the worst finally happened.
Helen A, Reviewer
I’ve really enjoyed this one. An engaging police procedural with strong characters and a satisfying investigation.
This is book two in the series, but I haven’t read the first book and didn’t feel lost at all. It works perfectly well as a standalone, which I really appreciated.
From early on, I was hooked by the slow burn of the investigation. At 34% in, I already had ideas and suspicions, but nothing solid. No obvious suspect, just my mind working overtime trying to piece together clues that maybe weren’t even there yet. I managed to connect some of the dots by the end, but not all of them, which is exactly how I like my crime thrillers.
Detective Field is such a likeable lead. Fair, confident and goal-driven, but also intelligent and emotionally invested in her cases. She genuinely feels what she’s working on, and I loved that about her. A strong moral compass, a good boss, and a believable DCI.
And chapter 54… I don’t think I’ve ever physically winced so much reading a book. The description is fantastically uncomfortable, and so convincing it made me squirm in my seat, and it wasn’t even a murder scene 🙈🫠
Even better, book one in the series, No Safe Place, is currently available on Kindle for 99p, so there’s plenty of time to read the first instalment before Nothing Left Behind is released on 23rd April. I’ve already snapped up the first book and can’t wait to read more of Detective Field and her team.
Thank you to Hannah Brennan, Avon UK and NetGalley for the early copy.
This is the second instalment in the Detective Liz Field series, and wow, this one burns slow and then explodes.
Anne Evans was known as a “nuisance caller” repeatedly dialling 999 she is hysterical and convinced someone was going to burn her alive. After years of false alarms nobody truly listened. So when her house goes up in flames and her body is found inside, the guilt is suffocating. But as Detective Liz Field begins to dig through the ashes it becomes chillingly clear: this wasn’t just arson. It was murder and one disturbingly tailored to Anne’s deepest fear.
This was such a page turner. The pacing is sharp and relentless, with short and punchy chapters.
What I loved most was how the story plays with perception. Was Anne truly paranoid or was she the only one who knew the truth? That question lingers throughout and adds such a clever psychological edge to the plot.
Liz Field continues to grow as a character in this second book determined, sharp, and carrying the emotional weight of the case in a way that feels very real. The twists genuinely surprised me, and the final revelations were both satisfying and unsettling.
Fast-paced, tense, and full of shocks,
I really enjoyed this book. It’s tense and engaging with great characters. If you enjoy crime novels, you should definitely read this!
Reviewer 318610
You know that moment when someone says, “She’s just dramatic,” and then five minutes later the house is literally on fire? That is the energy of "Nothing Left Behind" by Hannah Brennan. Anne Evans has been calling 999 for years, screaming that “he” is going to burn her alive, and everyone collectively rolled their eyes so hard they sprained something. And then… he does. I’m sorry, that opening is so brutally effective it felt like the book grabbed me by the collar and said, Pay attention, we are not playing.
And listen, did I read "No Safe Place," the first book in the Detective Liz Field series? Absolutely not. I swan-dived straight into book two like a chaotic gremlin who refuses to respect chronological order. And honestly? It works. Brennan gives you enough of DCI Liz Field’s vibe that you’re not floundering. She’s sharp, competent, and has that weary empathy that comes from seeing too much of humanity at its worst. She’s not flashy. She’s not brooding in a tortured genius way. She’s just solid. The kind of detective who stands in the ashes of a collapsed house and actually feels the weight of what it means that no one listened.
Anne is such a quietly devastating character. Labeled a nuisance caller. The woman who cried wolf. Except the wolf showed up with gasoline. The whole premise plays on that deeply uncomfortable question, is it paranoia if it’s true? And Brennan leans into that psychological horror so well. Anne wasn’t just killed. The fire was tailored to her specific fear. That detail is so cruel and intimate it made me physically tense. This is not random violence. This is personal.
The procedural side is heavy. We are sifting through rubble, analyzing fire patterns, piecing together timelines. At times it slows the momentum a little, but it also makes the case feel grounded. Like you can almost smell the smoke and damp ash. There are transcripts of emergency calls sprinkled in, and while some are blink-and-you-miss-it short, they add this eerie chorus of voices that keeps reminding you how many times Anne tried to be heard.
What I really appreciated is how the investigation starts to unravel connections beyond just the fire. There are threads linking to other deaths, secrets tucked into seemingly unrelated corners, and you can feel the net tightening. I had theories. So many theories. I was side-eyeing everyone like I was in my own personal episode of "Line of Duty." Every time I thought I had it pinned down, Brennan nudged the narrative just enough to make me doubt myself.
Liz herself is such a strong anchor. She’s compassionate without being naive, driven without being reckless. There’s a quiet frustration in her that the system failed Anne, and that emotional undercurrent gives the whole book more depth than your average arson-murder procedural. This isn’t just about catching a killer. It’s about what happens when someone gets written off as inconvenient.
Is it the most shocking twist of the century? No. But it is tense, emotionally loaded, and smart. The pacing kept me locked in, even when we dipped into detailed investigative territory. It’s gritty in that very British crime drama way where everyone looks slightly exhausted and morally conflicted, and I eat that up every time.
Four stars. Confidently. This series has officially convinced me I need to circle back to "No Safe Place" like the responsible reader I pretend to be.
Whodunity Award: For Making Me Permanently Suspicious of Anyone Who Uses the Phrase “Nuisance Caller”
Huge thank you to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for the ARC. You handed me a book about fire and paranoia and said, have fun, and I absolutely did. My nerves did not, but that feels on brand.
"Is it paranoia, if it comes true"?
"Nothing Left Behind" is a tense and bone chilling crime thriller that had me turning the pages quick. Poor, Anne Evan's house burnt down with her inside. Anne was afraid of fire and was a nuisance caller who they brushed aside.
Hunt the hero, didn't hesitate to run inside trying to get Anne out and almost died trying to save her. Anne's body ends up being trapped in the aftermath of the burned down house with Anne's body still trapped inside. DCI Liz Field was called to the scene. Things start to unravel and I was on the edge of my seat! This was my first crime thriller and it did keep my interest for the most part. I kept trying to figure out who did the things and I couldn't! This was a gripping page turner and enjoyed it.
Thank you Netgalley and Avon Books for my ARC!
My Review: Nothing Left Behind by Hannah Brennan
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5 stars)
I’ll be honest: after the first few chapters of Nothing Left Behind, I found myself double-checking my own front door locks. Hannah Brennan has delivered a dark, unsettling, and incredibly tense crime thriller that plays on that universal fear—what if the person everyone thinks is "crazy" is actually the only one seeing the truth?
Why it hooked me:
The premise is chillingly effective. We meet Anne Evans, a woman labeled a "nuisance caller" by emergency services. She’s spent years crying wolf, but when the wolf finally arrives with a box of matches, no one is coming to save her.
• The Atmosphere: Brennan does a fantastic job building a sense of suffocating dread. Seeing DCI Liz Field sift through the literal and metaphorical ashes of Anne’s life was heartbreaking.
• The Lead: DCI Liz Field is a solid protagonist. She’s sharp but carries a heavy weight of guilt—watching a house collapse with a woman inside because the system gave up on her is a hell of an opening for a character arc.
• The "Nightmare" Factor: Without giving too much away, the realization that this wasn't just a random fire, but a murder specifically "tailored" to Anne’s phobias, sent actual shivers down my spine. It’s a cruel, clever hook.
The Vibe:
If you’re a fan of Nadine Matheson or Helen Fields, you’ll feel right at home here. It’s gritty, it’s procedural, but it has a deep psychological edge that keeps it from feeling like "just another" detective novel.
A Few Thoughts:
I’m giving this a strong 4 stars. The pacing is relentless, and the mystery kept me guessing until the final act. My only slight "but" was that a couple of the secondary characters felt a little thin compared to Liz and the haunting presence of Anne, but the plot is so propulsive it didn’t slow me down.
Bottom Line: A haunting reminder that paranoia is sometimes just a very accurate assessment of reality. If you like your thrillers dark, fast-paced, and slightly devastating, pick this up.
Peter O, Reviewer
This is the second outing for DCI Liz Field. The metrics and storyline provide a taut narrative, with a sprinkling of clues about the puzzling fire and the apparent unconnected death of another person working for a charity.
The scene setting and description provide the reader with a sense of empathy, along with a puzzle about why the fire was set. Each of the main characters pulls their weight and has their own secrets, which Liz has to unravel throughout the book.
Another great read from Hannah, and I look forward to reading the next outing for DCI Liz Field.
Charlene W, Reviewer
Firstly thank you for my opportunity to read and review the next installment in this series . I absolutely loved the first which was Hannah’s debut and one of the things I love is it’s set on my doorstep !
It just adds to the reading experience wgen you can visualise locations especially in crime books .
I raced through this and it’s another fantastic twisty book full of suspense and tension.
Secrets and lies are at the forefront of this book with serious repercussions to ensure the truth isn’t revealed .
DCI Liz fields is a great character and one I’m sure a lot of women of a certain age can relate to ,she’s brilliant at her job and takes no prisoners whilst having compassion for others .
This book explores the vulnerability of certain people that may be dubbed as a local nuisance , all is that as it seems .
Fast paced , addictive and compelling making Hannah’s storytelling firmly fitting in with other incredible authors of the crime genre .
Educator 1916274
Nothing Left Behind kicks off with a jolt and basically refuses to let you relax. The premise alone is tense. Anne Evans, long dismissed as a “nuisance caller,” begs for help because someone is trying to burn her alive… and then it happens anyway. From there, the investigation feels like it is always one step behind the truth, digging through a case with barely any evidence and a steadily more disturbing pattern.
A lot of readers describe the book as twisty and impossible to put down, and I get why. I kept changing my mind about what was really going on. Every time I thought I had a handle on it, something shifted. That constant uncertainty is what really drives the tension. The story just keeps tightening, layering dread with urgency, and it honestly reads like a one-sitting kind of thriller.
I’m giving it 4 stars instead of 5 because the detailed procedural work can slow things down a little in places. There are moments where you can feel the groundwork being laid. Still, if you want a crime novel that leans hard into suspense, paranoia, and rising stakes, this one absolutely delivers.
Reviewer 255544
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley.
Field investigates the death of a woman in a house fire. This woman, Anna, has been a nuisance caller for years, repeatedly dialling 999 claiming 'he' has found her and is going to burn her alive. Her colleague is investigating the murder of a woman who campaigned for and ran food banks. Gradually it becomes clear that the cases are linked.
I like Field and this was well-plotted and a bit different - Anne for example was an interesting character, and there were some well placed twists. On the other hand, at times there was a little too much detail about police and fire service procedures. The chapters were also very short and some (for example some of the recording transcripts) were so short as to be entirely pointless in terms of filling out characterization and moving the plot along. I think this book could have been shorter, but overall it was a good read.
Anna L, Reviewer
*A TWISTED AND SUSPENSEFUL THRILLER: NOTHING LEFT BEHIND BY HANNAH BRENNAN 😱👮*
Hannah Brennan's "Nothing Left Behind" is a gripping and unsettling novel that'll keep you guessing 🤔. The story follows a complex exploration of secrets, lies, and the darker side of human nature in a small town.
Brennan's writing is atmospheric and engaging, crafting a narrative that's both a thrilling ride and a poignant exploration of the characters 😮. The plot is expertly woven, with twists and turns that'll keep you turning pages 📚.
If you enjoy psychological thrillers with plenty of suspense and a focus on character dynamics, "Nothing Left Behind" is a compelling read.
Reviewer 1651323
Nothing Left Behind is a tense, emotionally charged crime novel that lingers long after you close the final page. Claire Douglas (or the author—depending on the ARC) delivers a story that is as heartbreaking as it is propulsive, built around a single chilling question: what if the warnings everyone dismissed were true?
Anne Evans is such a tragic, compelling figure. Branded a nuisance caller, she spent years begging emergency services to believe her, only for her final call to be the one no one took seriously. The opening is stark and devastating, and it sets the tone for a story that digs into fear, isolation, and the consequences of being ignored.
DCI Liz Field is a strong anchor for the investigation—steady, empathetic, and quietly determined. As her team sifts through the ashes of Anne’s home, the case becomes more disturbing with every discovery. The arson isn’t just targeted; it’s tailored to Anne’s deepest terror, and that detail adds a chilling psychological edge to the procedural pace.
What I loved most is how the novel balances its crime‑thriller tension with a thoughtful exploration of vulnerability and perception. Anne’s reputation, her loneliness, the way people dismissed her—it all feeds into a narrative that feels painfully believable. The more Liz uncovers, the more the story forces you to question who gets believed, and who gets written off.
Fast‑paced, atmospheric, and deeply unsettling, Nothing Left Behind is a standout thriller that blends emotional depth with razor‑sharp suspense. I raced through it.
with thanks to Hannah Brennan, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Reviewer 1491639
wow wow wow and more wow. this one hits on all levels both as a book lover and with someone with emotions! and that means what a brilliant book this was. this is dark and unsettling and one that gets into your core and grabs you never letting go. you care, you feel, and you also know you will have to know more so read and read and read.
i felt so sad and also gripped by that very real circumstance. where we have someone who is termed with certain probably not very kind words. and some more than not kind. you know the type. but was this woman they all deemed with those words crazy or was it actually all very much the, her truth.
Anne is that woman. and she is known by the services as being a nuisance caller. she has spent years calling in, "crying wolf". but on this occasion the wolf is very very real and he comes with matches. and of course. no one is there to save her. wait, this isn't crying wolf then. this is a very different story and a very very gut punch to what this woman then was going through. right?
Liz Field is on the case. and what she finds and delves into in this case was all hitting so many notches on my soul.
Liz is a wonderful character to follow her connection to her work and therefore this case makes you understand and care about her too. you become even more invested from that.
the more i learnt in this book the more it took darker more cruel directions. and im so glad that given the plot and that direction Hannah doesn't hold back. it needed to be how it was and it needed to be written so. it needed to hurt. and oh it did. the deeper deep psychological edge to this book was what elevated it for me too. i loved it all the more for that as they are my favourite type of read. they add so many more layers to the book, the story and how you feel reading it.
this book was incredible. i cant believe this book is only second in the series as i am far too invested in the series,Liz and Hannah's writing. just wow is what i find myself once again repeating. this book is going soaring all on its own wings to the top of my books lists. it was incredible. i love being so excited when i get a book like this! so excited im sat here smiling, yes smiling even though ive just said all of the above with the content of the book. but sorry, smiling is needed here when you are writing a review and able to go over once again a most fantastic read. smug readers smile indeed.
Nothing Left Behind by Hannah Brennan is a highly recommended procedural and the second novel in the series featuring Detective Liz Field.
After years of calling the emergency services number, Anne Evans was labeled a nuisance caller. She repeatedly called claiming that 'he' was going to burn her alive, so when yet another call was made it was assumed to be more of the same. This time, however, it was true. Detective Hunt was first on the scene and ran in to the burning house to save Anne and would have died if next door neighbor Ed hadn't pulled him out of the house. Ed and his wife Rosie were close with Anne and the fire left them homeless. After the fire was under control, Anne's body was found inside but then the home collapsed, making the investigation more complicated for DCI Liz Field and her team. Once the investigation confirms it was arson, it continues to become even more unsettling.
This is a well-written, intriguing procedural that unfolds at an even pace as the investigation into the fire begins. The tension rises and becomes disturbing as the investigation begins uncovering information and Anne was targeted due to her vulnerable position. It follows a logical line of reasoning and all clues and information are followed up on by the team. There are also some twists along the way.
The narrative is told through several points-of-view, including Field, Ed, and Hunt. All of the characters resemble real individuals, including Anne, as the plot unfolds. Liz is a great, fully realized, intelligent character. She comes to life in this novel. Even though this is the second novel in the series, it can be read as a stand alone novel.
Nothing Left Behind is a great choice for those who enjoy detailed, methodical procedurals and everyone who has read the first book in the series, No Safe Place. Thanks to Avon Books for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.
The review will be published on Barnes & Noble and Amazon.
Gordon J, Reviewer
Another very good police procedural, the second in a series featuring Met Detective DCI Liz Field. There was probably less character development in this novel than the first, but the chilling murders that formed the main narrative gave a very good plot.
Field and her team investigate a house fire where a woman was killed. Turns out she had been a frequent caller to the police, fearing her house was about to be burnt down, but had been dismissed as a nuisance caller. All is not as it first seems, and when Field figures out her true identity it all falls into place. But is there more to the story?
This is a lengthy novel at over 450 pages, but the pacing is good and it keeps the attention throughout. Field is an interesting lead character with a past and it will be good to learn more about her in future novels.
This one hooked me straight away. It starts with a woman repeatedly calling 999 saying someone is going to burn her alive, but no one believes her until it’s too late, which is such a chilling premise.
I really liked the investigation side of this. It slowly builds as DCI Liz Field and her team start uncovering what actually happened, and it kept me guessing the whole way through.
It is quite dark and unsettling, especially knowing the victim wasn’t taken seriously, which added a bit more impact. The pacing is steady rather than super fast, but I still found it hard to put down.
A tense, twisty crime read with a really strong concept. I haven't read the other books in this series but definitely will circle back to them
Nothing left behind is book two in the Detective Liz field series. I really enjoyed the first book in the series, and this also didn’t disappoint.
Anne Evans has always been classed as a nuisance caller when she keeps ringing Emergency services, she also has a history of mental health issues. Her calls are always false alarms, so when her final call she claims someone, has found her a is going to burn her alive. Nobody takes much notice to her claims but this time it actually happened.
On another case, a colleague is investigating a death of a woman who run a foodbank. Further investigations that maybe the two deaths could be linked.
This is another gripping Police procedural from Hannah Bannerman and surprised is not more popular that it is. This had me hooked from the very beginning for the big final at the end. Field is a great character and is passionate about her job and wants to right by everyone. This is a great read and if you are looking for a new Police Procedural to get into, I recommend this one. 5 stars from me,
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Gripping from the start with a really chilling premise. Fast-paced and twisty, kept me hooked the whole way through. A really solid thriller x
This is a very dark and tension filled read, book 2 in the character driven DCI Liz Field series which is shaping up really well in the crime thriller genre. The characterisation is strong and believable, as is the plotting, and my attention was held right until the final chapter. Although I did guess the perpetrator, this did not detract from my enjoyment of the book and I would recommend reading both books in the series. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.
This was a cast paced, atmospheric thriller that was deeply unsettling. It was emotional but also full of suspense that kept me gripped.
Reviewer 704500
Huge Thank you to the publishers and Hannah for my copy of Nothing Left Behind .
You know that saying the boy who cried wolf ,well this is a lesson you NEVER WANT !!!
This book has so many sinister moments which i will not lie made me gasp at times . I was hooked like a fish to this book it is very much a page turner .
this has got to be one of the best crime thrillers i have read so far this year . it is very much emotionally charged and lots of edge of seat moments .
the plot twists are chef kiss ,
I think Hannah is a very clever writer the way she kept me guessing i would get mad lol , as i would think oh i know what coming NOPE!! i did not .
The characters ,some you want to shout stay away which i did forgot i was reading for a moment that great writing .and others your like are you OK and hell no stay away ..
This thriller is 5 brain twisting spine chilling stars
This is a clever police crime thriller which starts off as a supposed run of the mill fire but there are twists and turns and connections along the way. Detective Liz Field is reminiscent of Sarah Lancashire in Happy Valley. No nonsense but always looking beyond the surface. Anne is a serial nuisance caller on 999 saying someone is going to kill her in a fire. Then she dies.
Could her case be linked with Faye who was gunned down in broad daylight? A paragon of the community.
Then there's Ed the neighbour who saves a cop from death in the same fire. I liked this but it could've been shorter. 464 pages is a lot. And sometimes I wasn't sure about the characters coming in and out of Field and Ed's lives. Slightly confusing with so many names but I guess that's the Police for you! Many cops on a big case. Thank you to the author, Avon books and NetGalley for the eARC in return for an honest review.
Denise x
Jennifer K, Reviewer
This is the second in the Liz Field series. I enjoyed the first one, the author's debut novel, and the second one is another winner.
Plot summary: Anne has always been afraid that someone was going to set her house on fire. When it actually happens, and Anne is found dead, Field makes it her mission to find the killer. Next-door neighbor Ed seems to have a close relationship with her, and detective Hunt ran in to save her. Is there more going on? And is there a connection with a murder that happened a week before?
The narrative comes from several perspectives, including Field, Ed, and Hunt. It's also interspersed with pieces from an interview, and we find out about halfway through who is interviewing Anne and how it fits into the story.
It's a strong police procedural, keeping me hooked and turning the pages. There are lots of twists and turns, and I love how the story comes across as authentic in terms of police strategy. There's a lot of humanity, and the subplots are folded well into the broader plot.
I had two small complaints. One is that there were a few too many detectives to keep straight. I couldn't remember who each one was most of the time, and just went with it. I'm not familiar with the UK police terms outside of novels, and there seemed to be so many different levels of detectives and agencies.
The other is not really so small, which is that the perpetrator was fairly obvious. I mean, there weren't really any other suspects, and the story could have done with some red herrings. But the tension was strong in any case, so although that's a biggie, the deeper story of what was going on was still gripping.
Thank you to NetGalley, Avon, and Hannah Brennan for the opportunity to review an advanced copy.
When DCI Liz Field responds to a fire at Anne Evans’s house, she expects another false alarm but instead discovers a horrifying truth. Anne’s life has been targeted in a meticulously planned act of murder. As Liz and her team investigate, they must piece together Anne’s past and follow a trail of chilling clues that stretch across multiple timelines. With the stakes higher than ever and time running out, every revelation brings them closer to a shocking truth and proves that in this case, nothing is truly left behind.
From the first chapter, Nothing Left Behind hooks you with engaging characters, both victims and investigators, that I was instantly invested in. Brennan masterfully weaves multiple timelines and plot threads, so everything unites into one high stakes race against time, just the kind of tension I live for in crime thrillers.
I loved how each clue and twist felt deliberate, there were plenty of cleverly placed breadcrumbs that kept me guessing without ever feeling forced. The pacing builds beautifully toward the climax, with suspense that refuses to let go.
A tense, intelligent thriller with compelling characters and a beautifully crafted mystery that will keep you guessing right up to the end. If you love atmospheric crime fiction with psychological depth and procedural grit, this one’s a must read.
Reviewer 834532
This thriller had me hooked from the beginning. The suspense builds beautifully, the characters feel real, and the constant twists and turns made it impossible to put down
DCI Liz Field is on duty when a call comes in about a home that has been burnt down, the occupant was well known to the police as a nuisance caller. Her body is still trapped inside. After so many police attended her property it was found that nothing was untoward. She kept telling the police he was going to burn her alive and unfortunately this time around, she was correct. But who is he? when the police are allowed to investigate the scene they find a lot more than they bargained for. This poor woman did not deserve what she got and DCI Liz Fields is going to do her upmost to get her killer to confess if she can find him first. I liked the premise of the story, it is something you hear about but I have never read a book relating to this situation of being a nuisance caller, and what the protocol for the police was. I felt the story was captivating and gritty and a good detective novel that I am sure going to enjoy more of Hannah's books. This is book two but I think it can be read as a standalone. I liked getting to know DCI Liz Field too.
Tracy S, Librarian
This gripping police procedural is the follow-up to the debut No Safe Place.
This time, DCI Liz Field investigates the horrific death of Anne Evans—a woman long dismissed as a “nuisance caller” who repeatedly dialed 999 claiming someone was trying to burn her alive.
When her house finally goes up in flames and she dies inside, what everyone wrote off as paranoia turns out to be a meticulously planned murder,
This is a drama filled read and the chilling atmosphere builds right from the opening emergency call.
The premise cleverly explores how society (and emergency services) can ignore vulnerable people, with an added feeling of unease and social commentary without slowing the pace.
The investigation is satisfyingly twisty, with the team sifting through scant evidence in the ashes while uncovering darker secrets. Liz Field remains a strong, relatable lead—competent yet human—and the supporting characters feel well-drawn.
I loved it
Hannah Brennan has brought readers a fantastic new series featuring Detective Liz Field. I loved No Safe Place, book one in the series and I loved Nothing Left Behind equally. The characters are believable and I really like Detective Field. The story is gripping and the tension builds nicely. I didn’t have a clue who the murderer was.
Thank you to Netgalley and the author for the opportunity to read and review this book.
This police procedural is Book 2 in the DCI Field series but easily read as a stand alone
We meet the main character as she responds to a fire at a known regular 999 callers premises,the occupier often calls saying someone is trying to kill her and is going to set her house on fire,this time it’s for real
The story then takes us on a twisty dark journey as Liz Field tries to uncover the truth about what has happened ……..lAnd whether another recent murder ( of a foodbank worker ) is linked in anyway
It is a good involving read,I did take a time to put all the characters in place as at the beginning there are a deluge of them but that aside it is a worthy who,why,what and when thriller with good pacing and writing and look forward to the next in the series
Hannah Brennan really is a fantastic author. I remember as I read the first book last month that I was blown away that it was her debut novel. To not only have written such a phenomenal book, but also one with multiple perspectives was amazing to me. (I say this as I am currently plotting my fifth novel, first dual POV). To take on such an endeavor with your first couple of novels is impressive, but also ma’am, how?! I’m only sort of joking. I really loved the storylines in both of them, and I love Fields’ character. I also really loved that this one introduced not one but two cases, and how both teams had to fight over resources. Not only that, but the very real depiction of how each case was treated based on the victims’ public perception. I thought she handled that really well while still managing not to beat you over the head with it. The introduction of Logan was an interesting direction that I didn’t expect, or know that I would have been interested in in the first place. But considering everything else going on in the book, I felt like it fit very organically. I did know who the bad guy was pretty quickly, but I was interested in the why of it. A truly great book, and if you’re into procedurals, I highly recommend this one!
Huge thanks to Avon Books UK | Avon and NetGalley for sending me this ARC for review! All of my reviews are given honestly!
Reviewer 938573
This was a dark, gripping crime thriller with a chilling premise that hits hard right from the start 😳
I really liked the concept—it’s instantly unsettling. A woman dismissed as a “nuisance caller” who turns out to be telling the truth? That’s the kind of setup that sticks with you and adds emotional weight to the investigation. I liked how it explores what happens when someone isn’t believed until it’s too late, which makes the story feel both tragic and tense.
What I enjoyed most: the investigation led by DCI Liz Field 🕵️♀️🔥 As the case unfolds, it becomes clear this isn’t just arson—it’s something calculated and deeply personal. I really liked how the clues slowly reveal that the crime was tailored to the victim’s specific fears, which adds a disturbing psychological edge.
The story leans into that question: was she paranoid… or was she right all along? And that uncertainty keeps the tension high throughout.
If you love crime thrillers with strong detectives, psychological twists, overlooked victims, and cases that become darker the deeper you dig, this is intense, unsettling, and very hard to put down 📖🔥
Nothing Left Behind by Hannah Brennan — ⭐⭐⭐⭐
This story pulls you in with a chilling premise and keeps you guessing until the end. I picked it up because the idea of a dismissed “nuisance caller” turning out to be a real victim was too intriguing to pass up.
The investigation was gripping, and I really liked how the story challenged assumptions about mental health and credibility. The tension builds steadily, and the reveals are unsettling in the best way. Some pacing moments slowed slightly, but the overall mystery and emotional impact made it worth it. This is a great pick for readers who enjoy dark crime thrillers with a psychological edge.
Nothing Left Behind is the second book in the Detective Liz Field series. I haven’t read the first book but felt this could be read as a standalone. It’s a police procedural that you can really get your teeth into. I loved the depth of characters and how the plot unfolded. Some of the descriptions are so lifelike you almost imagine you’re in the middle of the action. Gripping and addictive, I look forward to reading more from this author. Thank you to NetGalley, Avon Books UK and the author for the chance to review.
Reviewer 558888
Another brilliant book - I am really enjoying this series.
Thought provoking and scary, but well thought through.
Great characters and I hope,the series continues.
Thank you Netgalley and publishers.
I was fascinated by the premise of this book - exploring the old fable of ‘boy who cried wolf’ in dark and unique circumstances - and it got off to a pacy, engrossing start.
I did find things slowed down a little following the initial fall out of the fire and had to push myself to keep going, but ultimately I was rewarded with a gripping and original psychological thriller which was satisfyingly different from anything else I’ve read.
Overall I would give this one a solid 3.5 stars (rounded to 4) and am grateful for the advance copy.
Alan G, Reviewer
Second in the series of LIz Field books.
Found this one flowed better than the first one.
That's not to say I didn't enjoy the first one, because I did, but of the two this is my preferred one.
Hoping for more coming soon from Ms Brennan and lets hope she can continue to raise the bar.
Loads of twists along the way that I didn't see coming and also develops the background of the main characters in the series.
Thanks again to the publishers and NetGalley for the ARC.
Reviewer 1516466
This is a tense, slow-burning but ultimately gripping thriller that blends police procedural detail with psychological suspense. It may not reinvent the genre, but its eerie premise and emotional depth make it stand out.
3.5⭐️
The second book in the Detective Liz Field series. I enjoyed this as much as the first book. Looking forward to the next book in the series . Thank you to Netgalley and Avon Books UK for ARC.
kATHLEEN G, Reviewer
Anne Evans cried wolf so many times that emergency services no longer took her seriously when she called to say someone was trying to burn down her house. And then someone did. DCI Liz Fields has a tricky on her hands as she sorts through the truths of what happened and Evans' life. This is a well crafted procedural with a good protagonist in Fields. And I didn't guess the outcome. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. I'll look for Brennan again.
Tense, layered, and full of buried secrets, this one had my full attention throughout. Liz is a standout - older, experienced, thoughtful, and emotionally grounded. I love that she's not your typical young detective; she leads with instinct and years of hard-won knowledge. The pacing lets the atmosphere build, and the red herrings kept me guessing.
J R, Reviewer
Tense, haunting, and really interesting thriller with some impeccable vibes. 5 stars. tysm for the E-ARC.
I was totally gripped by NOTHING LEFT BEHIND the second in the Detective Liz Field series by Hannah Brennan.
From the first chapter you are thrown into the action of a house fire which quickly becomes evident wasn’t just arson, it was murder.
Hannah has a way of writing details and creating an immediate atmosphere where you feel as though you are stood alongside the emergency responders and the officers involved in the case.
The book is meticulously researched making the scenes feel real and the plot flow perfectly. The story doesn’t shy away from the very real and gritty scenes emergency responders have to deal with on a regular basis, adding to the stories authenticity.
Liz Field is such a relatable character; someone who is so strong and controlled, but her POV’s reveal her very human vulnerabilities.
The story feels so fresh, but also sits alongside my favourite police procedurals - Vera / Happy Valley / Silent Witness making it IMHO perfect for a television adaptation.
Excellently paced with an explosive ending NOTHING LEFT BEHIND is another must read by Hannah Brennan.