Ready or Not by Alex Lake

 

Description from Goodreads:

"Ready or not…here I come

Alice and Tom Sark seem to have it all. The perfect marriage, the perfect baby, the perfect life. And now Alice, an up-and-coming journalist, starts investigating a story which could make her career – a serial killer operating in her hometown.

 

But soon, the case starts to hit a little too close to home. Alice and Tom begin fighting all the time. Their beautiful baby daughter, normally so calm, just won’t stop crying.

 

Then the serial killer turns their attention to Alice. And the nightmare truly starts…"

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This is a deliciously creepy and gripping read made all the better as it's partly set in my neck of the woods!

A serial killer is on the loose murdering people at random and the police have no leads whatsoever.  Tom and Alice are happily married with a beautiful baby girl but the cracks begin to show; they are exhausted by a lack of sleep, bruising begins to appear on their baby and Alice starts writing about the serial killer.  As Alice becomes more embroiled in her story, it appears the killer has her in his sights.

Written from different perspectives and with timelines from the past which smoothly lead into the present, this is a fast paced and thrilling read where the tension builds and builds right until the end.  Each and every character is strong and adds something to the story.

I have read some of Alex Lake's previous books and have enjoyed each and every one of them and I will certainly be looking out for the next.

Thank you to HarperCollins UK / HarperFiction and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.

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Other books by Alex Lake I have read and reviewed:

Copycat

Seven Days

The Choice

Survivor's Guilt (DCI Matilda Darke #8) by Michael Wood

 

Description from Goodreads:

"A TEAM TORN APART

Nine months ago DCI Matilda Darke survived a bullet to the head. The brutal attack claimed dozens of lives, including those she loved most, and the nightmares still plague her every waking thought.

A MEMORY SHE’D RATHER FORGET

Now, she’s ready to get back on the job. But a new terror awaits. A woman is found murdered and her wounds look eerily similar to several cold cases. Desperate to find a lead, DCI Darke and her team must face a terrifying truth: a serial killer is on the loose in Sheffield.

A THREAT CLOSE TO HOME

Matilda has led countless murder investigations before but the lingering emotional scars from her ordeal and the uneasiness within her once-tight team have left tensions high. As the body count rises, Matilda realises that this might just be where it all ends."

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Having just finished Time is Running Out, the 7th in this series, and being absolutely blown away by it, I couldn't wait to get my grubby little mitts on this, the 8th in the brilliant Matilda Darke series and I wasn't disappointed in the slightest.  What I will say is that I think it would be preferable to have read the 7th book before reading this one as this one picks the story up 9 months later and will provide an explanation as to why Matilda and other characters are acting as they are.

This book follows 3 themes; the aftermath of the massacre that occurred in the previous book, the murder of prostitutes in Sheffield and the long-running theme of the kidnapping of Carl Meagan.  

Once again, Michael writes a gripping story that moves at pace.  There is violence and edge-of-the-seat moments; I took at sharp intake of breath when the murderer was revealed - I am usually quite good at figuring out who it is but this one absolutely blind-sided me and I actually gasped and said a few choice words that are not repeatable here as I try to avoid profanity in my reviews!

There is also compassion and tenderness and an authentic-feeling description of how grief and tragedy can affect people differently; it can bring you together or completely tear you apart and destroy you and those around you.  Everyone is struggling to manage their grief but can they work together to catch the killer or are they too broken?

The characters are just brilliant and I particularly liked how Michael portrayed the prostitutes as "people" rather than the usual stereotypes which made a nice change; I absolutely loved Bev and Sarah.  Matilda is, I admit, a difficult person to like in this book but given what she has endured, she is forgiven ... just this once!

Full of tension, suspense and emotion, this book and the series, is one that shouldn't be missed ... roll on number 9!

I am grateful to HarperCollins UK / One More Chapter via NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.

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Other books by Michael Wood I have read and reviewed:

For Reasons Unknown (DCI Matilda Darke #1)

The Murder House (DCI Matilda Darke #5)

Stolen Children (DCI Matilda Darke #6)

Time Is Running Out (DCI Matilda Darke #7)

Time Is Running Out (DCI Matilda Darke #7) by Michael Wood

Description from Goodreads:

"You’re a survivor, aren’t you, Matilda? But what’s the point in surviving when everyone around you is dead?

When DCI Matilda Darke receives a mysterious telephone call, she immediately dismisses the threat. Afterall the Homicide and Major Enquiries team are a regular target for prank calls.

But ignoring this warning might soon be the biggest regret of Matilda Darke’s life.

A lone gunman is on a deadly rampage around Sheffield, leaving a bloody trail in his wake. Taking his shots with a sickening precision, he’s about to leave his mark on the world and change Matilda and her team’s lives forever."

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Oh ... my ... word!!!  One of the best books I have read this year without a doubt.

What an absolute cracker - totally riveting, a nail-biter and an emotional roller-coaster that had me well and truly hooked and taking flexi time off work so I could start reading earlier.  I would say you don't have to have read any of the previous in the series to appreciate this but it does help to understand the main characters but it's not essential.

A mass murderer is on the loose and no one is safe and when I say no one, I mean it ... no one is spared.  The pace is relentless, the plot scarily plausible and the characters are just fantastic.

It's chock full of action, violence and suspense from start to finish.  I was on pins wondering who was next and went from feeling anger to dread to actual tears.  I know, I know, they aren't real people but Michael Wood writes them so well that you really get attached so when something horrific happens to them and you feel the impact it has on those around them, you can't help but get drawn in so yes, I shed a few tears.  

I had to close my kindle several times to catch my breath and take 5 minutes to compose myself several times whilst reading and would advise that you don't read this in a public place unless you're not bothered about showing a whole gamut of emotions to strangers!

Highly recommended but not to those who are of a nervous disposition or who don't like multiple scenes of peril and murder ... you have been warned!

Many, many thanks to HarperCollins UK / One More Chapter and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.

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Other books by Michael Wood that I have read and reviewed:

For Reasons Unknown (DCI Matilda Darke #1)

The Murder House (DCI Matilda Dark #5)

Stolen Children (DCI Matilda Dark #6)

The Weekend Escape by Rakie Bennett

 

Description from Goodreads:

"A deserted island, a vicious storm, a murderer amongst friends…

It was meant to be a fun reunion, a chance for six friends to reconnect and relive the adventures that brought them together in the first place. But from the moment they arrive on their island home for the weekend, Lyndsey, Sonia, Bobbie, Amanda, Juliet, and Val realise that their paradise is filled with peril, and there are consequences when you try to outrun the ghosts of your past.

As everything starts to fall apart, and the friends begin to turn against one another, deep, dark secrets are revealed, and an unimaginable horror is unleashed. They came seeking adventure, but now they’ll be lucky to leave with their lives…"

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This is another book that takes the "locked-room" mystery and develops it so rather than being in a room, the 6 friends are on a small island just off the coast of the north west of the UK accessed only by boat, no phone to the outside world and dodgy weather approaching.  What could possibly go wrong? 

Things start to go awry from the beginning and gradually get worse.  The sense of claustrophobia and of being within touching distance of the mainland when you might as well be on the moon was excellently portrayed.

The characters were well developed - I don't think any of them are particularly likeable or memorable but it works for the story.  The pacing is steady and the build up of tension palpable.  The reveal was, for me, not much of a surprise as I had already guessed it but getting there was quite good fun.

Although not the most unique story, it was enjoyable nevertheless and my thanks must go to HarperCollinsUK / One More Chapter via NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.

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Her Last Holiday by C.L. Taylor

 

Description from Goodreads:

"You come to Soul Shrink to be healed. You don’t expect to die.

Two years ago, Fran’s sister Jenna disappeared on a wellness retreat in Gozo that went terribly wrong.

Tom Wade, the now infamous man behind Soul Shrink Retreats, has just been released from prison after serving his sentence for the deaths of two people. But he has never let on what happened to the third suspected victim: Jenna.

Determined to find out the truth, Fran books herself onto his upcoming retreat – the first since his release – and finds herself face to face with the man who might hold the key to her sister’s disappearance. The only question is, will she escape the retreat alive? Or does someone out there want Jenna’s secrets to stay hidden?"

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I think this is one of those ©Marmite books ... you'll either like it or not.  For me, I liked it ... I didn't love it, but I was certainly entertained and fair blasted through it.

This starts off at a steady pace while the characters are introduced and gradually increases as the story develops culminating in break-neck speed.  There a quite a few characters and past and present timelines so you have to keep your wits about you but this added to the suspense and tension.

The story is told from three points of view - Fran, Kate and Jenna.  It took me a while to warm to Fran but the more I read, the more she grew on me.  Kate - nope, not a likeable character at all but worked well for the book.  Jenna - still not sure how I feel about her.

The plot is interesting - not particularly plausible but if you can't suspend reality in a fiction book, then when can you?  There are plenty of suspects to keep you guessing and although I pretty much worked out what was going on pretty early on, it was fun seeing how it all played out.

Overall, a fun read and my thanks must go to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.

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Other books by C.L. Taylor that I have read and reviewed:

The Island

Strangers

Sleep

The Fear

Saint Death by Mark Dawson

 

Description from Goodreads:

"John Milton has been off the grid for six months. He surfaces in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, and immediately finds himself drawn into a vicious battle with the narco-gangs that control the borderlands.

He saves the life of an idealistic young journalist who has been targeted for execution. The only way to keep her safe is to smuggle her into Texas. Working with the only untouchable cops in the city, and a bounty hunter whose motives are unclear, Milton must keep her safe until the crossing can be made.

But when the man looking for her is the legendary assassin Santa Muerta - Saint Death - that's a lot easier said than done."

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This is a cracker of a quick read and although this is the second in the series, you most definitely can read it as a standalone.  

Absolutely jam-packed with action from start to finish and with the main protagonist that you quickly begin to care about despite his dodgy history, this is a great book.

John Milton is ex-army, ex-special forces and ex-government agent - well he wants to be ex-agent but it's not that easy and John has "escaped" to South America.  Trying to keep off-the-radar, he finds himself working as a cook in a "restaurant" in Juarez, Mexico when the proverbial hits the fan and John can't stand by watching innocent people get murdered.  Unfortunately, his intervention puts him in the line of sight of the cartel and his old bosses whilst trying to avoid corrupt police and the local population who are under the thumb of the cartel.

This is a book that I absolutely raced through, full of action and violence with many scenes of peril, which some may find upsetting, but one which I thoroughly got lost in and I will definitely read more from this author.

Thank you to Welbeck Publishing Group and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.

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For Your Own Good by Samantha Downing

 

Description from Goodreads:

"Teddy Crutcher has won Teacher of the Year at the esteemed Belmont Academy, home to the best and brightest.

He says his wife couldn't be more proud—though no one has seen her in a while.

Teddy really can’t be bothered with the death of a school parent that’s looking more and more like murder or the student digging a little too deep into Teddy’s personal life. His main focus is on pushing these kids to their full academic potential.

All he wants is for his colleagues—and the endlessly meddlesome parents—to stay out of his way.

It's really too bad that sometimes excellence can come at such a high cost."

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I read a lot of thrillers and I am getting harder to please but I'm happy to say that For Your Own Good pleased me!

This book had me hooked and I read it in super quick time.  It is full of thoroughly unlikeable characters where few had any redeeming qualities and I have to admit that I actually smiled when at least one of them came to their sticky end!  

The story is written from various points of view and whilst this puts you right into the heads of the characters, it does take away some of the tension and thrills but it was fun being in the heads of people who had clearly lost the plot!

This was a fun and over the top read that I would recommend to those who are able to put reality and plausibility aside for a few hours and just hop on and enjoy the ride.

My thanks go to Penguin Michael Joseph UK and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.

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Other books by Samantha Downing I have read and reviewed:

My Lovely Wife

The Cottage by Lisa Stone

 

Description from Goodreads:

"An isolated cottage…

After losing her job and boyfriend, Jan Hamlin is in desperate need of a fresh start. So she jumps at the chance to rent a secluded cottage on the edge of Coleshaw Woods.

 

A tap at the window…

Very quickly though, things take a dark turn. At night, Jan hears strange noises, and faint taps at the window. Something, or someone, is out there.

 

A forest that hides many secrets…

Jan refuses to be scared off. But whoever is outside isn’t going away, and it soon becomes clear that the nightmare is only just beginning…"

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Having read and enjoyed a few of Lisa Stone's previous books, I was only too happy to read her latest and I was not disappointed.

There are two strands to this book; the first is an intriguing story set in an isolated cottage at the edge of a wood.  The main character, Jan, is not in a good place and needs a break away from a life that has spiralled down ... well she gets it but not in the way she would have hoped.  The second, is the devastating story of Ian and Emma's loss of their baby and the repercussions of Ian's investigations as to why it has happened to them for a second time.

How are these two strands connected ... if at all?

Written at a steady pace with interesting characters, this is a book that will keep you reading to find out what happens.  I admit that I worked out the twist quite early on but needed to keep reading to see how it all played out and, on the whole, it was very satisfying.

My thanks go to HarperCollins UK and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.

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Other books by Lisa Stone I have read and reviewed:

Taken

Stalker

The Darkness Within

The Man Who Died Twice (Thursday Murder Club #2) by Richard Osman

 

Description from Goodreads:

"It's the following Thursday.

Elizabeth has received a letter from an old colleague, a man with whom she has a long history. He's made a big mistake, and he needs her help. His story involves stolen diamonds, a violent mobster, and a very real threat to his life.

As bodies start piling up, Elizabeth enlists Joyce, Ibrahim and Ron in the hunt for a ruthless murderer. And if they find the diamonds too? Well, wouldn't that be a bonus?

But this time they are up against an enemy who wouldn't bat an eyelid at knocking off four septuagenarians. Can The Thursday Murder Club find the killer (and the diamonds) before the killer finds them?"

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I have read and enjoyed the first in this series which introduced us to the members of The Thursday Murder Club and what a surprising and enjoyable read it was; this second instalment is, in my opinion, even better.  You don't have to have read the first as The Man Who Died Twice can be read as a standalone but it will certainly help to have a knowledge of the main characters.

I am loving being back amongst the members of the Thursday Murder Club - Elizabeth, Joyce, Ron and Ibrahim and the additional, but definitely not superfluous, characters of Chris, Donna, Stephen, Bogdan, Patrice and Kendrick ... I love them all and really enjoyed getting to more about them which was skilfully woven within the story.  The relationships they have with each other is special and really shows the value of friendship, trust and loyalty.  

Reading The Man Who Died Twice is like putting on a pair of comfy slippers, a fluffy dressing gown, cosying up on the sofa in front of a real fire with the rain pouring down outside - perfect.  Do not, however, be mistaken - this is not a cosy mystery, it is so much more than that - it has action, humour (lots of it), violence (although not a lot and not gratuitous) and tender moments all wrapped up in an excellent plot which is addictive and enthralling.

Is it plausible? Not really but its one heck of a hoot and I love it and cannot wait for the next .. there'd better be one Mr Osman!

Many thanks to Penguin General UK via NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy in return for an unbiased and unedited review.

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My review of the first in the series:

The Thursday Murder Club