I’m so excited to share my review for The Secret Voices by M J White. As soon as I heard an extract from this novel it went to the top of my must read list so imagine my excitement at being invited to this blog tour. Thanks Rachel from Rachel’s Random Resources. Scroll down to see if it lived up to its promise and my high expectations.
Book Review: The Secret Voices by M J White
Title: The Secret Voices
Author: M J White
Publisher: Hera
Genre: Crime
Release Date: 28th April 2022
Purchase Links
Kobo: https://bit.ly/3fxbUia
Apple: https://apple.co/3IwAZGz
Blurb
They said they’d keep me safe.
They said, ‘It’s okay, Hannah. You know you can trust me.’
They lied.
When eight-year-old Hannah Perry goes missing in the small Suffolk village of St Just, the community is rocked. Heading up the investigation is Acting DS Rob Minshull, but he’s out of his depth in a case that seems to mirror the disappearance of a young boy, seven years ago. That search ended in unimaginable tragedy…and Minshull is praying that history won’t be repeated.
But with an investigation full of dead ends, and a kidnapper taunting the police with sinister deliveries of Hannah’s belongings and cryptic notes, the young girl’s life hangs perilously in danger.
Until Dr Cora Lael enters the picture. A psychologist with a unique ability, Cora’s rare gift allows her to sense emotions attached to discarded objects. When she is shown the first of Hannah’s belongings, she hears the child’s piercing scream.
With few leads on the case, could Cora prove Hannah’s only hope? And as time runs out, can they find Hannah before history repeats itself…?
A twisty, original and utterly gripping detective thriller that fans of James Oswald and LJ Ross will love. Don’t miss the crime thriller debut from the bestselling women’s fiction author, Miranda Dickinson.
My Thoughts
I’m so excited to share my review for The Secret Voices by M J White. As soon as I heard about this novel it went to the top of my must-read list so imagine my excitement at being invited to this blog tour. Thanks Rachel from Rachel’s Random Resources. Scroll down to see if it lived up to its promise and my high expectations.
I was hooked on this story before I began reading it because of an extract read by M J White aka the best-selling romantic novelist Miranda Dickinson on her weekly chatty show where she introduced 8 year old Hannah. The innocence of her voice as she has been lured into hiding by them shone through and once the premise of the story was told I needed to know more.
I galloped through this book. It was unputadownable. Forget sleep I needed to know the ending. I love dark crime series with strong and distinctive characters with depth and backstories that you know will be revealed in time. This hit the spot and I felt the same thrill reading this as I did when I discovered Sharon Bolton’s Lacey Flint books and Mo Hayder.
Told in many points of view, I not only wanted to know whodunnit and why, I was invested emotionally in the all the characters. I cared for them especially Hannah and Dr Cora Lael. Cora is a protagonist to remember, not just for her voice but her unique ability to hear emotional echoes from objects. While I love books with a paranormal twist, I loved the fact that this gift isn’t using this trope but her ability is an extension of synaesthesia. Synaesthesia is where people experience words or emotions as colours or taste. Using this condition grounds this novel into reality. Like many who are different, Cora has challenges to manage her condition and the backlash she receives.
Acting Detective Sergeant Rob Minshull has challenges of his own and the banter between his team made this side of the novel feel realistic. The pace of the case was gripping and the use of Hannah’s voice while in captivity added to the gravity of the situation and feeling her fear and hearing her child logic to explain what has happened were heart breaking to read.
Fast paced with many twists and a chemistry brewing between Cora and Minshull, this is one of the best books I’ve read for a long time and I’m excited for the future cases.
Would I recommend?
Yes, yes, yes. This one of my favourite books of the year so far. The premise, characters and tone of this novel hooked me in. It’s more than a crime procedural novel with an intriguing twist, it has heart. With an atmospheric setting, it’s a series for my forever shelf and would be wonderful on screen too. I have reread it and even knowing the culprit, it didn’t lose its urgency or depth which makes it a triumph I can’t wait to discover what happens to Dr Cora Lael and Minshull do next.
Author Biography
MJ White is the crime pen name of the internationally bestselling author Miranda Dickinson. To date she has sold over one million books worldwide and has been translated into sixteen languages. Miranda has always been a huge fan of crime fiction and The Secret Voices marks the start of a new and exciting departure for her writing.
Thank you Rachel’s Random Resources for inviting me to this fantastic tour and providing an advanced copy for me to review and give my honest and unbiased opinion.
Love
Other blogs on this tour
April 28th
Niki Preston, Jera’s Jamboree, Splashes into books
April 29th
Ramblingmads.com, Bookmadjo – Mad about books, Baker’s not so secret blog
Jessica Belmont, Bookish Jottings, Varietats
1st May
Confessions of a bookaholic, Monika Reads, Jenny Lou’s book reviews
2nd May
Quirkybookreads, Jane Hunt Writer, Kelly T’s Space
3rd May
Cal Turner’s reviews, Jaffareadstoo, Heidi Lynn’s book reviews
4th May
Nicki’s book blog, A Little Book Problem, @breathe.andread
5th May
Herding cats, Kate Kenzie Writes, Afternoonbookery
6th May
Iheartbooks.blog, Sharon beyond the books, The word is out – Alyson’s reviews
7th May
Chez Maxima, @more.books.yes.please, Sibzzreads
Kate Kenzie Writes 