The Dying Place
An utterly unputdownable, heart-racing crime thriller
by Charly Cox
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Pub Date 9 Mar 2023 | Archive Date 7 Feb 2023
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Description
When the trunk slammed closed, sealing her fate, a deep cold slithered into the center of Kennedy’s bones. All she could do was pray that her attacker would leave enough of her for her family to identify…
Kennedy Farmer, an experienced athlete, never returns after leaving for her usual running route through the dusty mountain trails of New Mexico.
While the search for Kennedy begins, Detective Alyssa Wyatt and her squad face a terrifying new case when the body of a young woman, Rheagan Pembroke, is discovered in the desert terrain surrounding Albuquerque.
Her wounds horrify even the hardened squad of the Albuquerque P.D. – and the case takes an even darker turn when they discover a polaroid stuffed into the victim’s mouth, showing the body of Gunner Galveston, a murder victim from fourteen years ago. Alyssa was a detective on the case, but the culprit was never caught.
As the team are taunted with gruesome packages and blood-curdling phone calls, it becomes evident that a serial killer – whose blood lust is quickly increasing – has been operating in plain sight.
To catch a killer, Alyssa and the squad need to understand the savage desires driving them … before Kennedy becomes another life taken at the hands of a psychopath.
Meet Alyssa Wyatt: detective, mom … and a serial killer’s worst nightmare. This incredibly addictive detective series will thrill fans of Karin Slaughter, Chris Carter and Kendra Elliot.
Available Editions
EDITION | Ebook |
ISBN | 9781804360811 |
PRICE | £1.99 (GBP) |
Featured Reviews
Wow! Great book! This book has to be close to one of my top favorites lately! My poor heart is still pounding! This book had it all! It had high suspense, intrigue, action, murder, mystery, a sadistic serial killer, and great police work! It was definitely filled with blood, gore and heavy violence! But the storyline was so very interesting! It had me glued to my Kindle! Towards the end and in a few other spots my heart was beating out of my chest! I highly recommend reading this book! As long as you know its definitely filled with violence! But its a great thriller!! Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me and introducing me to a new to me author! A big thank you to Charly Cox for your amazing words! I thoroughly enjoyed reading your book! Can't wait for more!
Kennedy Farmer is kidnapped whilst running through the mountain trails of New Mexico. She witnesses the horrific death of another young woman who went missing, having been kidnapped by a serial killer.
Detective Alyssa Wyatt and her team are alerted to the scene where Rheagan Pembroke's body is found. Alyssa suspects that the killer is the person that slipped through her fingers 14 years before, after a photograph of Gunner Galveston was found in Rheagan's mouth.
He has to be caught before he kills Kennedy.
Alyssa has her work cut out for her, but has a suspect at least.
A very good police procedural. I would never have guessed who the killer is. Very good twist. The killer is sadistic, and arrogant in thinking that he is more intelligent than anyone else and that he would never be caught.
The book kept me engaged, I just had to 'read just one more chapter'.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Holy s*#t ... this one ... just ... Wow! From page one right until the very end, this latest Alyssa Wyatt kept me on the edge of my seat. I couldn't put it down. Definitely not for the faint of heart. I can't wait for the next one!
Thank you #netgalley and #herabooks for the eARC.
4.5/5 stars! In the 5th installment of the 'Detective Alyssa Wyatt' series, we see the main character chasing down a serial killer whose rate of murder is spiraling out of control. I liked the psychology angle to truly wanting to understand the killer's motivations and drives as a way to find them. It reminded me of "Criminal Minds" episodes in the best way. The pacing in this story was well done and kept me engaged throughout. I will be checking out more stories by this author.
I received an advance review copy for free through NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy of this book.
When a teenage girl goes missing, detective Alyssa Wyatt and her team are called into investigate. When her body is found the killer leaves a clue that indicated that this killing is related to the one case that got away for Alyssa. When another young woman disappears and the killer gives them 48 hours to find her, the team is determined to get to the bottom of things.
I love this series. Alyssa and team are a great set of characters. The suspense and mystery in this one build really well. I was absolutely convinced I knew whodunnit following tue evidence, but I was blindsided when the truth revealed itself!
Absolutely a 5 star read.
Wow.
This was beyond fast paced, dark and so very twisted. From the very beginning I literally felt anxious. This had my pulse racing, heart pounding and I needed the heroine to catch the killer. Detective Alyssa Wyatt had her hands full. And I was literally mad about the killer threatening her family again. They have had enough.
I will say I didn’t see the identity of the killer coming at all. I really love her teams camaraderie. As well as how her family is so tight knit.
This author is a must read for me. Looking forward for more. Charly Cox has a great voice in this genre.
Book 5 in the Detective Alyssa Wyatt series and it hits the ground running. Alyssa and Cord are called to the scene where the body of a young woman has been brutally murdered. It quickly becomes apparent that this murder is tied to one from Alyssa’s past - the one murderer that got away. Upon realizing another young woman is missing the clock is ticking, will Alyssa find the murderer in time? Love this series, the characters are all well developed. Can’t wait to see what’s next in this series.
Yes!! My favorite detective team is back and still kicking butt! In their 5th adventure of the series, Watt and Roberts jump right in to investigate a dead body and the kidnapping of another young woman. A photograph at the scene and an obscene phone call has them linking the murder and kidnapping to a cold case of Alyssa's from 14 years ago. One that has haunted her for years. With the clock ticking, the detectives must race against time to find the woman alive. This book was intense, gruesome and so much fun! I loved it! Very fast-paced and has some of the best characters! Now, it can be read as a standalone, but you will definitely be missing out if you don't read them all. I highly recommend starting with book one and binging the rest!!
Thank you to the author, Hera Books and NetGalley for allowing me to preview this eARC in exchange for my honest opinion!!
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for this eARC.
I am really enjoying this author’s series of books and I absolutely loved this one which is the 5th in her Detective Alyssa Wyatt series. I think the author has created a set of such likeable characters who you just root for from the beginning. The writing is very engaging, it flows seamlessly and I thought this story had a great plot line. The book hits the ground running with a beginning that certainly captured my attention and then held my interest all the way through. I honestly feel like I know all the team now and can picture them in my mind when reading, and I love the way Charly Cox connects with her readers through her wonderful writing. Here, Alyssa and Cord look into the disappearance of a person which becomes a murder investigation and have the killer taunting them. I love that the story is mainly told through the main characters point of view, and really like the small glimpses the author gives into their personal and home lives. The last quarter of the book is a very fast paced, tense and thrilling read that, for me, had quite a few wow moments along the way. I particularly liked the ending too. Overall a very well written, thrilling and absorbing read that I loved from start to finish. It’s great to see how the characters have developed from the first book and I look forward to the next one. Keep the books coming Charly Cox, this series is fast becoming one of my firm favourites. If you like solid police procedurals with relatable, likeable characters I’d highly recommend this series and say read them in order to know the characters from the start. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. Just loved, loved, loved this read.
5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
4 stars!
What a page turner! This one had me staying up way too late, glued to my kindle. The storyline was very intriguing, it kept me guessing who the killer was.
This was very fast paced book and it was packed full of action and mystery.
I think I took the unconventional route and read this fifth instalment before the other four, but I didn't have any issues following along. I will definitely be checking out the first four books!
Thank you NetGalley for this advanced reading copy in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you NetGalley and Hera Books for the copy of The Dying Place. This is book five in the Alyssa Wyatt series and might be my favorite because I felt like I learned a lot more about Alyssa’s family and her team. The fast-paced story hooked me from the start and never let up. I loved the surprising reveal and the emotional responses were really well-written. I admit I cried a couple of times. Warning-there are some graphic descriptions that might be hard to read.
The Dying Place by Charly Cox is such a good crime thriller. It definitely was unputdownable.
It shows how a serial killer can walk among us and live a normal life without suspicion.
I had to read the section where the killer is revealed to make sure I read it right; it was that much of a good surprise.
The author created solid, believable characters with a well-executed mystery that had me on the edge of my seat. I was actually sad that the story ended, and I had to say goodbye to the characters for now! I cannot wait for more.
I would recommend this book and this author. A 5 out of 5 stars! Please write more.
#TheDyingPlace #NetGalley @HeraBooks @CharlylynnCox
Alyssa is back! I was SO excited to read another fascinating book in the Detective Alyssa Wyatt series. Alyssa is on the hunt to find a serial killer returning this time she will not let him get away! As always this book is another perfect book to add to this already thrilling series! Will Alyssa be able to find Kennedy before she is another victim or will the killer go into hiding and get away with murder? One of my favorite series and this book was everything I love about thrillers! Look forward to hopefully more books in this series! Recommend reading if you love a great series!
Detective Alyssa Wyatt and her team are investigating the brutal killing of a young woman named Rheagan at the same time as they are searching for another woman, Kennedy, who vanished while running in the mountains. Alyssa thinks it’s no coincidence that Rheagan’s body was found in the same area where Kennedy disappeared. Not only that, but certain evidence connects another case of Alyssa’s that’s over a decade old. The police can’t believe they have a serial killer on their hands. But Alyssa is determined to track the killer down and prevent anyone else from suffering at the hands of this monster.
Much like the other books in this series, the violence is more graphic than in similar thrillers. You can really feel the hopelessness and panic in the portions of the narrative told from a victim’s perspective. The assailant preys on their fear and is a complete narcissist who believes they will never get caught. But the worst is when the reader discovers the identity of the killer. It is shocking and I never considered this character as a suspect. The author plotted this brilliantly as the revelation MAKES SENSE even though you don’t see it coming. Now I’m dying to read what she comes up with next and don’t know how I will be able to wait!
The Alyssa Wyatt books are one of my favourite series at the moment. They’re such a great blend of characters and also gritty chilling storylines. This book was no exception, the writing always keeps me on the edge of my seat as I’m reading and there’s always a satisfying conclusion at the end. I think the characters really make the book though, there’s something about seeing it through the victims eyes that really adds to the suspense and you’re just willing for the main characters to find them in time. I can’t wait for the next book, please let there be lots more to come!
I read this book within a day. I kept thinking "just one more page......one more chapter" until I'd finished it. I've read the series ( not in the right order, but that doesn't make a difference so can be read as standalone in my opinion). The characters seem 'real' and believable. The plot moves along fast and I was shocked when I found out who the culprit was. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
I have been waiting for this book!!! Another great adventure with Detective Alyssa Wyatt and her squad!
Murderers can be so frustrating LOL!! But, Alyssa and her squad will catch them every time! This book is filled with page turning action, kidnapping, torture, chases, mind games, murder, but best of all, the murderer gets caught!!!
I've loved this series since book #1 and I can't wait for #6!!!
#Alyssa #Cord #Squad #LovedIt #NetGalley #EdgeOfSeat
Alyssa Wyatt and her team investigate the case of Kennedy Farmer, a girl that has disappeared while jogging in the desert. Meanwhile they stumble across the dead tortured body of Rheagan Pembroke who has a photograph stuffed into her mouth of a young man tortured to death 14 years ago.
This was a very gripping thriller that was hard to put down. It is the 5th book in the series. It can be read as a standalone but I recommend reading the others first.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Hera Books for this ARC that will be published March 9, 2023!
Alyssa Wyatt is back and what a read!!!!!
A heart stopping, action packed crime thriller which I devoured in one sitting. A revelation I never saw coming. I had my list of suspects which i had great delight in whittling down and I still got it wrong. Go to bed early and read this book I promise that you will not be disappointed!!!!!!
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in return for giving an honest review.
This author writes the most intense disturbing suspense series I’ve ever read. Her villains are so evil that you wonder what lives in her mind. It had me guessing until the reveal and I was like what you have to be kidding me!!
Detective Alyssa Wyatt and her partner of the past eight years, Detective Cord Roberts, are trying to find a young woman before it’s to late. As a taunt the killer has left a photo that has haunted Alyssa for years. As the killer gets bolder the detectives get more determined than ever.
‘Are you going to stand there all day, or are you coming with me?’ Cord brushed her hand away. ‘Hush. I’m having a cargasm.’
Her stories are full of great characters and mark my words this author is going to the top!
‘How much worse can it be with a whacked-out killer going around kidnapping and slaughtering people?’
Detective Alyssa Wyatt and Cord and back to investigate the disappearance of Reagan, a young woman reported missing by her family. Unfortunately, Rheagan brutally beaten body is found and another young woman, Kennedy is reported missing. The medical examiner finds a message for Wyatt in Rheagan and Wyatt now know this isn’t the first time the killer has struck. He refers to an unsolved case 14 years earlier that Wyatt was involved in. The clock is ticking and they need to locate Kennedy before she ends up like Rheagan and ultimately, to find the perpetrator behind these heinous crimes.
Fast paced, the twists and turns will have you wanting to turn those pages and discover the true identity of the killer. Another fantastic saga from Charly Cox. Can’t wait for the next instalment.
Wowzers! What a good book. I have enjoyed all of the Alyssa Wyatt books but this one had some unexpected turns that i did not see coming. It is my favorote book of the series so far.
It is a fast paced mystery thriller that keeps you guessing. Love the different perspectives that gives you details along the way.
Thank you Hera and Netgalley for the advance copy
Detective Alyssa Wyatt is back with another exciting case. The discovery of the body of a missing woman presents an interesting dilemma with no clues or evidence at the scene. When another young woman vanishes after her morning run, Alyssa realizes this may be the work of a serial killer. With a list of possible suspects, she and her team try to find a connection between the deceased woman and the missing woman. They explore every avenue, while trying to find the missing woman alive. It's an exciting book with lost of twists and unexpected turns. I am a fan of Detective Wyatt and can not wait to see what happens next for her.
Detectives Alyssa Wyatt and Cord Roberts - with the rest of their squad - are on the trail of missing young women. And, the trail might go back into Alyssa's career when she was unable to solve the murder of a young man. There's darkness in the book - but it's balanced by the humanity and passion the detectives show in pursuing this case...and it has a solid supporting cast that is so much fun to root for. It's a great addition to this series - and I appreciate how Ms. Cox always weaves in little bits and characters from previous novels. Thank you to Hera Books for an advanced reader of this book - the opinions expressed are my own.
I really enjoyed this book by an author that was new to me. I love a good police procedural and this one certainly hit the spot. It is the fifth in the Alyssa Wyatt series and I managed to keep pace with what was going on but it would certainly help to have read the preceding books first.
Exciting, fast paced with great characters and plotting, this was an exhilarating, suspenseful and pacy read.
The dying place is the 5th book in the Detective Alyssa Wyatt series. But you can read this as a standalone book as I haven’t read any of the previous books.
Alyssa Wyatt and her team are investigating a teenage girl Rheagan Pembroke who has gone missing. At first they think that she has just gone off on her own for a few days but always returns. But this time something doesn’t feel right. But when her body turns up, with a note inside her mouth reminding Alyssa of a killer then years ago. The one that got away. Alyssa promises her parents that she will find the killer. But the killer strikes again when another women has been kidnapped while jogging in the mountains in New Mexico that has links to Rheagan.
Thank you, Hera, for a copy of ‘The dying place’ This is a fast-paced gripping thriller, quite graphic in parts and full of tension. I couldn’t put this down I virtually read it in one sitting. I really enjoyed this and can’t wait to check out the other books in this series. 5 stars from me.
The Dying Place is every bit as good as the other Alyssa Wyatt books.
I love a good serial killer novel and every time Cox comes up with the goods.
With the pressure really pressing down on Alyssa because of a possible link toa cold case of hers that was never solved, Alyssa is really feeling the pressure.
This is a tense, well plotted book that offers a series of supects, but is so twisty you'll not see the ending coming.
Great read
I would like to thank Netgalley and Hera Books for an advance copy of The Dying Place, the fifth novel to feature Detective Alyssa Wyatt of the Albuquerque Police Department.
Kennedy Farmer never returns from her run in the canyons and Alyssa soon links her disappearance to the battered body of Rheagan Pembroke found in a nearby canyon with a photo of Gunnar Galveston in her mouth. His murder was their case Alyssa failed to solve fourteen years ago. It would seem that she and her team are hunting a long undetected serial killer.
I thoroughly enjoyed The Dying Place, which is a tense read told from various points of view, notably the narcissistic killer (nothing new there), Kennedy (at the beginning) and Alyssa. It gives a wider view of events, although I’ll say what I always say in this scenario, the thoughts of any fictional serial killer are interchangeable from one novel to the next, along the lines of “I’m so smart the stupid detectives will never catch me, so to make things interesting I’ll wind them up”. Why bother?
Having said that I was invested in the novel and its outcome. I lived the tension with Alyssa and the team and I willed Kennedy to escape. Furthermore I was shocked by the perpetrator’s identity, which came as a real surprise. The novel is a series of small reveals and discoveries and few real suspects. Circumstances bring them to one favourite, but it is an error by the perpetrator, a nice irony given his grandiosity, that leads them to a solution. It is well done and absorbing.
I like Alyssa and the team. It makes a pleasant change for the protagonists to be nice people with good working relationships and no hang ups or major flaws. Yes, the tension gets to Alyssa and she can be a bit snippy, but on the whole her working life is harmonious.
The Dying Place is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.
So confusing about what happened with getting this book. It seems I didn’t get this downloaded on time and it got archived.
The Dying Place is a suspenseful, edge of seat thriller that will keep you enthralled throughout the book.
A intriguing police procedural series I highly recommend.
I adore this series. It's definitely in my top 3 crime series. Alyssa and her team are so lovable and her family is just adorable. The balance between Alyssa's work and family is done so well. It makes my heart happy seeing a woman who is good at her job as well as being an incredible mum and has a supportive husband. There are so many loner women detective stories it makes a nice change. There are so many amazing recurring characters and I love getting to know them all with each book addition. We can't forget Hal who is obviously my favourite with his disabled badass representation.
Now Charly Cox loves a gruesome murder so if those aren't for you then definitely skip this but man does she draw you in. It's fast paced and I could not put it down. I had no idea who the killer was and I was hooked until the very end. I hope we get more from this series and I highly recommend checking them out in order.
I received a copy of the ebook via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
This was the first time reading reading this series. Enjoyed it very much though missing some back story. Will be going back now to read the first four. recommend
4.5⭐
The Dying Place is my first introduction to Detective Alyssa Wyatt and what a fantastic introduction it is.
As this was a gripping story featuring a serial killer who has eluded capture for fourteen years.
And it's a killer Alyssa is desperate to catch. As she was strongly involved in the original case and seeing the latest victims battered and bruised body, and the families heart breaking reaction. Has her determined to act.
Especially when the taunts start. As this killer isn't afraid to let Alyssa know how badly she failed and that they're not going to stop.
And as Alyssa and Cord and the rest of the team engage in a thrilling cat and mouse chase. I was hooked. And I had no idea who the killer was, until they were revealed. Which is always a big plus for me!
I would therefore thoroughly recommend The Dying Place to others and will one hundred percent be reading the four books I've missed out on.
Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. This series is one of my all time favourites and this latest instalment did not disappoint. Another amazing book from Charley Cox. Her writing is so gritty and real and I love her characters. This series would make an amazing tv show. I definitely recommend this series and I cannot wait for a further instalment. Massive 5 stars from me.
*4 3/4 Stars*
Copy kindly received via NetGalley for an honest review.
What a great read with great characters. Alyssa, Cord & the team had a tough job ahead of them to track down a psychopath who has been at it for many years. The things this person was doing were unbelievable. Trying to work out who the killer was, wasn't easy and the story points to a few different suspects. I was surprised when they finally worked out who it was and I thought the ending was good.
A body has been found with a note taunting Alyssa by a serial killer reminding her that 14 years ago the murderer was never found he was back to outplay her once again. When another girl is kidnapped a threat to torture then kill her it becomes a race against time.
There follows false leads and policing to find the culprit only I was not convinced at the end with the big breakthrough.
I wish I had realised this was the 5th Alyssa Wyatt episode before accepting to read The Dying Place and had a heads-up to all the characters.
This is an independent review NetGalley / Hera Books
Wow!!! Detective Alyssa Wyatt and her partner Tony are back with another thrilling but disturbing case!
Kennedy Farmer is an athlete and while she was running, Kennedy goes missing. She was kidnapped and was kept in a room where she was being tortured brutally by an unknown person. Meanwhile Detective Alyssa Wyatt and her partner look for Kennedy when they find a body of a teenage girl who was tortured to death. Both of them knew that they were running out of time before Kennedy would end up being like the other victims.
If you are a fan of Karin Slaughter then I suggest you read Charly Cox's novels. Her novels are fast paced, packed with actions and twists and turns you wouldn't expect. There are some disturbing details but nonetheless, this was a book where the reader was kept on the edge. The author managed to scare the wits out of the reader and kudos for making the readers engrossed into the story. The ending of the novel was completely unexpected and overall, I so enjoyed this book that I cannot wait to read more of her books!
Overall this book worth five full stars!
Many thanks to Netgalley and Hera for the ARC. The review is based on my honest opinion only.
I was gripped from page one! Alyssa has quickly become one of my favorite female detective characters. This mystery is dark and full of twists. The reveal was excellent. I have become invested in these characters as well. I love the balance of the detective and the wife/mother. Fans of the genre need this series. It's one not to be missed and this book is a perfect example of why. I can't wait for the next book.
A fantastic well written ast paced story line with believable characters. Once I started I was hooked.
I look forward to reading more.
This is the fifth book in the Alyssa Wyatt series but can be read as a stand alone. It's a fast paced, well plotted mystery which never lets up from the start. Alyssa and her team are investigating the murder of a young girl which has links to a cold case from 14 years previously. The characterisation is very good in this addictive tale and I really never saw that twist coming! I would recommend the book to lovers of the genre. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.
With a few pages Author, Charly Cox draws you into the horror of what Detective Alyssa Wyatt and Detective Cord Roberts and their team are dealing with while searching for a missing woman in this her newest book. An excellent, edge of your seat thriller not to be missed. I received an early copy from Netgalley and Hera Books. The comments and review are my honest opinion.
I wish I had read other books in this series, especially if this is typical, as the writing and plot were really good. It still reads okay as a stand alone book though. The pace was good, the descriptions of violence were a bit gruesome I guess par for the course. Twisty and a good read.
This fifth entry in the Alyssa Watt police procedural series is outstanding! The author takes her well-developed and likeable characters and plunks them down into the middle of a gripping, suspenseful mystery involving the death of a young woman and kidnapping of another, with both these current events being tied to a murder from years before. Parts of the book were incredibly tense and the murderer was a piece of work. I did not figure out the twist and was quite surprised!
I've not read any of the previous Alyssa Wyatt books but I certainly will now! This was so well paced and suspenseful. The violence is explicit but necessary to give us an insight into the fear and pain of the victim. Hugely, hugely enjoyable - I'm off to binge the others!