This was an interesting read by an author that I was not familiar with having never read their work before. I always enjoy a new to me author and I wasn’t disappointed.
I found the characters interesting and really had a depth to them with lots of details described for me to portray them in my mind and really get inside them.
The story line took me to a place I wasn’t expecting and kept me intrigued right until the end.
I would recommend to anyone interested in this genre and will be reading more.

This book is the first one in a new series, and I can see how the author can develop all characters in future. Book was a little too graphic for me in some places, but still well written, and I will read the next one in the series soon. Recommended.

A bit of a mixed bag. Manchester police officer Tom Ridpath is on temporary secondment to the coroner's officer as part of his return to work from convalescence. His character is well managed, as is that of Margaret Challinor, the coroner, and most of the supporting cast. The plot is a bit predictable in places, and some of the changes in direction/misdirection were disappointing. Overall a decent read, with some promise.

Late in giving feedback due to medical issue at the time of read. Utterly hooked from the start. Found it really hard to put down.

It is great to read the first book in a series and this does not disappoint. It is an easy, quick read - the chapters are short and there are numerous occasions when I felt I could not read fast enough because it was so tense. Ridpath is an interesting character who means well, works hard, is honest but can't help but put his job before his family. The story starts with a bang at the beginning of Ridpath's career and then jumps forward to the present time and his return to work after treatment for cancer and now in remission. I should have read this book sooner ... and will catch up on his latest escapades.
Many thanks to Netgalley/M.J. Lee/Canelo for a digital copy of this title. All opinions expressed are my own.

The first book I've read by M J Lee and already I'm looking forward to the next instalment.

This was the introduction to DI Ridpath and the opportunity to discover more about his background.

The main storyline itself was both dark and gritty and had me hooked from the outset.

4.5

This is the first book in the DI Ridpath crime series. As with most fiction detectives there are issues with Ridpath, but his were based around cancer although there are also marriage problems. Overall I enjoyed the storyline and I can see the characters will probably develop well so I’m not going to rule out reading the next one in this series. Thank you to NetGalley and Canelo for letting me read and review this book. My score is 3.5 stars.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting access to review. I read book 6 first as I was not aware there was a series. Although this lets me know in advance of a few personal developments it does not spoil the crime solving element.The book grips from the start and never lets go. DI Ridpath is a significant find for me and the books are well and truly on my to read list. Ridpath (he doesn't like using his first name) is a top class detective but it is the relationship he has with work colleagues that improves the reading quality for me. Would have no hesitation in recommending this book to everyone who likes a good detective novel with a twist at the end.

Where the Truth Lies by M J Lee is a well written and exciting thriller that kept me intrigued from page one. As far as police procedurals go this was spot on. The characters are well developed and will have the reader rooting for the good guy throughout the book. The writer does a great job at adding plenty of twists that will continue to keep you guessing even when you think you have it figured out. I really enjoyed this book and will definitely recommend it to my family and friends.

Thank you to netgalley as well as the author/publisher for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

A gripping read with a gritty Manchester setting - I love a northern backdrop. Very promising new series.

This book was rambly in parts, I would not describe it as gripping and I did not like the unnecessary violence.

The first in the series and we meet D I Ridpath returning to work after an extended period in which he was being treated for cancer. He’s now in remission and eager to return to the Greater Manchester Police (GMP) MIT unit. He had been quite the rising star and a valued member of the team especially after he was responsible for the capture of a serial killer. However, his bosses are cautious of bringing him back into a unit which is a highly pressured area. They don’t want to have any issues with his health especially if they might be considered the cause! So they send him off to the Coroner’s Office.

Ridpath now has two bosses – his DCI, Charlie Whitworth, in the GMP MIT unit and the Coroner – it’s not easy as there is something of a rift between two and he’s not really happy about being sidelined.

As he settles in he finds that the work is quite interesting. He goes through police reports and checks them out along with the autopsy reports. He attends autopsies on behalf of the Coroner’s office. He then advises the Coroner on the appropriate way forward. In the majority of cases it’s straightforward but now and then there’s an anomaly to point out and look into.

It is one such case which Ridpath comes across. it takes him back to when he had his ‘big break’ as a young police officer. Now, with a murder, there are questions about whether the right man was caught and imprisoned. The more Ridpath looks into it the more he is troubled by it.

While Ridpath is investigating a police officer is kidnapped. The chase is on and the pace, which was pretty good anyway, is turned up high. Will they find their colleague? Will Ridpath find the evidence to get the murderer?

Along with all this Ridpath’s marriage is at breaking point as his wife wants him to slow down, even quit the Force! Once he’s on the track of killer though Ridpath is almost obsessive and consequences will take their toll on a personal level.

I found this really interesting and a new (to me) point of view from which to write crime fiction. Well paced, well written and a cracking story set in and around Manchester kept me gripped throughout.

My grateful thanks go to Canelo for inviting me to read and providing eCopies of two of the D I Ridpath series (#1 & #3) via NetGalley.

Sorry for late review - just catching up after a busy 12 months. Loved this book a lot - my first book by this author but was impressed - a great story with great characters and really well written. Will definitely read more by this author and thank you for the read. Much appreciated.

One of those excellent books which is not only a good read but also leaves you better informed at the end - in this case weaving the ways of the coroner's office with those of the police and in this story not always harmoniously. A fast-paced read as so many issues need to be resolved before each and any of them inevitably escalates. Added to this are believable characters each of whom has there are own demons and goals that drive them.

This is the first book in a series. A series I recently started and have now gone on to read more. MJ LEE was a new author for me with this book and I really did enjoy it.
This was a real interesting read in the fact that the police officer Ridpath went to work for the coroners office, so it gave a good angle to it all. Ridpath is himself an interesting character and I can see I'm going to really enjoy this series.

thank you for the opportunity to read this book and I really enjoyed it. not what I imagined at all, i was bit wary as hadnt read this author before but was surprised and well satisfied on this fab read, fully recommend

When the truth lies is the first in a series of books. An all around good crime/thriller book, will look out for the next book in this series.

I enjoyed reading this book, it tells a good story and I liked the main characters. Kept me guessing too!

First one of these and it’s really good. Interesting story line...based in the north which makes it authentic.

Thanks to Netgalley, I have just finished Where The Truth Lies by M J Lee. I wasn't keen at the beginning, the writing was difficult to get on with but either it improve or I just got used to it. Good job I did because it was a really good read, DI Tom Ridpath returns to work after a serious illness and when his colleague disappears it is a race against time to find her. A great crime thriller with twists and turns.