The Lucky Winners by K.L. Slater

Description from Goodreads:

"You’ve won the house of your dreams. It’s about to become a nightmare…

When Merri and Dev buy a ticket on the last day of a national draw to win the house of their dreams, they never, in a million years, expect to win.

Less than a week later, they’re receiving the keys to their new Lake District mansion.

For Dev, it’s a dream come true – no more stressful rent negotiations, or waiting for the landlord to finally fix the damp. Of course he’s delighted to be interviewed about their good luck.

But Merri feels a little uneasy. Dev doesn’t realise there’s a reason she’s never wanted to put down roots, always trying to run away from the memories of what happened the day her little sister died.

At first it’s easy to think she’s imagining the shadowy figures in the lakefront garden. It’s silly to think that someone is watching her through the gorgeous floor-to-ceiling glass windows.

And then a body is found in the lake. And Merri’s new perfect life is about to come crashing down…"

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As a long-time reader of K.L. Slater, I've yet to be let down by one of her thrillers and this one was no exception. 

The plot focuses on Merri and Dev, a couple struggling to make ends meet in their rented semi in Nottingham. A lottery ticket changes everything, landing them their dream house and a huge bank balance. They quit their jobs and move into their new home but soon find that their luck may have run out. As things start to go wrong, they are forced to wonder how lucky they really are.

With well-developed characters (some more likeable than others!), short, punchy chapters and plenty of tension, this is a great thriller that had me hooked from start to finish. I highly recommend it.

Many thanks to the author, Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this great thriller.

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The Final Vow (Washington Poe #7) by M.W. Craven

Description from Goodreads:

"An invisible killer with a 100% success rate. No one is safe. Not even those closest to Washington Poe . . .

A shooting at Gretna Green. A bride is murdered on her wedding day, seconds after she slips on her new ring. It's brutal and bloody but she isn't the first victim and she won't be the last. With the body count now at 17, people are terrified, not knowing where the sniper will strike next.

With the nation in a state of panic, the police are at a loss and turn to Washington Poe and Tilly Bradshaw - the only team who just might be able to track down a serial killer following no discernible pattern and with the whole country as his personal hunting ground. Can Poe and Tilly stop an unstoppable assassin, who never misses his mark and never makes a mistake? Or will he find them before they find him..."

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Mr Craven certainly knows how to pull you in and keep you there until the end; that has got to be the best start to a book I have read and I would have read this in one sitting had it not been for work getting in the way!  What a book!

Yes, this is the seventh in the series and yes, they keep getting better and better and yes, this works as a standalone but the impact is likely to be less if you haven't read any of the others so I would urge you to seek them out and get reading however, make sure you don't have a life for a few weeks as you won't want to put them down!

There are going to be no spoilers from me about the plot or any of the events that happen in the book but what I will say is that it's just brilliant 😊  The pace is fast, the tension is palpable, there's humour (some of it black) that made me laugh out loud, it's emotional and, at times, I found myself holding my breath and reading so fast my brain couldn't keep up with my eyes.  The cast of characters is just excellent; Washington is a breath of fresh air, he is a bit grumpy but likeable nonetheless and someone you definitely want to be on your side.  I absolutely adore Tilly; she's sweet and innocent but tells it like it is with no holds barred - I need her in my life and would love her to spend just one day in my office - oh the carnage! 

Well you've probably already guessed that I enjoyed this book but just in case I haven't been clear ... it is absolutely brilliant and is one of those books/series that you tell people to read because it's that good.

Thank you so much to the author, Little, Brown Book Group UK and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this brilliant (have I already said that once or twice?!?) book and I can't wait to see what the future holds for Washington and Poe.

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Kill Code (Wolf Six #2) by Alex Shaw

Description from Goodreads:

"Taking a life isn't hard, when you've already given your own.

Ruslan Akulov, the legendary Ukrainian assassin known as Wolf Six, wakes to find the plane he’s on plummeting, and with no real memory of how he got there…

Surviving the crash, only to be detained by a small-town sheriff and accused of two murders, that for once he didn’t commit, Akulov must piece together the fragments of his concussed memory to understand how his last mission in Canada as a black asset for the CIA went so catastrophically wrong.

Yet far darker forces are hunting him. A growing number of relentless adversaries including Triads baying for his blood, and the mysterious organisation known only as the ‘Syndicate’, determined to keep the truth buried.

With danger closing in, Akulov is alone on a sea of deceit and betrayal, and when Martin Basson, Akulov’s former colleague turned nemesis, enters the fray, Wolf Six is forced to fight his darkest fears, and the trained French assassin hell bent on destroying him."

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I haven't read anything by Alex Shaw before and am disappointed that I didn't read the first in this series, Wolf Six, but that in no way affected how much I enjoyed this, the second in the series which I loved.

I admit to struggling to get into it at first due to the chopping and changing of time lines however, once I overcame that and got used to the writing style, I was on the edge of my seat ... it's engaging, exciting, thrilling, fast-paced and totally entertaining.  Ruslan Akulov (aka Wolf Six) is a brilliant character and I was completely drawn into his story and can't wait to read the next instalment.

If you like Jason Bourne, you will love this and with plenty of action, violence and scenes of peril; this is a book that didn't disappoint.

Many thanks to the author, Boldwood Books and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this action-packed book.

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Kill Them With Kindness by Will Carver [Audiobook]

Description from Goodreads:

"The threat of nuclear war is no longer scary. This is much worse. It's invisible. It works quickly. And it's coming.

The scourge has already infected and killed half the population in China and it is heading towards the UK. There is no time to escape. The British government sees no way out other than to distribute 'Dignity Pills' to its citizens – one last night with family or loved ones before going to sleep forever … together.

Dr Haruto Ikeda, a Japanese scientist working at a Chinese research facility, wants to save the world. He has discovered a way to mutate a virus. Instead of making people sick, instead of causing death, it's going to make them ... nice. Instead of attacking the lungs, it will work into the brain and increase the host's ability to feel and show compassion. It will make people kind.

But governments don't want a population in agreement. They want conflict and outrage and fear. Reasonable people are harder to control.

Ikeda's quest is thoughtful and noble, and it just might work. Maybe humanity can be saved. Maybe it doesn't have to be the end."

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I have listened to one of Mr Carver's previous audiobooks, Good Samaritans, and absolutely loved it, in fact it was one of the best audiobooks I had listened to in 2023 so when the chance came up to listen to another of his books, I jumped at the chance.  Alas, this just didn't do it for me this time.

The narration was ok but I just found the story very dry which came across in the narration unfortunately.  There seemed to be too many facts that made it feel more like a non-fiction book that was about a pandemic; conspiracy theories and all.  The chapters were short but the characters just didn't resonate with me in any way, shape or form.  

It's a shame because I like Mr Carver's work however, this one just didn't grab me at all and whilst I think I will be in the minority with this one, it will appeal to some.

I am disappointed I didn't enjoy this but it certainly won't put off looking out for more of Mr Carver's work and I must thank him, Bolinda Audio and NetGalley for enabling me to listen to and share my thoughts of this book.

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How to Slay at Christmas by Sarah Bonner

✴✴✴ Publication date 07-August-2025 ✴✴✴

Description from Goodreads:

"Jessica Williams loves the food, the drink, the fairy lights, the opportunities to take out all the miserable people who ruin the festive season for others. And what better cover for her murderous intentions than taking a job as Mrs Claus at the Ellsbury Christmas Market grotto? After all, who would possibly think Mrs Claus could stab a man through the eye with a Phillips-head screwdriver?

Fearne Dixon hates Christmas. As the long-suffering wife of the Ellsbury Christmas Market’s manager, she’s sick to the back teeth of it and it’s still only November. But then the bodies start piling up, an old rival arrives back in her life, and Fearne reaches breaking point.

When the lives of the two women collide, who will end up on the Naughty List?"

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I absolutely loved this book; yes it might be a little implausible but I thoroughly enjoyed it nonetheless and it's a great, deliciously dark and really quite amusing story.

It's got everything you could want ... murder, serial killer, strong female characters, cute animals, friendship, a bit of romance, drama, tension, dark humour and, of course, Christmas with all the trimmings.

It's well written, fast paced and a perfect quick read and, as I said, I thoroughly enjoyed it and would definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys something a little different.

Thank you to the author, Boldwood Books and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this festive book that's not just for Christmas 😊

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