‘The Lies Within’ by Jane Isaac

Published by Legend Press,
2 May 2017.
ISBN: 978-1-78507-927-6

I have never been a fan of ‘the Prologue’. However, this is the exception, as it opens with a statement made in Criminal Court 3, Leicester Crown Court, by barrister, James Sheldon. His words are chilling as he draws the jury attention to Grace Daniels. ‘This woman is guilty of murder. And by the time this trial has finished, you will be in no doubt that she should go to prison for life’.

In the third in the DI Will Jackman series, Will has been assigned as regional lead on Adult Sexual Offences, and temporarily promoted to Chief Inspector to review outstanding cases with a view to streamlining methods of working on similar cases. 

When the body of a young girl is found in rural Leicestershire it bears similarity with two cases he had been reviewing. Both young girls - Eugenie Trentwood attacked the previous year which had at the time been linked to the attack on Shelley Barnstable, nine year earlier. Despite endless hours of investigation and interviewing no link had been found between the girls and both cases remained unsolved.

When the victim is identified as the daughter of Grace Daniels, who had been attending a family wedding in the Market Harborough, Grace is utterly devastated. While the murder investigation continues around her she closes herself off from her husband, her daughter Lydia, and friends. Her grief is all-consuming, as she grapples with horror that has befallen her beloved daughter.  Only a chance meeting with an old school friend Faye seems to bring her any solace.

Despite exhaustive enquiries and various lines of investigation, the case appears to be going nowhere. Apart from the case stalling Will is also under a different kind of pressure in his personal life that is somehow spilling into his work space.  Then there is another murder and Grace comes under suspicion. Will she be able to hold onto her secrets?  Will she be convicted of a crime she says she didn't commit?

Cleverly plotted and deeply emotional, this is an absorbing mystery as we share the pain and confusion of a mother who has lost her child to a ruthless killer, but is so entangled in her grief she that she loses her sense of proportion and in doing so puts herself and others at risk.

As the complex strands of the plot are unravelled, the book becomes a terrific page-turner. Most highly recommended.   

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Reviewer: Lizzie Sirett

Jane Isaac lives with her husband, daughter and dog, Bollo, in rural Northamptonshire, UK. Her debut novel, An Unfamiliar Murder, was nominated as best mystery in the 'Festival of Words Best of the Independent eBook awards 2013.' The Truth Will Out was nominated as 'Thriller of the Month - April 2014' by E-thriller.com and winner of 'Noveltunity book club selection - May 2014'. Jane's latest title, Before It's Too Late, was  published by Legend Press on the 1st of June 2015.
Jane loves to hear from readers and writers. Visit her website at www.janeisaac.co.uk , where you can email her through the contacts page or peruse her blog, 'Caffeine's Not a Crime'.

www.janeisaac.co.uk