This is the first book I've read from Gwyn Bennett and it will definitely not be the last! What a great read!
it is book 2 in the Saskia Monet series and a series I will definitely continue with.

On a Wednesday morning two tourists are exploring Batterie Lothringen, a fortification that was built on the island Jersey by the occupying German forces during the Second World War.
But instead of enjoying the scene they find the body of a man who was shot in the back of the head. It turns out to be the body of Paul Cabot the newly elected deputy of the parish.
He had a small party at his house the previous evening for a handful of people and somewhere in the early hours, he was killed. But why in this specific location and what is the significance of him being shot in the back of the head?
Saskia Monet, a forensic psychologist who works at the LA Moye prison, is contacted by Detective Inspector Winter Labey to help with the profiling of the perpetrator.
It is a high-profile case and they need to deliver results quickly. Surely the killer must have been somebody known to the victim? Was it politically motivated or personal?

On top of it, Saskia must also keep her brother David out of trouble but that is easier said than done. Being the daughter of a convicted psychopath and with a brother who is also a high-functioning psychopath, there is no time for a personal life.
She has always been good at reading people but if it is somebody so close to you, will you be able to pick up on the tells?

I can't wait for the next book!

Thank you to Netgalley and Storm Publishers for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion

EXCERPT: His brain was slow. Tiredness and alcohol dumbing down his processing despite the adrenaline, but he listened to the darkness, and he tried to talk them out of killing him.
He'd no idea how long it had been, but at some point a strange calmness had come over him. He'd tried everything. Arguing back. Reasoning. Pleading. He'd even sobbed and promised to make things right, but eventually he'd known there was no going back. He would have to pay the price.
He bowed his head, all hope leaching from his body and blending with the wet that had seeped through the knees of his trousers. The stench of damp and urine no longer registering. In the pitch-black darkness, he saw the faces of his family. He imagined their reactions to the news of his death. The last thing in his head before the bullet ripped through it, was what the headline about his murder might be in the Jersey Evening Post.

ABOUT 'SECRETS IN THE BLOOD': A beautiful island scarred by the defences from centuries of war.

Secrets hidden in the blood of generations.

A past that refuses to stay buried.

Detective Winter Labey is called to a historic German bunker abandoned after the occupation of the island of Jersey, where tourists have discovered the concealed body of a prominent local figure. Was the execution-style murder connected to the Nazi graffiti daubed on the walls of his tomb?

Winter calls on forensic psychologist Saskia Monet, whose own childhood gives her a unique understanding of the darkest recesses of the human mind. As Saskia and Winter delve into the case, they unravel a web of secrets the victim had desperately tried to keep hidden from his family. Secrets that, once exposed, could shatter the lives of those closest to him.

Just as they make a major breakthrough, there’s another murder in chillingly similar circumstances. Except now, it’s one of their suspects. Time is quickly running out to catch the killer before they strike again…

MY THOUGHTS: My main problem with this novel is that I felt like I was being told the story rather than experiencing it, which greatly reduced the level of suspense and tension that I should have been feeling.

I liked the historical aspects of Jersey that were woven into the novel, and enjoyed reading the letter from the author at the end of the book in which she talks more about this.

This is not a fast-moving plot. It tends to cover the same ground multiple times, and I thought it very clear from almost the outset that the resolution lay in the past and was not anything to do with politics. In fact, this is made very clear in the synopsis.

I found Saskia's obsession with protecting her psychopathic brother David at all costs both wearing and unrealistic. She is a professional, a forensic psychiatrist, and her actions must surely cast doubt on her suitability and ability to carry out her job professionally. I also had doubts about Saskia's continued involvement in this case as an unpaid civilian which is the main reason I have not classified this as a police procedural. I admit to not having read the first book in this series, so something may have happened in that to bring this course of events about and, if so, it perhaps could have been mentioned in this book.

On the plus side, this is a quick and easy read but the lack of suspense and the unbelievable irregularity of Saskia's involvement and her commitment to playing God in relation to her brother reduced this read to a merely okay status. I doubt that I will continue with this series.

⭐⭐.5

#SecretsintheBlood #NetGalley

THE AUTHOR: Gwyn's always been a writer, initially working as a broadcast journalist and newsreader for the BBC and ITN in London, before she was able to become a full-time fiction author. Gwyn undertakes a lot of research for her books, weaving fact in with the fiction in order to make them relatable to readers. Her favourite days are when she hears from people who have enjoyed her books and meeting the characters.

Gwyn was born in England but has lots of Welsh and some Irish blood in her. She now lives in the tiny Channel Island of Jersey, where her husband was born, with her family, rescue dog, and geriatric goldfish. Apart from being chief dog slave and fish feeder, she enjoys walking, yoga and eating crisps, with a bit of gardening when the sun shines.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Storm Publishing via NetGalley for providing a digital ARC of Secrets in the Blood by Gwyn Bennett for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

This was an absorbing murder mystery set in Jersey. Having a psychologist involved was really good and useful. Some great characters and non stop action. The conclusion left an open ending. Is there more to come?.

Interesting read, lots of sub plots going on. Set in Jersey, which makes a nice change. Good chemistry between the characters, enough to keep you engrossed to the end. Thank you netgalley for the advanced copy

After a prominent man is found murdered in an historic bunker on the coast of Jersey, Detective Inspector Winter Labey again calls on forensic psychologist Saskia Monet to help investigate.

As soon as I downloaded this, I went ahead and listened to the first book in the series (The Stolen Ones) and loved it. The Jersey setting is unique (I was looking up pictures the whole time) and I really enjoyed Saskia and Winter as characters and think their potential/possible relationship (?) adds a fun extra level of tension. I didn't love the plot of this one as much as The Stolen Ones, but it was still engaging and well-paced. In future books I would really like to learn more details about Saskia's childhood and her life before Jersey and her relationship with her creepy brother. This series has tons of potential for interesting storylines, and I'm really excited to keep reading it!

Wow what a book! Gwyn Bennett sure can write a book that pulls you in from the very first page and grips you until the last page!

Saskia Monet is a criminal psychologist based in Jersey and working in the local prison. She is brought into an investigation by Winter Labey, a local detective, after a body is discovered in an old German bunker. The body is a local farmer who has just been elected to council.

Labey and Monet work together to determine whether his execution was a political event or had other motivations. They are also dancing around their mutual attraction. Saskia's barrier to further involvement is her psychopathic brother who she is continually shielding and making excuses for.

It didn't really work for me. The author was clearly charmed with the location, and it was nice to read a book set there. However, I found the blooming romance merely an irritating distraction. I thought it a bit of a stretch that a civilian would be so involved in the police investigations at the early stages. But above all I couldn't accept that any moral person would shield someone they suspected of manipulation and murder, for which Saskia's brother certainly seemed a likely candidate. If she had the skill to diagnose his condition, she should really be more responsible in how she treats him.

So although its well written and interesting, it just did not 'come alive' for me. Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for allowing me access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

BOOK: SECRETS IN THE BLOOD- 3.5 stars
AUTHOR: GWYN BENNETT
PUB DATE: DECEMBER 2023
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REVIEW
Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for this ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”
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I liked this book, but I wanted it to be 'more'. My favorite part was the relationship and camaraderie between Saskia and Winter, I'm definitely 'shipping' them. My least favorite part was Saskia's arrogance and overconfidence when dealing with psychopaths.
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I liked the crime, but I wanted it to be more scandalous and tantalizing than it was portrayed. I was disappointed when I reached the ending. But, I still liked Winter and Saskia's work ethic, they were diligent in solving the crime.
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For me, this book was okay and I'd read the next books in the series because I'm curious as to what comes next in the Saskia-Winter-David relationship
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A family's dispute over a farm traced to World War I.

Saskia Monet's expertise as a forensic psychologist helps detective inspector Winter Labey solve a murder tracing back to World War I. DI Winter investigates a murder which occurs in an ammunition bunker. Winter and Monet inquires uncovers family tension over the selling of land. As the case comes to a close, they also uncover political ties.

Gwyn Bennet, "Secrets in the Blood' weaves politics and family tension into a book you'll want to read to the end. Saskia involvement in helping Winter gives a different aspect in solving murder. The relationship between her and Winter made me hope they eventually become more than co-workers.

A good book.

Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A good read, although I did find the characters a little over-written in places, nonetheless a good read. Recommended.

This has been a short but action packed book by an author that I hadn't read before.
It can be easily read as a stand alone book although it was the second in a series. It did unfortunately have one of my pet peeves which is leaving one storyline completely unfinished, leaving room for another book to finish off that story.
I enjoyed the writing and the storyline and the mystery involved. The author was very thorough as quite often it was all spread out and discussed and the merits of each suspect was laid down.
I do like the dilemma of the closeness between the 2 main characters and I hope to read the next installment when it comes out.
Thanks to Netgalley and the author and publisher for a temporary copy in exchange for an honest review.

I loved that this book was set in Jersey! Such a unique and remote setting for all these events to be taking place. I did struggle to get into this. There's a pot going on, a lot of characters thrown at you and just what sometimes felt like a lot of words...... but very little actual action or progression of the plot. Its more character driven and the characters are certainly original and well written. I didn't feel there wad much tension but I did love the sub plot of the troubled brother and how that dynamic spiced things up. A decent enough murder mystery

I love Gwyn’s style of writing and enjoyed this second instalment of the Saskia Monet series. Very readable and compelling.
Forensic psychologist Saskia Monet and DI Winter Labey work together again to investigate the murder of a newly elected politician on the island of Jersey.
The many sides of Saskia -working in the prison, with the police, her interaction with her brother and her attraction to Winter, interact and clash. Several underlying themes will be fully developed in further novels in the series, I am sure they will as Gwyn has followed themes through in other series.
I enjoy her portrayal of Jersey, an island I have never been to, and the use of the island’s history. Also the pictures she portrays of the scenery and characters in the novel.
I look forward to further books in this series, also her Harrison Lane series.

A good, well written, murder mystery. Winter and Saskia work well together to solve the murder, but Saskia also has her work cut out, trying to keep her psychopathic brother on the straight and narrow. When Winter also has another murder on his hands, Saskia has doubts about her brother. More to come. Highly recommended, I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. .

Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the opportunity to read "Secrets in the Blood" in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is the very exciting book number two in the Saskia Monet series. It takes place in Jersey, the British Channel Islands. Someone is being held captive. There was a party and now there may have been a murder.

When two retirees from Pennsylvania on a European tour go to Noirmont and the WWII bunkers they happen upon a body. Detective Inspector Winter Labey once again calls in forensic psychologist Saskia Monet from La Moye Prison to assist him because the victim is high profile. Paul Cabot was just elected deputy of the parish and they were having a small party with friends and family to celebrate. A few people ended up staying over. Who would have wanted to hurt Paul and why? Saskia feels that it has something to do with the past. There is a destroyed painting and missing items are they related to the murder. Could the fact that Paul was considering selling off their property have anything to do with his murder? Soon there is another body found and Saskia is more than convinced that everything relates to events 80 years ago.

In the meantime the body of Allan has been found. He was reported missing by David's girlfriend in book one. David is the high functioning psychopath brother of Saskia. At first it looks like a possible suicide but there is a knife wound in the back of his neck that could not be self-inflicted. David is pure evil, he gets his pleasure from hurting other people. He didn't like Allan so he killed him. He doesn't like the cute little dog that lives next-door to Saskia and he tries to harm him every chance he gets. While trying to keep David out of trouble it looks like Saskia will be an accomplice to murder because she's been holding evidence that David asked her to take care of - telling her it was a gift that he bought Jackie, when in reality Jackie has reported the piece stolen.

Winter and Saskia seem attracted to each other but what will happen when the DI finds out that Saskia's brother killed someone and she hasn't said anything to him about this brother.

Reading this book felt like I was watching a murder mystery series on Netflix. The plot was well thought out and kept me engrossed throughout. A nice holiday read if you like to relax with a murder mystery.

This is the second book in the Saskia Monet series. I believe this book is even better than the first. You do not have to have read book one to read or follow this book.

Saskia is still working at the prison, helping DI Labey solve cases and managing her family situation.

A husband and wife find a body while on a short stop tourist visit to Jersey. DI Labey is called in to investigate and asks Saskia to help.

I like the fact that this is a standalone case that Saskia works on with the D I. in the book, while her personal story continues with a natural flow from the first book. Though you would still know as much about it without needing to read book one.
I particularly liked Saskia's processing of information in her head at the end of the book. It appeared so true to life to me. I can't wait to read what she does next.

A cosy police procedure set in the island of Jersey.
I must admit that I’m more interested in Saskias’ psychopathic brother David in these books.
Thank you Storm Publishing, and Gwyn Bennett for an advanced copy of this book.

Gwyn Bennett’s Secrets of the Blood welcomes us to the largest island in the British Channels – Jersey with an inviting description of the quiet European landscape.

A tourist couple tumble into a grotesque execution of a prominent local figure amidst the ruins of Batterie Lothringen and, thus, begins the police investigation. Picking up the effects of World War II, Gwyn stitches the story of the Cabot family dipped with family secrets and long-standing grudges painted within the theme of Karma. Can the impact of one’s actions trickle down generations before the circle of life completes?

The novel is an out-and-out police procedural that calls upon the might of Detective Inspector Winter Labey and forensic psychologist Saskia Monet to investigate the crime. We see the usual build-up of the suspects, detection, and a hell lot of monotonous interviews, yet the story never loses its steam.
Much credit for establishing an unwavering interest goes to the unique characterisation of Monet. How does a criminal profiler who is also the daughter of a serial killer and sister to a high-functioning psychopath visit horrendous crime scenes every day and manage her interpersonal relationships while keeping herself perfectly sane?

I love when crime stories focus beyond the main storyline and expand their narrative scope to include a sneak peek into the personal lives of their leads. It makes one form a direct connection with the character and ensures that we read, re-read, and keep reading the pages. Gwyn does that with Monet. She makes us feel for her, empathise with her, and, in the end, scream at her not to screw up her life!

Like the MCU’s (Marvel Cinematic Universe) famous post-credits scenes and in-line story nuggets, the author also packs a lot of potential threads to allow the growth of the novel into a full-fledged series. This novel is the second in the Monet series following “The Stolen Ones”, and the open story arcs will definitely want us to pick the next Monet story. Just to satiate our curiosity.

That being said, unfortunately, the novel’s main story suffers from a predictive plotline and lack of “I caught you by surprise” twists. Despite many potential red herrings, figuring out the black sheep became pretty simple towards the end. The back-cover premise itself had all but spelt out half of the story and parts of the killer's motive!

Yet I will tag this steady-paced whodunit crime story as enjoyable not because of the spilt Cabot blood but because of the very much alive Monet’s bloodline!

This is the second book I have read by Gwyn Bennett in the series set around the character of Saskia Monet (a forensic psychologist) and I thoroughly enjoyed this latest book in the series again set in the Channel Island of Jersey. As with other authors who choose specific locations for their books Gwyn Bennett has done some in depth research on the island of Jersey and included fact such as that only a fifth of Jersey people evacuated before the German invasion in the Second World War and the rest spent the war under German rule. The rest is her imagination and the characters in the story are made up. Looking forward to book three in the series. Thanks to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for the chance to ARC this book.