Synopsis
A young woman has gone missing. It’s nearly Christmas. Why does hardly anyone seem to care?
Kelly Ingles’ case should have been one to tug on the public’s heartstrings: a young woman missing in the run-up to Christmas.
But Kelly wasn’t perfect – she liked to party, enjoyed a drink, didn’t always make the best decisions. And when evidence of her drunken antics appears online, it becomes clear that Kelly might not just have been in the wrong place at the wrong time; she might also be the wrong sort of girl to encourage public sympathy.
It’s a case that’s right up Maxie Reddick’s street. As a criminology professor, she’s made it her mission to challenge unconscious biases within the criminal justice system – the sort of biases that cause girls like Kelly to slip through the cracks.
But can she get the police and public on board before it’s too late?
Book 2 – Professor Maxie Reddick Files. Book 1 – One by One Book 3 – My Sister’s Killer
Available as an eBook & audiobook on all platforms. Paperback available from Amazon.
Helen Bridgett
Helen Bridgett lives in the North East of England. Outside of writing feel good fiction, Helen loves the great outdoors and having a good laugh with friends over a glass of wine. Helen lives with her husband and their chocolate Labrador, Angus; all three can often be found walking the Northumberland coastline that inspired her romantic comedy, Summer at Serenity Bay.
Helen writes romantic comedies and chilling thrillers.
I will start by saying I haven’t read ‘Book One’ in this series but this didn’t cause any confusion or distract from what was a really interesting read so it can be read as a standalone.
Maxie works as a professor at a university and is often invited to accompany the police on cases for her input and whilst some see her as a nuisance, her instinct and thirst to try to find out what happened to Kelly who went missing after a night out with her best friend is what gives this story momentum.
Kelly loved to party and quite often flirt even though she has a boyfriend (who has quite the temper!) which all adds up to misconceptions and a DI who wants to file this as just another missing person case however they allow investigations to continue until Christmas Eve at which point it has to be wrapped up.
A great story, not one of my usual reads but I really wanted to find out what happened to Kelly and kept me gripped, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it.
This is more than just an exciting detective story. It also challenges us as readers about our preconceptions and stereotypes. Should we care less about the victim because she was a party animal? I really enjoyed seeing the investigation in to her disappearance through the eyes of a criminology professor rather than just a detective. Gripping story!
This is one heck of a ‘who dun it’! I was totally absorbed from page 1. The cast of characters was well observed and believable. The plot was, to me, both highly possible and highly unusual. The total premise around which the story was written I had sort of realised but it totally brought home to me how much we judge people, even if only subconsciously. Crime stories I always enjoy and this one was no exception. The lead characters, Kelly and Luis, Maxie and Andrew, were fascinating people as were all those involved in this missing person story. Right till the final pages I was unable to decide who the villains were, a most unusual event for me. I am awaiting Helen’s next with eager anticipation.
Helen Bridgett’s Wrong Sort of Girl, is the second in her Maxie Reddick series. This was described as an intense and gripping thriller and does what it says on the tin. It was lovely to meet Maxie Reddick again. A Professor of Criminology, she works with the police on a joint initiative – the ACU. Maxie is totally relatable and we see the case unfold through her eyes as she examines every angle. A gripping read that had me hooked, with many twists and turns along the way, I hope we see more of Maxie soon.
A 5* nail biting thriller.
Maxie Reddick is contacted by a family friend who’s concerned about a missing person. Maxie, a professor of criminology, has assisted the police before and she and detective sergeant Andrew Dawson join forces in the investigation.
When the news of Kelly’s disappearance is released by the media there’s a general lack of public interest. Kelly Ingles is a party girl who enjoys clubbing, flirts indiscriminately and drinks far too much. There’s disapproval of her lifestyle and the opinion is that she’ll reappear in her own time. But as time goes by there’s still no sign of Kelly…….
As in Helen Bridgett’s previous book, One by One (also excellent), there are umpteen clues to mislead the reader.
Wrong Sort of Girl is a nail biting thriller, it’s skilfully written and utterly gripping, and kept me guessing until almost the very end.
Kelly has disappeared after a night out and it doesn’t seem like anyone close to her cares if she is found. Those closest to her seem to be stalling or misdirecting the investigation. Maxi is on the case, but will she find Kelly in time? Exciting book full of twists and turns – it kept me on the edge of my seat. Loved it!