Sunday 31 March 2024

Book Review: Body of Lies by Sarah Bailey

 Body of Lies

by

Sarah Bailey

A MISSING CORPSE. A SHOCKING CRIME. 
FAMILY SECRETS TOO CLOSE TO HOME.
 
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Publication date: 27th February 2024
Series: Gemma Woodstock #4
Genre: Crime / Mystery / Thriller
Pages: 480
RRP: $34.99AU (trade paperback)
Source: Courtesy of the publisher
 

Review: Body of Lies

Body of Lies opens about 18 months after Where the Dead Go and Gemma is on maternity leave. She is currently living back in her hometown of Smithson with partner Mac, son Ben and baby Scarlett.
 
When a woman dies in a car accident and her body is stolen from the hospital morgue and the next day a newborn baby is found abandoned on a walking track Gemma is convinced these two cases are related and asks if she can return to work to work on the case. Gemma has to juggle motherhood and working, along with rivalry in the workforce.
 
Body of Lies is another shrewdly plotted police procedural. The action never stops which keeps the pace up throughout the book.
It was nice to see Gemma in a good place psychologically in this novel. She had grown up a lot but still had trouble distancing herself from the victims which caused her much distress.
 
Body of Lies is another highly entertaining novel from Sarah Bailey with plenty of jaw-dropping twists and a light exploration of some ethical issues.
I found it a fitting finale to the series.
 
My rating 4 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
 
Other Sarah Bailey novels reviewed:

 
 
 

4 comments:

  1. do you have to read the first book or can I start with body of lies

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    Replies
    1. You can definitely read Body of Lies on its own you just won’t get the backstory of Gemma’s character. The story is about one crime only.

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  2. I was fortunate enough to receive an advance copy of this book last month. It was the first Sarah Bailey book I have ever read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I've since bought all her other books so I can read Gemma's backstory. A 5 star book for me.

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    Replies
    1. It is a great series. I loved some of the books more than others.

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