The night of the fire, the guns and the escape. The book starts with a gruesome family murder and an attempt to cover up secrets. What She Saw is a fast-paced thriller that pulls you though the investigation of the crime, as you accompany Detective Jenna Morgan on her hunt for answers. This was an addiction I refused to put down without my hourly fix. The investigation is explosive, the interrogation room empty of witnesses, the house a crime scene that no one can safely enter. What can you do to uncover the truth when you hold none of the clues.

I love thrillers. I love female main characters. There’s just something about the rush of the hunt that the author takes you on throughout the pages. Every now and then you just need something to get your blood pumping; and the hunt for answers in this tense well written thriller.

Though it is the third in the series; and I did a bookish boo-boo, I didn’t get the time to catch up though the book didn’t make me feel like I missed much. I will say to check out the series from the start though because the snippets it does tell you about in the previous books, and the sheer power of captivation the investigation holds over you, they are stories any thriller lover will devour.

With What She Saw, the writing style was quick, addictive and explosive, the detective work honest and believable, this one is a thriller perfectly written for the colder nights.

What She Saw is the third instalment in the Detective Sergeant Jenna Morgan series, set in Shropshire, England. Even though I have yet to read the first two books, I jumped at the chance to read this one, and I'm so pleased I did!

The story opens with teenager, Poppy, lying on her bedroom floor along with her dead boyfriend, Aiden, looking at her father who has just shot them. As Poppy plays dead her father continues his mission to kill the rest of the Lawrence family before setting fire to their home - Kimble Hall.

This exciting start set the tone for the whole book and I was totally hooked. DS Jenna Morgan lives with her sister, Fliss, who is currently dating Jenna's work partner, DS Mason Ellis. As Jenna and Mason investigate, Diane Saxon strikes a great balance between the crimes and Jenna’s personal life and both are compelling to read. This captivating police procedural is very well plotted and paced and I found Jenna to be a likeable protagonist, though she was certainly not perfect.

With numerous twists and good use of misdirection throughout, What She Saw held my interest. As the tension levels peaked, the shocking revelations left me reeling. A magnificent very highly recommended read.

I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel at my request from Boldwood Books via Rachel’s Random Resources and NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

Mentioning another of Diane Saxon's books The Keeper which is now known as Find Her Alive as one of my most favourite reads of 2020 so far, I had high hopes going into this read - and I wasn't disappointed. It was great to see Jenna Morgan again and characters I had grown attached to as well.

Now being a proud owner of a Dalmatian myself, it was nice to see Domino making a reappearance and I thought the sub plot involving him in a crime was a stroke of genius and a welcome diversion from the main plot! The main plot kept its pace well and it was thrilling to follow the story when the police realised that the amount of bodies didn't match up with the amount that there should be in the wreckage from the fire. Who had escaped and were they to blame?

It was nice to see Jenna and Mason's working relationship especially with Ryan joining them too and it was nice to see Fliss and Mason's relationship develop too. I found myself willing Jenna to put all the pieces together and get there quicker until the story comes to a blinder of an ending. I liked that this was a little different to Find Her Alive where we got inside the mind of the culprit but didn't know who it was until just before Jenna did. This time around, we knew from the outset and followed the storyline as Jenna and her team tried to get to the bottom of it all. 

I did find that the plot slowed a little in places but the author managed to quickly pick up pace again so it wasn't too much of an issue. I can't wait to read even more from the author, she is fast becoming one of my favourites!

What She Saw is a slow-burn psychological thriller that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. It starts off with a bang and doesn't let up until the very end. And while it does have a slightly slower build-up to the intense finale than some thrillers, that doesn't make it any less boring. It's actually pretty nail-bitingly tense, and I found myself flipping quickly through to see how everything would play out.
I have to say, I really liked the Crawfords. They're an elderly couple in the story, and they play a pretty integral role, even when they're not physically present. I think they were the two characters who really made me enjoy this story.
I don't want to give too much away, but I will say this: the story is a bit dark and graphic at times, so if you're a sensitive reader, you'll want to proceed with caution while reading.
If you're looking for a thriller that has more than meets the eye going for it, definitely check out What She Saw.
4.5 stars from me.

This is the third in the series and having really enjoyed the previous books I was looking forward to reading this. I found it just as enjoyable as the rest with it's compulsive storyline and great writing.

This is the third book in the series featuring Telford’s DS Jenna Morgan. In a previous story her sister Fliss was subject to a terrible kidnap ordeal and now things are more settled for the two sisters living together, although the shadow of the impending court case looms large. Things are a little more complicated as Fliss is now dating Jenna's partner DC Mason Ellis, and Jenna herself has recently started seeing Chief Crown Prosecutor Adrian Hall. The story begins at the scene of a terrible crime. Someone runs riot with a load of firearms, ruthlessly shooting the wealthy family before setting fire to the Grade 1 listed building Kimble Hall. Despite being set in a large estate, it is not long before the alarm is raised by a neighbouring elderly couple. When police arrive at the scene there is a long wait before the fire can be brought under control and the building made safe for forensics to start their search. Eventually the investigation reveals they are missing one body. Just who has escaped, a killer or a vital witness? How, and where are they now? A frantic race is on to find out the truth about the killings before anyone else gets hurt. Also during the story Jenna and the team stumble upon a drugs peddler with a very interesting method of distribution. The main story had a great finish but being privy to the whole plot right from the beginning meant it was more a case of following the investigation for most of the book and watching the detectives gradually putting all the clues together. The main characters are very likeable, and have good working relationships as well as home lives. The side story was great fun and I loved the local lingo like wassock, a word I haven’t heard in a long time. This author clearly must be a dog lover – the pair in this book had almost bigger starring roles than the detectives! Altogether an entertaining read with the pace kept up throughout and a twisty exciting ending. 4.5*

What She Saw is the third instalment in the Detective Sargeant Jenna Morgan series, set in Shropshire, England. For all intents and purposes, the Lawrence family had seemingly picture-perfect lives. Highly successful and loaded with cash, they own a large estate known as Kimble Hall. It's the middle of the night and DS Morgan is called to the scene of an intensive blaze and suspected arson at Kimble Hall where shots had also been ringing out from a little earlier and not long before the fire was reported. When they finally get it under control they discover the ashes of what they presume to be Gordon Lawrence, his wife and four children but they soon find that the body count doesn't match. It seemed someone managed to escape. DS Morgan and her colleagues DC Mason Ellis and DC Ryan Downey quickly come to the realisation that they have a bold and cold-blooded serial killer on their hands. Who exactly is unaccounted for and where did they disappear to? Who is responsible for the killings and can they be apprehended before they kill again?

This is a compulsive and thoroughly captivating police procedural with ample twists and turns and good use of misdirection throughout. It begins with an almighty bang and continues to surprise as the thriller progresses. I really liked how Saxon strikes the perfect balance between the crimes and Jenna’s personal life and both are equally as compelling which is unusual. It’s exceptionally well written, plotted and paced and I found myself unable to tear myself away and as a consequence read it all in a single tense sitting. There is bags of suspense and action wrapped up in a thrillingly plotted story and the icing on the cake is our likeable and flawed protagonist who I certainly hope to see grow more in the future. There are two different threads to the plot and both held my interest throughout and both provide plenty of palpable tension and shocking revelations which have you gasping out loud. The conclusion was very emotional and quite heartbreaking and I certainly didn't expect to feel a little bit teary. Many thanks to Boldwood Books for an ARC.

A good book with police investigation a big part of this. I think this is book 3 I haven't read any others but it can be read alone. You have Jenna who lives with her sister who got attacked not so long ago and she has just started seeing Adrian who works for the courts.
In this book she has to investigate a families house who gets set on fire and with bodies inside is it the family or not. But the body count doesn't match so who is missing and who shot the family.
Gripping read.

First, I want to thank Diane Saxon, Boldwood Books, NetGalley and Rachel’s Random Resources for providing me with this book so I may bring you this review!

WOW!! Diane Saxon’s latest book What She Saw reads like a story ripped from the headlines!! A headline that shocks you in disbelief and rocks you to your core. What She Saw as the title is spot on. What poor Poppy saw no child should see!!

The cover of this book originally caught my attention. The picture and the colors were spot on. The fact that a small stuffed doll was lying all alone in the road pulled on my heartstrings big time.

To my Aunty Letty, my dad’s youngest sibling. A lady I aspire to be when I grow up.

I Intently was submerged into the book with all the detailed graphics, description and the storyline. Diane did an unbelievable job drawing out all of the emotions of each of the characters. Polly especially I felt the strongest about this and felt for her the most.

This is not an easy read by any means. This is a tragic story with some graphic violent scenes in it. If this bothers you this may not be the best book to put on your TBR list. However, I loved it and couldn’t get enough of it.

I appreciated that Diane took the time to do a background and research check on weaponry, fires and police procedures. It made a difference in her book.

Diane has an incredible gift writing in this genre. This is my first time reading and reviewing for her and it won’t be my last. I was truly blown away by this mind blowing story.

I’d like to thank Boldwood Books and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘What She Saw’ by Diane Saxon in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

In the middle of the night shots are heard coming from Kimble Hall and the building is ablaze. When bodies are discovered in the remains of the house, it’s presumed they’re those of Gordon Lawrence, his wife and four children, but the body count doesn’t add up and DS Jenna Morgan and her team DC Mason Ellis and DC Ryan Downey have a tough, upsetting and dangerous case to investigate.

‘What She Saw’ is a well-written and somewhat unusual police thriller inasmuch as the main plot starts with the fire at Kimble Hall then slows down while waiting for evidence, before continuing again further through the book. Meanwhile, Jenna inadvertently comes across another crime being committed and that causes her some surprise when her Dalmatian dog is involved. Both story threads work well together giving us another exciting and tense story featuring Jenna, Mason and Ryan, containing twists and turns and shocking revelations, before coming to an emotional and heart-wrenching conclusion which caused me to shed a few tears. This is an exciting and breath-taking thriller that’s definitely deserving of five stars and that I have no hesitation in recommending.

Gordon Lawrence kills his family and sets the house on fire, but Poppy, his teenage daughter, escapes.
Jenna Morgan is called to investigate the case and she is determined to find the killer. At some point, I lost interest in the story, but I want to continue to read Diane Saxons books.
Thanks, Netgalley for this book.

The second one in the series. Absolutely brilliant and gut gripping!! From the first page I was on the edge of my seat. And that lasted right to the last word!! Having read the first book I had high expectations and boy I wasn't disappointed!!
Definitely one I won't forget!!

Love this author . This was a book full of twist and turns and kept you on the edge of your seat. Cant wait to read more by the author

This was the first book I’ve read by this author and it was such a great read. This was a book full of twist and turns and at times I wasn’t sure what was going to happen next. This book will hook you from the very first chapter .

Things are never what they seem.
This book is a testament to that!
What a wild ride this read was, so many twists, turns, and aha moments. This was my second book by Diane Saxon that I have had the pleasure of reading.
DS Lynda Hagen and her fellow officers are on the case that keeps you guessing. I was surprised by the ending, usually I have a good indication of the "bad guy". Nothing better than a good book that keeps you guessing.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy of the book.
#netgalley
#whatshesaw

After reading her first book Find Her Alive I really didn't think k this author could do any better. Boy was I wrong. This book literally blew me away. A birthday party ends in multiple deaths, a massive house fire. What looks like a simple house fire is nothing but. It is upto D S Jenna Morgan and her team to solve the case. As they delve deeper this case be o es more complex, we are also shown more of the softer side of this Jenna while she is spinning so many plates and we must not forget Domino the beloved Dalmatian who belongs to her sister Fliss. He is now a drug dealer, yes you heard right. Packed to the rafters with tension and suspense and I literally have no nails left. This author certainly knows how to tell a story and I can't wait to read more.
Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for the ARC in return for giving an honest review.

We never really know what goe son behind closed doors, do we? In this roller coaster of a read, you'll be hooked from the beginning, when you the body count is wrong. As the detectives keep digging they find a witness, who won't talk, Then more surprises, and suddenly what seemed like a horrible fire takes on even more sinister clues. This one will keep you reading long into the night, and get you hooked on this series!

A fire rages and leaves a family dead, police are left to investigate the circumstances and why the body count doesn’t tally up.

I think that this book is part of a series, this is the first one that I’ve read and it does work as a stand-alone novel for the most part, maybe a bit too much explanation of a previous novel if you ever wanted to go back and read what came before. I enjoyed the police work in this novel, I just wish that it had centred more around the main case. There was a lot of description about a case in the middle of the book and it was really interesting but it never seemed to tie into the main story. I enjoyed the characters in this book and as I was reading it, it did draw me in but the end of the book left too many loose ends for me and I didn’t really feel that it gave me any shock value. This book would be great for people who enjoy police procedurals but not so much for fans who like a good twist or a shock villain at the end.

The Lawrence’s were the perfect family; successful and beautiful until one night their whole world was ripped apart. Gordon Lawrence kills his entire family and sets the house on fire. But Poppy, his teenage daughter, escapes.

Detective Sergeant Jenna Morgan is called to investigate the suspected arson attack and death of the Lawrence family at the charred remains of their stunning home. As the case progresses, DS Morgan realises she has a calculating, cold-blooded killer on her hands, and the race is on to track them down before they kill again...

I was attracted to this book due to it's intriguing premise and attractive book cover.

The book begins with a bang, which had me excited but as the story progressed there were times when I lost interest and my attention wavered. The characters in the book were okay. While the twists and the action at the end of the book are good, I just wish that there was something more in the middle chapters.

Thank You to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC!

Never a dull moment - what a stunning read! I've already downloaded the first two in series to catch up with.

Called out in the middle of the night, DS Jenna Morgan finds herself attending a house fire so large and intensive that there is no way to know if the residents were at home or not. When bodies are discovered in the ruins, the count doesn't add up to all members of the Lawrence family who lived there; so who is unaccounted for and where are they?

This is an exciting and fast moving story, beautifully crafted, carefully plotted and absolutely packed with action from beginning to end. Personal details are included but nothing takes away from the crime story. There is such a lot happening! As a conscientious officer, Jenna is kept busy as other things need dealt with in her working life, but she never loses sight of the bigger picture. The characters are true to life, the story flows really well and kept me glued all the way through. Thought-provoking and thrilling with a good slice of humour, it adds up to an absolutely superb read. Definitely an author to add to your 'must not miss' read, and I'm delighted to give this all five sparkling stars!

My thanks to the publisher for my copy via NetGalley and to Rachel's Random Resources for my spot on this tour; this is - as always - my honest, original and unbiased review.