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