Lie to Me - D.S. Butler

 Lie to Me - D.S. Butler

Pub. Date: Sept. 8, 2026

She read

When the body of a man is discovered having been branded after his death, it turns out he is Damon, the childhood friend of DS Arnie Hodgson. Damon disappeared thirty-five years ago, at the same time another friend committed suicide. The night Damon vanished, Arnie was at a fair with a group of friends. He drank too much and passed out, so had no idea what precipitated the disappearance and the suicide.

Colleague DS Karen Hart joins forces with Arnie and her team to unravel the mystery surrounding Damon’s disappearance and subsequent death. All of Arnie’s close friends from those many years ago are suspects, especially since the brand found on Damon had significance to them. As another branded murder occurs and someone attempts to run down Arnie, the mystery deepens and takes an emotional toll on him.

This is the twelfth installment in the DS Karen Hart series, one of my must-read series. I’ve read quite a few of them, and while each book contributes to the development of the recurring characters, this one could stand alone.

Well-written, the plot keeps readers guessing about the culprit and their motives throughout the book. The investigation progresses at a steady pace, and the story unfolds from Karen, Arnie, and the unnamed killer’s perspectives. It’s an engrossing read that I couldn’t put down.

I like the main character and the relationship she has with her co-workers, interesting characters in their own right. Karen is competent, engaging, and empathetic. 

This is a solid addition to the series that will appeal to fans of character-driven mysteries, UK crime stories, and police procedurals.

Thanks to @NetGalley and @AmazonPublishing and #ThomasandMercer for  the DRC.

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