No Way Out (Josie Chapman #2) by Max Connor; Neil Lancaster

Description from Goodreads:

"For her latest mission, British Intelligence operative Josie Chapman lands in California. Beneath the sun-soaked boulevards and rolling hills lurks a sprawling network of organised crime.

Posing as a climbing instructor, Josie infiltrates the operation and uncovers the staggering extent of its power and corruption. At its core is Franco Tondino, ruthless crime boss known as ‘The Director’, whose influence snakes through every level of authority, from local police to high-ranking officials.

How much is Josie willing to sacrifice to outwit a criminal empire that stops at nothing to protect its secrets? While failure means certain ruin, success could come at a devastating cost…"

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An absolute cracker of a thriller

I absolutely love reading Neil Lancaster's Max Craigie series, so when I saw that this one was written under his pseudonym of Max Connor, there was no way I was going to miss out. Once again, he really doesn't disappoint.

I actually haven't read the first book in this Josie Chapman series – I'm really not sure how or why that managed to pass me by – but I don't think it affected my enjoyment or understanding of this one at all. It works perfectly well as a standalone, though it has definitely made me want to go back and grab the first one.

Josie is a brilliant main character and I took to her straight away. She's incredibly well-drawn, stubborn and easy to root for. She's brave but reckless meaning some of the decisions she makes are questionable but I like her.  The rest of the cast are just as good, with fantastic dynamics and I'm really looking forward to getting to know them all a bit more as the series progresses.

The plot itself is quite a disturbing story, dealing with some heavy themes, but unfortunately it's an all too familiar one in this day and age. It's handled really well, with loads action and tension. I was completely hooked from the start and couldn't put it down.

I loved it and I already can't wait for the next instalment. I can easily see this becoming just as good a series as the Max Craigie books. If you enjoy a gritty, fast-paced thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat, you'll definitely want to add this to your list. 

A huge thank you to the author, HQ and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this excellent book.

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Exit by Belinda Bauer

Description from Goodreads:

"IT WAS NEVER SUPPOSED TO BE MURDER ...Pensioner Felix Pink is about to find out that it’s never too late ... for life to go horribly wrong.

When Felix lets himself in to Number 3 Black Lane, he’s there to perform an act of kindness and charity: to keep a dying man company as he takes his final breath ... But just fifteen minutes later Felix is on the run from the police – after making the biggest mistake of his life.

Now his routine world is turned upside down as he tries to discover what went wrong, while staying one step ahead of the law."

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A quirky and surprisingly heart-warming mystery

It’s such a good feeling to finally clear some space on my Kindle! I’ve had this one sitting in my to-be-read collection gathering way too much dust since 2021, but I’m really glad I finally made the time for it. Exit is such an unusual and refreshing take on a crime novel.

The story follows Felix, a seventy-five-year-old man who belongs to a group called the Exiteers, who sit with terminally ill people to make sure they aren't alone when they pass away. Things go horribly wrong during one of his visits, and suddenly Felix is on the run, convinced he’s committed a crime. It sounds quite dark, but it’s actually surprisingly funny and very moving in places.

I absolutely loved Felix as a character. He’s so well-drawn and endearing, and his perspective on the world brought a lot of heart to the story. The mystery itself is clever, but what really kept me reading was the mix of quirky humour and the more poignant moments. It’s not your typical gritty thriller, which I found really refreshing.

The only reason it’s not a full five stars for me is that the middle part of the book felt a little bit drawn out, and there were a couple of subplots that didn't feel quite as tight as the main story. However, it’s a very clever, compassionate and entertaining read that I’d definitely recommend if you want a mystery with a bit of a difference. 

Many thanks to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts.

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Burning Secrets by Michelle Dunne

Description from Publisher:

"There was no point in telling them about the others. Not when it was already too late. Or at least, it would be by the time they found them.

The world discounted Sadie Kingston years ago, right around the time her parents died. They think she’s crazy, but actually, she’s one of the chosen few.

Sadie can see peoples’ demons you see. They glow in different colours, all around the person they torment. Some are mild and sad – teal, green, yellow – while others are filled with rage and pain – red. Always red.

But as Sadie tries to survive in a world that won’t listen, she knows there will come a time when she’ll be forced to act. If the people around her won’t wake up and see what’s happening under their noses, then it will fall to her to show them the truth…"

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A slow burn that didn't quite catch fire

I was really looking forward to sinking my teeth into this one because I read The Good Girl by Michelle Dunne earlier this year and absolutely loved it. That book had me completely hooked from the start, so I had high hopes for Burning Secrets. Sadly, it just didn't grip me in the same way and it felt like a bit of a struggle to get through at times.

The premise sounded brilliant and there is no denying that the author knows how to set a dark, atmospheric scene. It starts off with plenty of promise, but the pacing just felt far too slow for my liking. I kept waiting for that big spark to kick things into high gear but the tension seemed to fizzle out rather than build up.

I think part of the issue for me was that I struggled to really connect with the characters. When a thriller relies heavily on secrets and lies, you need to feel invested in the people keeping them, but I just found myself feeling a bit detached from it all. It is definitely a slow burn, which I know lots of readers enjoy, but I prefer a plot that moves at a slightly nippier pace.

It is by no means a bad book and the writing itself is very good, but after enjoying her previous work so much, this one was a bit of a let-down for me. If you prefer psychological thrillers that take their time unfolding, then this might be right up your street, but it just wasn't quite my cup of tea.

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

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Macbeth by Jo Nesbo

Description from Goodreads:

"Set in a dark, rainy northern town, Nesbo's Macbeth pits the ambitions of a corrupt policeman against loyal colleagues, a drug-depraved underworld and the pull of childhood friendships."

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A gritty take on a classic

I've had this book sitting on my to-be-read pile since 2018 and I'm slowly, slowly getting through it! This is part of the Hogarth Shakespeare series where modern authors re-imagine the classics, and Jo Nesbo’s choice of Macbeth felt like a perfect match for his usual dark, noir style.

The setting is a rain-soaked, crumbling industrial town in the 1970's which really works for the atmosphere. Instead of kings and thistles, we've got corrupt police forces, drug lords and SWAT teams. Macbeth himself is the head of a tactical unit and Lady is a casino owner. It's definitely a clever way to translate the original power struggles into a world of crime and addiction.

However, I found it a bit of a slog in places. At over 500 pages, it feels far too long for the story it's trying to tell. While I liked the gritty vibe, the pacing often dipped and I found myself losing interest during some of the more drawn-out descriptions. It captures the "darkness" well, but it doesn't quite have the emotional punch or tight suspense I was expecting.

It’s a decent enough read if you’re a fan of the author or if you're interested in Shakespearean re-tellings, but it didn't quite blow me away. It does what it says on the tin - a dark, rainy crime thriller - but it lacks that special something to make it truly memorable for me.

Huge thanks to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this book.

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The Girl with Two Names by Imogen Matthews

Description from Goodreads:

"She smooths her light blue coat with trembling hands as a man approaches. ‘Felix?’ he says, and she nods. ‘We weren’t expecting a girl.’ He smiles, but panic grips her throat at what he says next. ‘Whoever you are, you’ve been betrayed…’

1943, Nazi-occupied Holland. Turning up her collar against the wind, Trix prepares for her rendezvous. Hidden in the bottom of her bag are coded instructions from the British Special Operations Executive and a silk handkerchief, secretly printed with a map of her next meeting point. She knows working for the Dutch resistance is dangerous, but she must put her past behind her and become someone new… someone brave.

Trix’s friends think she’s a secretary – they can never know the truth. Living a double life is desperately lonely, but the longer she goes under her alias, Felix, the more comfortable she becomes with this new version of one who will stand up for what is right, and fight for those who can’t. That is, until the warm brown eyes of a pilot from her past spark hope for a life after the war.

But when she’s ambushed and imprisoned by German soldiers posing as men from the Dutch resistance, Trix must lean on everything she’s learnt if she’s going to survive and grasp her chance at love. 

These soldiers see her as just a woman. But is that her greatest weapon? In war, often it’s those we underestimate the most who have the power to change everything…"

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An incredibly compelling story 

I've been a huge fan of Imogen Matthews for quite a while now, so I always look forward to diving into her historical fiction.  I knew I was in for something special and I wasn't disappointed.  This book is grounded heavily in facts and inspired by the remarkable true story of a real woman, which made the entire reading experience feel so much more poignant.

The story follows Trix, a former KLM flight attendant who decides she can't just sit back and accept the Nazi occupation. She joins the resistance as a courier and secretary before training in Britain with the Special Operations Executive, taking on the dangerous alias of Felix. It's an incredibly intense setup and knowing that Trix was a real person navigating these terrifying risks made it all the more gripping.  When she's ambushed by German soldiers posing as the resistance, the tension peaks and you genuinely feel the isolation and danger of her double life.

What really set this book apart for me was the sheer scope of Trix's journey and how much she had to endure. The second half of the book gets heavy as the story follows her through the horrors of Ravensbrück and Mauthausen concentration camps. It's a difficult read at times but the focus remains on the human spirit, showing how these women pulled together to survive. 

If you love well-researched World War Two fiction that shines a light on real-life bravery and the power of hope in the darkest places, you  need to add this to your list. It's a gripping, emotional and unforgettable tribute to an extraordinary woman.

Many thanks to the author, Bookouture and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this remarkable story.

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