Flytrap by Simon Kernick

Description from Goodreads:

“THE EXCLUSIVE NEW SHORT STORY YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO STOP READING

Also includes a sneak preview of Simon Kernick's blistering new thriller, The Bone Field.

Him

He has an addiction that he cannot quench. His solitary life sailing the Caribbean is the only way he can survive. That is, until, he meets…

Her

A widow with nothing left to lose, she finds herself on his sleek forty-foot yacht. He’s handsome and charming; exactly what she’s been looking for.

But the night doesn’t go exactly as they had planned, and only one of them will get out alive.”

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A great short story that I wish had been a bit longer but even though it’s only 40 odd pages, it had me hooked which I think is the skill of the author who, I admit, I am a big fan of.

The book is written with short, succinct chapters written alternately between “Him” and “Her” perspectives. I can’t say too much without giving the game away but they are both not particularly nice people and you just know it’s not going to end well for one of them! Despite its shortness, it’s full of twists with the major one being at the end … I actually let out a “noooooooo” because I didn’t want it to end so if Mr Kernick has any plans to flesh this out a bit or continue where it leaves off … I would read it.

As an added delight, we are treated to a preview of Mr Kernick’s new novel The Bone Field, which I have read, thoroughly enjoyed but have yet to type my review … I am a bit behind!

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Author website - http://www.simonkernick.com/

Author's Twitter - @simonkernick

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Other books of Mr Kernick's that I have reviewed:

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I really would recommend reading Mr Kernick's work, I have never been disappointed yet.

The Two O'Clock Boy by Mark Hill

           

Description from Goodreads:

“TWO CHILDHOOD FRIENDS...ONE BECAME A DETECTIVE...ONE BECAME A KILLER...

One night changed their lives

Thirty years ago, the Longacre Children's Home stood on a London street where once-grand Victorian homes lay derelict. There its children lived in terror of Gordon Tallis, the home's manager.

Cries in the fire and smoke

Then Connor Laird arrived: a frighteningly intense boy who quickly became Tallis' favourite criminal helper. Soon after, destruction befell the Longacre, and the facts of that night have lain buried ...until today.

A truth both must hide

Now, a mysterious figure, the Two O'Clock Boy, is killing all who grew up there, one by one. DI Ray Drake will do whatever it take to stop the murders - but he will go even further to cover up the truth.

Discover the gripping, twist-filled start to a fantastic new London-set crime thriller series starring morally corrupt DI Ray Drake - the perfect new addiction for fans of Luther.”

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This is the debut novel for Mark Hill and, I think, a successful one and I want to thank the publisher, Little, Brown Book Group UK, and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest review.

I admit to being a crime book addict so I can be hard to please but I really enjoyed this one. The story is a familiar one of past misdemeanors coming back to haunt you but it’s told in a quite unique way. The characters are great particularly DI Ray Drake who is far from perfect and isn’t afraid of bending the rules; I found him compelling and I was desperate to find out how far he would go to hide the past. DS Flick Crowley has recently been promoted and is the lead investigator into the gruesome murders of people from Ray’s past and their families but she finds herself hampered by Ray who wants to keep the past buried however, it becomes clear that this is not going to be possible as the killer, named The Two O’Clock Boy, has him and his daughter in his sights.

This is a compelling read with great characters, an intricate plot which is well written at a great pace and, I think, will be enjoyed by readers who enjoy a dark story with twists and turns and a satisfying ending.

Mark Hill has created an interesting and complex character in DI Ray Drake and I am very much looking forward to the next installment in the series.

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Author website - http://markhillauthor.com/

Author twitter - markhillwriter

Publisher website - Little, Brown Book Group