The Photo by A J McDine [Audiobook]

 🎙🎙🎙 Narrated by Tamsin Kennard  🎙🎙🎙

Description from the publisher:

"Just one click of the camera… and my perfect life is destroyed.

My hand shakes as I stare down at the photo I took. The little girl with the heart-shaped face standing at the water’s edge looks adorable but it’s the figure of the man in the background that turns my blood to ice…

Ten years ago, my sister was killed by her husband Jason. The only thing that kept me going was her beautiful five-year-old daughter, Lily. I love her like my own. I’d do anything to protect her.

Now, I’m convinced the man in the background of the photo is Jason. But everyone believed he died that night too. Is my mind playing tricks on me or is everything I thought I knew about the night my sister died a lie?

I have to uncover the truth, but is it more dangerous than I ever imagined? And will I be able to keep Lily safe?"

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I have never read anything by A J McDine before so didn't know what to expect but I wasn't disappointed ... The Photo had me riveted from the very start.

Lara's sister and twin nephews were brutally stabbed ten years ago and her niece seriously injured.  The main suspect, her brother-in-law, is missing and presumed dead that is, until he turns up in the background of one of her photos.  Convinced it's him, she reports it to the police and so begins a chain of events that put everyone's life in danger.

The plot is gripping, the pace is perfect, the characters are excellent and the twists and turns had me continuously questioning myself as clues emerged but I never guessed the ending - I love it when that happens!

The narrator is excellent; her voice draws you into the story and really brings it to life.

I would definitely recommend this audiobook to lovers of thrillers and thanks must go to the author, Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for enabling me to listen to and share my thoughts of this excellent audiobook and I will definitely be looking out for more of her work in the future.

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The Last Time I Saw Him (Stephanie King #4) by Rachel Abbott

 

Description from Goodreads:

"WOULD YOU KEEP A SECRET FOR A STRANGER, IF IT MEANT THE BLOOD WAS ON YOUR HANDS?

Celia, Juliette and Nadia are complete strangers with one thing in they have all been wronged by Ellis Cobain. A wealthy philanthropist on course for a knighthood, Ellis' public persona is bulletproof - but lurking beneath this veneer is a sinister side that only the women closest to him have seen.

When they meet at a boutique hotel on the Cornish coast, brought together by the blind arrogance of their tormentor, they realise what connects them and form a to blackmail him and free themselves from his grasp.

But when he is discovered the next morning, murdered in cold blood, they are left scrambling. None of them knows who did it, and now they must desperately cover their tracks.

Will they keep each other's secrets, now they are all implicated in his death? Will one turn on the others, when any of them could be next?"

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This is the fourth book in this series but only the second I have read (I read the second in the series some time ago) and whilst I will have definitely missed out on the back story; I actually didn't think it had that much of an impact on how much I enjoyed this book.

With fantastic characters, a complex and intriguing story line that kept me guessing until the end and with twists and turns and all written at a good pace, this is a great book that I was totally invested in from the start.  I have to admit that I have never been so pleased to see a character meet a sticky end ... Ellis Cobain is definitely not a nice man and, I feel, got his comeuppance and, if anything, it wasn't horrid enough for me!!!!  

If I have one niggle it's that I found Juliette's bits to be a bit repetitive and she was annoying me so much so that I found it hard to have any sympathy with her and the situation she found herself in but, apart from that, I enjoyed it and would recommend to anyone who enjoys a good murder/mystery/crime thriller.

My thanks go to the author, Headline, Wildfire and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this book.

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Read my review of the second in the Stephanie King series:

The Murder Game

The Codebreaker Girl by Gosia Nealon

 

Description from Goodreads:

"1930s, Poland. We hold our breath as the gears turn, waiting to see if years of work have paid off. The operator looks at me with tears in his eyes. He nods his head. We’ve done it. The code has been broken. But with war brewing, will it be enough to save us?

After graduating as the first and only woman on her university course, orphan Beata is set on joining the Polish Cipher Bureau. She’s determined to save her country from invasion by cracking the Enigma code. But, as the Germans close in, Beata and her team need help…

Meeting with British intelligence, Beata passionately describes her work: and catches the bright, sparkling eyes of one of the agents, Harry. His excitement about her efforts with Enigma and how vital it is for all their futures makes her more determined than ever to do what’s right.

But those stolen moments might be their last. Any hope of preventing war is dashed as gunfire rings across the rooftops and boots sound on the cobblestones. The Nazis have made it to the city. Beata and Harry must flee.

With their duties tearing them in different directions, their only hope is to reunite at the home of British codebreakers, Bletchley Park. But carrying the final key to the Enigma code, and with the Nazis close on her tail, can Beata keep the secrets she holds safe and turn the tide of the war? And will she ever see Harry again?"

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I am becoming a fan of historical fiction and particularly from this era.  Here we have a fantastic story which is inspired by the true story of the Polish mathematicians who worked on the Enigma code.  I had no idea about how much these brave and brilliant Polish were instrumental in the cracking of this code so this was a revelation to me and whilst this is a work of fiction, there are lots of events that actually happened.

This is a really well written book that flows perfectly and with a good pace.  The characters are so well developed with interesting back stories.  I would love to have learned more about what Harry was doing in France; maybe this could be another book???  

I really enjoyed the story - it was full of suspense, heartbreak, bravery - and the way Gosia sucks you into the lives of the characters and their situation is an art and I was hooked from start to finish.

Highly recommended to lovers of historical fiction and 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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Read my review of The Polish Wife also by Gosia Nealon

I Will Ruin You by Linwood Barclay [Audiobook]

🎙🎙🎙 Narrated by George Newburn and Johnathan McClain 🎙🎙🎙

Description from Goodreads:

"How would you react in a life-or-death situation?

It’s a question everyone asks themselves, but few have to face in real life. English teacher Richard Boyle certainly never thought he would find himself talking down a former student intent on harming others, but when Mark LeDrew shows up at Richard’s school with a bomb strapped to his chest, Richard immediately jumps into action. Thanks to some quick thinking, he averts a major tragedy and is hailed as a hero, but not all the attention focused on him is positive.

Richard’s brief moment in the spotlight puts him in the sights of a deranged blackmailer with a score to settle. The situation rapidly spirals out of control, drawing Richard into a fraught web of salacious accusations and deadly secrets. As he tries to uncover the truth he discovers that there’s something deeply wrong in the town—something that ties together Mark, the blackmailer, and a gang of ruthless drug dealers, and Richard has landed smack in the middle of it. He’s desperate to find a way out, but everyone in his life seems to be hiding something, and trusting the wrong person could cost him everything he loves.

What price will he pay for one good deed?"

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I have read a few of Linwood Barclay's novels before and have enjoyed them for what they are ... suspense and action filled stories that entertain and I Will Ruin You is no exception.

Richard's day starts off like any other day but soon turns into a nightmare and it doesn't get any better.  A student threatening to blow up the school, accusations about inappropriate behaviour with students, drug dealers, another teacher stirring the pot, murder and so much more.  

The action and suspense start from the beginning and doesn't let up until the end; yes you have to suspend reality whilst listening but this was easy to do and I just enjoyed the ride and the twists as they came along.  The narrators were excellent and really brought the characters and story to life.

Definitely recommended for people who love this author's work and enjoy an action-packed thriller that's full of suspense and twists that you can lose yourself within its pages for a few hours.

Many thanks to the author, HarperCollins UK Audio and NetGalley for enabling me to listen and share my thoughts of this suspenseful book.

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Other books by Linwood Barclay I have read and reviewed:

Find You First

Take Your Breath Away 

Look Both Ways [Audiobook]

Witness 8 by Steve Cavanagh (Eddie Flynn #8)

Description from Goodreads:

"Ruby Johnson is a nanny and maid to wealthy families in Manhattan's West 74th Street.

She knows their routines. Their secrets.

One night, on her way home, Ruby witnesses a neighbour's murder.

She knows the victim. She knows the killer.

She makes an anonymous call to the police and names the murderer.

But Ruby didn't tell the truth...

Because there's something wrong with Ruby Johnson.

Eddie Flynn, conman turned trial lawyer, must defend an innocent man accused of this terrible crime.

As Ruby's deadly game begins, one thing is certain.

It won't be the last murder this witness is involved in..."

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Mr Cavanagh has done it again ... created an excellent story that had me reading way too late into the night.

Eddie Flynn is back and then some!  Not only does he have to defend his client against a charge of murder, a complex case in itself due to the witness account, but he also has to contend with a hit being put out on him following a run in with dodgy law enforcement officers.  

This story has so much going for it ... excellent, intricate plot, fantastic characters, twists and turns, violence but also some touching moments that cements Eddie and his teams friendship.

What can I say ... just an excellent read from start to finish and whilst this is the eighth in the series, you can get away with reading it as a standalone but I would suggest you read the others ... you won't be disappointed.

Thank you to the author, Headline Publishing and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this, another excellent installation to the Eddie Flynn story.

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Other books by Steve Cavanagh I have read and reviewed:

Thirteen (Eddie Flynn #4)

Fifty-Fifty (Eddie Flynn #5)

The Devil's Advocate (Eddie Flynn #6)