It's so lovely to start a book and realise within a few pages that you are going to love it!  It makes you relax into the book and means that you are able to enjoy it more.  This is what happened when I started reading Know Me Now.  I knew almost instantly that I was going to like it and felt certain that I had found a new favourite author.

The story unfolds slowly but with enough action/revelations to keep the reader interested and intrigued enough to keep on reading.  I soon found the book very hard to put down, reading long into the night when I should have been sleeping.  You know you are reading a good book when you are thinking about it constantly and trying to work out when you will next get a chance to read a bit.  I found myself trying to hide upstairs from the kids or even attempting to read whilst cooking, not a good idea i don't recommend it, just so I could read a few more pages.

I loved the three main characters, but particularly loved the two women Grace and Lucy.  I'm a big fan of strong female characters, especially those that are in normally male dominated jobs like Grace and Lucy are.  I admired the way they held their own against quite strong opposition at times and how they were able to get results from tricky situations.  The author does a brilliant job at not resorting to typical stereotypical methods normally used by female characters in such books.  Instead the women get results by using their intelligence and by showing that they know what they are talking about which made for a very refreshing change.

CJ Carver perfectly describes what life in a small community is like, with everyone knowing everyone else and thinking they know their business.  I could definitely imagine how this might hamper a murder investigation with local residents thinking they knew what what was going on when in fact they didn't.  I could almost feel Lucy and Grace's frustrations coming off the page and felt frustrated on their behalf when their investigation was hampered because of this.  The small community environment did however help inject some humour or light relief into the book when you realised just how much everyone knew each other and in what way.  Some of these revelations actually had me laughing out loud as they were so funnily described and unexpected.

This is the first book by CJ Carver that I have read and it definitely won't be my last as I have already bought the first two books in this series to read.  It is probably best to read the series in order as there were a few events mentioned in the book that I was unaware of but this wasn't enough of an issue to stop me enjoying it.

Huge thanks to Emily Palmier-Bignold and Bonnier Zaffre for my copy of this book and for letting me be part of this blog tour.

Dan Forrester is a n ex-MI5 officer who hears the tragic news that his godson Connor has committed suicide.Then within days he is told his father has died of a heartache whilst in Germany on a golfing holiday.
But very soon both deaths are far more suspicious than they appear on first sight, especially in the village in Scotland where the family and friends of both victims live or have connections.
Then, as Dan invites old friends DC Lucy Davies and Grace the local GP to dig deeper, a more sinister global threat is uncovered that could cause death beyond this small community. When Dan links up with his godson's father Christopher, Sophie and Gustav who were all childhood friends in this beautiful part of Scotland a lot more secrets from the past are also revealed.
This is the third in the Dan Forrester series of books and I did in the early stages have to do some background research on the other novels to get a handle on all the issues relating to the relationships around Dan Lucy and Grace. But the previous novels although helpful do not distract from the cracking plot of this book and it's a tremendous read as a thriller with a more ethical twist on the world around us.
Good character buildups show relationships tinged with emotional problems that hinge very much on the plot of the story.
There is a lot of cross Europe travelling that at times seemed a bit unbelievable time frame wise but I did enjoy the obvious placing of motor car references by the author, who is by her own admission a bit of a petrol head! A fast paced enjoyable thriller.

Know Me Now by C.J. Carver has been compared Lee Child's books featuring Jack Reacher. If, however, you are familiar with the Jack Reacher books, you might wonder why.

Know Me Now is the third in the Dan Forrester series by Carver, and I haven't read the previous books. Maybe the book was trying too hard to be a thriller, but overall, I found characters and plot superficial.

However, it has been reviewed much more positively on Goodreads, and we all like different kinds of books.

If I want a larger than life protagonist, who nevertheless feels real, I will stick with Lee Child's Jack Reacher.

This is a very cleverly written story that has obviously been very well researched. This is an action packed thriller that I read in one sitting. I had to know what happened. This is a fast paced read with a believable plot. The characters in it are good and I like that they have a back story that links them all together.

Books that are a part of a series are my favorite. I enjoy getting to know the characters and following their journey. When I read the latest book in a series, I always feel like I am reconnecting with an old friend. For these reasons, I always start a series with the first book. The few times I have started a series out of order, I always felt like I was missing elements of the book and important character development. Luckily this was not the case with Know Me Now. Know Me Now is a fast paced, emotional, exciting story of misdeeds done in the dark coming into the light.

Still grieving from the sudden loss of this father, Dan Forrester must now endure the loss of this godson. Foul play is dismissed as a cause of death for both, but Dan (ex-MI5 agent) is not convinced. Dan joins forces with old friends to dig deeper into the deaths of his father and godson.

This novel tells the story of wrong doings of a previous generation being exposed by the current generation. Many of the characters have to deal with learning the truth about people they thought they knew. They show an amazing amount of courage by not ignoring the truth. To me this made the characters endearing and likeable. Even some of the less likeable characters had redeeming qualities.

Carver does a great job filling in the gaps for new readers of the series. She does this without slowing or dragging the story down. Carver gave just enough background of the series to make me want to go back and read the first two books. For example: one of Dan’s friends Lucy, a Detective Constable with the police force. How did Dan and Lucy meet? Did they meet during a joint investigation between the local police and MI5? What were the circumstances of the case? Also, Dan’s friends are completely loyal to him. They support and help with him without asking any questions or doubting his actions. What inspired this loyalty? Questions like these are why I want to go back and read the other books in the series. Carver has created characters that I want to know more about.

I found Know Me Now entertaining, enjoyable, and binge worthy. With short chapters, fast pacing, and plenty of cliff hangers; it is a book that can be read in one sitting. I really wish I had the opportunity to read the first two books in the series before I read this one. However this book can be read as a standalone. Know Me Now kept me on the edge of my seat until the very end and I found it hard to put down. I look forward to reading more about Dan Forrester.

A big thank you to Emily Burns at Bonnier Zaffre and Netgalley for my review copy of this book and for inviting me to participate on the blog tour. My review, as always, is honest and unbiased.

This is the third book in the Dan Forrester series and although I think it can be read as a standalone book, it would maybe help to have read the other two so that you fully understand the background of the characters.

I really enjoyed delving into the world of Dan, Grace and Lucy and can see this becoming one of my favourite series of books! We are reintroduced to them all following the death of Dan’s father and godson Connor and although it doesn’t seem suspicious at first, it isn’t long before matters change and we become fully immersed in each story.

The storyline goes along at breakneck speed as Dan travels to Germany, where his father died visiting friends and becomes embroiled in something that has happened in his father’s past. The story is quite chilling and I found myself gasping at each revelation. We also follow Grace and Lucy in Scotland as they are involved in trying to fathom what caused Connor to commit suicide with seemingly no reason……it fast becomes clear that the two deaths are linked – how? They seem to happen thousands of miles from each other…

This is such a well written book and I devoured it! The chapters are set up perfectly where we switch from each investigation, each one finishing so that you are desperate to keep on reading and discover what is really happening.

An excellent book that will pull you in from page 1 and leave your head spinning long after you have finished the last page..

Though I haven´t read the first books in the series about Dan Forrester I still enjoyed this. It's thrilling and keeps me guessing. I would love to read the othe books in the series.

Another brilliant book by this awful. Love the style of writing. You will not be disappointed.

Know Me Now is the third book in the Dan Forrester series by C J Carver and it is a real corker of a read.

The novel opens with the death of a young boy who the police believe has committed suicide. The young boy is Dan Forrester’s godson, but he is unconvinced that he killed himself. Dan enlists the help of his friend, DC Lucy Davies to help him investigate the case. But Dan is also mourning the loss of his sixty five year old father, who has died of a heart attack, his father whilst he was in Germany. But as Lucy and Dan begin to investigate it becomes clear that there is something evil at work going on and soon, terrible secrets about the past are uncovered.

C J Carver’s writing is utterly engaging. This is the first book of hers which I have read, but I didn’t find any trouble at all in getting into the story, it can be read as a standalone but I’m now keen to read the previous books in the series. I was intrigued by both of the cases in this book, the death of Dan’s godson and his father. As Lucy’s investigation into his godson’s suicide goes ahead Dan travels to Germany to seek answers about his father’s death. The tension was there on every page of the book and I wanted Dan to get the answers that he was after. There is also a historical element to this book as well which was also fascinating, even though at times it was horrific to read about.

I really liked Lucy’s character; it was interesting to see her relationship with her boss evolve in this book. I’m looking forward to finding out more about her when I read the first two books in the series but I’m also intrigued as to see how her character will progress from here. In this series, C J Carver has created really engaging characters who you’ll want to root for.

This was an excellent, rollercoaster of a read which I enjoyed from page one, it didn’t take me long to finish, I read it in just a couple of sittings. I’m going to be catching up on the previous books very soon. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a copy of the book to read and to Emily Burns at Bonnier Zaffre for inviting me to take part in the blog tour.

I've now read all three books in this series by CJ Carver and think this latest is probably my favourite. The first, Spare Me The Truth was very much scene-setting - in which we meet former former spy Dan Forrester who doesn't seem to remember his old life. We soon learn why and, though his memory's not entirely returned, we get more of a sense of his past and who he is now in the second book of the series, Tell Me A Lie.

And I think Carver's now cementing that in this third book, also featuring Detective Constable Lucy Davies.

I usually grumble when a book features two disparate cases that somehow merge into one but I actually didn't mind in this case. And, I note I've commented that the underlying motive (or the 'why') wasn't entirely convincing in Carver's earlier work but it most certainly comes together seamlessly and makes a lot of sense this time around.

Tying the cases together is Dan's childhood friends and father's colleagues and friends. There are a couple of flashbacks to his childhood allowing us to meet his compatriots as youngsters and I pondered on how much of who we are is shaped in those formative years (though the book itself doesn't navel-gaze quite to that extent!).

There's a good balance between the spook stuff (secret government experiments, conspiracy theories and assassins and the like) and good ol' police work.

There's a realism as well. In fact... the book starts off quite tragically and it kinda sets the scene for what's to come.

I mentioned in my review of Tell Me A Lie that I'd hoped Lucy might get some 'happily ever after' and that storyline continues here, which I appreciated. There's also a bit more progression in plot surrounding Dan and his wife Jenny as she's due to give birth to their (second) son and Dan puts his family at risk investigating his father's death after being warned off.

As an aside, I found that element of the plot quite interesting and it offered some additional insight into Dan, who (for me) remains a bit of an enigma. We know a little about the history he's forgotten and there are glimpses of the man who puts work and 'the need for resolution (perhaps more than justice)' above everything else... even his wife and children.

I'm enjoying this consistent series from Carver and wondering where we'll head next.

Brilliant book! This series just gets better and better. Fast paced and full of action, I couldn’t put it down! New fave author for sure!

A good conspiracy theory yarn with two seemingly unconnected murders to the fore. Rapidly moving from Scotland to Germany and back the plot becomes more and more frantic, throw in a dramatic birth and it becomes somewhat complex and far fetched at the denouement but still worth a read.

This was a fascinating and gripping book. The locations and characters were well drawn, and the pllot moved at a great pace, I will certainly look for other books by this author, who was new to me..

I haven't read the previous books in this series but was happy that this could be read as a stand alone without too much confusion.

I really like Dan's character and am a bit smitten with him. The story that Carver weaves is intricate and gripping. I could barely stand to put it down for a moment to go about any necessary adulting. I will definitely be reading more this series.

This is book 3 about Dan Forrester, the ex spy who has lost all memory of his time working for the government. However, unlike the earlier novels, amnesia is not a big theme in this story; in fact Dan is able to remember quite a lot about his childhood as his memory returns.
As the book opens Dan is arranging the funeral of his father who has just died of a heart attack and he is also awaiting the birth of his son. Then he receives a call from an old friend whose own 13 year old son has committed suicide. Christopher does not believe Connor would do this and wants Dan to investigate. Dan enlists PC Lucy Davis’s help- she is sent to Scotland to look into the case. Meanwhile Dan learns some disturbing information about his father from Olivia, one of his Dad’s friends and Dan feels compelled to look into his father’s death as well.
The is a fast paced action packed read which is full of suspense. Once I started reading it I raced through it keen to find out what was going on. The author broke the tension nicely by slipping effortlessly between Lucy’s investigation and Dan’s. Every time one of them got into difficulties the author moved on to the other narration ensuring the reader sprinted through each section, keen to find out what was going to happen next. This technique worked extremely well.
Conspiracy theories abound and the final denouement was quite chilling, indeed it made me wonder if this really could be happening somewhere in the world.
I loved the main characters and how their close relationship helps them solve the mystery. Dan, Lucy and Dr Grace Reavey are well drawn and I really wanted them all to be my own best friends!
Perfect for thriller fans who enjoy Harlan Coben and Linwood Barclay. Although it is the third book in a series it could easily be read as a stand alone novel and if you’ve read the earlier two books this one is a must-read!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my arc in exchange for an honest review.

This is the first book that I’ve read from C J Carver. The main idea of Project Snowbank is unique and intriguing. That coupled with the age old desire to be rich made this book into one fast paced and exciting read. It is well written, with an intricate plot that spreads out wide, but is actually restrained to a group of childhood friends. Dan Forrester is charming and endearing. I find Grace a little odd in her attitude, but other than that, I’ve enjoyed this book. There were a few red herrings and surprises. Although I could guess who was behind it, the ending was unexpected, and took me by surprise. An excellent book that I wholeheartedly recommend.

This is the 3rd novel to feature Dan Forrester and I have to say it’s fast becoming one of my favourite series – a little out of the box, not so usual, with great plots and wonderfully engaging characters, like Lucy who I love with a fiery passion.

This time around Dan faces extreme personal loss and a puzzle that in it’s unravelling will put everyone he loves in danger – and the basis for the events as they unfold, the central theme, is pretty damn terrifying if I’m honest and as usual for C J Carver not at all beyond the realms of possibility. Indeed by the end I was convinced I may well see a headline about it any day now. Although probably not in the Daily Mail, as it involves neither Brexit nor Boobs…

ANYWAY moving swiftly on, the writing is brilliantly immersive and the characters shine as ever – as well as the new mystery, our usual suspects move on in their personal lives, the two things intertwining in intelligent and defining ways, it is a proper page turner with danger and dastardly goings on, some genuine surprises and a wonderful flow that sends you rocketing through it to the final resolution.

I’m not sure what else to say to be honest – I’m not going to spoil it at all (well apart from confirming what it ISN’T about a little bit ago) but if you loved the last two you’ll ADORE this one and if you haven’t read them yet then go go! You could start here if you want to, nothing in this is difficult to grasp if you are a bit behind – but do yourself a favour and line them all up then knock them down. Excellent reads every one.

Highly Recommended.

I have to admit that CJ Carver is one of my favourite authors and I have read all of her novels. I always look forward to the next one and want to thank Net Galley and the publisher, Bonnie Zaffre for allowing me to read this in return for this review.

The characters of Dan Forrester and Lucy Davies are brilliant but, although helpful, it isn’t necessary to have read the previous books involving them to appreciate this story. My favourite character is Mac as he seems to be so real and, hopefully, will get his girl in the end.

Once again there is an explosive start and the author does not pull punches. Her ability to keep the narrative flowing including a variety of characters and scenes is exceptional. There are interesting insights into a variety of illnesses, which are handled with compassion. A complicated plot with many twists and turns, some of which are unpleasant to face up to make this clever and deceptive, at times.

Another excellent novel. Recommended.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Bonnier Zaffre for an advance copy of Know Me Now, the third novel in the Dan Forrester series.

Dan and his wife, Jenny, are eagerly awaiting the birth of their son and mourning the death of Dan's father from a heart attack when his friend Christopher calls and asks for help. Christopher's 13 year old son Connor has recently died and the verdict is suicide but he doesn't believe it, nor does local doctor Grace Reavey who is pushing for an autopsy. When both deaths are found to be murder Dan flies to Germany where his dad died and sends his friend DC Lucy Davies to the Highlands to look into Connor's death.

I thoroughly enjoyed Know Me Now which is an exciting read with a premise which could stray into conspiracy theory territory if it weren't so plausible. The format is just as I like my books with a straightforward third person linear narrative which switches mostly between Dan and Lucy without a hint of the perpetrator until Dan works it out so, boy, was it a shock to find out. Excellent work Ms Carver in keeping everything under wraps and allowing the reader to give full vent to their curiosity.

I'm very unsure about the science in the novel although, in her afterword, Ms Carver seems to think it's possible. As I said it's a conspiracy theorist's dream but all too plausible and scary. Having said this I'm not even sure it's that important in the grand scheme of the novel because the novel is an excellent thriller full of twists, tension and action and this underlying premise only becomes fully apparent in the dénouement. It's a gripping read.

Dan Forrester is an interesting character. An ex MI5 man he has no memory of this work (he lost those memories when his first son died) and now works as an analyst in a company which still has strong ties to and influence with the security services. Make what you will of that but he still has all the smarts and skills acquired in that job. Lucy Davies has synasthesia and appears to be bi-polar but doesn't let it get in the way of her investigations. If anything I think Ms Carver is trying to distance her characters from these disabilities as the series progresses as they play almost no role apart from an initial description.

Know Me Now is an exciting thriller which I have no hesitation in recommending as a good read.