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The Copycat: A Gripping Crime Thriller Full of Suspense and Mystery (The DI Melanie Watton Series) Kindle Edition

by Charlotte Barnes (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 451 ratings
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Meet DI Melanie Watton, who soon learns that imitation is the deadliest form of flattery in this page-turning crime thriller from the author of Intention.

When the body of a young woman, Jenni Grantham, is found abandoned, DI Melanie Watton and her team are called to investigate. It soon becomes apparent that the murder, the method and the appearance of the victim, is something they have seen before.

With the help of Medical Examiner George Waller, DI Watton uncovers the case history of Michael Richards—a local murderer who killed five women before turning himself in.

Further investigations reveal that Jenni was recently reported missing by her parents. And when Jenni’s personal effects are explored, shocking discoveries are made about the victim’s fascination with the original killings.

However, when the ME makes a surprise discovery, DI Watton realises that Jenni was perhaps not the only local with a fixation on these infamous killings.

With a copycat killer on the loose, the team know it is only a matter of time before another body is discovered. But when a second victim is found, the team find themselves questioning everything they thought they knew . . .

Praise for the novels of Charlotte Barnes

“An addictive read . . . a really well written and enjoyable psychological thriller—highly recommended!!” —Donna’s Book Blog

“Well written and smartly plotted with a fine array of characters and a thrilling story . . . Definitely an author to watch!” —Grace J Reviewerlady
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  1. Book 1 of 3
    The DI Melanie Watton
  2. Print length
    236 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  5. Publisher
    Bloodhound Books
  6. Publication date
    June 24, 2019
  7. File size
    1593 KB
  8. Page Flip
    Enabled
  9. Word Wise
    Enabled
  10. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  11. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author


Charlotte Barnes (Charley to her long-time pals) is a Worcestershire-based writer and poet who has recently achieved her Doctorate degree in Creative Writing, and now spends a lot of her time wondering what to do with it. She is a lecturer, content writer, tea-drinker and book-reader with a passion for psychological thrillers that shines through her own work. Barnes is also one of three directors of Worcestershire LitFest and Fringe literary festival and, independently of this, she runs her own monthly open mic/spoken word event in Worcester City Centre, titled Dear Listener. She published her debut short story collection in May 2017, titled The Women You Were Warned About (Black Pear Press), and her debut poetry pamphlet, A Z-hearted Guide to Heartache, was published be in July 2018 (V. Press). Intention is Barnes’s debut novel, published by Bloodhound Books in 2019. For writerly updates you can follow Barnes on Twitter: @charleyblogs

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09C6MPPWQ
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Bloodhound Books (June 24, 2019)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 24, 2019
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1593 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 236 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 451 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Charlotte Barnes

Charlotte Barnes

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Charlotte Barnes is an academic, crime writer, and poet based in Worcester, UK. Her crime writing covers everything from psychological thrillers to good old-fashioned detective work. She is currently working on a new psychological thriller.

Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
4.1 out of 5
451 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Bethany O'Brien
5.0 out of 5 stars Every chapter makes you NEED the next one
Reviewed in the United States on June 26, 2019
Verified Purchase
This is a fantastic read! Every chapter makes you NEED the next one and you won’t want to put it down. The plot is gripping and full of twists, whilst the team of detectives have some great chemistry, making for some smiles and laughs within an otherwise dark narrative. For anyone who likes a detective novel (or for those who want to give the genre a try) Barnes’ book won’t disappoint. Here’s to hoping it’s the start of a series!!! 🤞
2 people found this helpful
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booklover
4.0 out of 5 stars Full of Twists and Turns
Reviewed in the United States on June 24, 2019
Many thanks to the author / Bloodhound Books for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

Michael Richards killed five women before turning himself in to the police. He was later killed while in prison.

When DI Melanie Watton and her team are called to investigate the apparent murder of a teenage left in a field, it is very reminiscent of the victims of Richards.

When Jenni’s personal effects are explored, shocking discoveries are made about the victim’s fascination with the original killings. But she wasn't the only one with this particular fixation.

When another body is found ...someone who knew the recent victim .. it changes everything.

COPYCAT features a new detective in Melanie Watton. She's strong, formidable, and seeks the truth, no matter what. Her team works hard and though Watton is a tough leader, she's also fair. The individual team members are all going through some crisis or another. One's wife has left him and their infant daughter. Another has a partner that does not like the hours she works. I enjoyed how they all relate to each other.

This is well written ... with lots of twists and turns. The conclusion is a real nail-biter. I really hope this one will turn into a series.
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Copycat
Reviewed in the United States on October 9, 2021
Verified Purchase
A good read. Lots of action and suspense right up to the end.

I recommend this book and would like to read more from this author.

I
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Unbelievable!
Reviewed in the United States on May 21, 2021
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I at first thought it boring,but then suddenly when things started falling into place,OMG! Not to spoil anything, but what a wacked out teenager! It was enough to make me want to strangle her!ugh! Good story! Sad events!
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Kristina Creighton
5.0 out of 5 stars Scrupulous British Mystery
Reviewed in the United States on March 13, 2021
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If you like the genre, this book is for you. From start to finish, the story moves along carefully and logically, and I enjoyed it a lot.
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Long Time AC
4.0 out of 5 stars This could be a strong series.
Reviewed in the United States on June 27, 2019
Here is the story of a killer. Yes, there are many of them in the real world and in books, but this killer took out five women and then he turned himself in. Like many such people, he had his life ended when in prison. Now there's a problem. Another life, Jenni's, has ended abruptly and the clue left with the victim would be the signature of Michel Richards, but he's dead. DI Melaine Watton can't shake some of her concerns. As she works the case, which has suspense, clues here and there, the concern that the real killer wasn't Richards, I got more and more involved in the story. This book has police procedures along with physiological insights. I was rooting for the truth to be reviled and the perpetrator to be brought to justice. I became fond of Melaine, she is well written. This should become a series, it's quite strong. The wrap up was a tad fast, but if it's a series that will work.

My copy came from Bloodhound Books. My review contains my opinions about this book, left freely.
One person found this helpful
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Very Good Book
Reviewed in the United States on July 17, 2019
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This book was very good. The story kept you guessing but I really didn't have a clue who the murderer was until the end.
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Flgirl
4.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful twist filled original story
Reviewed in the United States on June 25, 2019
Thank you to the author and a Bloodhound Books for the chance to read this fabulous ne btwisted mystery with characters you will not forget. This hook engaged m immediately with the opening chapter and I could not put it down. The author was a master at making you think you had everything figured out and then would throw you a you a twisted curve that was so unpredictable. I could not put this down and hope this is this first of many with these wonderful character. A great read. Don’t miss it.
2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Polly S
5.0 out of 5 stars Keeps you guessing...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 6, 2021
Verified Purchase
Sharp and concise, this crime novel grips you from page one, dodging between well-defined characters, holding psychological tension and keeping you guessing ‘whodunnit’ until the final pages. Plenty of clues, twists and turns, and incisive insight to motivations, it lives up to its tagline ‘a mind blowing mystery thriller’. Getting to know the characters in the first book of a trilogy leaves you wanting to read the next two books. Clever and very readable.
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garydow
4.0 out of 5 stars Decent enjoyable police procedure story.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 17, 2020
Verified Purchase
Good enjoyable read as the body of a young girl is discovered with huge similarities to a murder from years back, committed by someone who has since died. Good mix of characters from the police and the friends of the girl who was found and an interesting concept of whydunnit. Nothing too twisted and complicated but definitely recommended.
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Gen Aylott
3.0 out of 5 stars 3*
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 10, 2021
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I enjoyed this, but it was quite predictable and could have made more of the premise. Also quite poorly edited, with many spelling and grammatical errors, which were off-putting. Beginning much more compelling than the ending.
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Daniel Udale-Forrester
5.0 out of 5 stars An outstanding crime novel
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 11, 2020
Verified Purchase
Brilliant crime novel which was a delight to read. This story is bundled together with such a likeable and relatable group of characters that you can’t help but take an interest in them. The story folds and churns in unexpected and plot driven ways so that there is always something going on in each chapter. I felt drawn to read this and meet the concluding chapters because of how well the story was told. Brilliant work, and I will be reading more from this author.
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Ann Burke
4.0 out of 5 stars very good read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 24, 2021
Verified Purchase
I got hooked from the start of the book. I was invested in the characters and their individual outlooks. I would recommend this book to anyone wanting a good crime story .
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