An absolutely fantastic start to a new series which I’m SO excited for, meet your next read, Dark Truths by A. J. Cross.

The plot:

When a headless body is discovered on a popular jogging trail, Detective Inspector Bernard Watts and his team are plunged headlong into a baffling murder investigation. Why would someone stab to death a young woman on her daily run – and take her head?

When a close examination of the crime scene results in a shocking discovery linking the present murder to a past crime, criminologist Will Traynor is brought in to assist the police. Aware of Traynor’s troubled past and already having to deal with inexperienced rookie PC Chloe Judd on his team, Watts is sceptical that Traynor will bring anything useful to the investigation.

He’s about to be proved very wrong …

I just couldn’t/ wouldn’t put it down

Firstly, can we appreciate how stunning this cover is, and knowing it’s a crime fiction means it would be an immediate buy if I saw it in a bookshop.

This book does have some gruesome paragraphs in, so a pre-warning if that’s not your cup of tea.

Dark Truths is the first book in the Will Traynor series – initially, you’re thrown in with Watts and his fantastic colleagues (more Judd please), so it seems like that’s the angle you’ll take. We then meet Traynor and his back-story is RICH – I love a good protagonist with a background, and I immediately needed to know anything/everything.

You really get snippets into some characters’ lives, and others more detailed accounts, which hopefully sets us up for the books to come.

I loved how Dark Truths just got more and more in-depth and although it’s not complicated for the reader, it’s an incredibly complex case which sucks you in and won’t let you go. With several smaller story lines, I just couldn’t/ wouldn’t put it down.

The author has a background in forensic psychology, and pair that with a forensic mystery and you’re on to a winner! I haven’t read any of Cross’ previous books, but I’ve added the first book in a different series to my list.

The plot twist – blimey, I did not see that coming! Very well thought-through, and the detailing is above and beyond.

I really felt like I was a fly on the wall, and felt like I was working alongside the team to get it solved; there are multiple conversations which you’re brought in on (which sometimes doesn’t happen in other crime fictions), which helped me in thinking I was there every step of the way.

It’s a very, very high 4-star read – my only small complaint is that the ending was rushed. I get why, but I needed more.

This book is definitely my type of read – fast-paced, in-depth and took me on a journey (albeit gruesome). I recommend!

Dark Truths, A. J. Cross, RRP £8.99 (paperback); Book Depository 

Pages: 344

Publisher: Black Thorn

Genre: Crime Fiction