Sticks and Stones by Jo Jakeman

Description from Goodreads:

"How far would you go for revenge on your ex?

Imogen’s husband is a bad man. His ex-wife and his new mistress might have different perspectives but Imogen thinks she knows the truth. And now he’s given her an ultimatum: get out of the family home in the next fortnight or I’ll fight you for custody of our son.

In a moment of madness, Imogen does something unthinkable: she locks her husband in the cellar. Now she’s in control. But how far will she go to protect her son and punish her husband? And what will happen when his ex and his girlfriend get tangled up in her plans?

Sticks and Stones is a deliciously twisting psychological thriller from an exciting new voice."

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This is the debut novel for this author and, I think, a pretty accomplished one at that; a little unbelievable at times I admit but quite a satisfying read.  Dealing with the difficult subject matter of domestic violence, this book is more about the subtleties of this abhorrent crime rather than the "in your face" violence although there is some violence. 

The books starts with the funeral of a decorated Police Officer but thoroughly unpleasant man - Phillip - and "mourning" his death are 3 women; Ruby, Imogen and Naomi.

Ruby is the first wife who has never moved on and remains under Phillip's spell.
Imogen is the current but estranged wife and mother of their son.
Naomi is the girlfriend and soon to be third wife.

Phillip is an absolute a**hole; a master at manipulation and control, a bully and downright despicable person however, the tables are turned when Imogen manages to lock him in the cellar and so begins the story of the developing relationship between the three women, their growing strength and confidence and their common goal of getting revenge on the man that has caused them so much pain and heartache ... but, how did he die? 

Well written with a good pace and well developed characters, this is a great debut psychological thriller and Jo Jakeman is certainly an author I will watch out for.

My thanks go to the publisher, Random House UK Vintage, via NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest review.

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Connect with the author:

Website:  https://www.jojakeman.com/

Twitter:  @JoJakemanWrites

Pieces of Her by Karin Slaughter

Description from Goodreads:

"You’ve known her your whole life…

Andrea Oliver knows everything about her mother Laura. She knows she's always lived in the small town of Belle Isle; she knows she’s a pillar of the community; she knows she's never kept a secret in her life.

but she’s hiding something…

Then one day, a trip to the mall explodes into a shocking act of violence and Andrea suddenly sees a completely different side to Laura.

and it could destroy you both…

Hours later, Laura is in hospital, her face splashed over the newspapers. But the danger has only just begun. Now, Andrea must go on a desperate race to uncover the secrets of her mother's past. If she can't, there may be no future for either of them…"

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I am really unhappy to report that I did not and could not finish this.  I persevered for 50% but had to give up as I found myself skipping paragraph after paragraph; it didn't help that the chapters were really, really long.  It started off well but I quickly got very bored.  I really struggled to get into the story or connect with any of the characters which is a real shame because I usually enjoy reading Karin Slaughter's books but this one just wasn't for me.  This will not, however, put me off reading her books in the future.

Thank you to the publisher, HarperCollins, via Jellybooks, for my copy in return for them having access to and analysing my reading data.

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Connect with the author:

Website:  http://www.karinslaughter.com/

Twitter:  @slaughterKarin

The Doll Collector by Joanna Stephen-Ward

Description from Goodreads:

"Murders that look like accidents. An accident that looks like murder.
A couple and their young son burn to death in a house fire.
A girl dies from a nut allergy.
A woman falls under a train during the rush hour.
An accountant falls down the steps to his basement.

Their deaths appear to be accidents but Gloria knows they were murdered because she murdered them. And every time Gloria kills she buys a doll.

But how many dolls will she need to keep her satisfied? 

When Gloria takes a room as a lodger her behaviour starts to spin out of control. Gloria wants love and happiness and friendship and she will do anything she can to get what she wants..."

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Once again, this is a love it or hate it book and, once again, I find myself saying that I was strangely entertained ... maybe that says more about me - should I be worried?!?

The main character in this book, Gloria, is a thoroughly despicable person.  I can't even begin to tell you how much I disliked her BUT she is perfect for the story ... not only is she a thoroughly loathsome and abhorrent person, she is as mad as a box of frogs let me tell you; I am so pleased that I don't need a lodger or have her living next door to me!

The other characters are a bit "meh" to be honest; very few redeeming qualities amongst any of them, they are a little wooden and one-dimensional which was a little disappointing.

The story is quite unique; it was a refreshing change to have the female as the dominating character over the male and the writing flowed well and at a good pace.  The dolls only feature a few times which was odd given the title of the book and although we did get a glimpse as to how and why Gloria started her collection, I don't think this was fleshed out enough.

Overall, although it's not perfect and everything wraps up rather too simplistically, this book is oddly enjoyable and that ending ... I didn't see that coming!

Thank you to the publisher, Bloodhound Books, via NetGalley for my advanced e-copy in return for an honest and unbiased review.

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Ghost Virus by Graham Masterton

Description from Goodreads:

"The NEW horror novel from the million-copy-selling Graham Masterton.

'A TRUE MASTER OF HORROR' JAMES HERBERT.

The girl had been staring into her mirror all morning before she picked up the small bottle of sulphuric acid and poured it over her forehead.

Samira was a young woman with her whole life ahead of her. What could have brought her to this? DC Jerry Pardoe and DS Jamila Patel of Tooting Police suspect it's suicide. But then a meek husband kills his wife, and the headteacher of the local school throws her pupils out of a window. It's no longer a random outbreak of horrific crimes. It's a deadly virus. And it's spreading. Somehow, ordinary Londoners are being infected with an insatiable lust to murder. All of the killers were wearing second-hand clothes. Could these garments be possessed by some supernatural force?

The death count is multiplying. Now Jerry and Jamila must defeat the ghost virus, before they are all infected...

'One of the most original and frightening storytellers of our time' PETER JAMES."

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This book is like Marmite®, you are either going to love it or hate it ... well I can't stand Marmite® but I really quite enjoyed this book ... I found it rather entertaining in a strange sort of way although I must admit that it did get a little OTT which had me giggling to myself and shaking my head at times BUT it did make me tell loads of people about it and isn't that the point?

Well written, good pace, great characters and a very unique story line makes this a pretty good read but it does contain a lot of violence, gore and graphic descriptions of death so be warned ... it is not for the fainthearted so if you don't like that type of thing, I would give this a wide berth if I was you.

Over the years, I have read a lot of Graham Masterton's books and I have never been disappointed and even though this probably isn't one of his best, I will carry on reading his stories and will continue to be entertained that I have no doubt.

Thank you to the publisher, Head of Zeus, via NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest and unbiased review.

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Connect with the author:

Website:  Graham Masterton

Twitter:  GrahamMasterton

No Time to Cry (DC Constance Fairchild #1) by James Oswald

Description from Goodreads:

"From one of the UK's biggest crime writers - the man brought you the bestselling Inspector McLean novels - comes a phenomenal new series guaranteed to have your heart in your mouth. 

Undercover ops are always dangerous, but DC Constance Fairchild never expected things to go this wrong.

Returning to their base of operations, an anonymous office in a shabby neighbourhood, she finds the bloodied body of her boss, and friend, DI Pete Copperthwaite. He's been executed - a single shot to the head.

In the aftermath, it seems someone in the Met is determined to make sure that blame for the wrecked operation falls squarely on Con's shoulders. She is cut loose and cast out, angry and alone with her grief... right until the moment someone also tries to put a bullet through her head.

There's no place to hide, and no time to cry."

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Loved it, loved it, loved it!

What a fantastic first book in a new series - murder, suspense, action, intrigue, twists and turns aplenty and with the fantastic characters, perfect pace and gripping story line, this makes for one excellent book.

Highly recommended and I can't wait for the next one to see how Con develops and what she gets up to next.

Did I say I loved it?!?

Many thanks to the publisher, Wildfire (a part of the Headline Division of Hachette UK) via NetGalley for my copy in return for an unbiased review.

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Connect with the author:

Website:  James Oswald where you can subscribe to the newsletter for updates on events, competitions, news and other stuff.

Twitter:  SirBenfro

Down to the Woods (Helen Grace #8) by M.J. Arlidge

Description from Goodreads:

"There is a sickness in the forest. First, it was the wild horses. Now it's innocent men and women, hunted down and murdered by a faceless figure. Lost in the darkness, they try to flee, they try to hide. In desperation, they call out for help. But there is no-one to hear their cries here...

DI Helen Grace must face down a new nightmare. The arrow-ridden victims hang from the New Forest's ancient oaks, like pieces of strange fruit. Why are helpless holidaymakers being targeted in peak camping season? And what do their murders signify? Is a psychopath stalking the forest? Is there an occult element to the killings? Could the murders even be an offering to the Forest itself? Helen must walk into the darkness to discover the truth behind her most challenging, most macabre case yet."

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This is only the second of M.J. Arlidge's books starring DI Helen Grace that I have read but the eighth in the series however I don't feel it absolutely necessary to have read them all as this stands up well on its own.

What a great story this is with scenes of peril, suspense, graphic descriptions of the aftermath of gruesome murders, twists, turns and red herrings, with fantastic and interesting characters especially DI Grace and the introduction of a new character, DS Joseph Hudson [I am very interested to see how their relationship develops in future stories] and all wrapped up in a great mystery set in the beautiful setting of The New Forest ... what more could you want?

Definitely recommended to fellow readers who don't mind a bit of blood mixed with action ... M.J. Arlidge does not disappoint with this book and my thanks go to the Publisher, Penguin UK - Michael Joseph via NetGalley for providing me with a copy in return for an honest review.

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Twitter:  mjarlidge

Facebook:  M.J.Arlidge

My review of The Doll House by M.J. Arlidge

The Choice: Embrace the Possible by Edith Eger

Description from Goodreads:

"It’s 1944 and sixteen-year-old ballerina and gymnast Edith Eger is sent to Auschwitz. Separated from her parents on arrival, she endures unimaginable experiences, including being made to dance for the infamous Josef Mengele. When the camp is finally liberated, she is pulled from a pile of bodies, barely alive.

The horrors of the Holocaust didn’t break Edith. In fact, they helped her learn to live again with a life-affirming strength and a truly remarkable resilience. The Choice is her unforgettable story."

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“Our painful experiences aren’t a liability—they’re a gift. They give us perspective and meaning, an opportunity to find our unique purpose and our strength.”  ― Edith Eger,The Choice

Oh my goodness, I can't even begin to tell you how good this book is.  It's not just another Holocaust survivors life-story, it's so much more than that ... it's extraordinary!

Dr Eger is now 90 years old and what an amazing woman she is ... this book tells the story of being a teenager and her relationship with her parents and sisters, the truly horrific time she spent being a prisoner of the Nazis, her astonishing strength and bravery before, during and after the war and of her life once freedom had been achieved.

Once again, I can't tell you how good this book is.  It's beautifully written and flows exceptionally well.  Highly recommended.

My thanks go to the publisher, Penguin Random House UK, Ebury Publishing via NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest review.

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Author website:  Dr. Edith Eva Eger

Old Haunts: A Simon Serrailler Short Story by Susan Hill

Description from Goodreads:

"One hot summer’s day, an old flame turns up at Lafferton HQ and Simon Serrailler is catapulted back to his days as a fresh-faced PC in the Met.

That long febrile summer in the early 1990s, London was reeling from one IRA bomb warning after another. Sirens. Blue lights. Tyres screaming. People running. The army called in. And Simon in the thick of it. Until he’s pulled aside and put on a very different kind of job: his first undercover op awaits. Will the young Simon be able to hold his nerve? Or is he walking into a trap?"

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A very short story of a flashback to a point in time when the main character  Simon Serrailler reminisces about his first foray into undercover work.  It also includes an extract from the newest full length book The Comforts of Home.

Although it's just enough to wet your appetite, it's not enough to really get your teeth into but I would definitely recommend you read the full length stories and use this as an added extra.

Thank you to the publisher, Random House UK, Vintage Publishing via NetGalley in return for an honest and unbiased review.

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Connect with the author:

Website:  Susan Hill

Twitter:  susanhillwriter

Facebook:  Susanhillauthor

The Chosen Ones (DC Ian Bradshaw #4) by Howard Linskey

Description from Goodreads:

"Eva Dunbar wakes in a large metal box.

She has no idea who has taken her.

She has no way out.

 She isn't the first young woman to disappear.


And with no leads Detective Ian Bradshaw has precious little time.

When at last a body is found, the police hope the tragic discovery might at least provide a clue that will help them finally find the kidnapper.

But then they identify the body - and realise the case is more twisted than they ever imagined . . ."

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I have never read anything by Howard Linskey before but if this book is anything to go by, I won't be making that mistake again ... what a great read and even though this is book number 4 in the series, I don't think it's totally necessary to have read the previous ones.  Yes you may miss out on some of the back story and relationship building that has gone on before but I think there is enough provided to give you a good idea but not so much that it becomes tedious.

The writing flows well making it easy to read and with great characters, creepy and disturbing storyline and a great ending, I have no hesitation in recommending this to those who enjoy a good police procedural with a psychologically thrilling edge.

Thanks go to the publisher, Penguin UK - Michael Joseph, via NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest and unbiased review and for introducing me to another fantastic British author.

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Connect with the author:

Website: Howard Linskey

Twitter: @HowardLinskey

Greenwater by K. R. Griffiths

Description from Goodreads:

"Say ‘hello’ to charming Greenwater. Crossing our famous covered bridge into town, you’re sure to be met by warm smiles and a hearty Vermont greeting. While you’re here, why not take a trip out to Rum Cherry Ridge for some world class skiing, tour the site of our historic marble factory, or just kick back and relax with new friends in the town that’s easy to love, and impossible to leave! 

Oh, and don’t forget to bring a weapon. 

You’re going to need it. 

Derrick Aldridge isn’t planning on seeing the sights. He’s only in Greenwater, along with his wife Jasmine and teenage son Lee, to settle an ancient family dispute. He believes he will spend no more than a couple of hours in the tiny, isolated town. 

But Greenwater is gripped by an almost preternaturally powerful storm, and when the night sky is ripped apart by a sound that definitely isn’t thunder, Derrick begins to suspect that the place isn’t all that it appears to be. 

He's right. 

There’s something wrong with the residents of Greenwater. 

Something dangerous…"

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I am a massive fan of K R Griffiths having read several of his other books so when I heard Greenwater was being released, I didn't hesitate to pre-order it and eagerly awaited its release.  I was even sent an advance copy by the author, for which I am grateful, so now I have 2 copies ☺️

Mr Griffiths knows how to write a story and this one is no exception with the added bonus of an unexpected ending.  I do have a little gripe in that there is quite a lot of introspection by the characters which, although gave insight into their thought processes and circumstances, I found there was a bit too much which took me away from the action at times.  Having said that, Mr Griffiths has a knack of creating characters that get in your head whether you are either rooting for them or you are hoping for their demise to be quick and painful and there are both types in this book although I have to admit that there were more of the latter!

There is rather a lot of gratuitous violence, blood and gore so if you don't like that sort of thing, I wouldn't recommend you read it.

Overall, a pretty good read but not as good as some of Mr Griffiths' other works so I highly recommend you look at his back catalogue and give them a go.

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Other books by Mr Griffiths I have read and reviewed:

Adrift

Adrift 2: Sundown

Adrift 3: Rising

Survivor: A Horror Thriller

Last Resort: A Novella

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Connect with the author:

Website where you can sign up to the newsletter for new releases and bonus content.

Twitter:  KRGriffiths1

Facebook: The Dark World of K R Griffiths for monthly giveaways, competitions, exclusive short stories and novellas, and chat about all things horror and books!

When You Have to Go There by Kevin R. Doyle

Description from Goodreads:

"Even with her career heading nowhere, Detective Helen Lipscomb wouldn’t give up. Although everyone, from the chief of police on down, wanted her off the force, she forced herself to stick it out, not giving the bastards the satisfaction of seeing her crumble. She’d had one near career-ending fiasco in her life, and couldn’t imagine that another would come her way. Until a new serial killer arrived in town, less than a year after Helen had almost missed nabbing the last one. And this murderer wasn’t targeting random people, helpless females, or any of the meek and innocent. He was targeting the police themselves. And as Helen sees her colleagues falling one by one, she knows it’s only a matter of time until the killer’s attention turns to her."

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Detective Lipscomb is a very strong character.  Finding herself the scapegoat of all that has gone wrong on a previous case, she ends up being right at the centre of another high profile serial murder case but this isn't your ordinary serial killer; the victims are Helen's colleagues and it will take all her police know-how to solve the case whilst being under the microscope of the top brass who are just waiting for an excuse to get rid of her. 

Written at a perfect pace with a great story line and tense moments, this is a good read that I would recommend.

I was kindly sent a copy of this book by the author after having previously read and reviewed a couple of his previous books - The Group and The Litter - which I thoroughly enjoyed and this one was no different.

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Connect with the author:

Amazon

Facebook

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 Click here to read my review

Click here to read my review

The Liar's Girl by Catherine Ryan Howard

Description from Goodreads:

"Her first love confessed to five murders. But the truth was so much worse.

Dublin's notorious Canal Killer, Will Hurley, is ten years into his life sentence when the body of a young woman is fished out of the Grand Canal. Though detectives suspect they are dealing with a copycat, they turn to Will for help. He claims he has the information the police need, but will only give it to one person - the girl he was dating when he committed his horrific crimes.

Alison Smith has spent the last decade abroad, putting her shattered life in Ireland far behind her. But when she gets a request from Dublin imploring her to help prevent another senseless murder, she is pulled back to face the past - and the man - she's worked so hard to forget."

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Not having read anything by this author before, I didn't know what to expect but the blurb intrigued me so I gave it a punt via Jellybooks and, to be honest, I'm glad I did as this is probably a book that would have passed me by.

I'm not going to go into the plot as this is covered in the blurb and, probably, other reviews but I will say that the story is a slow burner building in intensity as it moves on so that it becomes a pretty good thrilling read that kept me engaged until the end ... you just have to be prepared to invest a little time in the beginning to get there.

The characters are well developed and believable; the writing style I liked very much with the majority of the chapters being either from "Alison ... now" and "Alison ... then" with a few being from the killers perspective and it all comes together at the end in a nice little twist.

Overall, a pretty good read and one I would recommend to readers who enjoy a book that doesn't smack you in the face straight away but gently pokes you in the same place every time ... it has the same effect but takes longer to get there.

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Connect with the author:

Website:  Catherine Ryan Howard

Twitter:  cathryanhoward

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About Jellybooks (taken from their website)

"Jellybooks is a special treat for book lovers.

We offer free book candy to readers so we can collect data candy for publishers.

Jellybooks discovers the story behind a book, the story of the special relationship between reader and book. We provide free ebooks in exchange for receiving reading data back.

Jellybooks organises these test reading campaigns on behalf of publishers and authors, who are the sponsors of the test reading campaign. Most of the time, we test books that have not yet been published. Each test is different in its own way, but all campaigns are designed to delight you the reader and learn something new about the relationship between reader and book.

Readers do not have to read on the Jellybooks website. Instead they can use a wide range of ebook reading apps for reading the ebooks Jellybooks provides, but a few such as Kindle are not yet supported. The ebooks come with a special piece of software called candy.js that is embedded inside the ebook. This piece of clever technology records reading data such as when readers open the reading app, when they opened or finish a chapter, what device and operating system readers  are using, at what time of day they read and much more.

Based on the data readers send us, Jellybooks figures out how many readers finish a book, where they drop off, how fast they finish it, if it is their first or second choice and much more. Jellybooks also asks readers for their gender and age so we can understand how engagement with books varies between men and woman, young and old. This and much more Jellybooks researches for each books, because no two books are alike. Each book is different in its own unique way just like each reader is unique and different in their taste and habits.

For Jellybooks and the authors and publishers we serve, it is all about discovering the relationships between books and readers. Sometimes it is just about why a book is so popular and at other times we figure out why something did not work and the possible reasons for a book not resonating with readers. An actor performing a play on stage may get roaring applause at the end of his or her performance or the theatre might be so silent you could hear pint drop. Authors and publisher don’t get such feedback unless they use the help of Jellybooks. We provide the missing reader feedback for authors and publishers.

Smarter publishers, better books, happier readers!"

It Was Her (DI Ray Drake #2) by Mark Hill

Description from Goodreads:

"Do you want a thriller where nothing is as it seems? 

Twenty years ago Tatia was adopted into a well-off home, where she seemed happy, settled. Then the youngest boy in the family dies in an accident, and she gets the blame.

Did she do it?

Tatia was cast out, away from her remaining adopted siblings Joel and Sarah. Now she yearns for a home to call her own. So when she see families going on holiday, leaving their beautiful homes empty, there seems no harm in living their lives while she is gone. But somehow, people keep ending up dead.

Did she kill them?

As bodies start to appear in supposedly safe neighbourhoods, DI Ray Drake and DS Flick Crowley race to find the thinnest of links between the victims. But Drake's secret past is once more threatening to destroy everything.

Will they catch her?"

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Having read the first in this series "His First Lie" (previously named "The Two O'Clock Boy") and thoroughly enjoyed it, I was excited to get my hands on this second outing for the team of DI Ray Drake and DS Flick Crowley and I certainly wasn't disappointed.

I know that sometimes you can dip into a series out of order but not this one.  I strongly suggest you read "His First Lie" before "It Was Her" otherwise you could become a little lost as this book builds on the events of that one.  In addition, you might feel differently about the characters, especially Ray, without the back story that is so important in understanding his thought processes and actions.

What we have in "It Was Her" is not just your run-of-the-mill crime thriller, it is so much more than that and I can't even begin to describe how much I became totally immersed in the story.  I won't go into detailing the plot as it's clearly set out in the blurb but I will say that it is complex, dark, gritty and edgy with suspense and tension but amongst all that, is quite a sad story and the ending ... well, I didn't see that coming until it was on top of me and it left me having to take a few deep breaths and a few minutes to take it all in.

So, would I recommend this book?  Absolutely.  Would I recommend this author?  Without a doubt.  Do I want to read the next instalment?  Hell yes!!

My thanks go to the publisher, Little, Brown Book Group UK, and NetGalley for my e-copy in return for an honest review.

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Author website - Mark Hill Author

Author twitter - markhillwriter

Game Players by Anita Walker

Description from Goodreads:

"When a gang of six children playing in their den in the woods spot a man burying drugs nearby, it marks the beginning of the end of their childhoods.

Unsure what to do, the children dig up the drugs and take them away. But when the dealer, who they watched bury the stash, shows up dead, the youngsters are thrown into turmoil.

Scared of what might happen, the children tell the police about the body they have discovered.

Meanwhile, a group of gangsters start searching for their missing drugs.

Soon the children and their families become the target of the vicious criminals who will stop at nothing to retrieve their narcotics…"

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This is an intense and enthralling read with sharp contrasts between the innocence of youth and the dark underbelly of society.  It is unique in that it centres around a group of 6 young children enjoying the freedom of childhood until they naively become embroiled in something that will change their lives forever.

Well written, great pace, fantastic characters and a complex plot makes this book a must read.

Thanks to the publisher, Bloodhound Books, via NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest review.

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Dark Return (Leine Basso #6) by D.V. Berkom

Description from Goodreads:

"A former assassin, battling her demons. A sinister enemy, determined to destroy her. A wily street kid, caught in the middle.

Former assassin and SHEN operative Leine Basso is fresh off an assignment rescuing an American teenager from a terrorist group in Libya when she thwarts the murder of a street kid in Tripoli. Leine agrees to help the girl find her family, but must first visit a refugee camp in the desert where there are disturbing reports of mysterious abductions.

Leaving the camp, Leine comes under a surprise attack–but only a handful of people knew her true mission. Who has betrayed her? The more she discovers about the abductions, the more of a target she becomes, forcing her to revisit a dark and violent past she thought she’d left behind. But it's easy--too easy to fall back to her old ways.

And it could get her killed.

Will she be able to survive a dark return?

If you like gritty, fast-paced, can’t-put-it-down thrillers with a strong female lead who won’t take no for an answer, then you’ll love Dark Return."

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Once again, D V Berkom writes a brilliant, fast-paced, thrilling read with a very strong female lead character in Leine Basso but she is not the star of the book in my humble opinion ... that would be Jinn, the little streetwise girl Leine saves from being murdered.  What a star she is and I was as much enthralled by her story as I was with Leine's.

This book has it all ... action, murder, double-crossing, human trafficking, terrorism, espionage, intrigue, surprises, tension ... you name it, it's got it and all wrapped up in a well-written, fast-paced story that is not beyond the realms of possibility.

This is part of a series but, I feel, holds up extremely well as a stand-alone.  There are recurring characters but the author has the ability to provide just enough information so you don't get lost but not so much that it detracts from the current story.

I received a copy of this book direct from the author which in no way influenced my review in any way shape or form and I would happily recommend this and any of D V Berkom's books especially if you are fed up with the usual male lead characters that most books of this genre seem to have ... you won't be disappointed.

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Connect with the author:

Website:  D. V. Berkom

Twitter:  @dvberkom

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Previous books I have read by D.V. Berkom

The Body Market

The Last Deception

The Good Sister by Chris Morgan Jones

Blurb from Goodreads:

"Morgan Jones' heart-stopping thriller, The Good Sister, sees one father go further than he ever knew possible, to rescue a daughter who doesn't want to be saved.

A missing daughter. A desperate father. A journey to save them both.

Sofia Mounir’s world is not her own. Her mother is sick, her father broken, the London they live in is dying of greed and self-obsession.

So she flees, to Raqqa: heart of the caliphate, foundation stone of a just world that she will help to build. From violence and sacrifice will grow something beautiful, and she will be part of it. Her faith will be equal to everything asked of her.

Until it isn’t. Until it becomes clear that not all her new brothers’ and sisters’ intentions are as pure as her own. Until even her faith becomes a liability.

Where do you turn, when the future you’ve longed for wants you dead?"

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A very thought-provoking, interesting and challenging read about a very real and current situation.

Written from the two perspectives of the father and daughter, Sofia and Abraham, makes this book flow extremely well with the pace being good.  Both Sofia and Abraham are believable and definitely grow on you as the book progresses; I do admit that I didn't particularly like them at the start but the more their inner-workings are explored, the greater the understanding of their motives which resulted in me becoming fully invested in their stories and completely engrossed in their respective journeys.

The book comes across as pretty authentic ... whether it is or not I would only know if I was in Sofia and Abraham's situation which is highly unlikely .... but I do wonder how and where the author got the information for the book from and how accurate it is because, as I said, it feels pretty authentic.

Thank you to Jellybooks for giving me the opportunity to read something a bit different.

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Jellybooks offers readers free advance reading copies and complimentary ebooks in exchange for their reading data

Website:  Chris Morgan Jones

Publisher:  Pan Macmillan

Twitter:  @panmacmillan

Your Closest Friend by Karen Perry

Description from Goodreads:

"Imagine sharing your darkest secret with a stranger - a girl who isn't what she seems, and who will do anything to keep you close . . .

On a hot humid night in London, Cara Jameson's busy, fulfilling life is interrupted with the sound of gunfire. Panic and terror grip the street as the air is filled with screaming and Cara is pulled roughly to safety by a stranger.

Taking refuge in a storeroom, Cara huddles with her savior - Amy - and in the darkness she shares more in those hours than ever has with even her husband. When she emerges hours later, a bond forged in the trauma of that night has formed between them.

Returning to work, Cara tries to put the experience behind her, but the incident has taken its toll and as cracks begin to show in her perfect life and marriage, Amy reappears, set on pursuing a friendship.

Cara wished she hadn't shared everything she did in those hours of darkness. But as her life skids towards deepening violence, there is only one person she can turn to: Amy, her closest friend."

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What a unique story and nothing like anything I've read before.  You are thrown into the middle of a terrorist attack at the beginning of the story and not knowing whether she is going to survive or not, Cara confides her deepest secrets to the young lady who plucked her to safety.  Secrets that should have stayed hidden as they are now used against her.

The writing style is easy to read and flows really well with each chapter written from the perspectives of the 2 main characters - Cara and Amy - which works extremely well for this book and the story.  I did feel there was a bit of a lull in the middle but it certainly makes up for it as we move towards the thrilling conclusion.

Never having read anything by these authors before (Paul Perry and Karen Gillece ), I will most certainly keep my eyes open in future and thank you to the Publisher, Penguin UK - Michael Joseph, and NetGalley for once again introducing me to yet another great book that would likely have passed me by.

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Connect with the authors:

Twitter:  karenperrybooks 

Stalker by Lisa Stone

Description from Goodreads:

"Someone is always watching…

Derek Flint is a loner. He lives with his mother and spends his
evenings watching his clients on the CCTV cameras he has installed inside their homes. He likes their companionship – even if it’s through a screen.

When a series of crimes hits Derek’s neighbourhood, DC Beth Mayes begins to suspect he’s involved. How does he know so much about the victims’ lives? Why won’t he let anyone into his office? And what is his mother hiding in that strange, lonely house?

As the crimes become more violent, Beth must race against the clock to find out who is behind the attacks. Will she uncover the truth in time? And is Derek more dangerous than even she has guessed?

A spellbinding crime novel from the worldwide bestseller Cathy Glass, writing as Lisa Stone.

‘Once you start you won’t be able to stop!’ Katerina Diamond, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Teacher."

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A scarily plausible thriller that immediately made me change by router password!

Stalker is not what you would expect from the title.  According to the Cambridge Dictionary, in the UK a stalker is "a person who illegally follows and watches someone, especially a woman, over a period of time" and although this book certainly covers this definition, it does so slightly differently to what you would imagine it would.  For one, it isn't primarily about physically following someone around and for another, it's not primarily about a man stalking a woman.

It starts of a little slow but certainly builds to a very satisfying conclusion.  The main character, Flint, is a bit weird but, strangely, he grew on me as the story developed and I found myself feeling sorry for him despite the creepy way in which he lives his life watching over other people living theirs.

Once the book got going proper (that's good English!), it never stopped it became a very riveting read that I found difficult to stop ... you know the feeling ... just one more chapter and before you know it, it's way past your bed time!  There are twists that you can see coming and there are others that hit you right in the face!

Overall, a very entertaining and captivating read that I would highly recommend and my thanks go to the publisher, Avon Books UK, via NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest and genuine review.

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Connect with the Author:

Website:  Lisa Stone

Twitter:  LisaStoneBooks

Lisa Stone also writes as Cathy Glass - you can visit her website here

If you visit the Publisher website - Avon Books UK - and sign up to their newsletter, you will get a free e-Book from a choice of 3.

Thirteen (Eddie Flynn #4) by Steve Cavanagh

Description from Goodreads:

"THE SERIAL KILLER ISN'T ON TRIAL.

HE'S ON THE JURY...

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'THIRTEEN is my favourite read of the year.' Sarah Pinborough

'Outstanding.' Lee Child

'Smart and original. This is a belter of a book.' Clare Mackintosh

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They were Hollywood's hottest power couple. They had the world at their feet. Now one of them is dead and Hollywood star Robert Solomon is charged with the brutal murder of his beautiful wife.

This is the celebrity murder trial of the century and the defence want one man on their team: con artist turned lawyer Eddie Flynn.

All the evidence points to Robert's guilt, but as the trial begins a series of sinister incidents in the court room start to raise doubts in Eddie's mind.

What if there's more than one actor in the courtroom?

What if the killer isn't on trial? What if the killer is on the jury?"

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WOW, WOW, WOW 😮😮😮

I can't even begin to explain how much I enjoyed this book ... it was so good, I didn't want it to end and I'm not one who normally reads courtroom books but I was drawn to this because of the serial killer angle .... I know, I know, I'm a little strange in my reading tastes!  Don't judge me 😉

Now, this is the first book I have read by this author containing Flynn and although it would have probably helped with background information to have read previous ones, I don't feel it is absolutely necessary but I will certainly be seeking them out after reading this.

Anyway, this book is basically about the murder of a starlet and her supposed lover - they were found by the husband who allegedly beat him to death with a baseball bat and stabbed her repeatedly.  In comes Flynn as part of the defence team who becomes 'the' defence team following a few revelations whereby the main lawyer (who is employed by the studio) is told to withdraw.  Meanwhile, someone is going to great lengths to be on the jury ... welcome to Joshua Kane, a very disturbed individual.

Flynn is a fantastic character; I adore him - so likeable and not 'up himself' like many lawyers seem to be portrayed ... he's "normal" ... well, if you can call a previous con-man with a shady history normal but it does give him a unique view of things which certainly comes in handy in his line of work.

Joshua Kane is far from normal but what a great character he is - such a good baddie!!

The supporting cast were equally as good and all had their part to play in this fantastic book.

The chapters are written alternatively between Flynn and Kane and whilst Flynn's are written in the first person, Kane's are written in the third; this was, I think, a stroke of genius as it gives different perspectives from Flynn who's trying his best for his client to Kane who is cleverly manipulating things from the jury box.  The pace of the book is perfect; there's plenty of action, thrills, twists and turns that had me hooked from page one.

This is, without a shadow of a doubt, one of the best books I have ever read and one of the very few that I will read again.

Many thanks to the publisher, Orion Publishing Group, via NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest review - thank you so much, I absolutely loved it and cannot recommend it highly enough.

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Connect with the author:

Website:  Steve Cavanagh Books

Twitter:  SSCav

The Man on the Roof by Michael Stephenson

Blurb:

"Someone has been creeping in the dark while the others sleep, and they've done terrible, terrible things. 

“There was a man on your roof,” claims curmudgeonly lane-hermit Herbert McKinney. Then, he initiates an unprovoked fight with a local punk. Drama escalates when that punk's dead body is found hanging at mid-street one August morning—a boastful killer messaging their next prey. All fingers point to Herbert as the culprit. Soon, the five couples he calls neighbors come under suspicion, too. When detectives divine blackmail as the motive, eyes cross to find who hides the most shameful secret. Husband versus wife, friend versus friend, the shiny suburban veneer of innocence has been forever tarnished. As hidden deviousness boils from their pores, there lurks a thief, a pill addict and a sadist—secrets worth killing for. 

Now, as the man on the roof helps guide justice and watches devious neighbors slip in and out of sleepy houses, confusion and questions persist. Who dies next? What have they learned? Who is becoming a monster? Who already is one? And just how many secrets can a small group of multi-ethnic Ohioans have? Only one cemented truth exists: the killer will kill again. 

A taut domestic mystery-suspense thriller, The Man On The Roof propels the reader through a tangled, volatile and suspenseful thicket of deception, murder and friends, inviting the reader to discover the murderer and who hides which lie. First there was Gone Girl. Then there was The Girl on the Train. Now, there's The Man On The Roof."

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Hmmmm ... if I could only use one word to describe this book, it would be ... frustrating!  Now don't get me wrong, it's not a bad book, it's just infuriatingly annoying.  Let me try and explain.

The story is basically about the murder of a young lad found suspended from a banner in a cul-de-sac of houses where we find the main suspects who, we learn, all have secrets that they don't want to come out.  In comes the police to investigate the crime and the various suspects that live in the cul-de-sac.  Sounds ok so far however, therein lies the problem.  There are so many suspects, none of which are particularly likeable, it was difficult to keep track of who was who and who was married to who and as the secrets were revealed, whose secret was it!  In addition, each of the chapters is written in different styles from different people and you don't always know who the people are ... I ended up being very confused.  There's lots of description and whilst some of it is good, e.g. people's gestures and behaviour, a lot of it is unnecessary and this makes it a very long book ... well it seemed long to me.

There are some inconsistencies as well which I found annoying.  For example, the names of the police officers change ... one minute they were Detective Cady Lambert and Detective Braidey Fitzsimmons and then they were Cady and Braidey and then they were Lambert and Fitzsimmons ... this may seem trivial but when you have so many characters, it's hard to keep track so changing their names throughout causes you to lose the thread of who is who.

Now don't get me wrong, as I said this isn't a bad book, it actually has the bones of being an excellent dark and gritty thriller but there's just too much going on that affects the flow of reading for me and I just think it needs tidying up.

I am grateful to the author for sending me a copy of his book after finding my blog.  I really appreciate the time and effort he has made in writing a complex story and putting it out there for people like me, who couldn't write a decent letter, to criticise and pick apart ... that is brave and I salute you Mr Stephenson and encourage you to keep going.

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Connect with the author:

Website:  Are You Not Entertained

Twitter:  @filmbooksbball

Hard Prejudice (Dan Reno Novel #5) by Dave Stanton

Description from Goodreads:

"The DNA evidence should have made the rape a slam dunk case…

But after the evidence disappeared from a police locker, the black man accused of brutally raping a popular actor’s daughter walked free. Hired by the actor, private detective Dan Reno’s job seemed simple enough: discover who took the DNA, and why. Problem is, from the beginning of the investigation, neither Reno, the South Lake Tahoe police, nor anyone else has any idea what the motivation could be to see ghetto thug Duante Tucker get away with the crime. Not even Reno’s best friend, fellow investigator Cody Gibbons, has a clue.

When Reno and Gibbons tail Tucker, they learn the rapist is linked to various criminals and even a deserter from the U.S. Marine Corps. But they still can’t tell who would want him set free, and for what reason?

Things get murkier when Tucker visits an Arabic restaurant whose owners are suspected terrorists. Then Cody’s ex-boss, a San Jose police captain, is found to be dallying with Tucker’s sister. 

The clues continue to build until Reno and Cody find themselves targeted for death. That tells Reno he’s getting close, so he and Gibbons put the pedal to the metal.

The forces of evil are running out of time, and the action reaches a boiling point before an explosive conclusion that reveals a sinister plot and motivations that Reno never imagined. 

Hard Prejudice is a fast-paced thriller full of action and adventure. The Dan Reno series appeals to fans of Lee Child's Jack Reacher series as well as authors like; Rob Sinclair, David Baldacci, Mark Dawson, Michael Connely and David Archer."

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I haven't read any of the other books in this series so started reading worrying whether coming in at book number 5 was a mistake I am happy to say ... it wasn't ... it can easily be read as a standalone.

Well written at great pace with action and intrigue aplenty, this book is great.  It does deal with the uncomfortable subject of rape and, I have to warn you, there is a particularly grim and disturbing section but this can't be avoided and helps to put you in the mindset of the main characters of Dan and Cody who go to great lengths to get justice.

This is a gritty read that pulls no punches and I would most definitely recommend to anyone who enjoys a a book that has non-stop action.

Thank you to Bloodhound Books for my copy in return for an unbiased review.

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Connect with the author:

Website:  Dan Reno | Mystery Books, Detective Fiction & Crime Novels where you can also get a copy of Dave Stanton’s Wrong Turn at Carson just by providing your email address ☺️

Twitter:  @danrenonovels

Facebook:  DanRenoNovels

Tubing by K A McKeagney

Description from Goodreads:

"A modern-day Looking for Mr Goodbar -- Fay Weldon

Polly, 28, lives in London with her 'perfect-on-paper' boyfriend. She works a dead-end job on a free London paper. . . life as she knows it is dull. But her banal existence is turned upside down late one drunken night on her way home, after a chance encounter with a man on a packed tube train. The chemistry between them is electric and on impulse, they kiss, giving in to their carnal desires. But it's over in an instant, and Polly is left shell-shocked as he walks away without even telling her his name.

Now obsessed with this beautiful stranger, Polly begins a frantic online search, and finally discovers more about tubing, an underground phenomenon in which total strangers set up illicit, silent, sexual meetings on busy commuter tube trains. In the process, she manages to track him down and he slowly lures her into his murky world, setting up encounters with different men via Twitter.

At first she thinks she can keep it separate from the rest of her life, but things soon spiral out of control.

By chance she spots him on a packed tube train with a young, pretty blonde. Seething with jealousy, she watches them together. But something isn't right and a horrific turn of events makes Polly realise not only how foolish she has been, but how much danger she is in...

Can she get out before it's too late?"

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A pretty successful debut ... original, darkly erotic and thrilling and one which will make you look a bit harder the next time you are on a train .... or not! 

This book is not one I would normally go for as I tend to keep away from overly sexual books but there was something about the synopsis that attracted me to read this ... maybe it's my dark side coming out!

The main character, Polly, is a complex and deeply flawed individual formed by a troubled upbringing and addictive personality.  Not happy with her seemingly perfect life, Polly goes awry following an erotic encounter on the tube and she becomes addicted to finding that stranger again and in the process, becomes embroiled in the what can only be described as "seedy" practice of #tubing.

Written at a fast pace in an easy-to-read style with great characters, this book will immerse you in a hidden world that might just exist in the cramped and overcrowded tube system.

Thank you to the publisher, RedDoor Publishing, and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest and unbiased review.

I look forward to Ms McKeagney's next outing.

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Twitter:  @kamckeagney

Information about the author from RedDoor Publishing's website:

"K.A. McKeagney studied psychology in Bristol before completing a Masters degree in creative writing at Brunel. She won the Curtis Brown prize for her dissertation, which formed the basis of her first novel Tubing. She has worked in London as a health editor writing consumer information as well as for medical journals. Her writing has been commended by the British Medical Association (BMA) patient information awards.

She is currently working on her second novel."