Reviews
'Clever, immersive & gripping psychological thriller.
I absolutely loved Jane Fawley’s debut psychological thriller. It’s clever, immersive and gripping. Brilliantly written with the most exquisite language and descriptions, it had me hooked. Throughout the book I was with Sam & Riley, piecing together the puzzle that the killer was leaving behind, trying to make some sense of it all and wondering what his next move would be.
To say I was intrigued is an understatement. I love Sam. He is a very relatable person and his self awareness of his mental health really resonated with me. And with that, I loved Riley. The way he supports and understands Sam is amazing and highlights what a beautiful relationship they have, both professionally and personally. And a special mention to Nina! Yes!! Read it and you’ll know!
WTBPG has everything I love and look for when reading thrillers.
Flawed but likeable characters. Intrigue that keeps me guessing
A twist I wasn’t expecting. Leaves me wanting more!
I loved every page and cannot wait for more.'
★★★★★
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'Brutal but compelling...with a very good twist that I hadn't anticipated, I look forward to more books in this series.'
★★★★
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'For a debut novel this is a fantastic thriller! The author takes on a different stance to a normal police procedural or crime thriller book and uses her own expertise and channels it through her main character Sam.
It is a creepy and well written novel which is driven with emotions and tension as Sam and the police try to find the man who is terrorising London with these horrific murders. The part I found most intriguing was the POV of the killer and the poetic reasoning behind what he was doing, which is explained brilliantly in descriptive detail.
The book kept me on the edge of my seat throughout as the energy and suspense gets amped up as we go further in. It’s hard to believe this is a debut novel and I can’t wait for the second instalment to be released!!'
★★★★★
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'When reading this book you would not guess that it’s a debut novel. It is written well, the story new and refreshing whilst being extremely disturbing. The author will take you inside the mind of a very unwell individual but will also lead you to understand the why. There was no hint of the twist right near the end and it was a real wow moment. Definitely one to add to your wish list. I thoroughly enjoyed it.'
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'Where the Bruised Pieces Go" by Jane Fawley is a gripping psychological crime drama that delves deep into the darkest corners of the human psyche. Set against the backdrop of a blood-stained London, the novel follows psychologist Sam Stirling as he aids DCI Albert ‘Smiley’ Riley in tracking down a serial killer whose gruesome displays of victims leave the city in terror.
Fawley's narrative is a complex tapestry of emotion and suspense, weaving together the lives of Sam Stirling and psychotherapist Emma Malone as they race against time to stop a killer who is always one step ahead. The killer's evolution is chillingly portrayed, with victims left at iconic landmarks, a pear in one hand and their heart in the other—a macabre signature that haunts both the characters and readers alike.
The author, a psychotherapist turned crime writer, brings authenticity to the story with her intricate understanding of psychological profiles. The novel is not just about the chase; it's about the damage that damaged people can inflict.
I am excited to read more from this talented author!'
★★★★
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'I loved this book, the characters are well thought out and you can really connect with them. The pace kept me gripped and I couldn't wait to read the next chapter. The author helps you connect with the world of serial killer and psychotherapist in ways that most of us don't have knowledge of. If this is to be a series I cannot wait for the next one!! I'll be telling my friends about this one.'
★★★★★
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'A pear-y 🍐 good debut from psychotherapist turned crime fiction author Jane Fawley. Multiple narratives (including that of the serial killer) with a psychological spin make this an intriguing whydunnit - and profiler Sam Stirling is ripe for the picking as a TV character.'
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'I loved this book from the first page. I particularly liked Sam, Riley & Emma & hope they feature in future books. Always exciting to discover a new author where I can just lose myself in the story.'
★★★★★
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'The author could offer lessons to many of the seasoned practitioners of serial killer thrillers. The pages disappear in a trice as the storyline gathers momentum, and in a very clever and deviously crafty structure one is given access to the killer's identity whilst those attempting to catch him are still struggling in the dark.
This is a creepy, disturbing novel, charged with emotion and tension and bold realism. It delves into the terrifying vicious circles of child abuse and its consequences. The killer stalking the streets of London is treacherous, dangerous and unpredictable - a deadly chameleon. Those hunting him: the senior detectives, and the profiler, are just as brilliantly drawn, as is the therapist who is unwittingly pulled into the spider's web.
The denouement is drenched in atmosphere, charged with adrenaline, and delivers a twist that is quite simply in a league of its own.'
★★★★★
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'As a psychological thriller, it had everything that I was hoping for.
The characters were strong...it was everything that I wanted and glad I got to read this.'
★★★★★
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'I can't thank you enough for 'Where the Bruised Pieces Go'. Since the death of P.D. James, I've been looking for the holy grail of a crime author with excellent prose. At last I have found her! The way you write is understated excellence. Even though it's a dark subject matter, it has been handled in a gentle way. Please let me know when there is another book in the offing!'
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'Trust me, you'll be hooked! The writing's top-notch, the characters feel real, and London's eerie atmosphere adds to the tension. If you're into crime thrillers, this one's a must-read!'
★★★★
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'Nothing is quite as fun as a delicious cat and mouse thriller. So twisty and fun and I wanted to devour it!'
★★★★
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'Deeply disturbing psychological thriller that mesmerises the reader.
Highly recommended.'
★★★★★
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'To say I loved this book is an understatement. It’s a graphic, often disturbing thriller. I read it as fast as I could and then spent time analyzing what I had read. This is an excellently written book. The details are realistic and graphic. I am happy I got to read it.'
★★★★★
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'This is a different kind of Crime novel. The psychological aspect is so interesting. It is impossible not to have some empathy for all the main characters. They were all victims.
Jane Fawley’s knowledge of psychotherapy shows us a world that most of us never encounter. She draws us in and then reveals dreadful things, almost too dreadful to read. Yet I’m so pleased I did. A new and very exciting author.'
★★★★★
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'Thank goodness I turned my attention to Jane Fawley’s dark, psychological thriller, Where the Bruised Pieces Go.
Having studied Psychology myself, I am naturally drawn to stories with at least an undertone of the psyche - the whys of extreme human behaviour and the depths of analysis these characters take us to. This novel is purely psychological - the focus of the story is only on the mind, which is the main reason I enjoyed it so much. Of course we know murder investigations involve much practical analysis of CCTV and door-to-door enquiries etc, but in this search for the sick slaughterer we follow the chase from only the viewpoint of those delving into the psychological profile of such a creature. Fascinating, shocking and utterly gripping.
Where the Bruised Pieces Go held my full attention from the start with a tension and anticipation that made it hard to put it down. It’s not a simple ‘whodunnit’, it’s much cleverer than that with the personal lives of the professional profilers on the case, and that of this serial killer expertly intertwined on multiple levels.
With an interesting and surprising twist that is shocking yet makes perfect sense at the same time, it’s difficult to believe this is Jane Fawley’s debut - and I hope there are more in the pipeline please.
A definite 5 stars and I can’t wait for the next… Thank you Jane Fawley!'
★★★★★
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'An exciting and entertaining psychological thriller. Cleverly written and engaging right from the start. The author sets out to deliver a dark suspense thriller and doesn't fail to disappoint. Looking forward to the rest!'
★★★★★
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'Wow, what a book! I could not put it down. Would definitely recommend it to others.'
★★★
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'Entertaining and engaging. A recommended purchase for collections where darker crime and thrillers are popular.'
★★★★
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'This was incredible book! It was scary and thrilling and had horror all wrapped into one! I thought it was well written and I didn’t want to put it down!'
★★★★★
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'In all the gory, macabre, details...It's not one for the faint hearted. It's rather graphic and heinous. And when Sam puts himself in the spotlight he catches the eye of the killer, and through him, Emma too, and that when things really start to get really bad.... As already mentioned, this book pulls no punches in the awful things it depicts and describes. Especially as we get to know Ben better as he divulges more about himself during his chapters.'
★★★★
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'I don't quite have any books to compare it to, and that's part of why WTBPG is a standout in the genre. I'm an avid crime, thriller, and suspense reader, but I have never read a book where the crimes detailed are so macabre and where the psyche of the killer is so graphic in its presentation.'
★★★
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'This was an exciting read, especially as the stakes changed and the tension and pace mounted up which added to the excitement and suspense.'
★★★★
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'Already delved into Jane Fawley’s debut and devoured the first couple of chapters. Plenty of tension, intrigue, suspense, and beautifully written...I‘m bingeing on this one!’
★★★★★
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‘Please add to your TBR lists with immediate effect - exquisite debut: dark, heavily psychological, gripping…do yourselves a favour and check it out!’
★★★★★
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‘I could not get through each chapter quick enough, wanting to find out how this all was going to turn out. Very thrilling! Loved the twist!’
★★★★