The Ex Book Review

Title: THE EX

Author: Diane Saxon

Narrator: Katy Sobey

ISBN: 978 1800 4885 64 

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Pages: 342

Source: Audible

Sometimes your past just won’t let go…
As a heat wave grips the country, DS Jenna Morgan is called to a domestic incident at the home of a young family in Ironbridge.
Pregnant Imelda Cheetham-Epstein has been found unconscious by her husband, Zak with serious head injuries.
When Jenna arrives on the scene, she discovers something even more disturbing – the couple’s eleven-month-old son, Joshua, is missing and the race against time begins to find him.
Is this an accident or something more sinister?
Are the two incidents linked?
Or has something in the Cheetham-Epstein’s past caught up with them?

Official Summary

24 May 2023

DS Jenna Morgan #4

I did not give book three in the series enough time, listening on and off for over a week which made it hard for me to truly appreciate the book. With book four, I set aside enough time to allow myself to listen to the entire book in two sittings – allowing myself to focus and give the book the attention it deserves. While the third book was not my favourite – I can say that book four was again a brilliant read / listen. I enjoyed the story and raced through it.

With The Ex there was less focus on Jenna and her time, allowing you to get caught up in the crime and the new characters. The author keeps you engrossed with a creative crime that is guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat. With a fantastic final twist. I cannot wait to see what Jenna is due to face next.  Domino – the Dalmatian – still makes an appearance which adds a gentle touch and brings a smile to your face.

DS Jenna Morgan is called to a domestic incident when Zak Cheetham-Epstein finds his wife unconscious in the hallway of their home. Upon arrival, paramedics on the scene advised that Imelda’s injuries are most likely not the result of an accidental fall. As Jenna starts questioning Zak, he suddenly remembers that he has not checked on Joshua, the couple’s eleven-month-old son. When the toddler cannot be found in the house, a search is undertaken but the little boy is nowhere to be found. The heatwave means that Joshua will not survive for long on his own. Jenna and her team must find him quickly if they hope to find him alive. But there is no sign of the toddler anywhere. Could his disappearance be linked to Imelda’s injury?

This book had me glued to my seat, eager to see how the story would end. I loved the characters and did not predict the ending until the last minute. I enjoyed this book and look forward to spending more time with Jenna and her team. The author allows you to spend time with the criminal and victim – moving between the two from chapter to chapter making her writing intriguing as she keeps you curious right to the end.

DS Jenna Morgan has settled down in this book. Despite her previous bad experiences, she is stronger than before. I love the way she is not afraid to show her emotions. She has had some horrific experiences and manages to keep them at bay while focusing on the job at hand. Her bond with Domino, her sister’s dog, adds to her appeal.

Emilia was a fanatic character – I loved her obsession and crazy behaviour. This woman will leave the hair on your neck standing on end. The author did a brilliant job with this character.

Another book has been added to my loved list for 2023 – a brilliantly creative, entertaining read. If you have been following the DS Jenna Morgan you will love this book.

Readers who enjoy twisty crime thrillers will love this series and The Ex is a fantastic read you do not want to miss. You do not have to read the books in order but be prepared to want to. This series will have you hooked and eager for more. I highly recommend you add this series to your TBR.

Also By Diane Saxon

Find Her Alive

DS Jenna Morgan #1

Responding to reports of deadly screams in the Ironbridge Gorge, Detective Sergeant Jenna Morgan is first on the scene to investigate.

As the search intensifies, Jenna soon discovers her sister Fliss’s severely injured Dalmatian, Domino and the naked, tortured body of an unknown woman.
Who is the dead woman and where is her sister Fliss?

About the Author

Author bio from the author’s site

Diane Saxon lives in the Shropshire countryside with her tall, dark, handsome husband. She has two gorgeous daughters, a Dalmatian, two cats, numerous rare breed chickens, and a black Labrador called Beau—a name borrowed by her hero in For Heaven’s Cakes.
After working for years in a demanding job, Diane gave it up when her husband said, “Follow that dream.” She subsequently has 12 Romances published for the U.S. market. Inspired by her long, lonely walks in atmospheric woodlands, Diane has gone over to the dark side to write British psychological crime thrillers. With a four-book deal through Boldwood Books, her first in series Find Her Alive was published October 2019 followed by Someone’s There in February 2020 and What She Saw is due in September 2020.

My recent Audible membership gave me access to this series and I have been loving it. The narrator for this book, Katy Sobey, did a really good job with these books adding to the enjoyment. Have you been following this series? Which is your favourite book? Leave a comment below.

Thank you for visiting the blog and reading my review. I hope you enjoy this series as much as I have. Rest assured as soon as I find another book in the DS Jenna Morgan series, I will review that one as well.

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