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Faith Mortimer
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Behind A Twisted Smile (Dark Minds Psychological Thriller Book 2) Kindle Edition

by Faith Mortimer (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
3.8 out of 5 stars 300 ratings

Behind a Twisted Smile (A Dark Minds Mystery Suspense Thriller)

What do you do when an ex-lover won’t take “no” for an answer? Moya thinks Martyn will eventually take the hint – but the rejected lover has no such intention.

Three weeks later, Moya meets her older sister Evie at a picnic, and learns that she has recently met the man of her dreams. Only problem is – He’s Moya’s spurned ex.

Almost at once, Moya finds herself in a long and terrifying ordeal; she has to deal with an adversary who loves playing sinister mind games, all under the guise of his twisted smile.

As the months slip away, the mental battles with Martyn move insidiously towards physical conflict. A conflict where only one person will step away…. Alive!…

Author note. Based on a true life scenario back in the 70's. Forensics were simpler then so the up to date version had to be modified.

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  1. Book 2 of 4
    Dark Minds Psychological Thriller
  2. Print length
    342 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    16 Nov. 2014
  6. File size
    1.8 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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There are 4 books in this series.

Product description

Review

TOP 500 REVIEWER

Moya has a brief fling with Martyn but after he effectively breaks into her flat and uses her computer without her knowledge, she realises there's no real relationship there and she dumps him. Just a few weeks later, she finds he's going out with her sister and making out to her family that he finished the relationship and she's bitter about it. He has every appearance of being a gold-digger but nobody else can see past his immense charm. As the story progresses, more people are taken in by Martyn and Moya feels increasingly isolated, until she meets Jon. The story had me so paranoid I wondered about him, too.

As I read on, I felt Moya's frustration at the degree of manipulation Martyn brought into play. I seemed to be the only one who believed her! The final acts of the story were very tense and exciting and I enjoy this a great deal. I think I need to read more of Faith Mortimer's books!

About the Author

About the author: Faith Mortimer: born in Manchester, England and educated in Singapore, Malaya and Hampshire, England. Qualified as a Registered nurse and later changed careers to oversee a number of travel and sport related companies. Faith is married with a family. Once the children attended University, she decided to join them in reading for a Science degree. Faith obtained an Honours Science degree in 2005 and believes the dedication and stamina needed to sit for a degree while in full-time employment, gave her the confidence to finish writing her first novel. She has now written and published 12 novels and a volume of short stories. All are available as eBooks from your favourite online book store. Also available as paperbacks. For more information about Faith and her writing please follow on Facebook. www.facebook.com/FaithMortimer.Author http://twitter.com/FaithMortimer Website: www.faithmortimerauthor.com Where Faith writes a regular blog about all manner of things!

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00PQMN4B4
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Topsails Charter
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ 16 Nov. 2014
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.8 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 342 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 2 of 4 ‏ : ‎ Dark Minds Psychological Thriller
  • Customer reviews:
    3.8 out of 5 stars 300 ratings

About the author

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Faith Mortimer

Faith Mortimer

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Biography

Faith is a British author from Hampshire, England. Since 2005 she turned her hobby of writing into a career. During childhood, she dreamt of writing novels which readers would love & spent many hours writing short stories which she read to her sisters under pain of death! Born in Manchester & educated in Singapore, Malaya & Hampshire, England.

*Please note: all books are written in British English. Spellings and grammatical conventions are conversant with the UK and appropriate for the setting. Faith's books have made the Kindle Top 100 Paid List numerous times for which she thanks her readers.

Top selling novels include: The Assassins' Village (#1 Harpers Collins/Authonomy), The Green Room, Behind a Twisted Smile, A Very French Affair The Surgeon's Blade, Paradise Prison, Childhunt! & A Deadly Learning, A Brutal Trade and A Very English Affair.

In all Faith writes three series, The Diana Rivers Mystery Suspense, The Dark Minds Psychological Thriller series and The Affair Series.

Keep in touch by visiting Faith at: ** amazon.com/author/faithmortimer plus

**Follow Faith on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/FaithMortimer.Author She loves to chat with readers.

** Follow her on https://twitter.com/FaithMortimer

** Twitter handle @FaithMortimer

**website and blog http://www.faithmortimerauthor.com

**Sign up for her 4 x a year newsletter at http://bit.ly/1HMz8te

What others are saying about Faith's books:

"What can I say about this book ? Unputdownable sounds like such a cliche, but it is the most apt description I can think of..."

"This book will have you at your wits end. One of the best books you will read this year, but beware of your blood pressure rising. The bad guy in this story will have you shouting at your kindle, my family think I am crazy..."

"A brilliant thriller, I loved it and would recommend it to readers who like to be scared out of their wits!.."

"Well Faith another brilliant book, once again, as with 'A Very French Affair' I couldn't put it down. What more can I say. Read it folk you will love it..."

"I have found a favorite new author. This is a great mystery series. Loved the characters and the settings for the books...!

Reviews on Amazon U.S. Read Reviews here: http://amzn.to/1ypC3To

Happy reading!

Customer reviews

3.8 out of 5 stars
300 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this psychological thriller to be an excellent page-turner that keeps them engrossed from start to finish. The book features well-written characters and maintains suspense throughout, with one customer noting it never lets up the pace. However, some customers find the story completely unbelievable.

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36 customers mention ‘Readability’36 positive0 negative

Customers find the book to be an excellent page turner, with one customer noting its well-structured format.

"...If you love psychological thrillers this is one that is an absolute must read." Read more

"...The end was a slightly bit predictable but still an excellent page turner. Read this in 2 days!!" Read more

"...complexities of this man I cannot do justice to here, but it is an excellent read." Read more

"This book is reasonably well written, and the concept good...." Read more

34 customers mention ‘Storyline’27 positive7 negative

Customers enjoy the storyline of the book, describing it as a great psychological thriller and crime story that never lets up the pace or suspense.

"...Behind a Twisted Smile is one seriously twisted read...." Read more

"Parts of this story are quite good and I did want to keep turning the pages to find out what happens next, but it became more and more over the top..." Read more

"FOUR AND A HALF STARS - This is a real page-turner and edge of your seat thriller...." Read more

"This is a very well structured book that grips you from the very first chapter and then continues to build to a climatic high five ending...." Read more

8 customers mention ‘Writing quality’8 positive0 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, finding it well-crafted, with one customer noting it avoids excessive descriptive content.

"This book is reasonably well written, and the concept good...." Read more

"...The character of Moya was very well written...." Read more

"If you enjoy tight, concise writing, without reams of descriptive, wordy padding, then this is a must read...." Read more

"Tight, concise reading without reams of descriptive, wordy padding? Really? This book is full of needless padding!..." Read more

7 customers mention ‘Character development’5 positive2 negative

Customers appreciate the characters in the book, with one noting they are fully rounded.

"...Once again, the characters were excellently crafted and I found myself desperate to know where the story was going and if Moya would eve be able to..." Read more

"...The tension builds as the plot races along with credible, real characters leading the way. The climax is not as I expected...." Read more

"...in our lives had contact with a sociopath, this book is a chilling portrayal of a man who to anyone who opens their eyes is a cynical user and..." Read more

"...Very well written with fully rounded characters" Read more

7 customers mention ‘Enjoyment’7 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engrossing from start to finish and exciting, with one customer noting they were hooked from the first few pages.

"Really gripping, exciting and a book you just want to shout 'listen to her!' From the first chapter i loved it...." Read more

"...I found this book to be entertaining yet horrifying and could not put it down, the pressure builds as the victims fall one after the other but still..." Read more

"...The final acts of the story were very tense and exciting and I enjoy this a great deal. I think I need to read more of Faith Mortimer’s books!" Read more

"...a brilliantly crafted psychological thriller, which kept me engrossed from start to finish...." Read more

5 customers mention ‘Plagiarism’0 positive5 negative

Some customers find the book completely unbelievable, with one customer noting it smacks of plagiarism.

"...happens next, but it became more and more over the top and to me, unbelievable...." Read more

"...Very clever and manipulating to the vulnerable who want to see good in people, and close their eyes to the bad...." Read more

"...they've just met against their family member/best friend was completely unbelievable, particularly as the reader sees none of the charm of this man,..." Read more

"...'s almost identical similarities to Nicci French's Secret Smile smacks of plagiarism and I'm surprised no one else has commented on this...." Read more

Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • Sarah H.
    5.0 out of 5 stars A brilliant psychological thriller that will really get the adrenalin flowing.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 2 December 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Behind a Twisted Smile is the second book in the Dark Mind series. There is no need to have read the first one as they are both stand alone novels, though after reading this one I am pretty certain you will want to read Devil's Brae which is the first.

    I have to say Faith really got the adrenalin coursing through me with this book. I'm not a violent person but by heck did I want to give quite a few characters a really good slap for being so blind.

    Moya is a very independent lady and after catching her new boyfriend Martyn snooping on her computer she has no problem in sending him packing. Moya thinks she has seen the last of him until her older sister Evie introduces her new boyfriend to her.

    From this point on, Moyas whole life just spirals downwards. Martyn very quickly wins all her family and friends round so that he has everyone believing that Moya is taking the break up badly and it is him that ended it with her.

    Martyn is one character that the reader will dislike from the start and to be honest by the end I just felt pure hatred for the horrible man that he really is.

    It was so frustrating as only the reader and Moya could see Martyn for who he really is and I often had to stop myself from screaming and shouting at my kindle at the injustice that Moyas friends and family were showing her.

    Behind a Twisted Smile is one seriously twisted read. I honestly thought I had found all my favourite reads from this year but this one has just jumped right up there with the others.

    If you love psychological thrillers this is one that is an absolute must read.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Jessica P
    4.0 out of 5 stars 4.5 stars
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 1 March 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Really gripping, exciting and a book you just want to shout 'listen to her!' From the first chapter i loved it. The end was a slightly bit predictable but still an excellent page turner. Read this in 2 days!!
    One person found this helpful
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  • elliebee
    3.0 out of 5 stars Parts of this story are quite good and I did want to keep turning the pages ...
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 3 May 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Parts of this story are quite good and I did want to keep turning the pages to find out what happens next, but it became more and more over the top and to me, unbelievable. I really don't believe the police would not investigate a series of coincidences more thoroughly and the ending just wasn't feasible.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Xiana
    5.0 out of 5 stars Sends shivers down your spine!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 14 December 2015
    Verified Purchase
    We have all probably at some time in our lives had contact with a sociopath, this book is a chilling portrayal of a man who to anyone who opens their eyes is a cynical user and abuser for financial gain at the lower end of the scale and a clever emotional manipulator and serial killer at the other. Very clever and manipulating to the vulnerable who want to see good in people, and close their eyes to the bad. The moral of the story is, if t seems to good to be true, it usually is. Add in the sexual dynamic and a man who says just what women want to hear and you have dynamite!
    I found this book to be entertaining yet horrifying and could not put it down, the pressure builds as the victims fall one after the other but still nobody believes the one woman with eyes to see, the complexities of this man I cannot do justice to here, but it is an excellent read.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Mavee
    2.0 out of 5 stars A good read yes but a lot of what ifs
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 5 April 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Why didn't the police do their job they ignored the fact Martin had lost three wives in a very short space of time . Should all be sacked ?
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Review 85
    1.0 out of 5 stars Poor
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 12 July 2015
    Verified Purchase
    This book is reasonably well written, and the concept good. It was ruined by a complete lack of realism in the behaviour and reactions of the characters. No one is sufficiently charismatic that woman after woman falls for him in record time, despite the suspicious demise of her predecessor. Though of course, only our heroine is suspicious, with even the police not noticing a pattern emerging after the third dead spouse. This was frankly ridiculous; as was their missing of the most obvious of clues, and inability to tell suicide from murder. But in fairness, detective 'call me Gary' didn't know the murderer was a cyclist! Oh well then.....! Laughable. The unanimous decision by friends and family to side with someone they've just met against their family member/best friend was completely unbelievable, particularly as the reader sees none of the charm of this man, who seems to do nothing but make snide remarks and ask people for money. There is no twist, just a rushed ending that stretches credulity even further. This book feels like it's author just sat and wrote, with no research, and no thought to the characters beyond the actions needed to drive the plot forward. It could have been so much better if handled more subtly, with less characters repeating the same 'fall for Martin and meet a bad end' cycle. The Moya/Evie story alone, developed slowly, would have been enough. Finally, the Caribbean scene, pointless and ridiculous. I think the book lost me at this point.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • MazLee
    4.0 out of 5 stars Nail-biting read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 27 January 2015
    Verified Purchase
    FOUR AND A HALF STARS - This is a real page-turner and edge of your seat thriller. I won't go into the plot but suffice to say that you will be literally shouting at some if the characters in the book because you want to shake them. I got into the book from the very first page - thoroughly recommend
    One person found this helpful
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  • Susan Hampson
    5.0 out of 5 stars A great book to read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 5 August 2015
    Verified Purchase
    This is a very well structured book that grips you from the very first chapter and then continues to build to a climatic high five ending. This story takes the stalker to a new level. Martyn, being rejected by Moya after a brief relationship, goes on a mission to destroy the people in her life. Death seems to go hand in hand with the charming, charismatic Martyn as well as all his victims money and property.
    The character of Moya was very well written. The little things you would let go to keep the peace with the family and belief that people would see through Martyn. Martyn soon uses others emotions and sympathy to become the victim of tragedy as he continues to drive a wedge between Moya, her family and friends.
    When no one believes Moya there is only one option left.
    This book is a great psychological thriller. I will definitely be reading more books by Faith.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
  • Diana M. Hockley
    5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant and creepy
    Reviewed in the United States on 24 November 2014
    Verified Purchase
    It takes a lot to scare me, but by crikey, this one did!

    I refuse to give spoiler as the synopsis is perfectly clear on the outline of the plot. I read that with relish, thinking I would get a good thriller and anticipating just that.

    I didn't!

    What I got was a hair-raiser extraordinaire, a story which literally made my heart beat faster. I was so worried about the main character, Moya, and what Martyn would do next, that I wanted to skip the pages to the end to find out what happened. Well, I restrained myself - with effort - and went on the creepy ride which Faith Mortimer so skilfully and lovingly (I'm sure!) laid out for me to follow.

    The characterisations and situations were well presented and perfectly plausible when a charming and seemingly sincere man outfoxes and shmoozes his way into a family. Women whose charming husbands practice infidelity pretty much as a profession would attest to the disbelief which accompanies the first inkling that he's not what he seems. Likewise in this family. I wanted to scream at Moya's sister, mother and friends to wake up, but of course they thought "poor" Martyn was hot stuff.

    Let's hope the male manipulators and liars in our society are not all as dedicated in their ambition as Martyn!

    A brilliant thriller, I loved it and would recommend it to readers who like to be scared out of their wits!
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  • Beatrice Liesner
    1.0 out of 5 stars psychologisch extrem schwach
    Reviewed in Germany on 16 June 2019
    Verified Purchase
    und sonst auch sehr unplausibel.
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  • JerseyJune
    4.0 out of 5 stars This was good, but at times aggravating
    Reviewed in the United States on 18 March 2015
    Verified Purchase
    This was good, but at times aggravating, as the "bad guy" kept getting away with things, including murder, and Moya was not
    persistent in foiling his plans or convincing enough to her friends and family how evil this man was. But it was a good plot,
    interesting and great that the evil man gets his due.
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  • Lil Angels
    3.0 out of 5 stars Tough read
    Reviewed in the United States on 17 March 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Slow and repetitive. Moya proved to be very gullible and not very smart. She could have saved many lives if she was more persistent with her beliefs. Very hard to finish.
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  • MikiHope
    5.0 out of 5 stars Behind a Twisted Smile is a psychological suspense thriller that you won't want to miss reading-spine chilling!!
    Reviewed in the United States on 19 October 2015
    Verified Purchase
    I had previously read two of Faith Mortimer's books in the Diana River's Mystery series and really enjoyed them-Book#3 The Surgeon's Blade and Book#7 A Brutal Trade. I will be reading the rest in that series but this one caught my eye!

    Moya dumps Martyn after a couple of weeks-but somehow it all gets twisted and Moya is made out to be the bad one when Martyn somehow ends up dating Moya's older sister-then her friend's younger sister. Close family and friends of Moya's start dying and Moya knows in her heart who did it. But how can she convince others when the killer is so kind and considerate to everyone. Martyn is a true psychopath and only Moya can see through him. Can Moya somehow prove her case and can Martyn get his just deserts? I think he did! But you will never guess how unless you read this novel!

    Behind a Twisted Smile is a psychological suspense thriller that you won't want to miss reading. I just finished it and there are chills running up and down my spine. The thought that this was based on a true life scenario makes it even more chilling.
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