Suckers: A Horror Novel by Z. Rider - Thoroughly engrossing

"Mixing recent apocalyptic and zombie stories with classic vampire legends, Rider has come up with a daring and eminently readable new take on both."—Publishers Weekly

When worn-out musicians Dan Ferry and Ray Ford decide to take a shortcut back to the hotel, they pick the wrong dark alley to go down. Attacked by something neither can identify, they think they’re lucky to get out with their lives. But their lives aren’t all they get out with…

As an infection takes hold of Dan, a cramped tour bus becomes a dangerous place to be trapped. And when the infection spreads across the country, nowhere—and no one—is safe from the Suckers.

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This is not only a pretty good horror novel but an excellently written story about friendship.

The main players in this book are extremely well developed and their different characters explored well. The story builds from the start and ends up being a thoroughly engrossing read. The characters are believable and act accordingly - they do things in situations that I would see myself doing which makes the book even more enjoyable. The Suckers are great creatures and the way their “birth” was described was a really well done “wow” moment and left me feeling quite nauseous - I love it when that happens!

The only little gripe I have, in what is a great story, is I would have liked a bit more interaction and perilous scenes with the “infected” - this is the only thing I think the book missed out on and would have taken it from a great read to a fantastic one.

Overall, a very enjoyable read that I would recommend to anyone who enjoys this particular genre and I would like to thank www.netgalley.com and the publisher, Dark Ride Publishing, for providing me with a copy in return for a review.

Autobiography of an Assassin

Autobiography of an Assassin: Part One, The Here and Now

by M. T. Hallgarth

Beneath a seemingly pleasant and unpretentious façade lurks a ruthless predator...

A narcissistic sociopath!

Martin has an unusual life – he works as an assassin, having killed his first victim when he had only just turned sixteen. After fleeing to Belgium, he finds himself recruited by a mercenary organisation, more commonly known as ‘La Légion’. Given a new identity, Martin is taken to Morocco to undergo extensive training... training that is frequently brutal and bestial.

In Vietnam, Martin is recruited into ‘Section 9’, a covert organisation with the British Secret Intelligence Service. Upon discovering they want Martin to become an assassin, fate intervenes. On arriving back in London, he discovers feelings and emotions that he’s never experienced before – love and affection.

But nothing lasts forever...

When tragedy strikes, an assassin is truly born and overnight, Martin becomes a ruthless, heartless killer.

Inspired by authors such as Thomas Harris and Jeff Long, the author explains, “I felt the story of Martin and Autobiography of an Assassin was one that had been with me for many years. After retiring, I found I had to the time to write and share it.” Written as an autobiography of a fictional character, Autobiography of an Assassin is a fast-paced and thrilling read.

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I really don't like giving up on a book and I try my hardest to plod on but I just couldn't do it with this one. I was unable to get into it at all and I found it boring and over descriptive - I skipped about 6 chapters to do with guns ... I don't really care whether a certain gun is to the left, right, above or below another gun! There were snippets of interesting bits when the author provided some insight into the jobs he did but, within the first 20-odd chapters, these were few and far between.

The blurb says it's "a fast-paced and thrilling read" - not for me; it may have got better but I just couldn’t get beyond about chapter 30.

As I said, I don't like giving up so if I have nothing else to read, I may go back to it but, to be honest, can't see this happening any time soon.

Thanks to www.netgalley.com and the publisher, Troubador Publishing Ltd, for the copy in return for an honest review.

The Kill by Jane Casey

The Kill (Maeve Kerrigan #5)

by Jane Casey

Maeve Kerrigan is used to investigating murders. But this time a killer has struck far too close to home...

When a police officer is found shot dead in his car, DC Maeve Kerrigan and DI Josh Derwent take on the investigation. But nothing about the case prepares them for what happens next: a second policeman dies . . . and then another . . .

The Metropolitan Police struggle to carry out their usual duties, but no one knows where or how this cop killer will strike again. While London disintegrates into lawlessness Maeve's world starts to fall apart too. For if the police can't keep themselves safe, how can they protect anyone else?

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I received a copy of this book from the Dead Good Crime Book Group on www.goodreads.com and I want to thank them, once again, for introducing me to another new author that I may never have found.

I haven't read any of the preceding books in this series so started reading with no background or information on any of the characters at all.  In hindsight, I think it would have been better to have that knowledge as I did find myself wondering where some of the characters were coming from.  Having said that though, I thought it was well written with engaging and complex characters.  The storyline was great, delivered with good pace and with interesting twists.  I like the relationships between the various characters and despite Derwent being a chauvinistic pig, he was the cause of an internal battle I had with myself - one minute I liked him, the next he was a total [insert appropriate swear word].  Derwent was also the one who made me laugh out loud by his ludicrous statements and the situation he found himself in towards the end of the book.

Overall, a good read but one that would probably have been much better had I read previous books in the series.

Adrift - intense, thrilling and full of suspense

Adrift

by K.R. Griffiths

For artist Dan Bellamy and his new bride Elaine, a trip on the world's biggest, newest cruise ship represents more than just the honeymoon of a lifetime: it is also a celebration of the progress Dan has made toward beating the agoraphobia that has plagued him since he suffered a horrific knife attack two years earlier.

The ship is a perfect floating paradise, but when Dan spots what he thinks is a body being thrown overboard, he begins to suspect that not everybody aboard the Oceanus is there for a vacation.

Soon, Dan will discover that there are some things worse than murder, and the body he saw is just the beginning. Because something is coming for the passengers on the Oceanus.

Something that isn't supposed to exist...

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I received a copy of this book direct from the author in return for an honest review and I want to thank him for this.

This is the second book I have read by K R Griffiths author, the first one being “Survivor” (http://haziegaze.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/my-review-of-survivor-horror-thriller.html), and the second one by him that I have thoroughly enjoyed.

What a story from start to finish … intense, thrilling, full of suspense, great characters, excellent twist on the “monsters” and an imaginative setting. The main character, Dan, was developed in such a way that I was really rooting for him. He had the perfect mix of vulnerability and bravery going from unsuspecting victim to unsuspecting hero. The supporting cast were equally interesting and enhanced the whole thing.

I can see this story being developed into a series and if it is written half as well as this one, it will be just as good.

If you like a good horror/thriller, then give K R Griffiths a try ... you won't be disappointed.

An OK Début: The Boathouse by R.J. Harries

Book description:

A criminologist seeks revenge for his journalist girlfriend’s murder.
A property tycoon’s wife is kidnapped for an ever-increasing ransom.
Sean Archer must find the Boathouse to solve these seemingly unrelated cases.
But the Boathouse is an off-grid torture facility operated by black-ops mercenaries.

Sean Archer is a self-taught criminologist and profiler who has been obsessed with crime since his parents were found dead when he was fourteen. A computer savant who has developed digital profiling tools that the police have come to depend on, Sean has acquired a reputation for being able to solve crimes that no one else can. But when his own girlfriend, Alex, is brutally murdered while researching an off-grid torture facility called The Boathouse, his brilliant inventions are of no use. Alex has left little for Sean to go on – only a list of names. Then Peter Sinclair, a property billionaire, contacts Sean for help. His wife, Becky, has been kidnapped and will be killed if he goes to the police or doesn’t follow instructions. Sean agrees to help. Not because he wants the case, but because Peter Sinclair was on Alex’s list. When Sean tracks Becky down, she leads him right where he wants to go. Or so he thinks. As he climbs over the wall of the Boathouse, he’s sure he’s just one step from finding Alex’s killers. But Sean is utterly unprepared for this crime and this place. The Boathouse is more heinous, more sinister than anything Sean has ever imagined.

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Pretty good storyline with an interesting cast of characters. Good pace and flow throughout but particularly towards the end.

Lots of detail and description which, at the beginning, seemed a bit too much but was something that was appreciated as the story went on as it put you right at the heart of the action and enabled vivid pictures to grow and develop as you read on.

I would have liked to have been given more background into the main characters, especially Archer. This would have been helpful and would have enhanced my reading experience but as it was, I felt like I'd been thrown into the action without much information or "meat on the bones". To me, this made it come across as though it was the second book in a series and I actually had to check to make sure it wasn't.

Overall though an OK début and opener to a series - if that is the intention - and I would recommend to anyone who enjoys a book with action and tension but be prepared to be a little lost at times.

Thank you to www.netgalley.com and Troubador Publishing Ltd for the copy in return for an honest review.

Stay Alive by Simon Kernick - enjoyable and engrossing with guaranteed action

ONE WITNESS

You’re on a trip with your family, miles from anywhere. A shot rings out – and your whole life changes in an instant.

ONE SECRET

A woman is racing towards you, chased by three gunmen. Although you don’t know it, she harbours a deadly secret. She’s in terrible danger. And now you are too.

NO ESCAPE

You’re running, terrified, desperate to find safety.

You know that the men hunting you have killed before.

And if they catch you, you’ll be next …

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I must admit that I am a huge Simon Kernick fan. I discovered him by accident when browsing at my local library and he fast became one of my favourite authors. I was lucky enough to receive a copy of this book from the publisher via www.netgalley.com in return for an honest and unbiased review.

To those who have read other novels by this author, Stay Alive sees a return of some familiar characters. For those who haven’t, where have you been? Stay Alive sends you on a roller-coaster ride of twists and turns, murder and mayhem from the very start and although the plot is not as complex as some of Simon’s other novels, it keeps you on your toes and provides you with those “doh” moments when you realise the clues have been drip-fed throughout the story but only come together at the end.

Some reviews I have read say that it is unbelievable - it’s not a non-fiction book people, it doesn't necessarily have to be believable to make it an enjoyable and engrossing read with guaranteed action delivered at breakneck speed.

Review - short story - Swamp Bones by Kathy Reichs

Swamp Bones: A Temperance Brennan Short Story

(Temperance Brennan #16.5)

by Kathy Reichs

A new, exclusive straight-to-digital Temperance Brennan short story from Kathy Reichs, world leading forensic anthropologist and No.1 bestselling author of Deja Dead, Bones Are Forever and Bones of the Lost.

Forensic anthropologist Dr Temperance Brennan has just arrived in Florida's Everglades for a much-needed break when she is unwittingly thrown into the middle of a deadly case with its roots in the darkest depths of the swamp.

Swamp Bones also gives readers the first chance to read the opening chapters of Kathy’s highly anticipated new Temperance Brennan novel, Bones Never Lie, out in September.

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I received a free copy of this short story from www.netgalley.com and the publisher, Randomhouse UK, Cornerstone and I wish to thank them for this.

I am only a little familiar with Temperance Brennan having read only one of the previous books - funnily enough, it's the one that's mentioned in this story - "the case of a body found in a barrel of asphalt at the Charlotte Motor Speedway" but it was a few years ago and I can't remember what it's called but I must have enjoyed it otherwise I wouldn't have remembered it!

Anyway, this short story will only take a couple of hours to read but it packs a lot in and not only is it entertaining but it's educational too - I learnt a lot about pythons!  The descriptions of the setting made me feel that I was there - my hair even went frizzy!  The characters, not only Temperance herself, but the "extras" were developed just enough to add to the overall interest and made me want to read more.

I enjoyed it.  It was well written, had good pace and tension and a twist ... what more do you want from a story even one that is as short as this.

Book Review: Dead Man Walking by Paul Finch

Dead Man Walking (DS Heckenburg #4)

by Paul Finch

"Beware the stranger in the night…

Consigned to a remote valley in the Lake District, DS Mark ‘Heck’ Heckenburg is getting used to a quieter life – a far cry from the bloodbath of his former division, the Serial Crimes Unit. But wherever Heck goes, trouble is never far behind.

Unknown to Heck, ‘The Stranger’ has returned. Last seen on Dartmoor ten years earlier, this prolific serial killer has found a new home. As a dense, frozen mist descends on the Lakes, The Stranger returns to his old ways, starting with two young women lost high on the hills. Only one girl is ever found – barely alive – but able to confirm Heck’s worst fears.

As The Stranger lays siege to the remote community, Heck helplessly watches as the killer plays his cruel game, letting off his trademark call before viciously picking off his victims.

And with no way to get word out of the valley, Heck has no choice but to play ball…"

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This is the fourth outing for the main character, DS Mark “Heck” Heckenberg. Despite not having read any of the previous ones, it didn't matter as the author was adept at developing the characters and giving them real depth and bringing them to life and I don’t feel I lost out at all not having read any of the others.

The story is set in a small hamlet within the fells of the Lake District in Cumbria. I live close to the area in which it is set - actually only 6 miles from Great Langdale, 5 miles from Chapel Stile and 3 miles from Skelwith Bridge - and I have to say that the author definitely captures the essence of the area perfectly; the beauty but also the solitude. The lack of a mobile signal is very accurate and one which many won’t believe is true - it most definitely is and you don’t even have to be in the middle of a fell!

The main story begins when two young ladies get lost on the fell - inappropriately dressed and with no real idea of what they are doing … again, very accurate as this happens almost on a weekly basis up here and definitely keeps the Mountain Rescue Teams busy! The story becomes more sinister and menacing as it goes on and the way the author used the fog to create more atmosphere, tension and a sense of bleakness was exceptional. Although the description of the murders was graphic and stomach churning, it only added to the overall feeling of the book - fast-paced, claustrophobic, exciting and, yes I know it’s corny, but difficult to put down.

It is obvious to me that the author did his research on the area well however, there were a few errors that I found (and can remember) but that’s only because I’m a local and they certainly didn’t detract at all from the overall story. The first being that the ambulance crew wouldn’t have taken Tara to Westmorland General Hospital in Kendal, they would have taken her to Barrow as Westmorland General doesn’t have an A&E and haven’t done emergency operations for several years. The second I’m not too sure about but I don’t think Windermere have a CID, they would have to come from Kendal but I may be wrong on that. The third is the B5284 road (known locally as the Crook Road) heads towards Bowness and not Windermere but now I’m being picky ;)

Overall, I really enjoyed this book made all the better by being set where I live but also that one of the main characters bears my name (Hazel) and she is brave and feisty too!

I would most definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a meaty, edge-of-the-seat thriller with blood and guts thrown in which is obviously well researched (mostly) and full of tension and disquiet.

Disclaimer: Thank you to www.netgalley.com and the publisher - HarperCollins UK, Avon - for sending me a copy in return for an honest review.

The Nightmare Dance: Guilt, Shame, Heroism and The Holocaust - Book Review

The Nightmare Dance
Guilt, Shame, Heroism and The Holocaust
by David Gilbertson

Description:

We all know the names of Adolf Hitler, Joseph Goebbels and Heinrich Himmler, but they weren’t the only people who played a key part in the Holocaust...

The Nightmare Dance by David Gilbertson tells the stories of 5 other individuals who were at the heart of these horrifying events. The accepted view is that the murder of at least 6 million Jews, and countless other Russians, Poles, gypsies, homosexuals, etc., was the result of a small band of madmen seizing control of an entire nation. The guilt or innocence of others is at best ignored and at worst denied.

Josef Blösche and Christian Wirth were psychotic killers, whose names are unknown to all but a handful of historians. One died a decorated war hero; the other was executed after being convicted before an East German court. Their crimes shaped millions of peoples’ fates. Stella Goldschlag, a young and beautiful German Jew, if she were alive today, would no doubt argue that she was as much a victim of the Holocaust as any Jew who ever passed through the gates of Auschwitz – but she would be lying. She willingly worked for the Gestapo and was responsible for the death of hundreds – perhaps thousands – of Jews.

Then there were the people who fought back: Janusz Korczak, whose life and hero’s death has ensured that he will always be seen by those who know his story as a secular saint. King Christian X of Denmark denied that his country had ‘a Jewish problem’. The actions of the King, and the Danish people, demonstrated the leadership and bravery of a nation pitted against an implacable enemy, as well as the unifying strength that comes from doing what is right.

The Nightmare Dance focuses on the people who have been forgotten, and how the Holocaust has largely – and wrongly – been confined to Germany, a few Germans and a short period in history. “Brought up as a Catholic, it was only in later life, following the death of my mother, that I discovered that I had Jewish roots and ancestry – a family secret concealed for many decades,”  comments David on the inspiration behind his book.

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Firstly, I would like to draw your attention to the cover of the book - the look on the little boy's face is haunting.  What threat is he? What happened to him? Who is the man behind the machine gun and why?  This book provides an explanation.

I don't think you could ever describe this book as enjoyable or a thrilling read because of the nature of its content, however it was well written and well researched although I am no expert.

I wouldn't say that I am fascinated by the horrors of The Holocaust but I am interested in how apparently "normal" people can end up committing such atrocities against fellow human beings and the reverse, how strangers put themselves at risk of certain death to protect others. This book gave good insight into both perspectives.

One gripe I have, and it's purely personal, is that there are a number of "big" and "complicated" words that are not in every day use which interrupted the flow for me at times. For example "on the basis of rival power-blocs and personal fiefdoms of byzantine complexity ...." what????? Why do this? I read it once, twice, three times to try and figure out what it meant but after that, I gave up and skipped it. I don't like having to have a dictionary with me when I read so having to skip sentences it a tad annoying but maybe it's just me and I'm a bit thick!

Would I recommend this to someone else? Yes - I know there are a lot of books out there that cover this very same subject BUT they are usually about the same people - as mentioned in the description.  So, if you are interested in reading about people not normally involved or highlighted in this context plus learn about some of the history behind the hatred of the Jews, then read this.

Thanks to www.netgalley.com and the publisher, Troubador Publishing Ltd for providing me with a copy in return for an honest review.

A good thriller with a bit of blood and gore thrown in for good measure.

The River Is Dark
by Joe Hart

In a small town along the Mississippi River, separate but nearly identical attacks have left two married couples brutally murdered in their homes. A young boy?the lone survivor of the killings?now lies comatose in the hospital. And the police's only lead is the boy's terrified description of the assailant: a ?monster.?

Enter former homicide detective Liam Dempsey, whose estranged brother fell victim to the killer. Dragged into the investigation as a suspect, Dempsey vows to solve the case and clear his name. But two things stand between him and the truth: a web of local politics, and the grim secrets the victims held close. All the while, a murderer with boundless hatred continues to raise the body count.

As the troubled ex-cop tries to pull justice from the town's emotional wreckage, he realizes that his could be the next life lost to the killer's ruthless, twisted plan for revenge.

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I am embarrassed to say that I have never read anything by Joe Hart before ... well, after this, I won't make the same mistake again and I am so pleased that I took a punt and requested a copy via www.netgalley.com and am grateful that the publisher, Thomas & Mercer, sent me a copy in return for an honest review.

I liked everything about it ... the story, the pace and style of writing, the sense of tension that grows in intensity, the characters, etc, etc ... it was great.

The beginning of the story hits you right in the face straight away and leaves you wanting to read on to find out what "the monster" is and why "it" has murdered in such a brutal way? The middle of the book develops the story and provides more background to the characters as well as introducing more interesting players but what links the murders and does it have anything to do with the proposed development over the river? The ending is fast and furious and even though I saw part of it coming, it still came as a bit of a surprise.

The main character, Liam, is excellent and, again, makes you want to read long into the night to find out more about him and why he is in the place he is. All the while, the story develops and pieces of the jigsaw start slotting together. The introduction of a bit of romance was well done, not too much and, I think, appropriate for the story and the development of the understanding of the characters of Liam and Dani.

I would recommend this story to anyone who enjoys a good thriller with a bit of blood and gore thrown in for good measure.

I also feel this has more mileage for prequels and sequels especially around Liam who is an extremely interesting character and I would definitely give them a go if they were to be developed ... hint hint Mr Hart ;)

Disappointed by Prime Deception by Carys Jones

"When Lorna Thomas is found dead in her car everyone believes she killed herself. But the day after her death Lorna was set to sell a scandalous story to one of Britain’s biggest tabloid papers. For six months she had been the Deputy Prime Minister’s mistress.

Will Lorna’s secret die with her? While her family try to move on and come to terms with her death one person refuses to believe that Lorna killed herself. Her twin sister, Laurie is convinced that Lorna was murdered and she’ll stop at nothing to prove it, even if that means teaming up the very man her sister had been having an affair with."

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I really don’t know what to say about this book to be honest! I thought I was going to be reading a good thriller but instead, it turned out to be an in-depth exploration of grief and guilt with a bit of thriller thrown in.

The story was interesting but could have been so much more than that; I felt there was way too much emphasis on the feelings of the main characters, which got boring quite quickly, and not enough development of the crime/thriller aspect of the story. The first third of the story was good, the second third was boring and the last third was when the tension developed but this was over very quickly.

The characters were interesting and well developed but I found they became annoying quite early. Charles (the Deputy Prime Minister) starts off ok and I did feel sorry for him in the beginning but this soon wears off and he ends up, to me, being creepy and unlikeable - he made me physically cringe at times. His wife, Elaine, was from the Victorian era and in a marriage of convenience over love - I liked her character but not as a person. I’m not a twin but I did empathise with Laurie and her quest to find out the truth about her sister’s death at all costs. John, the reporter, didn’t really get too much of a mention despite him being in the “blurb” of the book. The minor characters were great and I especially liked Faye and Arthur.

In its defence, it was well written and I particularly liked the way the author was able to write a situation from different perspectives in subsequent paragraphs however, there were a few typing errors that interrupted the flow of my reading.

Overall, I was left a little disappointed by this - it had so much promise but just didn’t deliver for me. Would I read something else by this author? Hmmm … not sure … it would have to have a great description to entice me.

I want to thank www.netgalley.com for providing me with a copy of this book for an unbiased review.

A pretty good opener to a Zombie series - Dead Islands by Tim Moon

Dead Islands: Necrose Series

Book One (Necrose #1)

by Tim Moon

Description:

Ben Chase and his friend Ty are fresh from teaching English in South Korea, and they’re on their way to experience the Big Island of Hawaii – but their vacation turns into a nightmare when two passengers unexpectedly die during their flight.

Desperate to recover their sense of excitement, they meet up with Ty’s friend Anuhea and her friend Charlotte, who Ben finds himself instantly attracted to. But their plans quickly unravel as a rampant infection hits the islands and they find themselves surrounded by flesh-eating monsters.

Law and order degenerates into a daring fight for survival, and Ben is faced with a critical decision that places the fate of his friends in his hands. And what he must do to save them is unthinkable…

Dead Islands will leave your skin crawling as you follow Ben and his friends’ terrifying encounter with the deadly Necrose-7A virus, and their desperate attempts to survive the doomed island paradise. 

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A pretty good opener to a series with enough action to “whet your appetite” so to speak and spark enough interest to read the next one to see how it all pans out and the story develops.

I thought the characters were interesting although seemed a bit “dim” and naive as to understanding and reacting to what was going on - particularly at the beginning - it was as if they had never seen or heard anything about zombies before … very strange!

The story, however, was well written with a good pace. I felt the sense of confusion and fear was put across really well and the descriptions of situations was excellent. I particularly enjoyed the airplane sequence but did feel it was a little downplayed; I expected more tension and panic which would have been more realistic in that particular scenario where there is no escape. This did however improve as the book moved on and things became a little more believable.

I admit that I haven’t read an awful lot of “zombie” books so don’t have a lot to compare against but I do watch these types of films/programmes and feel this stands up quite well and, as I said, is a pretty good opener and I am tempted to read the next book in the series.

I also love the cover.

I was lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time and be sent a copy of this eBook by the author in return for an honest review; this did not determine the outcome of my review.

Book Review - The Ninth Orphan by James and Lance Morcan

The Ninth Orphan (The Orphan Trilogy #1)

by James Morcan and Lance Morcan

"How do you catch a man who is never the same man twice?

That is the question posed in The Ninth Orphan, a top-rated international thriller novel and the first book in The Orphan Trilogy.

An orphan grows up to become an assassin for a highly secretive organization. When he tries to break free and live a normal life, he is hunted by his mentor and father figure, and by a female orphan he spent his childhood with. On the run, the mysterious man's life becomes entwined with his beautiful French-African hostage and a shocking past riddled with the darkest of conspiracies is revealed.

But can the ninth-born orphan ever get off the grid? To find out you'll need to go on a tumultuous journey around the globe to such far-flung locations as China, France, the Philippines, Andorra, America, England, Germany and French Polynesia. The frenetic cat-and-mouse chase moves from airports to train stations and hidden torture prisons, taking the reader on a shocking, nail-biting ride into the world's closet of skeletons that goes beyond conspiracy theories to painful reality."

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I received a copy of this eBook from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.

The story follows a man named "Nine" as he tries to free himself from the powerful and shady organisation whose ultimate goal is power and domination. The 9th out of 23 orphans, he is different and longs for a life of freedom but the quest is not so easy. Throw in the leaders of the clandestine organisation, another orphan (“seventeen”), the Chinese and a love interest together with locations around the world and you have a recipe for success. There were many twists, turns and sub-plots that keep things interesting throughout and those, added to a fast pace of writing results in a great, suspense-filled and thrilling read.

All the characters, both major and minor, were really well developed. There was a good mix of background history that helped in the understanding of the characters and their motivations.

I haven’t read the Bourne books but imagine that this would compare quite well with them if the films are anything to go by and this would make a great film.

I loved it and found it hard to put down. I read most of it in one day - I had a 2 ½ hour delay plus a 3 hour flight home from my holidays and the time went so quick as I was engrossed in this book; I was annoyed when I had to stop reading when interrupted by the people I was sitting next to (not my family I hasten to add) and the air stewardesses!

I would recommend to anyone who enjoys a great spy, conspiracy, action, etc, etc book and I would love to read the other books in the series.

Short story review - Killing Your Boss by James DeSantis

Killing Your Boss by James De Santis

"Have you ever had a terrible day at work? Nothing seems to go right and everybody is out to ruin your entire day? Also, add on the fact that your boss is breathing down your neck to get work done. You ever get the urge to maybe want to...kill someone? That's what Ben gets roped into as his best friend, Ron, forces him to join him on a nightly adventure to kill their boss. What seems like a joke at first quickly escalates and things aren't what they seem. The workers want a little revenge but what if the boss has plans of his own?

Check out a twisted horror filled story about one terrible night that is worse than anyone could have imagined. Death, torture, and more awaits in a short story created by James DeSantis. The end results promise to leave you feeling terrified."

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A quick but surprisingly good read.  I'm not sure how believable it is that someone would just decide to kill their boss and the girlfriend and best friend go along with it but if you can't push the boundaries of reality and common sense in a book then when can you?

It was well written with a few errors but nothing that detracted from the reading experience.  It has its fair share of tension, suspense, blood, gore and moments where you wince in pain for the character and all told in a very successful way.  The characters were interesting and I liked the way each chapter was told from their different perspectives, this made it all the more compelling and enjoyable for me.  The ending was great and surprising and I didn't see it coming which I love.

I think this has scope for further books - one of which could focus on Kurt and his life before ending up at the E-mart and one could focus on his daughter.

I would consider reading something else by this author and would recommend but only to people over 18.

I received a copy of this book direct from the author in return for an honest review - this did not influence me in any way.

Short story eBook review - Plague by T Joseph Browder

Plague by T Joseph Browder

One man, alone with his children. One world, in the grip of the worst viral outbreak in human history. Nowhere to run. Nowhere to hide. No place is safe. What lengths would you go to to protect the life of your child?

They kill. Violently and without warning. They are monsters. They prey on the living. They are not zombies. They are something much worse.

Prepare yourself for T. Joseph Browder's darkest and most controversial tale yet. It's not scary because it could happen, it's terrifying because someday, in the near future, it might.

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This is not your usual “zombie” tale, it’s so much more than that. It is quite a sad short story of trying to survive when you think there is no hope. I am of the belief that there is always hope but this made me question that.

This short story opens with a bang when a husband has to kill his wife with an axe in front of his children. The graphic nature in which this is written does not let up throughout the book however, it is not over-the-top or gratuitous. I did however find it a bit too technical and in depth when describing the virus which, I felt was too much and admit to skim-reading that part; it didn’t add anything to the story for me but may do so for people who are more physics/biology minded and like to know the ins and outs of that kind of thing.

This is a short story and therefore I am not going to give anything away about the development or clues to the outcome but before you read it, ask yourself one question … would you do anything for your children? This story made me think very hard about that question and I would hope that I would have as much bravery as the father in this short story and say yes but, and this is the real question, could I live with my choices???

I like a book that challenges my beliefs and this managed to do this despite it being short. I would read something else by this author.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this from the author but this has not influenced my review in any way.

Review of The Group by Kevin R Doyle

The Group by Kevin R Doyle

The blurb:

Professor Ron Green could only blame himself as his marriage teetered on a precipice. Even though the affair had been over for months, he felt accused by every icy stare his wife sent his way. What could be worse than this slow motion disaster? 

The murder of his ex-lover could be worse. 

Becoming the prime suspect in her murder could be worse. 

Discovering another murder related to his lover's death, and making himself the scapegoat by telling the police about the connection could be worse. 

Someone is killing harmless members of the focus group where he met his lover. What did the group do to cause this horrible vengeance? Who could feel hurt by anything Ron and the others had done in those two brief days? 

Ron must answer those questions and find the killer before he ends up taking the fall. 

Or worse, before the killer finds him.

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I received a copy of this book from the author in return for an honest review; this in no way affected how I felt about this book or my review.

I was definitely entertained by this book. It was well written with good pace. The main characters, and even some of the minor ones, were well developed and interesting and although Professor Green was a bit whiny and self-pitying at times, this was perfectly understandable given what he was experiencing and especially when he tries to clear his name but ends up looking even more guilty. However I didn't have too much sympathy for him for most of the book as he only had himself to blame for the predicament he was in.

What I did find disturbingly accurate was how the book delved into what it's like to be under the police and media spotlight and how easy it is to become a pariah in your local community whether guilty or not and how one lapse of judgement can have implications you couldn't have foreseen.  I feel this was portrayed pretty accurately in this book.

Overall, a good read which kept me guessing for most of the book - and I guessed wrong!

My review of Survivor: A Horror Thriller by K.R. Griffiths

Survivor: A Horror Thriller

by K.R. Griffiths

[Kindle Edition]

The official description:

"Clive Barrett is a fast learner. His first kills were amateurish, but Clive knows that practice makes perfect. Soon, he expects to be one of the most notorious serial killers operating in the UK. He expects to be number one.

There is just one problem: one of Clive's victims simply won't stay dead.

It turns out that one of Clive's early kills was more than just sloppy; it wasn't a kill at all. Now, improving his craft might just be the least of Clive's worries, because the woman he thought he'd murdered knows his name. She knows where he lives.

And she is coming for him..."

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I received a free copy of this novel direct from the author in return for an honest review.

The fact that I received it free and from the author in no way influences how I feel about this book ... it was absolutely brilliant and I loved everything about it.  It sounds corny but I really couldn't put it down.

It is an exceptionally well told, well written story with really well thought-out characters.  It was fast paced from the start with plenty of violence which is graphic but written in such a way as not to be gratuitous.

I really liked the way that the author was able to tell the story from the perspectives of both the killer and victim(s).  The way the author developed the mind of the killer and how he described how he honed his skill in murder, always trying to do better next time, was chilling.  The fear and despair of the victims was believable  and excellently described.

The ending was not what I expected and, rather than give it away, would love for a follow up.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good serial killer story which is full of suspense, thrills, twists and turns.

Review of The Copycat Murders by William Meikle

The Copycat Murders

by William Meikle [Kindle Edition]

The official blurb:

"The murders have the police baffled. The D.I. in charge has a suspect, but they have a cast iron alibi and couldn't be in two places at once.

By the time they realize that the perp is using mirrors as gateways to his victims it's too late. The D.I is framed and set up for a murder. He has to go on the run.

The only way to clear his name is to trap the killer on his own territory.

That means taking a trip to the other side. Into the mirrrorland."

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I received a free copy of this short story ebook from Amazon whilst it was on offer. It is, today, 77p and I think well worth it. My review is honest and is in no way influenced by the fact that I got this for free.

This book has an interesting and unique concept which would work well as an episode in a TV series such as the X Files or something similar. It was well written, had interesting and likeable characters and a good "smarmy" bad guy that you are hoping will get his comeuppance. It was well paced and kept my attention throughout. I felt the ending was good but I would have liked to have found out what happened next.

Despite this being a short story, I really enjoyed it and would seriously consider reading more from this author.

Holidays!

There won't be any new reviews posted for a bit whilst I am on holiday. Lots of reading to be done in the sun 😁

Book Review of The Perfect Corpse by Giles Milton

Official description:

When the frozen corpse of Ferris Clark is found in the Greenland ice, forensic archaeologist Jack Raven is hired to investigate. He is suspicious from the outset. The corpse is not only naked, but in an absolutely pristine state.

As Jack unravels the mystery of Ferris Clark’s final hours, he uncovers a dark and terrible past. He also finds himself caught in a race against time. There is a murderer on the loose and Jack alone can stop the killings.

But first he must solve the greatest riddle of all. How did Ferris Clark die? And why?

Frankenstein meets Fatherland in the debut thriller by internationally bestselling author, Giles Milton.

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I want to thank the publisher Prospero Press and www.netgalley.com for providing me with a copy of this novel in return for an honest and unbiased review.

Well, I quite enjoyed it. I am not going to give any of the plot away so my review won't be going into too much detail about specific people or parts of the story as I personally don't like that ... my review is a general outline from my perspective.

This is a unique idea (as far as books I have read before) and very inventive. The author provided a clever mix of history, the present and possible future.  Yes, it stretches the boundaries of reality in a big way but isn't that what novels are supposed/allowed to do?

The main characters were an interesting mixed bag of likeable, annoying, boring and not-so-nice people some of which were developed more than others and some seemed to be just thrown in there to fill the pages. I would have liked to have had more of the story focused on "Ferris" as there was virtually none and I think this would have added a little more interest for the reader and would have tied things together a little better especially when you get close to the end.

It was also a bit technical at times and went into detail in some depth some of which, in my opinion, didn't add to the story. I did like the way in which the history and research was tackled. This, for me, was interesting and I enjoyed the way the pieces of the puzzle were put together.

I can forgive the little annoyances as mentioned above but what I can't forgive is the ending of this book. It was a HUGE let-down for me and a massive anti-climax - it could have been so much better but it felt rushed and I was extremely disappointed. In addition, the last chapter (before going back to 1944) was unnecessary and didn't add anything to the story or the ending. I think the ending is as important, if not more so, than the beginning as it is what lingers in your mind long after you have finished and unfortunately, the ending of this left a lot to be desired and was quickly forgotten.

This had a lot of potential but just didn't deliver for me. I was excited at the beginning and was giving a running commentary to my husband throughout until the end which left me really disappointed which I find quite sad.

This could have been a 5 out of 5 but, given all of the above, I have to give it a 2 out of 5.

"Old" People are NOT useless!

The Little Old Lady Who Broke All The Rules
by Catharina Ingelman-Sundberg

From the back:

"79-year-old Martha Anderson dreams of escaping her care home and robbing a bank. She has no intention of spending the rest of her days in an armchair and is determined to fund her way to a much more exciting life-style. Along with her four oldest friends - otherwise known as the League of Pensioners - Martha decides to rebel against all of the rules imposed upon them. Together, they cause an uproar with their antics: protesting against early bedtimes and plastic meals. As the elderly friends become more daring, their activities escalate and they come up with a cunning plan to break out of the care home and land themselves in a far more attractive Stockholm establishment. With the aid of their Zimmer frames, they resolve to stand up for old aged pensioners everywhere - Robin Hood style. And that's when the adventure really takes off ..."

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I really enjoyed this - a little unrealistic but would love to see this happen in real life if only to show that 'old' people are not useless or boring and have dreams and aspirations as much as anyone else. I actually know a few people who would love to be in the characters shoes!

I liked the writing style and pace of the book and was very impressed on how well it was translated.

This is one of the only books that I have read that has been passed round to my work colleagues and all of them have said how good it is!

Don't Look Back by Gregg Hurwitz - fast-paced action/survival story

Don't Look Back

by Gregg Hurwitz

The blurb:

"After the breakup of her marriage, Evie takes the holiday of a lifetime. A few weeks of hiking, rafting and jungle adventure at an eco-lodge in Mexico sound ideal. But what should have been the perfect pick-me-up soon turns into a nightmare.

Nothing is quite what it seems. There are secrets hidden that can't be allowed to leave their jungle hiding place. And which their keeper will kill to protect.

If she is ever to see her son again, Evie will be forced to find reserves of strength, courage and ingenuity she never dreamt existed. Or die trying.

With great pace and pitch-perfect characterisation, Gregg Hurwitz rachets up the tension in Don't Look Back, his exceptional new thriller. Fans of Harlan Coben and Simon Kernick will be hooked from the word go."

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I would like to thank www.netgalley.com and the publishers, Penguin Books (UK) for sending me a copy of this novel in return for an honest review.

Once a brief history is provided about why Eve is alone on a “trip of a lifetime”, it gets down to it in a big way with non-stop action and tension throughout. The scene is set so well, I was transported into the jungles of Mexico; the beauty and the dangers within described to great effect.

The mix of characters was excellent with the main heroine (Eve) one tough cookie - she didn’t start off that way but with the determination to see her son again, she quickly had to become Amazonian-like and someone I would want on my side. When she (and you) thought she couldn’t do or go anymore, she dug deep and kept on.

The villain (Bashir) is everything you would want in a bad guy - ruthless, heartless, cruel, excellent at what he does and right at home in the jungle.

Don't Look Back, is an edge-of-the-seat, fast-paced action/survival story that will keep you on your toes until the very end.

This is the first time reading a Gregg Hurwitz book, but I will definitely be reading more.

Creepy!

The Facts of Life and Death

by Belinda Bauer

'Call your mother.'
'What do I say?'
'Say goodbye.'

This is how it begins.

Lone women terrorised and their helpless families forced to watch - in a sick game where only one player knows the rules. And when those rules change, the new game is Murder.

Living with her parents in the dank beach community of Limeburn, ten-year-old Ruby Trick has her own fears. Bullies on the school bus, the forest crowding her house into the sea, and the threat of divorce.

Helping her Daddy to catch the killer might be the key to keeping him close.

As long as the killer doesn't catch her first...

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I really enjoyed it. The first few chapters are a bit slow but necessary to develop the characters and lull you into a false sense of security. The story is told from a few different perspectives but mainly via a young girl which was interesting at first and took a bit of getting used to but worked very well with the way the book developed. The characters were believable, the way the author was able to describe the people and especially the locations made me feel I was there.

I would also like to commend the design of the book cover - very eye catching and creepy and fits with the book totally.

I have never read anything by this author before but if her other books are anything like this one, I will definitely consider reading more.

Sounded good but disappointing

The Benjamin Atkins Story:

America's Most Prolific Serial Killer

by Alan Bradley

The blurb:

"Benjamin Atkins was the fastest serial killer in American history, murdering eleven women in nine months and leaving their bodies scattered among the ruins of Detroit. Author Alan Bradley grew up in the neighborhood where Atkins plied his deadly trade and brings a unique perspective to the tale of Atkins, his victims, and the broken landscape they prowled."

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I was lucky enough to download this for free from Amazon and, unfortunately, I am quite pleased because I feel I would have been a little disappointed had I paid for it. Having said that, the way the scene was set was well described and definitely enabled me to have a clear vision of what living in that area was like at the time - this may have been it's downfall - too much description about the area and not enough detail about "Tony" himself. I didn't feel the story flowed well and jumped from one thing to another and this made it feel rushed. It would make a better full length book rather than a very short story.

Unrealistic and annoying

Zack's Choice

by Harry E. Gilleland Jr.

The blurb:

"Zack's Choice is a crime/heist/mystery novel. Zackery Gresham has his life all planned. His mother is a lawyer; his father is a federal judge; and he is Pre-Law at Yale, with Harvard Law School to follow before he joins his mother’s prestigious law firm. He plans to marry his high school and Yale girlfriend once he graduates from Law School. During a school break Zack takes a once-in-a-lifetime motorcycle trip through the southern states. In New Mexico he has a chance encounter with a strange hitchhiker. The resulting chaos will bring Zack face-to-face with a choice that could alter his life forever."

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I received a free copy of this book from the author in return for an honest review ... however, he probably wishes he hadn't sent it to me!

The first few chapters really annoyed me as they were so totally unbelievable that I nearly gave up but I persevered.

It did get slightly better as the story moved on but remained unbelievable and, at times, laughable by it being so unrealistic but I did like the style and pace of writing and although it took me a while to get to like Zack, I did eventually although his naivety astounded me.

I do feel that this book is aimed at a teenager or young adult but, sadly, it just wasn't for me and I'm not sure I would read anything else by this author.

A different zombie apocalypse

Dead Petals - An Apocalypse
by Eric Ortlund

The official blurb:

"Not just your garden-variety zombie apocalypse...

"It was a week ago when it happened. Exactly a week when I heard the stomping on the front porch. I remember it sounded like someone was drunk. I opened the door and it was my neighbor. She lunged at me."

Oz, a former professor driven to the brink of madness by a tragedy he cannot face, begins to notice that the people around him are acting strangely. They're eating each other. And they're scraping at his door.

Fleeing south, Oz and a motley crew of survivors begin to notice that this isn't the zombie apocalypse they'd seen in countless movies and books. These creatures seem somehow 'closer' to the Earth, yet, perversely, somehow deader, less human, than even zombies are meant to be. The creatures are transfixed by the Sun, and they transform, their faces peeling back in short tentacles until they uncannily resemble flowers. And these zombies can't be stopped. Hack off a limb or a head and it re-joins or just grows back, like the toughest plants.

The Dead have a global leader, a purpose - beyond that of just eating any remaining humans. And the seven survivors, led reluctantly by Oz, discover that they have a central role to play in the macabre new order of 'life' on Earth.

Dead Petals is a different species of zombie tale. Apocalypse, Rapture and the transformation of reality, all sprouting from the same seed."

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I received a free copy of this from www.netgalley.com in return for an honest review.

An interesting take on the zombie theme but I found it confusing and the story difficult to follow or really understand what was going on. It started off well but I quickly became confused and was scratching my head for most of the way through and I found it hard going. I wasn’t able to connect with any of the characters and found the dialogue a bit awkward, unnatural and, at times, all over the place.

I did however like the zombies - they weren’t the run of the mill, normal zombie and the way the author described them was excellent.

I can see a really good book in here but I just don’t think this was it.

I wouldn't class this as a "horror" but would put it in the supernatural or weird category.

My rating:  2 out of 5 stars

An interesting and absorbing collection of stories from Africa

The blurb:

"A scorned wife returns to wreak a terrible vengeance on the husband and mistress that caused her untimely death!

A morgue assistant fails to follow the strange night-time rules of the mortuary and gets himself “a follower”, the restless spirit of a murdered young woman.

The ghost of a young boy returns to his school to complete his classes, tragically cut short by the cruel fists of death.

The Reluctant Dead is a unique collection of six spine-chilling ghost stories from the farthest lands of Africa. Be warned! These stories will leave you glancing over your shoulders for a very long time!"

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I would like to thank www.netgalley.com for sending me a copy in return for an honest review.

A collection of 6 short stories all based in Africa. Each of the stories are easy to read and quite absorbing and introduced a different culture which was a refreshing change and intriguing to read from a different perspective. I personally didn't find them too scary - more interesting to be honest - and unlike other books I have read, didn't have any problems sleeping like a baby after reading before bed. Unfortunately, there were countless incidents of two words being merged into one which resulted in some confusion and a break in the flow of reading - maybe this was due to the formatting, I don't know but it was a little annoying. Having said that though, the author was adept at describing the characters and places and was successful in explaining the beliefs and culture of the various characters without it becoming boring and detracting from the stories.

Overall, an enjoyable read and an author I will look out for in the future.

Sick, twisted, gore-filled story not for the faint hearted

Hillary: Tail of the Dog (Hillary #1)

by Angel Gelique

The blurb:


"WARNING: This novel contains disturbingly explicit sexual and deviant content that may be considered offensive to some readers, including rape, torture and cannibalism.

_________________________________

Fifteen-year-old Hillary Greyson awakens from a horrific nightmare only to discover that she faces an even grimmer reality. Naked on a bed in an unfamiliar, empty room, she is unable to move her limbs. Worse, she cannot remember who she is. Panic-stricken, Hillary desperately searches her mind for answers, but finds nothing more than fear and confusion.

A man enters the room—a stranger to Hillary. He introduces himself as Dr. Morrison. Seemingly benign, he informs Hillary that she is there for her own good…that she is under his care until she regains her memory. Hillary cannot remember anything, but her instincts warn her not to trust this man who claims to be her doctor. She can only hope that someone will come looking for her…that someone will find her before it is too late.

Several weeks later, Hillary’s situation has grown even more dismal. Still unclothed, coarse ropes bind her limbs to the bed while she is fed intravenously. Two new strangers have entered her life—Monica, Dr. Morrison’s wife, and Dr. Bentley, who claims to be her psychiatrist. Yet they are more evasive than forthcoming. Her questions remain unanswered. She is trapped, with no hope of escaping…left to piece together the mystery of her miserable existence.

Abused and neglected, Hillary knows that with each passing day, her chance of survival diminishes. She spends her long days wasting away, growing depressed…growing angry. When all hope seems lost, a cruel twist of fate provides the opportunity she has been waiting for.

With renewed hope and an unrelenting will to survive, Hillary does whatever it takes to escape. She yearns for her freedom more than anything in the world.

Hillary just wants to go home…."

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When I am reading a book with a view to providing a review, I like to keep brief notes from the start which I can then fill out at the end. My notes at the beginning included “a great prologue that really set the scene and sense of fear and hopelessness - is this a sign of things to come?” and the Doctor is a “normal looking man - not the monster my parents warned me about”. I likened Hillary’s “treatment” being similar to that which was meted out in the old style insane asylums and you start to feel sorry for her.

I thought this was a story about a kidnapping and you think its going that way then the author slips a nugget in there which changes the direction completely. At one point, I asked myself “what the hell is going on?” but then about halfway through, it changes into a whole different ball game.

I’m not going to give away anything but if you are a fan of sick, twisted, gore-filled stories about psychopaths who love to inflict the worst imaginable pain to their fellow human beings, then this is the one for you. If not, please don’t put yourself through it and keep well away - the warnings are there for a reason … ignore them at your peril.

This book tore me in two - I really wanted to read it but then again, I really didn’t but I finished it and am glad that I did.

How can I give such a high rating to something containing such graphic and explicit scenes? Easy really, such a well written book, yes there were a few errors but they are easily forgotten in what is a brilliant but very disturbing story that had me taking sharp intakes of breath, holding my breath and gasping out loud. Some sections were really hard to read and, I admit, I did skim-read some particular gruesome bits and I did have to put it down a couple of times. I normally read before going to sleep but about 50% in, I decided this was not a good idea and decided to read it in my lunch hour … however, that wasn’t the brightest of moves either!!! Now I'm no wimp but there were parts that were way too graphic for even me but I must give plaudits to the author on the way they were written.

This is one of only a handful of books that I have talked about with my husband (just to see him cringe!), his friends (I quite enjoyed their reaction in a sick sort of way!) and work colleagues (had to choose who I told as they would have serious concerns about me!) - isn’t that what books are supposed to do?

I have the 3rd book in the series to read - Hillary: Retribution but I think I will have to delay reading it until I get over the images created in my mind from this one. There is also a 2nd one Hillary: Flesh and Blood which is a prequel but this is supposed to be worse than the 1st and 3rd put together .... so may have to give this one a miss as I don’t think my brain or stomach could take that.

I want to thank the author for a free copy in return for an honest review.

A short story downloaded for free from Amazon

For Sale, By Owner by Gerard Harrison

A short story downloaded for free from Amazon but on the day of writing this it was £1.80 which, given it is about 18 pages long, works out at 10p a page ... hmmm ... a little expensive I think so was lucky to get it when it was on offer.

Anyway, the official blurb is:

"Rodney Denker, an opportunist serial killer, encounters the victim he should have ignored."

The story is told, for the most part, from the perspective of a serial killer who has developed a unique way of attracting his victims however, he wasn't prepared for what happened when he picked on the wrong person.

An interesting outcome from an OK story that was quite well written. I didn't mind losing 10 mins of my life reading this.

Death On The Slopes - Larry Dean Jackson - yet another short story ;)

The official blurb:

"What could be more grand than a Colorado ski trip vacation? What could be more terrible than a Colorado ski trip vacation from hell?"

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Another free download from Amazon and another very short story. I quite enjoyed this one although it is my idea of a nightmare ... rats, hate the things ... I am not going to elaborate any further as it would give the whole story away and, to be honest, would probably take me longer to explain than it took to read in the first place.

Overall, it was a good, short story that could easily work as a full length novel but could do with being proof read a little better as there were a few spelling errors but worth 5 minutes of my time.

Another Short Review of Another Short Story

The official blurb:

"WHAT A SURPRISE; NEVER in a million years could Oliver Brock believe his misfortune. He had done so much harm to others and now he had a no way out. Or did he?"

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Another very short story I picked up for free from Amazon.  This one was OK for a quick read with an interesting storyline that could have been good but I found the writing style somehow childish and simple which did detract from an otherwise good idea.  There were also some grammatical errors which were annoying given the shortness of the story. However, I'm not complaining as it didn't cost me anything and I only lost 5 minutes reading it.

A Short Review of a Short Story

The official blurb:

"Flash Fiction - GUILTY CONSCIENCE TENDS TO GNAW at your insides. You can lock it up in a closet in your brain for a good portion of the day, but eventually, you will go home, you will get into bed and you will finally be able to hear the guilt rattling against the closet’s door, demanding to be let out. And when you let it out, it explodes with millions of questions. What if you hadn’t done that? What if someone saw you do it? What if you talk about it in your sleep?"

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A very short story with an interesting premise - too short really to provide much of a review as it was more like a prologue to a longer story but I liked the writing style and pace.  I think it would make for an interesting full length novel where the characters could be explored and developed.  If you have 5 mins to spare, then this is OK but left me wanting more.

I downloaded this for free off Amazon.

My Review of Karin Slaughter's Unseen

The official blurb:

"Special Agent Will Trent has something to hide. Something he doesn't want Dr Sara Linton - the woman he loves - to find out.

He's gone undercover in Macon, Georgia and put his life at risk. And he knows Sara will never forgive him if she discovers the truth.

But when a young Macon patrolman is shot and left for dead Sara is forced to confront the past and a woman she hoped never to see again. And without even knowing it, she becomes involved in the same case Will is working on.

Soon both of their lives are in danger."

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I haven't read any previous novels with these characters so didn't know any background to them but it didn't seem to matter to me as Karin was adept at shedding light on history but not too much that the story became confusing and bogged down which can happen.

I found it to be an exciting story that, unfortunately, is very plausible in this day and age (wow, I sound like my mum!) and it kept me interested throughout.  The descriptions of places, people, situations, injuries, etc were vivid and, I felt, accurate enough to enable me to develop detailed pictures in my mind as I was reading which made it all the more real.  

Some of my thoughts on the main characters:

Lena - I didn't like her at first but once the character started to develop I found myself on her side and defending her like she was a real person.

Sara - annoying but likeable in a strange way. She came across to me as quite a hard and unforgiving person but I think I warmed to her in the end.

Will - my favourite loved him - a very complex character that I want to know more about. A tough exterior with a very soft centre and a good heart; brave and fearless and someone you would want on your side.

There was one negative that I found and it was that I thought the chapters were way too long - I hate stopping midway through a chapter but if you only have a short amount of time to get a few pages read, you have to with this book which I found quite frustrating.

Overall though, I enjoyed it so much I will be reading more and would definitely recommend to people who love a fast paced crime thriller.

I received this book via the Goodreads website from the Dead Good Crime Book Group for free in return for an honest review.