I guess the question is, did the second book in the series live up to my incredibly high, almost unachievable expectations? I’ve been waiting with bated breath for my next fix of DS Ruby Preston so when I say the pressure was high, it was REALLY high! And once again, Caroline Mitchell has knocked it out of the park. It was SO good to be back on the case with Ruby and Co. Ruby is as strong-willed and kick-ass as she was in the first book. Her relationship with local crime boss, Nathan is as fully charged as ever but this time Ruby has to clear Nathan’s name as part of an investigation into a serial killer dressing his victims as macabre fairytale princesses. It’s hard to deny you had something to do with the murders when a box of recently harvested organs is discovered beneath your bed, as Nathan quickly discovers. Ruby however is convinced of Nathan’s innocence. Her senior officers are convinced of Nathan’s guilt, so it’s down to our fearless hero to find the real killer and clear her man’s name. The chemistry between Ruby and Nathan is something which makes this series of books extra special in my opinion. As I may have mentioned before, I’m not one for slushy stuff in my crime novels but it’s such a big part of these characters stories that it just works. There was less friction between the couple this time around but that was partly to do with Nathan being in hiding for the majority of the book. Lenny, Nathan’s rather creepy brother, is back with a bang this time around as well. I mentioned friction a moment ago and that’s what Lenny brings to the story. But definitely NOT in the same way as Nathan. His antagonistic personality, his needling, inappropriate behaviour towards Ruby makes my skin crawl. He’s so repulsive but it just wouldn’t be the same without him. We find out fairly early on who the killer is but what we don’t know is, who is pulling their strings. The killer’s back story is quite shocking and it immediately clarifies why certain things are happening and the reason they’re happening to the people they are. For me, it just made me fall a little more in love with one of the main characters but I refuse to say which one. There are plenty more twists and surprises in store, including one that left me gasping like a fish out of water. Thinking about it now, I still can’t quite believe it happened! Would I recommend this book? Of course I would (you’d be a fool not too!) but start with Love You to Death as it sets the scene and it’s bloody fabulous! A tense, edge of your seat read which I devoured. I didn’t want it to end! Oh, and I have such a girl crush on Ruby Preston…but don’t tell anyone. Please Caroline Mitchell, keep writing about Ruby. I’m totally hooked! Five out of five stars. I chose to read and review an eARC of Sleep Tight. The above review is my own unbiased opinion.

I had never read anything by Caroline Mitchell but was recommended to her due to my love of phsychological thrillers. I was not disappointed. DS Ruby Preston is the main protagonist. I liked her character from the start. She is a good cop who doesn't always follow the rules, but does the best in order to capture the serial killer, who is murdering women and dressing them up as fairytale characters. Ruby has to find out who is doing this and why. I like how the author portrayed the relationships between Ruby and her colleagues, and also Ruby and naughty boy Nathan, part of the local crime family. The Plot is gripping and keeps you on the edge of the seat. The authors research around traumatic incidents has been well written too. With all these factors, I found the book hard to put down and will definitely add this authors books to my list of must reads.