This is a great crime thriller with a brilliant outcome that I didn’t see coming.
Cat is called to a crime scene in Cambridgeshire where the body of a young woman is found in remote farmland.
It seems this woman has links to the Roommate killer investigated by the Met Police some six years earlier, and this young woman was believed to be his final victim.
Although all the evidence pointed towards Christopher Masters at the time, the discovery of the body sheds new light on the investigation and forces the team to reopen the case.
As Cat and Parnell dig deeper more and more discrepancies are evident and this makes this book a great read as there’s so many directions it could take.
I loved the ending and also the final sentence of the book.....
Thanks to Bonnier Books UK and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

Cat Kinsella #3

Three women had been strangled by the "Roommate Killer " and the case was never closed. But now the remains of a forth victim have been found. Cat Kinsella and her team are investigating the case. The body is Holly Kemp and she has been in the field where she was found for six years. Cat and her partner, Luigi Parnell take a closer look into this case only to find discrepancies and questions.

This is a gripping, tense and an edge of your seat read. Nothing is quite what it seems. It's a hard book to review as I don't want to give too much away. This is one of the best police procedural that's going about just now. The pace is fast and the story is told from Cat's perspective. The truth is revealed slowly, piece by piece.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Bonnier Books and the author Caz Frear for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Shed No Tears is the third book in the Cat Kinsella series by Caz Frear. When the remains of Holly Kemp, the assumed fourth and final victim of the “roommate” killer, are discovered, the murder squad are called in to reinvestigate when several discrepancies compared to the original case findings 6 years ago come to light.

Caz Frear has been on my radar for a really long tine and I’ve really enjoyed spending the past couple of weeks reading the series, although each book can be read as a stand-alone.

Each book is better than the last, with more complex characters and plots. Cat Kinsella is a character I’ve really enjoyed getting to know and I hope there will be more on her in the future.

Available Thursday 23rd July
Thanks @netgalley for my copy

Many thanks to Tracy at Compulsive Readers for my spot on the blog tour. And, also to the publishers for my gifted copy.

She'd No Tears is the third installment in the DC Cat Kinsella series. And, I've just jumped straight into it with this one. I've read other people's reviews and the majority have said you can easily read this as a standalone. However, for me I did feel like the new girl on my first day at work when I started reading this. And, it took me a while to get into the story as I felt I was playing catch up with the characters, who obviously had a great camaraderie. I just felt like I was missing out on gossip between them, and they all had a backstory that I needed to know. But, saying this as soon as I got to grips with who's who, and their roles I got easily swept up in the case and storyline.

A body has been discovered in the undergrowth, and it turns out to be that of Holly Kemp. She was the apparent final victim of Christopher Masters, a serial killer who abducted and murdered several women. He was sent down for his crimes, but had always denied murdering Holly despite the fact that a key eye witness saw Holly go to Masters house on the day she disappeared. All very mysterious! What happened to Holly? Was she really another of Masters victims? Or is there another conclusion?

Cat Kinsella is definitely a unique character, her family has criminal connections, which given she's in the police force can make for interesting reading. I liked this arc to her storyline as it shows a different side to her character. It also gives her more of an edge.

As the investigation intensifies Kinsella and Parnell discover and delve deeper into the Masters case and the find out a lot of discrepancies that don't make sense. What could be going on?

Shed No Tears was a fantastic read full of mystery and intrigue to keep us guessing throughout. Great characters which I'll be making sure to read the rest of the series, from the start.

Could not finish. Just wasn’t able to connect with the writing, or figure out what was going on. It didn’t hold my attention long enough for me to want to find out either.

(Review copy from NetGalley)

Shed No Tears is the fabulous third police procedural drama by Caz Frear featuring the wonderful character DC Cat Kinsella. I have thoroughly enjoyed every one of these books and love the character of Cat, and her relationship with her colleague DS Lu Parnell, more and more with every book.
The central story is that of a previously solved murder (where the body was never found) which comes under investigation again which the victim’s body is found. The serial killer, ‘The Roommate Killer’ aka Christopher Masters, has since died and therefore cannot be questioned about the body and manner of death of Holly Kemp. During his lifetime he had both denied and admitted the murder at various points and it was decided he could not be trusted to tell the truth. The police decide they must look into the matter again to try to find out once and for all if Masters did kill Holly Kemp.
Surely it must have been Masters? If so, did he have an accomplice, either working with Masters or alone? Will Holly finally be able to rest in peace?
As usual, Cat has a lot going on with her family and social life which provides as much drama and intrigue to the story as her work life.
Another excellent book from Caz Frear. I cannot wait for book four in this series!
Thanks to NetGalley for a Kindle copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I read the first novel in the Cat Kinsella series a few weeks ago and really enjoyed it, so was really excited to be approved to read the new one! Happily, it was just as good as I hoped it would be and I raced through it. I had guessed the identity of the villain by about the halfway point but that didn't spoil anything. It's so refreshing to read a crime/procedural novel that isn't populated solely by middle aged men!

I read this for a blog tour.

This started off as a pretty average police procedural but then took off in a completely different direction, the plot gathering pace as the investigation sped up. The brilliant twists towards the end were not easy to spot and very little foreshadowing suggested where it might all end.

I have been lucky, in a way, playing catch up as I have, that I have been able to read all three Cat Kinsella books back to back. Lucky because it means that all of the characters and events are fresh in my ind as I read this book, but also lucky because it has been such a great series to get my teeth into. This latest instalment, She No Tears, was no exception. Thrown into the heart of the investigation from the off, this book kept me rapt from start to finish and is quite possibly my favourite of the three.

The book opens with Cat and DS Lu Parnell attending a crime scene in Cambridgeshire where what is let of the body of a young woman is found in a ditch in remote farmland. Why are Cat and Parnell involved you may well ask. Well, it is because this body has links to a case investigated by the Met Police some six years earlier, the notorious 'Roommate Killer', and this young woman was believed to be his final victim. Until now. Although all the evidence pointed towards Christopher Masters at the time, the discovery of the body sheds new light on the investigation and forces the team to reopen the case, if only to put it to bed once and for all and to close the case file down. But if it was going to be that easy, this would be a very, very short book.

It wasn't and it isn't. What Caz Frear has delivered to us instead is an investigation that is full of holes, ones so big you could drive an Artic-lorry through in some cases, and one that forces the MIT4 team to look deeper into the past and some of the so-called cast iron witness statements that were taken at the time. It brings the team into contact with some very shady characters, some of whom move in circles a little too close to Cat's own complicated family life, and also some of the original investigating officers, including DCI Steele's old boss and mentor. Once again the author has created characters who are diverse and authentic, form the uber-ambitious DCI Tess Dyer, through to the more menacing Crime boss, Simon Fellows. Each one with their distinct personality brings the story to life.

Now this is a story of misdirection, where nothing is quite what it seems. But how much of it is down to human error and how much is by design remains to be seen. I loved watching the team at work, and seeing the conflict that arises in Cat when she received not one but two offers anyone would find it hard to refuse. This book certainly marks a potential crossroad in her life, making her take a long hard look at what it is she really wants. Yet none of this detracts her from the job in hand and although her instincts seems slightly dulled this time around, she is still quick enough to spot some of the more ambiguous and doubtful elements of the original case.

It's hard to say a lot more without giving too much away, but what i will do is reiterate what i said earlier - this is possibly my favourite of the three books to date. The story just drew me in, the mystery just enough to keep my interest piqued. There is a chilling back story in the Roommate Killer case, but also an underlying element of tension that bubbles along as the story progresses, something that tells you something isn't right but keeps you in suspense to the end. If you love the series, then you are going to love this book too.

Shed No Tears is the third book in the Cat Kinsella series but the first one I have read. Although there are clearly references to events that took place earlier it didn’t have any real impact on my enjoyment of the book but did make me hunt out the others in the series and they are now happily sitting in my TBR pile.
When the body of Holly Kemp is found, Cat and the rest of the team find themselves having to re-open the case of The Room Mate Killer. Holly had been believed to be the killer’s final victim before he was finally caught but on examination of her remains, certain details don’t match up. With the previous Senior investigating officer also on the scene can they find out what really happened to her and if the right person was convicted of her murder.
Cat Kinsella is quite a likeable character. She has a healthy respect for both her boss DCI Kate Steele and her closest colleague DS Lu Parnell, and you can see that they work well together. She is hiding some secrets from both her colleagues and her family and this often plays on her mind as she wonders if she is compromising herself too much. She is very down to earth and sometimes says what she thinks without filter. She sees her boss as her mentor but also has her head turned by the possibility of furthering her career, whilst also worrying about what that would mean for those she loved.
This is certainly not a straightforward case for the team as they are trying to piece together things that happened 6 years ago and lets face it we all have issues remembering what we did last month never mind that far back. They are also dealing with the fact that they are trying not to upset the team that previously investigated Holly’s disappearance. The book certainly has quite a few twists and turns and there are some moments of humour between the team. I think that Caz Frear has managed to get the balance right within the team and although Steele keeps her eye on the ball at all times she also gives them some leeway to go where the investigations take them. The action is not in your face so there is more of a believability about it.
Now that I have discovered Caz Frear and Cat Kinsella I look forward to more from them and I am off to read the rest of the series to find out what I have missed.

This is a series I’ve loved since the very first book – main protagonist Cat Kinsella is so realistic and full of depth that I immediately engaged with her, that has continued through every subsequent instalment and Shed No Tears was no exception.

The family drama is just as compelling as any of the mystery elements, the twisted interconnected relationships and ever changing morality is riveting so each story has a continuing arc that is hugely addictive.

Then of course you have separate investigations undertaken by Cat and the team and each one is intelligently plotted, unpredictable and perfectly paced to keep the reader turning the pages avidly awaiting the next reveal.

Shed No Tears has a serial killer, an enigmatic and flawed victim, a twisted sense of right and wrong with plenty of “ooh” moments making it another tip top fully immersive crime thriller from the pen of Caz Frear.

Not many writers of this creative, talented level are out there so I highly recommend that you read these if you are a fan of all things crime fiction

With thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the arc. which I have enjoyed reading.
This is book 3 in the Cat Kinsella series and once again it is a very accomplished story. The characters are very well drawn and believable, the storyline is clever and well thought out. The story had plenty of twists and turns and was interesting and an enjoyable read. The final twist was superb.
Highly recommended

Cat Kinsella is an extremely complex character with a dubious backstory so you really would be doing yourself a favour by reading books 1 and 2 before starting this one.
Remains of a woman are found. They are subsequently identified as those of Holly Kemp who was deemed to be a victim of the notorious Roommate Killer, one Christopher Masters, now deceased who admitted her killing and retracted it several times en route to his conviction for the other three he definitely killed. Solid eye witness testimony put Holly on his street, at his doorway, talking to him. But her remains don't really speak of the Roommate Killer at all. Manner, location and all sorts of things are a bit off. So much so that it is decided to re-open that arm of the investigation. Cat and Parnell start to peel back the layers that formed that case, talking to both witnesses and the cops that run the original investigation. It soon transpires that there are some key things that just don't add up whatever way you try and look at (spin) them. Is it all about to explode around them, and are they in danger from it all?
I love Cat - she is all things a little dodgy - her backstory say it all really - her father's part in the death of her boyfriend's sister - whew...! And she knows when to toe the line at work - she knows - she just doesn't do it! Which makes for a very colourful, and rather maverick, cop all told. Parnell tries to rein her in but, well... and, where we leave the book - with what may/could happen - oooh exciting stuff indeed. But that'd be telling!
The story in this book is a doozy too. All interconnected and intriguing and had me chasing my tail along with Cat as we both tried to unpick all the things wrong in the original investigation. I failed, thankfully she didn't! Pacing is perfect and the story gets on with itself very well indeed along with the expected and accepted occasional segue into the characters' personal lives that is synonymous with a series book.
All in all a cracking addition to an already well loved series. Hanging for the next one! My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

This is the third book in the excellent DS Cat Kinsella series and to get the most out of the involved back story iI would recommend reading Sweet Little Lies and Stone Cold Heart first.

Caz Frear has created a great character with her young detective, she's gutsy and tenacious but she's also keeping secrets that could destroy her hard won career if they are discovered. The plotting between the back story and her current investigation into the discovery of a body who was assumed to be the responsibility of 'The 'Roommate Killer' Christopher Masters but the MO is different and the body was found in Cambridge, miles away from the scene of the supposed crime. The investigation is in depth and the author keeps hold of the readers attention by the killer combination of realistic characterisation and plenty of red herrings to keep those brain cells firing on all cylinders.

Another great addition to the contemporary police procedural.

I don't know why, but for some reason I had Caz Frear's first novel Sweet Little Lies on my wish list years ago. However, from one day to the next it suddenly disappeared. I don't even remember why I took it off. It might have something to do with the fact that I found out it was a series. I'm not usually one to pick up detective series. There's one I'm fond off which is Lee Child's Jack Reacher, but all others I try to avoid. I don't like the feeling of being "stuck" to a series. I'm one of those people who can't quite a series, even if they don't like it. That's why I have almost the full Harry Hole series in my bookcase by Jo Nesbo.

Anyways, I digress. The reason I had this book on my wish list is because the idea that Cat Kinsella is operating in the UK police force even though her dad is a hardened criminal in organised crime sparked my interest. When I saw the third book in the series on Netgalley I decided to jump right into it.

Shed No Tears is about the final victim of a serial killer who was active around and apprehended in 2012. Holly Kemp is found in a field near Cambridge. The discovery of the final body could potentially wrap the whole case up. However, the serial killer Christopher Masters had never confessed to murdering her and when inspector Cat and Luigi look closer at the victim, they notice quite a few discrepancies with Masters' other victims.

I like the fact that even though there are a lot of allusions to the previous novels, we're actually getting enough information to understand roughly what happened and what feeling we have to have towards the people in Cat's life, but not too much to want to make the two previous novels redundant. You can easily read this novel, and still get the "full experience" of Cat Kinsella. The stories of previous novels are intertwined with this one, so be careful, because it'll get you wanting more.

Other things I liked were the easy banter between Kinsella and people she conversed with. I think she's a fun person to be around and I really enjoy her sarcasm and wit. It never turns self-deprecating or too much. You know those female protagonists who are so snippy and snide almost no woman can identify with them? Artemis by Andy Weir is the first novel that comes to mind that has one of those protagonists.

Another important element I liked is the plot itself. Nothing is what you'd expect, in a good way. It twists-and-turns without it being overtly twisty. You simply find out new things throughout the course of the novel. The fact that those new things are completely unexpected show what a good writer Caz Frear is.

Highly recommended and aside from the fact that I will definitely read the first and second book in this instalment, I really hope more books are on the way. Sometimes it's nice to read a book in a series and to know that the end is not yet in sight.

“BUT IF YOU'D GOT AWAY WITH MURDER, WHAT WOULD YOU DO WHEN THE CASE IS RE-OPENED?”

Dc Cat Kinsella and her team are investigating the “roommate” killings as there is another possible victim. The man whom they thought was the perpetrator is now dead himself but things aren’t adding up as the first victims were strangled and the latest one was shot. Cat has her own issues. Her boyfriend had his sister go missing several years before then being found dead and she knows her father, albeit innocent, knows something about this. This is the third in the series but happily stands alone (I hadn’t read the others). This is a fairly fast pace and very “chatty” style of crime writing- something different and new to me. Alot is learned from conversations rather than situations and the whole thing is told by Cat and hence from her perspective. A very different read and one to keep the grey matter alive.
(rest of links as part of blog tour)

Shed No Tears is the third book in the DC Cat Kinsella series by Caz Frear and it is an interesting police crime thriller.

The main storyline is a Cold Case that leads to numerous twists and turns with Kinsella and colleagues struggling to know what and who to believe.

Whilst this can be read as a stand-alone it is probably better if you have read the previous books in the series so that you can follow the various subplots etc.

The story is told in the first person which can be a little distracting at times but overall this is a decent read. Recommended

The third book to feature DC Cat Kinsella. Cat and her team have found the body of Holly Kemp the last victim of the Room Mate killer. The M O is so different from the other victims. Cat can't ask the killer as he was murdered in prison. Discrepancies and inconsistency are abound. New fresh eyes are needed. Full of misdirection and more than a few surprises. This book kept me guessing and reading late into the night.
Thanks to Bonnier Books and Netgalley for the ARC.

Almost finished this book, but wanted to write the review already. Really enjoyed it - lots going on, and very clear voice, with some very clever phrasing too - imagine Charlie Brooker writing a crime book, and you are halfway there. The details in it are excellent too!

What a fabulous read and with a plot so intricate it could tie you up in knots it was that good. We start with the discovery of the remains of Holly Kemp who was a suspected victim of the serial killer Christopher Masters known as The Roommate Killer but things just don’t add up with this discovery and Cat and the team are tasked with reopening the case and wow does this make for one hell of a good story.
I love the character of Cat Kinsella and in this instalment of the series I think she really does come into her own. The rest of the team are equally well written and all likeable and there is always a feeling of realness about the banter that goes on between them.
It’s a police procedural that really stands out and with twists and surprises and a wow of a ending making me desperate for the next in a series that I love. No hesitation in recommending this read and many thanks to Caz Frear for a book that really does hit the mark and a 5 star read.
My thanks also to NetGalley and Bonnier Books UK, Zaffre for giving me the chance to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.