Absolutely gripping debut book from Noelle, I flew through this story, so fast I was glued to the pages! love the twists and turns in the book. The characters were so developed throughout the book they felt like actual people! It definitely kept me on the edge of my seat for sure. Bring on the next book is all I can say... cannot wait!

Firstly thank you to NetGalley and Harper Impulse and Killer Reads. This is the very first book by Noelle Holten and what a debut it is. An absolute page turner of a story. The story was fast paced, gritty and compulsive reading. I cannot wait for the next book in the series. Noelle has a long and successful career ahead of her, if her future books are as good as this one, which I am sure they will be. I have no hesitation in recommending this book. Brilliant.

Wow what a fabulous debut novel. I really enjoyed this book, although the subject is quite a difficult one the author covered it well and the characters were very well drawn. I can’t wait for the next book.

WOW! WOW! WOW! What a fabulous book AND not surprisingly one of the most anticipated books of the year. Having read the blurb, I was expecting to feel uncomfortable, riled up and then relieved at the end. Any emotions a reader has while reading a book is always down to the writer. What I did find was that Holton has a unique way of intertwining the characters. You soon learn the strong points as well as the deficiencies of the individuals who make up the heart of the story.

Two violent openings - a rape and a murder - mark the overall mood of Dead Inside. Not an easy book as for me, as it triggered memories of an abusive past as I expect it will for others. But this is a book that speaks for so many victims who don’t have a voice and made all the more authentic since the research was from Holton’s own professional experience as a PO. That says a lot, in my opinion.

I was blown away by Patrick. What a lowlife! Probably one of the worst ever written in this genre. Every time he staggered back in the house, I could smell the reek of alcohol and feel the tension. It was wild. The more I read, the more I wanted Lucy to seek help earlier, to get Siobhan to safety. I guess I was looking for that open door. But not all victims realize they’re victims, and leading a double life in order to keep her dignity added tension to the pace. The six million dollar question is what you don’t know can’t hurt you.

I don’t think there was any part of this book I didn’t like, and in order to help other readers I try to add equal measures of likes and dislikes. Rather than being characteristically invested in the police procedural scenes, I became more immersed in the domestic abuse and I think this was because we care for Lucy and we root for her. Taking notes helped me to keep up with all the characters. Not that there are that many, its just the different functions of Maggie’s team and Lucy’s family, friends and work colleagues. More from the aspect of trying to work out who was responsible for committing these horrific crimes. But let's just say the ending was one I didn’t see coming.

I like the way this author writes. The action scenes are intense and well described leaving the reader to feel as if they are standing to one side watching it all happen. Maggie’s ongoing investigation gets even more interesting as more bodies are added to the death toll. The action intensifies and the puzzle becomes ever more involved.

But from the moment I opened the book, I was drawn in and totally hooked, knowing that I'd be a wreck all day if I didn’t finish it. When a book does that, you know it’s going to be good. The story was the perfect mixture of mystery, thrills, hope and tragedy. Holton did a fantastic job of weaving together each point of view, hitting me with curveball after curveball and leaving me guessing the entire time.

Be prepared to read deep into the night just to finish "one more chapter before turning out the light". I recommend DEAD INSIDE to anyone looking for a writer who delivers a memorable story.

Wow this is such a gripping book that many will relate to how Lucy has to live with her abusive husband and work full time in the probation service that keeps control of abusive men after prison.Her life is a rollercoaster not knowing what will happen when she goes home but she does have Siobhan and Rory to keep her going.Then the deaths of Abusive Men start and the police are getting nowhere as there are so many people who would of happily killed them.Maggie is determined to catch the killer and to go back to her own job.I really have loved this book the first one containing domestic abuse as i suffered to and always found it hard to read books about it.I will be recommending Noelle's book and look forward to book two.I will say if she continues writing like this she will do very well in the future.5*

4.5 Stars

What a debut this is, and I can easily say I'm looking forward to book 2.

To start with I was struggling a bit as it seemed like a new character was introduced every chapter - and if you are a book blogger you may find a lot of the character names were incredibly familiar. In fact that was possibly what I had the most trouble with initially, as every time a familiar name appeared, I felt pulled out of the book, and was just laughing.

Well that lasted for the first stint of reading the book which took me to 30% and when I returned to it on the return train journey, I was fully into the story, and I had clearly taken in all of the background, and key scene setting, character introductions, as I found myself completely hooked by it.

I needed to know what was happening in poor Lucy's lift, given the marriage she has and then the not overly easy day job. I enjoyed getting to know a new police team, and in particular DC Maggie Jamieson.

It was interesting to see how her new team, the DAHU was working, its the team investigating Domestic abuse and homicide - while Lucy herself is a probation officer for domestic abusers.

To say a lot of the subject matter is on the heavier side, would not be too much of an understatement, but it wasn't any more graphic than strictly needed in order to illustrate the horrificness of the situations.

I felt no sympathy at all towards any of the murdered people, but I'll admit I was fairly positive who had done things relatively early on for me, and I was in some respects correct, but still even after the police worked that out there were still some shocks, that did surprise me.

Written with a short, snappy writing style, I loved the very short chapters, the flicking of viewpoints between each one, and getting insight into a whole range of people's lives.

This is the first book I've read in absolutely ages where I disregarded all my piles of work, in order to make sure I was able to sit and read the remainder of it in one sitting, with complete obliviousness to my surroundings.

I wouldn't be surprised if elements of this book make it very hard for me to sleep this evening, and I suspect I could be thinking about Lucy for a good while longer. In part because although the main character in theory is Maggie, as she is the detective, I found I was reading more about Lucy, and getting to know her the best out of the whole myriad of characters.

Noelle Holten is definitely a rising star in terms of crime books, and I honestly can't wait for book two to be released, to be able to hopefully jump straight in and feel at home with the writing, and some of the characters at least.

Thank you to Killer Reads and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

WOW! Incredible debut novel. Lots of characters who have different roles in this story coming together. Besides the police we read about the probation side once the convicted are released from prison. I did not see the ending coming which delights me. I hope Book 2 is available very soon. Well Done!!! Thanks to NetGalley, the Publishers and the Author for allowing me to read and review this book.

this book is a must read so enjoyed the characters in this book and we gonna see more of Maggie she a sassy policewoman if you like gripping twisty Addictive this your book and sadly this does go on in the real world the author is a very talented lady Lucy is a probation officer but she hides her private life well not going to spoil this for readers but it is brilliant and it brought tears to my eyes so cant wait for book two highly recommend