The Whole Truth - Review 33/21

By Cara Hunter

Published : April 29th 2021

Publisher : PenguinRandomHouse

Format : Kindle, Audio, Paperback

Genre : Crime

Review #33 /2021

{ 𝐚𝐝: 𝐩𝐫 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭 / 𝐠𝐢𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐫𝐜 }

* All words highlighted in Grey are affiliate links to either purchase from a range of sellers or links to the authors sites. Where ever possible I will try and provide different versions of the book on all purchase sites.

Synopsis

She has everything at stake; he has everything to lose. But one of them is lying, all the same.

When an Oxford student accuses one of the university's professors of sexual assault, DI Adam Fawley's team think they've heard it all before. But they couldn't be more wrong.

Because this time, the predator is a woman and the shining star of the department, and the student a six-foot male rugby player.

Soon DI Fawley and his team are up against the clock to figure out the truth. What they don't realise is that someone is watching.

And they have a plan to put Fawley out of action for good...

Thank you Ellie @PenguinRandomHouse for this advanced copy

My Review

This story is pretty much two different plots fed through out.

The first is a sexual abuse case that has been reported by a preppie young man, accusing an older professor of the alleged attack. Fawley’s team get assigned to the case because the young man’s mother is considered a VIP but it proves to be a lot more difficult then they first assumed. Nothing that you read regarding statements to this case appear obviously rueful or a lie, leaving you constantly guessing who is telling the truth and if the attack actually took place or not.

While caught up in the sexual abuse case which seems to turn on its head everytime they think they are getting somewhere, a newly released prisoner, Gavin Parrie, who was locked up for being a serial rapist is quietly plotting his revenge against DI Adam Fawley who was a Detective Seargent 18 years ago and who played a big part in putting Parrie away behind bars. Adam’s wife, Alex, a previous victim of Parrie’s, is heavily pregnant with their second child is a total nervous wreck, being 44 she is already considered high risk for her age she is convinced Parrie will want his revenge on her family because his conviction was not as clear cut as it seemed.

When the time comes for Parrie to finally strike it is not what the Fawley’s anticipated, in fact its worse. Thrown completely, Fawley doesn't know where to start and fears he is one step behind in a game that he may not win and that may cost him everything.

Why I Loved it

I have read a couple of books in this series by this author and every time I do the pace, tension and on the edge of your seat feeling is always right there from the very beginning.

I loved the use of the various media platforms from a series of podcasts and interviews from Fawley's perspective, all building up a suspense and making you question everything you have so far read.

The first case especially had me baffled, The accused professors 7 year old son is called for a witness statement, I genuinely still don't know if this was true or not!!

If you love crime drama and thrillers with an addictive edge that will leave you guessing then this is the series for you...

Rating

★★★★

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Meet the author

I'm lucky enough to live in the city I write about. Oxford will be familiar to crime fans across the whole world because of the fabulous Morse novels and TV, but my version of the town is a long way from the beautiful ivy-clad colleges. A much edgier place where the crimes are darker and closer to home. I've always been a voracious reader and viewer of crime - I've learned so much from the outstanding writing that we now see on crime TV like Line of Duty or Broadchurch, and I've tried to recreate the experience of watching series like that for my readers. I love true crime TV as well - my husband used to tease me about it but now just nods sagely and says 'research' ! What else about me? I have pet cats who do their best to distract me whenever I get close to a keyboard (if you have cats, you'll know), I love travelling, spending time with friends, and I have never knowingly turned down a glass of champagne....