The Dog Park Detectives by Blake Mara

 Description from Goodreads:

"Murder is never just a walk in the park . . .

When friends Louise and Irina find a dead body in the local park whilst walking their dogs, they are soon drawn into the mystery of who murdered local entrepreneur Phil Creasey.

Phil used to be a member of their dog walking community – nicknamed The Pack – until the death of his cockapoo, and The Pack feel they owe it to Phil to investigate his death. With Louise and Irina leading the charge, they soon come up against local drug dealers, stolen cars and a disturbing incident of poisoned dog biscuits. Have The Pack bitten off more than they can chew, or can they follow their noses and solve the crime?"

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This was something of a change from what I usually read but no less enjoyable ... a little unbelievable but enjoyable nonetheless and I was entertained which is the whole point is it not?

There are a lot of characters both canine and human and this was a bit overwhelming and confusing at times but the story is intriguing and whilst it was a little slow in parts, it certainly made up for it towards the end when all the pieces fell together nicely.

This is a good cozy mystery and hopefully there is more to come.

Thanks to the author, Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this canine story.

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The Solstice (Detective Louise Blackwell #7) By Matt Brolly

Description from Goodreads:

"As the Summer Solstice nears, who will be the next target? A dark thriller from the bestselling author of the DI Louise Blackwell series.

In a cave near Weston, potholers discover what they think are human remains. The bones are identified as belonging to Hugo Latchford, a boy who went missing a decade ago, and whose parents belonged to a quasi-religious cult masquerading as environmental activists. It’s not long before rumours that he was sacrificed in a midsummer ritual resurface.

Returning to duty from maternity leave, DI Louise Blackwell finds herself leading the investigation, soon discovering that Hugo’s parents are still alive and the cult very much still active.

As she begins to fathom the ghoulish depths of the group’s pagan beliefs, new mother Louise is profoundly disturbed by the case. And with the Summer Solstice fast approaching, she’s faced with the terrifying prospect that the group might be preparing for their next sacrifice…"

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I have read a couple of this series and have enjoyed them both and this was no exception; I think it can be read as a standalone so don't worry if you haven't read any of the previous ones.

With fantastic characters, a riveting story, oodles of tension, twists and turns and all written at a great pace, this is a great book that I devoured in a day.  I was on holiday at the time so didn't have the daily grind to contend with and I was able to sit in the sun and just enjoy being drawn into this intriguing story from start to finish with minimal interruptions.

I have no hesitation in recommending this book to lovers of excellent thrillers and I can't wait for the next instalment to find out what's next for Detective Louise Blackwell.

Thanks to the author, Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of The Solstice.

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Other books by Matt Brolly I have read and reviewed:

The Mark (Detective Louise Blackwell #4)

The Bridge (Detective Louise Blackwell #6)

The Reunion by M.J. Arlidge and Steph Broadribb

  Description from Goodreads:

"THERE ARE MORE THAN JUST SECRETS BURIED IN THESE WALLS

It's the day of the demolition at White Cross Academy, and a crowd of former pupils and teachers have gathered to watch. But as the final charges are laid in the basement, the crew make a shocking discovery - a human skull.

Former student DI Jennie Whitmore is assigned to the case, her first big murder investigation and one where there can be no room for mistakes. The remains are identified as Hannah Jennings, a popular, but troubled classmate who went missing during her lower Sixth year.

As news of the body's discovery soon leaks, the small town erupts with intrigue, conspiracy and accusation. Jennie now finds herself at the heart of the storm, tasked with making up for the failings of the initial investigation to ensure that justice is finally done. At the centre is Hannah's five closest friends who used the basement as a base for the photography club.

Jennie knows many of the suspects personally and she is convinced that one of this group of five knows the truth about what happened to the wilful, beguiling teenager. As Jennie unearths secrets buried deep, and lies repeatedly told, the assembled friends must reassess their past, before confronting the terrible realisation that one amongst them would rather kill to protect their new life, than pay for the sins of their teenage years."

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I am a fan of M.J. Arlidge and had read a number of his books over the years and have enjoyed them all; I have not read anything by Steph Broadribb before so she is a new author to me but it seemed a no-brainer to read something that they have both collaborated on and I wasn't disappointed.

I read this book in a day - I was on holiday so didn't have the usual daily grind so was able to sit in the sun and lose myself in this riveting book.

With great characters, an intriguing plot, fast pace and twists and turns, this is a book that I literally couldn't put down and I was gripped from start to finish and I have no hesitation in recommending this to others.

Thanks to the authors, Orion Publishing and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this intriguing murder mystery.

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Other books by M.J. Arlidge that I have read and reviewed:

Cat and Mouse (Helen Grace #11)

Down to the Woods (Helen Grace #8)

All Fall Down (Helen Grace #9)

The Doll's House

The Wrong Child by M.J. Arlidge and Julia Crouch

Subject 375 by Nikki Owen

Description from Goodreads:

"What to believe

Who to betray

When to run…

Plastic surgeon Dr Maria Martinez has Asperger’s. Convicted of killing a priest, she is alone, in prison and has no memory of the murder.

DNA evidence places Maria at the scene of the crime, yet she claims she’s innocent. Then she starts to remember…

A strange room. Strange people. Being watched.

As Maria gets closer to the truth she is drawn into a web of international intrigue and must fight not only to clear her name but to remain alive."

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I have had this book on my to-be-read pile for years ... no idea why it has taken me so long to get to it but I got there in the end however, it seemed to take just as long to read it!!!

Unfortunately, I found it extremely difficult to get into it probably because the main character, Maria, was all over the place and it shifted different time frames often so it became extremely confusing for me but I persevered and finished it but I am still scratching my head!!

Subject 375 has received loads of positive reviews so I think I am in the minority but thank you to the author, HQ, HarperCollins and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of Subject 375.

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Auschwitz A Mother's Story by Rosa de Winter-Levy (Audiobook)

🎙🎙🎙 Narrated by Mandy Weston 🎙🎙🎙
 

Description from Goodreads:

"Suddenly there is a blow to my face, I am hurled to one side. 'My child, I have to go with her!' I scream. But Dr Mengel is standing before me, whip raised. 'Maul halten, shut up!' His eyes gleam. Filled with fear I cower down.

In 1943, as the Nazi power swept across central Europe, Rosa, her husband Emanuel and their daughter, Judy, were forced into hiding. But after a year and a half of living a terrifying, day-by-day existence, they were betrayed. As they arrived in Auschwitz, Rosa was torn from her husband and her only daughter. Could she dare to hope she would see either of them again?

Somehow, Rosa fought the horror and humiliation of the camp, on occasion coming dangerously close to death. In nursing the people trapped beside her, she helped others survive, but tragically she also watched them die - including a mother she had met before, with a similar story and a daughter the very same age. Her name was Edith Frank.

Written immediately in the months after the war, Auschwitz - A Mother's Story tells Rosa de Winter-Levy's unique and heart-breaking personal story - from the atrocities of the camp to her journey out of hell. Powerful and affecting, it is the testimony of a mother, and the pain she will endure for the chance to hold her child again.

It's night. The door opens and along with 500 other women I am taken to the so-called Krätzeblock, the scabies block. Mice and rats run over us, the women scream and cry, it's almost unbearable. There's no chance of sleep, we're all consumed by the same tomorrow our final hour will have come."

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I found this audiobook powerful and heart-wrenching listening to Mandy Weston's excellent narration.

Each book I have read about the Holocaust and World War II has provided another piece of history I was not fully aware of and Auschwitz A Mother's Story is no different. 

It is, as you can imagine, a very difficult book to read/listen to but it is also very powerful and inspirational and is a story that should be shared as all survivors accounts should be.

Many thanks to the author, Octopus Publishing, Moneray and NetGalley for enabling me to listen to and share my thoughts of this audiobook and for continuing to ensure that these stories continue to be published so they are not forgotten.

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Learn a bit more about Rosa de Winter-Levy

via the annefrank.org website

Final Encounter: A Leine Basso Thriller by D.V. Berkom

✴✴✴ Due to be published on 09-September-2024 ✴✴✴

Description from Goodreads:

"A former assassin, a disgraced-cop, and a cyber-security expert race to stop a relentless cyber-terrorist determined to sell death and destruction to the highest bidder.

When three performers from a prestigious Seattle nightclub are murdered, former assassin Leine Basso is called in by a close friend to help investigate.

The clues lead her to a wealthy tech mogul with a state-of-the-art AI program. Despite compelling evidence implicating the billionaire, Leine senses a deeper conspiracy.

Assisted by a cyber-security expert and a disgraced-cop-turned-PI, Leine must navigate a maze of deception and cyber warfare, uncovering a cunning rival with a deadly agenda who is manipulating events from behind the scenes."

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If you're looking for a book that has great characters, a strong female lead, excellent story, action and suspense, then look no further than Final Encounter and the rest of the Leine Basso series ... you can't go wrong!  Don't worry, this can be read as a standalone however, I would highly recommend delving into others in order to understand Leine a bit more as she is a complex character but it's not essential.

You would have thought that this series would be getting a little stale but this is definitely not the case ... D.V. Berkom has a knack of coming up with up-to-date and believable scenarios for Leine to become involved in and with the pace, excellent descriptions and fantastic characters you can't go wrong with getting your grubby little eyes on this and the rest of the series.

Once again, thank you to D.V for accepting me as a member her ARTeam and for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of Final Encounter and my hungry eyes can't wait to read the next!

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More of D.V. Berkom's books I have read and reviewed:

Making Leine (A Leine Basso Prequel)

The Body Market (Leine Basso #4)

The Last Deception (Leine Basso #6)

Dark Return (Leine Basso #7)

Absolution (Leine Basso #8)

Dakota Burn (Leine Basso #9)

Shadow of the Jaguar (Leine Basso#10)

A Plague of Traitors (Leine Basso #11)

Fatal Objective (Leine Basso #12)

Terminal Threat (Leine Basso #13)

Retribution (A Claire Whitcomb Western #1)

Gunslinger (A Claire Whitcomb Western #2)

Legend (A Claire Whitcomb Western #3)