#taken by Tony Parsons (Max Wolfe #6)

Blurb from Publisher's Website:


"#taken in the night

They thought they were kidnapping the mistress of one of London’s most powerful gangsters. But they’ve taken the wrong woman. And crossed the wrong detective.

#taken underground

Detective Max Wolfe's hunt for the missing woman takes him from New Scotland Yard’s legendary Black Museum to the glittering mansions of career criminals, from sleazy strip joints to secret sex dungeons – and to unspeakably dark deeds committed decades ago.

#taken to the limit

It’s a world of family secrets, sexual jealousy, and a lust for revenge – which might also become Wolfe’s grave…"

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Once again, Tony Parsons delivers a treat of a read that starts off as it means to go on ... page-turning brilliance!

I can't speak too highly enough of the characterisation of the various protagonists within the pages of this book, and the previous ones, they are superb and the author has an innate ability to create characters that you want to either meet in real life or avoid like the plague .. this book has both in abundance.

The story is excellent with side-stories holding your interest in between the "policey" bits however, I have to admit that there were times when it veered off reality a little too much and I certainly can't see serving Police Officers getting away with what Max and some of his colleagues do ... well, I hope not anyway! but it is a work of fiction so I can cope with a little bit of OTT now and again.

This is the 6th in the series and although you could read this as a stand-alone, I would highly recommend you don't as you will be missing the delights the other books behold in between their pages (or finger-swipes).

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

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Other books in the series I have read and reviewed:

Click here to read my review

Click here to read my review

Click here to read my review

Click here to read my review

Run Away by Harlan Coben

Blurb from Goodreads:

"You've lost your daughter.

She's addicted to drugs and to an abusive boyfriend. And she's made it clear that she doesn't want to be found.

Then, quite by chance, you see her busking in New York's Central Park.

But she's not the girl you remember. This woman is wasted, frightened and clearly in trouble.

You don't stop to think. You approach her, beg her to come home.

She runs.

And you follow her into a dark and dangerous world you never knew existed. Where criminal gangs rule, where drugs are the main currency, and murder is commonplace.

Now it's your life on the line. And nowhere and no one is safe."

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Very disappointed to say that I really struggled with this book and couldn't get into it at all.  I did struggle on to the end but, to be honest, wish I hadn't bothered because I have so many more books to read that I now feel I wasted my time.

I could not connect with the story or any of the characters and found it pretty boring to be honest.

I usually like reading Harlan's books but this one ... not so much.

Thanks to the Publisher, Random House UK, Cornerstone and NetGalley for providing me with a copy in return for an honest review.

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My Lovely Wife by Samantha Downing

The blurb from Goodreads:

"Introducing the next generation of domestic thriller...

Every marriage has secrets. Everyone has flaws. Your wife isn't perfect - you know that - but then again nor are you.

But now a serial killer is on the loose in your small town, preying on young women. Fear is driving your well-behaved young daughter off the rails, and you find yourself in bed late at night, looking at the woman who lies asleep beside you.

Because you thought you knew the worst about her. The truth is you know nothing at all.

This is a thriller like nothing you've read before..."

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This book is like nothing I have read before ... in a good way of course but I am slightly worried that I may be moving onto the dark side of normal!  Why? you may ask - just read this book and you'll understand!

What we have here is an absolute gem of a read that had me hooked from the start.  I won't go into the plot as I don't want to give anything away but will describe it as being edgy, dark, twisted, engrossing, disturbingly entertaining and totally unique.   The characters are just excellent but more than that, they are frighteningly believable and rarely do I find myself feeling so wrong about liking and rooting for someone so disturbed but scarily normal!

The writing is crisp and effective and easy to read with excellent pacing; great suspense and twists leave you reading way too late into the night in anticipation of what the heck is going to happen next. 

I can't believe this is a debut and I am waiting on tenterhooks for Samantha Downing's next book and I only hope it's as disturbingly good as this one.  On her website, she says that she wants to "tell stories that make people walk into walls"; I think she did with this one.

Thank you to the publisher, Penguin UK - Michael Joseph, and NetGalley for my copy in exchange for an honest review.

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Escape by Iain Rob Wright

The blurb from Goodreads:

"Brand new Horror novel from acclaimed author Iain Rob Wright. Can you figure out the secret and escape before it's too late? 

Cheryl wants to get to know her co-workers. That's the only reason she agreed to go on a 'company outing.' She and six of her colleagues are going to be locked inside a room with only their wits to help them. If they escape in time, there'll be prize money. Fail, and the repercussions might be deadly. 

Cheryl will soon find out that the people she works with all share a secret, one they are willing to kill for. 

A brand new chiller novel from Iain Rob Wright. Grab your copy of Escape! today and try to figure out the mystery before the timer runs out."

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Once again we are treated to a great horror novel from Iain Rob Wright which isn't just full of blood and gore; it's a good story too.

This is a cross between the "escape" genre and "team building" with a bit of "Saw" thrown in for good measure.  A group of work colleagues meet in the middle of nowhere to spend the day relaxing and having fun ... little do they know what's in store for them when they enter an underground set of shipping containers.  The "game" revolves around the ugly secrets of those taking part with Cheryl unfortunately being in the wrong place at the wrong time.  What follows is a fast paced delve into the past of the lives of Cheryl's colleagues but what are they going to have to do to escape with their lives?  It's not pretty but neither are those taking part.

A well written, fast paced, intriguing story full of action and, yes, blood and although I could see the main twist coming from a mile away, it was still an enjoyable and good quick read.  Recommended to those of us who don't mind a bit of violence and carnage.

My thanks to Mr Wright as I did receive an advance copy from him prior to publication in return for an honest review however, I bought a Kindle copy too as I didn't get round to reading it in time and I'm good like that 😃

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Connect with the author:

Author twitter:  @IainRobWright

Author website:  Iain Rob Wright

However, due to a server error, there is nothing on the website currently however, you can follow a link to get 5 FREE BOOKS by visiting a temporary page

What are you waiting for? Go get 'em, I did 😉

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Other books I've read and reviewed by this author:

Click here for my review

Click here for my review