Sisters are really doing it for themselves in this, the 10th in the D.D. Warren series. I am, as is often the case, late to the party and this is my first Lisa Gardiner read, but definitely not my last.

The story unfolds from several viewpoints, D.D. Warren (the Sergeant investigating the case), Flora (her confidential informant) and Evie (who’s ‘in the frame’ for both the murder of her husband and that of her father 16 years earlier (a shooting that was previously ruled accidental). Both times Evie was found holding the smoking gun (that’s literally, not figuratively speaking)). Strong women abound in this slick, fast paced, twisty, turny, knotty conundrum of a murder mystery that keeps you guessing right to the last chapter.

Top notch storytelling, well fleshed out characters and girl power at its best - what’s not to like?
Thanks to Netgalley for providing an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Set at a cracking pace, Never Tell is the story of murder, betrayal, love and loss. The characters are well rounded, believable and the story is gripping and whips along. I had no idea that this was the 10th in the series. The story stands well alone and I didn’t feel that I was missing something as I read it. Lisa Gardner is an accomplished writer and this novel did not disappoint. Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review. I will be looking out for the author again.

I read this book before finding out that it is the tenth book in a series, but it wasn't necessary to have read the previous books in order to enjoy this book, although I will be seeking them out soon.

A tense thriller with strong female lead characters, the plot was full of twists and turns making it a compulsive read. Don't read it unless you have a couple of hours to spare, as you won't want to put the book down! 4.5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review. I have not read a Lisa Gardner book before so I was unsure what to expect but the blurb sounded interesting and other reviewers seemed to like it so I thought I would give it a go.

However, personally, this book was a sit on the fence book I didn't love it but didn't hate it either so I have given it 3 stars. I think its possible as its 10th in a series my lack of having read other books meant I was missing something. What I liked about the book: I like the fact all the main characters are women which is unusual the back story was interesting although a little confusing perhaps as its the 10th book. What I didn't like: I didn't take to Evie at all she seemed somewhat boring and a bit of a pushover, after admitting to accidentally shooting her father when she didn't just because her mom told her to. I also didn't warm to Fiona or D.D. In fact I only read the book until the end as I wanted to learn more about Evie's husband I had very little interest in the other characters and I honestly think I would have given up if it wasn't for that mystery.

I have never read any Lisa Gardener books and after this Im shocked I've left it this long. The mystery, A woman arrested for the murder of her husband by shooting. Already known to the lead detective DD Warren for the accidental shooting of her father years earlier when a teen. The book is a mystery but it also gives you insights of all the main characters, letting them tell their version in their own voice. Flora was an interesting character, im not sure if she's appeared in previous novels but I was to hear more about her and her past. The dynamic of her and DD work well and add a new twist to the crime fighting duo of these books. The book is one of several stories but all piece together to make the story whole. I didn't figure out the twist at all but the heroic efforts of a character I had little sympathy for made me slightly emotional at the end. She did love her after all.
Overall I loved the book and cannot wait to read more of Gardener's work

This is the first I have read in this series so I was worried I would have missed too much of the.background story. Not at all! I was able to pick up the storyline with no problem. Evie has been living with a terrible secret for 16 years, following the death of her husband in mysterious circumstances, she finds herself caught up in a web of further lies as the true story unravels. This book had lots of twists and turns and I’d like to read the others in the series.

So, I haven’t read any of Lisa Gardner’s books before, but although this is number 10 in a series, it is easily read as a stand alone. And I will in fact be reading more of Lisa's work in the future.

This novel begins, when Conrad Carter is found shot dead in his own home. His pregnant wife, Evie is the immediate and only suspect.

Detective D.D. Warren has met Evie Carter before, back when she was just Sixteen years old and suspected of the murder of her Father, a renowned Professor and Mathematician, also shot dead, in almost identical circumstances.

Evie is adamant that she never committed either crime, but D.D. Warren doesn't believe in coincidences.

How could an innocent person find themselves in almost identical situations decades apart?

D.D.'s job is to discover the truth, no matter how disturbing that may be.

I can't say much more. But there were many people that I suspected of this crime, including Evie, but I never saw the ending of this novel coming, and I read a lot of crime fiction!

OMG WHAT A BOOK I LOVED IT, I love this author and personally I think that this is her best book yet.
Once I started this book there was absolutely no way I was putting it down. This book kept me burning the midnight oil. So many lies in one family with devastating consequences. Plots within plots and enough twists and turns to make me feel giddy. It had me tapping my kindle faster and faster. This book is a real humdinger, it definitely was not what I was expecting. I did not want this book to end. It blew me away. It is true what they say You Never Know What Goes On Behind Closed Doors. This is a real thrill ride but don't take my word for it. Read it for yourself I guarantee that you will not be disappointed. An easy five stars and so Highly Recommended.
I would like to thank Netgalley, Random House UK and the author for the ARC in return for giving an honest review.

About a month ago I read a book with what I thought was a similar storyline. A woman shoots her husband with seemingly overwhelming evidence that she was guilty. Therefore I was almost reluctant to read this. However, I am so glad I persevered as apart from the obvious it was totally different and explored many different angles. The story related from several different characters who all had great depth and interest. Evie, who is found with her dead husband’s body had also been found with her father’s dead body some 16 years previously. Surely she has to be guilty of at least one murder? And why also shoot his computer? What secrets were they hiding? Clever, dark and twisty the book explores an evil underworld of which the majority of us are blissfully unaware. It is difficult to write too much without giving away spoilers but throughout you hope the main characters get through their various traumas. The only reason I didn’t give it 5 stars was that I felt one of the main storylines was not fully addressed at the end and also the outcome of a couple of minor issues could only be guessed. However, I would be more than happy to read future books by this author.

I love D.D. Warren - she's such a good cop and it's great to see her happily married to Alex with a delightful little boy. DD is now the Supervisor of a team of detectives but old habits die hard and she still can't help getting out in the field to see things for herself. Especially in her latest case where the woman accused of murdering her husband was also accused of killing her father in one of DD's earliest cases as a detective. The woman, Evie Carter was found by police holding a gun next to her dead husband, shot three times and his computer riddled with bullets. As a teenager, Evie accidently shot her father, a famous mathematician and has carried that stigma and guilt all her life. Now married and expecting a child, it looks as if history might be repeating itself, except that Flora Dane, a woman who survived a horrendous kidnapping recognises Evie's husband, Conrad as someone she met while in the grips of the kidnapper. To dig deep into Conrad's background and find out what he was up to and if his wife had cause to kill him, DD calls her old FBI friend Kimberley Quincy onto the case.

It's great to see DD and Quincy back together again, working in tandem to solve this case. It's also great to see Flora step overcome her PTSD to confront her past experience, when she thinks it will help find other girls abused and killed by the monster who took her. Lisa Gardner always writes such well plotted thrillers and this on is no exception.

My thanks to Penguin Random House U.K. /Cornerstone for an eARC via NetGalley of Lisa Gardner’s ‘Never Tell’, featuring Boston Police Detective D.D. Warren.

I have not read any of Gardner’s books before and ‘Never Tell’ is #10 in this series of American police procedurals. Still I found it easy to pick up on the recurring characters’ backgrounds. I expect these days most authors of long running series do understand that there will always be new readers as well as loyal fans.

When Conrad Carter is found shot dead in his home with Evie, his pregnant wife holding a gun, she is immediately arrested. Sargent Detective D.D. Warren recognises her as the girl who sixteen years ago had shot her father. That shooting was subsequently ruled an accident. Yet D.D. doesn’t believe in coincidences. However, what at first appears an open and shut murder case soon proves to be much more complicated.

There are three narrative viewpoints throughout the book: D.D. Warren, Evie, and Flora Dane, D.D.’s CI who apparently first appeared in Book 8: ‘Find Me’. Flora is a survivor of a vicious sexual predator who had held her captive six years previously. Flora’s involvement brings a surprising new perspective on Conrad’s murder.

I wasn’t at all keen on D.D. at first as she seemed so rigid but after a while noting her interactions with family and colleagues I warmed to her.

I found this a brilliantly plotted and fast paced crime thriller with some nail-biting twists. I certainly hope to explore more of Gardner’s work in the near future and watch out for future titles in this series.

4.5 stars rounded up to 5.

Never Tell by Lisa Gardner

Conrad Carter, a travelling salesman, has been shot in his Boston home three times. His computer has been shot twelve times. The police arrive to find his pregnant wife Evie clutching a gun, blood on her hands. It seems the case is closed almost before it opens. But there’s something about the evidence that doesn’t quite ring true and Detective D.D. Warren begins to suspect that something remarkable might be about to happen. Years ago, the teenage Evie was aquitted for shooting dead her father, a famous professor and a mathematical genius. Accidental death was the verdict then. Is Evie really going to get away with murder, not once but twice? There’s nothing for it. D.D. must dig into the previous case, suspecting it might throw light on the present shooting.

But it’s all about to take an unexpected turn when the victim Conrad Carter is recognised by Flora, D.D.’s civilian consultant and a young woman who survived many months of torture and imprisonment by her captor Jacob Ness. Flora met Carter during her captivity. Carter and Ness knew one another. It will take all of Flora’s strength and courage to relive her past, to try and work out who Carter was and how Evie became involved. D.D. has no choice but to work again with Flora, putting this extraordinary young woman once more in danger.

Never Tell is the tenth novel in Lisa Gardner’s fine D.D. Warren series and the third to feature the brilliant Flora Dane. I love Flora so much and I can’t help but wish that she is a permanent feature in these books. D.D. is a fascinating woman in her own right but as a pair these two are quite possibly my favourites in American crime fiction. Then there’s the setting of Boston, which is such a bonus.

This novel tells such a compelling story, moving to and fro in time as both Flora and Evie reflect on their past and how it has changed them – Flora with her captivity and Evie with the death of her father. Flora’s character is so strong and detached. She has been transformed by her ordeal. She met her match in Jacob Ness and in Never Tell we get to know more about this monster. Although the relationship between Ness and Flora dominates, there is much more to this fine novel. I particularly enjoyed the Evie storyline as well as watching D.D.’s interaction with her colleagues and with the FBI whose involvement adds another layer of tension to the investigation. And then there’s Conrad Carter…

There is a grimness to Never Tell, which, at times, I did find a little distressing. It doesn’t tell the easiest of stories. Lisa Gardner is such a good writer. She combines emotion, action and police procedural so well, fully immersing us in the world of the survivor. It is powerful stuff and there were moments when it became so intense I had to take a breath. It is a painful read on occasion but this is all part of Lisa Gardner’s achievement – Flora Dane is somebody worth caring about. There is, though, hope in this novel and I embraced it. This is such a brilliant series, without doubt one of the very best about in crime fiction today.

Other reviews
Find Her
Look For Me

"One death might be an accident.
Two deaths looks like murder."

Having read all of Lisa Gardner's books in the D.D. Warren series (I actually marked my calendar for the release date for this title) I was excited to receive the ARC!

Evie returns home to find her husband murdered in his office, and when she takes the gun from his lap to destroy evidence, history starts to repeat itself. 16 years ago Evie's father's dead was ruled an accident, accidentally shot by his daughter when cleaning the gun that killed him..

D.D. Warren was a rookie 16 years ago assisting the case, now she leads this case wondering if someone can get away with murder twice. Flora Danes, D.D.'s CI, once victim of kidnapper and abuser Jacob Ness realises she met Evie's husband when she was held by Ness. D.D. and Flora work the case together, D.D. with her years of experience, Flora with her street smarts.

I love how Lisa Gardner layered her story, slowly unfolding the ties that connect these 3 women together. Every chapter alternates between these 3 women's point of view, making it, at times, a dark read. D.D. is determined to solve this case and the one 16 years ago, Flora is still battling her inner demons regarding Jacob Ness and Evie is coming to realise her life is not what she thought it was.

When the puzzle starts coming together Lisa Gardner picks up the pace of the book to bring it all together and making it hard to put 'Never Tell' down! Brilliant new book in the D.D. Warren series.

Thank you Random House UK for my ARC in return for my honest review.

Once upon a time, a young girl accidentally shot her father in their kitchen. At least, that was the story that Evie Hopkins and her mother told. No charges were ever bought.
Today, another man lies dead, shot to death in his own study. His wife is found in the room holding the gun, with residue on her hands. His wife denies murder, claiming only to have shot his computer. But is she telling the truth? Why would she have put eight bullets into the computer?
And more importantly, has Evie Hopkins got away with murder once again?
I first came across Lisa Gardner’s work with Find Her. While it is the eighth book to feature police detective D D Warren, it was the first (I think) to feature Flora Dane, a survivor of a traumatic long-term kidnapping. Both characters reappeared in Look For Me and it seems that Flora has become an established co-lead in the series.
This is an excellent idea, given that Flora is an extraordinary character, struggling to come to terms with her ordeal, both during and following her kidnapping. The book follows the point of view of D D, Flora and Evie – which does establish very quickly – perhaps too quickly – that she’s innocent of at least one of the crimes.
The book moves forward in various directions, with two separate crimes – three if you count a spate of possibly-related arsons – that may or may not be related. Indeed, it seems very unlikely that there could be a connection between the perpetrators of the crimes, but I’ll just say that Lisa Gardner does a very impressive job of weaving the strands together into a single cohesive story, something I didn’t think would happen, I’ll be honest.
There’s some chilling stuff here, in part due to revisiting Flora’s kidnapping ordeal, but Gardner does a good job of making it chilling without being prurient. I’ve no idea how accurate the bits about the dark web are, but as they are both believable and, more importantly, understandable, I’m willing to go along with it.
At the end of the day, I think a lot of readers will spot the primary villain of the piece, but putting all of the pieces into the right places would be an impressive piece of work. There are even a few clues there for the very alert reader…
The third of three strong thrillers in a row from Lisa Gardner, this is obviously Highly Recommended.
Availability: Never Tell is released in the UK by Century as a hardback and an ebook on Thursday 21st February 2019. Many thanks for the review copy.

I’ve read a few books by Lisa Gardner before but I was unaware that she had written a series of books and that this was part of a series. That being said, that did not impair my enjoyment of this book.

This was a slow burner of a story, with lots of layers being unwrapped and plenty of red herrings along the way.

An excellent thriller by one of the world’s best writers.

4.5 stars.

Thank you to Random House and Netgalley for the ARC of this story and giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my review.

Never Tell is the tenth book in the Boston based Sergeant D.D. Warren series from the Queen of Thrillers, and what a cracking read it is. It's easy to pick up and oh so difficult to put down. It had me turning the pages feverishly in excitement, and there were all the elements necessary to keep you completely riveted. I've read every one of Gardner's books, and this is her most accomplished to date.

There are many aspects that set this book apart from the rest, but the one I loved the most was that it was told from the perspective of three incredibly strong women - Evie, Flora and D.D - and with each chapter labelled with the characters name there is no room for confusion about who is talking. We get the information and reveals that the investigation uncovers through D.D who is a rational, capable and dogged investigator, whilst Flora and Evie's chapters reveal pure emotion and tell of their suffering in a powerful and heartfelt manner.

I was also completely engrossed in the parts that discuss the mysterious entity known as the dark web. There has long been a fascination and mystique surrounding it, and I found that it worked really well by creating more tension and unpredictability. With fast pacing, plentiful twists, expert plotting, secrets and lies in abundance and an altogether suspenseful narrative, this is a five-star read all the way. Highly recommended.

Many thanks to Century for an ARC.

Brilliant plot, excellent main characters that you invest in. I read this book in one sitting and I would highly recommend it.

My first book by Lisa Gardner starts with a tense opening chapter, fear but unspoken by Evie , as she enters her marital home with a sense of dread , something isn’t right, as she looks around her home with panic and trepidation she walks into her husbands office , there he Is, blood everywhere, dead looking at his computer, gunshots to the body and head, Evie is arrested at the scene for murder...scene is set

Detective D.D Warren and her confidential informant , the damaged Flora Dane , survivor of a terrible crime herself , work the case .

Evie is known by D.D from another fatal shooting , that time with a shotgun , killing her own father 16 years ago, that death was deemed an accident. Has lighting struck twice? Can one woman be involved in two accidental shootings? Or is something more sinister taking place this time ?

Flora Dane is damaged by being kept kidnapped and abused by Jacob Ness , a serial sex addict and abuser or women, for over 400 days.

Flora realises , Evie’s now Dead husband Conrad , is linked to her abduction years ago, she recalls Conrad trying to buy her possibly from Ness in a bar....Is Conrad another predator?

Each chapter is written from a main character POV, detailing past events building into the current and bringing them altogether in the stories Arc, I really enjoyed this style of writing.

Flora is telling the story of her capture and life with ness, and also using that to help with the clues for the new investigation.

Evie , detailing her fathers death , and what really happened, the tales of Flora and Evie become inexplicably linked and we dig deeper into what actually happened with her father and husband

D D is not so involved but tells her story from young cop to hardened sergeant,Convinced Evie is guilty this time around.

The 3 stories come together very well as they all search for answers about Jacob Ness and Conrad Carter.

I will say this , as a first time reader of the series, that this definitely feels like a Flora Dane book, not a Detective DD Warren book, Flora demands her own series , she’s a fantastic character.

It’s an Intriguing tale that snakes and twists around, ,lies and betrayal begging to be uncovered as the story begins to crank up toward the end, quickening pace to the writing it never stops and builds brilliantly into an explosive, emotional finale.

This is a cracking read 4.5

Thanks to Net Galley for this copy.no way reflects my review

Loved this book love the series would definitely recommend this book the characters are real the storyline amazing!!

A man is dead, shot three times in his home office. But his computer has been shot twelve times, and when the police arrive, his pregnant wife is holding the gun.

D. D. Warren arrives on the scene and recognises the woman, Evie Carter from a case many years back. Evie's father was killed in a shooting that was ruled an accident. But for D.D., two coincidental murders is too many.

Flora Dane sees the murder of Conrad Carter on the TV news and immediately knows his face. She remembers a night when she was still a victim a hostage and her captor knew this man. Overcome with guilt that she never tracked him down, Flora is now determined to learn the truth of Conrad's murder.

But D.D. and Flora are about to discover that in this case the truth is a devilishly elusive thing. As layer by layer they peel away the half-truths and outright lies, they wonder: How many secrets can one family have?

Never Tell is an outstanding suspense thriller that starts off fast and then goes even faster all the way to the end and while featuring not one, not two, but three fascinating female leads, readers are in for a gripping and well done thriller with Never Tell.

5 Stars

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK Cornerstone for an advance copy in return for a fair and honest review.