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Only the Brave: A gripping crime thriller (Detective Allie Shenton Series Book 3) by [Mel Sherratt]

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Mel Sherratt

Only the Brave: A gripping crime thriller (Detective Allie Shenton Series Book 3) Kindle Edition

by Mel Sherratt (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

781 ratings

Book 3 of 5: Detective Allie Shenton Series

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A murdered brother. A scheming family. A loyalty tested.

When one of the notorious Johnson brothers is murdered and a bag of money goes missing, a deadly game of cat and mouse is set in motion.

Detective Allie Shenton and her team are called in to catch the killer, but the suspects are double-crossing each other and Allie has little time to untangle the web of lies.

As she delves deeper into the case, things take a personal turn when Allie realises she is being stalked by the very same person who attacked her sister seventeen years ago and left her for dead.

It takes a dedicated officer to bring everyone to justice, and now she’s up against it all. Will Allie finally catch the man who haunts her nightmares, as well as the suspect she’s chasing? Or could either leave her in fear of her own life?

Set within the gritty streets of Stoke-on-Trent, this fast-paced British detective novel is a dark murder mystery with an emotional pull.

Only the Brave is the third novel in the Allie Shenton series of crime thrillers from the million selling British author, Mel Sherratt, and perfect for fans of DS Butler, LJ Ross, Angela Marsons, Joy Ellis, Rachel McClean, Caroline Mitchell and Meg Jolly.

‘Sherratt is a unique voice in detective fiction.’ —Mail on Sunday

'A gritty, authentic, fast-paced read that you won't want to put down.’ Caroline Mitchell

Please note – this book has been re-published in 2021 and has been extensively re-edited.

Print length

354 pages
Language

English
Publication date

April 7, 2021
File size

3899 KB
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Editorial Reviews

Review

‘Now and again, a character comes along that stays in your head long after the book has finished. Allie Shenton is that character. Mel Sherratt combines taut storytelling with excellent characterisation, resulting in a book I could not put down.’ —Angela Marsons, author of Silent Scream

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Mel Sherratt has been a self-described “meddler of words” ever since she can remember. After winning her first writing competition at the age of eleven, she has rarely been without a pen in her hand or her nose in a book.

Since successfully publishing Taunting the Dead and seeing it soar to the rank of #1 bestselling police procedural in the Amazon Kindle store in 2012, Mel has gone on to publish four more books in the critically acclaimed The Estate Series and a psychological thriller, Watching over You.

Mel was shortlisted for the Crime Writer’s Association Dagger in the Library Award 2014 and has written feature articles for The Guardian, the Writers and Artists website and Writers’ Forum Magazine, to name just a few. She regularly speaks at conferences, events and festivals.

She lives in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, with her husband and her terrier, Dexter (named after the TV serial killer, with some help from her Twitter fans), and makes liberal use of her hometown as a backdrop for her writing.

Her website is www.melsherratt.co.uk and you can find her on Twitter at @writermels.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08Y3GG7HD
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Blood Red Books; 2nd edition (April 7, 2021)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 7, 2021
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 3899 KB
Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Print length ‏ : ‎ 354 pages
Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ B09156XCM5
Lending ‏ : ‎ Enabled

Best Sellers Rank: #414,325 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #7,277 in Police Procedurals (Kindle Store)
- #9,245 in Crime Thrillers (Kindle Store)
- #12,198 in Police Procedurals (Books)

Customer Reviews:
781 ratings

About the author

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Mel Sherratt

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I write dark fiction with an emotional pull. My novels take you to the heart of the crime. I write police procedurals, psychological suspense and crime dramas - fiction with a punch. Shortlisted for the prestigious CWA (Crime Writer's Association) Dagger in The Library Award, my inspiration comes from authors such as Ian Rankin, Martina Cole, Lisa Jewell, Mandasue Heller and Clare Mackintosh.

To date, I’ve sold 1.8 million books. All eighteen of my crime novels have been bestsellers, each one climbing into the Kindle UK top 100, and I've had several number ones. I've also had numerous Kindle All-star awards, for best read author and best titles.

My latest book, BROKEN PROMISES, is book four in the DETECTIVE ALLIE SHENTON SERIES. These books are part police procedural/part crime thriller. There have been three novels for years, the last one published in 2015, but recently I decided to add to the series. There will be more to come this year.

There are four books in THE ESTATE SERIES - a mix of psychological suspense and family life with a sprinkling of grit and a dash of menace - where drama meets crime. The books are available individually or the first three as a box set.

I have four standalone novels. THE LIFE SHE WANTS, TEN DAYS, THE LIES YOU TELL and WATCHING OVER YOU.

They are dark in places, light in places, and disturbing in places.

I have also written four books featuring DS Grace Allendale, HUSH HUSH being the first one, TICK TOCK the second, LIAR LIAR the third and the final one to finish the series, GOOD GIRL.

Finally, there are two books about DS EDEN BERRISFORD. She works in a community intelligence team and helps to gather information and intel for investigations. THE GIRLS NEXT DOOR is the first book, followed by DON'T LOOK BEHIND YOU. These books are based in the same setting as THE ESTATE SERIES.

I live in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, with my husband and terrier, Dexter (named after the TV serial killer) and make liberal use of my hometown as a backdrop for some of my books. You can find out more at my website www.melsherratt.co.uk or I'm on Twitter at @writermels

Customer reviews

5 star		64%
4 star		23%
3 star		8%
2 star		2%
1 star		1%

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Top reviews from the United States

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Christine Terrell

Excellent gritty crime novel

Reviewed in the United States on May 26, 2015

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4.5 stars

I want to thank Net Galley, Thomas & Mercer Publishing, and Ms. Mel Sherratt for an ARC of Only the Brave.

Ms. Mel Sherratt, aka Ms. Brit Grit Lit, does it again with the 3rd installment of the Allie Shenton series! In Only the Brave, Ms Sherratt weaves a complex tale of lies, double crosses, and disloyalties set in the gritty city of Stoke-on-Trent in England.

As the story opens, the scene is set and the characters are presented. We meet up again with several of the characters we were introduced to in the first two books of the series, Taunting the Dead and Follow the Leader. Certain persons are sure they have the perfect plan set up, and a crime is committed right off the bat. But my goodness, things go awry rather quickly, and off to the races we go! We are treated to all sorts of deception and intrigue as Allie and the team try to figure out what the hell happened and who is responsible. Not many of their suspects or witnesses are at all reliable, adding to the challenge. There is a huge element of "who can trust who dodginess" throughout the book, which also adds to the allure of the story. Twists and turns, which Ms. Sherratt specializes in, abound.

Why not 5 full stars? British slang is toned down a bit from Ms. Sherratt's last two novels; this actually disappointed me. Blimey, Mel!! Also, early on, when relationships are being established amongst the suspects, there are so many unlikeables dominating the scenes and slowing the story for me that I was begging for Allie to get in there and start kicking some rears. I do want to say these two issues reflect personal taste on my part, and I am sure many readers will not have a problem with them.

This book actually has a major subplot of high interest. This side issue, one that is very personal to Allie, starts in Taunting and continues into Leader. In Only the Brave, we get the continuation and conclusion of this heart-breaking counterplot. Ms. Sherratt, you didn't do the "expected" here, and for that I am very grateful.

I strongly recommend Only the Brave to all thriller/crime fiction fans. I also recommend that readers start with book #1 of the series, Taunting the Dead, and read in order to get maximal enjoyment from Ms. Sherratt's storytelling. Kudos to Ms. Sherratt, one of my very favorite authors, for another terrific novel. Next please!

3 people found this helpful

Helpful

Ms. Tee

Just Okay...

Reviewed in the United States on June 21, 2015

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I've read all of her books and my faves thus far has been the Estate Series, but overall I've enjoyed most all of them. I must say that I was disappointed in this one and this is the lowest rating I've ever given to one of her books. Maybe in part it was due to the anticipation of this novel. I could not wait for this book to come out and I pre-ordered months in advance. I do like the main character, Allie, and her team, but overall the plot ultimately fell flat and it was divided towards the end into two different plots. Whereas that should have created more excitement, for me, it just didn't work. I was also tire of the writer alluding to this chemistry between Allie and Terry Rider as if something major had occurred between them when in fact, it had not. Most of the new characters were unlikable. I was also tire of Allie constantly blaming herself for what had happened to her sister, when in fact it was really just an unfortunate thing that happened and was no one's fault. While I do get that we as humans sometimes get caught up in the guilt game even when we don't deserve it, it was still a bit unrealistic to me. Last, for the person that had committed the crimes, in the end, his logic for his actions made very little sense to me. It just wasn't as believable for me.

4 people found this helpful

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kindle avid reader

Great read

Reviewed in the United States on August 2, 2016

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I didn't read the other 2 books and don't usually buy a "last" book in a series but am so glad I did. It was an excellent read that kept u wanting to not put the book down. It had family betrayal, the strength of a mother doing the right thing, love, caring and mystery.

3 people found this helpful

Helpful

Good read, hard to put down

Reviewed in the United States on November 12, 2020

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Shenton develops her characters so the reader gets to “know” them as the plot twists, thrills and turns to a surprise ending!

Helpful

Kindle Customer

Good read

Reviewed in the United States on March 22, 2019

Verified Purchase

Enjoyed this book a lot. Great suspense. I am ready to read the next one in the series. Can't wait to start on it.

Helpful

Idaho Quilter12

Who dunit

Reviewed in the United States on April 29, 2017

Verified Purchase

It was slow starting, but improved after 2nd chapter. Interesting and keeps your attention. Good read. At the end you are not sure what is going to happen. Keeps you on your toes.

Helpful

Mary A. Acton

Not the best story I've read.

Reviewed in the United States on July 14, 2015

Verified Purchase

Why the author felt compelled to overuse the F-bomb is a mystery to me. That alone turned me off completely. Makes one wonder if she doesn't know how to tell her story without resorting to crude gutter language. Too bad.

One person found this helpful

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Kindle Customer

Only the Brave

Reviewed in the United States on December 20, 2016

Verified Purchase

A well written story. The characters and plot are believable and well constructed. This novel is well written and edited.

One person found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

Kimmy

Only the Brave

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 9, 2021

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OMG Mel Sherratt you are a brilliant Author. I’ve read all your books and I’ve been waiting for this one to come out, to find out what happened to Karen 17 years ago. I couldn’t put my laptop down , it was absolutely fantastic. People must read your books. You are one Top Author.

2 people found this helpful

Dodie Hunt

Only the Brave by Mel Sherratt. Brille book.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 2, 2017

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I enjoyed reading this book though I couldn't believe it all happened in the time lines given. The 'baddie' wasn't obvious until almost the end. I thought the characters were well defined although some were so obnoxious I would have struggled to be in their company - for any reason.
I did find an error though. On page 218, 66% line 11 it says. Jordan grabbed her wrist!! Jordan was dead. I think it should have been Ryan.
Oh and in Chapter 4:35. Sam knows who the bad chap is though Nick never mentions his name when he is telling the squad where he, and Allie, are.
But these littke errors didn't stop me loving this book and it's very talented author. Brilliant. Going to buy the next one now.

Steph Lawrence (StefLoz Book Blog)

I loved it!!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 26, 2015

Verified Purchase

Thanks to the author and Netgalley for the advanced copy.
Having read Taunting The Dead and Follow The Leader, I was eagerly awaiting this one.
The third in the Allie Shenton series.
I feel like we got to know Allie a bit more in this one, on a personal side of things.
She is a likeable lady, juggling work and family life through some difficult situations.
Certain elements cropped up from the previous books and were wrapped up in this one.
I liked the time titled chapters, makes you realise what the police are up against.
There were some good characters in the flats, and I enjoyed getting to know these too.
A fast-paced story which I couldn’t put down, making time to read it rather than fitting it in the rest of my day.
I love Mel Sherratt’s style of writing, gritty and straight to the point.
I highly recommend all of her work.

5 people found this helpful

I Robinson

Bring on book four

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 23, 2016

Verified Purchase

Just finished this book and what a cracker it is. I rarely read a series but this series of three is a winner. I would say to any new reader start at book one before this one. You need to experience the growth of the characters and have some understanding of the back story and history to fully appreciate the writing. This final chapter has been a fantastic read and culmination to a wonderful and provoking storyline. Sherratt has used her background, before her writing career, to great effect and you feel as though you are an observer on the estate whilst the events unfold. Allie Shenton is a fantastic character and lead and I hope to see her in future books. I get the impression we haven't seen the last of her or the Ryder cartel but I guess time will tell and another death must occur before we can expect a return.....

2 people found this helpful

E A K

Another cracking book from Mel Sherratt

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 13, 2016

Verified Purchase

Picking up where the last book left off, Allie Shenton has a lot on her plate. Her sister is on life support and a dead body has been found - the body of a local gangster. Told in "real time" as Allie and her team track down the killer or killers, I found this a real page turner. It is well written with believable characters and more than one twist and turn to keep you guessing. The ending did feel a bit rushed if I'm honest but this is a minor gripe after such a great story.

2 people found this helpful

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