Death Row Games by Shade Owens

 ✴✴✴ due to be published 27-December-2024 ✴✴✴

Description from Goodreads:

"Six death row convicts. One island. Last person standing wins their freedom.

After being charged with first-degree murder, Brooklyn Winters awaits execution on death row. So when she receives a mysterious letter offering her a chance to win her freedom, she thinks it's a hoax.

According to this letter, all she has to do is agree to take part in a survival game on a remote island.

Last player standing wins their freedom.

If this deal is real, this could be her only chance to escape death. It could also turn out to be a living nightmare.

But what choice does she have?

She can either wait for execution, or fight to the death and hope to come out alive.

Let the games begin."

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I haven't read anything by this author before but if any of her other books are like this one, I won't be making that mistake again in a hurry because whilst this was a bit of change from what I usually read, it had me on the edge of my seat quickly tapping my Kindle screen to find out how it would all end.

The two main characters of Brooklyn and Eddy are excellent and I loved that we got to see how they ended up on death row and could totally understand how they would jump at the chance to be given their freedom ... I was totally invested in them.

There is oodles of action and violence with the tension ratcheting up at every new chapter.  The twists were excellent and whilst I am still not sure about the ending, I would still recommend.

I can definitely see this as being a great action film and my thanks to the author, Red Raven Publishing and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this book.

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The Seven (Eve Wren #1) by Robyn Delvey

 ✴✴✴ Due to be published 01-January-2025 ✴✴✴

Description from Goodreads:

"2 bombs. 43 dead. Dozens injured. The trial of the decade has begun…

New to the job and with everything to prove, Crown Prosecution Service lawyer Eve Wren is working on the biggest UK trial in decades.

Notorious cult leader Patrick Nye and his followers, known as The Seven, are pleading not guilty to detonating a bomb in a London theatre. Patrick might be charming on the stand, but Eve knows that the evidence never lies.

The trial has already started when Eve discovers a piece of evidence that calls the whole case into question.

With the world watching, every second counts as the clock ticks down on the jury’s verdict. And Eve’s hunt for the truth pulls her into the sinister criminal underbelly and straight into the line of fire…"

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Eve Wren, a top criminal defence solicitor, is fired (after trying to do the right thing) but gets a new job at the Crown Prosecution Service.  She's assigned to review the evidence in a high-profile trial of "The Seven," involving a deadly hotel bombing carried out by a cult who believe the rich should be brought down a peg or two. 

The book alternates between the trial, the events leading up to the bombing and Eve's discoveries.  The pacing is a little slow at first but the characters are well developed and highlights the likely difficulties survivors of such events have to cope with in terms of the media interest and facing those who perpetrated such violence in a trial.  What I think was missing was a perspective from the accused; I would have liked to have read something from their point of view which would have given me a more rounded experience.  Having said that, I did enjoy the book and became totally engrossed in it and I loved Eve's character who was relatable and authentic.

I have to admit that I wasn't that keen on the ending and found it to be weaker and appeared a little more rushed than the rest of the book which resulted in it being a bit of an anti-climax making it a good book rather than a great book however, I think it's a solid start to a new series and I look forward to reading more about Eve Wren in the future.

Many thanks to the author, Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this, the first in a new series.

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The Last Secret Agent by Pippa Latour [Audiobook]

 🎙🎙🎙 Narrated by Jilly Bond 🎙🎙🎙

Description from Goodreads:

"This is the astounding true story of one of the last female special operations agents in France to get out alive after its liberation in WWII.

Born in 1921, Pippa Latour became a covert special operations agent who parachuted into a field in Nazi-occupied Normandy. Trained by the British, Pippa was lauded for her fluency with languages and her coding ability - attributes she put to remarkable use when she posed as a teenage soap-seller, often selling her wares to the German soldiers and sending back information via code to England.

Incredibly brave - Pippa knew she could be instantly shot if her cover was blown - she concealed her codes on a piece of silk that she threaded through a shoelace and wore as a hair tie. She bicycled around the region, often sleeping rough and foraging for food.

During her time in Normandy, Pippa sent 135 secret messages conveying crucial information on German troop positions in the lead-up to D-Day. Pippa continued her mission until the liberation of Paris in August 1944.

For decades, Pippa told no one - not even her family - of her incredible feats during WWII.

Now, for the first time, her story can be told in full."

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What an extraordinary story of a quite remarkable woman.

From start to finish this book had me absolutely hooked.  Even before Pippa signed up as part of Churchill's Secret Army, known as the Special Operations Executive (SOE), she had been through the mill having been orphaned when she was only four years old.  

Pippa's work behind enemy lines in France along with members of the resistance and the local communities was dangerous and capture with certain death being the likely outcome, had me holding my breath at times.

The narration was just excellent and really brought everything to life.  Just an amazing story of an awe-inspiring woman that I would recommend highly and many thanks to the author, Octopus Audio, Monoray and NetGalley for enabling me to listen to and share my thoughts of this amazing story.

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The Silent Resistance by Anna Normann

 

Description from the Publisher:

"One mother’s impossible choice. One daughter’s epic search.

Occupied Norway, 1944. While the war rages on, Anni is surviving as best she can, contributing to the resistance whenever possible and standing firm without her sailor husband Lars, who she hasn’t heard from in three years. Her daughter Ingrid is the bright spot in her life and Anni is determined to keep her safe and happy. However, when a German official is billeted at their house, the situation for them both becomes far more dangerous, and Anni faces an impossible choice.

London, 1952. In the years since she moved to live with her father, young Ingrid has been trying to make sense of the disappearance of her mother just as peace in Norway was declared. She desperately holds on to the fact that Anni promised she would always come back for her and, undaunted, Ingrid sets out to discover what happened to her mother all those years ago."

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This book is a heart-wrenching tale of love, loss, and survival set against the backdrop of Nazi-occupied Norway. 

I was totally gripped as the story unfolded, gradually revealing Anni's fate. The suspense was palpable and I was desperate to learn what had happened to her. The characters were incredibly well-developed and I found myself totally invested and immersed in their lives.  I would have loved to have known more about the missing years of Anni; maybe this could be another book?!?

As someone unfamiliar with the German occupation of Norway, I found the historical context to be both fascinating and heartbreaking. The novel brought to life the hardships endured by the Norwegian people and the sacrifices made by those who resisted the occupation. It made me appreciate the characters' struggles even more and gave me a deeper understanding of their motivations.

An excellent book that whilst it is a work of fiction, I have no doubt that it is a pretty accurate reflection of life during these horrendous times and I must thank the authors, Allison & Busby and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this captivating story.

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Blood Like Mine by Stuart Neville

Description from the Goodreads:

" You would do anything to protect your child.

Even if she’s a monster . . .

Rebecca Carter and her daughter Monica, nicknamed Moonflower, travel the American West, always on the move, always hiding, always looking behind them, always keeping Moonflower out of sight.

They speak to no one, only interacting with people when it’s absolutely necessary.

But wherever they go, bodies are left behind.

Special Agent Marc Donner of the FBI has been tracking a killer for the best part of two years. A murderer that strikes once every few weeks. The victims are all men, many disappearing only to be found months later, dumped in forests or rivers or quarries, far from their places of death. All of them with their throats opened, their bodies bled out and their spinal cords severed.

The killer leaves no trace, no clues – only a trail of corpses.

After all this time, Donner has gleaned only a handful of facts from the few witnesses and snippets of CCTV footage available. He’s hunting a middle-aged woman who drives a van with blacked-out windows and false plates. Often she poses as a child online to lure in her prey. It’s never been enough to track her down though.

Until now.

And so begins a cat-and-mouse game between Donner and his prey, Rebecca and Moonflower. But who is the actual hunter – and who is the actual prey? For perhaps Moonflower isn’t the child that her mother claims she is. Perhaps she’s something else – and as Donner puts everything on the line to capture them and prove his suspicions right, perhaps he isn’t prepared to face what is really out there."

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I haven't read nearly enough of Mr Neville's work for my liking as each one I have read has been totally addictive from start to finish and this was no exception.  

This is a crime novel that's so very different and I would say that it's best to approach it with an open mind, free from preconceived ideas; you do that, and you will definitely enjoy the ride!

From the very beginning, I was captivated by the stories of Rebecca Carter, Moonflower and Special Agent Marc Donner.  Rebecca is a flawed but fiercely protective mother, driven by love and desperation. Donner is a dedicated lawman haunted by his mistakes.  Moonflower is .... well I will let you read the story to find that out!

Full of suspense and oodles of tension that just keeps on building, this is a story that had me intrigued and totally invested; it has everything I enjoy ... crime, thrills, serial killers, action, suspense, tension and a bit of the supernatural and horror thrown in for good measure ... what's not to like?!?

Recommended to those of you who enjoy reading something a bit different than the usual crime stories and I must thank Stuart Neville, Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this compelling book.

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The Missing Ones (DI Lottie Parker #1) by Patricia Gibney [Audiobook]

 

🎙🎙🎙 Narrated by Michele Moran 🎙🎙🎙

Description from Goodreads:

"The hole they dug was not deep. A white flour bag encased the little body. Three small faces watched from the window, eyes black with terror.

The child in the middle spoke without turning his head. I wonder which one of us will be next?

When a woman’s body is discovered in a cathedral and hours later a young man is found hanging from a tree outside his home, Detective Lottie Parker is called in to lead the investigation. Both bodies have the same distinctive tattoo clumsily inscribed on their legs. It’s clear the pair are connected, but how?

The trail leads Lottie to St. Angela’s, a former children’s home, with a dark connection to her own family history. Suddenly the case just got personal.

As Lottie begins to link the current victims to unsolved murders decades old, two teenage boys go missing. She must close in on the killer before they strike again, but in doing so is she putting her own children in terrifying danger?

Lottie is about to come face to face with a twisted soul who has a very warped idea of justice."

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This gripping, but hard to listen to at times, book introduces us to Detective Lottie Parker, a fierce and determined officer who will stop at nothing to uncover the truth. The story begins with a chilling prologue that sets the stage for a suspenseful and thought-provoking story that is not always easy to listen to but sadly believable.

I was hooked from the start.  The characters are well-developed and Lottie is a really strong character.  The plot is complex and very engaging with twists and turns that kept me on my toes.  While it was quite a long book, which might not suit everyone, it didn't detract from my overall enjoyment of the story.

The narrator, Michele Moran, is excellent, really bringing the characters and their world to life.

Overall, this is a great start to a new (to me) detective series and many thanks to the author, Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for enabling me to listen to and share my thoughts on this, a great start to a series.

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The Killer in the Cold (DI James Walker #5) by Alex Pine

 

Description from the Publisher:

"Chilling truths are buried in this snow…

When a body dressed in a Santa Claus suit appears in the snow just outside a small village in Cumbria, DCI James Walker is the first to appear on the scene. Almost a year has passed since something so tragic has happened in the close-knit community, and James is hopeful that it’s just an accidental death.

But when he uncovers the body, he discovers something that chills him to the bone. The man, a former police officer, was murdered. And it’s not long before another body appears.

Time is ticking as James races to uncover the killer’s next victim, before they strike again. But can James find them before the snow washes away the evidence?"

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I love this series ... it just seems to get better and better.

Although this is the fifth book in the series, I think it works well as a standalone however, I would recommend you go back and read from the start ... you won't be disappointed.

With great characters, a fantastic setting, excellent plot, great twists and all written at a good pace, this is a book that you will easily get engrossed in.  There isn't a lot of gratuitous violence so is suitable for most readers and whilst I did guess the murderer, I think it was just a lucky guess on my part!

Well written and highly recommended.

Many thanks to the author, Avon Books UK and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this latest edition to a great series.

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You All Die Tonight by Simon Kernick

 Description from the Publisher:

"THE ONLY WAY TO SURVIVE…IS IF SOMEONE CONFESSES TO MURDER.

Seven people wake up in a remote mansion. The doors are all locked.

They have no idea where they are. Who brought them there. Or how to escape.

Each knew the victims of a dreadful crime committed four years earlier but that’s all that links them.

Then a voice echoes through the house with a terrifying message.

They’ve been poisoned – and have less than 12 hours to live.

There’s an antidote on hand: but only if someone admits to being a killer.

And they all claim to be innocent.

The time for confession is rapidly running out.

How many – if any – of them will survive the night?

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I am a fan of Simon Kernick's work and I have enjoyed 99.99999% of the books I have read and this is another that I will add to that list.

I can't say much more than the blurb without giving things away but what I will say is that this is a great mystery and whilst there are very few redeeming qualities about any of the characters, that didn't seem to make much difference to me.  It's written at a great pace with some excellent twists and turns many of which I didn't see coming.

This was a quick read for me as I was desperate to find out how it all came together and the killer was revealed and I wasn't disappointed.  Many thanks to the author, Headline and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this, another great read from Simon Kernick.

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The Married Man by K. L. Slater

 

Description from the Publisher:

"Everyone thinks my husband is dead. Just like we planned…

Eleven years ago, my husband disappeared. Eleven long hard years I waited, my heart breaking for our son, who didn’t know his father was coming back.

Today, my hands shake as I try to understand what I’ve just learned: my husband has a new wife. This wasn’t part of our plan.

Eleven years ago, my husband made a terrible mistake. I sacrificed everything to help him fix it. But now he’s put our son and me in danger again.

We had a plan. He broke the rules. But who will pay the price?"

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I have read a few of K.L. Slater's books and have not been disappointed yet and I wasn't with this one.

Eleven years ago, Liv's husband, Rich, vanished without a trace, leaving behind their young son, Maddox. Now, as Liv prepares to receive a long-awaited financial settlement, she finds herself caught in a web of intrigue and danger.

With a complex plot of secrets and lies, The Married Man had me riveted.  The short chapters and multiple perspectives had me gripped from the start but if I have one complaint, it's that the ending felt a bit rushed but that didn't detract from my overall enjoyment of this book.

Recommended to those of you who enjoy a great thriller with some great twists and many thanks to the author, Bookouture and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this riveting read.

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Faces of Evil: Unmasking the World’s Most Horrific Serial Killers by Dominic Utton [Audiobook]

 🎙🎙🎙 Narrated by Tom Alexander 🎙🎙🎙

Description from Goodreads:

"Uncover the chilling true stories behind some of history's most monstrous murderers.

Ian Brady and Myra Hindley Ted Bundy, Harold Shipman – these notorious names represent the worst of humanity, men and women who are driven by an urge to kill, and kill again. They are monsters lurking among us, often living outwardly respectable lives while indulging their horrific desires under cover of darkness, or anonymity.

Serial killers continue to hold a gruesome fascination, their crimes and compulsions seemingly incomprehensible to civilized society. Some have become household names, the subject of hit Netflix documentaries and BBC dramas ... others remain a hidden horror in the shadows.

Organised thematically according to each killer's twisted passion, Faces of Evil chronicles the crimes of twenty of the most infamous – and less well-known – serial killers of the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries, unpicking their means, motives and methods ... and attempting to understand what drove their horrific lust for murder."

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I am a true crime fan and have been fascinated by serial killers since I was a teenager ... strange I know but there you go 😊 

This audiobook gives a captivating look at some of history's most notorious serial killers. The author weaves together the stories of these individuals, delving into their backgrounds, motives, and crimes.

It's fast paced and engrossing and although it doesn't provide a detailed examination of each murder and trial, it does provide an overview of various cases which makes it an easy (although not in terms of the content) listen as it delves into the darker aspects of human nature and therefore due to the graphic nature of the subject matter, it may not be suitable for everyone.

Even for those familiar with many of the serial killers included, this book did introduce me to some I had never heard of and also provided details I had not been aware of.

The narrator was excellent and, I think, perfect for this book.  It's a hard listen at times so it must have been a difficult one to narrate so kudos to Tom Alexander ... you did a great job.

Overall, I would recommend this to those of you who are interested in serial killers and true crime enthusiasts and many thanks to the author, Bolinda Audio and NetGalley for enabling me to listen to and share my thoughts of this thought-provoking book.

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The Village Killer (DI Barton #7) by Ross Greenwood

 

Description from the Publisher:

"After three years behind a desk, Inspector John Barton wonders if he’s still got what it takes.

An opportunity arises to return to Major Crimes, so he jumps at it, after all he’s been around the block a few times. When he and his team are called in to investigate an attempted murder which seems to be linked to the case of a missing child, Barton is immediately thrust back into the life of a detective – early mornings, late nights and endless pressure to get to the truth.

Then a man dies.

Something deadly is going on behind the high walls and imposing gates of the mansions in the sleepy village of Castor. The locals are keeping each other’s secrets and if Barton doesn’t find out why soon, the bodies will start mounting up.

The Village Killer knows who’s next, and the clock is ticking…"

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I haven't read anything by Ross Greenwood before but now, after reading this, I am kicking myself.  Where have I been living over the years for this series to have passed me by?

I try not to pick up books mid-series but I did like the sound of this so thought I'd give it a go and I wasn't disappointed ... yes, I have missed out on loads of backstory and character development however, I don't think it affected my enjoyment of this book one little bit.

This is a really gripping story and I was hooked from the very first chapter.  The characters are excellent and I warmed to DI Barton, and his wife, very quickly - I loved their banter ... it felt natural and not forced.  The plot is intriguing, the story told from different points of view (although not confusingly so) and the pace is perfect.

Overall, a really, really, good police-procedural that I won't hesitate to recommend and many thanks must go to the author, Boldwood Books and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this excellent book.

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The Crow Girl by Erik Axl Sund

Description from the Goodreads:

" It starts with just one body – the hands bound, the skin covered in marks.

Detective Superintendent Jeanette Kihlberg is determined to find out who is responsible, despite opposition from her superiors. When two more bodies are found, it becomes clear that she is hunting a serial killer.

With her career on the line, she turns to psychotherapist Sofia Zetterlund. Together, they uncover a chain of shocking events that began decades ago – but will it lead them to the murderer before someone else dies?"

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This is another book I have had on my to-be-read pile for too many years than I should have however, I think I should have left it there because this one just wasn't for me.

For a start, it's sooooooo long and whilst this isn't always an issue, it is when, in my opinion, it doesn't need to be.   It starts off really well but then dissolves into a convoluted and unrealistic mess. While the initial murder mystery is intriguing, the subsequent plot twists and character developments are implausible and frustrating.

Now, this is just me ... there are loads of really positive reviews of this book so don't take my word for it and give it a try ... you never know, you might love it!

Thanks to the authors, Random House UK, Vintage Publishing and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this book and I'm sorry it just wasn't my cup of tea.

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Angel of Death: The James Ryker Series Book 12 by Rob Sinclair

Description from the Publisher:

"Ismail Karaman is one of the deadliest terrorists in recent history. So why is he free to float around the Persian Gulf on his luxury yacht?

Ex intelligence agent James Ryker thinks he knows why, and the answer lies at the corrupt heart of the SIS. Ryker isn’t one to let the bad guys get away with murder, but Karaman has many enemies, and one in particular will make all their lives much more complicated…

They call her the Angel of Death – a former agent whose last encounter with Karaman cost her everything, and left her in a Lebanese prison cell. Now she’s free, and with nothing else to lose, she’s determined to get her revenge… whatever it takes.

Ryker and the Angel may have the same target, but that doesn’t mean they’re on the same side. Who will reach Karaman first? And who will still be standing when the bodies pile up?"

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I have read a few of Rob Sinclair's books which I have thoroughly enjoyed but this is the first in this series however, despite this being book 12, I think it works well as a standalone and I certainly got to grip with the characters pretty quickly although realise there is an awful lot I have missed.

With fantastic characters, an excellent plot, loads of action, suspense and thrills and all written at a great, fast pace, this is a really good action/adventure/spy/thriller so will appeal to many.  There are violent scenes but only what you would expect for this type of book and nothing that is over the top ... well I didn't think so.  

Excellent book that I thoroughly enjoyed and many thanks to the author, Boldwood Books and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this, another excellent book from Rob Sinclair.

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Little Black Lies by Sharon Bolton

Description from Publisher:

"WE WERE INSEPARABLE. UNTIL THE DAY SHE KILLED MY SONS...

What's the worst thing your best friend could do to you?

Admittedly, it wasn't murder. A moment's carelessness, a tragic accident - and your two children are dead.

Living in a small island community, you can't escape the woman who destroyed your life. Each chance encounter is an agonizing reminder of what you've lost - your family, your future, your sanity.

How long before revenge becomes irresistible?

With no reason to go on living, why shouldn't you turn your darkest thoughts into deeds?

So now, what's the worst thing you can do to your best friend?"

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I have had this on my to-be-read pile for years and I'm kicking myself as this is a gripping and unsettling thriller that explores themes of grief, guilt, and revenge.

Set against the stark and unforgiving landscape of the Falkland Islands, the story centres around Rachel, a woman haunted by the accidental deaths of her best friend's two young sons. Three years later, her friend, Catrin, is consumed by grief and seeking revenge. Meanwhile, there are a series of mysterious disappearances in the remote community.

With excellent characters and oodles of tension, this is a book full of atmosphere and anticipation and whilst it's not fast-paced, it is a book that's worth a read and many thanks to the author, Random House UK and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of Little Black Lies.

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Here One Minute by Alex Lake

 Description from the publisher:

"Now you see her…

Julia Miller puts her teenage daughter on a plane, secure in the knowledge that she will see her again in a few days.

Now you don’t…

But when the plane lands, Anna is nowhere to be seen. She definitely got on the flight, but then she just…vanished.

Is she gone forever?

Julia’s world is about to be rocked. Because when the truth comes about what’s really happened to Anna, nothing will ever be the same again. And time is running out to save her daughter…"

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I have read a few of Alex Lake's books and enjoyed them so would consider myself a fan and this one is just another to add to the list of great books written by this author.

Julia sees her 15 year-old daughter, Anna, off on a flight from Heathrow to Manchester to be met there by her step-mother but she doesn't appear - she definitely got on the flight, got off but then disappeared and this isn't the first time this has happened.  The first time, she was kidnapped by her grandmother but she's dead so what the heck has happened?!?  Then the worst thing happens, Anna's six year-old brother, Oakley, goes missing ... this can't be a coincidence ... can it??

This is an intriguing mystery thriller that's full of red herrings, twists and turns.  It's full of really interesting characters that are well-fleshed out and it's written at a fast pace and I really enjoyed it.

Many thanks to the author, HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this intriguing story.

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The Hitchcock Hotel by Stephanie Wrobel

 

Description from the Publisher:

"Alfred Smettle adores Hitchcock.

And who better to become founder, owner and manager of The Hitchcock Hotel, a remote, sprawling Victorian house sitting atop a hill in the beautiful White Mountains, New England. There, guests can find movie props and memorabilia in every room, round-the-clock film screenings, and an aviary with fifty crows.

For the hotel's first anniversary, Alfred invites the five college friends he studied film with. He hasn't spoken to any of them in sixteen years.

Not after what happened.

But who better to appreciate Alfred's creation?

His guests arrive, and everything seems to go according to plan. Until one glimpses someone standing outside her shower curtain.

Another is violently ill every time she eats the hotel food. Then their mobile phones go missing.

You should always make the audience suffer as much as possible, right?

The guests are stuck in the middle of nowhere, and things are about to get even worse. After all, no Hitchcock set is complete without a dead body."

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I haven't read anything by Stephanie Wrobel before but the fantastic book cover drew me in, unfortunately, it was just an OK read for me and I'm still in two minds as to whether it was worth my time.

This started pretty slowly and whilst I understand you have to set the scene, it was a bit too much and went on for too long.  I didn't really like any of the protagonists and whilst this doesn't usually bother me that much, I think it affected how I felt about the story as a whole as I really wasn't bothered what happened to any of them.

At about the halfway point, the 'action' started to grow, although I use the word action very loosely because there wasn't much of that at all but more than there had been for the first half; it was more of a creeping sensation that something was going to happen to someone and when it did, it was a bit of an anticlimax if I'm honest and the ending was a bit too easy.

Overall, not a book that I can rave about unfortunately but thank you to the author, Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House and NetGalley for enabling me to read The Hitchcock Hotel.

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Dead Man Walking by M.K. Murphy [Audiobook]

 🎙🎙🎙 Narrated by Ethan Kelly 🎙🎙🎙

Description from the Publisher:

"His team is compromised

As dusk falls the night before the trial of notorious crime boss Thomas Unwin, the prosecution’s star witness is brutally murdered, his killer escaping in plain sight from a secure hotel.

His girlfriend is in danger

Detective Rick Turner spent months building the case against Unwin, and he’s not willing to give up now. But Unwin has one final trick up his sleeve to turn the trial in his favour: he has Rick’s girlfriend, Jess, kidnapped in a plan to coerce Rick into throwing his own testimony.

The biggest case of his life hangs in the balance

Faced with a stark choice, Rick must find Jess or give false testimony which would cost him his career and let Unwin walk free. But with the net closing in Rick must soon face a terrifying truth: the killer is closer to him than he ever expected, and as the case turns personal there is no one he can trust, not even his closest colleagues…"

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This is the first in a new series starring Detective Rick Turner and I, for one, became totally immersed and engrossed in the story.

I admit to initially thinking that this wasn't going to be the book for me as it took me a while to get into it but once I did, I couldn't stop listening so desperate was I to find out how it all worked out and I wasn't disappointed.

With great characters, an intriguing plot, some great twists and excellent narration, this is a really good start to a new series and one which I am looking forward to reading/listening to more of in the future.

Many thanks to the author, HarperCollins UK Audio, HQ Digital and NetGalley for enabling me to listen to and share my thoughts of this great start to a new series.

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Life or Death by Michael Robotham

Description from Goodreads:

"Why would a man escape from prison the day before he's due to be released?

Audie Palmer has spent a decade in prison for an armed robbery in which four people died, including two of his gang. Five million dollars has never been recovered and everybody believes that Audie knows where the money is.

For ten years he has been beaten, stabbed, throttled and threatened almost daily by fellow inmates and prison guards, who all want to answer this same question, but suddenly Audie vanishes, the day before he's due to be released.

Everybody wants to find Audie, but he's not running. Instead he's trying to save a life . . . and not just his own."

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I am slowly getting round to my 'to-be-read' pile and this has been on it since 2015!!!  I can't believe it has taken me this long to read this as I definitely missed a treat.

The plot is engaging and compelling being written in the past and present perspectives.  It's full of excellent characters, twists, turns, action and all written at a great pace.   The tension is palpable so much so that I had to take a break towards the end as I was desperate to get to the end and reading so fast that I felt I was missing things but when it came, it was very satisfying.

Definitely recommended to lovers of this genre and if you haven't read this yet, go and find it ... you won't be disappointed.

Many thanks to the author, Little, Brown Book Group and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of Life or Death.

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The Wartime Nurse (The Dutch Girls #3) by Imogen Matthews

 Description from Goodreads:

"An ear-splitting blast blows me sideways and debris starts to fall on top of me. In my shock it takes me a moment to realise the very worst has happened – the hospital has been bombed. The screams of panicked patients are deafening. But I can only think about one thing – my darling Will. Where is he?

1944, Nazi-occupied Holland. As Nurse Freddie cycles through the tulip fields, she looks like any other law-abiding citizen. But beneath her innocent smile lies an iron will to fight for freedom. The Nazis have no idea she is part of the resistance, and that she risks her life every day to deliver food and messages to hidden refugees.

After a failed attempt to take the life of a Nazi collaborator, Freddie is sent to an underground hospital to tend to a group of injured Allied airmen. And when unconscious English pilot Will wakes up and locks his dazzling blue eyes with hers, her heart jolts. As she tends to his wounds, she can’t help but fall deeply in love with this charming English officer.

Will and Freddie start to dream about a future after the war, but when the hospital is bombed by the Nazis, they lose each other in the chaos. With her heart shattered, Freddie vows to find Will and get him to safety – even if that means letting him go forever.

But Freddie’s world comes crashing down when she learns that Will has been captured. To save him, Freddie must infiltrate the hospital where he is held captive. But will saving him cost Freddie her life or her heart?"

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Although this is a fictional story, the characters are based on real people and after reading this book, you will want to go and do a search but be warned, you will find yourself down a rabbit hole and quickly engrossed.  

I cannot begin to imagine what it was like for the people of Holland having to live in their country with a brutal occupier who didn't even think twice about making lives even more difficult than they already were and that's for the Dutch; what it must have been like to be a Jew ... I cannot comprehend.

In this book we focus on Freddie, a young nurse who just happens to be in the resistance. I'm not going to go into all the ins and outs of the story but what I will say, is that it's heartbreaking, uplifting, full of tension and totally riveting and one I would definitely recommend to those of you who enjoy reading books covering this period that has a touch of everything.

Many thanks to the author, Bookouture and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this riveting book.

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