Her mother will be furious when she finds out. She knew it was risky to come here alone. But it was too hard to resist. A chance to live like a normal teenager, to have a good day for once. And now it will be her last...
When teenager Leia Thompson drops dead in a shopping mall of apparent natural causes, Detective Jacqueline 'Jack' Kent is the only one convinced something isn't right. Why was Leia at the mall alone? Why are there scars - old and new - all over her body?
Visiting Leia's mother, Jack quickly realises that she controlled every aspect of her daughter's short life, home-schooling her and moving town every few months. At their house, Jack finds a room crammed with records detailing the teenager's complex medical history right from the moment of her birth. A sinister picture starts to emerge in Jack's mind - of a mother capable of hurting her own child.
When another girl dies in similar circumstances, the only thing that seems to connect the victims is their youth and frail health - and Leia's estranged father. He emerges as their prime suspect until the girls' autopsy reports come back with sinister similarities, and Jack's attention turns to the doctors who treated them.
Then somebody close to the case is found dead, and Jack starts to feel like she's losing control. More will die if she doesn't catch the person responsible soon. Can she work her way through this web of dark secrets and chilling motives before the killer strikes again?
An absolutely unputdownable and gripping crime thriller with shocking twists perfect for readers who adore Angela Marsons, Rachel McLean and Sally Rigby.
About the Author :
**Nicky Downes** lives in Coventry, where she works as an education trade union officer. When she isn't working, or writing, you can often find her cruising the canals in the Midlands on her narrowboat, Chanelle. Nicky says, "I find it so relaxing at the tiller. It's where I get the best ideas for my novels." From an early age, Nicky spent hours in her local library devouring all the Agatha Christie and Dorothy L. Sayers' novels, being a huge fan of crime novels. Her favourite authors are Val McDermid, Mark Billingham and Fiona Cummins. Nicky has self-published four novels: a psychological thriller, _Bat Girl_, and a series, _Traffic_, _Consent_ and _Chained_, featuring DI Amelia Barton of the National Crime Agency. Readers have described these books as "fast-paced, unputdownable thrillers." She is currently writing a police procedural series of books featuring mountaineer DI Jacqueline Kent, set in Birmingham.
Review :
'What can I say... the twists and turns of the plot, the amazing level of detail, the superlative character development, the outstanding writing, all made Broken Girls downright addictive.' Reader review, 5 stars
'Devoured it in one day (something I rarely do)... I loved it.' Reader review, 5 stars
'I've given a few 5-star awards out this year so far, but this is a worthy contender for the highest I can give. Read in two sessions, I can't praise it higher.' Reader review, 5 stars
'Fast-paced... clever and the story has plenty of twists to keep you guessing.' Reader review, 5 stars
'Can be read as a standalone crime mystery or enjoyed as part of the series... I could not get enough.' Reader review, 5 stars
'An action-packed thriller of a book... unputdownable and engrossing.' Reader review, 5 stars
'I read this fast-paced British police procedural book in less than a day and thoroughly enjoyed it.' Reader review, 5 stars
